Sermons on Presume:

Rally Around Life Series

Contributed by Mark Pierce on May 25, 2010

What do Christ followers rally around? What makes the difference during discouraging times?

Rally Around Life – 03.22.09 Introduction – You’ve heard the expression “Rally Around the Flag.” It is where our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” comes from. Francis Scott Key, as a prisoner aboard a British ship, saw the American flag still ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How God Deals With Those Who Know Almost Nothing About Him Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 27, 2013

A look at what outsiders the Magi were and the amazing fact that God invited them into the Christmas story anyway.

ASTROLOGERS?! REALLY?: God doesn’t care how little you know about Him. - Matthew 2:1-2 – “Magi” - The Christmas story and its details are so familiar to us that we fail to see the uncomfortable details that should shock us. - One such detail: Magi come to bow down to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

When We Ignore The "signs" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 24, 2024

This verse points out that the Sabbath was intended to be a sign but that Israel wasn't actually obeying it. What are some ways we do similar things today?

GIVE ME A SIGN: God says here that the Sabbath was intended as a sign. - Ezekiel 20:10-12. - These verses tell us that God brought Israel out of Egypt. He gave them the Mosaic Law as a path toward life and peace. And one of the signs He gave them was the Sabbath. - What exactly does it mean that ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Real Men Do Cry

Contributed by Paul Green on Mar 13, 2022

The Apostle Paul is renowned for being a woman-hating, doctrine-making, emotionless, rock hard, ice cold; Gospel preaching machine, but in reality he was a man who was never very far away from a good cry for the sake of the Gospel.

In our reading this morning the Apostle Paul is writing to the church he had planted in Philippi and he says, ‘Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:6, Psalm 56:8, John 11:35, Luke 19:41-44, Hebrews 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Does The Father Want From Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 9, 2026

Is this parable just a straight evangelism message or is there something more than Jesus is really after here?

ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON SERMON: The traditional sermon approach to this passage misses half the story. - Luke 15:11-32. - Let’s begin with the way this parable is normally preached. - This is a great evangelism sermon. It speaks of a son walking away from his father. It speaks of enjoying the high ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Characteristics Of False Teachers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 15, 2010

In today's lesson, Jude describes the characteristics of false teachers.

Scripture The Letter of Jude deals with the subject of false teaching, which is the greatest danger to the Church of Jesus Christ today. As we study Jude 8-10 today, I want you to notice the characteristics of false teachers. Let’s read Jude 8-10: 8 Yet in like manner these people also, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Doesn't Someone Do Something About The Evil In The World?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 25, 2013

A look at how often we choose our peace and our property over standing up to the evil in the world.

[Open sermon with "Bubble Creek Canyon" video from BluefishTV.com] OUR PRAYER: We want to be insulated and isolated from the evil in the world. - Matthew 8:28, 32-34. - There are two mentions of violence in this passage. - First, there are two men who are demon-possessed. They are men of great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis 24 - Resume Of A Servant Leader - Part 7 Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jun 17, 2011

He is not mentioned by name in this story but he makes a name for himself in the pages of history. If you are looking for an example of SERVANT LEADERSHIP, you will find it here in Abraham’s servant. Imagine if he asked for a reference to add to his resum

Genesis 24 - RESUME OF A SERVANT LEADER - Part 7 He is not mentioned by name in this story but he makes a name for himself in the pages of history. If you are looking for an example of SERVANT LEADERSHIP, you will find it here in Abraham’s servant. Imagine if he asked for a reference to add to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Advice That Can Divert You From God’s Will

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 23, 2018

Looking at those who shouted at Christ while He was on the cross, this sermon explores how their demands would have led Christ directly away from doing God's will. How often does the advice the world gives us every day do the same thing?

ADVICE FROM THE CROWD: “Good advice” from the world can divert you from God’s will for your life. - Mark 15:29-32. - While Jesus is on the cross, the crowd throws several suggestions His way. When you dig into them a little, it’s interesting to see how deeply counterproductive they are. There ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Is God’s Will An Inscrutable Mystery? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 21, 2020

Many complain that God's will is impossible to discern. God proclaims here, though, that He is regularly and clearly speaking through His prophets.

KEEPING US IN THE DARK? Is God’s will an inscrutable mystery? - Amos 3:3-7. - It is a common complaint that God’s will is an inscrutable mystery? Who can discern that hand of God? Who can understand the mind of the Lord? - And so many presume that because it is an impossibility to understand ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Everyone Has An Opinion About Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 22, 2020

This passage gives us the (questionable) opinions of three groups about Jesus. How did Jesus stay focused amid disparate viewpoints?

DISINFORMATION, AGENDAS, FEARS, AND UNCERTAINTY: Everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but most of them are wrong. - John 7:1-14. - We live in a time when people often talk as though all opinions are equally valid. You have your opinion and I have mine and we can both be right. (This is often ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Common Approach To The Bible That Yields Terrible Results

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 11, 2013

At look at what happens when we come to the Bible with a preconceived agenda.

[Drama: Having a big cardboard jigsaw puzzle, with a piece missing. The piece that fits is “sacrifice.” But what you want to fit is “comfort.” So they tear away at “comfort” a little to make the piece “fit” into the puzzle.] A COMMON APPROACH TO ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-64

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To "make Every Effort" To Enter The Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 10, 2025

This passage has two troubling phrases: "make every effort" and "try . . . and not be able." What are we to do with those? And do they mean that God is setting up difficult barriers to get into the Kingdom?

WHAT DOES "MAKE EVERY EFFORT" MEAN? It doesn’t mean that it’s nearly impossible but that you should focus your attention. - Luke 13:22-24a. - Jesus is asked an important question: “[A]re only a few people going to be saved?” (v. 23). - That's a great question. What is the nature of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

The War On Marriage

Contributed by Jason Duhon on May 2, 2009

Scripture gives us a clear picture of the Godly marriage. Yet this world, and the self-centered god of it, is trying to destroy marriage as we know it.

Scripture gives us a clear picture of the Godly marriage. Yet this world, and the self-centered god of it, is trying to destroy marriage as we know it. 1. Disavowed its Authority a. God is the Author of marriage, not man. b. The World has presumed authority of one of God’s sacred ordinances, yet ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Response When The Prophets Start Lying Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2024

This chapter is rich in details of what false prophets look like, what the practical consequences of false prophecy are, and how God will respond to false prophets.

- [This is more of a Wednesday evening study. Lots of points.] WHAT MANY PRESUME: If the religious leaders are saying it, it must be from God. WHAT DOES THEIR FALSE PROPHECY LOOK LIKE? 1. It’s out of their imagination. - Ezekiel 13:2, 17-18. 2. They follow their own spirit. - Ezekiel ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist