Sermons on Ancestral Links:

The Invitation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 10, 2006

2 Men, 2 Foundations, 2 Houses, & 1 Storm. We must heed Jesus’ teachings, not just hear them...that is wise and not foolish. Link included to free MS Word formatted text & PowerPoint downloads.

The Invitation Matthew 7:13-29 Today we preach sermons 13 & 14 from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount… and we finish talking about the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. Joke--The preacher was shaking hands with the members of his congregation after a service when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-29

Denomination: Baptist

Bones, Bodies, And A Big Breath - [halloween]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 26, 2005

’Dem Bones-Imagine the scene Ezekiel saw as the scattered dry bones on this old battlefield surf the desert in search of each other. New life in Christ and the future restoration of Israel. Link included to text file, handout, and PowerPoint.

“Bones, Bodies, and a Big Breath” Ezek. 37:1-14 Read vv. 1-10 This passage of scripture is the basis for the old negro-spiritual, “’dem Bones.” Sing: ‘dem bones, ‘dem bones, ‘dem, dry bones toe-foot-ankle-knee-thigh-hip-back-shoulder-neck-head (backward?) INTERPRETATION: Not about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Put Away Message - [divorce] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

Whether single or not...it’s all about prevention. A tactful, Biblical handling of this delicate subject of the ’putting away’ of a spouse. Presented w/ compassion, mercy, and yet truth. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

A Put Away Message Matthew 19:3-9 / Malachi 2:11-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PutAway.html This is a topic often ‘put away’ by churches these days because half of their people are divorced. But I believe we should talk about it, and see what Jesus has to say about it...for the same reason. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-9

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

After-Easter Days Series

Contributed by A. B. Simpson on Oct 8, 2009

Easter morning, like the Indian summer of the year, has a tender veil of loveliness and mystery about it which links it with both worlds, and makes it a peculiarly appropriate pattern of a life hid with Christ in God. A classic sermon by A. B. Simpson.

"He showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). Easter morning is the beginning of a unique and most tenderly interesting portion of our blessed Saviour’s life. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3

Denomination: *other

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

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

The Glory Cloud Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 4, 2008

Pillar of cloud by day...of fire by night! God’s presence filled the tabernacle, and jetted heavenward above the mercy seat. When, where, and why the glory came down. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Glory Cloud Exodus 40:33-38 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GloryCloud.html No man can see God with human eyes and live, but His presence was enveloped in this cloud which descended, and it was something the people could look to and follow. Astonishing indeed! Beneath the cloud is the Holy of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 40:33-38

Denomination: Baptist

From Bad To Worse

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 26, 2010

Corrupt Leadership: America in her prosperity has been given much but done so little with it...and now it appears God may be taking the prosperity away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

From Bad to Worse Judges 9-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Bad2Worse.html We began last week looking at Abimelech, a truly bad leader, and we continue with more about him and the next 2 judges after him, and it goes from bad to worse...not because they were more evil than him but because God ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Walk Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 11, 2009

5 Reasons the Christian life is compared to a walk. Then Paul gives a candid illustration of sex, purity, and holiness. Other topics include the walks of love, honesty, hope, and much more. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Walk I Thessalonians 4:1-8   Get all 4 parts w/ PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealWalk.html   So far it has been personal- The Ideal Church [ch. 1], The Ideal Servant [ch. 2], The Ideal Discipleship [ch. 3].   Now it gets very practical.   v. 1 “beseech” = beg ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon’s 300 - Just A Few Good Men

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2010

God’s people are so ravaged by the Midianites that they are hiding in dens and caves. They cry out to God and God gives them...Gideon. 4 Principles from his life. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Just a Few Good Men Judges 6- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustaFewGoodMen.html Chapter 5 ends with these words: "And the land had rest forty years." Chapter 6 begins: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..." The cycle continues for God’s chosen nation. It’s the same ...read more

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

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

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

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