Sermons on Formation:

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

Learning From A Small Church : Lessons From The Church At Philippi | Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Sep 2, 2024

In this study Dr. Madana Kumar, dives deep into the circumstances that led to the formation of the church at Philippi. The foundations on which the church was founded, and its lasting significance in spreading the gospel across the globe.

Learning from a Small Church : The Church at Philippi This and other studies are available in my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@dr.madanakumarphd2193 I have a fascination for studying small churches. It may be because in His mercy, God has always protected me from being a member of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:2, Philippians 2:3-4, Philippians 2:5-8, Philippians 2:19-22, Philippians 2:25-30, Philippians 1:3-5, Philippians 1:7-8, Philippians 4:10, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:6, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:27-30, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:14-18, Philippians 4:19, Acts 16:6-12, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 16:16-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Life Line (2018, Fifth Sunday Of Easter)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 28, 2021

Sin is perhaps the biggest of the obstacles because it is connected with all of the other obstacles in our lives that hinder God’s will. Sin has many forms and formats that make deadwood in our lives, but sin has one purpose and that is our destruction.

THE LIFE LINE Text: John 15:1- 8 Just recently my daughter Lilly looked at the bushes of the parsonage that had been trimmed back. She expressed her concern that the bushes might not grow back. I assured her that that the pruning that had taken place was good for the bushes because ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Are You Wiser Than A 5th Grader? - Wisdom

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

Wisdom is the one thing you can sincerely ask God for and His answer is always yes! THE PRIORITY, PRODUCT, AND POWER OF WISDOM. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Are You Wiser Than a 5th Grader? II Chronicles 1:7-12; James 3:13-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Wisdom.html The popular TV game show is a misnomer, because it doesn’t really test ‘smarts’, but ‘knowledge.’ It should be called “Are You More Knowledgeable than a 5th Grader?”! They haven’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

One Thing

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 16, 2006

"One thing I DO," "One thing I KNOW," "One thing thou LACKEST," "One thing is NEEDFUL." Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

One Thing Philippians 3:13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OneThing.html [hundreds more free sermons and PowerPoints at website above!] Only a few people can do more than one thing at a time, especially us men. It’s a proven fact that ladies are multi-tasking just as surely as they are multiple ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

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

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

Parable Of The Pearl Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2007

The church is God’s Pearl of Great Price. How the pearl was WROUGHT, how it was SOUGHT, and how it was BOUGHT. Link included to formatted text for entire series, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Pearl Matthew 13:45-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pearl.html This parable is going to sound a whole lot like the previous one we just studied on the hidden treasure, but with a great twist and special illustration that I know will be a blessing to you. Common misinterpretation: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Lost And Found Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 23, 2007

3 stories, 1 parable, many great truths! The Lost SHEEP, the Lost SILVER, the Lost SON, and the Lost SIBLING. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Parables: God’s Lost and Found Luke 15 [Get formatted text, audio/video, and great PowerPoint now by pasting this link into your browser.] http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LostAndFound.html The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Pray For The Impossible

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 10, 2010

Continuation shows how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls thanks in part to his prayer of contrition, concern, confession, confidence, and commitment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pray for the Impossible, pt. 2 Nehemiah 1:5-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrayImpossible2.html We have begun to talk about one of the shortest men in the Bible. Not Zacchaeus, this is "Knee High Miah!" Shorter than him was Job's friend, Bildah the Shuhite [shoe height!] Anybody know the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-11

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

Battling And Building

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 19, 2010

They had a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. They had to multitask and keep one eye on the work and the other eye on the enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Battling and Building Nehemiah 4:11-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BattlingBuilding.html Building is a battle. Just finding good weather is tough for roofers. It's too hot or too cold, it's raining or there's frost and it's too slippery. It's too steep!! Or the Pastor is too demanding!!! ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:11-23

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

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