Sermons on Habit Formation:

Parable Of The Drag-Net Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 25, 2007

We live in the days of ’invitation’, but there is coming a day of ’separation’ as God examines all those pulled up in the net. Link included to entire series with formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Templates.

Parable of the Drag-Net Matthew 13:47-50 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DragNet.html Of all of Jesus’ parables He has now given to His disciples, I’m sure this is the one they could relate to the best because it uses an illustration from the fishing world, and most of these guys had backgrounds ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In The City Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 17, 2008

We find Jesus throughout the OT, and today we find him in 6 special towns -- The Purpose, the Prophecy, and the Proximity of the Cities of Refuge. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Christ in the City Joshua 20:1-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ChristCity.html We find Jesus throughout the OT, and today we find him in some cities: [vv. 1-3] The Jews are now in possession of the Promised Land. The 12 tribes divided up the land, but then there were 6 cities set aside as ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Three Homes

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 16, 2007

Everyone needs a Heavenly Home, a Christian Home, and a Church Home. How to have a Happy Heart, a Harmonious Household, and a Healthy Church. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Three Homes http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/3Homes.html 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Every person ought to have: • A Heavenly Home • A Christian Home • A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Separate Message

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 7, 2010

Separation. What is it? What does it mean? How do I become separated? Separated from what? Unto what? And why? Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

A Separate Message 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SeparateMessage.html Separation. What is it? What does it mean? How do I become separated? Separated from what? Unto what? And why? These are some heavy questions to ponder, and this passage does not answer all these ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Samson: The High Cost Of Low Living

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 9, 2010

He dishonored his parents, deserted his promise, distorted his purpose, defiled his purity, and deluded his power. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The High Cost of Low Living Judges 13-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HighCostLowLiving.html Some are born to privilege, w/ many advantages, and can't seem to succeed, and then others are the opposite, born to nothing, and rise above it all to great success. Samson was an example of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Know A Secret

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2013

Paul reveals the mystery: "A divine, sacred secret that is hidden in the heart of God, and cannot be understood unless God chooses to reveal it to man." Link included to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

I Know a Secret Ephesians 3:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130505pm.mp3 "Paul, you keep calling yourself a prisoner of Jesus and this is confusing to us," said the Ephesians. Is it confusing to you as well? Of course, he was literally a prisoner in many jails and prison cells, and yet he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Crippled Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2009

Sardis is the dying or dead church. It could be our church. The problem and the prescription to fix it and make it once again the Lord’s Church. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Sardis: The Crippled Church Rev. 3:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sardis.html Take your next vacation in London, and you could visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The tour guide would tell you that this is the place that the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Hoop Of History

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 30, 2010

The hoop of history is a picture of human nature, the sin nature, and sinful man's history repeats itself. Israel's history is America's present! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

The Hoop of History Judges 18-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HoopOfHistory.html The hoop of history has always been rolling, and it is still rolling. As a kid, I liked to play with hula hoops. And not just around my waist, but I would roll them. I would put a spin on them outside and throw ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah - Just An Ordinary Guy

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 4, 2010

In every church there are 3 kinds of people: 1. Destructionists 2. Obstructionists 3. Constructionists ... Nehemiah is the perfect example of how to be the latter. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Nehemiah-Just An Ordinary Guy Nehemiah 1:1-4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NehemiahOrdinaryGuy.html The Bible sometimes compares the building of a work of God [church] with the building of a building. Acts 9:31 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 6:1-7

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 23, 2021

The apostles were becoming too busy to meet the needs of the disciples as well as being devoted to the ministry of the Word. This outline gives a "talking paper" format as to how the apostles handled this challenge.

Introduction: After the events of Acts 5, the apostles found themselves in a predicament. They realized they needed assistance and presented the facts to the multitude of disciples. Then the disciples themselves chose the men who assist in the situation at hand. Text, Acts 6:1-7, KJV: 1 And in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A New Vision Of Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 26, 2017

A commitment to spiritual formation leads to a new vision of Christ, that allows us to say with absolute conviction, “I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me. He is at the helm. All is well.”

Robert Louis Stevenson tells of a ship, tossed by a violent storm, which threatened to drive it and its passengers to destruction along a rocky coast. In the midst of the terror, one daring man, contrary to orders, went to the main deck, making a dangerous passage to the pilothouse. He looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Other

Servant Or Celebrity? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 1, 2007

What were the disciples arguing about? Who would get to wash the others feet? Who would clean the ancient toilets? No, they were arguing over who would be the greatest. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Servant or Celebrity? Matthew 18:1-10 http://gbcdecatur.org.sermons/ServantCelebrity.html The church is people, and so it is natural that most problems in the church are between people. And most problems involving people are the result of one of these 3 things: miscommunication, wounded pride, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Major Adjustments Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 23, 2003

Part 6 of series on Blackaby’s Experiencing God: All are called to make adjustments to be disciples, regardless of personality. We have to give up old habits, change our time use, redirect our finances, to enter this city and change it.

The old farmer claimed that he could command his mule with nothing more than a few soft words, no whips or prods necessary. She would respond, he claimed, with nothing more than gently spoken commands. So his buddy down at the feed store asked for a demonstration. “Prove to me that your old mule ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Praying With Power Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 6, 2003

Just as Paul was vigilant in his habit of praying for believers everywhere, so too we can use his powerful prayer passage to pray for others to lead lives worthy of the Lord, to bear fruit, to grow in the knowledge of God, to endure with patience and to j

Oct. 14, 2001 Scripture Text: Colossians 1:9-14 Speaker: Jeff Williams Series Overview How to Pray with Power Good morning! Several weekends ago I experienced a tremendously traumatic event. I was stung by a bee. Maxine had gone to the church to lead worship practice. I had stayed at ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Find Financial Sanity Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on May 27, 2005

You can find tons of books on managing money... but not many on how to keep it from driving you nuts! Financial stability has to do with your habits with money, but financial sanity is all about your attitudes toward it. *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

For a CD of over 100 of sermons by Darrell Stetler II (most complete with handouts), please e-mail darrellstetler2@sbcglobal.net. NOTE: I am indebted to Brian Kluth (www.kluth.org) for his excellent resources on finances and giving. Stats and illustrations in this sermon are primarily his. I ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:12

Denomination: Holiness