Sermons on Habit Formation:

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

Understanding The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 21, 2007

"The Kingdom" is a mystery to many Christians--Is it physical or spiritual? On earth or elsewhere? Present or Future? The Bible’s answers on some of these questions may surprise you. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Understanding the Kingdom Of Heaven [Prelude to “Parables of Power” Series] Matthew 13:11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KingdomOfHeaven.html The general "theme" of Jesus’ parables is "the kingdom of heaven" a. Many of the parables start with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." - Mt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Young Ruler

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 1, 2007

Here’s the story of the only person who ever came to Jesus, and left in a worse condition. What a strong connection there is between our money and our heart! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:13-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichYoungRuler.html This is the only man who ever came to Jesus and left in worse condition! 1. The hardest thing that you will ever give God complete control over will be your finances and possessions. --Perhaps because they are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Baby King

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 13, 2006

Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. The end times are mentioned even at the manger! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template + many more Christmas Sermons.

The Baby King Luke 1:31-33 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BabyKing.html ----- Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. We now know that kingdom to be set up at the 2nd coming of Christ, not the first. Jesus’ first visit as a baby did indeed spark a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:31-33

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 Believer's Three-Fold Judgment - Judgement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2005

1. Past Judgment as a Sinner. 2. Present Judgment as a Son. 3. Future Judgment as a Servant. LINK INCLUDED to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Template, as well as messages on The Great White Throne and The Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Believer’s Three-Fold Judgment [Hundreds of free sermons and Powerpoints at website...link at bottom!] FIVE BIBLE JUDGMENTS 1. JUDGMENT OF SIN. (CALVARY) 2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

Palms In The Garden [palm Sunday]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The only palms that really mattered eternally during passion week were Jesus’ palms. A study of all His hands touched and accomplished, and what they were about to do! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Palms in the Garden Matthew 26:36-56 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PalmsInGarden.html See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Just outside Jerusalem was a little garden…the garden of Gethsemane. Jerusalem has always been a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-56

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence That Demands A Decision - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2006

Death is not annihilation...it’s separation [unto somewhere else]. ’The Resurrection of the Dead’, and 4 proofs that Jesus rose again, and how that affects man’s afterlife. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Evidence that Demands a Decision I Cor. 15:1-8a See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Since the beginning of time, man has asked the question Job did in Job 14:14 - If a man die, shall he live again? The resurrection of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Procrastinating Governor Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 22, 2006

Paul’s powerful 3 point outline he preached to Felix was inspired of God for us today as well. God is knocking...and we must answer! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Procrastinating Governor Acts 24:24-26 Be honest now, how many have a problem w/ procrastination? Me too, and I’m gonna work on that starting tomorrow [hey, that’s the same day my new exercise regimen begins!] The governor of our state is under scrutiny as he seems to be scrambling to get ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-26

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

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

Invasion From Hell [end Times / Tribulation] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 2, 2006

The worst demons of all time have been incarcerated for thousands of years in the pit of the abyss...but hell goes on holiday in our text during the tribulation. Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Invasion from Hell Rev. 8:13-9:12 Do you believe in the existence of angels? Surveys show that most people do…but did you know that those same surveys also show that most people do not believe in the existence of demons?! If you believe in angels you MUST also believe in FALLEN ANGELS!…aka ...read more

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

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