Sermons on Jim:

Four Excuses To Put Missions On The Backburner

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 2, 2003

This message deals with four of the most common reasons we give to move missions from its rightful place as a priority.

- compared to new ministries here or paying down loan or improvements to the building, missions isn’t as exciting for most folks; missions easily gets put aside. Four Excuses To Put Missions On The Back Burner: 1. “That’s their problem.” - v. 14. - sometimes we act like the problems ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Reclaiming The Christmas Peace That Busyness Steals From Us

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 2, 2003

This message explores four things we need to quit doing in order to make our Christmas season more peaceful.

- Luke 2:14 - the promise of peace. RECLAIMING THE CHRISTMAS PEACE THAT BUSYNESS STEALS FROM US: - largely an exercise in doing less, so we’re going to talk about 4 things we need to quit. 1. Quit trying to please everyone. - Luke 5:15-16. - so many wanting a piece of His time, yet He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

And Who Is My Enemy?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

How do I love my enemy?

In a recent column in Leadership Weekly, Gordon MacDonald, a retired pastor and editor at large for Leadership, a journal for pastors, reflected on a comment from Louis Berkhof who said, "God does not want us as objects but as covenant partners, partners who can converse. He desires our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Denomination: Church Of God

How's It Going To End?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

Questions about life and death

Having just returned from 6 days of vacation that included three different hotels (and rides on 6 different roller coasters in two different amusement parks) I can relate to Stephan Brown’s comments about packing and unpacking while on vacation. He says, “some people when they go on vacation, they ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:8

Denomination: Church Of God

What Happens When Revival Really Comes

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

A look at the diffence between real revival and man-made "revival meetings."

Starting Point: Revival only happens when the fire of God falls from heaven. - v. 38. - I didn’t know how exactly to share this passage, then it occurred to me that what’s in this passage serves as an example for us of a real revival. - too often, we call something a revival that isn’t really ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Number One Condition Of Answered Prayer

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

What is the condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned the most? It’s the necessity of faith.

- The condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned most often was faith/notice how many times faith and belief are mentioned in vv. 22, 23, 24. How Much Faith Do We Have? 1. Are you surprised when an answer to prayer comes? - v. 21. - “One of the terrible marks of the diseased state of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Holding Onto A Good Thing

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

Why do we hold onto the good news of what Jesus has done for us instead of sharing it with others in need?

The Path We’ve Trod: - each of these is both true of the lepers and of us in our spiritual pilgrimage. 1. Desperation leads to decision. - vv. 3-4. - they had nothing to lose/they just wanted to live. - they were sick, separated, and starving. 2. God does a miracle at the moment of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

When You've Done Something You Swore You'd Never Do

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

This passage deals with a horrible sin committed by people who I’m sure didn’t think they could ever sink that low. What does God have to say to those in our congregations who’ve done things that they never thought they would?

- I was going to skip this passage, because, to be honest, it’s disgusting/I’m not saying it isn’t inspired Scripture, I’m not saying that it didn’t happen, I’m just saying that it’s disgusting. - not all of Scripture is pleasant to read. - but God opened up to me a message from within this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Captain

Contributed by Jim Wright on Aug 25, 2004

This passages shows us how to follow the Captain of our salvation as He leads us to the completion of our glourious salvation in the world to come.

Hebrews 2:5-13 Following the Captain of our Salvation Introduction 1. This year as part of our vacation we planned a camping trip to Sudbury to see Science North (the northern version of Ontario Science Centre) and to experience family camping along the way. 2. Our destiny was Science North, but ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Fair?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

– Life is not fair. God is. – Philip Yancey (Disappointment With God)

I like the comment that I recently read which said, “If you tell a man that there are 568,678,934,341 stars in the universe, he’ll believe you. But if a sign says, “Fresh Paint,” he has to make a personal investigation.” Certain things in life create questions that move us to “personal ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

How Do I Accept Forgiveness

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about forgiveness and growth in grace are answered.

(As I begin this morning, I am letting you know that I will be making an invitation to come forward to the altar at the conclusion of the sermon.) In our text for this morning, many people are in a desperate place and only Jesus can truly save them. The woman who is dragged before Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about our life purpose are asked and answered.

I begin this morning with a question, “Are you a why, a what or a how person?” What people ask: What do I need to do next? What do I need to do to get this job done? What do I need to do to get to this person to notice me? What can I do to get more people to church? What can I say to so and so to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:12-34

Denomination: Church Of God

How To Be A Faithful Soldier In God's Army

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 24, 2003

This message explores some of the key concepts in being a "good soldier of Jesus Christ."

- Veteran’s Day. HOW TO BE A FAITHFUL SOLDIER IN GOD’S ARMY: OUR SITUATION AS SOLDIERS: 1. There is a war going on. - 1 Timothy 6:12 - “Fight the good fight of faith. . .” - 2 Timothy 4:7. 2. It is a spiritual battle. - Ephesians 6:12 - “For we do not wrestle against flesh and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Prayers That Always Get Answered

Contributed by Jim Miller on Nov 3, 2003

In John 17, Jesus models for us the type of "anything" prayers that God always answers.

11-02-03 John 17 Intro: 2 TV shows over the past couple of weeks, shocked at the content. King of Queens rerun, Carrie prays for a raise, gets it, they begin to get everything they pray for. Meat market scene with priest. Second, Everwood, pastor of church getting married, also going blind, he ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Brethren

Anchoring On The Resurrection

Contributed by Jim Miller on Nov 3, 2003

Our ability to trust God in any circumstance is due to our anchoring ourselves in the resurrection of Jesus, and in His return.

Read John 16:17-33 from the Message. How many would say you’re dealing with anxiety today? Ron’s question—what’s keeping you up at night? Can’t you relate to what the guys around Jesus are feeling here? They’re worried about the future. Back in the storm. Think back to chapt. 14 (about 2-3 ...read more

Scripture: John 16:17-33

Denomination: Brethren