Sermons on Jonathan:

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 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

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

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

Daniel—the Captive Prince

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 1, 2020

Daniel was captured and taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. While there, he faced a number of challenges. How he faced these could well be an inspiration for us even today.

Daniel—the captive prince Introduction: Daniel is one of the most well-known people in the whole Bible. Phrases like “the writing on the wall” and “thrown to the lions” are based on events in Daniel’s life—and he actually lived through these events, and more. He had the chance to reject the God of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Daniel—understanding A Dream

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 7, 2020

The king of Babylon had a dream that bothered him, but nobody could tell him the dream or what it meant. Daniel offered to do this very thing. After Daniel prayed, God showed Daniel the dream and its meaning.

Introduction: After the events of chapter 1, Daniel and his three close friends were part of the king of Babylon’s staff. At a certain unspecified point, the king had a dream which he simply could not understand or figure out. When the other wise men could not tell the king what he had dreamed, he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Daniel’s Friends: "But If Not—“

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 8, 2020

Suppose your employer or ruler demanded you worship an image or idol, and would be put to death if you refused? That happened to Daniel's three friends, who were willing to die for their faith before ever bowing down to any other god besides the God of Israel.

Daniel’s friends: “But if not—“ Introduction: Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon during Daniel’s youth, certainly did not lack a sense of ego or self-importance. In chapter 2, he made an impossible demand on Babylon’s wise men, instructing them to repeat the king’s dream and what it meant or else ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? The pandemic caused us to scrap plans and revise them. So what's the Lord's plan on in all of this? Does he have one? What's it look like?

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? It feels like whenever I’ve made a plan during the last week, it needs to be changed every couple of hours. Last weekend we gathered in this place for worship with some precautionary modifications, and at the end of the service I said, “We’ll ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Lutheran

What To Expect Leading Up To Jesus' Return?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Who is winning? Churches stand empty or partially filled as compared to last year. How does Jesus expect us to make it through? "Look around and listen!" told his disciples and tells us.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking through the busy city of Jerusalem, the disciples began to comment how impressive this place was. No matter how many times they had been there before, they couldn’t help but be amazed by the great structures that surrounded them: Herod’s palace, the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Palm Sunday Praise And Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Palm Sunday turns us from the for-awhile to the forever.

It must have been quite the sight, the people lining the lingering road that lead from the Mount of Olives down and then up into the city of Jerusalem. People were scrambling to get a glimpse of the man who they heard about, but maybe never got a chance to actually see themselves. This wasn’t the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran