Sermons on Ancestral Links:

The Messianic Entry Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 15, 2009

This story of Jesus’ messianic entry into Jerusalem is one of the last links in the chain that leads toward the final cataclysmic event. Jesus steps into the limelight to draw attention to the most important event in history, His death & resurrection.

JOHN 12:12-19 THE MESSIANIC ENTRY [Zechariah 9:1-10] The final week in Jesus’ earthly life begins with an outpouring of public recognition. This story of Jesus’ messianic entry into Jerusalem is found in all four gospels. It is one of the last links in the chain that leads toward the final ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Confession

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 3, 2010

God's first choice is to use goodness to lead us to Him, but if we insist, He will use judgment to bring us back to Him in repentance. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Confession Nehemiah 9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Confession.html Confession leads to Consecration, and ultimately to Celebration. If you were in Jerusalem at this time in our text you would have seen some very unusual sights, and heard some very unusual sounds. Like people in the streets ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:1-38

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

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

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

Wait For It ... And, Go!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 16, 2010

Nehemiah not only knew how to watch and pray and weep and pray...but also how to WAIT and pray. How to have success in impossible circumstances. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Wait for it ... and Go! Nehemiah 2:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WaitForIt.html Nehemiah is the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes, the most powerful man on earth at that time. He and his people the Jews are in captivity in Babylon, and their home town of Jerusalem is burned and destroyed, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-6

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

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

Open Your Bible To: Well...anywhere

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 2, 2005

...and you’ll find at least 8 things. [w/ illustrations, scripture, humor] Can easily be a brief devotional or expounded upon at length. Link included to website w/ free Powerpoint for this and hundreds more!

Open Your Bible (anywhere you want!) You’ll find at least 8 things the Bible provides: Just flop it open wherever you like, you’re sure to find at least one of them!...something you need! Ill.—“Luckydipping” [practice of flopping Bible open at random] I did this my 7th grade year and God gave me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:45

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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