Sermons on Habit Formation:

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

Arabian Nights

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 11, 2010

Paul trained in the desert of Arabia. It was a long night in his life. He now tells about those Arabian Nights and how they helped make him who he is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Arabian Nights Galatians 1:11-24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ArabianNights.html Where did you go to seminary? Or Bible college? This question is asked often of those in ministry. What they really mean, usually, is, "What camp are you in?" Paul trained in the desert of Arabia, and I'm sure ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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 Wicked Husbandmen Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 27, 2007

Even wives and ladies can be ’husbandmen’ [vinedressers] in the field in which we are planted. But what do we think of the ’boss’ and how do we treat His Son? Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

The Wicked Husbandmen Matthew 21:33-41 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WickedHusbandmen.html 1. The vineyard immediately brings to mind Israel - cf. Isa 5:1-7 2. The landowner who planted the vineyard is God 3. The wicked vinedressers [husbandmen] represent Israel’s leaders - cf. Mt 21:45 4. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Making Of A Mighty Man Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2008

Moses - The Burning Bush - What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? A Divine Appointment, the Divine Announcement, the Divine Assignment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint

The Making of a Mighty Man Exodus 3 & 4:1-5, 29-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MakingMightyMan.html What ingredients did God stir into the life of Moses to make him the mighty man he became? And will this recipe work in our lives as well? It started out as a very normal day. Like most of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Glory Cloud Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 4, 2008

Pillar of cloud by day...of fire by night! God’s presence filled the tabernacle, and jetted heavenward above the mercy seat. When, where, and why the glory came down. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Glory Cloud Exodus 40:33-38 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GloryCloud.html No man can see God with human eyes and live, but His presence was enveloped in this cloud which descended, and it was something the people could look to and follow. Astonishing indeed! Beneath the cloud is the Holy of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 40:33-38

Denomination: Baptist

Great Is Thy Faith Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 6, 2007

Did you hear Jesus call her a dog? A helpful examination of a difficult passage - 1. The Agonizing Mother 2. The Amazing Master 3. The Appealing Miracle - Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

Great is Thy Faith Matthew 15:21-28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatFaith.html Of all the verses in the Bible, I think v. 21 is close to the top of my list: Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Why? You may ask. Because it’s the first time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

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

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