Sermons on Text:

Understanding God’s Will

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2005

SEEK it, SURRENDER to it, and STAND in it. It’s REAL, can be REFUSED, but it’s always RIGHT! Link included to formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint.

Understanding God’s Will Romans 12:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWill.html We usually look at this passage and talk about surrender...but surrender to what? The will of God in the end of v. 2! Or we talk about separation...but separation unto what? The will of God! And that should be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Sung To By Mary Series

Contributed by Andrew Clarke on Dec 15, 2005

Everyone is drawn to the picture of the mother Mary with the baby Jesus. What is Jesus’ own response to the popular celebration of this scene? (Text: Luke 1:46-47 with Luke 11:27-28)

Series: "O Come! Let Us Adore Him!" (who was) Part 3: "Sung to By Mary" Text: Luke 1:46-47 with Luke 11:27-28 Introduction We come today to our third message in our Christmas sermon series for this year – a series entitled: O Come! Let Us Adore Him! Last week we were in Matthew’s Gospel and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do Not Slander One Another Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 16, 2005

The wrong use of words is not a problem limited to unbelievers. The hard truth is that slander can also be a very serious problem among Christians. James addresses the issue of slander in today’s text.

Scripture Kathy Plate of Orlando, FL tells the story of the time she visited her neighbor. While there, five-year-old Andrew pulled out his kindergarten class picture and began describing each classmate: “This is Robert; he hits everyone. This is Stephen; he never listens to the teacher. This is ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Three Christmas Responses Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2005

Our text today has much to say to us about our response to the king of the Jews and Savior of sinners. Let us observe three different responses to the birth of Jesus the Christ.

Scripture As we consider the birth of Christ today, I would to consider three Christmas responses. Let’s read Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18: "1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Missing Peace

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 14, 2008

How can we have peace with God? The text gives us the answer - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ".

1. A POSITION "Therefore being justified by faith" What is justification? Just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned When we place our faith in Christ alone, God the Father treats us as if we had never sinned. Remember that justification is by faith. It is obtained not attained. In the previous chapter Paul ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1

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

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

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

The Peril Of Presumption Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 4, 2006

James helps us not to fall prey to the peril of presumption in today’s text. He does so by first looking at the problem of presumption. Then he helps us understand the perspective of providence.

Scripture Jim Elliot was martyred fifty years ago today on January 8, 1956. The life and death of Jim Elliot is the testimony of a man committed to the will of God. He sought God’s will, pleaded for it, waited for it, and—most importantly—obeyed it. Jim Elliot’s martyrdom at the tender age of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Direct You Into The Patience Of Christ Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 7, 2013

When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is telling us today in the text.

2 Thessalonians 3:3” Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” Devotion written on April 2008 - When we are troubled and shaken, we need to direct our hearts into the love of God and into His patience. That’s exactly what Paul is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christian Commitment Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

This message comes from Ruth 1:6-18 and looks at Ruth's commitment to Naomi. This text shows believers how God has called us to be committed to Himself and to one another.

Christian Commitment Ruth 1:6-18 -Last week we started our study into the book of Ruth. Only two books named after women, Esther and Ruth. The message in the book of Ruth is the message of Gods redeeming mercy and Grace. -Last week we looked at the providence of God in the first 5 verses of Ruth. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18, Ruth 1:16-18

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

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