Sermons on Format:

Can I Be In Charge? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2007

Their mommy spoke for them. Jesus answered that the way up is down. His PASSION PREDICTED, the PATHWAY PRESCRIBED, the POWER PROVIDED. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Can I Be in Charge? Matthew 20:17-34 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/InCharge.html The Historian Josephus writes that every year at Passover 3 million Jews would ascend upon Jerusalem with 250,000 lambs. You and I know that each and every one of those lambs was a picture of Jesus Christ, the Lamb ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Witnessing And Wisdom In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 2, 2008

Moses shares w/ his father in law Jethro, who shares right back. Principles of priority, personnel, planning, and pride. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Witnessing and Wisdom in the Wilderness Exodus 18:1-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WitnessWisdom.html It’s a family reunion as Moses is reunited w/ his wife and sons, and his father in law, Jethro. The last time Jethro had been in Moses’ presence he heard him tell about his talk w/ some ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Pharaoh, Pharaoh Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 16, 2008

It’s Satan’s old, deceptive trickery: Mingling truth with error...meeting us halfway...desiring that we be compromisers! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Pharaoh, Pharaoh Exodus 8-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pharaoh.html [to the tune of Louie, Louie] “Pharaoh, pharaoh—oh baby, let my people go!” This was a tune heard at times in my college dorm halls. And sadly, Moses had to rehearse it over and over again because of the hard hearted ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding God’s Will

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2005

SEEK it, SURRENDER to it, and STAND in it. It’s REAL, can be REFUSED, but it’s always RIGHT! Link included to formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint.

Understanding God’s Will Romans 12:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWill.html We usually look at this passage and talk about surrender...but surrender to what? The will of God in the end of v. 2! Or we talk about separation...but separation unto what? The will of God! And that should be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Thanksgiving

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 19, 2005

The Last Supper was not just an ordinary meal, where Christ made extraordinary claims - it was the Passover meal with important sybolism. This meal is the foundation of a Christian Thanksgiving. Student ministry PowerPoint format.

[JESUS’ THANKSGIVING DINNER] Slide Graphic – Norman Rockwell painting of family at Thanksgiving Dinner Slide Verses – It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Baptist

Left Behind: On The Cutting Room Floor [rapture]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 18, 2005

Summary of entire movie series, with helps for discerning between its great truths and some of the "artistic license" found there. Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint Template.

Left Behind: On the Cutting Room Floor Mark 13:1-37 and other passages What is this series about? How accurate is the doctrine? What is the purpose? What should I look for as I watch it? How will this affect my life? Let’s investigate these questions, and more. But first, I want to say that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-37

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Two Men

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 26, 2005

Cain and Abel...2 different paths, and where each ended up. We all make choices that affect our future. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

A Tale of Two Men Cain and Abel Scripture: Gen. 4.1-16; Matt. 23.35; 1 John 3.12; Heb. 11.4; 12.24 Text: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

3 Odd Jobs Of The Tentmaker Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 10, 2005

Paul had the heart of an ACCOUNTANT, a RUNNER, and a STEWARD, and illustrates for us how to truly do God’s will in our lives. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

3 Odd Jobs of the Tentmaker Acts 20:18-38 Most of us wear more than 1 hat, and have a side job, whether paid for it or not. Some people have a career, but have a heart for other things. We cannot do it all. The Apostle Paul had the skills and knowledge to be more than a tentmaker, and his other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:18-38

Denomination: Baptist

These Necessary Things - Life Change Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2005

Salvation...Cause and Effect...The chicken and the egg. This is about how we are saved and how we should live as a result of being saved. Link included to formatted text, Powerpoint, and handout.

These Necessary Things Acts 15:28 In our last message from ch. 15 it was settled once and for all by Christ’s disciples in council: salvation is by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone…plus nothing, minus nothing…and good works have no part in our receiving of salvation. v. 11 Only 1 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:28

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Sermon For Werner K

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Apr 16, 2004

Many young pastors have asked me to share with them ideas on how to create a funeral message. Here is one such example for a family that appreciates the traditional format of worship. Peace be with you.

A funeral sermon for the family and loved ones of Werner K____. February 14, 2004 Grace, mercy and peace to you all from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dear family, as you know Werner wanted to have the hymn, “Take my life and Let it Be” sung today. He knew that the hymn was in fact a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5-11

Denomination: Lutheran

You C A N Handle The Truth!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 20, 2010

As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

You CAN Handle the Truth! 2 Corinthians 2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/youcanhandletruth.html As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! This epistle is teaching us wonderful truths ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-24

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

7 Things Jesus Left Behind [ascension] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 24, 2006

40 days after the resurrection is the ascension. We should never forget 7 things Jesus remembered to leave behind. Link included to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

What Jesus Left Behind Acts 1:6-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7ThingsLeftBehind.html Goodbyes aren’t easy, especially if the one leaving will be gone long. Ill—Babe Ruth said goodbye at Yankee Stadium, eaten up w/ cancer, and w/ tears he said goodbye. Ill—Watergate hearings, Nixon said ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

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

Responding To Ridicule

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 18, 2010

When reason fails, some turn to ridicule. They choose laughter over logic. Should the Christian respond? If so, how? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Responding to Ridicule Nehemiah 4:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Responding2Ridicule.html Sanballat has always lived in every time, and taken form in every church. He and others like him believe if God's kingdom is built up it will hurt their cause. They don't want to see it happen. They ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist