Sermons on Formation:

The Invitation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 10, 2006

2 Men, 2 Foundations, 2 Houses, & 1 Storm. We must heed Jesus’ teachings, not just hear them...that is wise and not foolish. Link included to free MS Word formatted text & PowerPoint downloads.

The Invitation Matthew 7:13-29 Today we preach sermons 13 & 14 from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount… and we finish talking about the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. Joke--The preacher was shaking hands with the members of his congregation after a service when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-29

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Great Supper Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 14, 2007

Jesus’ sense of humor shows up in a big way during some awkward dinner table moments, esp. when He talked about people and the excuses they offer. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint template.

Parable of the Great Supper Luke 14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatSupper.html One of the chief Pharisees has invited Jesus over for dinner, and we’re gonna have some fun tonite! v. 1 “they watched Him” = laid a trap v. 2 this diseased man was deliberately planted so Jesus would heal him and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Wicked Husbandmen Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 27, 2007

Even wives and ladies can be ’husbandmen’ [vinedressers] in the field in which we are planted. But what do we think of the ’boss’ and how do we treat His Son? Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

The Wicked Husbandmen Matthew 21:33-41 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WickedHusbandmen.html 1. The vineyard immediately brings to mind Israel - cf. Isa 5:1-7 2. The landowner who planted the vineyard is God 3. The wicked vinedressers [husbandmen] represent Israel’s leaders - cf. Mt 21:45 4. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-41

Denomination: Baptist

I Have Decided... Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 12, 2007

Jesus didn’t put the demands of being a disciple in fine print at the bottom of the contract...but IN BOLD TYPE! The cross PRESENTED, the cross REJECTED, the cross ACCEPTED. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

I Have Decided... Matthew 16:21-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IHaveDecided.html This chapter zeroes in on 2 big things Jesus wants to teach His disciples: • Who He is = His Person [last week] • Why He came = His Work [this week] The Lord has spent nearly 3 years with these guys and now it’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Wwjd - Wy? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 29, 2008

It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

WWJD-WY? Matthew 25:31-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WWJDWY.html It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. What you do with Him in this life determines what He has to do with you in the next. I. The Coming of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome To The Tribulation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2008

Satan’s full program cannot run while the Spirit is still here in the hearts of believers...but once the salt is removed from this earth there is no more preservation found for it! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Welcome to the Tribulation! Matthew 24:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WelcomeTribulation.html This is the Lord’s final message on the End of the World, which is only the beginning of eternity! The ‘beginning of sorrows’ speaks of the birth pangs this world will feel both before the rapture ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Glory Cloud Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 4, 2008

Pillar of cloud by day...of fire by night! God’s presence filled the tabernacle, and jetted heavenward above the mercy seat. When, where, and why the glory came down. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Glory Cloud Exodus 40:33-38 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GloryCloud.html No man can see God with human eyes and live, but His presence was enveloped in this cloud which descended, and it was something the people could look to and follow. Astonishing indeed! Beneath the cloud is the Holy of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 40:33-38

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon’s 300 - Just A Few Good Men

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2010

God’s people are so ravaged by the Midianites that they are hiding in dens and caves. They cry out to God and God gives them...Gideon. 4 Principles from his life. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Just a Few Good Men Judges 6- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustaFewGoodMen.html Chapter 5 ends with these words: "And the land had rest forty years." Chapter 6 begins: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..." The cycle continues for God’s chosen nation. It’s the same ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Bad To Worse

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 26, 2010

Corrupt Leadership: America in her prosperity has been given much but done so little with it...and now it appears God may be taking the prosperity away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

From Bad to Worse Judges 9-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Bad2Worse.html We began last week looking at Abimelech, a truly bad leader, and we continue with more about him and the next 2 judges after him, and it goes from bad to worse...not because they were more evil than him but because God ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Embodying A New Life Part 2 Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 10, 2009

There is a new way of life… it is the life of Christ… who has come and in his death and resurrected life… inaugurated the start of a new humanity… which we can enter and begin to embody. Our spiritual formation involves connecting with the new life that

Embodying a New Life – Part 2 Series: The Liberated Life (Colossians) Brad Bailey - May 31, 2009 Intro – The search for a new means of life that can save us from our own divide. Two of the big early summer films that just came out are the new Terminator and Star Trek films. Like so many science ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Jesus: Before There Was Time Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 1, 2006

First in series looks at Christ in eternity past. 7 Attributes Jesus possessed long before coming to the Earth, and He still has these qualities today and forever! Link included to free formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Jesus: Before There Was Time http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BeforeThereWasTime.html Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. God wants our church to focus more on Jesus…I know this to be a fact! Christ is the One we should lift up in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Angels Among Us Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 10, 2006

Twelve Biblical Facts about Angels that help us to be more aware of the unseen spirit world around us, and the even greater power of the ONE who created them! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Angels Among Us Last time: 4 reasons why the world is enamored with angels: • Spirit of hopelessness—people are looking for answers and for something to fill their empty spirit. • Spirit of selfishness—Christians are called to be servants, but our society would rather be served than to serve. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:11

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil In The Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 12, 2005

There’s a bullseye atop our churches which the prince of the power of the air sees as he roams, seeking whom he may devour. His method of harming the church is "infiltration." Link included to Formatted Text and Powerpoint Template.

The Devil in the Church Eph. 6:11, 12 [Hundreds of free sermons and Powerpoints at website...link at bottom!] “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12

Denomination: Baptist