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

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

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

Reaching Your Full Potential Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2008

There are 3 people sitting in your seat right now. [not a fat joke!] 1-The person you are today. 2-The person you could be for evil. 3-The complete person you could be for God. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, Powerpoint.

Reaching Your Full Potential Joshua 17:12-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ReachingFullPotential.html There are 3 people sitting in your seat right now. [not a fat joke!] There’s the person you are today. Then there’s the person you could be for evil. And then there is the complete person you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 17:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

They Turned It Right Side Up - Troublemakers - World Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 25, 2005

Christians are accused of turning this world upside down...but it’s the other way around. Those who think the world would be better off without us will one day get their wish! Link included to Formatted Text version and some great visuals in PowerPoint.

They Turned it Right Side Up! Acts 17:1-6 A man was shoveling snow in his driveway when 2 boys came along w/ shovels and said, “Hey Mister, can we shovel your driveway…only $2!?” He said, “can’t you see I’m doing that?” “Yes sir, that’s why we asked…we get most of our business from people who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Name

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2010

Brit Hume of Fox News got it right: No one says "What in Allah's name is going on?" No one texts "OMB" for "Oh My Buddha." Because only Jesus' name has the power and punch behind it to matter. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Only Name Acts 4:12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OnlyName.html Acts 4:12 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Jesus. It's the only name people take in vain. The only name people swear by. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Where Change Begins Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

Frankly, some of us are stuck. The same arguments with your wife. Trying to break the habit of cursing and can’t. Computer pornography is choking out your spiritual life. Your kids can predict when you are going to start yelling at them. There’s no mo

I’ve lived here in NE Ohio for 18 years. I’ve never been stuck in the snow… until December. I was in a hurry to get to the office. And got stuck just around bend from our house. Being stuck was definitely not OK. I walked back home to get Ryan. I asked a neighbor to help. Before it was all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

You Are What You Eat

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 10, 2009

Is your fridge stocked full of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats OR is it full of fat-filled, overly salted processed convenience foods and abandoned take-out containers? If we truly are what we eat, what do your eating habits say about you?

Mike Warnke, Christian evangelist and comedian said, “Eat fat, greasy food and you become a fat, greasy dude.” BBC America hosts nutritionist Gillian McKeith who works with unhealthy eaters to break lifetimes of bad habits. BBC introduces their webpage with this introduction: Is your fridge ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

Finding Strength By Knowing The True Identity Of Jesus.

Contributed by Tim Yelchaninov on Dec 21, 2013

Often times, we struggle through our walk with God. We got tired, loose motivation, or fall into a habit for sin. We struggle when we loose sight of the true identity of Jesus, who He is and what He has accomplished for humanity, rediscover Jesus.

Christology sermon Introduction: Has anyone here been a track runner? I once ran for Heritage H.S and remember the rigorous training we went through as we prepared to run in competitions. We ran miles each day, and when it came time to compete, we would arrive and warm up, we would have our ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Filling Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 24, 2021

Being controlled by the Spirit is not a dramatic or decisive one-time experience but it’s a daily, ongoing habit. There’s a kind of fullness of the Spirit that comes just simply obeying God and using the means of grace: Bible study, and prayer, and fellowship, obeying his will, etc.

Today, I want to answer this question, “How can I tell if the Holy Spirit is controlling me?” We are not alone in asking this question as the renowned theologian Jonathan Edwards addressed the questions in his work, Religious Affections. In the book, Edwards moves through twelve “uncertain signs” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of The Harvest

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 12, 2021

The good seeds we plant, through our thoughts and actions and habits, will bear fruit through the faithful blessing of God. He’s more than ready to do his part, if we’ll only do ours. That’s “the law of the harvest."

Retired Admiral William McCraven was a Navy SEAL for 36 years, last serving as commander of US Special Operations. He describes the SEAL version of basic training, and some of the life lessons it taught him, in a book he’s written called “Make Your Bed.” Here’s what he says about that simple ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

Unleashing The Power Of Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Whether it's deep-rooted habits in your life that refuse to move, or mountain-like problems that you're facing that you cannot overcome, or a challenge so great like planting something where there is no soil, God says, your faith is enough to solve those problems.

Today, we will focus on a prayer made by the disciples that had a profound impact on their lives and ministry. In Luke 17:5, the disciples asked Jesus, "Increase our faith!" This simple prayer holds great significance as it reveals the disciples' desire for a stronger faith to accomplish the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Topics: Faith, Overcoming Challenges

Go And Tell!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 12, 2025

Do we really believe that most non-Christians are lost? Psalm 74:20 says “The dark places of the earth (where the love of God is not known) are full of the habitations of cruelty.” (selfishness, hatred, greed, strife, & violence.) Do they need a Savior, too? YES!

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Portions of this message were inspired by an excellent sermon contributed by Richard Burdette to Sermon Central) GO & TELL! Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:1-7, Psalm 74:20, Mark 8:38, Acts 4:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Put Away Message - [divorce] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

Whether single or not...it’s all about prevention. A tactful, Biblical handling of this delicate subject of the ’putting away’ of a spouse. Presented w/ compassion, mercy, and yet truth. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

A Put Away Message Matthew 19:3-9 / Malachi 2:11-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PutAway.html This is a topic often ‘put away’ by churches these days because half of their people are divorced. But I believe we should talk about it, and see what Jesus has to say about it...for the same reason. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

An Empty Tomb?- So What?! Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Apr 9, 2004

A one hour All Age Easter Day Celebration service looking at the empty tomb (and who might have ahd the body etc). Email me for Word Dct of this (that has formatting etc) and PowerPoint presentations.

Easter Day AAW 11 April 2004, WBC, 10am SongPro background. Props: ropes, tent, parts to play, cue disciples, shroud, grow bags “N” signifies next item in Songpro for projector (song or powerpoint) PPT 1 – page 1 comes in automatically “AN EMPTY TOMB?- SO WHAT?!” 10am Introduction: -David ...read more

Scripture: John 20:10-18

Denomination: Baptist