Sermons on Missing The Point:

Parable Of The Sower Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 5, 2007

75% in this parable didn’t truly get saved. Was the problem the Sower, the Seed, or the Soil? 25% did get saved, and we can see how! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sower.html Sow what? The Word of God! Sow when? All the time! Sow where? Everywhere…but hopefully on good ground! This parable answers the question, “Why doesn’t everybody get saved?” As tremendous as salvation is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 12, 2006

The Lord’s model prayer shows us that prayer is just Talking to Him, prayer is Asking, and prayer is Praising. It must begin and end with Him! A free download link is included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed Matthew 6:8-13 The sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. And within is this wonderful model of prayer. It’s a misnomer to call this The Lord’s Prayer…it’s actually the disciples prayer and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Who Owns You? [the Sermon On The 'amount'] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2006

Do you own your possessions or do they own you? "Things" can take a toll on: The Heart-AFFECTIONS, The mind-PERCEPTIONS, The will-DIRECTIONS. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Who Owns You? Matthew 6:19-24 We can divide life into 2 broad categories: the spiritual, and the material. But the Lord Jesus never made that distinction. Matter of fact, He often taught that our attitude toward the material is a mark of your true spirituality. v. 21 ‘Where your treasure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Has A Plan For Your Life

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 6, 2005

God’s plan promises love, joy, peace, and fruitfulness, but too few people choose correctly. Instead, they subtley surrender to the devil’s plan for their lives and suffer as Adam and Eve did in the garden. Nine points.

The Devil Has a Plan for Your Life (Gen. 3:1-20) Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, kill and destroy, but I came that you might have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) The devil sought to distract Eve and Adam from the goodness of God. They enjoyed 99% of the desires ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Constant Prayer

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 27, 2006

Let’s look at four reasons why we can rest in the power of Constant Prayer. Adapted in part from "The Power of Prayer" – Sermon Central By Rich Dunbar. <Power Point available upon request.>

CONSTANT PRAYER The Power of Prayer – Sermon Central By Rich Dunbar – 09.24.06 Intro and Illustration: There’s a supposedly true story of a Welsh woman who lived in a remote valley in Wales. She went to a great deal of trouble and expense to have electrical power installed in her home. However, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Path Of Praise

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 16, 2007

This great passage shows us HOW to praise God: Personally, Verbally, & Continually, and then we find ’5 Results of choosing to walk the Path of Praise.’ Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

The Path of Praise Psalm 34:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PathOfPraise.html We must choose whether we will walk the path of praise or just continue to follow the avenue of the average. But consider carefully, for the path of praise leads to bigger and better things that tower high above ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Jesus: Life Swap Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 16, 2006

Baptism of Christ--The carpenter trades in His woodworking tools and becomes a rebuilder of human hearts, as He carves out a way of escape for hell bound mankind. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Gospel of Jesus – Life Swap Matthew 3:13-17 In our first 2 messages in this new series we’ve looked at Jesus ‘Before There Was Time’ and ‘BC to AD’ [Jesus in the OT]. Of course, at Christmas each year we look into His birth and this year we studied His childhood with a children’s sermon: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Signs Of Faith

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Mar 24, 2008

Signs, in the natural are: 1) indicators or pointers to a place/person/event 2) They are physical data of something that is not seen, e.g., vital signs of life. In the spiritual realm signs are things that manifest in the natural pointing to the power and

Introduction: We return to the Great Commission, this time in the Gospel of Mark and look at the emphasis on believing. What are the vital signs of our faith? Jesus in commissioning His disciples before his resurrection seems to emphasize signs that are to follow the believer. Signs, in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-20

Denomination: Charismatic

The Super Bowls Of God's Wrath Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 1, 2007

7 Vile Vials of Judgment fall on the earth during the Great Tribulation. [The field, the officials, the spectators, the winners and losers on this game day.] Link included to formatted text for this and entire Revelation Series, audios, PowerPoints.

The Super Bowls of Wrath Rev. 16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SuperBowlsWrath.html Tonite, two sides will do battle… (In our text the 2 sides are Good & Evil) There is going to be a Field of Battle: (Valley of Megiddo) There will be a game plan…a plan of attack. An official will be on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Results Of Temptation Series

Contributed by Maurice Schaus on Feb 11, 2008

It’s easy for us to point the finger at Adam and Eve as the origin of the problem of sin, but all us fall short of God’s glory. But thanks be to God, our Lord does not abandon us in our disobedience!

Put yourself in Adam & Eve’s shoes for a moment…  God places you in the produce section of the grocery store, and says, “Today there are 436 varieties of produce available, but I don’t want you to eat the persimmons.” How hard could it be? There’s 435 other delicious and varied items to ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Death Of A Conscience

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 18, 2007

Resurrecting that little voice we have laid to rest is not impossible, but succeeding in life without it is! [Story of Herod, the lap dance, and the death of John the Baptist] Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template

Death of a Conscience Matthew 14:1-12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DeathOfAConscience.html What a tragic story. John the Baptist is murdered by King Herod Antipas in cold blood. Jesus said John was the greatest man born of natural means, and yet he was snuffed out before his time. But worse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Gain A Few Pounds Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2007

The Parable of the Pounds - We are each entrusted with the weighty matter of carrying the gospel. But how well are we bearing the burden God has placed in our pack? Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

How to Gain a Few Pounds Luke 19:11-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GainFewPounds.html “I don’t need anyone telling me how to do that…I’ve got it mastered!” The parable of the pounds reminds us of the parable of the talents in Mt. 25, which we’ll study in a couple of weeks. But they are quite ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Nobility Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Stephen was in many ways a forerunner to Paul. He boldly confronted the synagogues of foreign Jews in Jerusalem, possibly even entering them to debate their members. Stephen faced fierce opposition, even to the point of physical persecution. It is even

Spiritual Nobility Acts 6:8-15 Intro This passage marks a transition in the book of Acts. Up to this point, Peter has been the dominating figure, fulfilling his calling by taking the gospel to the people. Another figure of importance looms on the horizon: the apostle Paul, who is introduced at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Let Go Of The Vine

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 15, 2007

You don’t have to be Tarzan to learn to hold on to the Vine. Practical outline on abiding in Christ and how to ’branch out’ and bear fruit for the Father, our Husbandman. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Don’t Let Go of the Vine John 15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DontLetGo.html Sometimes it may seem we are spinning our wheels and going nowhere. What are we supposed to do then? We live in an age where we feel we must always be busy and be doing something. We are restless [and young!] and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven’s High Standard

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jul 10, 2010

Matthew shows us Jesus as the preacher of the kingdom of heaven. He shows us just how high heavens standards are and how to properly understand the law. Be perfect, like your Father! That’s the whole point.

Matthew seems to have been written to a Jewish community under fire for their faith. He talks about the kingdom of heaven in ways that suggest how hard it is to enter. The beatitudes begin and end with words that describe hardship and persecution. Why? Probably because that is what those were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ