Sermons on Habit Formation:

Flawed Yet Favored Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 17, 2021

We can all relate to the inconsistencies in Samson's life to at least some degree. In this message we learn about the anointing of God; the consequences of sin and the potential benefits of God's correction, and the grace of God and how God's redemptive mercy.

We are learning from the life of Samson as recorded in Judges 13-16. In your personal time I encourage you to read those four chapters since we can’t take time to do that in these two sermons. Last week we examined the call God placed on Samson’s life before he was born. We saw the connection ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7, Psalm 136:1-26, Matthew 13:13, Luke 8:10, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalm 1:1, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 12:1-11, Ephesians 1:18, Numbers 6:1-21, Romans 2:4-6, John 8:34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Barriers To Knowing God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 1, 2025

Knowing God deeply requires intentionality and the removal of every barrier that hinders our relationship with Him. Ignorance, sin, worldly distractions, unforgiveness, and fear are common barriers, but by God’s grace, we can overcome them and press into a deeper knowledge of God.

Title: BARRIERS TO KNOWING GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hosea 4:6 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 1:21-23 INTRODUCTION: Many people desire to know God but often face barriers that hinder them from deepening their relationship with Him. These barriers can ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:6, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 1:21-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Truth Is In The Dirt

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 31, 2021

This sermon deals with the four soils that can be in our lives and how to make sure that we do what is necessary to have good soil so that we can live a life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit

Series of Sermons – Dirt Parables Scripture: Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 Theme: Your Life – Your Soil Title: The Truth is in the Dirt INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about your spiritual walk with Jesus. I want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Who Are You?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 4, 2022

Paul shares with us who we are if we are following Jesus - We are People In Christ, We are People of Love and We are People of Hope

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14; Psalm 82 Title: Who Are You? In this passage we learn three things about who we are – 1. We are People in Christ Jesus 2. We are People of Love 3. We are People of Hope INTRO: Grace and Peace in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14, 1 John 4:19, John 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Don't Worry, Be Happy! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2006

It’s easy to say, "Don’t Worry," but it’s better to give someone the tools Jesus provided here to win the war over worrying. The FATHER FACTOR, the FOCUS FACTOR, and the FUTURE FACTOR. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Matthew 6:25-34 "Don’t worry about it." Have you ever had those words said to you? Did it work? Probably not! Easy words to say, but hard to put into practice. In essence that is what the Scripture says in verse 25. [read] But it goes on to tell us how not to worry. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Greatest Investment Advice Ever Given

Contributed by Eric Kramer on Feb 26, 2005

Investment advice, in a long story format, edit according to your needs, not copywrited, bible quotes taken from internet bible quotes, feel free to add to or edit this paper any way acceptable to God. I am no expert and dont claim to be, no formal theol

The Greatest Investment Advice Ever Given The king held vast amounts of gold in his treasury, so risk another investment, especially in a foreign country. It was far to travel; over 1,000 miles away, and 2 countries buffered him between his well-defended lands and the Italian peninsula’s Roman ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-15

Denomination: Catholic

3 Who Won't & 1 Who Will Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 1, 2007

“God has no grandchildren, only children” - “To be 99% sure is 100% unacceptable” - “The only thing longer than life is eternity” - Whatever keeps you from getting saved...CUT IT OFF! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint Presentation

3 Who Won’t & 1 Who Will Matthew 18:8-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/3Wont1Will.html Three out of four people here won’t be in heaven. And when I say ‘here’ I mean in our text, not here in this room. But wait a minute, the people in our text represent all people everywhere, so I suppose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Valley Of Decision Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 8, 2008

1.) God forgives sin. 2.) God judges sin. 3.) He allows us to choose: Pardon or Punishment - God gave both Jericho and Ai to Israel, but He did it in very different ways. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

The Valley of Decision Joshua 8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ValleyOfDecision.html [read vv. 1-3] The children of Israel are in the process of claiming their Canaan, or Promised Land. But their biggest challenge is that people already live there, and they are wicked. God has given them claim ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Shopping Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 22, 2008

A study of Joshua the man is not complete without looking at his friend Caleb. 40 years earlier they were young men, and 2 of the 12 spies sent to check out the land of Canaan. Now comes their reward. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Mountain Shopping Joshua 14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MountainShopping.html Ironic it is to talk on this subject from central Illinois. I was raised where you could spot a mountain in nothing flat. Here, ‘flat’ is the key word. But God made the mountains, God moves mountains, and so does ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Water Walking 101 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 25, 2007

Sadly, many ’boat people’ in the church will never step out in faith and see what God can do thru them, but all can look to Jesus during storms and learn how to rise above. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Water Walking 101 Matthew 14:22-33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WaterWalking.html This is the second storm we’ve come to in our Matthew study. The first was in chapter 8 when Jesus was asleep in the boat and the disciples woke Him up crying, “Master, we perish!” That message was called “The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation - The Blessing Of Reading And Heeding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 13, 2011

1st in series [which is complete in its entirety] - The Lord took John away from his busy life as Pastor of the church at Ephesus that he might write down heavenly visions revealed unto him. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

“THE BLESSING OF READING AND HEEDING” REVELATION 1:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ReadHeed.html True Title: What does it say in your Bible? “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” Year: 96 AD John is up in years, perhaps in his 80’s. About 65 years previous, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Take Advantage

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 31, 2007

Can you believe it? God wants us to take advantage of Him and His Church! Usually when we think of ‘taking advantage’ it’s a bad thing, but not necessarily w/ the Lord. Link included to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Take Advantage Ecc. 2:24, 3:13, 5:18-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TakeAdvantage.html Can you believe it? God wants to be taken advantage of! Usually when we think of ‘taking advantage’ of someone it’s a bad thing, but not necessarily w/ the Lord. The book of Acts shows God moving among the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Not Of Faith

Contributed by Michael Brown on Nov 1, 2020

Romans 14:23 had been unclear to me when I heard it. It says that what is not of faith is a sin. I did a Bible Study on it using the H.E.A.R.T. (Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond, Thanksgiving) format & this sermon is that study.

Highlight - Highlight the verse that speaks to you Romans 14:23: “But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.” Explain - Explain what this passage means The word translated as faith in this verse is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:23

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

When Things Go Wrong

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

Although we know we can have joy in trials and God works all together for good…sometimes we don’t see it. Some days faith wanes, and we wonder where God is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When Things Go Wrong Matthew 11:2-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhenThingsGoWrong.html It is a blessing to be a Christian, but this world is under a curse. Things go wrong. Plans fail. The outcome of our goals sometimes isn’t what we had hoped. Tragedy strikes. Death takes its toll. Pain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist