Sermons on Habit Formation:

Swing Wide The Gates!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 29, 2010

The names of the gates of the old city of Jerusalem have rich spiritual meaning, full of powerful truths that will take us 3 sermons to cover. Parts 1 & 2 are here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Swing Wide the Gates Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideTheGates.html The walls of Jerusalem stood for something. They were more than just protection. They stood for the glory of God. Unbelievers of that day looked at the broken down walls and would mock believers. The ruins of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Distraction

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 16, 2010

Nehemiah saw right thru the devil's attempt at distraction and compromise. He said, the valley of Ono? O No! Aren't you glad he said no no to Ono? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Distraction Nehemiah 6:1-4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Distraction.html So far the devil has tried to use these tools to keep them from rebuilding the wall: Ridicule-we will be laughed at but we shouldn't back up or back down. Discouragement-We sometimes get tired IN the work, but never OF the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Adam Family

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2011

We continue in our heritage as we "Lurch" through life, still allowing sin to "Fester" within us. What a strange "Thing" is this family. Yes Cousin, "It" is! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Adam Family Romans 5:12-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AdamFamily.html What a strange family. They had it all, and gave it all away. A wonderful creation made by a wonderful Creator, but they chose to rebel and sin and go their own way. Dark and spooky, dressed in black! Hiding in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

From Bad To Worse

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 26, 2010

Corrupt Leadership: America in her prosperity has been given much but done so little with it...and now it appears God may be taking the prosperity away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

From Bad to Worse Judges 9-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Bad2Worse.html We began last week looking at Abimelech, a truly bad leader, and we continue with more about him and the next 2 judges after him, and it goes from bad to worse...not because they were more evil than him but because God ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Embodying A New Life Part 2 Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 10, 2009

There is a new way of life… it is the life of Christ… who has come and in his death and resurrected life… inaugurated the start of a new humanity… which we can enter and begin to embody. Our spiritual formation involves connecting with the new life that

Embodying a New Life – Part 2 Series: The Liberated Life (Colossians) Brad Bailey - May 31, 2009 Intro – The search for a new means of life that can save us from our own divide. Two of the big early summer films that just came out are the new Terminator and Star Trek films. Like so many science ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon’s 300 - Just A Few Good Men

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2010

God’s people are so ravaged by the Midianites that they are hiding in dens and caves. They cry out to God and God gives them...Gideon. 4 Principles from his life. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Just a Few Good Men Judges 6- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustaFewGoodMen.html Chapter 5 ends with these words: "And the land had rest forty years." Chapter 6 begins: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..." The cycle continues for God’s chosen nation. It’s the same ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Herose To Save Us All

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2009

From our missionaries to our military, we call them heroes because they go in our place, sacrificing all for a great cause! They know what they have to do. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

HeRose to Save Us All John 15:13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeRoseToSaveUs.html Our servicemen / women are our friends, laying their lives down for us. They know what they face going in, they know what they have to do. They are heroes to save us all. So did Jesus...and He Rose to save us ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13, John 15:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome To The Tribulation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2008

Satan’s full program cannot run while the Spirit is still here in the hearts of believers...but once the salt is removed from this earth there is no more preservation found for it! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Welcome to the Tribulation! Matthew 24:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WelcomeTribulation.html This is the Lord’s final message on the End of the World, which is only the beginning of eternity! The ‘beginning of sorrows’ speaks of the birth pangs this world will feel both before the rapture ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Foolishness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 29, 2009

The cross divides men. The lost see it as foolishness. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Power of Foolishness I Corinthians 1:18-2:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Foolishness.html The cross divides men. The saved from the lost. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. The cross is wisdom ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

Wwjd - Wy? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 29, 2008

It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation.

WWJD-WY? Matthew 25:31-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WWJDWY.html It’s not “What Would Jesus Do”, it’s “What WILL Jesus Do...With You?”, and the answer depends upon what you do with Jesus. What you do with Him in this life determines what He has to do with you in the next. I. The Coming of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

He-Devil

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 16, 2013

Now, why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His disciples? Was He such a bad judge of character? Was it a mistake? Of course, Jesus knew from the beginning what would happen. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

He-Devil John 6:66-71 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeDevil.html It's not hard to think of someone named after a disciple. Andrew, Peter, Philip, John, James...Judas? No, that name conjures up negative imagery in our minds. Betrayer - traitor - evil - liar - hypocrite - greedy - devil. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Under Pressure - Sardis Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 7, 2017

Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God is seeking.

THE CONTENT CHURCH - SARDIS READING Rev 3:1-6 INTRODUCTION Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Bible Proofs From Archaeology

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2006

True faith doesn’t require science to agree, but we shouldn’t be surprised that so much of it DOES! Here’s a look at some of what man has ’dug up’ in recent years. Link included to formatted text and a very necessary PowerPoint Presentation.

Bible Proofs from Archaeology Acts 1:3 ----- [Please go to the link at the very bottom in order to see the ’very necessary’ PowerPoint slideshow used to present these facts with.] ----- Jesus’ existence and resurrection can be proven, and we’ve looked at that in other messages. So what about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3

Denomination: Baptist