Sermons on Jonathan Barnes:

Joshua 20: The Cities Of Refuge Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 18, 2024

The LORD instructed Israel to designate six cities as "Cities of Refuge". This message explores the roles and functions of these cities.

Introduction: Accidents happen, and some of these accidents result in the death of another person. There was and is a difference between intentional murders—and there were numerous examples of this in the Bible—and accidental death, sometimes called manslaughter. To provide a safe place for the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua 24: 1-15, The Last Words Of Joshua Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 24, 2024

This last message in this series looks at Joshua's final or farewell address to Israel. The challenge in verses 14 and 15 are just as real for us today as for Israel in those days.

Introduction: Joshua had been part of Israel’s past and present for many years. He had been faithful to Moses, Israel, and the LORD all of his life and had led Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Now he calls Israel together to give them one final message before his earthly journey was done. Full ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-15

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

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

Back To School-Paul's Final Message Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 17, 2023

The book of 2 Timothy is Paul's last letter. In chapter 4 Paul gives what could be called his last message to Timothy. Look for the four types of disciples Paul mentions in verses 9-11.

(Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription) Introduction: Paul had been convicted and sentenced to death. Before this happened, though, he wrote this second letter to Timothy. In keeping with our August “back-to-school” theme, we could say that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School-Be A Good Example Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 26, 2023

This message is based on 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul gave Timothy a number of exhortations so that he could and would be an example of believers.

(Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription.) Introduction: We’re continuing in our “back to school” theme this morning, today taking a look at Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Last week we saw how Paul was encouraging Timothy to preach the word at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School-Some Principles For Living Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 1, 2023

Paul's letter to the Galatians has a lot of good material. In the last chapter, he gave some very important principles for believers to live by.

(Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO, on 8-27-2023. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: This is the last Sunday in August and I’ll be finishing this “back to school” theme with today’s message. Our text today comes from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Labor Day Message

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 8, 2023

Labor Day has been an American holiday for over 100 years. It's important to remember those who labor, especially those who labor for the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on September 3, 2023; not an exact transcription). Introduction: This is Labor Day Sunday and a lot of folks are taking advantage of this holiday. We’re going to take a look at a passage that deals with what people can do with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For How The Word Says, 'sow Abundance.' Series

Contributed by Jonathan Giles on Sep 12, 2023

Let's prepare for famines to come

I invite you to consider praying over the following scriptures. On the first page of the bible it says God put man on earth to “Tend and Keep the garden.” This divine design of God is encouraged throughout the scriptures. We have Jesus warning of coming famines in Matthew 24. We have the model ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:14

The Worst Grandparent Ever

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 13, 2023

There were a number of good grandparents in the Bible but there were a number of bad ones, too. This message is about Athaliah, the worst grandparent ever.

(Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church Chamois, MO on September 10, 2023. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Except for Adam, Eve, and the first generation of children (Cain, Abel, Seth, etc.) everybody has at least four grandparents! Some were good, and, sadly, many ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 22:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Man And Lazarus

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 28, 2023

Jesus told a story about two very different men and how they entered two very different destinies. Which destination will you enter when your life on this earth is over?

(Based on a message preached at New Hope Baptist Church, Fulton, MO on 9-24-2023. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The closer we get to the Lord’s coming, the less, I think, we hear about Hell. You might be surprised to hear what some people have to say about Hell: some think ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Gathering For Encouragement Series

Contributed by Jonathan Meade on Oct 16, 2023

Since the beginning of time, God, the divine Creator, has expressed His sovereign will through the action of putting-things together.

Message Title: “Gathering for Encouragement” Text: Ephesians 3; Hebrews 10 Since the beginning of time, God has expressed His sovereign will through the action of putting-things together. And it’s good. • Gen. 1:9, And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:6-12, Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

This Mother's Worst Dilemma

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 9, 2025

She went in disguise to find out if her son would live after he became ill. The disguise didn't work, and she came back with a dilemma no mother ever wants to face.

Introduction: She was the queen, but not even she could overcome her son’s illness. When she sought a message from a prophet of the LORD, she received news that shook her to her core. (Full disclosure: Sermon Central has previously accepted a message based on this text, called “The Message This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 14:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Ebenezer: The Stone Of Help Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 24, 2025

Israel had just repented of idol-worship at Mizpeh. The Philistines, mortal enemies at the time, came close enough to cause Israel panic. Samuel prayed, the LORD delivered, and Samuel established the memorial stone of Ebenezer.

Ebenezer: The Stone of Help (Based on a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 18, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Ebenezer. The name reminds us (me, anyway) of some characters I’d rather forget—as in, Scrooge. The word almost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-14

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