Sermons on Ancestral Links:

A Toughened Heart - Witnessing - Soulwinning Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 23, 2005

Acts 16 is the story of 3 hearts: Lydia’s TENDER heart, the Slave Girl’s TORMENTED heart, and the Philippian Jailer’s TOUGHENED heart. Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint.

A Toughened Heart Acts 16:22-40 ----- Is there someone you know who needs to be saved, and you would label them as “a tough case”? Have you ever been discouraged, thinking, “oh, they’ll never get saved, they’re too hardened”? A good subtitle for this message would be: Jesus CAN save the hard ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

From Wrath To Righteousness

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 2, 2011

Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven...but it's better than that in God's economy...it's as if those sins never happened...erased! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

From Wrath to Righteousness Romans 3:21-22 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Wrath2Righteousness.html Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Wrath of God revealed. Romans 3:21 But now the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah - Master Delegator

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 20, 2010

Many people skip over this chapter because it reads like a Hebrew phone book. But it is a very important chapter full of principles of leadership and delegation. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Master Delegator Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MasterDelegator.html Last time we saw Nehemiah's vision, and now it must become reality beginning in chapter 3, and that's gonna take a lot of help. Many people skip over this chapter because it reads like a Hebrew phone book. It's all ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-4, Nehemiah 7:1-73

Denomination: Baptist

New Balance

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 7, 2007

5 areas of our personal lives that are like bad photos--They are OVER-EXPOSED and UNDER-DEVELOPED. "How to find a Biblical Balance in life." Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

New Balance http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NewBalance.html Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion [disorder], but of peace… Proverbs 28:2 …by a man of understanding and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Crown Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 15, 2009

Dynamically interesting content! Summary of the period of the kings, w/ a special contrast of Saul, David, and Solomon. Wonderful visuals enhance a very helpful outline. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Crown I Samuel 8 2 part sermon on Saul and David during the times of the Kings. Both parts are here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Crown.html Pt.1-Saul Israel decided they wanted to be a monarchy, not a theocracy. They wanted a king, not to be led by God. They wanted a visible leader. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good Words For Bad Days Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 18, 2009

Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard. But our text has some encouraging good words, particularly right now. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Good Words for Bad Days II Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BadDays.html Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard and things come crashing down on you. But our text has some encouragingly good words God wants to remind us of, particularly right now. Have you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 28, 2007

The key to forgiving others is found in our own forgiveness. And the Bible also indicates a level of ’forgetting’ Christ can make us capable of. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant Matthew 18:21-35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnmercifulServant.html 1. "The Parables Of Jesus" we have considered so far have centered around the kingdom of heaven itself... 2. The next parable we shall consider is one that describes "the character of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Barren Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 9, 2007

The interpretation is for the lost to repent while there is time...but Jesus makes much application to the saved to bear fruit, for that is why He left us here. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Luke 13:6-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BarrenFigTree.html I. THE PARABLE IN ITS ORIGINAL SETTING A. JESUS WAS RESPONDING TO NEWS ABOUT A CALAMITY - Lk 13:1-5 1. He was told of how Pilate (the Roman governor) had... a. Killed some Galileans ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

We've Got Mail

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 21, 2007

Hezekiah founded an early Bible Post Office, and now God sends us to ’deliver the mail’ and carry His message to the ends of the earth. Link included to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint Presentation.

We’ve Got Mail II Chronicles 30:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GotMail.html When I was a little boy my dad was a mail carrier, before he entered the ministry. And from that day to now I have had much respect for those who go door to door and street to street, carrying the mail for us. They ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Coming Down The Mountain Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 19, 2007

It’s nice to have a bright, shining, mountaintop experience, but what happens when we descend back to regular life? [Post-transfiguration teaching] Link inc. to formatted text, audio, & PowerPoint.

Coming Down the Mountain Matthew 17:14-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ComingDown.html This great chapter shows us Jesus in His glory [last time], as well as Jesus in His power. It’s nice to have a bright, shining mountaintop experience, but what happens when we descend back to regular life? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Highest Hill In The World - Calvary, Golgotha

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 13, 2008

Calvary’s Simon - compelled. Calvary’s Soldiers - calloused. Calvary’s Suffering - Complete! How to renew a passion for the Passion of Christ. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

The Highest Hill in the World Matthew 27:31-43 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HighestHill.html In Latin it is called Calvary. In Hebrew, Golgotha, or “place of the skull.” If you look carefully you can see it...an eerie image...a symbol of death. It’s not a very high hill geographically, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:31-43

Denomination: Baptist

Water And War In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2008

The once smitten ROCK at Horeb & the ROD of God in Moses hands held high at Amalek. Hollyweird, CA can’t touch this kind of drama! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Water and War in the Wilderness Exodus 17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WaterWar.html The leader is responsible for the followers to some degree. True, each one has personal responsibility, but ultimately someone must be held responsible and accountable. Also, he is responsible for their care ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Super Sunday, Super Tuesday, & Satan's Superman Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 31, 2008

Jesus rode into town on Sunday, and He rose on the next Super Sunday, but He gave these super teachings about the end of the world on Tuesday. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Super Sunday, Super Tuesday, & Satan’s Superman Mt. 24:24; II Thess. 2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SatansSuperman.html It was a super Sunday when Jesus rode into town as King, but the ‘superest’ Sunday of all was a week later when He rose from the dead! I don’t know how super this Tuesday will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Aftershock

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 14, 2010

The earthquake in Haiti measured 7.0 – the death toll will be measured in the tens of thousands – but character is measured in our response to tragedy. 5 WAYS TO RESPOND. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

AfterShock Matthew 14:22-33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AfterShock.html How do we respond? What should our reaction be? When our world shakes, when we are in shock – after it happens – after shock has gripped our being – what we do next is absolutely vital. The earthquake in Haiti measured ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

They Fought From Heaven

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 5, 2009

We wanted change and we are getting it. We reap what we sow. Sin leads to death, and nations are not exempt from this law. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

They Fought From Heaven Judges 4-5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TheyFoughtFromHeaven.html You cannot fight against God and expect to win. 5:20 Remember the background here: Israel would mess in their own nest and then had to sleep in it. And America is now getting exactly what we’ve been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist