Sermons on Formation:

A Chip Off The Old Block Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 10, 2007

Peter was a little stone in the church built on the Rock, and by the Rock! The church’s Foundation, The church’s Function, and Future. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

A Chip off the Old Block Matthew 16:17-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ChipOffBlock.html Here we find the first mention of the church in the New Testament, coming from the Greek word  [ecclesia], which means “a called out assembly.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus Christ To You? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 4, 2007

It’s the PERENNIAL question, a PERSONAL question, & a PROVIDENTIAL question. A Legend? A Liar? A Lunatic? Or is He LORD?! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Who is Jesus Christ to You? Matthew 16:13-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhoJesusChrist.html Jesus and the disciples are about 120 miles from Jerusalem in northern Palestine. We’re closing in on the time when He will go to the Holy City and the cross upon which He will die. But before He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Paid To Raise Your Own Child

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 5, 2005

Some good Mother’s Day funnies lead into this study of Jochebed, mother of Moses...who was paid to raise her own child. Link to Formatted text and Powerpoint included.

Getting Paid to Raise Your Own Child Exodus 2:1-10 and Hebrews 11:23-28 Link at bottom: What My Mother Taught Me My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside - I just finished cleaning!" My mother taught me RELIGION: ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Just When I Need Him Most Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2006

The powerful, inspired writings of the Apostle Paul from his prison cell, and how they can help us to be free! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Just When I Need Him Most Acts 23:10-11 Can you imagine being jailed for the cause of Christ? What would you be thinking as you sat there? What would be your attitude? We don’t have to wonder how it was for Paul. For the majority of the rest of the book of Acts he was a prisoner, and during ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia - Just Call Me Edmund

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 20, 2005

We probably all identify with the nobler characters in this movie - Noble Peter, Loyal Lucy, Steadfast Susan. But in reality, we are all Edmund. Student ministry PowerPoint format.

[NARNIA – JUST CALL ME EDWARD] Slide Graphics – picture of Lucy standing by lamppost, picture of C.S. Lewis Slide Text – “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Natures, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

Jabez: Livin' Large [prosperity]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 27, 2006

What Jabez said...it’s more than a prayer, it is a philosophy of looking to God for Grace, Growth, Guidance, and Godliness. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Jabez: Livin’ Large I Chron. 4:9, 10 Before Bruce Wilkinson wrote his bestselling ‘Prayer of Jabez’, hardly anyone had ever heard of the guy. Hidden within a long list of genealogies in your OT is a golden nugget of truth, only recently discovered by popular Christian culture. I am convinced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Great White Throne Judgment - Judgement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 9, 2005

The Courtroom, the Judge, the Accused, the Evidence, the Defense, the Verdict, the Sentence. Link included to Formatted Text Version and Powerpoint, as well as links to "The Judgment Seat of Christ" and "5 Bible Judgments".

The Great White Throne Revelation 20:11-15 [Link at bottom...] These verses describe the final event of all of human history. God is putting the last period on the last sentence of the last paragraph of the last page. This is the final judgment of all who die lost, never having repented and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Brazen Altar Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 5, 2008

Beautiful, compelling symbolism burns brightly from this God-designed furnishing of the Tabernacle, as well as the utensils and other articles with it. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

The Brazen Altar Exodus 27:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BrazenAltar.html 433 times the Bible uses the word ‘altar.’ The first mention is in Gen. 8:20 when Noah built an altar after the flood. There may have been an earlier altar when Adam and Eve fell into sin and God made them coats of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 27:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

When God Became A Man, Pt. 2

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 18, 2012

God created all that is, and if there's a big bang, it's still to come, and it will happen to those who reject their Creator! Link included to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When God Became a Man, pt. 2 John 1:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GodBecameManPt2.html Babe Ruth played from 1914-1935. He was the first to hit 60 homers in a season, and a total of 714 in his career. The popularity of baseball increased so much that in 1923 they had to build a new ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah - The One And Only Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 9, 2008

1. The Proclamation 2. The Prohibition 3. The Plea. God’s first commandment must be received Submissively, Sincerely, and Scripturally. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Jehovah: The One and Only Exodus 20:2-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JehovahOneAndOnly.html I. A Proclamation. v. 2 “I am the Lord” – a statement of the reality of God. For centuries scientists and philosophers have tried to ‘establish’ the existence of God. But nowhere does the Bible make ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Bring Back The Glory - America Descending

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 23, 2010

"As the home goes, so goes the church, and as the church goes, so goes the nation." We need a revival! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Bring Back the Glory Judges 17-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BringBackTheGlory.html Judges 17:6 6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pray For The Impossible

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 11, 2010

The book of Nehemiah is about building a work for God, and behind every great work of God there is somewhere a KNEELING figure. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pray for the Impossible Nehemiah 1:5-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrayForTheImpossible.html A Jew being the cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the Babylonian King, is an impossible thought to ponder. How could this possibly be? It was an impossible situation...but we serve the God of the impossible! ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Discipline Of Confession Series

Contributed by Cameron Bottema on Apr 27, 2014

Three key words will provide the basic structure or format of this message: Agreement, Benefits, and Caution. These will help us remember, and may well serve us as the A-B-C's of Confession.

THE DISCIPLINE OF CONFESSION "He who conceals his sins (the rebellion of his heart against God) will not prosper (advance or flourish) but whoever confesses (openly and willingly owns up to) and forsakes (leaves behind, deserts, and ceases from doing) them will have mercy (the loving, tender ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:13

Denomination: Friends

The Ideal Servant Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 4, 2009

Spiritual power, perseverance, purpose, and parenting made Paul the ideal servant to those he was leading. And we are all called to be servants. Link inc. to formatted text and PowerPoint.

The Ideal Servant I Thessalonians 2:1-12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealServant.html Being a servant is a calling. And you have that call. Preachers are called, but you are called as well. Preachers go ‘calling’. Once a minister went to call on one of the elderly widows of the church. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Cataclysm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 19, 2009

Several of the most controversial and critical questions of our existence are answered in the Noah story. Great visuals help illustrate! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Cataclysm Genesis 6-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Cataclysm.html We’ll attempt to answer some controversial questions from our text: i) Who were the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”? ii) What was the physical earth like before the Flood? iii) Why did people live so long before the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist