Sermons on Formation:

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

You C A N Handle The Truth!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 20, 2010

As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

You CAN Handle the Truth! 2 Corinthians 2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/youcanhandletruth.html As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! This epistle is teaching us wonderful truths ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-24

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

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

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

"you Bring Me Great Joy"

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 5, 2022

This sermon shares with us how to live a life pleasing to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22; Psalm 29 Theme: A Well Pleasing Life Title: “You Bring Me Great Joy” INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God. That is to say, a life that brings ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Spiritual Manure - It Helps A Body Grow

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Mar 14, 2019

This sermon focuses on how God can use the stinky stuff in our lives to help us grow

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8 (Call to Worship) Theme: Lent/Growth Title: Spiritual Manure – It Helps a Body Grow INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son and Holy Spring. You can tell that it is getting closer to Spring Time – you can smell it in the air. You can smell the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Let The Walls Come Down Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 25, 2008

From a human perspective it was an unconquerable city. Improbable? No, impossible! Impregnable. And each of us have a walled city in our lives. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Let the Walls Come Down Joshua 5:13-6:20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LetTheWalls.html The children of Israel have moved: • From the wilderness of worry to the promised land of peace. • From the wilderness of wandering to the promised land of progress. • From the wilderness of despondency to the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Missing Persons Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 30, 2005

Paul was sorely missed when he departed from Ephesus--because of his MANNER of life, his MESSAGE, and his MOTTO. Link included for formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Missing Persons Acts 20:36-38 Will you be missed when you are gone? We were glad you missed us this past weekend. It makes us feel needed to know it makes a difference when we are absent. The Apostle Paul spent 3 years w/ these believers in Ephesus, and it was very sad for them to see him go. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

10 Ways America Is Under Attack - Supreme Court - Commandments - Pledge

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 29, 2005

Our courts are slowly banning the 10 Commandments. Do they know they are breaking the first one, and stomping on our Christian heritage? Link included to Formatted Text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

10 Ways America Is Under Attack Exodus 20:1-17 America was again attacked this week, and in grander scale than on 9/11. Our brave soldiers in the Middle East are attacked daily, and we need to hold them up in prayer, but this week, it happened again…on our own soil…and this time, it was not by ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Faithfulness Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jul 15, 2005

The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 9) The faithful hold on to TRUTH, PERSEVERE, keep their COMMITMENTS, and make a FRESH START. This message is also appropriate for graduation. (See sermons in Word format at www.praiseag.org)

FAITHFULNESS The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 9) Galatians 5:22-23 • Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV) [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. INTRODUCTION: This morning we are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gospel Of Jesus: Swordfight In The Desert Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 23, 2006

Jesus didn’t just defeat sin for us on the cross...it started early in His ministry when He was tempted. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Gospel of Jesus – Swordfight in the Desert Matthew 4:1-11 A three-year-old entered the kitchen when his mother was busy elsewhere in the house. She had told him not to get into the cookies. But in her absence he pulled a kitchen chair over to the counter and climbed up on it. Then he took the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Empty Celebration - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 13, 2006

Jesus made 3 ’Empty Promises’ which give more ful’fill’ment than anything else to mankind today. Link included to Formatted Text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

An Empty Celebration Philippians 2:5-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/EmptyCelebration.html Opening ill.--Jeremy was not a normal child. He had a terminal illness which affected both his body and his mind. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible and had sent him to a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, Philippians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Married, But Not Best Friends, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 20, 2006

Deals with conversation and communication. Biblical principles to help couples grow their friendship and relationship. Link included to entire series in formatted text, handouts, and PowerPoint Presentation. From ’Desperate Households’ Series.

Married, But Not Best Friends, pt. 2 Song of Solomon 5:16 The symbolism of Song of Solomon has to do w/ our relationship w/ Christ as His bride. Now, marriage is the highest level of relationship created by God…so, friendship ought to reach it’s very zenith in the context of the marriage ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 5:16

Denomination: Baptist