Sermons on Ancestral Links:

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Justified Freely

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2011

Ask me why I love my wife and I'll have laundry list of reasons she's lovable. But Jesus loved me while I was yet a sinner. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Justified Freely Romans 3:24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustifiedFreely.html Justified = just as if I'd never sinned A one time event that happens at the moment of salvation. Sanctified = an ongoing process of growing in the Lord. Righteousness breaks down along the above lines... Imputed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Swing Wide The Gates!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 29, 2010

The names of the gates of the old city of Jerusalem have rich spiritual meaning, full of powerful truths that will take us 3 sermons to cover. Parts 1 & 2 are here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Swing Wide the Gates Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideTheGates.html The walls of Jerusalem stood for something. They were more than just protection. They stood for the glory of God. Unbelievers of that day looked at the broken down walls and would mock believers. The ruins of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Distraction

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 16, 2010

Nehemiah saw right thru the devil's attempt at distraction and compromise. He said, the valley of Ono? O No! Aren't you glad he said no no to Ono? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Distraction Nehemiah 6:1-4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Distraction.html So far the devil has tried to use these tools to keep them from rebuilding the wall: Ridicule-we will be laughed at but we shouldn't back up or back down. Discouragement-We sometimes get tired IN the work, but never OF the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Fear

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 30, 2010

The devil is the sinister minister of fear. It's the opposite of faith, which is what pleases God. Fear Degrades our Lord, Destroys our Lives, and Delights our Enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Fear Nehemiah 6:9-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Fear.html In chapter 6 it's the devil's last ditch effort to stop the good work on the wall. We have seen him use distraction and slander, and now fear - [worry, anxiety, nervousness.] Twice in our passage we see 'afraid' and also 'fear.' The ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

Arabian Nights

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 11, 2010

Paul trained in the desert of Arabia. It was a long night in his life. He now tells about those Arabian Nights and how they helped make him who he is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Arabian Nights Galatians 1:11-24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ArabianNights.html Where did you go to seminary? Or Bible college? This question is asked often of those in ministry. What they really mean, usually, is, "What camp are you in?" Paul trained in the desert of Arabia, and I'm sure ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Minded

Contributed by Clarence Weaver Sr on Jan 17, 2013

The question becomes one of what will control your mind. Will your spirit be linked to the mind of Christ and bring glory to God, or will you become carnally minded and let your body controls your thoughts which cannot please God?

Spiritual Minded Romans 8:5-6 Elder Clarence E. Weaver Sr “(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh ; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Adam Family

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2011

We continue in our heritage as we "Lurch" through life, still allowing sin to "Fester" within us. What a strange "Thing" is this family. Yes Cousin, "It" is! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Adam Family Romans 5:12-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AdamFamily.html What a strange family. They had it all, and gave it all away. A wonderful creation made by a wonderful Creator, but they chose to rebel and sin and go their own way. Dark and spooky, dressed in black! Hiding in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Foolishness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 29, 2009

The cross divides men. The lost see it as foolishness. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Power of Foolishness I Corinthians 1:18-2:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Foolishness.html The cross divides men. The saved from the lost. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. The cross is wisdom ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

Wwjd - Wy? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 29, 2008

It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

WWJD-WY? Matthew 25:31-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WWJDWY.html It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. What you do with Him in this life determines what He has to do with you in the next. I. The Coming of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Wicked Husbandmen Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 27, 2007

Even wives and ladies can be ’husbandmen’ [vinedressers] in the field in which we are planted. But what do we think of the ’boss’ and how do we treat His Son? Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

The Wicked Husbandmen Matthew 21:33-41 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WickedHusbandmen.html 1. The vineyard immediately brings to mind Israel - cf. Isa 5:1-7 2. The landowner who planted the vineyard is God 3. The wicked vinedressers [husbandmen] represent Israel’s leaders - cf. Mt 21:45 4. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-41

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome To The Tribulation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2008

Satan’s full program cannot run while the Spirit is still here in the hearts of believers...but once the salt is removed from this earth there is no more preservation found for it! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Welcome to the Tribulation! Matthew 24:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WelcomeTribulation.html This is the Lord’s final message on the End of the World, which is only the beginning of eternity! The ‘beginning of sorrows’ speaks of the birth pangs this world will feel both before the rapture ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Making Of A Mighty Man Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2008

Moses - The Burning Bush - What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? A Divine Appointment, the Divine Announcement, the Divine Assignment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint

The Making of a Mighty Man Exodus 3 & 4:1-5, 29-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MakingMightyMan.html What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses to make him the mighty man he became? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? It started out as a very normal day. Like most of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist