Sermons on Formation:

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

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

Speaking Of Tongues Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

Greek Word Study which has convinced many open-minded that this sign gift has ceased in its Biblical form. Link included to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

SPEAKING of TONGUES I Cor. 14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SpeakingOfTongues.html I want to make it crystal clear that our purpose tonite is not in any way to impune, insult, or attack any brother or sister in Christ. Any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine! And so, w/ no malice, no anger, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-37

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

A Super Secret Message - [superman] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2006

Superman theme about good things we should do in secret, and secret sins and their demise. [Clark Kent Christians] Link included to formatted text and ’Super’ PowerPoint Presentation.

A Super Secret Message Matthew 6:1-18 Eccles. 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Are you good with secrets? About to bust? Find joy in it? “I know something you don’t know!” [spill the beans?] Secrecy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Gray Hairs - A Message For A New Year

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 28, 2005

Hosea pointed out 6 ’Gray Hairs’ that we should take care of in order to "Find the Fix in 2006". Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Gray Hairs ‘Finding the Fix in 2006’ Hosea 7:1-16 Hosea is one of the minor prophets…this doesn’t mean he was under 18 or unimportant but only that his prophecy is shorter in length than Isaiah’s or Jeremiah’s, etc. The Pastor was preaching a series on the prophets and one of the members asked ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16

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

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

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

Help For The Hopeless - Hope For The Helpless

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 8, 2013

I challenge you today to rise up out of that comfort zone, and not accept that situation any longer, and decide to walk away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Help for the Hopeless - Hope for the Helpless John 5:1-9 [pt. 2 just added, below pt. 1] Get it all with PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HelpHope.html Bethesda= “House of Mercy” The “House of Mercy” was a house of misery for many. This pool was situated where there were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

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

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

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