Sermons on Habit Formation:

Back To School Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 22, 2007

’Tis the season, and we can see 3 schools God took Saul thru before he graduated as ’Paul.’ The schools of Solitude, Suffering, & Seasoning. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation w/ graphics and animations.

Back to School Acts 9:21-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BackToSchoolForSaul.html ILL.- Teacher to student, “What are you – animal, vegetable or mineral?” The boy replied, “Vegetable. I’M A HUMAN BEAN.” ILL.- It was the little girl’s first day at school and the teacher was making out her ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:21-30

Denomination: Baptist

Authentic Prayer

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 19, 2005

What is Prayer? How is it supposed to work? When and how do you do it, and why? Jesus answered all of these questions when he gave us a model prayer - the Lord’s Prayer. Student ministry PowerPoint format.

LESSON: AUTHENTIC PRAYER [LEARN TO PRAY LIKE JESUS] Slide Graphic – praying hands. Verse: Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way (1 Samuel 12:23) Amazon has over 13,000 books listed on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Decision 2012 - Election - Vote

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2006

God doesn’t tell us WHO to vote for, but He does tell us HOW to vote, and He’s not afraid of losing His ’tax exempt status!’ Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint Presentation.

How to Vote Proverbs 29:2 Outline only...full sermon, illustrations and PowerPoint available at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HowToVote.php ----- "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." We can all reckon with the last ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

Consecration And Celebration

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 3, 2010

Confession leads to consecration and celebration! When we get right w/ God we cannot help but rejoice. It's time God's people got back to singing on the wall. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Consecration and Celebration Nehemiah 10-12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ConsecrationCelebration.html Chapter 9 was all about confession as the people got right with God. ill.--one day a lady approached CH Spurgeon and asked for prayer for her problem with exaggeration. He said, sure, I'll ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel According To Abraham

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2011

Paul spends a lot of time on justification because our nature tries to clothe ourselves with righteousness in the form of fig leaves, but we are not truly clothed with righteousness until God does the clothing. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoi

The Gospel According to Abraham Romans 4:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GospelAccordingAbraham.html 3:31 asked if the OT was void because of saving faith? God forbid! Now look at how he illustrates that saving faith is in the OT. vv. 1-8 Paul spends a lot of time on justification because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Pause Before You Act (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 9, 2011

Behaving wisely is seeking God's will before we act. Rash behavior may do damage in moments that cannot be undone in years. This is segment two of the series. For those wishing to teach and preach this series, you may contact me for formatted handouts and

SEE THE FIRST SERMON OF THE SERIES CONTACT US FOR HANDOUTS TO ACCOMPANY THIS SERIES II. A – Attitude Have I waited until my emotions and my spirit are in check before I act? • If we are not careful, we will act in anger. • In our haste to “do something” we will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-43

Denomination: Baptist

Accept The Situation : Expect The Change

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on May 20, 2008

ACCEPT:1.CREATION 2.POSITION 3.DECISION 4.PERMISSION 5.CORRECTION 6.LIMITATION 7.REVELATION EXPECT :1.EXALTATION 2.LIBERATION 3.TRANSFORMATION 4.RESTORATION 5.FORMATION 6.JUBILIATION 7.CORONATION

ACCEPT THE SITUATION : EXPECT THE CHANGE ******************************************************* The Serenity Prayer ********************** God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. JAMES ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Much More

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 22, 2011

From the first Adam to the last Adam [Christ] we see all we lost in sin and all we gained thanks to our Savior! One man makes all the difference. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Much More! Romans 5:15-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MuchMore.html From the first Adam to the last Adam [Christ] we see all we lost in sin and all we gained thanks to our Savior! One man makes all the difference. What do we gain? "Much more" it says, over and again...we gain much more in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21, Romans 5:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Proof Is In The Pudding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 27, 2010

I think you can tell when someone has been with Jesus…the proof is in the pudding, and you can see it all over their face! Taste and see that the Lord is good! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Proof is in the Pudding 2 Corinthians 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ProofInPudding.html The world wants proof, and we have it, I believe. And I rejoice in sharing proofs from science, archaeology, medicine, history, etc. But I don’t need those proofs personally anymore, because I’ve ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 18, 2009

What is the purpose of the church? It’s 3 fold: • To magnify the Lord thru worship and the Word. • To move believers to maturity and ministry. • To make Jesus known to our neighbors and the nations. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint

Church Ephesians 3:1-5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Church.html Now we enter the church age, the “Dispensation of Grace.” What is a dispensation? It is a time period. In the Bible it is a specific period of time during which God administers His rule over the world in a certain way. And over ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Pergamos: The Compromising Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 17, 2009

Like Pergamos, today’s church seems to keep only a moderate distance from the world, but both the world AND the church are moving downhill in tandem, and further away from Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pergamos: The Compromising Church Rev. 2:12-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pergamos.html [map] Before 1974, there was a huge portion of land in the northern part of Australia that belonged to the superstitious Aborigines. That land was covered w/ green ants. The Aborigines believed that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Prescription For An Achan Nation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 31, 2008

It’s not the Jerichos that defeat most Christians...it’s the Ais. What Christian America must do to keep from following the path Israel took in our text. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Prescription for an Achan Nation Joshua 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AchanNation.html Have you ever noticed the similarities between Israel and Christian America? Both bountifully blessed by God, having great victories and claiming powerful promises of God. And both flirting with defeat by ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Saved To Serve Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 27, 2008

The Parable of the Talents reminds Christians that we weren’t saved to sit, soak, and sour...we were saved to serve! Just like in tennis-Service begins w/ ’Love’. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Saved to Serve Matthew 25:14-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Saved2Serve.html This is a parable found in the context of Jesus’ teaching on the end of the world. So far we’ve been challenged to be watching because Jesus is coming...now we’re told to be working. Not just looking for Him, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Who Wants Seconds On Bread?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2013

From the loaves and fishes to our text today where He offers Himself as the very bread of life. Jesus begins by meeting the needs of the physically hungry and ends with meeting the needs of the spiritually hungry. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, Powe

Who Wants Seconds on Bread? John 6:26-35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Seconds.html Food is one of the strongest desires we have. "Is that really what you're preaching about today, Pastor?" People will do almost anything for food if they get hungry enough. Rob, steal, kill, rent out their ...read more

Scripture: John 6:26-35

Denomination: Baptist