Sermons on Higher Calling:

Marks Of Maturity

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 18, 2005

A description of four marks of Christian maturity.

I found a poem on the internet that I would like to share with you. It bears some striking resemblances to a very well-known poem. Listen carefully, though, because it is not quite the poem that you might expect. One night, I had a wondrous dream; One set of footprints there was seen. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Remember The Long Way!"

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Oct 25, 2005

This sermon talks about the importance of not forgetting where we came from...

Deuteronomy 8:1-10, 18-20 Awww come on and praise the Lord up in this house. God bless you as you are seated in the presence of the Lord. Ushers you may admit the door and let the worshippers in. Amen. This chapter of Deuteronomy is a powerful piece, and it’s pregnant with possibility. That’s why ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Thessalonica And Berea Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 25, 2005

Paul centres his message on the historic Jesus, arguing from Scripture that he’s the Messiah. He persuades people by careful argument, opening the Scriptures to allow people to discover the truth for themselves. And he works as a leader of a team, includi

It’s interesting that we think of Paul as someone who stands out on his own. He’s the great apostle to the Gentiles, a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yet in reality he was a man who loved to work as part of a team. He started out with Barnabas, then joined up with Silas, then he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Anglican

The Gospel Is Preached At The Areopagus Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 25, 2005

Paul takes the context of a pagan city and uses their apparent spiritual thirst to tell them about Jesus and his rescue from the judgement to come.

Here’s Paul, left alone in Athens, the cultural capital of the world. How do you think he’d be feeling? Overwhelmed? Excited? Fascinated? Imagine this is you, not in Athens, but in New York or Paris or Rome or Berlin? How would you be feeling? Like you couldn’t wait to get out and start exploring? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Anglican

Asking The Right Question Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Nov 8, 2005

Third in a series in the book of Nehemiah. This message explores the "why" (motivation) of vision, versus the "how" (process of fulfilling) the vision. Emphasizes that the "how" is for God to handle, and the "why" will keep us focused on the vision.

(Prior to this sermon, utilized a Bible "Jeopardy" game with three volunteers from the congregation. Helped bring into focus the idea of asking the right question.) There is a great similarity between success at Jeopardy, and success in seeing the current vision for your life come into focus. To ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Contributed by Brian William on Nov 10, 2005

In our image-conscious world, we often try to remake Christ to suit our needs. Presented here in a way for both believers and seekers, the good news is that Christ isn’t who we say, but Christ is who He is -- the Love of God made flesh to save humanity!

We’re going to start this morning with a quick Marketing 101 lesson. Brand image is a key concept in Marketing 101. Brand image is the concept that you’re going to connect a particular product with a particular idea. Brand image. They say that out of all the advertising dollars spent in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Methodist

The Peace Of God

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Nov 12, 2005

Paul provides four keys to experiencing the inward and abiding peace that only God can give.

In our last study, as we considered the first five verses of this last Chapter of the Philippian letter, we saw how that Paul urged the importance of there being “harmony in the Lord.” That is, the Apostle stressed the necessity of their being peace between members of the Body of Christ. There ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-9, Philippians 4:6, Matthew 5:9, Luke 12:25-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Nugget Of Truth Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 13, 2005

What are some modern day ways that we can fall into the same error as the Hebrews? Also - carving down to the nugget of God’s truth - and - letting the Spirit live out the Law of God in our lives.

How do you sum up a letter like Hebrews? I see two ways that the author takes this chapter to make his final points to a people who were afraid to leave Judaism behind and fully plant their feet in Jesus. His first point is that they are not really leaving all they knew behind - but they will see ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Past Has No Future Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 15, 2005

Kings of Judah, Part 1: "Solomon" - Sermon 1

THE PAST HAS NO FUTURE (1 KINGS 1:11-22, 41-53) There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back to dinner. As he was walking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:11-53

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Everything To Prove Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 15, 2005

Kings of Judah, Pt. 2: "Rehoboam"

EVERYTHING TO PROVE (1 KINGS 12:1-20) I have been teaching preaching at the seminary level since 1999. I enjoy seeing students master the basics, watching them develop their confidence and grooming them for immediate impact. Most teachers, however, enjoy one thing the least: evaluation. When I ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thanksgiving: 3 Ways To Look At It

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2005

An INWARD look, an OUTWARD look, and an UPWARD look will help us gain a new understanding of true Thankfulness. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Thanksgiving: Three Ways to Look at It Psalm 95:1-11 PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- Introduction Rudyard Kipling, author of “The Jungle Book”, at one time was so popular that his writings were getting ten shillings per word. [about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Getting The Lucky Breaks Series

Contributed by David Asch on Nov 21, 2005

In this message we discover how we can experience God’s favor in our lives, as we continue in the book of Ruth.

GETTING THE LUCKY BREAKS... Ruth 2:1-23 INTRO: Some people put a lot of stock in “luck.” That explains why I always get stuck in line paying for gas behind someone buying lottery tickets. Last week, the Kentucky Derby – “The most exciting two minutes in sports.” Trust me, the excitement has ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Jesus Coming Back Soon?

Contributed by William Mouser on Nov 28, 2005

From the text of the Olivet Discourse in Mark 13, this sermon explains that while we cannot know the precise day and hour of Jesus’ return, it is possible to see the end of the age approaching.

Is Jesus Coming Back Soon? Mark 13:24-37 Mark Chapter 13, along with Matthew Chapter 24, record Christ’s teaching in what is known as the Olivet Discourse. It gets that name because Jesus was at the Mount of Olives, preparing his disciples for his impending passion, and Peter, James, John, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Narnia: All I Want For Christmas... Series

Contributed by Reg Koopman on Dec 1, 2005

Jesus Christ came so we could have Christmas, because like Edmund wanting more Turkish Delight, we were sinners wanting and lusting after everything but God.

I remember when I was young {very young} and my Mother took me to the local department store (McNeany’s) around Christmastime, and there in the basement by the toy section was Santa Claus. I remember wanting to sit on his lap and waiting for his question, “And now young man, what do you want for ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Majesty In A Manger

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 2, 2005

The child in the manger was no mere child. In this sermon we investigate all the Jesus is.

A. Most of you are aware that the date for Christ’s birth remains a mystery and that December 25th was in ancient times a Roman holiday to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice and the lengthening of the days which would lead to spring and summer. 1. Many centuries ago this date was chosen ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ