Sermons on Justifying The Text:

Refining Your Values

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 27, 2004

Jesus called his disciples (apostles and others) to refine their values so that they may better serve God in the spread of the gospel. In the gospel text of the morning, Luke records the first part of Jesus’ sermon on the plain – the blessings and woes o

The Roman emperor Charlemagne has an interesting story surrounding his burial. This famous king asked to be entombed sitting upright in his throne. He asked that they place the crown on his head and his scepter in his hand. He requested that they drape the royal cape around his shoulders and an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Other

An Offer Too Good To Refuse Series

Contributed by David Asch on Oct 12, 2004

Int his text Jesus says come to me for compassion, forgiveness, and hope. Jesus says bring me your pain, your unhelathiness, and I will cleanse you. Come to me with your sins and I will forgive you.

AN OFFER TOO GOOD TO REFUSE Mark 1:40-2:17 INTRO: I’m a sucker for offers “you can’t refuse.” Examples: Bad tie, knife sharpeners, Bamix, Golf swing video, pocket PC (it should have been no surprise).. I’ve had to learn not to believe such offers. Even churches make such offers... Prev: Today, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 13, 2004

The text seems to suggest that the bearers of “Bad News” will always come, but the author of “Good News” is always in control. Jesus hears and ignores what others are saying. He has the last word. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Believer's Three-Fold Judgment - Judgement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2005

1. Past Judgment as a Sinner. 2. Present Judgment as a Son. 3. Future Judgment as a Servant. LINK INCLUDED to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Template, as well as messages on The Great White Throne and The Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Believer’s Three-Fold Judgment [Hundreds of free sermons and Powerpoints at website...link at bottom!] FIVE BIBLE JUDGMENTS 1. JUDGMENT OF SIN. (CALVARY) 2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

Listen, Act, Walk

Contributed by William Yates on Jan 3, 2004

In this text we read that Moses anointed the ears, thumbs, and big toes of Aaron and his sons. In this message we discuss how important it is for us as believers to learn to listen to God, act on what He commands, and walk in faithfulness.

Leviticus 8 The Priests’ Offerings (1) 1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2"Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, the anointing oil, a bull as the sin offering, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; 3and gather all the congregation together at the door of the tabernacle of ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 8:22-24

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

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

God Doesn't Give Up Easily

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Oct 15, 2005

We have to take seriously the judgment texts in the New Testament, but temper them with the parable of the fig tree. God goes to extraordinary lengths so that as many as possible can be saved. God says, "Give it one more year."

God Doesn’t Give Up Easily October 16, 2005 Luke 13:6-9 Sam was a sad, small little boy and had lived a life that no one, especially someone so young, should have to endure. He had been the greatest joy his mother had known. She saw the sun rise and set in his eyes. But then, she had fallen ill ...read more

Scripture: Luke 31:3-9

Denomination: Methodist

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

Parable Of The Unjust Judge Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2007

Includes info. on "Jessica’s Law", child predators, lenient judges, and some powerful spiritual lessons Jesus taught about His Father and about prayer. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnjustJudge.html Bad judges have highlighted the news more than ever the last few months as investigations into rulings doled out to child predators have revealed so many judges exercising extreme lenience that is not helping ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Of Heaven - A Mixed Bag Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Oct 11, 2007

The 4th in a series of messages from texts unique to Matthew’s gospel. This one deals with three parables Jesus told about the kingdom, each one showing the mixture of good and bad mixed together in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew’s Unique Message #4 The Kingdom of Heaven – A Mixed Bag Matthew 13:24-30; 47-51; 25:31-46 CHCC: July 29, 2007 INTRODUCTION: This summer I’ve been preaching sermons taken from the Gospel of Matthew. We’ve looked at several passages where Matthew gave information about the life of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Redemptive Role Of Africans

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Mar 2, 2003

This message deals with How God uses Persons of African Descent in His Redemptive Plan based on the Young Egytpian Man found in the field in our Target Text. This message was preached during Black History Month in Bryan, Texas.

WE NEED TO TALK! Jesse Semple, a Harlem cab driver, asked Derrick Bell, a profound Black author, “Tell me what’s to celebrate about the condition of Black people who die too soon, go to prison too long, and come to know life’s blues far too early? Tell me how a holiday for Dr. King or a month of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:11-19

Denomination: Baptist