Sermons on Conscience Formation:

Message In A Manger

Contributed by Quint Pitts on Dec 9, 2009

The hidden messages and deeper meanings of some of the Christmas story’s most enduring images. It is formatted in antiphonal fashion with Christmas carols interspersed throughout.

MESSAGE IN A MANGER Christmas Around The World—Part 2 This week Sarah and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. A few years back Sarah gave me one of the most thoughtful gifts for our anniversary. In fact it was several gifts. And I had the fun of opening several gifts throughout the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-19

Denomination: *other

A 'good Enough' Sermon Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 13, 2007

Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican - The church is full of ’good people’ who need to know the difference between self-righteousness and God’s righteousness. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

A Good Enough Sermon Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Luke 18:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GoodEnough.html You get to write the introduction to this sermon. I need help, and this is just the right crowd to assist me… Honestly, in your own words, write a brief answer to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Suffering Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 9, 2011

Don’t fear people. Fear Christ and follow Him from grief to glory. Look to Jesus alone to keep your conscience clear even in the midst of your pain. Then you will enjoy the benefit of pain.

Joanna Lerud of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, was standing up to leave a restaurant when she hit her head hard on a lamp hanging above the table. As she staggered away, she heard an older gentleman, who was sitting nearby, say, “It will feel better when it stops hurting.” (Joanna Lerud, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Healing From Depression Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 27, 2021

The words of Psalm 38 have hands and feet. They climb all over you. They work their way into your heart and conscience, and will not be dislodged. In a word, David wrestled with a prominent emotion condition, his depression and his need for healing.

Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005) was an Austrian-Jewish architectural engineer and a Holocaust survivor. He became famous after WW II for his work to hunt down Nazi war criminals. In his book, The Sunflower, Wiesenthal describes an episode of his life toward the conclusion of WW II. It is 1943 and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Candidate, Commitment, & Criteria

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 29, 2006

Jesus’ teaching on true discipleship separates the serious from the satisfied. Not many will step forward and stand out...how about you? Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

The Candidate, Commitment, & Criteria Matthew 16:21-26 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/CandidateCommitmentCriteria.html ----- (Mat 16:24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." INTRODUCTION: The passage of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

From Jerusalem To Antioch

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 18, 2010

A contrast of Jerusalem and Antioch, Peter and Paul, and law and grace -- How God bridged the gap and sent the good news around the world! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

From Jerusalem to Antioch Galatians 2:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jerusalem2Antioch.html We have seen that the Lord Jesus Christ communicated the gospel directly to Paul. Was it the same gospel that the other apostles had received from the lips of the Lord? We will see the oneness of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Says ’come’, You’d Better Go

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 2, 2006

7 Invitations Christ has extended to people...and the offer is still good today! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

WHEN JESUS SAYS “COME” YOU’D BETTER GO! Mark 1:17-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhenJesusSaysCome.html When I was very young my dad taught me that when he or my mom said, “Come, ” I’d better go. And if the command was to jump…well, you know the rest! [how high?] In the Word of God the word ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Lights Of The World Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 8, 2006

Jesus taught of the POWER of the light, the PLACES of the light, the PUTTING OUT of the light, and the PURPOSE of the light. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Lights of the World Matthew 5:14-16 Ye ARE the light of the world…Ye ARE the salt of the earth. In the original language these statements are in an emphatic tense, meaning it would not be wrong at all to say “you and you alone are…” [meaning Christians] The beatitudes were all about the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Stand On The Sidelines Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 19, 2007

Compares being a Christ Follower to being a member of a football team, focus on choosing to follow God, and "holy ground". Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Don’t stand on the Sidelines] If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve - and do it today … As for me and my family, we’ll worship God. (Joshua 24:15 MSG) This material was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a student ministry audience. If ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Corruption Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 14, 2009

The honeymoon comes to a screeching halt in the garden of Eden in this chapter. A man, a woman, & a snake in the grass. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Corruption Genesis 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corruption.html We continue our new series on the 20 Cs, a jet tour overview of the entire Bible. Last week was ‘creation’ and today is ‘corruption.’ No, this message isn’t about our state, Illinois. And it’s not much of a Valentine’s message ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

True Love Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 22, 2006

Part 3 in series. What is "true love"? Is it biblical? If so, what does the Bible say about it? Student ministry PowerPoint format

[True Love] 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 This material was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a student ministry. If you have questions or would like a copy of the original PowerPoint, drop me an email at robert.fox@alltel.com [True Love] Slide Graphic: shamelessly sentimental pictures of me ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should We Be Thankful?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2005

3 Scriptural reasons in this 10 min. devotional sets the stage for a testimony service for Thanksgiving and praises. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

WHY SHOULD WE BE THANKFUL Psalm 100 Ps 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalms 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 1 Chr 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Desperate Households - Building A Family Fortress Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 1, 2005

The 5 "C’s" of Marriage and Family: Commitment, Communion, Communication, Coping Skills, and Consecration. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Desperate Households: Building a Family Fortress Josh. 24:15 A strong family must be a fortress, and not just a façade. Here’s some things strong families have in common: 1. Strong sense of Commitment Seems obvious, right? But over the last decade, I’ve counseled w/ dozens of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Baptist

'after Christmas' Gifts

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 8, 2005

The Wise Men and the symbolic significance of their gifts, and how they should change us all this Christmas! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

‘After Christmas’ Gifts Matthew 2:1-11 PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html 2 common misconceptions about the wise men that we have come to believe by tradition: -Nowhere does the Bible say there were 3 wise men. Every picture I could find had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Good Men [father's Day]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 16, 2005

They have learned to LEAN, learned to LEAD, and learned to LOVE. Men’s "funnies" included. Link included to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Presentation.

A Few Good Men Ezekiel 22:30 www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FewGoodMen.html Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." Prerequisites to being a Good Father: Being a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30

Denomination: Baptist