Sermons on Included:

Advent Candle Readings

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Nov 10, 2006

Four Sunday’s of Advent Readings - full text, Scriptures, Interpretation, Prayer included. A little different take from traditional. only four readings not five as chrismas eve fall on Sunday. Hope this helps. God bless.

First Sunday Of Advent (Read Scripture) Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 4-6 Is. 9:2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-6, Isaiah 9:22-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 21, 2007

"The Kingdom" is a mystery to many Christians--Is it physical or spiritual? On earth or elsewhere? Present or Future? The Bible’s answers on some of these questions may surprise you. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Understanding the Kingdom Of Heaven [Prelude to “Parables of Power” Series] Matthew 13:11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KingdomOfHeaven.html The general "theme" of Jesus’ parables is "the kingdom of heaven" a. Many of the parables start with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." - Mt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Young Ruler

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 1, 2007

Here’s the story of the only person who ever came to Jesus, and left in a worse condition. What a strong connection there is between our money and our heart! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:13-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichYoungRuler.html This is the only man who ever came to Jesus and left in worse condition! 1. The hardest thing that you will ever give God complete control over will be your finances and possessions. --Perhaps because they are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

Right With God, Or Left Behind? [rapture]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 20, 2005

We must make sure we are "Rapture-Ready." In Rev. 4:1 the church goes "off the air" because the church goes "IN the air!" Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Right with God, or Left Behind? "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev 1:19). "hast seen" ch. 1: glimpse at glorified Christ, eternity past. "are" chs. 2-3: church age, the present age of Grace. shall be hereafter—begins in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman’s Witness Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 10, 2008

The text records the effects of Jesus’ witness upon a woman & then through the women upon the Samaritan village. Strangely, it also includes the effect of witnessing upon Jesus. God changes others, the world, & us as we bear witness to Jesus.

JOHN 4: 27-38 THE WOMAN’S WITNESS With Jesus’ declaration that He is the prophesied Messiah the conversation has reached its summit. The recounting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman might have closed with Jesus’ evangelical witness and testimony as it did with ...read more

Scripture: John 4:27-38, John 4:27-54

Denomination: Baptist

A "Lot" Of Trouble - Sodom And Gomorrah

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2005

Lot was WEAK in his DEVOTIONS, WORLDLY in his DESIRES, WRONG in his DECISIONS, and thus, WRECKED in his DEMISE. This tracks the COURSE OF THE MAN, the CURSE OF THE SOCIETY, and the CURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Link included to formatted text and Powerpoint

A Lot of Trouble Gen. 13:5-13; 18:17-32; 19:1-11, 24-28 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html A. The Course of the man—Lot (Abraham’s nephew) There came a time when they had to separate. (this place ain’t big enough for the both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7 People The Church Could Not Do Without

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

We have many people here that have these qualities...but cannot have TOO many! Thank God there are many more ’in the works’ and ’on the way!’ Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 People Our Church Could Not Do Without Philippians 1:3-7; 4:1,15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7PeopleChurch.html A) Paul organized many churches and his interest in them never ceased! * This was only natural! He had put much blood, sweat, and tears into them. * Some of these churches ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Life's Problems Together Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Nov 17, 2004

You don’t find this kind of closeness and support in every church today -- but in the early church, everyone was serious about doing life together, no matter what. How can we develop that in our church? *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

*NOTE: I am indebted to Rick Warren for the outline containing the "Fortify Your Faith" , etc. in this sermon. Please see "The Purpose Driven Church" (Zondervan, 1995) for more info. Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Holiness

Road To Rome

Contributed by Derrick Bunnell on Nov 26, 2004

The theme of Romans is clear: Paul is explaining in rudimentary terms, where even babes in the faith can understand; the basic gospel. He not only presents justification by faith, but the entire “Righteousness of God.” Which also includes ideas such as gu

Today I would like to dig into the book of Romans a little. There is little argument over whether or not Paul is the author of Romans; if the first verse isn’t identification enough, then the style and content is undeniably the work of the most prolific writer of the New Testament. As you can ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Adventist

How To Really Be Free Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Aug 8, 2004

Christian liberty -- what is it? Being able to drink occasionally? Watch R-rated movies without guilt? Some would say so. . . but what does the Bible really teach about our liberty? *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

Exactly how free are we as Christians? What does it mean to be brought back into bondage? Isn’t that what denominational and school rules do? What does the majority of Christians say? What does the Bible have to say? For an opener, read the controversial interpretation of Christian liberty ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Holiness

The Procrastinating Governor Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 22, 2006

Paul’s powerful 3 point outline he preached to Felix was inspired of God for us today as well. God is knocking...and we must answer! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Procrastinating Governor Acts 24:24-26 Be honest now, how many have a problem w/ procrastination? Me too, and I’m gonna work on that starting tomorrow [hey, that’s the same day my new exercise regimen begins!] The governor of our state is under scrutiny as he seems to be scrambling to get ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign For A Desperate People

Contributed by Dan Waite on Dec 20, 2005

King Ahaz and Judah were in serious trouble. Isaiah is sent to confirm God’s covenant with Judah with the message to “stand firm.” [7:4] God offered King Ahaz a sign which included four impossible things.

Other sermons can be found at http://lastsermon.blogspot.com/ Isaiah 7:14 – 17 “The sign for a desperate people” Situation: King Ahaz and Judah were in serious trouble. They were at war with not prospect of even competing let alone winning [7:2]. Isaiah is sent to confirm God’s covenant with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Baby King

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 13, 2006

Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. The end times are mentioned even at the manger! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template + many more Christmas Sermons.

The Baby King Luke 1:31-33 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BabyKing.html ----- Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. We now know that kingdom to be set up at the 2nd coming of Christ, not the first. Jesus’ first visit as a baby did indeed spark a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

When Is Abortion Racism?

Contributed by John Piper on Mar 29, 2007

In the name of Jesus Christ and rooted in the gospel of his death and resurrection for sinners (including abortionists and pastors), my aim is to stigmatize abortion by associating it with racism. I would like you to link abortion and race the same way yo

For the sake of full disclosure let me tell you one of my main aims in this message: In the name of Jesus Christ and rooted in the gospel of his death and resurrection for sinners (including abortionists and pastors), my aim is to stigmatize abortion by associating it with racism. I would like you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Fresh Start - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 5, 2007

The Resurrection was the ultimate turnaround! This message is for many who have fallen and need to ’rise up.’ We can have a clean slate, a new plan, & a fresh start! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Fresh Start Proverbs 24:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FreshStart.html A fresh start or a new beginning - it’s something we all need from time to time. So this Easter, as we revisit the greatest turnaround ever (Jesus’ victory over death), let’s do so not only looking at what happened that day, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist