Sermons on jonathan: showing 1,861-1,875 of 4,402

Give Thanks Always?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

When will you give thanks? Our thankfulness is so often dependent upon the circumstances of our lives. Find a continual source of gratefulness in God and what he has and continues to do for you in Christ Jesus.

What do you see? Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full? The answer is, “Yes” since both are true. But we sometimes use that expression to describe a person’s outlook on life. Are you a glass-half-full kind of person – the optimist, OR are you a glass-half-empty kind of person, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Not What They Expected Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

How much do you remember about John the Baptist? Camel hair clothing, locust diet, or loaner lifestyle? While those are memorable, John is arguably one of the most significant people in Jesus’ life and ministry. See how the unexpected surrounded John's birth.

While at the children’s hospital this summer in California, my wife Nikky and I were sitting in the atrium to the main entrance one day when I noticed a man in a black suit and an ear piece walking around. He was looking all over the place and talking to people. As I watched him I leaned over to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:57-66, Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Lutheran

Controversial Character Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

John the Baptist's message of repentance is just as controversial today as it was in in his day. It was a message that caused people to think and evaluate what they were doing and why. It does the same today? Ready for some controversy?

Throughout history there have been many controversial characters: kings and queens, presidents and politicians, artists, actors and song writers, scientists and CEOs. What is it that made them so controversial? By what they did or said, they made people uncomfortable, forcing people to have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

As Good As God Promised Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

As John the Baptist sat in prison, staring at the end of his life, he started to wonder if Jesus was everything that he expected Jesus to be. See how Jesus answers that question and continues to answer our questions when we might doubt if God is really all that we hoped him to be.

Was it everything that you had expected? You ripped open the rapping paper on Christmas morning to unveil the toy that you had seen advertised so many times on TV. You had been sure to put it at the top of your Christmas list in great detail taking away any of the possible guess work as to which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Love - What? Why? How?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

What makes God's love so amazing is the who he loves, the why he loves and the how he loves. His is a love that is truly unparalleled throughout the world.

What does love look like? You might think of a couple on their wedding day committing themselves to one another for the remainder of their lives. Or the couple celebrating a milestone anniversary, reflecting upon the many experiences that they’ve shared with each other. That’s love. You might ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Lutheran

New Year's Reflection & Preparation

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

As you consider the last 12 months, was it what you expected? Life is turbulent, but our God prepares us for it all. See how the words of Psalm 46 calm troubled hearts, give Godly perspective, and prepare us for the future.

I want you to think back to one year ago, December 29, 2018. At that point in time, what were you expecting or hoping 2019 would bring? Maybe you were hoping that it was going to be the year to lose a few of those unwanted pounds, to start exercising more, to eat healthier. Maybe you hoped that ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

When Thomas Spoke Up For Jesus

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 5, 2020

Thomas is mostly known for his doubts. Here he shows his determination to follow Jesus.

When Thomas Spoke Up for Jesus Introduction: When we think of the men Jesus called to be His disciples, we can forget, sometimes, that they were human beings just like us. Each one of them had the incredible opportunity to follow Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on His mission while He walked this ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Question Thomas Asked In Scripture

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 6, 2020

Thomas heard something he didn't understand. He asked Jesus to explain it.

Introduction Many of us think of Thomas as a disciple, or even a doubter, but we sometimes forget that he asked one of the greatest questions in Scripture. My personal opinion is that he was a very analytical type of individual, one who wanted to be sure before he made a decision. Too many people ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Day He Quit Doubting

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 6, 2020

Thomas refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead. He even stated what proof he would need in order to believe. But when he saw the risen Lord, everything changed!

Introduction: Thomas isn’t mentioned often in Scripture, but there are examples for each one of us in each instance. We’ve seen that he, like us, had his share of unsettling experiences, as in John 11. Like him, we’ve probably had questions over some of the things, perhaps new revelation or ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Unwanted Christmas Gift

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 8, 2020

We’re heading into the Christmas season, and in a few weeks we’ll be looking at gifts under the Christmas tree. What was the best or worst Christmas gift that you remember?

How many of you can remember a Christmas gift that you wanted, oh, so badly? Illustration: For me, one of the best gifts ever came to me way back in 1967 when I was in grade school. There was a toy truck called the “Johnny Express (TM) that I wanted so bad, I could taste it (a figure of speech we ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12, James 2:19

Denomination: Baptist

The Banquet And The Battle

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 10, 2020

A free meal almost cost this king his life!

Background: the kingdom of Israel, or the ten northern tribes, had been at peace with Syria for three years. Peace didn’t seem to last very long back then, and Ahab, king of Israel, now decided to reconquer a city which had been lost to Syria. Apparently it was still under Syria’s control. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Memorable Things For Memorial Day

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 10, 2020

Paul had lived through numerous things that could be called memorable. Philippi was one place where some of these memorable events took place.

Note: this is in a "talking paper" format. Introduction: This is the weekend where we celebrate Memorial Day. For many people, it’s time to enjoy the first 3-day weekend since February! Too many people think too little about the reason we celebrate: to honor those who gave all, including ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”—simon Peter

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock 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

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The First Easter Morning: They Remembered, They Returned, They Reported

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock 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

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Judas: The Tale Of A Traitor

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 17, 2020

Nobody knew Judas was going to be a traitor--except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: this message is structured as a "textual" message, in that the texts are structured to show the progression and true agenda of Judas Iscariot. Introduction: Can you think of anyone who is a worse influence than a traitor? A traitor, by definition, is one who pretends to be loyal to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:4-5, John 12:4-6, Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:25, Matthew 27:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist