Sermons on A Faithful City:

When Jesus Says ’come’, You’d Better Go

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 2, 2006

7 Invitations Christ has extended to people...and the offer is still good today! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

WHEN JESUS SAYS “COME” YOU’D BETTER GO! Mark 1:17-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhenJesusSaysCome.html When I was very young my dad taught me that when he or my mom said, “Come, ” I’d better go. And if the command was to jump…well, you know the rest! [how high?] In the Word of God the word ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Two Ways

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 2, 2006

--2 Ways to HEAVEN, to HAPPINESS, 2 Ways to LIVE, and to DIE. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

TWO WAYS Matthew 7:13-29 The number two has a great significance in the Bible: Two tables of stone -Two sons of Aaron Abraham had two sons -Isaac had two sons Two and the Tabernacle -Two goats Two turtledoves -Two pigeons Two oxen used together -Samson two pillars Two witnesses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-29

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer And Forgiveness

Contributed by Steven Boyns on Feb 4, 2006

Today it is our assignment to examine one for the most important practices in the life of every Christian – that of prayer. Prayer is essential to knowing God and it’s essential for growing spiritually - prayer.

A few weeks ago we began to examine one for the most important practices (one which should be paramount) in the life of every believing Christian – that of prayer. And prayer for the believer, as I’ve said before, is not an option, it’s an obligation. The very action of prayer should not be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness And Purity Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Feb 7, 2006

Holiness has everything to do with exercising self-control over our sexual desires.

Holiness and Purity Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 Introduction: The Illinois Department of Resources reports that more than 17,000 deer die each year after being struck by motorists on state highways. I’m sure that a number of us have helped some of these beautiful animals commit suicide in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"For The Love Of God"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Feb 8, 2006

God loves you ... unconditionally. He couldn’t love you any more than He does ... or any less than He does. Bask in the love of God!

“For The Love Of God” Tuesday is Valentine’s Day! (Just a reminder, guys!) When we think of Valentine’s Day, our thoughts go towards “love”. And, when we think of “love”, we must think of the greatest love the world has ever known … the love of God. Turn with me to Ephesians 3:17-19 – “that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39, Romans 8:39

Denomination: Baptist

What About The Superbowl Of Life? Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on Feb 13, 2006

THERE IS AN ANALOGY THAT CAN BE MADE BETWEEN WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL IN FOOTBALL AND WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL OF LIFE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUPERBOWL OF LIFE? TEXT- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 INTRODUCTION A great preacher, who had a lot of influence on me, gave me the following advice. He said, “Doug, I have found it better to preach on a topic that is relevant for the day or event that is taking place. I believe the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resolving Church Conflict Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 14, 2006

What does an argument that took place 2000 years ago between two ladies have to do with our church here today? We will find out plenty.

A few years ago I was talking to a minister that told me the story of his church. He said that at one time the place where the church is located was very heavily populated. It went through a period of depopulation. There were two churches in the area but as people left neither church could afford a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

True Love

Contributed by Rick Hope on Feb 14, 2006

Everyone talks about true love. But the Apostle John tells us how we are supposed to love.

In just two days, we celebrate a holiday centered around the concept of love. We’ve seen traces of it for weeks. Hearts, flowers, candy… My wife told me exactly what she wanted this year… she told me she wanted flowers…but not roses. Anyone can get roses, she said. She wanted tulips. And so I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Experience Grace Giving 1 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Apr 17, 2007

How to experience the grace of giving to the Lord.

I confess that there are some pastors who are afraid to talk about money to their churches. Their motives are right. They are not just comfortable with the topic. So, they would rather invite a guest speaker to talk about giving. However, as your pastor, I believe if I can’t talk to you about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Who Signed The Death Certificate

Contributed by Tobey Benitez on Apr 20, 2007

When did you kill Jesus?

WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE LUKE 23:40-43 BUT THE OTHER ANSWERING REBUKED HIM, SAYING, DOST THOU NOT FEAR GOD, SEEING THAT THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION AND WE INDEED JUSTLY, FOR WE RECEIVE THE DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS, BUT THIS MAN HATH DONE NOTHING AMISS AND HE SAID UNTO JESUS, LORD, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:40-43

Denomination: Baptist

Pardon Me

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2007

Consider the simple and powerful truths of God’s PENALTY, God’s PAYMENT, God’s PLEA, God’s PROMISE, and God’s PARDON. But the pardon must be accepted or it is void. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Pardon Me http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PardonMe.html Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. A man on death row, sweating it out, hoping, praying and waiting for a word of pardon from the governor’s ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:12, Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Shaped By Grace

Contributed by Tim Hedberg on Apr 30, 2007

Counting our blessings.

Shaped by Grace John 12:1-8 March 25, 2007 They were friends. Friends - having spent time together - with each other. - appreciating each other. The Bible says they loved one another so much so that when one suffered all of them suffered. Friends - Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus. And so when ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead End Series

Contributed by Sam Peters on May 4, 2007

A contemporary message for the "Make a Fresh Start" Series inspired by Outreach. This is part one of a four part series. It’s focus is on the hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was given on Easter Sunday night.

Make a Fresh Start Series Are You at a Dead End? Remember when you were a kid and you’d play some game and something would happen while you were playing that messed you up and you’d cry out “do-over”. Well, in life sometimes we’d like a “do-over”. We’d like to make a fresh start. Do you remember ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-31

A New Year's Feast

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Leading into communion, with a large amount of OT Festival background, all around the question "how is your relationship with God?"

A New Year’s Feast Jan 4/5, 2003 Intro: New year’s resolutions… There was a couple who were sitting with a marriage counselor for their first session and the good doctor asked them to identify what seemed to be the root of their problems. The wife responded, "It all started when we thought it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

Denomination: Baptist

How The Kingdom Works: Part 3 – Funding The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

What’s in YOUR wallet; or what’s in your heart? Money reveals our priorities

How The Kingdom Works: Part 3 – Funding The Kingdom Feb 18, 2007 Intro: “The offering” video, from Good $ense. Why Do You Give? That humorous clip shows several different motivations for giving: glory, guilt, gratitude – what is yours? Why do you give? Ministry Takes Money Over the past two ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Baptist