In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 557

That You May Know With Certainty Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 9, 2023

Luke opens his gospel with five reasons why we can trust what he's going to share with us.

A Word of Caution: There are lots of opinions about Jesus. - Luke 1:1 (“Many have undertaken”). What’s Worth Holding Onto: 1. The “things” that were prophesied. - Luke 1:1 (“been fulfilled among us”). 2. The “things” that were seen by eyewitnesses. - Luke 1:2. 3. The “things” that stand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

On Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2023

The end of Joseph's life provides an opportunity to think about the legacy he left . . . and the legacy we will leave.

- Exodus 1:8 is a pretty famous verse. For good reason too, it provides a nice summary of our situation as we move into the story of Exodus and the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt: a. Israel is in Egypt. b. They are there because of Joseph. c. When Israel got there, they were highly ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of A Father’s Blessing Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 31, 2023

The final chapter of Jacob's life provides a striking example of the power of a father's blessing. What can we learn that's can be applied to our role as fathers (and mothers).

AT THE END: As Jacob comes to the end of his life, he blesses his children. - Genesis 48:1-49:28. - These two chapters share with us the final acts of Jacob. He has lived a long life and he knows he’s at the end (48:1-2; 49:29, 33). - The words that Jacob speaks are words of blessing (49:28). - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 48:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Embarrassing Whine Of The Ungrateful Believer Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2023

Jacob makes a striking (and embarrassing) statement in his audience with Pharaoh: "my years have been few and difficult." Amid all the good things God has given him, what can we learn from his lack of gratitude?

- Picture the scene. - Joseph has been an incredible, dynamic presence in Egypt, saving the country and the region from this lengthy famine. His brothers came down and, after a long drama, there was a dramatic reunion and forgiveness. They were sent home to bring the whole family to Egypt to live ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 47:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 16, 2023

The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.

HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Look Like When God Finally Answers? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 10, 2023

After years of what felt like silence from God, Joseph finally gets his moment when the pieces come together. What can we learn from his experience?

A LONG TIME WAITING: Joseph finally gets his answer. - Genesis 41:1-57. - Overview the story. - No doubt Joseph wondered countless times why he was in the place and shape that he was in. Now he finally gets an answer. Not a complete reckoning but one that fills in the major pieces. WHAT DOES ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Baptist

"five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2023

Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?

Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

"When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down” Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 4, 2023

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Part Of God’s Story Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 28, 2023

The dreams of Joseph lay out the larger vision of what God will fulfill in His life. What can we learn from it about the way God works?

- Sermon series: “Character Amid Crisis.” - Joseph is not necessary the most important of the OT characters. That would probably go to Abraham or Moses or David. But I think Joseph stands as the greatest saint of the OT in his behavior. He doesn’t have the major lapses in his behavior like most of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

When You Reach The End Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 31, 2022

Exile is imminent because of the judgment of God. What does the final chapter before that teach us?

CYCLES AND CRASHES: This era of Israeli history comes to a final descent. - 2 Chronicles 36:1-14. - Let’s talk for a moment about cycles vs crashes. Cycles are those ups and downs that are part of everyday life. They are what we expect. Things are a little better then they’re a little worse but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 36:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

When A Teenager Held Back God’s Judgment Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 29, 2022

Josiah stands strong for what's right and, in the course of doing that, holds off God's judgment on a nation.

When a Teenager Held Back God’s Judgment: 1. Sometimes it takes a new generation to move back toward God. - 2 Chronicles 34:1-3. - He’s a young man: eight when he begins to rule and sixteen when he begins seeking the Lord. - It’s easy for us to berate and deride the younger generations, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

How Gone Is Too Far Gone? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 19, 2022

Manasseh does great evil as king. Is he too far gone for God to forgive?

WAS MANASSEH TOO FAR GONE? 1. HIS FATHER SET A GODLY EXAMPLE. - 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33. - Sin nature within all of us, no matter how we’re raised. - Each of us must choose the path we will take. Our parents can’t live for us. - This is one of the greatest tragedies of parenting. Certainly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Bad Things Happen To People Trying To Be Faithful To God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 16, 2022

King Hezekiah has tried to be faithful and yet a frightening attack from the Assyrians is headed his way. Why would God allow that and what can we learn from Hezekiah's response?

BUT KING HEZEKIAH WAS FAITHFUL: Why do bad things happen to people trying to be faithful to God? - 2 Chronicles 32:1. - Dismiss the idea of “why do bad things happen to good people?” with a discussion of the fact that none of us are good people. - This verse uses the word “faithfully” and that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

When You’ve Been Way Off Track, What’s Coming Back Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 15, 2022

Judah has been so far off-track that they haven't celebrated Passover in forever. What does it look like coming back?

- This is a picture of revival. WAY OFF TRACK: Something as central as Passover had been lost. - 2 Chronicles 30:1, 5. GETTING BACK: They needed to return to God by humble obedience. - 2 Chronicles 30:6-9. a. Return to God. - We are returning to God, not church. b. By humble obedience. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Where Revival Starts Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2022

King Hezekiah's powerful actions point us to where revival starts.

Where Revival Starts: - v. 2 – Hezekiah did what was right. - As we discussed last week, his father Ahaz was a terrible king. - Revival cannot be scheduled. It’s when God moves. 1. It starts with God’s house. - 2 Chronicles 29:3-9. - We so often look at the world and complain at their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36

Denomination: Baptist