Sermons on Habit Formation:

Four Anchors That Will Hold

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 9, 2006

Facing shipwreck, Paul and all on board cast out 4 Anchors that saw them thru the storm safely. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Four Anchors That Will Hold Acts 27:29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/4Anchors.html There will be a time in the life of most Christians that you will come upon a real storm. How you handle that storm will determine a great deal as to how you live the remainder of your Christian life. We are living ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:14-44

Denomination: Baptist

Praying And Giving Thanks

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 15, 2006

Not only at Thanksgiving, and not just at meals, but always and in all things...give thanks! A study on PRAYER is also a study on PRAISE. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

PRAYING AND GIVING THANKS Colossians 1:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrayingAndGivingThanks.html Paul was a man of prayer. He was a great Christian, an outstanding scholar, a model missionary, a giant among men--spiritually, morally and intellectually, but above all he was a man of prayer. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Come To The Table - Thanksgiving Communion

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 23, 2006

Includes 7 things we ought to bring with us as we approach the greatest dinner table of all time. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Come To The Table John 6; I Corinthians 10-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ComeToTheTable.html ----- On Thursday of this week we all had one thing in common: we couldn’t wait to be told: “Come to the table!” This morning, Jesus has set the table and is inviting us, “Come to My Table.” John ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Family - [godly Heritage] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 15, 2005

A Godly Heritage is so important. And a great family is a SAVED family, a SERVING family, and a SANCTIFIED family. Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

A Great Family Acts 18:1-3, 18-19, 24-26 It takes more than great programs to build a great church…we have a great program going on here, but it’s not enough. It takes more than hard workers and sacrificial servants to build a great church…we have that and last week it saved the church over $20k ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do With Your Burdens

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 6, 2005

Some burdens are meant to be SHARED, some burdens are meant to be SHOULDERED, and some burdens are meant to be SHED. Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

What To Do With Your Burdens Gal. 6:2-5 [Some burdens are meant to be SHARED, some burdens are meant to be SHOULDERED, and some burdens are meant to be SHED. Link included at bottom to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.] We all have burdens. Some have a physical ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2-5, Matthew 11:28, Philippians 3:8

Denomination: Baptist

Tearing Down The Temples Of Hell Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2005

Paul had an open door of OPPORTUNITY. There were many OBSTACLES. God helped him to OVERCOME! Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Tearing Down the Temples of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years…not his normal pattern. There was much work to be done there, and w/ a pop. of 300,000 people, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1. Paul’s opportunity I Cor. 16:8-9 But I will tarry at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27, Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Pearl

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 18, 2014

Because of the pearl’s unusual characteristics, they are symbolic of many deep spiritual truths. Two examples might be the formation of the nature of Christ in us or as a symbol of the resurrection body.

LESSONS FROM THE PEARL Matthew 13:45-46 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. JOKE # 1 a. A mechanic accidentally swallowed some brake fluid and really liked the taste. Before he knew it, he had polished off a whole bottle of the stuff. b. His buddy George caught him sneaking a swig the next day. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Experience The Word

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 8, 2010

Which is more important - doctrine, or experience? The WORD is our authority, but shouldn't our experience corroborate the truth? Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Experience the Word Galatians 3:1-5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ExperienceTheWord.html Paul now goes back to the experience of the Galatians. How were they saved? Were they saved by law or were they saved by faith in Jesus Christ? O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Hypocrite's Triple Judgment

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 11, 2011

God looks on the heart, and sees through all of those things that we outwardly decorate ourselves with. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The Hypocrite's Triple Judgment Romans 2:1-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TripleJudgment.html Howard Carter discovered the tomb of old King Tut back in the early twenties and when he finally broke in to the tomb of one of Egypt's richest kings, he went in and found the casket, the sarcophagus, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

God Vs. Humanity

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 17, 2011

Paul is the prosecuting attorney bringing an indictment in the case of God vs. Humanity. Evidence is presented, and the Verdict is read. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

God vs. Humanity Romans 3:1-24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GodVsHumanity.html There’s something terribly wrong in the world. Something terribly wrong. You don’t even need a Bible to tell you that. But God did not make a world with something wrong. When God created the world he said, That’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-23

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctity Of Human Life And The Gospel

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 23, 2012

A sermon on the sanctity of human life and the gospel (Outline and thoughts taken from the book, Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective, chapter 12 by David P. Gushee)

HoHum: Francis Schaeffer said that “cultures can be judged in many ways, but eventually every nation in every age must be judged by this test: How did it treat people? Our own is not exception. Those who regard individuals as expendable raw material do battle on many fronts with those who ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Parable Of The Leaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2007

This ’most misunderstood’ parable is one of the most telling ones for our generation today. The parallels are powerful to consider! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Leaven Matthew 13:33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Leaven.html Just one verse is all it takes tonite to have a big spiritual spread to feast upon. How many have ever made homemade bread? What do you put in the dough to make it rise? Yeast. And what is the Bible word for yeast? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:33

Denomination: Baptist

War Of The Gods Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 14, 2008

10 PLAGUES and the SIGNIFICANCE of each. This showdown is not just between Moses & Pharaoh, but between Jehovah God and the gods of Egypt. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

War of the Gods Exodus 5:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WarOfTheGods.html Moses the deliverer is God’s selected man to lead His people to freedom. He made every excuse he could think of, and finally surrendered to do God’s will. Moses says, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh refuses, and this ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Ordinary Day Breakthroughs

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on May 3, 2019

Sermon thesis: The LORD uses our ordinary days to develop our character, our faith and our spiritual strength so that we may be able to reflect His glory and live an Abundant Life here on this Good Earth. How we handle ordinary days can lead to extra-ordinary days!

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10; Jeremiah 18:1-4 Title: Ordinary Day Breakthroughs Sermon thesis: The LORD uses our ordinary days to develop our character, our faith and our spiritual strength so that we may be able to reflect His glory and live an Abundant Life here on this Good Earth. INTRO: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Jeremiah 18:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

Manna Live! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 25, 2008

What is it? The symbolism of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. It’s how we live. Man alive! Many practical applications to daily Christian living. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Manna Live! Exodus 16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MannaLive.html [read vv. 1-21; 31] It’s a beautiful symbol of Jesus, come down from above. Christ is the bread of life. It’s how we live. Man alive! The following passage drives it all home... John 6:32-35 32 Then Jesus said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-31

Denomination: Baptist