Sermons on Jonathan Barnes:

Reuben, Mister "Might Have Been” Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 13, 2022

The firstborn son had certain privileges in Hebrew families. Reuben, Jacob's oldest, gave in to sin and as a result, he lost his blessing and birthright. Don't make Reuben mistakes!

Introduction: Back in the early 1980’s, Pastor Dale Burden, then living in the Tidewater area of Virginia (the cities near Norfolk and Virginia Beach) preached a message, or a series (IIRC) about Reuben, calling him “mister might have been”. After all these years, I still remember bits and pieces ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:32, Genesis 30:14, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 49:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Trust In The Lord Series

Contributed by Jonathan Newlon on Jul 16, 2022

The Psalmist David gives us 4 things to do in the Lord in this sermon series. In this sermon, we investigate the first of this series: Trust in the Lord.

Go ahead and open your Bibles to Psalm 37. This is a Psalm of David that starts off by offering encouragement to believers. David gives us some instructions on how to live our lives “in the Lord.” He says starting in verse 1, “Do not fret because of evil doers, nor be envious of the workers of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Delight Yourself In The Lord Series

Contributed by Jonathan Newlon on Jul 16, 2022

In this Psalm 37 series, we see four things that David tells us to do either in or to the Lord. In this sermon, we investigate the second of these: Delight Yourself in the Lord

Introduction Turn with me to Psalm 37. We are in the second week examining the four statements that David made to do in/to the Lord. Last week we discussed trusting in the Lord. Now we move on to the second point that David makes. We read Verse 4 were David writes, “Delight yourself also in the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commit Your Ways To The Lord Series

Contributed by Jonathan Newlon on Jul 16, 2022

In this series, we see four things that David tells us to do either in or to the Lord. In this sermon, we investigate the third of these: Commit Your Ways to the Lord.

Introduction Over the last few weeks, we have been observing Psalm 37. Let’s get a refresher on the first 7 verses. (Read Psalm 37:1-7) Today marks the third week of our four week study into the first section of this Psalm. We have previously considered what it means to trust in the Lord as well ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rest In The Lord Series

Contributed by Jonathan Newlon on Jul 16, 2022

In this series, we investigate four things that David tells us to do either in or to the Lord. In this sermon, we investigate the final of these: Rest in the Lord.

I. Introduction This is the final week of our four-week series in the beginning of Psalm 37. Let’s read, one more time, the 7 verses. (Read Psalm 37:1-7). We have already discussed the first three statements that the Psalmist says to do wither in or to the Lord. We have talked about what it means ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simeon And Levi, United Then Divided Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 24, 2022

This message is about Simeon and Levi, the second and third sons of Jacob and Leah. They were very cruel to the inhabitants of Shechem (Gen. 34). Jacob never forgot about it and reminded them before he died.

Introduction: Simeon and Levi were Jacob’s second and third sons. Leah was the mother of both. These two brothers aren’t mentioned often in Scripture, but both are known for one specific incident of cruelty at Shechem (Genesis 34). Jacob never forgot what they had done and when he was dying, gave a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:25-31, Genesis 42:8-24, Genesis 49:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 17:1-15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 5, 2022

Paul, Silas, and Timothy left Philippi and made their way to Thessalonica and later Berea. They preached, people believed, but others did not. This is an action-packed episode in Paul's life and ministry.

Introduction: Paul, Silas and Timothy had left Philippi. Now they’re heading towards Thessalonica and later Berea. People believed the Gospel, but others did not, so Paul and the others had to move on to other locations. 1 The Ministry in Thessalonica Text: Acts 17:1-9, KJV: 1 Now when they had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

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