Sermons on Including:

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

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

Palms In The Garden [palm Sunday]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The only palms that really mattered eternally during passion week were Jesus’ palms. A study of all His hands touched and accomplished, and what they were about to do! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Palms in the Garden Matthew 26:36-56 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PalmsInGarden.html See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Just outside Jerusalem was a little garden…the garden of Gethsemane. Jerusalem has always been a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-56

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence That Demands A Decision - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2006

Death is not annihilation...it’s separation [unto somewhere else]. ’The Resurrection of the Dead’, and 4 proofs that Jesus rose again, and how that affects man’s afterlife. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Evidence that Demands a Decision I Cor. 15:1-8a See all our Easter sermons, PowerPoints, and much more at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Special.html ----- Since the beginning of time, man has asked the question Job did in Job 14:14 - If a man die, shall he live again? The resurrection of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

If Stones Could Talk

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 18, 2006

This Easter Sermon from ’06 is actually a series of 5 meditations on stones that were a part of Jesus’ life and is designed to be interlaced with Easter music to create a special Easter program. I’ve included the titles of the music we used.

If Stones could Talk Luke 19; Matthew 4; John 7; Matthew 28 Revelation 2 Song: GLORY TO THE LORD OUR GOD Welcome Meditation #1: Stones of Praise Luke 19:40 The order of service will be a little different today, but don’t let the change throw you off. Instead, focus your attention on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

How Christians Grow As A Group

Contributed by David Scudder on Sep 22, 2008

In order for everyone to benefit from the church the way God intends, we must know how we should relate to each other. This includes how the congregation should relate to the pastors and how the pastors should relate to the congregation.

How Christians Grow As a Group I Thessalonians 5:9-13 Purpose: To show believers how to act toward other believers. Aim: I want the listener to work at encouraging the leadership. INTRODUCTION: Too many Christians come to church to get something. For most church goers the thought of connecting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Gone With The Wind

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 31, 2005

God uses a surge of problems sometimes to DIRECT us, to INSPECT us, to CORRECT us, to CONNECT US, to PROTECT US, to PERFECT us, & to PROJECT us. Link included to free PowerPoint Presentation and formatted text version.

Gone With The Wind II Cor. 1:8; 4:8-10 --- Link includes formatted text and free PowerPoint... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Irma.html --- "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Unknown God - [mythology - Idolatry - Witnessing] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 13, 2005

In Athens, Paul saw their mythology, inc. the statue to any "unknown" god they may have missed. He said, "let me tell you about Him!" Link included to formatted text, PowerPoint template, and handout.

The Unknown God Acts 17:15-34 ----- PowerPoint for this message, and a formatted text version are available at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnknownGod.html Or, see the 80+ message Acts Series homepage at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Expository-Acts.html ----- The city of Athens in Bible ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-34

Denomination: Baptist