Sermons on Formation:

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

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

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

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

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

The Holy Guest, Pt. 2

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 26, 2005

You can also see part 1 under "My Sermons" by clicking my name at right. You will find a link to Free Formatted Text and Powerpoint template for both sermons.

This is the continuation from part 1, which contains the link to our website where both sermons are in Formatted Text Layout, along w/ Powerpoint template. Paste this link into your browser to go to part 1: ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In Criticism Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The way Paul stood his ground before the council is how we can take our stand in the world today. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Confidence in Criticism Acts 23:1-11 23:1 “earnestly” = He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You've Fallen...but You Can Get Up! - Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The best of men are men at best. Peter backslid, as do all of us. But God can help us to "Fail Forward." Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

You’ve Fallen…But You CAN Get Up! Luke 22:54-62 INTRODUCTION: Faith Healer: on platform at coliseum, said, I have faith that 2 people will be healed…where are you? A man ran down the aisle, named Harry [w/ lisp]. Asked what his ailment was, he replied, I can’t talk wite [right]. He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

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

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

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