Sermons on Jonathan Barnes:

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

Preparing For Easter: An Outline For "Preparing For Easter: The Journey To Emmaus”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 18, 2023

Two disciples left Jerusalem, sad, but met a Special Person as they walked towards Emmaus, about seven miles away. This Special Person was the Risen Lord, Jesus Himself!

(Full disclosure, Sermon Central has accepted and posted a message of mine on this text called “After Easter: On the Road to Emmaus” but this is a different message, not merely a copy and paste of the original message.) Introduction: After Jesus was crucified, He rose from the dead on Resurrection ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Easter: An Outline For A Message From The Song, "Where He Leads Me”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 22, 2023

Great hymns can be a source of inspiration for sermons. The song, "Where He Leads Me", is appropriate not only as an invitation song but also as a guide through the Easter season. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain and has no current copyright.

Introduction: The song, “Where He Leads Me”, is often sung as an invitation song. Take a closer look at the lyrics, though, and every verse could be an illustration or picture of the Easter season! Here are the verses for “Where He Leads Me” with outline material to follow: 1 I can hear my Savior ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-47

Denomination: Baptist

Sisera's Mother-Her Son Was Missing In Action Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 8, 2023

She had to be proud of him--he was a high-ranking officer in the army. But when the battle was over and he didn't come home, she began to have some concerns. "Missing" is the worst status ever for a soldier.

Introduction: Nearly everyone who has ever served in the military is aware of the risk in any armed conflict. Some warriors are killed in action, others are taken prisoner, but the worst fate of all is to be listed as missing. Sisera’s mother was one of the many mothers whose son never came home ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For An Armed Forces Day Message

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 27, 2023

Armed Forces Day is celebrated the third Saturday in May. This outline reminds believers that every one of us is engaged in a never-ending conflict with various enemies.

Introduction: According to Wikipedia, Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 and first celebrated in 1950. Since then Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May as a way to honor all branches of the military. As a military retiree myself, I rejoice in seeing some of our best take ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For "What Makes A Good Father?” Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 30, 2023

Scripture describes many fathers, some good and many that weren't. There is no guarantee any man will be a good father but if he follows the Lord and the Word, he'll have a better chance than those men who don't.

Introduction: With few exceptions, every man has the opportunity and privilege of becoming a father. Whether a man becomes a good father or a bad one, really, depends on him and several choices he makes. No man will ever be a perfect father but if he follows the Bible’s guidance, he’ll have a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 5:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For Father’s Day 2023 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 23, 2023

Every father will face expectations and enemies as he raises his children. With God's help, every father can overcome these challenges.

(Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on June 18, 2023; but this is not an exact transcription). Introduction: It’s good to see you this morning, and I hope each one of us remembers our fathers today. My own dad went to Heaven in 2018 but for the last several years of ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Ahaz: Maybe The Worst Father Ever? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 27, 2023

Who is the worst father in the Bible? It's hard to say but Ahaz, son of Jotham and king of Judah, might rank among the worst of the worst.

Introduction: the Bible has examples of good fathers and also bad ones. When it comes to the worst, Ahaz would be hard to beat. He had a good beginning but a terrible end. What a powerful lesson for every man, especially every father. The father of Ahaz was Jotham, son of Azariah/Uzziah, one of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Some Of The Best Fathers Were Unknown! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 29, 2023

Elijah and a good number of others were mentioned in the Bible, but not the names of their fathers! The world may not know them, but the Lord does, and for many of us that's good enough.

Introduction: some of the best fathers in the Bible were never named. It would be impossible to list them all, but every one of them can take comfort that if their children lived and died as believers in the LORD, they did not live in vain. Here’s a tribute to some of them: 1 The fathers of the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:43, Nehemiah 7:63-65

Denomination: Baptist