Sermons on Formation:

When God Became A Man

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 6, 2012

First in new series from John's Gospel. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When God Became a Man John 1:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GodBecameMan.html It's not the Gospel of John, it's the gospel of Jesus! But I'm pleased today to begin a major new series in John's Gospel. King Solomon stood in the lavish temple he had built and said, 1 Kings 8:27 But will God ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: Light Of The World

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 18, 2013

3 kinds of darkness and how to dispel it. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Jesus: Light of the World John 8:12-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LightOfWorld.html Jesus makes His bold claim of being the light of the world right in front of the temple during the big festival of tabernacles, with a great crowd gathered. At night they would surround the temple mount with ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Babylon In The Early Church Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jul 8, 2015

Now we come to the days of Jesus and the church's formation, to see how Babylon relates in that time period.

PART II: ROME, PAGAN to PAPAL A.D. 100 to A.D. 1300 "We wrestle not against flesh and blood." (Ephesians 6:12) It is not men to whom we look as we seek the origin of the conspiracy against Christ and His church. We worry not whether mere mortals were aware of the part they played in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Good Friday At What Price?

Contributed by John Gullick on Mar 23, 2016

A Good Friday sermon that follows a Peter Marshall style format. follows Jesus Journey towards and on the cross

At What price There it was in all it’s rawness. The untidy rabble – mixture of religious bigots and the clatter of military steel mixed with the blind panic of Jesus followers – The lashing out of one to the ear of a soldier – the horror – the sheer curtain of fear ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Psalm 1 - Like A Tree Planted Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 11, 2022

This is the opening sermon in the series and explores Psalm 1 and the implications for Christians today.

We are beginning a new series called Sermon in the Psalms. What is nice about the Psalms is they lend themselves very well to what is called topical preaching. We can focus on specific topics and each sermon pretty much stands alone. That is one of the reasons for studying the book of Psalms. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Matthew 5:11, Galatians 5:23

Denomination: Christian Church

Individualism And Making Holy Families Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2021

Individualism, like most isms, is a philosophy of “me, first.” “I don’t care about anything or anybody but me.”

Homily for Feast of the Holy Family Sir 3: 2-7, 12-14; Psalm 127; Col 3: 12-21; Lk 2: 22-40 Version 2 (request that lector read the long version of Colossians) Is any English word so misunderstood today as the key word in Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae? No, I don’t mean the word ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-21, Luke 2:22-40, Malachi 2:16

Denomination: Catholic

Thirsting For God

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 14, 2016

If you seek God, He will find you!

THIRSTING FOR GOD PSLAMS 63 Live Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Please rate this sermon! In the first few pages of the Biblical narrative we learn that sin separates humanity from God. Even though humanity was created in the image of God, after the Fall, humankind was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Denomination: Baptist

God's Handiwork

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 13, 2025

You are not a mistake, nor are you ordinary. You are God’s handiwork—crafted with care, designed with purpose, and called to reflect His glory on earth.

GOD'S HANDIWORK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Supporting Texts: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14, Isaiah 64:8, 2 Timothy 1:9, Philippians ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A New Vision Of Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 26, 2017

A commitment to spiritual formation leads to a new vision of Christ, that allows us to say with absolute conviction, “I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me. He is at the helm. All is well.”

Robert Louis Stevenson tells of a ship, tossed by a violent storm, which threatened to drive it and its passengers to destruction along a rocky coast. In the midst of the terror, one daring man, contrary to orders, went to the main deck, making a dangerous passage to the pilothouse. He looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Other

I’ll Fly Away [rapture / Second Coming]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 6, 2004

great outline from SermonCentral user Evie Megginson...Link included to Formatted Text and Powerpoint for this sermon.

I’LL FLY AWAY PSALMS 55:1-6/I Thess. 4:16-17 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html In these verses written by David, he is being oppressed by his enemies. He is tired of persecution and wickedness all around him. Thus, in his prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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

It's About Time, Pt. 2

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 25, 2005

Last of 4 part series on Money/Time Management. Link included to Formatted Text, Powerpoints and Handouts for each.

It’s About Time, pt. 2 Psalm 31:14-15 WHY MANAGE YOURSELF? If you don’t manage yourself, something else will and YOU may not accomplish what you really want to do. A. The scripture indicates that you should manage yourself. Eccles. 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

7 Steps To Victory

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2005

Acrostic of word "VICTORY" outlines the 7 points. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 Steps to Victory I Cor. 15:57 These 7 points spell VICTORY! *Vigilance 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Denomination: Baptist

Love One Another

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 31, 2014

It begins with learning God's love, and learning to love oneself. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Love One Another John 13:34–35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LoveOneAnother.html Is this really a new commandment? They've been told to love before. It's a new commandment because they've never been told to love this way before. They're to love one another 'as I have loved you' You don't ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Lords Prayer

Contributed by Ron Macarthur on Jul 16, 2007

The directions given by the Lord Jesus about how we are to pray. Looking at the format of Jesus prayer and seeing how we can use it to more effectively pray to the Father.

The Lord’s Prayer What follows is most often called the Lord’s Prayer although in some circles of Christianity it may be known as The Our Father. Luke 11:2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: " `Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. (3) Give us each day our daily bread. (4) Forgive ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:2-4

Denomination: Baptist