Sermons on Ancestral Links:

Jesus, The Perfect Child [after Christmas Sermon] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 5, 2006

Jesus grew in wisdom [MENTALLY], in stature [PHYSICALLY], and in favor with God [SPIRITUALLY] and with man [SOCIALLY]. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Jesus, The Perfect Child Luke 2:40-52 Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. There is a statement about His body, soul, and Spirit. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-52

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Jesus: Go Fish [fishing / Fishers Of Men] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 31, 2006

Jesus’ analogy of fishing helps us understand our job as His disciples. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Gospel of Jesus – Go Fish Matthew 4:12-25 Jesus must have liked fish and fishing, for He spoke of it often…he ate fish several times in the Bible, He called these fishermen to be His disciples, and when it came time to feed a bunch of people, like a true child of God He chose very wisely…fish! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25, Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Napkin Is Still Folded - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The significance of the folded napkin in the Jewish culture makes some powerful points in considering the resurrection. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

THE NAPKIN IS STILL FOLDED JOHN 20:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NapkinFolded.html [Please see link above for more info. on this matter. Concept for this sermon originally preached by Dr. Clyde Box. I receive many questions as to the historicity of the "Napkin Legend"...Dr. Box reportedly ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Killing Me Softly

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2006

Sanctity of Life Sunday-- Q & A on stem cells, cloning, euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide. Link included to formatted text, and PowerPoint Presentation.

God Love ‘em, pt. 2: “Killing Me Softly” Sanctity of Life Q & A Gen. 2:7 Q. What is a stem cell? A. A stem cell is a cell that has the potential to develop into different types of cells. Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the human body. In embryos, these master cells develop into the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7

Denomination: Baptist

God Love 'em

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2006

Sanctity of Life Sunday-- A focus on several groups God loves today, inc. the unborn. Link included to formatted text, and PowerPoint Presentation.

“God Love ‘em” Jeremiah 1:5 One of the most memorable moments in my life was when my wife returned home from an ultrasound and said, “there’s 2 of them…it’s twins!” And thru the next dozen or more ultrasounds we watched them grow, move, and fight! And as we’d look at them on the ultrasound ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

All Things New

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 23, 2006

A New Creation, A New Covenant, A New Command, & A New Kingdom to Come! Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Template.

All Things New II Cor. 5:17 The concept of reincarnation imagines the dead being born again as someone else or something else, making a new start from a new perspective. Poem by Wallace McRae: "What does reincarnation mean?" A cowpoke asked his friend. His pal replied, "It happens when yer life ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Is The Answer

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Aug 31, 2010

Faith is the link that bonds us to Christ, and works, nor any other mindset or practice, can forge the bond that only faith can secure.

FAITH IS THE ANSWER GALATIANS 3:6-14 INTRODUCTION Consider the question: 'What must I do to be saved?' Time has revealed various answers. Some think they do not need saving because they do not believe they are lost. They reject the idea of a God that we are responsible to. They do not believe in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

Cell Phones Vs. Jesus

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 25, 2007

Sermon based on an email I received about the attention we give our cell phones versus the Bible. I linked it to Jesus instead.

Cell Phone vs. Jesus Scripture: John 15:5; 14:13-14; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:18 Introduction: I have received some interesting emails and phone calls recently pertaining to some things that Christians have been involved in. The message this morning was inspired by several of those ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Few, The Proud, The Disciples Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 21, 2006

Forsake the Fears, Forget the Foes, and Follow the Family of Friends that make up this special group. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

The Few, the Proud, the Disciples Matthew 10:1-42 In 8th grade I joined Boy Scouts and I received a book…a manual that would guide my journey from the rank of Tenderfoot 2nd class all the way to Tenderfoot 1st class! As a freshman I went out for the football team and just barely made it. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Worthy To Open The Book?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 23, 2011

It's the title deed to the earth, and the devil, the god of this world, is currently in possession of it, but not for long! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK? REV. 5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhoIsWorthy.html Rev. 5 tells us of a scroll in heaven which is sealed w/ 7 seals. There is no way we could over-emphasize the importance of this scroll. The fact that it was sealed 7 times speaks to its importance, for in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Call Your First Witness

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2012

Jesus is God, and I can prove it. I call to the stand John the Baptist! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Call Your First Witness John 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FirstWitness.html A witness is to tell the truth that he knows. He testifies before God and everyone the truth. Jesus is God, and I can prove it. I call to the stand John the Baptist! John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus. Their ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Paradox PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 24, 2023

This sermon emphasizes the inseparable link between faith and action, urging believers to live out their faith by serving others as a reflection of Christ's love. Key

Welcome, beloved friends, to this sacred space where we gather in unity, in love, and in anticipation of the word of God that is as refreshing as the morning dew, and as nourishing as the bread of life. We are here today, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. So, let us open our hearts and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Topics: Christ, King, Sunday

What God Has Done For America - Memorial Day - Independence Day

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

The past, present, and future of this great nation--GOD BIRTHED IT, GOD IS BLESSING IT, & GOD WILL BLAST IT IF NEEDED. Link included to Formatted Text and Powerpoint.

America: Past, Present, and Future Psalms 33:12 Formatted text and PowerPoint for this and hundreds more free sermons using this link... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AmericaPastPresentFuture.html We must never forget what God has done in the past for America. We must have our eyes opened to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12, Psalm 33:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Good Men [father's Day]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 16, 2005

They have learned to LEAN, learned to LEAD, and learned to LOVE. Men’s "funnies" included. Link included to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Presentation.

A Few Good Men Ezekiel 22:30 www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FewGoodMen.html Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." Prerequisites to being a Good Father: Being a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30

Denomination: Baptist

Desperate Households - Building A Family Fortress Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 1, 2005

The 5 "C’s" of Marriage and Family: Commitment, Communion, Communication, Coping Skills, and Consecration. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Desperate Households: Building a Family Fortress Josh. 24:15 A strong family must be a fortress, and not just a façade. Here’s some things strong families have in common: 1. Strong sense of Commitment Seems obvious, right? But over the last decade, I’ve counseled w/ dozens of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Baptist