Sermon Central
-
Messages From Luke's Gospel
Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 14, 2025 (message contributor)
-
1. The Parable Of The Three Friends
Contributed 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
-
2. The Prodigal Son And His Homecoming
Contributed on Oct 28, 2023
Many groups celebrate homecoming in various ways. The Prodigal Son also enjoyed a homecoming after he returned to his father.
(Based on a sermon preached 10-22-2023 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription. Full disclosure: many sermons have been preached on this text and any overlap is accidental and not intentional. I have not knowingly used anyone else’s words in this message without attempting ...read more
-
3. We Have Seen Strange Things Today!
Contributed 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
-
4. When Jesus Called Levi-Matthew
Contributed on Sep 11, 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
-
5. The Lord Of The Sabbath
Contributed on Sep 18, 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
-
6. A Healing In The Synagogue
Contributed 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
-
7. A Roman Centurion’s Great Faith
Contributed 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
-
8. The First Person Jesus Raised From The Dead
Contributed 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
-
9. An Outline For John's Question And Jesus' Reply
Contributed 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
-
10. The First Sermon In The New Testament--And It Was Unusual!
Contributed on Jan 23, 2023
The nation of Israel hadn't heard a true prophet bringing God's message in nearly 400 years. When John the Baptist came preaching, people noticed some unusual things about his message.
The first sermon preached in the New Testament (Based on a sermon preached 1-15-2023 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: John the Baptist, son of Zechariah the priest, was the first true prophet to Israel in nearly 400 years. Not since Malachi ...read more
-
11. The Parable Of The Sower And Seed (Luke’s Edition)
Contributed 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
-
12. Dinner At Simon’s House (Luke 7)
Contributed on Dec 2, 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
-
13. When Jesus Went To Gadara
Contributed 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
-
14. What Does It Mean To Be Successful?
Contributed on Dec 25, 2019
The dictionary has definitions of success and successful. Being successful in this life is no guarantee one will be successful in the next life!
Preface: The dictionary has a few definitions of success, mostly with the idea of accomplishing something or acquiring something (you either do something or get something you want to do). Jesus has been engaged in teaching and conversation with others (see chapter 11 and 12:1-12) but some of the ...read more
-
15. "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”—simon Peter
Contributed on Jan 10, 2020
Simon Peter and others were professional fishermen. One day Jesus asked him for a couple of favors, and for Simon Peter, everything changed!
Based on a sermon preached at Glasgow, MO First Baptist Church on 7-22-2014. This is not an exact transcription. Introduction: When someone gives up on something they love, it’s remarkable. This is even more so when a professional or full-time businessman walks away from the very thing that he ...read more
-
16. The First Easter Morning: They Remembered, They Returned, They Reported
Contributed on Jan 12, 2020
These women brought back the first news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ--but nobody believed them!
Based on a sermon preached at Pilot Knob Baptist Church, Belle, MO, in April 2007. (This is not an exact transcription.) Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays! I never cared much for the hard boiled "Easter" eggs or anything like that—especially cleaning up the pieces of ...read more
-
17. After Easter: On The Road To Emmaus
Contributed on Apr 8, 2021
A pair of discouraged disciples left Jerusalem for their home in Emmaus. While going there, they met a Stranger Who walked with them and gave them something they weren't expecting!
Introduction: On Resurrection Day, the first day of the week, the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Mary Magdalene had seen and spoken with the Lord, and had shared this news with the other believers (John 20). As the day went on, a pair of disciples decided they would go back to their home at ...read more
-
18. After Easter: He Showed Them His Hands And Feet
Contributed on Apr 9, 2021
The disciples were still in Jerusalem during the evening of Resurrection Day. When the Lord Jesus Christ appeared suddenly, they were terrified! But when they saw His hands and feet, they began to believe HE WAS ALIVE!
Introduction: On Resurrection Day, the Lord Jesus Christ had walked with Cleopas and another disciple from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The Lord not only walked with them, He also explained the Scriptures about Himself to them and shared a meal with them. After this, He vanished out of their sight and the ...read more