Sermons on Behind The Scenes:

Night Light

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 6, 2015

link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Night Light Philippians 2:14-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/nightlight.html This letter is all about joy. It's like bells keep ringing each time we study. It's like a light shining in the midst of deep darkness. The world says to get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

How It All Started

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 11, 2017

The creation story tells us: 1) God brings order out of chaos, 2) God creates all things good, and 3) God always has our best in mind. All of creation shouts out God's love for us!

Genesis 1:1-2:1 How it All Started Genesis 1 is one of the most beautiful, most carefully crafted sections of scripture. It’s kind of a mixture of poetry and prose. And its intent is clear: to show that God alone is creator of all. I heard about this one atheist scientist who came to God and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Genesis 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Quiet Games - Pt. 3 - Hearing Aids 2 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 17, 2016

God seems to love the "Quiet Game" and seems to be the world's most skilled player. How can you hear Him when He seems to be so quiet?

Quiet Games Pt. 3 - Hearing Aids Pt. 2 I. Introduction They would be enshrined in the childhood games hall of fame . . . 7-Up, Kick the Can, Musical Chairs but then there is the Quiet Game a perennial nominee for induction that would never get my vote. I hate the Quiet Game. No sound. No action. ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Understanding The Story

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 13, 2020

2020 has been a year of an unusual number of hurricanes, many have hit the USA. When a storm hits, lives are changed. We like to believe we will 'get over it' or 'get on with it', but storms have an impact, whether it is a weather type of storm OR a personal storm.

Candidly, every time there is an event like this, many want to characterize it in unbiblical ways. After Katrina, I recall the extreme views made public. On the one hand, some were getting on TV speaking of how God could have nothing to do with events like this, at the same time, others came ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Bitter And Better Ii Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Troubles will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

Exodus 1:14 begins with the phrase, “And they made their lives bitter…” • According to the Strong’s Concordance the root word used for “bitter” can also mean “stronger.” • As a matter of fact, according to the Bible Reader’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

"God's Garden"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 3, 2012

sermon about remaining in Christ, peace through affliction and bearing fruit.

“God’s Garden” John 15:1-8 I’ve been told that a rose bush, left to itself, will get all straggly and tangled, and grow in on itself. And if left in this condition, it will produce a bunch of not-so-good roses. It will, quite literally, get in the way of its own ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Attitude Problem

Contributed by Theresa Ratliff on Mar 25, 2013

Basedon Acts 2:1-21, this sermon talks about how our attitude about the Holy Spirit affects our ability to let the Spirit work in our lives.

I know many of you won’t want to admit it, but I bet there are passages in the Bible that you don’t particularly care for. Not because they cut too deep or because you don’t understand them, but simply because they don’t excite you. Well, I have a confession to make. When I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: *other

Game Day - Pt. 1 - Get Out Of The Stands Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 8, 2018

The game is decided by those who get in the game, not by those who sit in the stands! It is Game Day. Are you on the field?

Get Out of The Stands I. Introduction Everything leads up to this. Long hours. Early hours. Late hours. Exertion and often exhaustion. Sweat. Soreness. Mundane. Taxing. It is called practice. Athletes young and old put themselves through grueling and mind bogging disciplines and crazy routines ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of Submission Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 9, 2018

All Christian believers are to submit to one another. When wives voluntarily submit and husbands lovingly and sacrificially lead, we are reminded of Christ's special relationship with his church.

The Power of Submission Ephesians 5:21-33 I heard once that “marriage is when a man and woman become as one. The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.” A fellow wrote Readers Digest, “I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror one evening admiring my reflection, when I posed this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33, Romans 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 21, 2018

God can make something great of nothing.

The Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:26-40 Chapter eight of Acts begins with the spreading of the gospel out of Jerusalem. Saul’s (Paul) persecution of the Christians there had driven everyone out but the apostles from Jerusalem. These persecuted Christians spread out to the Judean villages like dandelion ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Gentile Pentecost

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 25, 2018

Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for today?

The Gentile Pentecost Acts 10:42-46 Some time earlier in Jerusalem at the Temple an extraordinary event had happened. The believers in Jesus were gathered together in an upper room, probably called Solomon’s Porch to attend to the morning prayer and sacrifice which occurred every day at 9AM. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:42-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Standing Up For What’s Right

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 3, 2017

Sometimes we have to stand up for what's right. We need to remember that God knows our plight, we need to fear God above people, and we need to humbly take a stand. The Hebrew midwives in Egypt stood up to Pharaoh, and God remembered them for it.

Exodus 1:8-21 Standing Up for What’s Right Recently I watched the movie, “Hacksaw Ridge.” It documents the true story of Private First Class Desmond Doss, who enlisted as an Army medic during World War II, but refused for religious reasons to carry a weapon. Spoiler alert: despite ridicule, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-21, Genesis 15:13-14, Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping God In Proper Perspective Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 4, 2018

Isaiah speaks to us in the exile of our fears, our anxieties, our worries, and he says, God is great--he is bigger than our problems. God is good--he is tuned into my concerns. And I can put all of my hope in the Lord, knowing he will come through.

Keeping God in Proper Perspective Prophets with a Purpose – Week 4 - Isaiah 40:21-31 We are in week 4 of our series, “Prophets with a Purpose.” Today we’re returning to a prophet we looked at in December, because Isaiah had a lot to say about a coming Savior. In fact, during that series, we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

What Your Mouth Is Filled With, Matters! Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Dec 20, 2021

Gratitude is good, but when your attitude is not good you cannot show gratitude. Praising God and confessing His awesomeness is our means of expressing our gratitude to Him.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH ENHANCERS My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendour all day long. Psalm 71:8 WHAT YOUR MOUTH IS FILLED WITH, MATTERS Some people's mouths are full of gossips, profane, food, negativity and curses. David said his mouth was full of Praise. What your mouth ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:8, 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 12:34

Denomination: Charismatic

Church Leadership 101: The Deacon

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Jan 27, 2025

Based on 1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Challenges hearers to consider the characteristics of a deacon.

“CHURCH LEADERSHIP 101: THE DEACON” 1 Timothy 3:8-13 FBCF – 1/26/25 Jon Daniels INTRO – WELCOME ONLINE AUDIENCE 2019 – Pastoring CWBC – Fulfilled in ministry – Happy – Loved our church FAMILY – Loved our staff – Loved our home – I was 55 yrs old & thought I was going to stay at CWBC for rest ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Denomination: Baptist