Sermons on Spirtual Formation:

Altar Of Incense Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 19, 2008

How do you smell to God? This altar inside the Tabernacle proper is beautifully contrasted to the brazen altar out in the courtyard. The symbolic aromas in the air cannot be ignored. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Altar of Incense ‘How Do You Smell?’ Exodus 30:1-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AltarOfIncense.html It has been a wonderful study of the Tabernacle so far, and the best is yet to come as we enter the Holy of Holies next time. But as of now, we have looked at the first 5 articles of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 30:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond The Veil: The Mercy Seat Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 26, 2008

Capping off the Ark of the Covenant is a solid slab of gold with cherubim, of inestimable value. Even more beautiful than its artistry is what happens upon it. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Beyond the Veil: The Mercy Seat Exodus 25:17-22 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BeyondVeilMercySeat.html [scroll thru pics] Every box needs a lid...but this is no ordinary box...and atop it is much more than a ‘lid’. As a matter of fact, no furnishing in history has had a final, finishing touch ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:17-22, Exodus 25:8-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

Bringing America Back To God

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 17, 2009

The parallels of America and Israel are staggering - both denied the Lord, defied the law, and defiled the land. Is God about to judge us like He did them? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Bringing America Back to God Judges 1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BringingAmericaBack.html This book records the history of the nation of Israel for 305 years after the death of Joshua. Israel declined, backslid, and got away from God. And in this new study we will see many frightening ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Super Bowls Of God's Wrath Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 1, 2007

7 Vile Vials of Judgment fall on the earth during the Great Tribulation. [The field, the officials, the spectators, the winners and losers on this game day.] Link included to formatted text for this and entire Revelation Series, audios, PowerPoints.

The Super Bowls of Wrath Rev. 16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SuperBowlsWrath.html Tonite, two sides will do battle… (In our text the 2 sides are Good & Evil) There is going to be a Field of Battle: (Valley of Megiddo) There will be a game plan…a plan of attack. An official will be on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Gain A Few Pounds Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2007

The Parable of the Pounds - We are each entrusted with the weighty matter of carrying the gospel. But how well are we bearing the burden God has placed in our pack? Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

How to Gain a Few Pounds Luke 19:11-27 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GainFewPounds.html “I don’t need anyone telling me how to do that…I’ve got it mastered!” The parable of the pounds reminds us of the parable of the talents in Mt. 25, which we’ll study in a couple of weeks. But they are quite ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

Death Of A Conscience

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 18, 2007

Resurrecting that little voice we have laid to rest is not impossible, but succeeding in life without it is! [Story of Herod, the lap dance, and the death of John the Baptist] Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template

Death of a Conscience Matthew 14:1-12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DeathOfAConscience.html What a tragic story. John the Baptist is murdered by King Herod Antipas in cold blood. Jesus said John was the greatest man born of natural means, and yet he was snuffed out before his time. But worse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness - A Life Apart Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on May 14, 2007

Know this - the formation of true holiness is a foundational part of preparing to prosper, of living in a way to enjoy God’s blessings. The Word says, “Without holiness, no one will see (that is, know and live close to) the Lord!”

“God loves to bless His children!” That is the declaration of the Bible, a promise that we can live by. In this series of messages, my aim has been to teach how we position ourselves to stand in the flow of God’s blessing, to live in a way that is prosperous, not so much in financial terms, but in ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

Parable Of The Sower Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 5, 2007

75% in this parable didn’t truly get saved. Was the problem the Sower, the Seed, or the Soil? 25% did get saved, and we can see how! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sower.html Sow what? The Word of God! Sow when? All the time! Sow where? Everywhere…but hopefully on good ground! This parable answers the question, “Why doesn’t everybody get saved?” As tremendous as salvation is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Walking On Water - Extraordinary Steps Of Faith

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 8, 2006

We are all rowing through life comfortably ensconced in our own little boat, but Jesus has sent us into the storm and asks us to have extraordinary faith in Him. Student ministry PowerPoint format.

[Walking on the Water – Extraordinary Steps of Faith] Slide Graphic – Jesus looking at Peter, who is wearing an inner-tube with a duck head {Note - drop me an email if you would like any or all of the original graphics. Go to the box at the top of this page and click on "Contact"} Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist