Sermons on Formation:

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

Considering Encouragement Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 12, 2011

Encouragement is awesome. It can actually change the course of another person's day, week, or life. You will find, if you think for a moment, that the people who influence you are the people who believe in you most, who encouraged you.

Encouraging Encouragement Series: CONSIDERING ENCOURAGEMENT HEBREWS 10: 23-25 While the joy of the Lord truly sustains and strengthens us, there are times when we all need encouragement. This world is hard, especially on Christians. Elijah, Jonah and Job were at times suicidal. Paul, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Do I Really Need The Church?

Contributed by Dan Thompkins on Jan 19, 2008

“The church provides people with things they cannot find anywhere else in the world.”

·         Vance Packard calls America “a nation of strangers.” ·         Today: an epidemic of loneliness in our society. (4 out of 10 experience intense loneliness) ·         “Everywhere you look, there are signs that people are hungering for fellowship, community, and a sense of family. Beer ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Live For The Day Of Christ Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Goelzer on Feb 4, 2004

Encourage and empower the beleivers to enjoy their partnership in the gospel until the Lord’s return.

NIV Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Shield Of Faith

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 27, 2025

Talking about shields, arrows and faith (Sources noted throughout the notes)

HoHum: (Opening illustration from here: https://www.sagebrush.church/next-steps-week-2/next-steps-week-2-day-4/). A woman went into her kitchen to find a robber loaded down with a bunch of stuff he was stealing from her. Not having any kind of weapon to scare him off, she raised her hand and said, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16, Ephesians 6:10-18, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:39-40, 1 John 5:4, Hebrews 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Echelon Principle

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 26, 2022

If the body of Christ is to function properly, we can’t just have a few members doing all the ministry by themselves, while the rest of the people watch the show. Jethro told Moses he needed to appoint others to help him.

Our message for this evening is entitled “The Echelon Principle.” I am not going to tell you what an echelon is just yet; however, some of you might already know. I will tell you that it has something to do with playing on the same team, and striving together toward a common goal and purpose. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:13-26

Denomination: Baptist

Part 2 - The Unseen War Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Oct 6, 2004

Part 2 of the series examines what is going on behind what we see. This sermon looks at examples from scripture to explain the real battle we fight.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE & THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD (SERIES) 2 ¡V The Unseen War Rev. Bruce A. Shields First Baptist church of Tawas City Michigan www.TawasBaptist.org „« Scripture Reading ¡V 2 Kings 6:8-17 (NIV) PRAYER God is with us, among us, all around us and so are His angels in our time of need, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-17

Denomination: Bible Church

Passing The Test Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 4, 2017

A single brush with temptation may lead to an act or decision that ruins families, devastates churches and incapacitates our fellowship with God. Prove yourself faithful in the midst of temptation.

One sagging electrical line near Cleveland, Ohio, connected with a tree branch at 3:32 p.m. on August 14, 2003, beginning a chain of events that led to the largest blackout in American history. According to a comprehensive study, the failure of this single transmission line caused a utility ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Other

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

Call Me Barabbas

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 12, 2008

Politician Pilate is on trial now, and he has a finger in the air checking the wind’s direction. Instead of doing what is right, he does what is easy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Call Me Barabbas Matthew 27:11-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Barabbas.html Last time we saw the religious phase of Jesus’ trial, in which He was accused of blasphemy. But that charge wasn’t worthy of death in the Roman world, so they need to try to dig something else up. How about treason? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Young Ruler

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 1, 2007

Here’s the story of the only person who ever came to Jesus, and left in a worse condition. What a strong connection there is between our money and our heart! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:13-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichYoungRuler.html This is the only man who ever came to Jesus and left in worse condition! 1. The hardest thing that you will ever give God complete control over will be your finances and possessions. --Perhaps because they are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

Invasion From Hell [end Times / Tribulation] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 2, 2006

The worst demons of all time have been incarcerated for thousands of years in the pit of the abyss...but hell goes on holiday in our text during the tribulation. Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Invasion from Hell Rev. 8:13-9:12 Do you believe in the existence of angels? Surveys show that most people do…but did you know that those same surveys also show that most people do not believe in the existence of demons?! If you believe in angels you MUST also believe in FALLEN ANGELS!…aka ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Baby King

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 13, 2006

Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. The end times are mentioned even at the manger! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template + many more Christmas Sermons.

The Baby King Luke 1:31-33 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BabyKing.html ----- Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. We now know that kingdom to be set up at the 2nd coming of Christ, not the first. Jesus’ first visit as a baby did indeed spark a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of Moses Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 12, 2008

It’s the first song on record [not cd!]. And it’s a song of salvation. Moses leads and all Israel echoes. Israel moves from PANIC to PRAISE! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

The Song of Moses Exodus 15:1-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SongOfMoses.html It’s the first song on record [not cd!]. And it’s a song of salvation. Moses leads and all Israel echoes. Toward the end of his life Moses sings again, but this time it’s a solo and he dies shortly thereafter. And ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-19

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