Sermons on Ancestral Links:

When God Became A Man

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 6, 2012

First in new series from John's Gospel. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When God Became a Man John 1:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GodBecameMan.html It's not the Gospel of John, it's the gospel of Jesus! But I'm pleased today to begin a major new series in John's Gospel. King Solomon stood in the lavish temple he had built and said, 1 Kings 8:27 But will God ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: Light Of The World

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 18, 2013

3 kinds of darkness and how to dispel it. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Jesus: Light of the World John 8:12-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LightOfWorld.html Jesus makes His bold claim of being the light of the world right in front of the temple during the big festival of tabernacles, with a great crowd gathered. At night they would surround the temple mount with ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Unity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 10, 2014

To fulfill Christ's intention for the Church, the Church treasures the unbreakable link between one faith and one community.

Thursday of 4th Week of Easter 2014 Lumen Fidei In these first weeks of the Easter season each year the Church gives us much of St. John’s Gospel writings on the Eucharist, the sacrament of nourishment and unity. The Eucharist brings us together: those who profess the same Catholic faith ...read more

Scripture: John 13:16-20

Denomination: Catholic

Ruth's Romance Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Romance and the plan of God are not just linked in the book of Ruth. It is a part of all of history. Romance and redemption are inseparable.

Nowhere does history repeat itself more often than in the realm of romance. James Madison was the forth president of the United States, and he was the chief framer of the Constitution. He was the greatest scholar among the Founding Fathers. But when it came to romance he was no big gun. In fact, ...read more

Adversity Can Lead To Success

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 18, 2016

Joseph understood that he was not the author of his success. He worked hard and obeyed the Lord. God did the rest. God’s presence with Joseph was linked to his commitment to God. Similarly, God’s presence with us is linked to our commitment to Him.

Have you ever heard the saying that “hell has no fury like a woman scorned?” Well, we have a perfect example of this in the reading we heard from Genesis 39:1-23 a few minutes ago. Even though Joseph was a slave in Egypt, he showed great faith and righteousness, and even though he was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

I’ll Fly Away [rapture / Second Coming]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 6, 2004

great outline from SermonCentral user Evie Megginson...Link included to Formatted Text and Powerpoint for this sermon.

I’LL FLY AWAY PSALMS 55:1-6/I Thess. 4:16-17 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html In these verses written by David, he is being oppressed by his enemies. He is tired of persecution and wickedness all around him. Thus, in his prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Makes A Church Great?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 12, 2005

7 Qualities which make a church great. Link included to Formatted Text Version and Powerpoint, audio/video.

What Makes a Church Great? Acts 4:33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatChurch.html "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."--Acts 4:33. I believe this is a great church! God is doing great things! But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:33

Denomination: Baptist

7 Steps To Victory

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2005

Acrostic of word "VICTORY" outlines the 7 points. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 Steps to Victory I Cor. 15:57 These 7 points spell VICTORY! *Vigilance 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Denomination: Baptist

It's About Time, Pt. 2

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 25, 2005

Last of 4 part series on Money/Time Management. Link included to Formatted Text, Powerpoints and Handouts for each.

It’s About Time, pt. 2 Psalm 31:14-15 WHY MANAGE YOURSELF? If you don’t manage yourself, something else will and YOU may not accomplish what you really want to do. A. The scripture indicates that you should manage yourself. Eccles. 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Love One Another

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 31, 2014

It begins with learning God's love, and learning to love oneself. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Love One Another John 13:34–35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LoveOneAnother.html Is this really a new commandment? They've been told to love before. It's a new commandment because they've never been told to love this way before. They're to love one another 'as I have loved you' You don't ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

Good Friday: The Nailing Of Jesus

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 15, 2018

By invoking the power of the Spirit and linking it to the Cross, Paul effectively dislodges one from any cross-less spirituality.

The Crucifixion of Christ horrified well-disposed pagans, and Christians were taunted with the disgrace of having such a God. Christian art only gradually overcame the repugnance to realistic representations of the death on the cross. At first the cross was represented as studded with ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Sanctification Commanded Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

The Second Commandment forbids the linking of God to any fixed image. This Third Commandment forbids that we link His name with any idea that is unworthy of His nature. Many who would never dream of reducing God to an idol will reduce Him to a curse word, which is equally vile.

During the Civil War one company of soldiers adopted a rule that every man who swore would be required to read aloud a chapter from the Bible. While that rule was in force one private read all of Genesis and Exodus and was starting on Leviticus. The one recording the experience said he had a fine ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

A "Fast" Message - Fasting And Prayer

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

3 TYPES OF FASTING AND God’s 9 main purposes for fasting. Link included to Powerpoint and formatted text version.

A “Fast” Message Is. 58:6-8 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html I. Definition Fasting=a voluntary withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other fleshly appetite, for a specified period of time. 3 most basic types of fasting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Can A Saved Person Ever Be Lost, Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

First of 3 part series on Eternal Security. Link inc. to formatted text version, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? Ephesians 2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/EternalSecurity.html Let’s pretend that we all have just boarded a jet for a non-stop trip overseas. We all get on the airplane, take our seats, and fasten our seat belts, then we reach for a magazine, and when we do, we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Homosexuality In The Light Of The Scriptures Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

Truthful and Tactful look at this sin, and the sinners which God loves involved in it. Link included to formatted text and Powerpoint.

What does the Bible say about Homosexuality? (Questions Series) [Hundreds of free formatted text sermons, complete with Powerpoint Presentations, are at our website...link is at bottom of this sermon.] God loves all people, including homosexuals. And thus, like Christ, Christians (forgiven ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9

Denomination: Baptist