Sermons on Habit Formation:

The Only Sin

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 2, 2011

The only sin today is to call sin "sin." If you do, you are labeled as intolerant. An expose of homosexuality and other sexual perversions from God’s perspective. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Only Sin Romans 1:18-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OnlySin.html The only sin today is to call sin "sin." If you do, you are labeled as intolerant. A man may be sick but he’s not sinful, he may be weak but he’s not wicked, he may be ill but he’s not evil, and even if he were to tell people ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Discipleship Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 11, 2009

Win ’em, wet ’em, & wean ’em. That last step is the big one of discipleship - "Teaching them to observe all things..." Often forsaken, but so important! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Discipleship I Thessalonians 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealDiscipleship.html Chapter 2 had a nursing mother, and a teaching father doing spiritual parenting of these new believers. It leads perfectly into this chapter about grounding new believers. v. 2 “to establish you” v. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Veteran Of Holiness?

Contributed by Bob Phillips on May 16, 2014

To be a top Soldier in the Army of the Lord, one cannot often be AWOL from formation. Excessive absenteeism from Church leads to a weak line of defense against the battles of everyday life in the ungodly environment we face in this world.

Have you been in any battles lately? Did you win, or were you put down? Sometimes it seems that our daily walk with the Lord is definitely a form of warfare. In your biggest battle, were you about ready to surrender and give it up? Some folks do. Some give up without a fight, some give up after a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Let Go Of The Vine

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 15, 2007

You don’t have to be Tarzan to learn to hold on to the Vine. Practical outline on abiding in Christ and how to ’branch out’ and bear fruit for the Father, our Husbandman. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Don’t Let Go of the Vine John 15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DontLetGo.html Sometimes it may seem we are spinning our wheels and going nowhere. What are we supposed to do then? We live in an age where we feel we must always be busy and be doing something. We are restless [and young!] and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Go Time! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 15, 2007

The first 2 letters of the GOSPEL are "GO"! Let’s go INVITE them, let’s go INSTRUCT them, let’s go INSPIRE them, and let’s go INVOLVE them. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

It’s Go Time! Luke 14:16-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GoTime.html I thought about titling this message “It’s Time to Go” but I was afraid you’d get up and leave. But one thing is for sure: We have reached a great crossroads as a church…we have come to the STOP sign and paused for the cause. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-23, Luke 12:40, Luke 12:49-59

Denomination: Baptist

Love And Sacrifice, Part 4

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 10, 2003

Ray Stedman tells about a boy who was in the army. He was a Christian and had formed the habit of praying beside his bed before he went to sleep. He kept up this practice in the army, but he became an object of mockery and ridicule to the entire barracks.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Ray Stedman tells about a boy who was in the army. He was a Christian and had formed the habit of praying beside his bed before he went to sleep. He kept up this practice in the army, but he became an object of mockery and ridicule to the entire barracks. One night ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

What’s Up With Worship

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 5, 2012

DO WE COME TO CHURCH BECAUSE IT’S A HABIT? WE COME BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. THE END RESULT IS THAT THE EVENT IS IMPORTANT, NOT WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE EVENT. SO, WE SLOWLY AND INCREMENTALLY SLIP INTO A “GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS” KI

WHAT’S UP WITH WORSHIP INTRODUCTION: TRADITIONALLY, EVERY SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH OUR FAMILY OUT TO DINNER. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME HABITUAL; IT IS EXPECTED. IN FACT THERE IS ALMOST A MUTINY IF THERE IS EVEN THE HINT OF NOT GOING OUT. THE PLACE IS NOT IMPORTANT, THE EVENT IS IMPORTANT. SOMETIMES, JUST ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Break Free

Contributed by John Ong on Jan 12, 2016

To make this New Year a successful year, we definitely need to turn all our bad thoughts and habits loose. Before we leap forward to a new start, let’s close the door of the bad practices and perceptions that hold us back.

To make this New Year a successful year, we definitely need to turn all our bad thoughts and habits loose. Before we leap forward to a new start, let’s close the door of the bad practices and perceptions that hold us back. Letting go is an act of power, but with a heart that is ever enduring, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"all Things New, A New Year Message"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 14, 2022

For many of us, a new year is a time for resolutions and getting rid of bad habits. Today is January the 8th…so far, so good! Someone was writing down New Year resolutions: “Gain weight, save less money, set realistic goals.”

Norman Vincent Peal spent New Year’s Eve in Rome. A friend warned him to stay inside his hotel for his own safety, because people have a habit of throwing old, unwanted things out their windows on New Year’s Eve. He explained, “If you should be walking down the street, you’re likely to have an ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Becoming A Giant Killer

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 10, 2021

All of us face giants of debt, abuse, rejection, troubled children, battle fears, health issues, habits, failure, or depression. They seem impossible to overcome. But David shows us how to trust in God to save us. Jesus, our Champion, won the victory!

BECOMING A GIANT KILLER 1 Sam. 17:2-51 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: You have to know…“HOW TO GET HELP” 1. One day Jacob, a Jew living in Russia, slipped on the wet riverbank and fell into the water. Unfortunately, Jacob couldn’t swim and was in serious danger of drowning. 2. Two Communist ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:2-51

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Win Your Kin Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

It’s hard to witness to them "cuz" we have to live with them. But if we don’t we’ll have to live without them forever, and until you do it will be hard to live with yourself. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

How to Win Your Kin John 1:35-42a http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WinYourKin.html Every time we see Andrew in scripture he is bringing someone to Jesus...he was a great soul winner. But who was his first convert? His own brother. Naturally, our hearts are more burdened for our lost family ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

A "Lot" Of Trouble - Sodom And Gomorrah

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2005

Lot was WEAK in his DEVOTIONS, WORLDLY in his DESIRES, WRONG in his DECISIONS, and thus, WRECKED in his DEMISE. This tracks the COURSE OF THE MAN, the CURSE OF THE SOCIETY, and the CURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Link included to formatted text and Powerpoint

A Lot of Trouble Gen. 13:5-13; 18:17-32; 19:1-11, 24-28 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html A. The Course of the man—Lot (Abraham’s nephew) There came a time when they had to separate. (this place ain’t big enough for the both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7 People The Church Could Not Do Without

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

We have many people here that have these qualities...but cannot have TOO many! Thank God there are many more ’in the works’ and ’on the way!’ Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 People Our Church Could Not Do Without Philippians 1:3-7; 4:1,15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7PeopleChurch.html A) Paul organized many churches and his interest in them never ceased! * This was only natural! He had put much blood, sweat, and tears into them. * Some of these churches ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Gone With The Wind

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 31, 2005

God uses a surge of problems sometimes to DIRECT us, to INSPECT us, to CORRECT us, to CONNECT US, to PROTECT US, to PERFECT us, & to PROJECT us. Link included to free PowerPoint Presentation and formatted text version.

Gone With The Wind II Cor. 1:8; 4:8-10 --- Link includes formatted text and free PowerPoint... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Irma.html --- "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Unknown God - [mythology - Idolatry - Witnessing] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 13, 2005

In Athens, Paul saw their mythology, inc. the statue to any "unknown" god they may have missed. He said, "let me tell you about Him!" Link included to formatted text, PowerPoint template, and handout.

The Unknown God Acts 17:15-34 ----- PowerPoint for this message, and a formatted text version are available at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnknownGod.html Or, see the 80+ message Acts Series homepage at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Expository-Acts.html ----- The city of Athens in Bible ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-34

Denomination: Baptist