In Sermons:

When Jesus Went To Gadara Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 5, 2025

Jesus and the disciples went by boat to Gadara, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Some very unusual things happened after they arrived there!

When Jesus went to Gadara Introduction: Jesus spent the larger portion of His ministry in Judea and Galilee. He and the disciples did indeed go to a few other places, like Samaria, but this time the group headed east to the land of Gadara. They encountered some things they probably never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-39

Denomination: Baptist

Dinner At Simon’s House (Luke 7) Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 1, 2025

A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to share a meal. Something out of the ordinary happened while that meal was taking place!

Dinner at Simon’s House (Luke 7) Introduction: Jesus was at Nain according to Luke 7:11. While He was there, He brought a dead man back to life and also reassured the disciples of John the Baptist that He was truly the Messiah, the One Who should come. After this, a Pharisee named Simon asked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Sower And Seed (Luke’s Edition) Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 27, 2025

The Lord Jesus Christ used this parable of the sower and seed to explain various reactions to the Gospel. The reactions of His day are much the same as in these days.

The Parable of the Sower and Seed (Luke’s edition) Introduction: This parable of the sower and seed is recorded in each of the so-called synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The Lord Jesus Christ used parables or stories like these to give people something to think about. Farming and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For John's Question And Jesus' Reply Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 13, 2025

John the Baptist was in prison and was concerned: was Jesus _really_ the One Who was to come? He sent two of his disciples to speak with Jesus. They received a reply that seemed to satisfy everyone.

An outline for John's question and Jesus' reply Introduction: Jesus had just performed two miracles by healing the servant (slave) of a Roman centurion (supervising 100 soldiers) and raising a dead young man back to life. Some disciples of John the Baptist heard of this and shared the news ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The First Person Jesus Raised From The Dead Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 5, 2025

A widow in the city of Nain had lost her only son to death. Then Jesus came by and performed a miracle!

The first person Jesus raised from the dead Introduction: Jesus had already performed a number of miracles such as the overwhelming load of fish for Peter’s boat (Luke 5) and the healing of a paralytic (Luke 5:17-26). The miracles weren’t limited to men, only, as He had healed Peter’s own ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Roman Centurion’s Great Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 16, 2025

Centurions were Roman army officers who supervised 100 soldiers. One of these men had a servant who was very sick so he asked Jesus to heal the servant. What happened next?

A Roman Centurion’s Great Faith Introduction: The last half of Luke chapter 6 has the text of what some call “The Sermon on the Plateau” or the level place. There are a number of things similar, and different, than the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 but that’s not the point of this message. By ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Healing In The Synagogue Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus saw a man whose right hand was withered and then, in the synagogue, healed him. Some of the religious leaders were there, too, and were furious with Jesus because of this.

A Healing in the Synagogue Introduction: Jesus healed people in different places at different times. One of the more unusual healings took place when four men carried a paralyzed man to a house but couldn’t enter. They didn’t stop, though: they carried the man up to the roof, opened a hole in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 17, 2025

On one Sabbath, Jesus and the disciples ate some raw grain as they traveled. Some Pharisees objected to this but Jesus had something interesting to say when He replied to them!

The Lord of the Sabbath Introduction: Maybe it happened more than once, but there was at least one time when Jesus and the twelve disciples were so hungry they found some raw grain for their meal! Even though this was permitted under the Law of Moses (Deut. 23:25), some of the religious leaders ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Called Levi-Matthew Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 10, 2025

Levi, also called Matthew, was a publican who collected Roman taxes from the Jews. One day Jesus came by Matthew's tax-collection site and said two simple words, "Follow Me". Levi did just that!

When Jesus Called Levi-Matthew, Luke 5 (This message is based on a sermon I preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO, on February 9, 2025 but is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The Lord Jesus Christ picked 12 men to be His followers. We know the occupations of four (James, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

We Have Seen Strange Things Today! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 5, 2025

A very sick man was confined to a pallet but still wanted to find Jesus so he could be healed. There were four friends who did take him to Jesus--and the sick man was healed!

We have seen strange things today (Disclosure: This message is based on a sermon I preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO, on February 2, 2025; not an exact transcription.) Introduction: This story is one that’s told by both Matthew and Mark, as well as Luke. The main points are the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Three Friends Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 14, 2025

Jesus answered a disciple's request (Lord, teach us to pray) with an example--and a story!

The Parable of the Three Friends (Full disclosure: Dr. Vance Havner wrote a sermon based on this text in his book, “Why Not Just Be Christians?”, published by Fleming Revell before 1977. This message is not a plagiary of his work. I preached a sermon based on this text on Sunday evening, June 1, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Memorial Altar In Gilead Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 12, 2025

Israel had taken control of much of Canaan. Two and a half tribes lived east of the Jordan River and decided to build a memorial altar for a witness of unity. When asked to explain, they replied honestly.

The Memorial Altar in Gilead (This message is based on a sermon preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO on Sunday evening, May 25, 2025 and is not an exact transcription). Introduction: Well-meaning things aren’t always perceived that way. In this message, we’ll see that a gesture of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

King Manasseh And Three Memorials Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 7, 2025

Manasseh, king of Judah, had the longest reign of any king in Israel or Judah. He walked in the way of sin, but repented, and proved it by taking care of several sets of memorials in Judah.

King Manasseh and Three Memorials Introduction: Manasseh, the king of Judah and son of Hezekiah, seemed to have a great future. His father had been a truly great king, as well as a good king because his father followed the LORD completely. Manasseh, though, promptly undid just about everything his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

Ebenezer: The Stone Of Help Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 24, 2025

Israel had just repented of idol-worship at Mizpeh. The Philistines, mortal enemies at the time, came close enough to cause Israel panic. Samuel prayed, the LORD delivered, and Samuel established the memorial stone of Ebenezer.

Ebenezer: The Stone of Help (Based on a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 18, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Ebenezer. The name reminds us (me, anyway) of some characters I’d rather forget—as in, Scrooge. The word almost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

This Mother's Worst Dilemma

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 9, 2025

She went in disguise to find out if her son would live after he became ill. The disguise didn't work, and she came back with a dilemma no mother ever wants to face.

Introduction: She was the queen, but not even she could overcome her son’s illness. When she sought a message from a prophet of the LORD, she received news that shook her to her core. (Full disclosure: Sermon Central has previously accepted a message based on this text, called “The Message This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 14:1-18

Denomination: Baptist