Sermons on Ancestral Links:

The Necessity For Godly Fathers-3(2023)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 4, 2023

3 of 3. The prophet Malachi linked the importance of godly fathers to a positive outcome for mankind’s existence. Godly fathers are vital to our existence. But What makes godly fathers so vital? 3 validations that godly fathers are vital for our very existence.

The NECESSITY For GODLY FATHERS-III—Malachi 4:6(:4-6) Attention: Adaptation: The proud father brought home a backyard swing set for his children & immediately started to assemble it with all the neighborhood children anxiously waiting to play on it. After too long a time of reading the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:6, Malachi 4:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Find Joy In The Journey Through The Lord’s Prayer! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 13, 2019

Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father through prayer. Prayer and inner joy are linked together because prayer opens a door to the presence and guidance of the Lord. Learning to use the Lord Prayer is the best way to pray!

Opening Video: The Lords Prayer by Jackie Evancho Sermon: Find joy in the journey through The Lord’s Prayer! Scripture: Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Thesis: Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12, Matthew 6:5-14, Luke 11:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Godly Ambition

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Mar 27, 2024

The nature of the Church, consists of a 2000-year-old chain of disciples who live their faith devoutly and inspire others to do the same. And every one of us is meant to be a link in that chain, for our own lives to carry and pass the torch of God’s love in Christ.

Godly Ambition 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin spent ten years researching and writing a book on Abraham Lincoln’s White House years (Team of Rivals). She says she was surprised, through studying his life and character, to discover one quality in particular that stood out as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

How To Determine Right From Wrong Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

We live in a day of ’no absolutes’, w/ so much falling into the ’gray area.’ Here’s a Simple Formula, w/ Life-Changing Results...! [6 TESTS TO TAKE...ALL BEGIN W/ A "P"] Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

How To Determine Right From Wrong 2 Cor. 5:14-17 We are not under the law, but under grace, but grace is not a license to sin! I’m free to serve, not free to sin!! 6 scriptural tests to apply to anything questionable/gray area, not specifically mentioned in scripture: [should I or shouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Every Spouse Needs Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 14, 2006

Based on ’His Needs Her Needs’ by Dr. Willard Harley. The top 5 needs of men & women are investigated in an eye-opening way. We compliment one another perfectly when we follow this formula. Link included to formatted text, handouts, & Powerpoint Template

What Every Spouse Needs, Pt. 2 [Desperate Households] Matthew 7:12 This message is for presentation to adults, due to subject matter. Why learn to understand, appreciate, and fulfill one another’s needs? • First, because you have an obligation to do so. Your spouse has made a vow to meet these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Baptist

Guard Your Heart [steve Irwin - Crocodile Hunter]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 6, 2006

Steve Irwin--Crocodile Hunter: If ever we expected him to have a great injury we would think it would be his leg, his hand, or maybe his head…but no, it was his heart. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Guard Your Heart Proverbs 4:23-5:2 We were all shocked to hear about the tragic death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. We were stunned, not that he died, for he faced tremendous dangers on a daily basis…we were, rather, surprised by the way that he died. About the only way that a Stingray ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Go Time! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 15, 2007

The first 2 letters of the GOSPEL are "GO"! Let’s go INVITE them, let’s go INSTRUCT them, let’s go INSPIRE them, and let’s go INVOLVE them. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

It’s Go Time! Luke 14:16-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GoTime.html I thought about titling this message “It’s Time to Go” but I was afraid you’d get up and leave. But one thing is for sure: We have reached a great crossroads as a church…we have come to the STOP sign and paused for the cause. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-23, Luke 12:40, Luke 12:49-59

Denomination: Baptist

We Love Our Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

I Love My Church! But why? Because: It’s UNIQUE, UNITED, UNCOMMON, UNSELFISH & UNSATISFIED...We love the church because of its FOUNDER, its FOUNDATION, its FUNCTION, & its FUTURE! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

We Love Our Church! Ephesians 5:25, 1 Tim. 3:15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WeLoveOurChurch.html Society minimizes the need for and the work of the local church. Some say that the church is no longer "relevant" but I believe that it is more relevant than any other institution or organization on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Denomination: Baptist

Lights Out? Lights On!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2006

Ice Storms of 2006: How to be lights of Christmas--My family and I have learned some important lessons this week we would not likely learn if our power was on. Link included to formatted text, PowerPoint Template, and many more Christmas sermons.

Lights Out? Lights On! John 19:26-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LightsOutLightsOn.html ----- Don’t you love Christmas lights? I do. But we cannot turn on our tree…our generator is just barely able to keep up w/ the furnace and fridge at present. But last night in our dark neighborhood we ...read more

Scripture: John 19:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Moses Broke All 10 Commandments Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 22, 2008

Aaron: ‘We melted gold...and there came out this calf.’ That’s got to be the all time lamest excuse from an assistant Pastor! Before Moses even returned with the commandments the people were breaking them. Link inc. to text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Day Moses Broke All 10 Commandments Exodus 32:1-26 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DayMosesBroke.html Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

I Only Work On Sundays! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 13, 2009

I have learned that everyone knows what the pastor should be doing except me. That is exactly what Paul was saying to this church in Corinth--and things haven’t changed much after all of these years. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

I Only Work Sundays 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OnlyWorkSundays.html I speak tonite about my favorite person in the world...myself! Go ahead, admit it, you are your own favorite person. You take care of yourself better than anyone else, and spend more time in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Prisoners In Paradise - Exodus From Egypt Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 16, 2008

Sin will take you farther than you want to go. Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay. Sin will cost you far more than you want to pay. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint.

Prisoners in Paradise Exodus 1:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrisonersParadise.html Sin is a place. It’s a place you can go. It’s not just an action or an occurrence, it is a conscious journey you make and it doesn’t take long to arrive at the place of sin. It often becomes a place of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Wanted: Dead And Alive! - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2009

The ones who wanted Him dead were afraid that He was alive, and the ones who wanted Him alive assumed He was dead! But no one was neutral about Jesus. ’Cross Examination’ style investigation of the facts of the case. Link to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Wanted: Dead AND Alive John 20:31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Wanted.html No one was neutral that day about Jesus. They either wanted Him to be dead or to be alive. Even after He arose, all that the leaders of the land had to do in order to squelch Christianity was to produce the dead body, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:31

Denomination: Baptist

Ark Almighty

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

Uses "Evan Almighty" theme...link included to PowerPoint resources and more. "3 Ways to pass on a Godly Heritage" - GET SAVED, GET RIGHT, GET INTO CHURCH! How we can construct an ark of protection for our household. Good for Father’s Day.

Ark Almighty Hebrews 11:7 Below is the outline only. Please get the full text version, complete with illustrations and PowerPoint slides at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DadAlmighty.php Dads are by no means ’all powerful,’ but they are ’all responsible.’ I was privileged to see an advanced ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:7

Denomination: Baptist

Home Free

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 3, 2007

Funeral message for a saint who suffered physically, and now they are both ’home’ and ’free’. Their glorified body makes our temporary shell look pretty sad, no matter how healthy we may be. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Home Free John 8:32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HomeFree.html John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This week we celebrated freedom, and Steve is still celebrating it. He was an American thru and thru, and a very patriotic man, but today his is a freedom ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Baptist