Sermons on Habit Formation:

Stoneface

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 25, 2013

Jesus sets His face like flint to go to Jerusalem to die for us. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Stoneface John 12:1a http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/stoneface.html We're halfway through John's Gospel, but in the narrative, we are actually at the end of Jesus' public ministry, and everything we read from this point forward describe the events of just about the last week before the cross. All ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruitful Vineyard - H.e.a.r.t. Analysis Of John 15:1-5

Contributed by Michael Brown on Jun 6, 2020

Breaking down the exposition into H.E.A.R.T. format we Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond, & Thanksgiving this verse.

The Fruitful Vineyard – HEART Highlight – John 15:1-5 (CSB) - (1)“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (2) Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. (3) You are already clean because ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Time For Self-Examination Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 25, 2018

Self-examination fuels spiritual formation. If you aren't growing closer to God, you're falling away from Him.

John Wesley (1703-91), English theologian, evangelist, and founder of Methodism, was so concerned with building a righteous fellowship that he devised a series of questions for his followers to ask each other every week. Some found this rigorous system of inquiry too demanding and left. Today, the ...read more

Scripture: Job 31:1-40

Denomination: Other

The World's Most Popular Religion

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 30, 2005

The World wants a religion that does not INSIST, does not INVOLVE, does not INTERFERE, and does not INCLUDE [certain things.] Link included to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The World’s Most Popular Religion Acts 26:5 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PopularReligion.html ----- I heard a story about a pastor who called two boys to his office. One boy was asked to wait outside the door while the other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:5

Denomination: Baptist

How Do Hope Filled People Live? Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 29, 2001

A deductive exposition of the text calling individuals prompted by the Holy Spirit to indicate their commitment to replace one habit in the next 6 months by signing a response card and placing it on the altar rail.

Introduction: What does HOPE mean to you? I’m afraid that too often we use HOPE to mean a futile wish or an ineffective dream. When people talk of HOPE they usually do so with a feeling of resignation or despair. But real HOPE is a much stronger idea. In "The Lord of the Rings", one character is ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

Suffering Reduces Sin Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Mar 7, 2007

The Apostle Peter shows us that when we work through suffering in a godly way, those habits and sins we cannot rid ourselves of, start to fade away.

What is the thing that Americans fear the most? It is not taxes, or speaking in public, or even death…no. What Americans fear the most is – suffering. It can all be summed up when a loved one dies and death comes quickly to them. What do we say? At least they didn’t suffer….. Americans fear ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Down To Racing Weight

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 2, 2010

Delivered March 1986. To run this race of life and faith, you need worthy role models, you need to rid yourself of destructive habits, and you need the pacesetter, Christ.

Beneath this bulky middle-aged body and especially beneath the generous folds of this preaching robe, there beats the heart of a runner, a racer. Surprise, surprise, you never knew that, did you? But it's true. Inside this fleshy disgrace to the human race there lies buried somewhere the soul of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Forget Not All His Benefits

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 15, 2020

If we don’t get into the habit of thanking God for what we DO have we’ll soon become ungrateful because of what we DON’T have.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK Text: Psalms 103:1-22; Ephesians 5:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ILL. Thinking about his childhood, Chuck Swindoll wrote: "I recall, as a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22, Ephesians 5:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Entrance Of The Bride Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jan 12, 2019

There is a great contrast between the Prostitute and the Bride, the City of God and Babylon, this world, where we feel so distant from God, and the New Jerusalem, where we will be the habitation of God.

CHAPTER 21 1. And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth are gone, and the sea no longer exists. 2. And the holy city, New Jerusalem, I saw coming down out of heaven from God, having been prepared as a bride clothed for her husband. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-2

Denomination: *other

The Power Of The Secret Closet

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 13, 2015

What is the “Secret Closet?” It's the Habit of shutting yourself in God, Seeking God, calling on Him, and Intimacy with God. Prayer is transfiguring, refreshing, and can alter the future.

THE POWER OF THE SECRET CLOSET Mt. 6:5-6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Some things really changed between the former generations and the kids of the last generation. 2. At a grandma was keeping/ babysitting her grandson Dirk. Dirk followed her into the bedroom as she puts up things away in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Remove All The ‘hagar And Ishmael

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 6, 2021

We all got to shed away our old habits and life just like the way the caterpillar sheds its skin in order to evolve into a stunning, astounding and beautiful butterfly!

Remove all the ‘Hagar and Ishmael’ Genesis 21:9”Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking…” Many of us feel that life would be hunky-dory after we receive answers to our prayers and when the miracle happens, but hang on there, with the arrival of the great ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

View From The Donkey

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2006

Triumphal Entry - Takes a unique look at this story from a more humble vantage point. The SAVIOR, the SERVANTS, and the SINNERS. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

View From The Donkey Zech. 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11 (this passage known as the Triumphal Entry) Zech. 9:9 [on screen] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Servant Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 4, 2009

Spiritual power, perseverance, purpose, and parenting made Paul the ideal servant to those he was leading. And we are all called to be servants. Link inc. to formatted text and PowerPoint.

The Ideal Servant I Thessalonians 2:1-12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealServant.html Being a servant is a calling. And you have that call. Preachers are called, but you are called as well. Preachers go ‘calling’. Once a minister went to call on one of the elderly widows of the church. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

These Necessary Things - Life Change Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2005

Salvation...Cause and Effect...The chicken and the egg. This is about how we are saved and how we should live as a result of being saved. Link included to formatted text, Powerpoint, and handout.

These Necessary Things Acts 15:28 In our last message from ch. 15 it was settled once and for all by Christ’s disciples in council: salvation is by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone…plus nothing, minus nothing…and good works have no part in our receiving of salvation. v. 11 Only 1 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:28

Denomination: Baptist

Frustration And Disappointment....a Part Of Christian Life?

Contributed by Dean Kennedy on Sep 1, 2002

Frustration and disapointment in ourselves and the habits that can result. Even those who we think are the most spiritual, can fall to this torment. This was presented to a breakfast ministry for the homeless Sept 1, 2002

Good morning. I want to first thank you all who were here last week. You invited God to join us here and he came with bells on. What happened down here last week was something I’ll remember for quite some time. As my wife put it, it evolved into something that was so unstructured…but organized. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational