Sermons on Ancestral Links:

This Old House

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 3, 2010

I'm going to have a glorified body [house] someday that will make a mansion look like a shack, and my God has already paid for it in full! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

This Old House 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ThisOldHouse.html At Christmas we visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to live in a house like that. Then I thought about the bills! But I'm going to live in something ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Death Of Osama Bin Laden

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 4, 2011

I take no pleasure of anyone going to hell - but God's justice is satisfied, and today UBL's knees bow and his tongue confesses Jesus Christ as Lord! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Death of Osama bin Laden http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/binLaden.html We rejoiced at the news, as did much of the world. Many sang and danced and partied. Patriotism was renewed and partisanship again went by the wayside much like it did on 9/11. If only we would continue longer in our lessons ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:17

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not Time

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 1, 2013

We look at time from a mathematical perspective. We divide time into measurements of seconds, minutes, hours, and days. But there's another way of looking at time. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint

It's Not Time John 7:1-8, 30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NotTime.html We look at time from a mathematical perspective. We divide time into measurements of seconds, minutes, hours, and days. But there's another way of looking at time. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Time is like a river made ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Passion To Serve

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Sep 3, 2020

There is this big disconnect between loving the Lord and serving Him because many who say they love the Lord really don’t love Him. We will learn today that Jesus links together love and service.

If one were to take a survey and ask Christians the question “Do you love the Lord” the results of the survey would probably indicate that 99.9% of all surveyed "loved the Lord." Most would even say they "loved the Lord a lot." If one were to survey these same people and ask ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thunder And Love Part 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 22, 2025

Today we are going to focus – maybe refocus on Love – John was called the apostle of Love and He knew love and truth had to be linked together to be able to live in a world which distorted both love and truth!

Thunder and Love part 2 – John the Apostle of love! Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Love – biblical love comes from God Those who love are born of God and they personally know God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, John 13:34, Ephesians 3:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

America’s Problems Are Deeper Than Politics

Contributed by Lee Houston on Oct 11, 2023

I see America’s problems as deeper than politics: We need Jesus back in America. I see our problems, our decline as a society, as linked directly to the decline of America’s churches.

Christ’s Spirit or Fleshly Desires In the just passed election, each candidate told us what our problems were and how they would fix them. While I wish the winner’s success, I see America’s problems as deeper than politics: We need Jesus back in America. I see our problems and decline as a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:6-10, Revelation 3:15-18

The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 12, 2006

The Lord’s model prayer shows us that prayer is just Talking to Him, prayer is Asking, and prayer is Praising. It must begin and end with Him! A free download link is included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed Matthew 6:8-13 The sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. And within is this wonderful model of prayer. It’s a misnomer to call this The Lord’s Prayer…it’s actually the disciples prayer and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Who Owns You? [the Sermon On The 'amount'] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2006

Do you own your possessions or do they own you? "Things" can take a toll on: The Heart-AFFECTIONS, The mind-PERCEPTIONS, The will-DIRECTIONS. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Who Owns You? Matthew 6:19-24 We can divide life into 2 broad categories: the spiritual, and the material. But the Lord Jesus never made that distinction. Matter of fact, He often taught that our attitude toward the material is a mark of your true spirituality. v. 21 ‘Where your treasure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus The Only Way To God?

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Sep 1, 2005

A prayer request and Internet link to a video clip of the Oprah Winfrey talk show was recently forwarded to the Prayerneed Internet ministry of praise, prayer and encouragement. The sender requested prayer for Oprah Winfrey and the many people she influe

Is Jesus the Only Way to God? A prayer request and Internet link to a video clip of the Oprah Winfrey talk show was recently forwarded to the Prayerneed Internet ministry of praise, prayer and encouragement. The sender requested prayer for Oprah Winfrey and the many people she influences daily ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

911: When Buildings Fall & Waters Rise - Storms - Tragedy - 9/11 - 9-11

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 7, 2005

In Case of Emergency--Have FAITH, not FEAR; PRAY, don’t PANIC; BELIEVE, don’t BLAME; RESPOND, don’t RUN. Link included to free formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

911: When Buildings Fall & Waters Rise Matthew 14:22-33 ----- Link at bottom... ----- We all know where we were and what we were doing 4 years ago today. We remember how we felt because to some degree we have felt that way ever since, and events like Katrina and anniversaries such as this one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

En Theos [enthusiasm]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

A simple formula for a more exciting, energizing existence...In God = En Theos = Enthusiasm. Several Biblical reasons to be enthused about being ’en Theos’. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

En Theos [Enthusiasm] Ps. 122:1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Enthusiasm.html Introduction: Webster’s Dictionary says the meaning of enthusiasm / excitement is "to be stirred or thrilled." Some would say they have enthusiasm at times, it depends on what they are doing...what they are ‘into’ at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Jesus: Life Swap Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 16, 2006

Baptism of Christ--The carpenter trades in His woodworking tools and becomes a rebuilder of human hearts, as He carves out a way of escape for hell bound mankind. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Gospel of Jesus – Life Swap Matthew 3:13-17 In our first 2 messages in this new series we’ve looked at Jesus ‘Before There Was Time’ and ‘BC to AD’ [Jesus in the OT]. Of course, at Christmas each year we look into His birth and this year we studied His childhood with a children’s sermon: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Dad Hears From Jesus' Father

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 15, 2006

Joseph’s DILEMMA, Joseph’s DREAM, & Joseph’s DECISION. An earthly dad meets the Heavenly Father and is forever changed. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation, + many more Christmas Sermons.

Jesus’ Dad Hears From Jesus’ Father Matthew 1:18-25 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- Matthew presents the birth of Christ from the vantage point of His earthly dad (Joseph was not the father). God was the Father who planted His sinless seed into the virgin womb of Mary, who was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Five Firsts

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 4, 2007

New Year message from the Book of Beginnings showing the first mention of Satan, Sin, the Saviour, the death Sentence, and the first Sacrifice...all in the same passage. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

FIVE FIRSTS Genesis 3:1-15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FiveFirsts.html This is the first Sunday service of 2007. As we begin a new year many of us are trying to make a new start in different areas…from our waistlines to our finances, to how we spend our time. We’re right at the beginning and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Sower Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 5, 2007

75% in this parable didn’t truly get saved. Was the problem the Sower, the Seed, or the Soil? 25% did get saved, and we can see how! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sower.html Sow what? The Word of God! Sow when? All the time! Sow where? Everywhere…but hopefully on good ground! This parable answers the question, “Why doesn’t everybody get saved?” As tremendous as salvation is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist