Sermons on Spirtual Formation:

Fear

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 30, 2010

The devil is the sinister minister of fear. It's the opposite of faith, which is what pleases God. Fear Degrades our Lord, Destroys our Lives, and Delights our Enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Fear Nehemiah 6:9-19 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Fear.html In chapter 6 it's the devil's last ditch effort to stop the good work on the wall. We have seen him use distraction and slander, and now fear - [worry, anxiety, nervousness.] Twice in our passage we see 'afraid' and also 'fear.' The ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Adam Family

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 15, 2011

We continue in our heritage as we "Lurch" through life, still allowing sin to "Fester" within us. What a strange "Thing" is this family. Yes Cousin, "It" is! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Adam Family Romans 5:12-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AdamFamily.html What a strange family. They had it all, and gave it all away. A wonderful creation made by a wonderful Creator, but they chose to rebel and sin and go their own way. Dark and spooky, dressed in black! Hiding in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Justified Freely

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 6, 2011

Ask me why I love my wife and I'll have laundry list of reasons she's lovable. But Jesus loved me while I was yet a sinner. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Justified Freely Romans 3:24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustifiedFreely.html Justified = just as if I'd never sinned A one time event that happens at the moment of salvation. Sanctified = an ongoing process of growing in the Lord. Righteousness breaks down along the above lines... Imputed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Arabian Nights

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 11, 2010

Paul trained in the desert of Arabia. It was a long night in his life. He now tells about those Arabian Nights and how they helped make him who he is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Arabian Nights Galatians 1:11-24 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ArabianNights.html Where did you go to seminary? Or Bible college? This question is asked often of those in ministry. What they really mean, usually, is, "What camp are you in?" Paul trained in the desert of Arabia, and I'm sure ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Herose To Save Us All

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 11, 2009

From our missionaries to our military, we call them heroes because they go in our place, sacrificing all for a great cause! They know what they have to do. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

HeRose to Save Us All John 15:13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeRoseToSaveUs.html Our servicemen / women are our friends, laying their lives down for us. They know what they face going in, they know what they have to do. They are heroes to save us all. So did Jesus...and He Rose to save us ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13, John 15:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

He-Devil

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 16, 2013

Now, why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His disciples? Was He such a bad judge of character? Was it a mistake? Of course, Jesus knew from the beginning what would happen. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

He-Devil John 6:66-71 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeDevil.html It's not hard to think of someone named after a disciple. Andrew, Peter, Philip, John, James...Judas? No, that name conjures up negative imagery in our minds. Betrayer - traitor - evil - liar - hypocrite - greedy - devil. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Great Supper Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 14, 2007

Jesus’ sense of humor shows up in a big way during some awkward dinner table moments, esp. when He talked about people and the excuses they offer. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint template.

Parable of the Great Supper Luke 14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatSupper.html One of the chief Pharisees has invited Jesus over for dinner, and we’re gonna have some fun tonite! v. 1 “they watched Him” = laid a trap v. 2 this diseased man was deliberately planted so Jesus would heal him and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Great Is Thy Faith Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 6, 2007

Did you hear Jesus call her a dog? A helpful examination of a difficult passage - 1. The Agonizing Mother 2. The Amazing Master 3. The Appealing Miracle - Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

Great is Thy Faith Matthew 15:21-28 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatFaith.html Of all the verses in the Bible, I think v. 21 is close to the top of my list: Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Why? You may ask. Because it’s the first time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon’s 300 - Just A Few Good Men

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 15, 2010

God’s people are so ravaged by the Midianites that they are hiding in dens and caves. They cry out to God and God gives them...Gideon. 4 Principles from his life. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Just a Few Good Men Judges 6- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/JustaFewGoodMen.html Chapter 5 ends with these words: "And the land had rest forty years." Chapter 6 begins: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..." The cycle continues for God’s chosen nation. It’s the same ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Foolishness Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 29, 2009

The cross divides men. The lost see it as foolishness. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Power of Foolishness I Corinthians 1:18-2:16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Foolishness.html The cross divides men. The saved from the lost. But it unites those of us who have been born again. Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is the cross. The cross is wisdom ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Ideal Walk Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 11, 2009

5 Reasons the Christian life is compared to a walk. Then Paul gives a candid illustration of sex, purity, and holiness. Other topics include the walks of love, honesty, hope, and much more. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Walk I Thessalonians 4:1-8   Get all 4 parts w/ PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealWalk.html   So far it has been personal- The Ideal Church [ch. 1], The Ideal Servant [ch. 2], The Ideal Discipleship [ch. 3].   Now it gets very practical.   v. 1 “beseech” = beg ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Israel Under Attack Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on May 24, 2019

An account of how demonic angel-princes came to control the nations of the earth. The story of Yahweh's formation of Israel, its rebellious decline into idol worship, its separation from God and it's ultimate restoration.

Spiritual warfare Israel under attack In our previous messages, we discussed the origins of Satan, the fallen Lucifer, and the war he's been waging on God and on the human race ever since he was summarily ejected from Heaven as a result of his hubris and vaulting ambition. We saw that ...read more

Denomination: Brethren