Sermons on Jonathan:

The Unwanted Christmas Gift Series

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 Series

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 Series

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

When Mary Cared Enough To Give Her Very Best

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 21, 2020

Ever heard the phrase, "no good deed ever goes unpunished"? Mary of Bethany may have felt that way when she showed Jesus how much she loved Him.

Based on a sermon preached at Carrington Baptist Church, Fulton, MO 3-08-2015. (This is not an exact transcription.} Background Many events took place during the last several days before Jesus died on Calvary. He had left the area some time before, according to John chapter 11, and had stayed ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Simon Peter: From Fisherman To Follower

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 21, 2020

The 11 disciples had already gone to Galilee as Jesus had commanded (see Matthew 28:10). Some of the disciples decided to follow Simon Peter and once again begin fishing. But they saw Jesus another time and that changed everything, at least for one disciple!

Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Glasgow, MO on July 27, 2014. This is not an exact transcription. Background: The 11 disciples had already gone to Galilee as Jesus had commanded (see Matthew 28:10). Nothing seems to have happened in the meantime so some of the disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way: When Abram Went To Egypt Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 28, 2020

The phrase "go thy way" appears several times in the King James Version of the Bible. This first message speaks of Abram and how he got into trouble in a foreign land!

Introduction: Even the best of God’s saints will face problems at one time or another. Abram had his share of troubles, too, and the passage below gives a few details of one episode which Abram would probably just as soon forget! When famine came, Abram left the land of promise and wound up in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Go Thy Way”: Solomon’s Musings From Ecclesiastes 9 And Song 1 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 30, 2020

Solomon used the phrase "go thy way" twice, but in very different situations. Here is a glimpse at both of them.

Introduction: Solomon. The son of David, the king of Israel, he was the wisest man who ever lived. Sadly, he was also the first king of Israel to forsake his heritage, promises, and faith in order to please his pagan wives. Which picture of Solomon is right? Both of these are right. It’s simply ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:7, Song of Songs 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way: Gehazi, On A Mission Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 31, 2020

A distraught mother came to the prophet Elisha. Gehazi was Elisha's servant so Elisha sent him on this mission of mercy. What happened?

Introduction: Suppose your son or daughter died unexpectedly. Now suppose your child had been the result of a promise, but that child is gone, seemingly, forever. Then suppose you were able to find a prophet, especially the one who assured you that your child was going to be born. What might ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way, Daniel: When Your Questions Aren’t Answered Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 1, 2020

Daniel was known for his wisdom and abilities to make things known. But when he asked a certain question of the Lord, he didn't get the answer he was expecting!

Introduction The Book of Daniel is a favorite book for many people. The story of how he stood for God in a pagan land is familiar to most believers. Some of my relatives used to read from “The Bible Story” collection stories about Daniel and his friends, many times over. I’ve never forgotten those ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way: The First Time Jesus Used This Phrase Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 6, 2020

Relationships matter. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had much to say about right relationships between His disciples, God--and each other. This is the first time Jesus used the phrase, "go thy way",

Introduction: The Sermon on the Mount. How many of us love this passage of Scripture? Even though this was not the first message Jesus ever preached, He did preach it, and it was one of the longest messages anyone heard Him speak. He started this message with the Beatitudes, a series of sayings ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

David,-The Shepherd Boy Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 7, 2020

David was perhaps Israel's greatest king. He wasn't born into a royal family, and didn't meet the guidelines some might have expected of a king, but God chose him. And that was enough.

Introduction: David was a very colorful character in the Bible. From a humble beginning in life, God used him to accomplish many things, eventually becoming king over all Israel. Not every person will have a “shepherd-to-scepter” life or encounter, such as what happened to David. Every believer in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

David, The Soldier Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 11, 2020

Israel faced an enemy and thought they couldn't possibly defeat them. Goliath was a secret weapon, nearly ten feet tall and full of hatred for Israel. Then came a shepherd boy named David--and the rest is history.

Introduction: David had learned some of the arts of defense by tending his flock of sheep. Lions, bears, and perhaps other predators were always looking for sheep so it was up to the shepherd to protect them. After Samuel had anointed him (to be the future king), David had served Saul in a number ...read more

Denomination: Baptist