Sermon Central
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Jim Butcher
Contributing sermons since Nov 13, 2000
Newest Sermons
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The Problem With ‘what’s Best For Me’
Contributed on Jun 19, 2018
A look at God's call to be concerned for the vulnerable.
Our Starting Point: “What’s best for me?” - We usually end up with a self-centered mentality. We look out for ourselves. And that is certainly encouraged within our society. We are a “winner-take-all” place where everyone looks out for themselves. - What responsibility do we have to those ...read more
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A Life Bigger Than Money
Contributed on May 23, 2018
This message focuses on stepping out of the American Dream's pursuit of escalating standards of living. Instead we are to hold our money lightly and "freely receive, freely give."
- In some ways this is the second part of last week’s sermon. Last week we looked at this passage in Matthew 10:8 about freely receiving and freely giving. We talked about living life with an open hand and whether we are living stingy lives. - I want to return to that same passage this morning ...read more
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Why Are We So Stingy?
Contributed on May 18, 2018
Jesus calls us to "freely give," yet many of us aren't free with our generosity. This sermon looks at the problem and steps forward.
A DIFFICULT QUESTION: Are we stingy? - We don’t like to think of ourselves as being stingy. It’s an ugly word. It’s a small word. But I think a case can be made that many of us are stingier than we’d like to admit. Consider some numbers. - Four stats: a. American Christians today give ...read more
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Why Don’t I Sense God’s Closeness More Often?
Contributed on May 3, 2018
Jesus said the kingdom is near, yet often we don't sense God's closeness. This sermon looks at five places where we're likely to meet God.
A GOOD QUESTION: Why don’t I sense God’s closeness more often? - Most of us can tell you about moments in our lives when we sensed God’s closeness. - One such moment for me was when the Holy Spirit spoke to me at 4 a.m. in Guangzhou, China. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so palpable and ...read more
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A First Step Toward Witnessing For The Non-Evangelist
Contributed on Apr 18, 2018
A look at how crucial it is to recognize that God has put a few people around that we are responsible to pray for and witness to.
- Let me note as we begin that the sermon title speaks of the “non-evangelist.” While there are people who are spiritually gifted at evangelism, sharing our faith is a job that is assigned to all of us. I’m referring there to the person who doesn’t feel they’re any good at that or for the person ...read more
Newest Sermon Series
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How To Be More Generous
Contributed on May 18, 2018
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Pride
Contributed on Feb 20, 2015
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Assured: Being Confident About Final Judgment
Contributed on Oct 8, 2014
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How To Live A Fruitful Life
Contributed on Jul 18, 2014
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How To Make A Difference
Contributed on Jun 3, 2014
Newest Sermon Illustrations
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What God Told Me At 4 A.m. In Guangzhou, China
Contributed on Apr 13, 2018
Note: this story is told by me - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. I want to tell you a story about an insight that God gave me into John 14:1-4, the passage where Jesus speaks of going to prepare a place for us. This is the story of something that happened to me several years ago while I was in ...read more
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Who, In Hell
Contributed on Apr 13, 2018
The business meeting at First Baptist was well into its second hour. It had been another cantankerous one. Lots of angry comments, snide remarks, and power plays. And, making it especially sad, the issue on the table wasn’t even an important one. The debate was over a relatively minor recent ...read more
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The Worst Boss Ever
Contributed on Apr 11, 2018
What if you had a boss that demanded that you check in with him every ten minutes no matter what? What if he required that even if you were in the middle of other important work in your office? What if he demanded that whether you were at the office or at home? What if he required that ...read more
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The Problem With Church 200 Years Ago
Contributed on Apr 11, 2018
I was recently reading an interesting book about life in America 200 years ago. One intriguing detail that the author shared was that back then most people only bathed once a year. It made me think of how unpleasant it would have been to gather on a sultry August Sunday morning in a sanctuary ...read more
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The King Who Owned Everything
Contributed on Apr 11, 2018
Once upon a time there was a king who ruled a vast domain. He was the wealthiest person in the world: thousands of horses, dozens of homes, access to anything his heart desired. There was nothing anyone could give him that he did not already possess. One day at the door of the throne room a ...read more