Sermons on Jerry Parks:

Answer Two: God’s Humble And Simple People Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 9, 2015

Every church needs to take this message to heart because one of the most tragic characteristics of modern society is pride and self-sufficiency.

I said last time that in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians concerning what to do about their divided church, Paul gives 11 answers to their problem. The first answer, Paul said, was the cross. If the church would refocus on their purpose based upon the cross, the church would begin to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Three: Sound Preaching Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 9, 2015

The Corinthian church was deeply divided. Two of the issues dividing it were a dispute over what kind of preacher should fill their pulpit, and which former minister had contributed the most to their church. This same problem exists today.

To recap, a letter was written from the Corinthians to Paul and telling him about how divided their church was becoming. Paul answers that letter and we have it recorded as the book of 1 Corinthians. Paul offers them 11 answers to their division problem. The first answer was the cross. If the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Four: God's Wisdom Is Revealed Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 21, 2015

Paul gives the Corinthian church a fourth answer to the division in the church. That answer basically is that the church should revolve around the wisdom of God that is revealed by the Holy Spirit, and nothing else.

One of the greatest causes of division in a church is pride. Pride, arrogance, superiority, thinking too highly of oneself—no form or shape of self-centeredness has any part in God’s church. The Corinthians had an intellectual pride that was becoming deeply rooted in the church. This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Five: The Spiritual Stages Of Man Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 29, 2015

Paul continues with his answers to solve the problem of a divided church.

When you think about the word “division” you find that is a damaging and devastating problem. Divisiveness leads to anger, fights, divorce, murder, and war. One of the answers to solving this division problem is to see ourselves as God sees us. When God looks at a person, He sees ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Seems Impossible For You?

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 29, 2015

This is a short devotional to get people to realize that a person must relinquish control of things to God.

In Matthew 19:26 - Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26 I read at least 3 devotionals each day to start my day. One of those daily devotionals that I read is from a book by Sarah Young entitled “Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:26

Denomination: Baptist

In And Out

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 29, 2015

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In and Out Philippians 2:12-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/InOut.html Mark Twain: "Few things are as annoying as a good example." He meant that it can inspire you but not empower you. Seeing someone as a good example can make you want be like them, but in no way does it give you the ability ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Night Light

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 6, 2015

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Night Light Philippians 2:14-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/nightlight.html This letter is all about joy. It's like bells keep ringing each time we study. It's like a light shining in the midst of deep darkness. The world says to get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

My Lord And My God

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 7, 2015

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My Lord and My God John 20:28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MyLord.html Jesus Christ is God. And Jesus Christ is Lord! This is the central theme of the NT. "Lord" is used 747 times. And just as often you hear the phrase, 'Make Jesus Lord...' Well, God beat you to it! Acts 2:36 Therefore let ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28

Denomination: Baptist

Meet Timothy

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 12, 2015

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Meet Timothy Philippians 2:19-24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/timothy.html Paul has used this chapter to give human examples of how to have joy. He begins with the example of Jesus. Then he uses himself [drink offering of v. 17] I'm a little intimidated! Maybe the Holy Spirit knew these are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Meet Epaphroditus

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 20, 2015

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Meet Epaphroditus Philippians 2:25-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Epaphroditus.html Joy comes from living for and serving others, as did Jesus, Paul, and Timothy in this chapter. Now, the example of Epaphroditus. Let me tell you what the name means, in case you are thinking of naming a child. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

Memorial Day Statement

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 21, 2015

This is a simple short realization of what Memorial Day weekend is all about. A good introduction to a message or to a service dedicated to Memorial Day.

This is Memorial Day weekend. This is the weekend that many look forward to because it means a 3-day weekend. Or maybe it means going to the beach. Or maybe having a big picnic. Yes, lots of fun events are usually planned for this weekend. For the most part, church attendance goes down a bit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Six: Who Ministers Really Are Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 21, 2015

Believers don’t need to pit one minister against another, or exalt one minister over another, or to even favor one minster over another, or especially not form a clique around a minister. This passage tonight offers Paul’s 6th answer to this division problem.

The Corinthian church was severely divided. The division came because the congregation was hung up on the former preachers of the church. I would hate to be called to a church like that. SEBC was a lot like that when I was called here. But in the course of about 9 months, that finally began to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

That Much!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 22, 2015

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"That Much!" John 21:15-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ThatMuch.html Why is there a John 21? Why not just take the great ending of chapter 20 where the resurrected Jesus appears to His disciples, and even Thomas believes and says, My Lord and My God?! When the kids were little we would ask ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Three Alls

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 12, 2015

In the Great Commission, Christ emphasized the small word "all" three times to convey important truths about the mission He has entrusted to us as His disciples - All Power, All Nations, All Things.

Three All's Matthew 28:18-20 Suppose we were to buy a new car. Very few do this, but suppose that we take the instruction manual and read it, paraphrase it, write a commentary on it, and make an outline of the material. We might even set it to poetry and put it to music and even sing about it. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Eleven: Understanding The Spirit Of God's Minister Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 20, 2015

This 11th answer to division is the need to see and understand the spirit of God’s minister.

For the past 5 months we have been looking at Paul’s answers to some questions that the Corinthian church had asked him about how to reunite their divided church. Paul took each of 11 questions and addressed each one with a specific answer. Tonight, we look at the 11th answer from Paul ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist