Sermons on Formation:

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

Laying Down The Law Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 3, 2008

What would happen if we got back to the basics and tried to live by the 10 Commandments? Oh, the revival that would sweep our nation, our churches, and each of our hearts! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Laying Down the Law Intro. to the Ten Commandments Exodus 20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LayingDownLaw.html In The Gospel and the American Dream, historian Bruce Shelley writes, “In one hand Liberty holds the torch of freedom and in the other the tablet of law. The torch challenges the forces ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

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

The Gospel Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2006

He prepared the way of the Lord, pioneered soul winning, and was the greatest man ever born, acc’d to Jesus...but even he had his doubts, which Christ satisfied! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

JOHN THE BAPTIST John 1:19-37; Matt. 11:1-11 This series is “The Gospel of Jesus”, but no study of Christ is complete without understanding His forerunner, the human who introduced Him to the world. John the Baptist is the first soul winner of whom we read in the New Testament, and he was a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-37, John 1:19

Denomination: Baptist

Decision 2012 - Election - Vote

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2006

God doesn’t tell us WHO to vote for, but He does tell us HOW to vote, and He’s not afraid of losing His ’tax exempt status!’ Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint Presentation.

How to Vote Proverbs 29:2 Outline only...full sermon, illustrations and PowerPoint available at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HowToVote.php ----- "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." We can all reckon with the last ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

Who Wants Seconds On Bread?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2013

From the loaves and fishes to our text today where He offers Himself as the very bread of life. Jesus begins by meeting the needs of the physically hungry and ends with meeting the needs of the spiritually hungry. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, Powe

Who Wants Seconds on Bread? John 6:26-35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Seconds.html Food is one of the strongest desires we have. "Is that really what you're preaching about today, Pastor?" People will do almost anything for food if they get hungry enough. Rob, steal, kill, rent out their ...read more

Scripture: John 6:26-35

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

Much More

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 22, 2011

From the first Adam to the last Adam [Christ] we see all we lost in sin and all we gained thanks to our Savior! One man makes all the difference. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Much More! Romans 5:15-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MuchMore.html From the first Adam to the last Adam [Christ] we see all we lost in sin and all we gained thanks to our Savior! One man makes all the difference. What do we gain? "Much more" it says, over and again...we gain much more in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21, Romans 5:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

Pause Before You Act (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 9, 2011

Behaving wisely is seeking God's will before we act. Rash behavior may do damage in moments that cannot be undone in years. This is segment two of the series. For those wishing to teach and preach this series, you may contact me for formatted handouts and

SEE THE FIRST SERMON OF THE SERIES CONTACT US FOR HANDOUTS TO ACCOMPANY THIS SERIES II. A – Attitude Have I waited until my emotions and my spirit are in check before I act? • If we are not careful, we will act in anger. • In our haste to “do something” we will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-43

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Talking To God

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 9, 2019

This sermon is about having a One on One Conversation with God. It looks at what that meant to several people in the Scriptures - Adam, Cain, Abraham, Moses and Samuel in particular. It also reveals how gloriously dangerous and life transformative it can be

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-11; Psalm 29 Theme: One on One With God Title: The Danger of Talking to God This sermon is about having a One on One Conversation with God. It looks at what that means to several people in the Scriptures - Adam, Cain, Abraham, Moses and Samuel in particular. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

The Greatest Of All - Agape Love

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 30, 2019

This sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. It speaks of the supremacy of agape love. It shares what agape love is and what agape love is not.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 John 4:7 Theme: Love - Agape Love Title: The Greatest of All - AGAPE LOVE INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about love - "agape" love in particular. There ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 John 4:7

Denomination: Nazarene

A Message For Everyone

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Feb 22, 2021

The Apostle John shares with us a Message for everyone - 1. Jesus has paid the price for our forgiveness 2. We can grow into Oneness with Him and Others (Spiritual Maturity)

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-17 Theme: A Message for Everyone The Apostle John wants to share a Message with everyone – 1. Jesus has paid the price for all your sins – Receive His Salvation 2. We can grow into Oneness With Him and Others (Spiritual Maturity) INTRO: Grace and peace from ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-17, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Timothy 1:5-7, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Follow Jesus?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 4, 2021

This sermon is focused on answering the question - Why follow Jesus?

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22 Theme: Following Jesus Title: Why Follow Jesus? INTRO: Good morning! Grace and peace to all of you from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! Let me start off this morning by asking us some questions. Why are we actually here this morning? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Nazarene