Sermons on Formation:

From The Stable To The Table [last Supper]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 15, 2005

"Christmas Carol" style look at the Past, Present, and Future--remembering the birth, the life, the death, and then the ’breath’ of the Risen Christ! Leads well into communion. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint.

From the Stable to the Table Hebrews 10, Luke 22:7-20 ----- Formatted Text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation are at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Stable2Table.html ----- Not long after Christmas comes the Easter season. We are reminded that Christ was ’born to die.’ Lying in the cradle, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:7-10

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

The Hoop Of History

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 30, 2010

The hoop of history is a picture of human nature, the sin nature, and sinful man's history repeats itself. Israel's history is America's present! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The Hoop of History Judges 18-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HoopOfHistory.html The hoop of history has always been rolling, and it is still rolling. As a kid, I liked to play with hula hoops. And not just around my waist, but I would roll them. I would put a spin on them outside and throw ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah - Just An Ordinary Guy

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 4, 2010

In every church there are 3 kinds of people: 1. Destructionists 2. Obstructionists 3. Constructionists ... Nehemiah is the perfect example of how to be the latter. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Nehemiah-Just An Ordinary Guy Nehemiah 1:1-4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NehemiahOrdinaryGuy.html The Bible sometimes compares the building of a work of God [church] with the building of a building. Acts 9:31 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

If Any Man Be In Christ

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 10, 2010

We may age and get old on the outside, but we can grow ever younger and more alive on the inside...if we are IN CHRIST! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

If Any Man be in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:10-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IfAnyMan.html This is the judgment seat, literally, the bema. There is still a bema in Corinth. This was the place where the judges of the city would meet the citizens and would judge them for certain things -- there was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Two On Trial

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2008

Passion Week: A careful examination of the text reveals there were really 2 people being tried. Not only Jesus, but also Peter. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Two on Trial Matthew 26:57-75 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TwoOnTrial.html There were 2 phases to Jesus’ kangaroo court. There was the religious phase where He stood before Jewish religious leaders, and then there was the civil phase where He stood before Roman government leaders. But a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Bible And Numbers

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 28, 2007

God is a God of order, and created a universe of precise mathematical design. And He gave special significance to many numbers throughout the Bible. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

The Bible and Numbers http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Numbers.html The digital age has taken technology to new heights...it’s amazing how much can be done so quickly, and how huge blocks of information can be stored on smaller and smaller chips. And digital info. is basically just 2 numbers: 0 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In The City Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 17, 2008

We find Jesus throughout the OT, and today we find him in 6 special towns -- The Purpose, the Prophecy, and the Proximity of the Cities of Refuge. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Christ in the City Joshua 20:1-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ChristCity.html We find Jesus throughout the OT, and today we find him in some cities: [vv. 1-3] The Jews are now in possession of the Promised Land. The 12 tribes divided up the land, but then there were 6 cities set aside as ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2007

Oh the power of the little seed which became the greatest plant...but then comes the aberration into a tree for the devil’s dirty birds! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MustardSeed.html Apostate churches are made up of people who have turned away from the fundamentals of the faith. Constant diligence must be given to keep the church true to the Bible and its teachings. Just as God’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Drag-Net Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 25, 2007

We live in the days of ’invitation’, but there is coming a day of ’separation’ as God examines all those pulled up in the net. Link included to entire series with formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Templates.

Parable of the Drag-Net Matthew 13:47-50 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DragNet.html Of all of Jesus’ parables He has now given to His disciples, I’m sure this is the one they could relate to the best because it uses an illustration from the fishing world, and most of these guys had backgrounds ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Baptist

Three Homes

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 16, 2007

Everyone needs a Heavenly Home, a Christian Home, and a Church Home. How to have a Happy Heart, a Harmonious Household, and a Healthy Church. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Three Homes http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/3Homes.html 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Every person ought to have: • A Heavenly Home • A Christian Home • A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Pray For Me?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 3, 2007

New year message to encourage the people of God to hold up the hands of the man of God as he lifts high the Word of God. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Will You Pray for Me? Exodus 17:9-13 [general outline only…please see sermon audio for many illustrations and other content that make this message tick] http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WillYouPrayForMe.html Moses is the man of God. He delivered God’s people from Egypt, led them thru the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:9-13

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

Crippled Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2009

Sardis is the dying or dead church. It could be our church. The problem and the prescription to fix it and make it once again the Lord’s Church. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Sardis: The Crippled Church Rev. 3:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sardis.html Take your next vacation in London, and you could visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The tour guide would tell you that this is the place that the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist