Sermons on Pointing Fingers:

Claiming Our Canaan Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 11, 2008

Most said, we have absolutely no chance of possessing this Promised Land. But where they saw only giants, the ’minority report’ of Joshua and Caleb saw God! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Claiming Our Canaan Joshua 1:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ClaimingOurCanaan.html We’ve come “Out of Africa” now into the wilderness. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a picture of our salvation. We were slaves, in bondage to sin, the toughest master you’ll ever serve. Sin takes us ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

How To Kill A Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 26, 2009

The angel at the tomb said, ‘why seek the living among the dead?’ And many are finding it true as they seek a church. Corinth was a defiled, divided, and thus disgraced place, but there was hope! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

How to Kill a Church I Corinthians 1:1-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KillChurch.html “Jesus, yes! The church, no!” That was a popular slogan in the 60s...or so I’m told. And it seems to be a revived notion today as many are put off by organized religion. I believe that could have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Happiness At Home Series

Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on May 7, 2009

(PowerPoint Slides and Cell Study Notes freely available by emailing Emile@Wolfaardt.com) It is God’s will that you should be happy - and He has provided what we need to get there - especially in our homes. ...

Series - "Living Life to the Full" Finding Happiness at Home (LTF-07) Psalm 127:1 This morning I want to wrap up our series that we have entitled "Living Life to the Full." In Genesis 2:7 we read that ‘the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: *other

The Long Reach Of God's Grace Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 7, 2009

The Gospel Paul preached was not of human conception but it came to him directly from God. Now that’s an astounding claim to make, a claim which demanded some kind of proof. Paul provides this proof by pointing to himself.

GALATIANS 1:11-17 THE LONG REACH OF GOD’S GRACE Paul’s theme is that the Gospel he preached to man was not of human conception, nor was it a second-hand tale; no it came to him directly from God. Now that’s an astounding claim to make, a claim which demanded some kind of proof. Paul ...read more

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

The Ideal Discipleship Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 11, 2009

Win ’em, wet ’em, & wean ’em. That last step is the big one of discipleship - "Teaching them to observe all things..." Often forsaken, but so important! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Discipleship I Thessalonians 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealDiscipleship.html Chapter 2 had a nursing mother, and a teaching father doing spiritual parenting of these new believers. It leads perfectly into this chapter about grounding new believers. v. 2 “to establish you” v. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Sin

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 2, 2011

The only sin today is to call sin "sin." If you do, you are labeled as intolerant. An expose of homosexuality and other sexual perversions from God’s perspective. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Only Sin Romans 1:18-32 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OnlySin.html The only sin today is to call sin "sin." If you do, you are labeled as intolerant. A man may be sick but he’s not sinful, he may be weak but he’s not wicked, he may be ill but he’s not evil, and even if he were to tell people ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Baptist

Happy Are The Compassionate Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 16, 2011

There are many merciful people who are not Christians, and many unforgiving people who claim to be Christians. There are many meek non-Christians and many pride filled Christians. The point is that you will never be able to always distinguish a true Chris

This is really one of the big issues in the world today. There are many merciful people who are not Christians, and many unforgiving people who claim to be Christians. There are many meek non-Christians and many pride filled Christians. The point is that you will never be able to always distinguish ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

From Insulation To Intimacy Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

This message talks about the call of God in your life to an intimate relationship with Him. The fact is that most Christians never get to that point in their relationships, let alone with God. We insulate ourselves, fearful of becoming too vulnerable and

From Insulation to Intimacy Genesis 12: 1-9 David Needham in his book, “Close to His” tells the story of a missionary in China who found it necessary to be gone from his family for an extended period of time. Aware that his leaving would not be understood by his youngest daughter, he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

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 Minister's List

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 31, 2010

What are God's expectations for His man? What are we supposed to do and to be? And what's this?...oh yeah, all God's people are to be ministers like this! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Minister's List 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MinistersList.html Here's a list God gave for ministers -- what is expected of us, physically, mentally, and spiritually. How we should behave and what we should do and not do. Now, before you get too excited to watch me go ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Absence Of God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 3, 2010

January 1985: The psalmist experiences the absence of God, even to the point of denigrating himself as a "worm." But when he takes inventory, he does see evidence of God's presence, opens up his heart, and dares to hope.

Today I am going to take a somewhat different approach to the reading of the Scripture and the way I will be preaching on it. And in fact I hope this will make it come alive for you and will enable you to follow the thought of the Scripture writer as well as my own thought. What I plan to do today ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Manna Live! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 25, 2008

What is it? The symbolism of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. It’s how we live. Man alive! Many practical applications to daily Christian living. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Manna Live! Exodus 16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MannaLive.html [read vv. 1-21; 31] It’s a beautiful symbol of Jesus, come down from above. Christ is the bread of life. It’s how we live. Man alive! The following passage drives it all home... John 6:32-35 32 Then Jesus said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Back Against The Wall - Red Sea Crossing Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2008

Moses was a great leader and yet took a great deal of abuse. For those who insist on believing salvation is the end to problems--it’s the FRONT end! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Back Against the Wall Exodus 14:5-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BackAgainstWall.html Have you ever felt like your back was against a wall? Ever been between a rock and a hard place, with nowhere to turn? Or maybe you’ve put in a lot of time going down a winding avenue of life only to find it ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:5-31, Exodus 14:10-31

Denomination: Baptist