Sermons on Received Text:

The Peril Of Presumption Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 4, 2006

James helps us not to fall prey to the peril of presumption in today’s text. He does so by first looking at the problem of presumption. Then he helps us understand the perspective of providence.

Scripture Jim Elliot was martyred fifty years ago today on January 8, 1956. The life and death of Jim Elliot is the testimony of a man committed to the will of God. He sought God’s will, pleaded for it, waited for it, and—most importantly—obeyed it. Jim Elliot’s martyrdom at the tender age of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Understanding God’s Will

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2005

SEEK it, SURRENDER to it, and STAND in it. It’s REAL, can be REFUSED, but it’s always RIGHT! Link included to formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint.

Understanding God’s Will Romans 12:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWill.html We usually look at this passage and talk about surrender...but surrender to what? The will of God in the end of v. 2! Or we talk about separation...but separation unto what? The will of God! And that should be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In Criticism Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The way Paul stood his ground before the council is how we can take our stand in the world today. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Confidence in Criticism Acts 23:1-11 23:1 “earnestly” = He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You've Fallen...but You Can Get Up! - Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2006

The best of men are men at best. Peter backslid, as do all of us. But God can help us to "Fail Forward." Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

You’ve Fallen…But You CAN Get Up! Luke 22:54-62 INTRODUCTION: Faith Healer: on platform at coliseum, said, I have faith that 2 people will be healed…where are you? A man ran down the aisle, named Harry [w/ lisp]. Asked what his ailment was, he replied, I can’t talk wite [right]. He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Baptist

Direct You Into The Patience Of Christ Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 7, 2013

When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is telling us today in the text.

2 Thessalonians 3:3” Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” Devotion written on April 2008 - When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Missing Peace

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 14, 2008

How can we have peace with God? The text gives us the answer - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ".

1. A POSITION "Therefore being justified by faith" What is justification? Just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned When we place our faith in Christ alone, God the Father treats us as if we had never sinned. Remember that justification is by faith. It is obtained not attained. In the previous chapter Paul ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1

Crossing Jordan Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 18, 2008

Step into the water, observe a miracle, and enter the land of milk and honey. This was a huge victory, but they had many more victories to win. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Step into the Water Joshua 3:1-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/StepIntoTheWater.html The children of Israel are ready to leave the wilderness for good and claim their Canaan, the Promised Land of abundance and victory...the land of milk and honey. Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Ephesus: Laboring Without Love Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Aug 25, 2008

In our text today we have the first of seven letters from Jesus to a church. By studying these letters we can learn to look at a church the same way that God looks at a church.

Ephesus: Laboring Without Love Revelation 2:1-7 Purpose: To discover God’s priorities for the church. Aim: I want the listener to rekindle a fervent love for Christ. INTRODUCTION: The abilities that world class athletes can demonstrate never ceases to astound me. I remember watching some of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lazy Bones Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 1, 2009

Several jokes and illustrations on how to know if you are lazy--then what the Bible says about it and how to be diligent as a servant of the Lord. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Lazy Bones II Thessalonians 3:6-18 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LazyBones.html If a problem is not dealt with is usually doesn’t go away...instead it gets worse. Ill.—small splinter in finger is just irritating at first, but eventually it will become infected and much more serious over time. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Super Secret Message - [superman] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2006

Superman theme about good things we should do in secret, and secret sins and their demise. [Clark Kent Christians] Link included to formatted text and ’Super’ PowerPoint Presentation.

A Super Secret Message Matthew 6:1-18 Eccles. 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Are you good with secrets? About to bust? Find joy in it? “I know something you don’t know!” [spill the beans?] Secrecy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

I Must, I May, I Will, I Shall

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 2, 2006

The Filling of the Holy Spirit. What it is, and why we should seek it. The Christian is already indwelt, but is he filled yet? Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

I Must, I May, I Will, I Shall Ephesians 5:18 To maintain a vigorous, active life, one must be healthy. Good health comes from a particular and a planned program of physical care. If I follow this plan I can feel the benefit in many ways. Someone said, "If I had known I would live this long, I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Be In Charge? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2007

Their mommy spoke for them. Jesus answered that the way up is down. His PASSION PREDICTED, the PATHWAY PRESCRIBED, the POWER PROVIDED. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Can I Be in Charge? Matthew 20:17-34 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/InCharge.html The Historian Josephus writes that every year at Passover 3 million Jews would ascend upon Jerusalem with 250,000 lambs. You and I know that each and every one of those lambs was a picture of Jesus Christ, the Lamb ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Judas

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Apr 23, 2006

How does this Coptic Gnostic Text make its way from the lost to try and force itself into mainstream Christianity? Is this an actual Gospel? What can we make of this new discovery?

“The Gospel of Judas” Rev. Bruce A. Shields First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan USA www.tawasbaptist.org April 23rd, 2006 † WELCOME † SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 26:25 “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:25

Denomination: Bible Church

Pray For The Impossible

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 10, 2010

Continuation shows how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls thanks in part to his prayer of contrition, concern, confession, confidence, and commitment. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pray for the Impossible, pt. 2 Nehemiah 1:5-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrayImpossible2.html We have begun to talk about one of the shortest men in the Bible. Not Zacchaeus, this is "Knee High Miah!" Shorter than him was Job's friend, Bildah the Shuhite [shoe height!] Anybody know the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

"A Cold Dish Of Vengance."

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Nov 16, 2009

Encourage people that though they’ve been hurt and wounded by their enemies, it is more advantageous as the text implies, to let God get vengeance instead of taking matters in your own hands.

Transition & remarks Reading of scripture/prayer/seat people. I. Introduction: -Present sermon title/theme. We are living in a day and time where a great number in the body of Christ are seemingly finding themselves in situations where it appears as though the enemy, the adversary the devil himself ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal