Sermons on Formation:

Don't Worry, Be Happy! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2006

It’s easy to say, "Don’t Worry," but it’s better to give someone the tools Jesus provided here to win the war over worrying. The FATHER FACTOR, the FOCUS FACTOR, and the FUTURE FACTOR. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Matthew 6:25-34 "Don’t worry about it." Have you ever had those words said to you? Did it work? Probably not! Easy words to say, but hard to put into practice. In essence that is what the Scripture says in verse 25. [read] But it goes on to tell us how not to worry. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Proofs From Archaeology

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2006

True faith doesn’t require science to agree, but we shouldn’t be surprised that so much of it DOES! Here’s a look at some of what man has ’dug up’ in recent years. Link included to formatted text and a very necessary PowerPoint Presentation.

Bible Proofs from Archaeology Acts 1:3 ----- [Please go to the link at the very bottom in order to see the ’very necessary’ PowerPoint slideshow used to present these facts with.] ----- Jesus’ existence and resurrection can be proven, and we’ve looked at that in other messages. So what about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation - The Blessing Of Reading And Heeding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 13, 2011

1st in series [which is complete in its entirety] - The Lord took John away from his busy life as Pastor of the church at Ephesus that he might write down heavenly visions revealed unto him. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

“THE BLESSING OF READING AND HEEDING” REVELATION 1:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ReadHeed.html True Title: What does it say in your Bible? “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” Year: 96 AD John is up in years, perhaps in his 80’s. About 65 years previous, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Not Of Faith

Contributed by Michael Brown on Nov 1, 2020

Romans 14:23 had been unclear to me when I heard it. It says that what is not of faith is a sin. I did a Bible Study on it using the H.E.A.R.T. (Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond, Thanksgiving) format & this sermon is that study.

Highlight - Highlight the verse that speaks to you Romans 14:23: “But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.” Explain - Explain what this passage means The word translated as faith in this verse is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:23

Denomination: Baptist

God Still Speaks Today

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 22, 2008

Prayer is as much about listening as it is about talking to God. This message encourges members of the congregation to participate in small prayer groups.

God Still Speaks Today I Samuel 3:1-10 In First Samuel we find the people of Israel have gone back to their old ways of being indifferent toward their Creator. Their leader at the time was the high priest, Eli, an old man whose eyesight has begun to go bad. Unless something changes Eli will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Proper Response To God's Word Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jun 30, 2001

OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD IS THE PATHWAY TO BLESSING

BIG IDEA: OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD IS THE PATHWAY TO BLESSING INTRODUCTION: Each of these 8-verse stanzas is focused around a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet = an acrostic format. This is the ALEPH stanza with each verse beginning with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This stanza is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Building Up The Body

Contributed by Eddie Peros on Oct 18, 2000

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 1<sum><sum>‰As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 1<sum><sum>‰As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of ...read more

Racing Is Life

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Aug 9, 2016

The Bible uses many sports related images. In this classic text, the writer to the Hebrews explores the image of a race to reflect upon the nature of a disciple's life.

I am a sports fan, and the big news for me most recently is that the New Orleans Saints opened training camp on July 28th, about ten days ago, and they’re first pre-season game is only a mere thirteen days away. Not only that, but I know the local high schools are gearing up for the new ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Valuable Lessons From Geese

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 31, 2022

We can learn from many things in life. I am satisfied that God put a lot of things on earth just to teach us some of the valuable lessons we need to learn.

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger’s wife is a cat lover. They have a big beautiful white cat that has taught them a lot of things about cats. • Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods; cats have never forgotten this • In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats • Every cat owner knows, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Issues Part 3 Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 2, 2024

we can avoid issues within the church if we live our lives according to the Bible.

DEALING WITH ISSUES: PART 3 Text: Acts 15:22-35 Introduction 1. Illustration: “I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect the cheerful certainty of victory – that any pessimism and discouragement I might ever feel would be reserved for my pillow... I adopted a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-35

Denomination: Methodist

Vanities, Poverty And Destitution Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 22, 2018

We must find in our heart the vast chasm, the infinite need that only Infinite Goodness and Truth and Beauty can fill.

Thursday of the 24th Week in Course 2018 St. Vincent de Paul The book we call Ecclesiastes is often referred to as Qoheleth, for the Hebrew name of the author, here called “the Preacher.” The first words form one of the major themes of theology, that all things human are perishable, that even what ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Psalm 90:3-17, Luke 9:7-9

Denomination: Catholic

Christianity Is Not A Spectator Sport Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Oct 6, 2007

30th in a series from Ephesians. Every believer is to be a minister.

Last Saturday, Mary and I went to the U of A football game. And as we watched that game, it reminded me of how someone once described a football game: Eleven men down on the field, desperately in need of rest, and fifty thousand people in the stands desperately in need of exercise. Unfortunately, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

When Things Go Wrong

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

Although we know we can have joy in trials and God works all together for good…sometimes we don’t see it. Some days faith wanes, and we wonder where God is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When Things Go Wrong Matthew 11:2-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhenThingsGoWrong.html It is a blessing to be a Christian, but this world is under a curse. Things go wrong. Plans fail. The outcome of our goals sometimes isn’t what we had hoped. Tragedy strikes. Death takes its toll. Pain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

They Turned It Right Side Up - Troublemakers - World Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 25, 2005

Christians are accused of turning this world upside down...but it’s the other way around. Those who think the world would be better off without us will one day get their wish! Link included to Formatted Text version and some great visuals in PowerPoint.

They Turned it Right Side Up! Acts 17:1-6 A man was shoveling snow in his driveway when 2 boys came along w/ shovels and said, “Hey Mister, can we shovel your driveway…only $2!?” He said, “can’t you see I’m doing that?” “Yes sir, that’s why we asked…we get most of our business from people who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Rahab's Rehab Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 15, 2008

From call girl to convert-This was much more than a rehabilitation. She wasn’t reformed or conformed-she was transformed! An added benefit: she became part of the line of Christ-a Greeeaaat G’ma of the Messiah! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, P’pt.

Rahab’s Rehab Joshua 2:1-21; Hebrews 11.31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Rahab.html God rewards faith with His salvation...even in the guiltiest sinner. This woman went from being a call girl to being converted by just believing. And she went from ‘zero’ to ‘hero’ in nothing flat! Truly this ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-21

Denomination: Baptist