Sermons on Jim:

The Da Vinci Code: Fact Or Fiction (Part Two: Did Jesus Claim To Be God?)

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 14, 2006

In his book, Dan Brown claims that the deity of Jesus was a fourth-century creation. This sermon looks at Jesus’ own statements on the subjects and then examines the three ways we can respond to those statements.

The Da Vinci Code Claim: “The deity of Jesus was invented at the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.).” - A character in Brown’s book states, “Until that moment [the Council of Nicea] in history, Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophet. . . a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Da Vinci Code: Fact Or Fiction (Part One: Can The Bible Be Trusted?)

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2006

In the light of The Da Vinci Code’s accusation that what we read in the Bible is fiction, this message looks at four of the main accusations against the accuracy of the Bible and explains why the Bible can be trusted.

- Why are we going to talking about The Da Vinci Code over the next few weeks? Well, there’s a couple of reasons: 1. Dan Brown’s book makes some serious claims about Jesus that strike at the heart of what we believe. Because of the enormous popularity of this book and the likely blockbuster ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Excusing Our Sin: "I'm A Good Person"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2006

This message looks at what we really mean when we say, "He’s a good person" and what the Biblical standard is to be able to say that.

1. Our Belief: “I’m a good person.” 2. Some Examples Of God’s Standards: a. It’s a blot on our record every time we get angry at a friend without cause. - Matthew 5:21-22. - We’ll say, “Well, at least I’m not a murderer,” but here we see that we’re in danger of judgment for our unjustified ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

God's Not On Your Side

Contributed by Jim Dillinger on Jun 3, 2005

We need to make sure we are on the side of God rather than trying to get God on our side.

God’s Not On Your Side Josh 5:13-15 (sing “who’s side are you standing on?”) God is for the … Republicans – Democrats Americans – Mexicans Whites – Blacks Church of Christ – Baptists Everyone wants to claim that God is on their side. When they fail, they can hardly believe it because God was ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Wrong With Skipping Bible Class?

Contributed by Jim Dillinger on Jun 3, 2005

We need to teach the next generation or we’ll pay a great spiritual price. Bible class is one way to do that.

What’s Wrong With Skipping Bible Class? Judges 2:10-15 ( have a couple kids stand up with me as a visual for the lesson) There is an interesting phenomenon that happened on any given Sunday in any given church. More people show up for worship services than for Bible classes. We average about ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:10-15, Judges 2:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Out Of The Ashes

Contributed by Jim Dillinger on Jun 3, 2005

Don’t give into despair. You never know what great things God can do even with the worst of situations.

Out of the Ashes Ruth 1:6-7, 19-21 Are you feeling like life can’t get any worse than what it is right now? Is it a struggle to remain faithful to God? Are you just hanging on by a thread and afraid that it’s going to break at any moment? Read the book of Ruth. Today I will give you the short ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Things Work Toward The Good

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Jun 6, 2005

God allows and uses everything that happens in our lives for our good.

In the early days of our country a weary traveler came to the banks of Mississippi River for first time. There was no bridge, of course. It was early winter, and the surface of the mighty river was covered with ice. Could he dare cross over? Would the uncertain ice be able to bear his weight? ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Don't Have Something Nice To Say. . . Come Sit Next To Me

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 6, 2005

This sermon deals with those who like to complain and enjoy criticizing others. Unearths 5 things to deal with the critical problem of having a critical heart.

Facing The Critical Problem Of Having A Critical Heart: 1. Choose your only legitimate option: speak to them, not about them. - v. 1 - “against” - Big Lie: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” - when people believe this, it seems so impossible that they dismiss God’s ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: The Cure For Turkish Delight

Contributed by Jim Schultz on Dec 22, 2005

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe teaches us a few things about the nature of sin and the solution to the problems sin causes.

The Cure For Turkish Delight Imagine a land in which it’s always winter and never Christmas. Narnia--land cursed by White Witch. She wouldn’t allow Father Christmas to come… Edmund finds out about the power of this Witch’s curse when he tries her Turkish Delight. Voluneer tries some Turkish ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Narnia: The Power Of A Story That Is True

Contributed by Jim Barnes on Dec 24, 2005

A Christmas Eve message utilizing the film version of "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and the conversion of C.S. Lewis as tools for challenging listeners to decide whether the Christmas story is truth or fiction.

Title: “The Power of a Story That Is True” Text: Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 Date: December 24, 2005 (Christmas Eve) People love good stories don’t they? If they didn’t, books and movies wouldn’t be so popular. There’s just something about a good story that stirs our emotions and moves us in a way ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faces Of The Stranger Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for us to form community, and in so doing, we will also find an explanation for the turmoil our world is seeing and has always seen.

The Faces of the Stranger Pastor Jim Luthy I’ve really wrestled this week whether to return to our series on community or to talk about the recent attacks on our nation. On one hand, we are being asked to return to normal, whatever that means, and these messages on community are meant to equip us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8, Matthew 23:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Between Two Worlds

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 23, 2001

What is the good word for today? God is in control!

Three years ago this past summer, one of the college students at my former congregation found out that he had a brain tumor. I’ll never forget that evening waiting with members of his family and girlfriend as he had an MRI done and then was told it revealed a brain tumor. But, what is special ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: Church Of God

The Two Minute Drill Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 23, 2001

Have we been given the two minute warning?

I started reading a book this week that has brought words to my feelings as I struggled with what I believe God wanted me to say today. “Preacher pastors often hesitate before they speak. The stakes are high. For words “name worlds,” worlds that can bind or set free, worlds that can build up or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:11-12

Denomination: Church Of God

You Are Blessed! Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jan 23, 2002

On a level other than the one we can see, at a supernatural level, in the realm where good and evil do battle and evil always loses, God has blessed us. He wants us to live according to that blessing.

You Are Blessed Ephesians 1:3-14 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." – Ephesians 1:3 Poor Little Orphan Annie! It’s "a hard-knock life" for her and her friends. All the hard chores, the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Your Reward Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jan 23, 2002

The Spirit who brings wisdom and revelation is the Holy Spirit. It is God himself visiting us to give us his wisdom, and to give us revelation. Why? According to Ephesians 1:17 it’s so that we may know him better.

Pursue Understanding: Jesus Is Your Reward Pastor Jim Luthy Ephesians 1:15-23 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better." As I shared the message that we are blessed, the people of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23, Exodus 33:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational