Sermons on Context Of The Text:

Ever Ready Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 28, 2009

How do we live ever ready fo the advent of Jesus in the 21st century? Today’s text guides us in recalibrating our lives in light of Jesus’ priorities.

Scripture In many churches, the several weeks prior to Christmas are known as Advent, from the Latin word meaning, “coming.” This preparatory season always begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Thus, today is the First Sunday of Advent. The observance of the season of Advent can be traced ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lazy Bones Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 1, 2009

Several jokes and illustrations on how to know if you are lazy--then what the Bible says about it and how to be diligent as a servant of the Lord. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Lazy Bones II Thessalonians 3:6-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LazyBones.html If a problem is not dealt with is usually doesn’t go away...instead it gets worse. Ill.—small splinter in finger is just irritating at first, but eventually it will become infected and much more serious over time. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Lord, Teach Us To Pray! Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

In this particular passage of Scripture Jesus is concerned about how we pray. Because of that Jesus has given us some guidelines in this text for prayer, we will learn tonight those guidelines.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount Part 12 Lord, Teach us to Pray! Pm Service January 18th 2009 Matthew 6:5-15 Introduction Prayer is one of the greatest acts of the Believer. Taking to God weather it is by spoken word or by thought, is the actual act of fellowshipping with almighty God. When we think ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Baptist

Preparation By Repentance

Contributed by Christopher Martin on Dec 13, 2009

A sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Advent preached 12/6/2009 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Audubon, Iowa. It is a revision of a sermon I preached in 2003 on the same text.

Well, here we are, today is the 2nd Sunday in Advent. We’re one week closer to the big day! Christmas! You can tell its closer! Maybe you thought that this morning as you entered the church, and you noticed that the Christmas trees are now up here in the chance,, wreaths are hung outside the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Christian Commitment Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

This message comes from Ruth 1:6-18 and looks at Ruth's commitment to Naomi. This text shows believers how God has called us to be committed to Himself and to one another.

Christian Commitment Ruth 1:6-18 -Last week we started our study into the book of Ruth. Only two books named after women, Esther and Ruth. The message in the book of Ruth is the message of Gods redeeming mercy and Grace. -Last week we looked at the providence of God in the first 5 verses of Ruth. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18, Ruth 1:16-18

The Missing Peace

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 14, 2008

How can we have peace with God? The text gives us the answer - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ".

1. A POSITION "Therefore being justified by faith" What is justification? Just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned When we place our faith in Christ alone, God the Father treats us as if we had never sinned. Remember that justification is by faith. It is obtained not attained. In the previous chapter Paul ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1

Crossing Jordan Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 18, 2008

Step into the water, observe a miracle, and enter the land of milk and honey. This was a huge victory, but they had many more victories to win. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Step into the Water Joshua 3:1-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/StepIntoTheWater.html The children of Israel are ready to leave the wilderness for good and claim their Canaan, the Promised Land of abundance and victory...the land of milk and honey. Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-21

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

Direct You Into The Patience Of Christ Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 7, 2013

When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is telling us today in the text.

2 Thessalonians 3:3” Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” Devotion written on April 2008 - When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Help For The Hopeless - Hope For The Helpless

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 8, 2013

I challenge you today to rise up out of that comfort zone, and not accept that situation any longer, and decide to walk away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Help for the Hopeless - Hope for the Helpless John 5:1-9 [pt. 2 just added, below pt. 1] Get it all with PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HelpHope.html Bethesda= “House of Mercy” The “House of Mercy” was a house of misery for many. This pool was situated where there were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

That The Grace Of God Be Not In Vain Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 10, 2014

Each one reconciled by Christ is to be involved in reconciling the world to God. But not all those in the church are. They have missed their ministry. According to our text, they have received the grace of God in vain.

2 CORINTHIANS [5:17-] 6: 1-2 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series] THAT THE GRACE OF GOD BE NOT IN VAIN [Luke 16:1-13] The first two verses in the sixth chapter carry on the instruction from chapter 5 concerning our calling and task as ambassadors. God has just finished a passionate plea that each ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Gray Hairs - A Message For A New Year

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 28, 2005

Hosea pointed out 6 ’Gray Hairs’ that we should take care of in order to "Find the Fix in 2006". Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Gray Hairs ‘Finding the Fix in 2006’ Hosea 7:1-16 Hosea is one of the minor prophets…this doesn’t mean he was under 18 or unimportant but only that his prophecy is shorter in length than Isaiah’s or Jeremiah’s, etc. The Pastor was preaching a series on the prophets and one of the members asked ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Peril Of Presumption Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 4, 2006

James helps us not to fall prey to the peril of presumption in today’s text. He does so by first looking at the problem of presumption. Then he helps us understand the perspective of providence.

Scripture Jim Elliot was martyred fifty years ago today on January 8, 1956. The life and death of Jim Elliot is the testimony of a man committed to the will of God. He sought God’s will, pleaded for it, waited for it, and—most importantly—obeyed it. Jim Elliot’s martyrdom at the tender age of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Confidence In Criticism Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The way Paul stood his ground before the council is how we can take our stand in the world today. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Confidence in Criticism Acts 23:1-11 23:1 “earnestly” = He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You've Fallen...but You Can Get Up! - Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The best of men are men at best. Peter backslid, as do all of us. But God can help us to "Fail Forward." Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

You’ve Fallen…But You CAN Get Up! Luke 22:54-62 INTRODUCTION: Faith Healer: on platform at coliseum, said, I have faith that 2 people will be healed…where are you? A man ran down the aisle, named Harry [w/ lisp]. Asked what his ailment was, he replied, I can’t talk wite [right]. He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Baptist