Sermons on Digging Deep:

3 Ps And A Tree

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 1, 2012

The first sermon I ever preached...I repreached an updated version here right after returning from sabbatical. We are planted with a purpose, it takes power to fulfill it, and that flows thru purity.

3 P’s and a Tree Psalm 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/120722am.mp3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html This is the first message I ever preached years ago...and now it is my first to preach since sabbatical. It is very basic, and God had to hit me over the head to get me back to the basics. I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Changing Lives By Studying Together Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 10, 2012

WE can change the life of another person by simply being willing to study god's Word together!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Think for a moment about some of the more exciting things in life. Watching your child being able to ride a bike without training wheels for the first time. Watching your daughter throw her first no-hitter. Oh, the joys of life. • How would it feel if you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doctor, Doctor, Tell Me The News Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 29, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke 14: 1 – 6

Luke 14: 1 – 6 Doctor, Doctor, Tell Me The News Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Five Do Not’s Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 6, 2012

There are "Thou Shalts..." and "Thou Shalt not.." in the Ten Commandments. Same way, there are "Thou Shalts...blessed are those..." and "Thou Shalt not...Do not" in the Sermon on the Mount.

There are parallels between the Sermon on the Mount and the Ten Commandments. Jesus said, “You have heard it said, you shall not murder, but I say unto you…” And He adds to that commandment that it is not just about murder, but about what is happening in the heart. In the similar way, you have ...read more

Denomination: *other

Christ-The Only Hope

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 6, 2012

The key word in today’s message is “hope.” And there is also the confidence in the truth, that Christ is the only hope! This year, 2003, is a year to acknowledge that truth. The claim that Christ is the only hope is a bold claim, because it eliminates a

Title: Christ-the Only Hope Text: “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

From Disharmoney To A Gift Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jun 6, 2013

Levi changed his name to Matthew in his Gospel to reflect his heart change.

Last week we talked about the man who came through the roof with the help of his friends. Remember Jesus was more concerned about his spiritual healing than a physical healing. While his friends expected a physical, healing Jesus instead forgave his sins. It was after the religious people got upset ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Foursquare

When One Is Better Than A Crowd

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Mar 15, 2012

The church is one body and not many and yet unity is often hindered by such "diseases" as pride, self-sufficiency, ignorance and laziness. To "heal" we need first to die to ourselves and surrender to Christ who will change us.

This week I heard devastating news from a friend of mine who will soon be ordained as a pastor. His son was just diagnosed with cancer. This is a young man, 18 years old, graduating from high school in just a few months and having to now face stage three cancer. It’s heart wrenching – ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Treasure, The Pearl And The Net Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 31, 2009

God’s gift of membership in his kingdom is a treasure that’s worth giving up everything else to possess. His gift of his revealed word is a treasure that we can bring out of our storerooms over and over again to apply to each new situation we find ourselv

Can you imagine this man? Perhaps he’s ploughing a field, just a paid worker, but he suddenly comes across a great treasure, just below the surface. He can’t believe his luck! But what’s he to do? He knows he can’t just take it. The field doesn’t belong to him. Perhaps it’s too big to dig up and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Anglican

Who Is My Neighbor

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Sep 1, 2009

the Good Samaritan

LK 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27 He answered: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Speak In Parables? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 8, 2011

God’s Kingdom advances by seeing and hearing Jesus.

Scripture Introduction Read the Shorter Catechism question and ask the congregation to answer: “How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?” Congregational Response: “That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must apply ourselves to it with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Castle Or The Wall

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Dec 28, 2010

As a church, we have certain options. We can spend our time, energy, and resources building the wall…and forfeit the church. Or we can invest our time, energy, and resources building the church and forfeit the wall. Wall or church …which will it be?

In Robert Frost's Poem "Mending Wall," the poet says, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall." We can identify with that statement, can't we? We detest walls. Walls divide. Walls hide. Walls even kill. Remember the Berlin Wall that split families, a city, and a country? But don't we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Beginnings - Pt. 2 - God Talk Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 12, 2011

Each year people make resolutions and talk about turning over a new leaf. It is a great time to focus on Beginnings!

Beginnings Part 2 - GodTalk I. Introduction We have begun a brand new year. It is the time we naturally consider new things. So, I challenged you last week that it is at the beginning that we should consider the beginning. I took you to Genesis 1:1 and said that we must reorder our lives so that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Desire Of The Father Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 11, 2010

God has some expectations for His children and His creation.

The Desire of the Father James 1:16-18 * Parents want the best for their children. In the 21st century American culture, parents go beyond the call to make sure that their kids have ‘all the things that I didn’t have.’ Candidly, this is done with the best of intentions but ‘too much too soon’ ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Fresh Start

Contributed by Mark Lawing on Jun 25, 2010

Some times in life we need to start over. We need to allow God to take the mess that we have made and to make us into a useful vessel.

A Fresh Start Jeremiah 18:1-6 Introduction: Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because his ministry was one that continually caused conflict between him and the people he was sent to preach to. It has been said that Jeremiah never had one convert or anyone to believe in his message. Talk ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Following Christ

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 26, 2010

Following Christ means, among other things, putting God first and prayer

RG/KB 27-06-2010 This morning, I would like to look at one verse from our Gospel reading – verse 59 where Jesus said: "Follow me." In Mt 16, Jesus elaborates on what he means by following him when he said: If any one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Anglican