Sermons on Habit Formation:

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

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

Right With God, Or Left Behind? [rapture]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 20, 2005

We must make sure we are "Rapture-Ready." In Rev. 4:1 the church goes "off the air" because the church goes "IN the air!" Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Right with God, or Left Behind? "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev 1:19). "hast seen" ch. 1: glimpse at glorified Christ, eternity past. "are" chs. 2-3: church age, the present age of Grace. shall be hereafter—begins in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Unjust Judge Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2007

Includes info. on "Jessica’s Law", child predators, lenient judges, and some powerful spiritual lessons Jesus taught about His Father and about prayer. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnjustJudge.html Bad judges have highlighted the news more than ever the last few months as investigations into rulings doled out to child predators have revealed so many judges exercising extreme lenience that is not helping ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fresh Start - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 5, 2007

The Resurrection was the ultimate turnaround! This message is for many who have fallen and need to ’rise up.’ We can have a clean slate, a new plan, & a fresh start! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Fresh Start Proverbs 24:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FreshStart.html A fresh start or a new beginning - it’s something we all need from time to time. So this Easter, as we revisit the greatest turnaround ever (Jesus’ victory over death), let’s do so not only looking at what happened that day, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Table Of Shewbread Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 12, 2008

We see His perfect life in it, as well as His painful death, His precious resurrection, and His provision of salvation, security, and satisfaction for all who will believe. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Table of Shewbread Exodus 25:23-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TableShewbread.html Now we enter into the Tabernacle Proper...the actual tent structure. We go into the Holy Place and see the Golden Candlestick, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Shewbread. There’s a distinct difference in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:23-30

Denomination: Baptist

Down But Not Out

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 24, 2010

There was hand-to-hand combat in the corners, but he still could turn to God. When you can't look this way or that you can always look up! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Down But Not Out 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DownButNotOut.html We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair [2Cor. 4:8]. Paul is making a comparison here. He says, "We are troubled." That is a comparative degree. But he says, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Baptist

Slander

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 16, 2010

The devil is at his worst when he realizes time is about to run out-he must know the signs of the times, and that Jesus could return at any moment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Slander Nehemiah 6:5-15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Slander.html The project is almost complete...all that remains in restoring the walls is the placing of the gates. And the devil is at his worst when he realizes time is about to run out. The devil must know the signs of the times, and that ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Four Fearsome Factors

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 19, 2011

Is God fair to let a person die and go to Hell who has never even once heard the name of Jesus? A Biblically [not politically] correct answer. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Four Fearsome Factors Romans 1:16–20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FearsomeFactors.html Is God a righteous God? Is God a just God? Is God fair to let a person die and go to Hell who has never even once heard the name of Jesus? You’ll have to admit that’s a good question, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Got Yours?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 25, 2011

Each of the disciples were reached one by one! And from this the Word of God was preached throughout the world as each one of them continued to reach one. Got yours? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Got Yours? John 1:35-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GotYours.html This records the calling of the disciples of Jesus Christ. There is a sequence here that we can follow: Jesus called John and John followed the Lord (35-42) John reached Andrew and Andrew followed the Lord Andrew ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-46

Denomination: Baptist

Behold The Throne!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 23, 2011

Why does the church go off the air in Rev. 4:1? Because the church goes “in the air” - and look what we see in heaven! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Behold the Throne! Rev. 4 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BeholdTheThrone.html Rev. 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. ‘hast seen’—ch. 1—glimpse at glorified Christ, eternity ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Principles Of Leadership

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 6, 2010

Nehemiah was by far one of the best leaders in all of history. And anyone who is willing to follow the principles put forth in this book can also become a great leader. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Principles of Leadership Nehemiah 2:11-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrinciplesOfLeadership.html He was by far one of the best leaders in all of history. And anyone who is willing to follow the principles put forth in this book can also become a great leader. Nehemiah had walls to build, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Call Me Barabbas

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 12, 2008

Politician Pilate is on trial now, and he has a finger in the air checking the wind’s direction. Instead of doing what is right, he does what is easy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Call Me Barabbas Matthew 27:11-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Barabbas.html Last time we saw the religious phase of Jesus’ trial, in which He was accused of blasphemy. But that charge wasn’t worthy of death in the Roman world, so they need to try to dig something else up. How about treason? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

An Up Front Word On Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2008

How correctable are you? Does God have permission to speak to your heart? What if what He says to you today requires you to humble yourself? Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

An Up Front Word on Backsliding Proverbs 14:14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Backslide.html The word backslider has a negative ring to it. Most people cringe or tighten when they hear the word, just like we do when we hear the names “Judas” or “Jezebel” or when the word “hypocrite” is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 28, 2009

Their ENERGY, their ELECTION, their EXAMPLE, their ENTHUSIASM, and their EXPECTANCY. More than a rough draft, Paul’s first letter to any church was the final word on what a church should be. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Church I Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealChurch.html This is Paul’s earliest writing of at least thirteen books. But you couldn’t tell it. It may have been a first draft but that made no difference for he wasn’t the real author. That’s inspiration...perfection from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist