Sermons on Spirtual Formation:

Fresh Start - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 5, 2007

The Resurrection was the ultimate turnaround! This message is for many who have fallen and need to ’rise up.’ We can have a clean slate, a new plan, & a fresh start! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Fresh Start Proverbs 24:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FreshStart.html A fresh start or a new beginning - it’s something we all need from time to time. So this Easter, as we revisit the greatest turnaround ever (Jesus’ victory over death), let’s do so not only looking at what happened that day, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 21, 2007

"The Kingdom" is a mystery to many Christians--Is it physical or spiritual? On earth or elsewhere? Present or Future? The Bible’s answers on some of these questions may surprise you. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Understanding the Kingdom Of Heaven [Prelude to “Parables of Power” Series] Matthew 13:11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KingdomOfHeaven.html The general "theme" of Jesus’ parables is "the kingdom of heaven" a. Many of the parables start with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." - Mt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

The Baby King

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 13, 2006

Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. The end times are mentioned even at the manger! Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template + many more Christmas Sermons.

The Baby King Luke 1:31-33 ----- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BabyKing.html ----- Here we see a baby…yet in the same breath we’re hearing about a kingdom. We now know that kingdom to be set up at the 2nd coming of Christ, not the first. Jesus’ first visit as a baby did indeed spark a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Young Ruler

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 1, 2007

Here’s the story of the only person who ever came to Jesus, and left in a worse condition. What a strong connection there is between our money and our heart! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:13-31 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichYoungRuler.html This is the only man who ever came to Jesus and left in worse condition! 1. The hardest thing that you will ever give God complete control over will be your finances and possessions. --Perhaps because they are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Believer's Three-Fold Judgment - Judgement

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2005

1. Past Judgment as a Sinner. 2. Present Judgment as a Son. 3. Future Judgment as a Servant. LINK INCLUDED to Formatted Text Version, Handout, and Powerpoint Template, as well as messages on The Great White Throne and The Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Believer’s Three-Fold Judgment [Hundreds of free sermons and Powerpoints at website...link at bottom!] FIVE BIBLE JUDGMENTS 1. JUDGMENT OF SIN. (CALVARY) 2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

7 People The Church Could Not Do Without

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

We have many people here that have these qualities...but cannot have TOO many! Thank God there are many more ’in the works’ and ’on the way!’ Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 People Our Church Could Not Do Without Philippians 1:3-7; 4:1,15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7PeopleChurch.html A) Paul organized many churches and his interest in them never ceased! * This was only natural! He had put much blood, sweat, and tears into them. * Some of these churches ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

A "Lot" Of Trouble - Sodom And Gomorrah

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2005

Lot was WEAK in his DEVOTIONS, WORLDLY in his DESIRES, WRONG in his DECISIONS, and thus, WRECKED in his DEMISE. This tracks the COURSE OF THE MAN, the CURSE OF THE SOCIETY, and the CURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Link included to formatted text and Powerpoint

A Lot of Trouble Gen. 13:5-13; 18:17-32; 19:1-11, 24-28 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html A. The Course of the man—Lot (Abraham’s nephew) There came a time when they had to separate. (this place ain’t big enough for the both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gone With The Wind

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 31, 2005

God uses a surge of problems sometimes to DIRECT us, to INSPECT us, to CORRECT us, to CONNECT US, to PROTECT US, to PERFECT us, & to PROJECT us. Link included to free PowerPoint Presentation and formatted text version.

Gone With The Wind II Cor. 1:8; 4:8-10 --- Link includes formatted text and free PowerPoint... http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Irma.html --- "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Invasion From Hell [end Times / Tribulation] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 2, 2006

The worst demons of all time have been incarcerated for thousands of years in the pit of the abyss...but hell goes on holiday in our text during the tribulation. Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Invasion from Hell Rev. 8:13-9:12 Do you believe in the existence of angels? Surveys show that most people do…but did you know that those same surveys also show that most people do not believe in the existence of demons?! If you believe in angels you MUST also believe in FALLEN ANGELS!…aka ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Table Of Shewbread Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 12, 2008

We see His perfect life in it, as well as His painful death, His precious resurrection, and His provision of salvation, security, and satisfaction for all who will believe. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Table of Shewbread Exodus 25:23-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TableShewbread.html Now we enter into the Tabernacle Proper...the actual tent structure. We go into the Holy Place and see the Golden Candlestick, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Shewbread. There’s a distinct difference in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:23-30

Denomination: Baptist

Principles Of Leadership

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 6, 2010

Nehemiah was by far one of the best leaders in all of history. And anyone who is willing to follow the principles put forth in this book can also become a great leader. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Principles of Leadership Nehemiah 2:11-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PrinciplesOfLeadership.html He was by far one of the best leaders in all of history. And anyone who is willing to follow the principles put forth in this book can also become a great leader. Nehemiah had walls to build, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of Unity Series

Contributed by Ricardo Rodriguez on Nov 1, 2012

Have you noticed that ducks fly in the form of a V? While in the air, these birds unite to create a symmetrical formation—one that seems to be choreographed by the divine hand of God. Upon flying in this manner, the ducks are not only presenting an air

Ice Breaker: What do you think are things that damage unity? Key Verse: I Corinthians 3:1-9 INTRODUCTION: Have you noticed that ducks fly in the form of a V? While in the air, these birds unite to create a symmetrical formation—one that seems to be choreographed by the divine hand of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Apostolic

Bringing People To Jesus

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 10, 2012

In our text there's only one follower of Jesus, but he finds someone who found someone, and they each brought someone to Jesus, who in turn did the same. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Bringing People to Jesus John 1:35-51 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BringToJesus.html Our missionaries in NYC are seeing some great ministry right now, reaching out to those suffering in their area from the storm damage. People are guarding their possessions in their driveways. Looters have ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of Moses Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 12, 2008

It’s the first song on record [not cd!]. And it’s a song of salvation. Moses leads and all Israel echoes. Israel moves from PANIC to PRAISE! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

The Song of Moses Exodus 15:1-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SongOfMoses.html It’s the first song on record [not cd!]. And it’s a song of salvation. Moses leads and all Israel echoes. Toward the end of his life Moses sings again, but this time it’s a solo and he dies shortly thereafter. And ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

An Up Front Word On Backsliding

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2008

How correctable are you? Does God have permission to speak to your heart? What if what He says to you today requires you to humble yourself? Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

An Up Front Word on Backsliding Proverbs 14:14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Backslide.html The word backslider has a negative ring to it. Most people cringe or tighten when they hear the word, just like we do when we hear the names “Judas” or “Jezebel” or when the word “hypocrite” is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:14

Denomination: Baptist