Sermons on Habit Formation:

Jephthah For President

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 5, 2010

A statesman makes decisions based on what’s best for the next generation...a politician on what’s best for the next election. Jephthah-Character in the face of difficulty, and Courage in the face of danger. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerP

Jephthah for President Judges 11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jephthah.html This 9th judge of Israel was a man of impeccable character and integrity. He stood out among his brethren because they had little or no character. And oh how people of character stand out in our society today, even in ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have Less Stress Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Dec 24, 2015

This sermon looks at seven principles for stress management. 1. Know Who You Are 2. Know who you want to please 3. Know what you want to accomplish 4. Focus on one thing at a time 5. Make a habit of personal prayer 6. Take time to rest 7. Give your stress to Christ

How to Have Less Stress Jesus Christ was a person who was constantly under pressure. Because of His popularity – people always wanted to be around Him. He had to seek out times for personal privacy. Other people repeatedly misunderstood Him – criticized Him – ridiculed Him. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You're Saved And You Know It Say Amen!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2011

Everyone has faith in something. There is a counterfeit kind of faith. Even the demons believe in God but aren't saved. The evolutionist has more faith than we do! Let's learn true faith. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

If You're Saved and You Know it Say Amen! Romans 3:28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SayAmen.html Here's the final conclusion on how we are justified...by faith! What is saving faith? We need to investigate because there is a counterfeit kind of faith. Everyone has faith in something. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:28

Denomination: Baptist

Save Me, I'm Drowning! - Debt

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 8, 2010

God threw His Son into the waters of sin to save us from drowning. Now, what can He do for us who are drowning in debt and financial bondage? Here's the steps to freedom! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Save Me, I'm Drowning! Nehemiah 5:1-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Drowning.html If you saw someone drowning and God said the only way to save them was to throw in your child, would you do it? I wouldn't. But that's exactly what God did in order to save our souls. We were going under, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Bad Samaritan

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 19, 2013

You’ve heard of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help a man in need. In our text, Jesus confronts a bad Samaritan, a sinful woman, and God’s grace worked in her life wonderfully. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Bad Samaritan John 4:3-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/badsamaritan.html You’ve heard of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help a man in need. In our text, Jesus confronts a bad Samaritan, a sinful woman, and God’s grace worked in her life wonderfully. Last time we looked in chapter 3 at ...read more

Scripture: John 4:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Time Of Their Sojourning. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 17, 2022

Moreover, it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, that all the hosts of the Lord left the land of Egypt. It was 430 years to the day, after they had entered the land of Egypt, that the armies of the Lord came out from Egypt in excellent order, as if in a military formation.

Exodus 12:41-42. The Time of Their Sojourning. 41And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, on the fifteenth of Nisan even the same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

Pity Party - Prodigal Son / Brother

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 28, 2004

It’s a sad tune because the only instrument in the band is your own drum which you are beating on incessantly - Very "Phunny" opening poem, then the CURSE, CAUSE, AND CURE of Self Pity. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pity Party Luke 15:25-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PityParty.html It’s a sad tune because the only instrument in the band is your own drum which you are beating on incessantly. It’s not fun to listen to and no one taps their foot. But you are certain it makes you feel better to beat it out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

End Times Posse: The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 3, 2006

Israel, the Mid East, Iran, and the "Magog connection" of Ezek. 38-39. Signs of the times are everywhere. Thank God Jesus is coming back for His own before these 4 ride into town! Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

End Times Posse The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Rev. 6:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/4Horsemen.html The next event on God’s prophetic timetable is the rapture of the church. But after the church is taken out of here, meanwhile…back on earth, there will follow a 7 year period like this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 18, 2007

Nothing can destroy God’s people, Israel--Not killing all male babies, or burning their cities, not gas chambers, and not a nuke from Iran. Israel’s FAVOUR, their FAILURE, and their FUTURE. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HiddenTreasure.html There are ten “Kingdom Parables”, and according to vv. 1-2 they were given by the seaside [Galilee]. V. 36 says Jesus sent the multitude away after delivering four of them, and then entered into a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Baptist

God Of The Roller Coasters

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 26, 2006

Uses Elijah’s mountaintop experience on Carmel followed by his pity-fest in the desert to talk about the highs and lows of life. You can’t live on the mountaintop. Fortunately, our God is God of the valleys also. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Living in the Valleys] Slide Graphic - photo of tall mountain and deep dark valley Slide Text - Elijah came to a juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4) I love mission trips! I had such a good time on this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Your Giants

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 21, 2007

Five smooth stones were in the bag, and a sling prepared to put them in motion. Each of those stones could represent a character quality that David had which helped him defeat a giant. Link included to formatted text, audio and video, and PowerPoint.

Facing Your Giants I Samuel 17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FacingYourGiants.html We all know this story of David and Goliath…how God used a brave young man full of faith to face a huge hulk of a human for God and His people, Israel. With sling in hand, he chose 5 smooth stones from a brook ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-56

Denomination: Baptist

A Soft, Stone Pillow

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 9, 2007

This one verse contains a very SURE promise, a very SWEEPING promise, and yet a very SELECTIVE promise. Only God could make a rock solid promise into such a soft pillow for tired hearts. Link included to formatted text, audio, video, PowerPoint.

A Soft Stone Pillow Romans 8:28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SoftStonePillow.html A man was asked, “What color are the Pastor’s eyes?” “I don’t know,” he replied, “when he prays he closes his eyes, and when he preaches, I close mine.” There’s nothing that helps me sleep better than a soft ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Jerusalem 500 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2007

Parable of the 2 Debtors--Good theme for NASCAR or INDY race weekends. One was forgiven 50 denarii and the other 500. Jesus uses this to aid our understanding of sin and forgiveness. Link included to formatted text, audio, and ’Race Style’ PowerPoint Temp

The Jerusalem 500 Luke 7:41-43 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jerusalem500.html The Indy 500 was this afternoon [5-27-07], but the biggest race of our life should be the race to the place of forgiveness to be saved! Make no pit stops at good works, baptism, or communion…just trust completely in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:41-43

Denomination: Baptist

Unmasking The Hypocrite Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 16, 2008

Jesus did something no one else had done...He stood up to the religious bullies that were leading people astray. There’s much we can learn about hypocrisy here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Unmasking the Hypocrite Matthew 23:1-39 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnmaskingHypocrite.html This is Jesus’ last public message before He dies on the cross. It is stunning...a scathing denunciation of false religion and hypocrisy. Let’s set the scene: Jesus is speaking to 3 groups of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Baptist

The Next 40 Days...

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 26, 2008

A chronological overview of what happened after Jesus arose, whom He appeared unto, and what He said before leaving earth -- His passion truly wasn’t the end, but the beginning! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint template.

The Next 40 Days... The Post Resurrection Appearances of Christ http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Next40Days.html This Gospel of Jesus Series isn’t complete just because we’re thru Jesus’ Passion story. It will be 40 more days before He leaves earth, and even then He’ll appear in visions to a few ...read more

Scripture: John 21:25

Denomination: Baptist