Sermons on Jonathan Barnes:

An Outline Of Acts 17:16-34

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 5, 2022

Paul had left Berea and with the help of friends made it to Athens, one of Greece's largest cities. He stood alone in that city, sharing the gospel with as many as he could: even some of the elite!

Introduction: This section covers Paul’s ministry in Athens, after he had left Thessalonica and Berea. While there he tried to share the Gospel with as many as he could. 1 The Dialogue in the Agora or market place Text, Acts 17:16-21, KJV: 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus: My Decision To Follow Him Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 11, 2022

Simon Peter made one of the greatest decisions of his life when he decided to leave everything and follow Jesus.

Foreword: Every person who follows Jesus as Lord and Savior has at least one thing in common with every believer: he or she made a decision to follow Him. The Gospels have several incidents where someone did just that. One of my favorites took place in Luke 5, and it was in a very unusual ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus, My Decision For Baptism Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 14, 2022

Philip was doing a great work in Samaria when the Holy Spirit sent him on what seemed a strange mission: go to Gaza, a desert region, and then get into a chariot. He obeyed, an Ethiopian official believed, and followed the Lord in baptism.

Foreword: Full disclosure, I am a Southern Baptist and present this message from that perspective. Water baptism is part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28, Mark 16, e.g.) and is mentioned in connection with belief and with becoming a disciple. It is readily admitted there are others who hold ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus: But What Happens When I Blow It? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 21, 2022

Even a saint like Peter "blew it" when he denied he knew Jesus. Eventually he was restored to a place of service for the Lord. What happens, or what should I do, when I blow it?

Note: (Edited from a sermon preached in August 2022 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO) Introduction: One reality few of us as believers want to admit is that first, we were born sinners. Paul wrote “All have sinned and come short of God’s Glory (Romans 3:23, paraphrased)” and none of us would ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus, Even Through Trials And Tests Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 28, 2022

James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, knew about trials and tests. His words to believers of his day are just as true for us of these days, too. In a sentence, he'd say "Endure the test and receive a reward".

Full disclosure: this is edited from a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO in August 2022 Introduction: Many of us think following Jesus is going to be a walk in the park, so to speak, but that isn’t always true. Certainly, as He promised, He’s there with us, but trials and tests ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: An Unlikely Hero Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 2, 2022

Gideon didn't have much going for him but he had faith in the LORD. That was enough and God used him in a mighty way--after this first encounter, that is.

(Note: This message is edited from a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on October 9. 2022 and is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Gideon is mentioned here in Judges and he’s also one of those in the “Hebrews Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. I have to confess, the first ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: The Two Tests He Had To Pass Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 5, 2022

Gideon had met the Angel of the LORD face to face, one day, and that night, received a message from the LORD. That message contained instructions for two of the most difficult things Gideon would ever be asked to do.

(Note: this message is based on and edited from a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Chamois, MO on 10-16-2022 but is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Gideon had just realized he saw the Angel of the LORD and was probably trying to take it all in. He was one of only a few people ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: When The Lord Gave Him The Promised Victory Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 9, 2022

Military strategists would have laughed out loud if they had heard God's strategy for defeating the enemies of Israel during Gideon's day. Gideon,though, followed these instructions to the letter and God gave Israel a great victory!

Introduction: Some of the military’s greatest strategists mentioned never going into action against the enemy unless you have two or three times more of everything than they do. Gideon had blown the trumpet, basically the same thing as declaring war against Israel’s enemies, and many of the local ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Veteran’s Day/Thanksgiving Day Message Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 18, 2022

There's only a couple of weeks between Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving Day. This message is an attempt to combine features of each holiday.

(Note: Based on and edited from a message preached November 13, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day in honor of the Armistice ending the First World War. This Armistice took place on “the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Thanksgiving Meal—in The Springtime! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 22, 2022

Barley harvest--springtime--may not be the time when people think about Thanksgiving Day meals. During Elisha's day, a pair of miracles made a small meal into a real feast!

(Full disclosure: Sermon Central has accepted two of my different illustrations based on this text. This message is not merely a combination of those illustrations.) Introduction: What do you think of when you’re pondering a Thanksgiving Day meal? For many years, it’s a more or less American ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:38-44, Ruth 3:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter: Simon Peter-Sifted Now To Strengthen Later

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2023

Sifting wheat doesn't always mean using a hand-held sifter. The Lord Jesus Christ gave Peter a warning that Satan wanted to "sift" him, but gave him encouragement as well.

Full disclosure: Sermon Central has a message of mine based on this text called “When Thou Art Converted”. This message is different, not just an edit or a rewrite. Also, this message was based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on March 12, 2023. This is not an exact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-32

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter: They Came To See Jesus

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 22, 2023

Some Greeks came to Jerusalem to observe Passover. These men met Philip and asked him to introduce them to Jesus. The Lord's reply has a lesson for us even today.

(Full disclosure: Sermon Central already has a message of mine based on this text called “Seven Sundays to Easter: ‘Sir, We Would See Jesus’”. This is a different message, based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Chamois, MO on March 19. 2023. This message is not an exact ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter-An Outline For 'i Am The Resurrection And The Life'

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 29, 2023

Jesus had received a message that a friend, Lazarus, was sick. He died, but Jesus raised him from the dead. This proved Jesus was "the Resurrection and the Life"!

Introduction: Jesus had raised at least two people from the dead before this event, apparently just a short time before He died on Calvary. Here He proved the reality of resurrection when He raised Lazarus from the dead. The Message Jesus Received (verses 1-16) --Jesus and the disciples weren’t ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter: Judas Iscariot, The Traitor

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 7, 2023

Traitors have been a problem for many years. Judas wasn't the first, but he was one of the worst, because he betrayed the Son of God, Jesus, to His enemies.

(Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on April 2, 2023; this is not an exact transcription. ) Full disclosure: Sermon Central added a sermon of mine based on this topic called “Judas: The Tale of a Traitor” back in January 2020. That message was based on a sermon I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter: An Outline For An Easter Sunday Message

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 7, 2023

There was no doubt Jesus Christ was dead. But there was also no doubt Jesus was alive again, after He had been crucified and buried. He is risen, hallelujah!

Introduction: Easter Sunday. This is one of the best days ever! This is when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord from the dead. Because He died, we may have life, because He lives, we too can life forever! But for those living on that first Easter Sunday, they may not have shared those same ...read more

Scripture: John 19:18, John 20:1-9, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist