Sermons on justifying the text:

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

Paul Changes Ambitions

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 6, 2015

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Paul Changes Ambitions Philippians 3:10-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ambitions.html "That I may know Him" 1. Knowing Christ is personal. v. 10 Know whom? Him! Christianity is not an 'it,' it's a HIM! This is the difference between us and the world of religion. They are about rules and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman, The Child And The Dragon Part Ii Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 10, 2014

Second in series, identifying the Dragon in the text.

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:3-4

Denomination: Bible Church

Jesus’ Bad Sabbath Habits Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 24, 2012

This text presents what the sabbath is about.

Sabbath Conflict Our text today covers two stories, both of which focus on the matter of Sabbath-keeping. So, let’s take a moment to understand the place of the Sabbath in Jewish culture. That the Sabbath must be observed was not a matter of debate among the Jews. The observance was grounded in ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Battle Stations!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 25, 2015

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Battle Stations Philippians 1:27-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BattleStations.html vv. 1-11 Sons enjoying the fellowship of the gospel. vv. 12-26 Servants sharing in the furtherance of the gospel. vv. 27-30 Soldiers defending the faith of the gospel. One major criticism of our movement ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30, Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret To Success - Submission

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 8, 2015

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The Secret of Success: Submission Philippians 2:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SecretSubmission.html Chapter 1 taught us that joy comes from single-mindedness. Paul had a singular goal - getting out the gospel. [1:12] Even if it meant him going to jail, or being criticized [v. 16 - at ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Covenant By Withholding Tithes

Contributed by Matthew Davaughn Cox on Jul 6, 2018

We are looking at giving in today's text.

Malachi 3:6-12 6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: *other

Jesus The Conqueror

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Apr 30, 2024

The text shares it is Faith that conquers the world.

Jesus the Conqueror 1 John 5:1-6 NRSV 1 John 5:1-6 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Faith Conquers the World 5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

No Cross… No Crown

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 5, 2023

In our text today this is a conditional promise.

Notice the condition on which this promise is made. The Lord said, if we are faithful unto death, He would give us a CROWN OF LIFE. He did NOT say, “If you are faithful a few short weeks, months or years I will give thee a Crown of Life”. The promise is made to those who are faithful unto ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

Buried: A Secret Message

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 20, 2015

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Buried: A Secret Message John 19:30-42 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Buried.html A man who died received a telephone bill from Sprint at his new address -- the Hillside Cemetery in Auburn, Mass. "Our clients here don’t usually get mail," said superintendent Wayne Bloomquist. "I wondered if ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Boss Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2010

If Christ is the head of the church, no bullying can ever be justified to bring about the result a leader desires. We must permit the Spirit of God to rule the church, and not mere mortals.

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Justification By Faith Alone! Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 1, 2005

The question before Paul, Peter, and indeed us is, "How can a condemned sinner be justified?" Paul’s answer to this crucial question is before us in this sermon.

Scripture Charlie Chaplin was a huge movie star in the silent-picture era. One of the by-products of his popularity was the look-alike contests that sprung up around the country. Contestants attempted to imitate Chaplin dressed as the “tramp” character he made popular in his films. Even the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Answers Prayer

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 27, 2001

A deductive exposition of the text introduced by statistics and stories of answered prayer.

Topic: Prayer Theme: Answered Prayer Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to pray with persistence and humility. Response: Individuals will ponder God’s grace in answering our prayers. Pattern: A deductive exposition of the text introduced by statistics ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Power Of Confessing Sins

Contributed by Susan Mende on Jul 9, 2018

We don’t take responsibility for the mistakes that we make, but we learn to justify our mistakes by blaming something or someone else. But there is power in confessing our sins!

Icebreaker: A teacher asks a little boy as to why he was late to school. He replies that his mother served the breakfast late. When his mother was asked, she replied that the milkman delivered the milk late. The milkman, in turn, replied that the cow didn’t give milk on time. But the cow blamed the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God