Sermons on Present Focus:

Five Firsts

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 4, 2007

New Year message from the Book of Beginnings showing the first mention of Satan, Sin, the Saviour, the death Sentence, and the first Sacrifice...all in the same passage. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

FIVE FIRSTS Genesis 3:1-15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FiveFirsts.html This is the first Sunday service of 2007. As we begin a new year many of us are trying to make a new start in different areas…from our waistlines to our finances, to how we spend our time. We’re right at the beginning and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

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

"Back From The Dead"

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 13, 2009

Whether we are or are not convinced that Christ rose from the dead does not affect the reality of the Resurrection. The Bible presents it as objective history. But if we accept its reality by faith and live consistently in light of it, it changes our l

"Back from the Dead" (John 20:19-29) 1. I love the silent version of King of Kings. For a lot of kids, Easter is about eater eggs and candy. 2. Boy 1: "How did you get that bruise on your arm?"
Boy 2: "I ate some Easter candy." Boy 1: "Eating Easter candy won’t give you a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Divine Wind

Contributed by Larry Elder on Aug 1, 2007

The book of Acts opens with a dramatic presentation of three symbols that would characterize the ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout the age of the church. These three symbols are very prominent all through the book of Acts. Mighty rushing wind Tong

The Divine Wind Acts 8:25-26 Acts 8:25-26… After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News to them, too. As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:25-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God : Our Only Anchor Of Hope In These Challenging Times

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jul 6, 2008

THIS SERMON IS ABOUT GOD BEING OUR ONLY ANCHOR OF HOPE IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES AND PRESENTS HIM AS OUR 1. BUILDER 2. HEALER 3. PROVIDER 4. PROTECTOR 5. DELIVERER 6. DESTROYER 7. PLANNER

GOD : OUR ONLY ANCHOR OF HOPE IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES ************************************************************************** OUTLINE 1. BUILDER 2. HEALER 3. PROVIDER 4. PROTECTOR 5. DELIVERER 6. DESTROYER 7. PLANNER THE MESSAGE GOD : OUR ONLY ANCHOR OF HOPE IN THESE CHALLENGING ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Reporter's Gospel

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 22, 2006

Luke presents Jesus as a man, yet with a miraculous birth. Chapter 1 brings us a transition from Old to New Covenants, and two ways of receiving God’s Word - which way do you respond?

As many of you know, I worked for many years in the television industry as a reporter. It was a fun job for a while - you got to do things and meet people that you normally wouldn’t. I met presidents and famous actors, rode in helicopters perched on the sides of snow covered mountains, stood in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-80

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Now And Forever Series

Contributed by Don Baggett on Mar 2, 2008

This passage opens up by talking about “present sufferings.” This is talking specifically about persecution, but this statement could be applied to anything you might be going through. The message of the verse is that God has something better in store f

This passage opens up by talking about “present sufferings.” This is talking specifically about persecution, but this statement could be applied to anything you might be going through. The message of the verse is that God has something better in store for them who love Him. He is going to reveal ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Dad Hears From Jesus' Father

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 15, 2006

Joseph’s DILEMMA, Joseph’s DREAM, & Joseph’s DECISION. An earthly dad meets the Heavenly Father and is forever changed. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation, + many more Christmas Sermons.

Jesus’ Dad Hears From Jesus’ Father Matthew 1:18-25 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- Matthew presents the birth of Christ from the vantage point of His earthly dad (Joseph was not the father). God was the Father who planted His sinless seed into the virgin womb of Mary, who was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Slaves Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by David Baeder on Nov 8, 2008

This is the second of a series of sermons based on scriptures where a rhetorical question beginning with the phrase "Do you not know. . ." is asked. This sermon deals with the rhetorical question asked in Romans 6:16. "Do you not know that if you present

Series: Do You Not Know? Sermon: Slaves of Righteousness Text: Romans 6:15-23 Introduction: Slavery. It’s an ugly word; usually. When we hear the word “slavery” it brings up all kinds of images. Images of trafficking in human misery. Images of poverty and oppression. Images of cruelty and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lost Tomb Of Jesus

Contributed by Terry Jones on May 10, 2008

What’s all the buzz about the Lost Tomb of Jesus. Is it real? Was the body of Jesus really buried in a family tomb outside of Jerusalem? In this compelling message, Pastor Terry will look at the facts presented in this nationwide documentary in compari

The Lost Tomb of Jesus Resurrection Sunday 2007 Text: John 20:1-10 Last year the sensation of the Da Vinci Code thundered throughout the world as a fictional novel as some new revelation hidden by the Church for the last 2000 years. Now, the world is in awe of the “lost tomb of Jesus”. To the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Christian Sermon

Contributed by Frank Lay on Mar 4, 2005

My first sermon was certainly no model for Christian preaching. However, Peter’s first sermon presents a model that should characterize all Christian preaching today. Notice the elements in the first Christian sermon. There was explanation, exposition,

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN SERMON Acts 2:14-47 I remember my very first sermon. It was on Easter Sunday evening in 1961. For some years I had been wrestling with the call to preach the gospel. During the closing service of a revival meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi, I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Unveiled- The Body Of Christ Pt.3

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Oct 5, 2011

The first two churches in Asa Minor will show us types and shadows of the present day church. The first loveless, maybe mechanical. The second, persecuted, but strong and proven. This is a verse upon verse spreaching on the book of Revelation. Enjoy.

Revelation 2:1-11 The Book Unveiled- the Body of Christ Pt.3 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Forgotten God" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 19, 2011

We can think Jonah saved the people of Nineveh but it was God who saved them. This lesson will show that it is ONLY the word of God that saves. No amount of entertainment preaching from us will do if the Holy Spirit is not present and active.

Jonah 2:10 “And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” Sometimes we forget God controls all of life, not just humans. He still controls all the breath and actions of animals. What a powerful, all knowing God we serve!! So now Jonah finds himself thrown up ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:4-10

A Soldiers Faith

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Nov 16, 2011

Freedom is purchased by great sacrifice and maintained by those who stand ready to be sacrificed. Today we owe our freedom to men and women such as these and we pause to honor them and to remember and reflect on their sacrifices both past and present.

A Soldiers Faith Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10 This week we mark Remembrance Day as a Nation. It is a day that holds a unique significance for each of us. For some it marks the Remembrance of a loved one who fell in service to their country or those who had been taken prisoner never to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preservation And Perseverance

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 11, 2013

Christ presents two great truths regarding the relationship of the Shepherd – Christ, and the sheep – the born-again child of God. Preservation and perseverance. One is performed by God alone, the other by the believer with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Preservation and Perseverance John 10:27-30 Jesus said He is the Great Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. He knows them and calls them by name. The sheep He spoke of are those who have received His grace by hearing and responding to His call by yielding their lives to Him and following ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-30, John 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist