In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 265

Mary, Now You Know Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 12, 2024

Mary was surprised when Gabriel visited her and gave her some unexpected news. Now Mary knew exactly what the Lord wanted her to do. Best of all, she agreed to do God's will for her life!

Mary, Now You Know (Edited from a sermon preached December 8, 2024 at New Hope Baptist Church, Fulton, MO. This is not an exact transcription). Introduction: Mark Lowry’s Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?” has been a blessing for several years now. It’s a song which, I think, captures the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The First Christmas: Zacharias And Elisabeth Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 5, 2024

A childless couple received some incredible news! How did they handle it?

(Full disclosure: this message is based on a sermon preached at New Hope Baptist Church, Fulton, MO on 12-01-2024. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: It’s hard to believe, we’re now in December! There are only 20 or so shopping days until Christmas Day and, we shouldn’t be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Baptist

A Thanksgiving Day Message From Paul

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 27, 2024

Paul had much to be thankful for. He shared some of this with the believers in Philippi. This is an abridged version of a sermon I've preached at a few different churches over the years. Feel free to use this as the Lord leads.

Introduction: Thanksgiving Day is only two days away as I write this in November 2024! Many have written about the first Thanksgiving Day, in 1620’s colonial Massachusetts and there is much supplemental material. The important thing is that those early Pilgrims knew they could not possibly have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Some Thoughts On Depopulation

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 23, 2024

The world's current population is somewhere between 7 and 8 billion. Some think that's too many and have openly advocated for depopulation measures. All they need to do is wait for the Great Tribulation and they'll come close to getting their wish!

Introduction: A number of people, mostly elites, and increasingly calling out for more people to die! The justification, if I understand it correctly, is that there are too many people on this planet to be kept (the “sustainability” argument) and/or there isn’t enough of the right _kind_ of people. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 6:1-11, Revelation 9:13-21, Revelation 11:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah's Last Words Before He Left This Earth Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 31, 2024

Elijah received word from the LORD that it was time for him to go to Heaven. This message speaks of Elijah's last words before he took that journey to Heaven.

Introduction: Elijah was one of only two humans to ever leave this earth without dying. The only other was Enoch, who “. . . walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24, KJV)”. Full disclosure, I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture position, meaning, that according to 1 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah’s Words To Ahab's Son Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2024

Ahaziah became king of Israel after Ahab died. He was injured when he fell through a lattice but sought guidance from Baal-zebub, god of the Philistine city, Ekron! But Elijah the prophet had a message for Ahaziah.

Introduction: After the death of Ahab, king of the northern tribes of Israel, his son Ahaziah became king. This new king also had a near-death experience after he fell through a lattice (networked wooden strips) of a window! This king sent messengers to a Philistine city, Ekron, about 40 or so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah’s Last Message To Ahab Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 17, 2024

Ahab was king of the Ten Northern Tribes (Israel) and wanted to purchase a vineyard growing next to his palace, The owner wouldn't sell, so Jezebel (the queen) took matters into her own hands. The results were not pretty.

Introduction: After Elijah had left Mount Horeb and returned to Israel, he seems to be out of the picture for a while. King Ahab, though, had been very busy with wars against Syria (see 1 Kings 20). After that, Ahab saw a vineyard belonging to someone else but Ahab wanted it anyway. He got it, all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:11-29

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah—a Time To Flee, To Learn, And To Return Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 4, 2024

Suppose you had run for your life but received word to go back to where this took place again! This happened to Elijah after he received a death threat from Jezebel, wife of King Ahab of Northern Israel!

Introduction: Sometimes after a positive experience, something awful comes along. These could be trials; they could be threats; they could be any number of things but one thing is for sure: the one who is going through it, probably wishes “I don’t want to go through this!” Elijah had a set of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah And The Contest At Mt Carmel Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 25, 2024

Elijah had requested King Ahab to have the prophets of Baal, plus a group of Israelites, meet on Mount Carmel to see whether Baal should be worshiped, or the True God of Israel. How did this contest turn out?

Introduction: The story of Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal on the top of Mount Carmel is one of the most fascinating in the Bible! One lone prophet of the True God stood against 450 prophets of the idol-god Baal, with a group of Israelites gathered together to witness this event. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-40

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah And The First Child To Be Raised From The Dead Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 23, 2024

Elijah had been staying with a widow and several others in Zarephath, outside Israel's borders. Tragedy struck when the widow's son died. What would happen next?

Introduction: Elijah had come to Zarephath, a city in Sidon—Jezebel’s home country!—at the LORD’s command after living near the brook Cherith in Israel. In Zarephath, he stayed in a boarding house, we might say, operated by the widow whom the LORD had shown him. It seemed things were going well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah, The First Encounters Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 17, 2024

Elijah is one of the most well-known people in the Bible. This message speaks about the very early part of his ministry. Oh that the LORD would raise up more Elijahs these days!

Introduction: Elijah, the prophet. He was and is one of the most well-known men in the Bible. He seemed to come out of nowhere, and eventually was one of only two people (so far) to go to Heaven but never died! But like most people, Elijah had a lot to endure before he began his ministry. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For The One-Sentence Prayers Of Nehemiah: Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 2, 2024

There are seven one-sentence prayers in the Book of Nehemiah. This outline lists each one and provides some thoughts about each one, followed by a conclusion.

Introduction: The Book of Nehemiah has a number of Nehemiah’s prayers, but certainly not all. Some, like the first, were several verses long; others, a little shorter, and then there were a number of one-sentence prayers. This outline cites the half-dozen or so of these very brief, very terse, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:19

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah’s Third Prayer: Asking God To Intervene Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 27, 2024

The Jews, under Nehemiah's leadership, began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. They heard some very discouraging news. Nehemiah heard this as well, and prayed to the LORD about it.

Introduction: Nehemiah had been in Jerusalem long enough for the people living there to begin rebuilding the city walls. Chapter 3 gives an account of the various groups who took part in this rebuilding effort. By now, the enemies of Judah had noticed and were not happy. 1 The Words of the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah 2: A Silent Prayer Of Nehemiah Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 13, 2024

There are times when we as believers simply cannot utter a spoken or verbal prayer. Nehemiah faced a similar situation when he could only pray silently. The LORD heard that prayer and answered.

Introduction: The first chapter of Nehemiah has the record of how he, a Jew in service of the Persian king, heard news about Jerusalem. It wasn’t good news and it drove Nehemiah to his knees, figuratively speaking, and he recorded one of the greatest prayers in the Old Testament. The news was ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah 1: His First Prayer Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 9, 2024

The Book of Nehemiah has more than some people realize. This series focuses on the recorded prayers of Nehemiah as he, a Persian royal official, served the LORD God of Israel.

Introduction: The Book of Nehemiah is one that hasn’t been studied very often, as far as I know. There are some exceptions: Dr. Charles R. Swindoll wrote a book called “Hand Me Another Brick” a number of years ago, focusing on various aspects of Nehemiah’s life, times, and deeds. When I lived in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist