Sermons on Church Formation:

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Angels In The Church Age Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 3, 2006

Angels are all over the OT, the gospels, and Revelation. Why are they strangely absent during Paul’s epistles? Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

ANGELS IN THE CHURCH AGE Colossians 1:24-27 Rev. 2 & 3 talk about the ‘angels’ of the 7 churches, and the 7 candlesticks. The angels in that context are the pastors…the messengers, the leaders, not literal angels. Angels are present in the church age, and still very important, but on a very ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

What Makes A Church Great?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 12, 2005

7 Qualities which make a church great. Link included to Formatted Text Version and Powerpoint, audio/video.

What Makes a Church Great? Acts 4:33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatChurch.html "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."--Acts 4:33. I believe this is a great church! God is doing great things! But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:33

Denomination: Baptist

Equipped: In God's Workshop Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 14, 2025

In the shop of a blacksmith, there are three types of tools....

EQUIPPED For The Workshop Introduction “In the shop of a blacksmith, there are three types of tools. There are tools on the junk pile: outdated, broken, dull, rusty. They sit in the cobwebbed corner, useless to their master, oblivious to their calling. There are tools on the anvil: melted ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reconnecting With Prayer Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Mar 23, 2014

FOUR THINGS I KNOW I SACRIFICE WHEN I'M NOT RECONNECTING WITH GOD IN PRAYER.

Reconnecting with Prayer Isaiah 40:27-31 9/8/13 Introduction Video: Connecting with GOD through Prayer  What if prayer is more about reconnecting than meetings, lists chains, requests, petitions, intercessions? T.S. The Poet David gives us gives us a look at what we sacrifice when we do ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Reconnecting With Hope Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Mar 23, 2014

Reconnecting with God reconnects us with hope.

Reconnecting with HOPE Lamentations 3:18-26 10/6/13 Introduction http://vimeo.com/62643994 When we are in the midst of Despair, Discouragement, trials the greatest place to find new hope is reconnecting with our great God. T.S. Turn with me to Lamentations. Lam 3:18-26 18 So I say, "My splendor ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:18-26

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I'm Eaten

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2012

Zeal for God and His house. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

I'm Eaten John 2:12-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Eaten.html "Eaten up". You can be eaten up with a goal. It's when you want something so badly that it 'consumes' you. ill.--"Hero Worship". This is when you want that sandwich more than anything. [hero!] No. I've noticed that there's a ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Kill A Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 26, 2009

The angel at the tomb said, ‘why seek the living among the dead?’ And many are finding it true as they seek a church. Corinth was a defiled, divided, and thus disgraced place, but there was hope! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

How to Kill a Church I Corinthians 1:1-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KillChurch.html “Jesus, yes! The church, no!” That was a popular slogan in the 60s...or so I’m told. And it seems to be a revived notion today as many are put off by organized religion. I believe that could have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pergamos: The Compromising Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 17, 2009

Like Pergamos, today’s church seems to keep only a moderate distance from the world, but both the world AND the church are moving downhill in tandem, and further away from Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pergamos: The Compromising Church Rev. 2:12-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pergamos.html [map] Before 1974, there was a huge portion of land in the northern part of Australia that belonged to the superstitious Aborigines. That land was covered w/ green ants. The Aborigines believed that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

"The Big Three" Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 6, 2017

Paul shares THREE (3) Major Things Every Church Needs to Be Successful in Christ : 1. Lives of Faith 2. Lives of Love 3. Lives of Hope

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Theme: Faith - Love - Hope Title: "The Big Three" Paul shares 3 Major Things Every Church Needs to Be Successful in Christ : 1. Lives of Faith 2. Lives of Love 3. Lives of Hope INTRO: The NBA basketball season is just around the corner. Already, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Nazarene

The Encouraging Report Brings Joy Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 14, 2022

The report Timothy brought back of the Thessalonian believers put new life into Paul. The believers were standing strong in faith and love. They were longing to see Paul and Silas too. The report is so encouraging they pray day and night for the church.

If you have seen a Popeye the Sailor Man cartoon you know how the story goes. Brutus pushes Popeye to his breaking point. Popeye say his famous line, "That's all I can stands, 'cause I can't stands no more!" Popeye is almost down and out but, somehow, he is able to open the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Forged For Commitment Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 15, 2019

If a person's service to the Lord is a covenant with God, shouldn't it be a priority over everything else?

As Christians, we are called to live a very distinctive way. Being a Christian is a calling to the hard work of shaping the metal of our lives (our character) into a form that expresses God’s masterpiece within all of us. The whole letter focuses on Christian virtue and character and how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

31. Hebron Before Jerusalem (Parts 1 & 2) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 5, 2025

David understood the road to the palace was long. He mastered the idea that setbacks are sometimes God's setups

Hebron Before Jerusalem November 5, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Samuel 2 God advances His kingdom through Spirit-dependent obedience, patient waiting, and merciful leadership—not through pride, ambition, or personal vendetta. Go will often take us to “Hebron before ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Forged For More Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 15, 2019

Personal Holiness provides a glimpse to the world of God's kingdom here on earth.

As Christians, we are called to live a very distinctive way. Being a Christian is a calling to the hard work of shaping the metal of our lives (our character) into a form that expresses God’s masterpiece within all of us. The whole letter focuses on Christian virtue and character and how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20, 1 Peter 1:16, 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shaped For Serving God Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Apr 26, 2005

Purpose #4 MINISTRY — 40 Days of Purpose (addapted from Rick Warren) See in Word format at www.praiseag.org

SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD Purpose #4 MINISTRY — 40 Days of Purpose 1 Peter 4:10 Adapted from Outline by Rick Warren—Saddleback Church INTRODUCTION: A couple years ago the nation remembered Elvis by making his greatest hits album number one in the nation—25 years after the guy died! Now in spite of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God