Sermons on Formation:

Saved To Serve Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 27, 2008

The Parable of the Talents reminds Christians that we weren’t saved to sit, soak, and sour...we were saved to serve! Just like in tennis-Service begins w/ ’Love’. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Saved to Serve Matthew 25:14-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Saved2Serve.html This is a parable found in the context of Jesus’ teaching on the end of the world. So far we’ve been challenged to be watching because Jesus is coming...now we’re told to be working. Not just looking for Him, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 22, 2007

’Tis the season, and we can see 3 schools God took Saul thru before he graduated as ’Paul.’ The schools of Solitude, Suffering, & Seasoning. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation w/ graphics and animations.

Back to School Acts 9:21-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BackToSchoolForSaul.html ILL.- Teacher to student, “What are you – animal, vegetable or mineral?” The boy replied, “Vegetable. I’M A HUMAN BEAN.” ILL.- It was the little girl’s first day at school and the teacher was making out her ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:21-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Lying Tongue [let Me Be Honest] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 16, 2008

Here’s 3 Truths about Lying, inc. 7 ways we lie, often w/out even thinking about it. Also: How to OVERCOME it! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

The Lying Tongue Exodus 20:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LyingTongue.html I’ve never once heard an entire message on lying. I have heard a few that contained some lies, however. I’ve also had some people lie while I’m preaching...usually on their side or back! Many Christians do not look on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Shining - From Guilt To Grace To Glory Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 27, 2008

1. Fellowship Removed 2.Fellowship Restored 3. Glory Revealed! A lesson about God’s absence, His presence, and how our faces can shine like Moses’! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Shining From Guilt to Grace to Glory! Exodus 33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GraceToGlory.html [read vv. 1-3, 13; ch. 34:29-35 God actually gave 3 things to Moses on Mt. Sinai: • The 10 Commandments—the revelation of God’s Law. • The Book of the Covenant—the regulation of God’s Law. • The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

What A Guy Wants Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 20, 2006

The bible clearly tells us that men and women were created differently - equal, but different. The bible does a great jobo of exlaining how male-female relationships break down, and how they are supposed to work. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Relationships – What a Guy Wants] However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:33) This material was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a high school student ministry. If you have questions or would like the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:33

Denomination: Baptist

Heroes - Memorial Day

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2007

INCLUDES FREE DOWNLOADABLE MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE VIDEO! What is a true hero? Many have given their lives so that we might live ours more abundantly! Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

Heroes Ephesians 3:20-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Heroes.html What is a Hero? Say amen when you see a picture of a hero, and ‘boo’ when you don’t. [one-by-one slides of Britney Spears, 9/11 firefighters, American Idol judges, our military, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, President Bush, Jerry ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Prescription For An Achan Nation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 31, 2008

It’s not the Jerichos that defeat most Christians...it’s the Ais. What Christian America must do to keep from following the path Israel took in our text. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Prescription for an Achan Nation Joshua 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AchanNation.html Have you ever noticed the similarities between Israel and Christian America? Both bountifully blessed by God, having great victories and claiming powerful promises of God. And both flirting with defeat by ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Church That Made God Sick

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2009

If it’s possible for a set of conditions to exist which make God sick, then we need to know about them, so we can avoid them at all costs! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Laodicea—The Church that Made God Sick Revelation 3:14-22 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Laodicea.html Have you ever been so disgusted with someone’s attitude that you said, You make me sick! You meant, I don’t feel good about you, I don’t like to be around you, you ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Pergamos: The Compromising Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 17, 2009

Like Pergamos, today’s church seems to keep only a moderate distance from the world, but both the world AND the church are moving downhill in tandem, and further away from Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pergamos: The Compromising Church Rev. 2:12-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pergamos.html [map] Before 1974, there was a huge portion of land in the northern part of Australia that belonged to the superstitious Aborigines. That land was covered w/ green ants. The Aborigines believed that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Construction Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 22, 2009

Anytime the people of God say let us rise up and build the devil and his forces rise up in opposition. Rebuilding Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Walls, and the coming reunification of Israel. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Construction Ezra / Nehemiah http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Construction.html Last time we looked at the Captivity of Israel. Now the 70 years are up and they are returning home...in 3 stages: · Under Zerubbabel – 536 BC · Under Ezra – 455 BC · Under Nehemiah – 445 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 18, 2009

What is the purpose of the church? It’s 3 fold: • To magnify the Lord thru worship and the Word. • To move believers to maturity and ministry. • To make Jesus known to our neighbors and the nations. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint

Church Ephesians 3:1-5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Church.html Now we enter the church age, the “Dispensation of Grace.” What is a dispensation? It is a time period. In the Bible it is a specific period of time during which God administers His rule over the world in a certain way. And over ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Possible

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 27, 2006

We need an expanded program. We have to pay an expected price. There’s an explicit promise. It’s for an exalted purpose. How to see God’s explosive power! Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint.

Mission Possible John 14:12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MissionPossible.html You read this verse and it looks like Mission Impossible! [theme music] Good morning, Mr. Phelps!…your mission, should you choose to accept it… Just before Jesus returned to heaven He charged us to do something which ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12

Denomination: Baptist

Accept The Situation : Expect The Change

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on May 20, 2008

ACCEPT:1.CREATION 2.POSITION 3.DECISION 4.PERMISSION 5.CORRECTION 6.LIMITATION 7.REVELATION EXPECT :1.EXALTATION 2.LIBERATION 3.TRANSFORMATION 4.RESTORATION 5.FORMATION 6.JUBILIATION 7.CORONATION

ACCEPT THE SITUATION : EXPECT THE CHANGE ******************************************************* The Serenity Prayer ********************** God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. JAMES ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gospel According To Abraham

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2011

Paul spends a lot of time on justification because our nature tries to clothe ourselves with righteousness in the form of fig leaves, but we are not truly clothed with righteousness until God does the clothing. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoi

The Gospel According to Abraham Romans 4:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GospelAccordingAbraham.html 3:31 asked if the OT was void because of saving faith? God forbid! Now look at how he illustrates that saving faith is in the OT. vv. 1-8 Paul spends a lot of time on justification because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist