Sermons on Habit Formation:

3 Odd Jobs Of The Tentmaker Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 10, 2005

Paul had the heart of an ACCOUNTANT, a RUNNER, and a STEWARD, and illustrates for us how to truly do God’s will in our lives. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

3 Odd Jobs of the Tentmaker Acts 20:18-38 Most of us wear more than 1 hat, and have a side job, whether paid for it or not. Some people have a career, but have a heart for other things. We cannot do it all. The Apostle Paul had the skills and knowledge to be more than a tentmaker, and his other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:18-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Super Secret Message - [superman] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2006

Superman theme about good things we should do in secret, and secret sins and their demise. [Clark Kent Christians] Link included to formatted text and ’Super’ PowerPoint Presentation.

A Super Secret Message Matthew 6:1-18 Eccles. 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Are you good with secrets? About to bust? Find joy in it? “I know something you don’t know!” [spill the beans?] Secrecy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jury Duty [judge Not / Judging] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 26, 2006

Jesus said "Judge Not." What this means, doesn’t mean, and how the Lord masterfully illustrated the true interpretation of this verse. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint template.

Jury Duty Matthew 7:1-5 Ever been called to jury duty? Ever been asked to ‘make a judgment’ about a matter? Some Christians seem to feel they are on ‘permanent jury duty’ as they go thru life. And Jesus addresses this fact in this final leg of the Sermon on the Mount. Today 12 members of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Gray Hairs - A Message For A New Year

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 28, 2005

Hosea pointed out 6 ’Gray Hairs’ that we should take care of in order to "Find the Fix in 2006". Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Gray Hairs ‘Finding the Fix in 2006’ Hosea 7:1-16 Hosea is one of the minor prophets…this doesn’t mean he was under 18 or unimportant but only that his prophecy is shorter in length than Isaiah’s or Jeremiah’s, etc. The Pastor was preaching a series on the prophets and one of the members asked ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In Criticism Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The way Paul stood his ground before the council is how we can take our stand in the world today. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Confidence in Criticism Acts 23:1-11 23:1 “earnestly” = He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You've Fallen...but You Can Get Up! - Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The best of men are men at best. Peter backslid, as do all of us. But God can help us to "Fail Forward." Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

You’ve Fallen…But You CAN Get Up! Luke 22:54-62 INTRODUCTION: Faith Healer: on platform at coliseum, said, I have faith that 2 people will be healed…where are you? A man ran down the aisle, named Harry [w/ lisp]. Asked what his ailment was, he replied, I can’t talk wite [right]. He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding God’s Will

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2005

SEEK it, SURRENDER to it, and STAND in it. It’s REAL, can be REFUSED, but it’s always RIGHT! Link included to formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint.

Understanding God’s Will Romans 12:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWill.html We usually look at this passage and talk about surrender...but surrender to what? The will of God in the end of v. 2! Or we talk about separation...but separation unto what? The will of God! And that should be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Lazy Bones Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 1, 2009

Several jokes and illustrations on how to know if you are lazy--then what the Bible says about it and how to be diligent as a servant of the Lord. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Lazy Bones II Thessalonians 3:6-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LazyBones.html If a problem is not dealt with is usually doesn’t go away...instead it gets worse. Ill.—small splinter in finger is just irritating at first, but eventually it will become infected and much more serious over time. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Ridicule

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 18, 2010

When reason fails, some turn to ridicule. They choose laughter over logic. Should the Christian respond? If so, how? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Responding to Ridicule Nehemiah 4:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Responding2Ridicule.html Sanballat has always lived in every time, and taken form in every church. He and others like him believe if God's kingdom is built up it will hurt their cause. They don't want to see it happen. They ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Walk Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 11, 2009

5 Reasons the Christian life is compared to a walk. Then Paul gives a candid illustration of sex, purity, and holiness. Other topics include the walks of love, honesty, hope, and much more. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Walk I Thessalonians 4:1-8   Get all 4 parts w/ PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealWalk.html   So far it has been personal- The Ideal Church [ch. 1], The Ideal Servant [ch. 2], The Ideal Discipleship [ch. 3].   Now it gets very practical.   v. 1 “beseech” = beg ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Clutter Bug?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Feb 14, 2019

This sermon is based on doing some soul cleansing. Excellent to use during Lent or the Spring of the Year.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17 - 32; 2 Chronicles 29:1-19 Title: Spiritual Clutterbug? Theme: Spiritual Cleansing Sermon is based on the need to do some spiritual decluttering. INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I want to talk to you this morning about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31, 2 Chronicles 29:1-19, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Nazarene

Some Aspects Of The Church From Its Beginning To The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb – Names Of The Church – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2023

In this first article in the Series we are looking at the formation and the biblical names for the Church. We look at Church, Bride, Body of Christ, Assembly, Pearl of Great Price, Spiritual House, and God’s Household. The universal Church is not that well understood.

SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHURCH FROM ITS BEGINNING TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB – NAMES OF THE CHURCH – PART 1 [[A]]. THE INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY OF THE CHURCH These messages will look at the beginning of the Church, its members, its functions and a lot more things. The Marriage Supper of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:6-9, Ezekiel 16:8-21, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24, Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 5:25-27, Matthew 13:45-46, Revelation 5:9, Ephesians 5:27, Hebrews 12:22-23, Hebrews 10:24-25, John 14:1-3, Ephesians 2:19-21, 1 Timothy 3:15, Galatians 6:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have Decided... Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 12, 2007

Jesus didn’t put the demands of being a disciple in fine print at the bottom of the contract...but IN BOLD TYPE! The cross PRESENTED, the cross REJECTED, the cross ACCEPTED. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

I Have Decided... Matthew 16:21-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IHaveDecided.html This chapter zeroes in on 2 big things Jesus wants to teach His disciples: • Who He is = His Person [last week] • Why He came = His Work [this week] The Lord has spent nearly 3 years with these guys and now it’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Angels: God's Heavenly Warriors, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2006

Several things we need to know about ’fallen angels’ and our enemy, Satan, and what we can learn from all this about God, HIS angels, and ourselves. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

God’s Heavenly Warriors, pt. 2 Matthew 8:16 There is a mighty angelic conflict being fought--because Satan, and a multitude of other angels chose to rebel against God. Last time we said, ’We are never more like Satan than when we rebel against authority.’ 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:16

Denomination: Baptist