Sermons on Formation:

Samson: The High Cost Of Low Living

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 9, 2010

He dishonored his parents, deserted his promise, distorted his purpose, defiled his purity, and deluded his power. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The High Cost of Low Living Judges 13-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HighCostLowLiving.html Some are born to privilege, w/ many advantages, and can't seem to succeed, and then others are the opposite, born to nothing, and rise above it all to great success. Samson was an example of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-12

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

I Know A Secret

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2013

Paul reveals the mystery: "A divine, sacred secret that is hidden in the heart of God, and cannot be understood unless God chooses to reveal it to man." Link included to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

I Know a Secret Ephesians 3:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130505pm.mp3 "Paul, you keep calling yourself a prisoner of Jesus and this is confusing to us," said the Ephesians. Is it confusing to you as well? Of course, he was literally a prisoner in many jails and prison cells, and yet he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 6:1-7

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 23, 2021

The apostles were becoming too busy to meet the needs of the disciples as well as being devoted to the ministry of the Word. This outline gives a "talking paper" format as to how the apostles handled this challenge.

Introduction: After the events of Acts 5, the apostles found themselves in a predicament. They realized they needed assistance and presented the facts to the multitude of disciples. Then the disciples themselves chose the men who assist in the situation at hand. Text, Acts 6:1-7, KJV: 1 And in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

How To Deal With Our Own Anger

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Recognize the damage that fleshly anger can bring. "Anger is the chief saboteur of the mind, a significant factor in the formation of many serious diseases. It is the leading cause of misery, depression, inefficiency, sickness, accidents, loss of work, ti

1. Recognize the damage that fleshly anger can bring. "Anger is the chief saboteur of the mind, a significant factor in the formation of many serious diseases. It is the leading cause of misery, depression, inefficiency, sickness, accidents, loss of work, time wastage, financial loss in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Letting God Breathe Through Us

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 16, 2019

This sermon is about making a difference by being infilled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21; Daniel 1:8-21 Theme: Making a Difference Title: Let God Breathe Through You INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Jesus Our Messiah and Savior and The Infilling Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about making a difference. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21, Daniel 1:8-21

Denomination: Nazarene

We Are Like Geese

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

communities, like Canadian geese, are there to support each other

Fall is here – you can see the leaves turning and there is a nip in the air. But I also know Fall is here because I have seen. . . and heard the honking of a gaggle of Canadian geese beginning their migration south. I am sure most of you have noticed that Canadian geese fly in a ‘V’ formation. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Sitting At Jesus’ Feet Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 19, 2006

7 things we find when we are willing to sit at the feet of Jesus. Includes all the places they took Him and things they did. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SITTING AT JESUS’ FEET Luke 8:35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SittingAtJesusFeet.html Christmas finds us in many places: stores, shops, online bargain hunting, parties, family get-togethers, and it is all fine and good, but will Christmas also be a time of humble bowing, kneeling at the feet of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:35

Denomination: Baptist

The Vision, The Venture, & The Victory - Gospel In Europe Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 11, 2005

Catch the vision and hear the "Macedonian Call". We are in debt to Paul and Silas who let God turn them around and into Europe. Link included to free formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint.

The Vision, The Venture, & The Victory Acts 16:6-15 ----- This is part 1 of a 3 part message from this chapter. The 3 people saved were Lydia [A TENDER heart--this sermon], the possessed slave girl [A TORMENTED heart], and the Philippian jailer [A TOUGHENED heart]. Please see all 3 sermons and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Csi: Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

Crucifixion Scene Investigation - link to PowerPoint with great CSI graphics included. Can be preached as 2 or 3 part series beginning Easter morning. Formatted text version also at web link.

CSI: Easter Crucifixion Scene Investigation Acts 3:14-15 [on screen] See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Turn to Matthew 26, then go to Acts [on screen…] We certainly hear a lot about the top rated show in prime time. So ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Discouragement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

Worn out - Weighted down - Wasting away. This describes many Christians today. But Nehemiah shows how to keep battling and building for the cause! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Dealing with Discouragement Nehemiah 4:7-10 Ill.—devil’s auction. He decided to sell all his tools. Lust had a high price on it, so did pride, arrogance, envy, bitterness. But one tool was off to the side and said ‘not for sale.’ It was the tool of discouragement! As the people of God were ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Peace In The Puzzle, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2006

Why are the righteous persecuted, and why does Jesus say for us to rejoice when it happens to us? Link included to formatted text version, as well as part 1 and it’s matching PowerPoint.

A ‘Peace’ in the Puzzle, pt. 2 The Gospel of Jesus Matthew 5:9-12 When we are a peacemaker, we are eliminating strife. Tonite, we need to learn how to endure spite. This is the ‘puzzle’ in our title. This sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, by the greatest preacher who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

From Generation To Generation - Israel In The Wilderness

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 1, 2006

Israel turned an 11 day journey to the promised land into a 40 year process of meandering in circles, going nowhere. HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

From Generation To Generation Psalm 78 Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. A Biblical generation is 40 years. That sums ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-72, Psalm 78:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

B I G Numbers - Little Ones - Sanctity Of Life Sunday

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 19, 2006

Staggering numbers of dead in natural disasters, but here’s another: 50 MILLION! That’s a really big number, and they are ALL little ones! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint.

Big Numbers - Little Ones Jeremiah 1:5 COPY/PASTE THE LINK BELOW NOW TO GET THE FORMATTED TEXT AND POWERPOINT FREE... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BigNumbersLittleOnes.html It has now been 40 years since Roe v. Wade. That’s a big number. We hear big numbers of dead like all those children in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

Seven Happy People

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2006

Unlike joy, happiness is temporary...based on ’happenstance’. But God tells us 7 ’circumstances’ which will lead us to happiness more often. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SEVEN HAPPY PEOPLE John 13:17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7HappyPeople.html John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Which kind of Christian are you? Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Attitude determines altitude! God isn’t here just to keep you out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:17

Denomination: Baptist