Sermons on Spirtual Formation:

Gray Hairs - A Message For A New Year

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 28, 2005

Hosea pointed out 6 ’Gray Hairs’ that we should take care of in order to "Find the Fix in 2006". Link included to formatted text version, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Gray Hairs ‘Finding the Fix in 2006’ Hosea 7:1-16 Hosea is one of the minor prophets…this doesn’t mean he was under 18 or unimportant but only that his prophecy is shorter in length than Isaiah’s or Jeremiah’s, etc. The Pastor was preaching a series on the prophets and one of the members asked ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16

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

3 Odd Jobs Of The Tentmaker Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 10, 2005

Paul had the heart of an ACCOUNTANT, a RUNNER, and a STEWARD, and illustrates for us how to truly do God’s will in our lives. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

3 Odd Jobs of the Tentmaker Acts 20:18-38 Most of us wear more than 1 hat, and have a side job, whether paid for it or not. Some people have a career, but have a heart for other things. We cannot do it all. The Apostle Paul had the skills and knowledge to be more than a tentmaker, and his other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:18-38

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Thanksgiving

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 19, 2005

The Last Supper was not just an ordinary meal, where Christ made extraordinary claims - it was the Passover meal with important sybolism. This meal is the foundation of a Christian Thanksgiving. Student ministry PowerPoint format.

[JESUS’ THANKSGIVING DINNER] Slide Graphic – Norman Rockwell painting of family at Thanksgiving Dinner Slide Verses – It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Baptist

Battling And Building

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 19, 2010

They had a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. They had to multitask and keep one eye on the work and the other eye on the enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Battling and Building Nehemiah 4:11-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BattlingBuilding.html Building is a battle. Just finding good weather is tough for roofers. It's too hot or too cold, it's raining or there's frost and it's too slippery. It's too steep!! Or the Pastor is too demanding!!! ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Ridicule

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 18, 2010

When reason fails, some turn to ridicule. They choose laughter over logic. Should the Christian respond? If so, how? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Responding to Ridicule Nehemiah 4:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Responding2Ridicule.html Sanballat has always lived in every time, and taken form in every church. He and others like him believe if God's kingdom is built up it will hurt their cause. They don't want to see it happen. They ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

You C A N Handle The Truth!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 20, 2010

As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

You CAN Handle the Truth! 2 Corinthians 2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/youcanhandletruth.html As preachers we are privileged to handle the truth in our grasp. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps, and God makes the truth to triumph gloriously! This epistle is teaching us wonderful truths ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

Witnessing And Wisdom In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 2, 2008

Moses shares w/ his father in law Jethro, who shares right back. Principles of priority, personnel, planning, and pride. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Witnessing and Wisdom in the Wilderness Exodus 18:1-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WitnessWisdom.html It’s a family reunion as Moses is reunited w/ his wife and sons, and his father in law, Jethro. The last time Jethro had been in Moses’ presence he heard him tell about his talk w/ some ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

What A Girl Wants Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 20, 2006

The Bible has a lot to say about how men and women are designed, about relationships, how they break down, and how to keep them going. Student Ministry PowerPoint Format

[What a Girl Wants] This Material was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a student ministry audience. If you have questions or would like a copy of the original PowerPoint deck, drop me an email at robert.fox@alltel.com [What a Girl Wants] Slide graphic: picture of girl sitting by ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13, Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Candidate, Commitment, & Criteria

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 29, 2006

Jesus’ teaching on true discipleship separates the serious from the satisfied. Not many will step forward and stand out...how about you? Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

The Candidate, Commitment, & Criteria Matthew 16:21-26 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/CandidateCommitmentCriteria.html ----- (Mat 16:24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." INTRODUCTION: The passage of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Pharaoh, Pharaoh Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 16, 2008

It’s Satan’s old, deceptive trickery: Mingling truth with error...meeting us halfway...desiring that we be compromisers! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Pharaoh, Pharaoh Exodus 8-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pharaoh.html [to the tune of Louie, Louie] “Pharaoh, pharaoh—oh baby, let my people go!” This was a tune heard at times in my college dorm halls. And sadly, Moses had to rehearse it over and over again because of the hard hearted ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

From Jerusalem To Antioch

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 18, 2010

A contrast of Jerusalem and Antioch, Peter and Paul, and law and grace -- How God bridged the gap and sent the good news around the world! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

From Jerusalem to Antioch Galatians 2:1-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jerusalem2Antioch.html We have seen that the Lord Jesus Christ communicated the gospel directly to Paul. Was it the same gospel that the other apostles had received from the lips of the Lord? We will see the oneness of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-14

Denomination: Baptist