Sermons on Text:

Parable Of The Unjust Steward Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 28, 2007

This man was dishonest, but he was still commended for his shrewd investing and wise prudence in preparing for the future. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Unjust Steward Luke 16:1-15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnjustSteward.html Ever made the “march in” at your work? You know, where you get up your nerve and march in and quit? What a feeling when you first walk out—“I’m free!” No longer the slave of that man or this place. And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Affluenza [april Fools Message] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 30, 2007

The Parable of the Rich Fool. "Affluenza" is the disease, the love of money is the root cause, and this story of Jesus is the cure! Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Ample Fool’s Day Luke 12:16-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RichFool.html Why is it that when life is going the best and we have the most, that we act the most foolishly? When supplies are ample, or we are celebrating a great victory, or someone praises us—we take such opportunity to show what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Benefits Of Justification

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 6, 2011

What are the benefits to salvation? Not just in the sweet by and by, but in the nasty now and now? They are many and this sermon will be in several parts. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Benefits of Justification Romans 5:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BenefitsJustification.html What are the benefits of justification? Escaping hell? Going to heaven? Yes! In the future. But how about right now? The first few chapters have shown us our need for justification and how we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Reached People Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Mar 22, 2012

In our text, some of the people followed Him with wrong motives & some whose motives were pure. Either way, Jesus loved them & ministered to their needs.

The Gospel of Mark #8 – “How Jesus Reached People” Mark 3:7-19 Intro – 1. Do you like to shave? I hate it! If it weren’t for my wife, I’d never shave! SLIDE – Big beard! 2. ILL – In the 1950s, marketing whiz Stanley Arnold was working at Young & ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-19

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"The People Factor" Series

Contributed by Lance Hostetter on Apr 8, 2013

This sermon is part of a series that looks at how Jesus prepared his church for his ascension. Most of the text will focus on the early days prior to and directly after the ascenion.

Series How Jesus Grew the Kingdom of God Title: The People Factor Text: John 20:17-18; 21:15-20 Introduce the Series: In the next six weeks we are going to at the days between the resurrection and. the ascension to heaven. It is during this time that Jesus lays the ground work for his church ...read more

Scripture: John 20:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by David Goering on Oct 23, 2018

To use this text to expose the character of the younger son and the older brother of Luke chapter 15. To show that the real hero of this parable is the father who is loving, kind and forgiving.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-32 "And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far ...read more

The Son Of His Love (Sermon 2 Colossians Series) Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Nov 12, 2018

One of the early church fathers declared, “Were the highest heavens my pulpit and the whole host of the redeemed my audience, Jesus alone would be my text.”

The Son of His Love Colossians 1:15–23 Introduction One of the early church fathers declared, “Were the highest heavens my pulpit and the whole host of the redeemed my audience, Jesus alone would be my text.” I. Creator (15–16) A. “The image of the invisible God.” In contrast to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Family Business (2018)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 20, 2022

How would you have felt if you had been Mary? Today’s text points out three important things, separation, recovery and discipleship.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS Text: Luke 2:41 - 52 The late John Hughes is one of my favorite filmmakers. He was known for making many come-of-age movies like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, Weird Science, Uncle Buck. He was also well known for two classic ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: United Methodist

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway To Divine Encounter" Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Apr 3, 2024

In our text, Jesus imparts several profound lessons that are referred to as the "Ask, Seek, Knock" passage, encapsulate fundamental principles that transcend time and culture.

Title: “Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway to Divine Encounter" Text: (Matthew 7:7-12) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advancing Through The Challenges Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 14, 2022

In today’s text I’m more interested in noting the message to the Philippians that can FUEL THEIR FAITH … Paul’s message is that Christians are Advancing Through The Challenges.

Advancing Through The Challenges Philippians 1:12-20 Introduction American Ninja Warrior is a television show in its 14th season on NBC. People as young as 15 years old from all over America compete on the world’s most difficult obstacle courses. “A top prize of $1 million ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Israel’s Greatest General (1of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 1, 2022

In our text we read of Israel’s greatest general. His name is Joshua. In Joshua 23, Joshua had reached the golden years of his life.

Look at verse 1. We read, “...Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.” When we consider Joshua’s age, we need to consider TWO things. (1) Look at the phrase, “...stricken in age.” Today it seems many folks are fighting a battle with old age. Illus: One man in Missouri said, “It is rough ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Canaanites Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 5, 2022

The Canaanites lived in the land of Canaan, an area which, according to ancient texts, may have included parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

The Canaanites Who Were the Canaanites? The Canaanites lived in the land of Canaan, an area which, according to ancient texts, may have included parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Much of what scholars know about the Canaanites comes from records left by the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

What Do I Want Jesus To Do For Me? Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 5, 2020

How would you answer if Jesus asked, “What would you like me to do for you?” In our text two different people are asked that question.

WHAT DO I WANT JESUS TO DO FOR ME? Mark 10:32-52 Introduction How would you answer if Jesus asked, “What would you like me to do for you?” In our text two different people are asked that question. Jesus uses this as a teaching moment, and we must listen! Mark’s gospel is a gospel ‘on the move’ - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Chasing Illusions

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 11, 2021

The text today suggests how our pilgrimage can be navigated incorrectly due to deception which is why we must be vigilant in our daily journey as Christians.

CHASING ILLUSIONS Text: II Corinthians 4:3 - 6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  (4)  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Talking Trees

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

There are over 500 reference to trees, and they play a major role in God's revelation. The text we are looking at in Judges 9 is not the most important, but it is the most conspicuous.

One of the questions most often debated among amateur philosophers is whether or not a tree falling in the woods makes any noise is no one is around to hear it? From a biblical perspective there is never a time when the trees are not being heard, for if we take seriously the Lordship of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:7-15