Sermons on Formation:

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

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 Ideal Walk Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 11, 2009

5 Reasons the Christian life is compared to a walk. Then Paul gives a candid illustration of sex, purity, and holiness. Other topics include the walks of love, honesty, hope, and much more. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Walk I Thessalonians 4:1-8   Get all 4 parts w/ PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealWalk.html   So far it has been personal- The Ideal Church [ch. 1], The Ideal Servant [ch. 2], The Ideal Discipleship [ch. 3].   Now it gets very practical.   v. 1 “beseech” = beg ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dad's Sacred Duty [father's Day]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 31, 2006

The best thing we can do for our children is to love our wives. 3 ways to love the mother of your children, and thus love your children. Link included to formatted text and more Father’s Day Sermons.

Dad’s Sacred Duty Eph. 5:25-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HusbandsSacredDuty.html The best thing we can do for our children is to love our wives! A picture, an illustration is drawn to help us understand…as Christ loved the church…everything Christ is to the church I am to be to Kimberly…and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Making Of A Mighty Man Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2008

Moses - The Burning Bush - What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? A Divine Appointment, the Divine Announcement, the Divine Assignment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint

The Making of a Mighty Man Exodus 3 & 4:1-5, 29-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MakingMightyMan.html What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses to make him the mighty man he became? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? It started out as a very normal day. Like most of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Swing Wide The Gates!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 29, 2010

The names of the gates of the old city of Jerusalem have rich spiritual meaning, full of powerful truths that will take us 3 sermons to cover. Parts 1 & 2 are here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Swing Wide the Gates Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideTheGates.html The walls of Jerusalem stood for something. They were more than just protection. They stood for the glory of God. Unbelievers of that day looked at the broken down walls and would mock believers. The ruins of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Distraction

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 16, 2010

Nehemiah saw right thru the devil's attempt at distraction and compromise. He said, the valley of Ono? O No! Aren't you glad he said no no to Ono? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Distraction Nehemiah 6:1-4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Distraction.html So far the devil has tried to use these tools to keep them from rebuilding the wall: Ridicule-we will be laughed at but we shouldn't back up or back down. Discouragement-We sometimes get tired IN the work, but never OF the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Justified Freely

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2011

Ask me why I love my wife and I'll have laundry list of reasons she's lovable. But Jesus loved me while I was yet a sinner. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Justified Freely Romans 3:24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustifiedFreely.html Justified = just as if I'd never sinned A one time event that happens at the moment of salvation. Sanctified = an ongoing process of growing in the Lord. Righteousness breaks down along the above lines... Imputed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

He-Devil

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 16, 2013

Now, why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His disciples? Was He such a bad judge of character? Was it a mistake? Of course, Jesus knew from the beginning what would happen. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

He-Devil John 6:66-71 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeDevil.html It's not hard to think of someone named after a disciple. Andrew, Peter, Philip, John, James...Judas? No, that name conjures up negative imagery in our minds. Betrayer - traitor - evil - liar - hypocrite - greedy - devil. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Baptist

The Adam Family

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2011

We continue in our heritage as we "Lurch" through life, still allowing sin to "Fester" within us. What a strange "Thing" is this family. Yes Cousin, "It" is! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Adam Family Romans 5:12-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AdamFamily.html What a strange family. They had it all, and gave it all away. A wonderful creation made by a wonderful Creator, but they chose to rebel and sin and go their own way. Dark and spooky, dressed in black! Hiding in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

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

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Under Pressure - Sardis Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 7, 2017

Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God is seeking.

THE CONTENT CHURCH - SARDIS READING Rev 3:1-6 INTRODUCTION Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Israel Under Attack Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on May 24, 2019

An account of how demonic angel-princes came to control the nations of the earth. The story of Yahweh's formation of Israel, its rebellious decline into idol worship, its separation from God and it's ultimate restoration.

Spiritual warfare Israel under attack In our previous messages, we discussed the origins of Satan, the fallen Lucifer, and the war he's been waging on God and on the human race ever since he was summarily ejected from Heaven as a result of his hubris and vaulting ambition. We saw that ...read more

Denomination: Brethren