Sermons on Formation:

Family Ties Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jul 22, 2005

9th in long series on Joshua, 2nd of 2 on mass circumcision in ch.5. This deals with being a part of a family, using the well-used illustration of a flock of geese.

Joshua 5:1-9 – Family Ties (Nowheres near an original thought, but good nonetheless...) Today I’d like to do something different. Today’s a bit different from most, so I’m putting a twist on my scripture today, out of the ordinary for me anyway. Let’s read Joshua 5:1-9. So the Israelites ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

7 People The Church Could Not Do Without

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

We have many people here that have these qualities...but cannot have TOO many! Thank God there are many more ’in the works’ and ’on the way!’ Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 People Our Church Could Not Do Without Philippians 1:3-7; 4:1,15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7PeopleChurch.html A) Paul organized many churches and his interest in them never ceased! * This was only natural! He had put much blood, sweat, and tears into them. * Some of these churches ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Unknown God - [mythology - Idolatry - Witnessing] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 13, 2005

In Athens, Paul saw their mythology, inc. the statue to any "unknown" god they may have missed. He said, "let me tell you about Him!" Link included to formatted text, PowerPoint template, and handout.

The Unknown God Acts 17:15-34 ----- PowerPoint for this message, and a formatted text version are available at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnknownGod.html Or, see the 80+ message Acts Series homepage at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Expository-Acts.html ----- The city of Athens in Bible ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-34

Denomination: Baptist

Right With God, Or Left Behind? [rapture]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 20, 2005

We must make sure we are "Rapture-Ready." In Rev. 4:1 the church goes "off the air" because the church goes "IN the air!" Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Right with God, or Left Behind? "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev 1:19). "hast seen" ch. 1: glimpse at glorified Christ, eternity past. "are" chs. 2-3: church age, the present age of Grace. shall be hereafter—begins in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Procrastinating Governor Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 22, 2006

Paul’s powerful 3 point outline he preached to Felix was inspired of God for us today as well. God is knocking...and we must answer! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Procrastinating Governor Acts 24:24-26 Be honest now, how many have a problem w/ procrastination? Me too, and I’m gonna work on that starting tomorrow [hey, that’s the same day my new exercise regimen begins!] The governor of our state is under scrutiny as he seems to be scrambling to get ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

A "Lot" Of Trouble - Sodom And Gomorrah

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2005

Lot was WEAK in his DEVOTIONS, WORLDLY in his DESIRES, WRONG in his DECISIONS, and thus, WRECKED in his DEMISE. This tracks the COURSE OF THE MAN, the CURSE OF THE SOCIETY, and the CURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Link included to formatted text and Powerpoint

A Lot of Trouble Gen. 13:5-13; 18:17-32; 19:1-11, 24-28 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html A. The Course of the man—Lot (Abraham’s nephew) There came a time when they had to separate. (this place ain’t big enough for the both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Believer's Three-Fold Judgment - Judgement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2005

1. Past Judgment as a Sinner. 2. Present Judgment as a Son. 3. Future Judgment as a Servant. LINK INCLUDED to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Template, as well as messages on The Great White Throne and The Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Believer’s Three-Fold Judgment [Hundreds of free sermons and Powerpoints at website...link at bottom!] FIVE BIBLE JUDGMENTS 1. JUDGMENT OF SIN. (CALVARY) 2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

Gone With The Wind

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 31, 2005

God uses a surge of problems sometimes to DIRECT us, to INSPECT us, to CORRECT us, to CONNECT US, to PROTECT US, to PERFECT us, & to PROJECT us. Link included to free PowerPoint Presentation and formatted text version.

Gone With The Wind II Cor. 1:8; 4:8-10 --- Link includes formatted text and free PowerPoint... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Irma.html --- "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Palms In The Garden [palm Sunday]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The only palms that really mattered eternally during passion week were Jesus’ palms. A study of all His hands touched and accomplished, and what they were about to do! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Palms in the Garden Matthew 26:36-56 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PalmsInGarden.html See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Just outside Jerusalem was a little garden…the garden of Gethsemane. Jerusalem has always been a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-56

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence That Demands A Decision - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2006

Death is not annihilation...it’s separation [unto somewhere else]. ’The Resurrection of the Dead’, and 4 proofs that Jesus rose again, and how that affects man’s afterlife. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Evidence that Demands a Decision I Cor. 15:1-8a See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Since the beginning of time, man has asked the question Job did in Job 14:14 - If a man die, shall he live again? The resurrection of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 21, 2007

"The Kingdom" is a mystery to many Christians--Is it physical or spiritual? On earth or elsewhere? Present or Future? The Bible’s answers on some of these questions may surprise you. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Understanding the Kingdom Of Heaven [Prelude to “Parables of Power” Series] Matthew 13:11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KingdomOfHeaven.html The general "theme" of Jesus’ parables is "the kingdom of heaven" a. Many of the parables start with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." - Mt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

It Comes With A Promise Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 22, 2008

Famous line spoken to Indiana Jones: "You listen to me, you live longer!" What a measure of truth is there, and in the 5th commandment to honor our parents. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

It Comes with a Promise Exodus 20:12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ComesWithPromise.html Indiana Jones has become popular again this year, and this has prompted us to revisit the original trilogy. One highlight from the 2nd film was when ‘Short Round’, the young boy, says to adult Indiana, “You ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 28, 2009

Their ENERGY, their ELECTION, their EXAMPLE, their ENTHUSIASM, and their EXPECTANCY. More than a rough draft, Paul’s first letter to any church was the final word on what a church should be. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Church I Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealChurch.html This is Paul’s earliest writing of at least thirteen books. But you couldn’t tell it. It may have been a first draft but that made no difference for he wasn’t the real author. That’s inspiration...perfection from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

An Up Front Word On Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2008

How correctable are you? Does God have permission to speak to your heart? What if what He says to you today requires you to humble yourself? Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

An Up Front Word on Backsliding Proverbs 14:14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Backslide.html The word backslider has a negative ring to it. Most people cringe or tighten when they hear the word, just like we do when we hear the names “Judas” or “Jezebel” or when the word “hypocrite” is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:14

Denomination: Baptist

Fresh Start - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 5, 2007

The Resurrection was the ultimate turnaround! This message is for many who have fallen and need to ’rise up.’ We can have a clean slate, a new plan, & a fresh start! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Fresh Start Proverbs 24:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FreshStart.html A fresh start or a new beginning - it’s something we all need from time to time. So this Easter, as we revisit the greatest turnaround ever (Jesus’ victory over death), let’s do so not only looking at what happened that day, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist