Sermons on Formation:

Facing Your Giants

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 21, 2007

Five smooth stones were in the bag, and a sling prepared to put them in motion. Each of those stones could represent a character quality that David had which helped him defeat a giant. Link included to formatted text, audio and video, and PowerPoint.

Facing Your Giants I Samuel 17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FacingYourGiants.html We all know this story of David and Goliath…how God used a brave young man full of faith to face a huge hulk of a human for God and His people, Israel. With sling in hand, he chose 5 smooth stones from a brook ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-56

Denomination: Baptist

God Of The Roller Coasters

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 26, 2006

Uses Elijah’s mountaintop experience on Carmel followed by his pity-fest in the desert to talk about the highs and lows of life. You can’t live on the mountaintop. Fortunately, our God is God of the valleys also. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Living in the Valleys] Slide Graphic - photo of tall mountain and deep dark valley Slide Text - Elijah came to a juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4) I love mission trips! I had such a good time on this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Jerusalem 500 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2007

Parable of the 2 Debtors--Good theme for NASCAR or INDY race weekends. One was forgiven 50 denarii and the other 500. Jesus uses this to aid our understanding of sin and forgiveness. Link included to formatted text, audio, and ’Race Style’ PowerPoint Temp

The Jerusalem 500 Luke 7:41-43 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jerusalem500.html The Indy 500 was this afternoon [5-27-07], but the biggest race of our life should be the race to the place of forgiveness to be saved! Make no pit stops at good works, baptism, or communion…just trust completely in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:41-43

Denomination: Baptist

Pity Party - Prodigal Son / Brother

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 28, 2004

It’s a sad tune because the only instrument in the band is your own drum which you are beating on incessantly - Very "Phunny" opening poem, then the CURSE, CAUSE, AND CURE of Self Pity. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pity Party Luke 15:25-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PityParty.html It’s a sad tune because the only instrument in the band is your own drum which you are beating on incessantly. It’s not fun to listen to and no one taps their foot. But you are certain it makes you feel better to beat it out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 18, 2007

Nothing can destroy God’s people, Israel--Not killing all male babies, or burning their cities, not gas chambers, and not a nuke from Iran. Israel’s FAVOUR, their FAILURE, and their FUTURE. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HiddenTreasure.html There are ten “Kingdom Parables”, and according to vv. 1-2 they were given by the seaside [Galilee]. V. 36 says Jesus sent the multitude away after delivering four of them, and then entered into a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Baptist

Unmasking The Hypocrite Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 16, 2008

Jesus did something no one else had done...He stood up to the religious bullies that were leading people astray. There’s much we can learn about hypocrisy here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Unmasking the Hypocrite Matthew 23:1-39 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnmaskingHypocrite.html This is Jesus’ last public message before He dies on the cross. It is stunning...a scathing denunciation of false religion and hypocrisy. Let’s set the scene: Jesus is speaking to 3 groups of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Of Labor Pains Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 18, 2008

We are already feeling the ’birth pangs’ Jesus said would proceed the end times. This world’s contractions are close together, the earth is dilated to 10 & could deliver at any time! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

The Beginning of Labor Pains End of the World Matthew 24:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LaborPains.html Today thru next Sunday, 1/27/08, is Sanctity of Human Life Week, and as always, our church is extremely active year round in promoting life and opposing the atrocity of abortion, which is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Next 40 Days...

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 26, 2008

A chronological overview of what happened after Jesus arose, whom He appeared unto, and what He said before leaving earth -- His passion truly wasn’t the end, but the beginning! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint template.

The Next 40 Days... The Post Resurrection Appearances of Christ http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Next40Days.html This Gospel of Jesus Series isn’t complete just because we’re thru Jesus’ Passion story. It will be 40 more days before He leaves earth, and even then He’ll appear in visions to a few ...read more

Scripture: John 21:25

Denomination: Baptist

Disabled Nation

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 24, 2009

America reminds me of these 70 kings in our text: Dethroned and Disabled, and reduced to settling for scraps which fall from above sparingly. And we used to sit feasting at the table of the KING of Kings. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPt.

Disabled Nation Judges 1:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DisabledNation.html America and Israel are much alike. They remind me of each other. And both remind me of these 70 kings in our text: Dethroned and Disabled, and reduced to settling for scraps which fall from above sparingly. America ...read more

Scripture: Judges 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Soft, Stone Pillow

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 9, 2007

This one verse contains a very SURE promise, a very SWEEPING promise, and yet a very SELECTIVE promise. Only God could make a rock solid promise into such a soft pillow for tired hearts. Link included to formatted text, audio, video, PowerPoint.

A Soft Stone Pillow Romans 8:28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SoftStonePillow.html A man was asked, “What color are the Pastor’s eyes?” “I don’t know,” he replied, “when he prays he closes his eyes, and when he preaches, I close mine.” There’s nothing that helps me sleep better than a soft ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Bad Samaritan

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 19, 2013

You’ve heard of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help a man in need. In our text, Jesus confronts a bad Samaritan, a sinful woman, and God’s grace worked in her life wonderfully. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Bad Samaritan John 4:3-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/badsamaritan.html You’ve heard of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help a man in need. In our text, Jesus confronts a bad Samaritan, a sinful woman, and God’s grace worked in her life wonderfully. Last time we looked in chapter 3 at ...read more

Scripture: John 4:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

Save Me, I'm Drowning! - Debt

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 8, 2010

God threw His Son into the waters of sin to save us from drowning. Now, what can He do for us who are drowning in debt and financial bondage? Here's the steps to freedom! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Save Me, I'm Drowning! Nehemiah 5:1-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Drowning.html If you saw someone drowning and God said the only way to save them was to throw in your child, would you do it? I wouldn't. But that's exactly what God did in order to save our souls. We were going under, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Wild Man [ Not Politically Correct ]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 22, 2009

Islam has come to America like never before. We are back to a 9/10 mentality and worse, for the wild man has found a home here and a friend at the highest levels of gov’t. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The Wild Man Genesis 16:11-12   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WildMan.html The “Wild Man” is loose on the earth and fulfilling Bible prophecy daily. He has always been here, but today he is ACTIVE. We can call him Ishmael; we can identify him, his descendants, ideologically and spiritually. He is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Wrapping Things Up

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 16, 2009

When it comes to giving many Christians stop...at nothing! 6 Guidelines for Giving God’s tithe on God’s day that God’s work might be done in God’s way. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Wrapping Things Up 1 Corinthians 16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WrappingThingsUp.html I. THE ORDER OF THE OFFERING. (1-3) GUIDELINES: 1. PRIORITY ASPECT - 1ST DAY OF THE WEEK (SUNDAY) Bring God’s tithe into God’s house on God’s day that God’s work might be done in God’s way. This is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Exposition Of James 4 Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Apr 2, 2009

James gets even firmer as he declares what superior faith is NOT! This entire series is available as an ebook entitled "James: Who has Superior Faith" via the ibook store (itunes) or in nook format via Barnes and Noble. The cost of this conversational c

4:11-12 Superior Faith does not Ruin Reputations One would think that believers would know that they should not slander one another. Throughout the scriptures we are commanded to be honest about one another. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 15, “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist