Sermons on Second Chances:

Swing Wide The Gates!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 29, 2010

The names of the gates of the old city of Jerusalem have rich spiritual meaning, full of powerful truths that will take us 3 sermons to cover. Parts 1 & 2 are here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Swing Wide the Gates Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideTheGates.html The walls of Jerusalem stood for something. They were more than just protection. They stood for the glory of God. Unbelievers of that day looked at the broken down walls and would mock believers. The ruins of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Barren Branches

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 3, 2010

The message is a call for Christians to vigorously pursue the life to which Christ calls us. The alternative is to be unfruitful and barren.

“In that day the glory of Jacob will be brought low, and the fat of his flesh will grow lean. And it shall be as when the reaper gathers standing grain and his arm harvests the ears, and as when one gleans the ears of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. Gleanings will be left in it, as when an ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 17:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Is That To You?

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 4, 2010

Jesus often responds to our innate sense of unfairness about things that happen (or don't happen) to us with the same words he spoke to the apostle Peter: "What is that to you?"...

What Is That To You? TCF Sermon October 3, 2010 Consider these two scenarios: First, we have two men who are in the service. Both are capable, loyal, devoted men, committed to doing their jobs. Both were part of the same training regiment, and were close friends, having been together for quite ...read more

Scripture: John 21:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's 9 Commandments Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 8, 2010

A study of Chapter 20 verses 1 through 17

Exodus 20: 1 – 17 God’s 9 Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Finding Truth In The Midst Of Many Voices Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2010

Choosing to not seek God is still an active choice. There is no sense of spiritual neutrality.

Intro – This morning I believe God wants us to engage our myth of neutrality. Now there are some things in life that may allow for some level of neutrality…. issues that make no claims upon our lives or the lives of anyone else. A country may choose to be neutral in response to two ...read more

Scripture: John 7:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is The Answer For Today (And Tomorrow Too)! Series

Contributed by Sam Hettinger on Oct 18, 2010

Why do we worship God? He fulfills our deepest desires for joy, justice, and hope.

Scripture Introduction: Worship Happens. It’s a fact of life. How do you know if you are worshipping? Louie Giglio says: [It's easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you'll find a throne; ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Can I Survive When I Am So Lonely

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 26, 2010

When our feelings tell us we are alone, how shall the Christian respond. Reviewing David’s life when he was fleeing from Saul provides insight into a godly response to loneliness.

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. “When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Job: A Man Tried And True

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 7, 2010

Using the life of Job as a backdrop, this message asked the question: "What would it take to make you stop serving God?"

JOB: A MAN TRIED AND TRUE Copyright © July 2010 by Rev. Donnie L. Martin. All Rights Reserved. Text: Job 19:25-27 I. JOB’S CHARACTERISTICS A. He Was A Godly Man. B. He Was A Great Man. II. SATAN’S CONTROVERSY A. God Questions Satan. B. Satan Questions Job’s ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking God's Guidance Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 25, 2010

To find and know and live God

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: July 7, 2010 Date Preached: July 11, 2010 Church: OPBC (AM) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Series: Finding God’s Guidance in this World Title: Seeking God’s Guidance Text: Col 1:9-12 (ESV) 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Refresh! What To Do When Life Crashes Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 9, 2010

The first step on the road to blessing and refreshment is to admit you are morally bankrupt. When you check the bank balance of your moral power to do right and to be right, you must admit to yourself there are insufficient funds and you are morally overd

INTRODUCTION This morning, I’m beginning a new teaching series entitled, “Refresh! What to do when life crashes.” I got the idea for this title several months ago when I was on my computer and a web page I was viewing locked up. I moved the cursor up to the “refresh ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Building On A Firm Foundation Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 31, 2009

If you want your life to last, then listen to Jesus and live what He says.

Building on a Firm Foundation Matthew 7:24-29 Rev. Brian Bill 5/31/09 In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: A separately standing eight-story bell tower in the city of Pisa. There was just one “little” problem: builders quickly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

How Should We Relate To Politics? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 11, 2009

A look at what a Christian’s role in government and politics.

Continuing is our series entitled “You Asked For It… in which we are focusing on topics which were drawn from a survey of the entire community. Today… How should we relate to the roles of government and politics? The issue of Christian involvement in politics has been one of the most debated and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Put Away My Idols

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 13, 2009

Idolatry is not a common subject, but it is a common problem for humanity, even for Christians.

I Put Away My Idols TCF Sermon November 15, 2009 How many of you watched the PBS series last month on the National Parks? Besides the fabulous visual images of some of America�s most beautiful scenery, the documentary gave a very interesting perspective on the history of our national ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What’s For Dinner? - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 11, 2010

A study of chapter 3 verses 1 through 4

Ezekiel 3: 1 – 4 ‘What’s for dinner?’ - Part 1 “1 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:1-4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Secret Sins Part 2 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 14, 2010

A study of chapter 8 verses 7 through 18

Ezekiel 8: 1 – 18 ‘Secret sins’ Part 2 “7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said to me, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 8:7-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel