Sermons on Jonathan:

A Veteran’s Day/Thanksgiving Day Message Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 18, 2022

There's only a couple of weeks between Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving Day. This message is an attempt to combine features of each holiday.

(Note: Based on and edited from a message preached November 13, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day in honor of the Armistice ending the First World War. This Armistice took place on “the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Thanksgiving Meal—in The Springtime! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 22, 2022

Barley harvest--springtime--may not be the time when people think about Thanksgiving Day meals. During Elisha's day, a pair of miracles made a small meal into a real feast!

(Full disclosure: Sermon Central has accepted two of my different illustrations based on this text. This message is not merely a combination of those illustrations.) Introduction: What do you think of when you’re pondering a Thanksgiving Day meal? For many years, it’s a more or less American ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:38-44, Ruth 3:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

First Sunday In Advent: The Hope Candle Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 1, 2022

Hope. Something everyone needs. This message describes times when hope seemed gone but reminds us that Jesus provides hope!

(Modified from a message preached at FBC Chamois, MO on 11-27-2022; not an exact transcription) Introduction: This is the first Sunday in the Advent season, the four or so Sundays before Christmas Day. Now I understand that some churches believe in using these candles and some don’t; and there is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Second Sunday In Advent: The Prophecy Candle Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 7, 2022

There were many prophecies about Jesus. This message covers a few of them. There's an illustration at the end that has spoken to me for many years.

(Based on and edited from a message preached at FBC Chamois, MO on 12-04-2022. This is not an exact transcription) Introduction: Last week we lit the Hope candle and this week, we have two. In addition to the hope candle, this week is the prophecy candle, following one of the patterns I found on ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:24-27, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Third Sunday In Advent: The Joy Candle Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 16, 2022

The shepherds of Bethlehem experienced the first Christmas when the saw the angel, the heavenly host, and ultimately Baby Jesus Himself! We may never know joy like they did, but we can still have joy, too.

(Note: This message is based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Chamois, MO on December 11, 2022. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: This is the third Sunday in the Advent season. Today’s focus is on joy, and if there was ever a need for joy, it’s these days! In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Fourth Sunday In Advent: Love Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 23, 2022

We sometimes hear a lot about love during Advent and the Christmas season. May we never forget the incredible love God has for us. John 3 isn't usually a Christmas text but what Jesus said there is good for Christmas, too.

(Based on and edited from a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on 12-18-22. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: There is no greater expression of love, anywhere, when we think about how Jesus left Heaven to come to this earth, to be born like us, live with us, die ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-When He Came Back To Bethel Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 9, 2022

Jacob had met the LORD at Bethel when he fled from Esau, his brother. Now, some twenty years later, he's on his way back to Bethel but things are much different than before.

Foreword: Full disclosure, there is a message on this site, which I prepared, called “Back to Bethel” in a series about Bethel experiences. This message here is not a rehash of the previous message, but, as both messages are based on the same text, some overlap in probably unavoidable but is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-7, Leviticus 8:24, Genesis 28:10-22, Deuteronomy 21:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-When He Had To Deal With Losses Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 15, 2022

Jacob had his share of blessings but he also endured a number of losses. This message gives some glimpses of what he endured and how he dealt with these situations.

Introduction: Jacob had to deal with bad things as well as good things during his earthly journey. He thought he had received the paternal blessing as well as the birthright but he lost as much, if not more, than he gained because of this. Now Jacob is going to experience a number of “hits”. 1 He ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-Glimpses Of His Twilight Years Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 18, 2022

The next to last chapters of Jacob's life are like a quiet period between his arrival in Hebron and his final earthly journey to Egypt. He endured several things but there is no record he ever lost his faith.

Introduction: After Jacob and his household returned to Hebron (Gen. 35:27), he seemed to settle down to a life of farming and ranching. Isaac, his father, had died; he was at peace with his brother Esau; and it seemed all would be going well for him in his twilight years. But several things were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:31-35, Genesis 42:1-5, Genesis 43:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-When He Heard Some Very Good News Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 27, 2022

Jacob had been told his favorite son, Joseph, had been killed many years before this incident took place. Then he received some very good news that changed everything for him!

Introduction: Jacob had believed Joseph, his favorite son, had been killed many years before. Now he not only heard the news, but saw proof, Joseph was alive. This was some of the best news Jacob had ever heard! 1 The good news when he heard about Joseph being still alive Text: Genesis 45:25-28, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:25-28, Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 46:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob- Approaching The Finish Line Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 2, 2022

Jacob had relocated to Egypt thanks to all Joseph had done. While there Jacob realized he was approaching the finish line for his earthly journey. He also did something very special for two of his grandsons.

Introduction: At this stage of his life, Jacob was 130 years of age, and had relocated to Egypt thanks to his son Joseph. What Jacob may have thought of this, that his son was the second most powerful man in Egypt and maybe one of the most influential in that part of the world, is never known. But ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 47:7-10, Genesis 47:27-31, Genesis 48:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob- His Almost Final Journey Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 7, 2022

This last message covers the last words of Jacob before he died. Even though he does not live on this earth, his journey is not yet complete.

Introduction: The end of any project, whether a report, book manuscript, or even messages like these are always bittersweet, in my opinion. There’s always the question of did I add too much or not enough; did I really think this through; perhaps other things as well. Through this look at Jacob’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 11:1-18

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 10, 2022

Peter faced a challenge after he had preached the Gospel to Cornelius. This first section of Acts 11 gives his answer to the charges against him. Good things happened at the end, though!

Introduction: This first section of Acts 11, verses 1-18, describes Peter’s response to those who were upset he had eaten with Gentiles. This would certainly be Cornelius’ household in Caesarea (see Acts 10), but the Jews in Judea didn’t have all the facts. Peter gave a step by step account of what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Be Fruitful Series

Contributed by Jonathan Giles on Jun 27, 2022

The divine design is for man to steward creation. Nothing's changed.

The Lord was not mistaken when he put man in the Garden of Eden and he said, 'tend and keep it'. The divine design of creation is perfect. For all the problems we have, the answer is to return to the Lord and His ways. The word says covetousness is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5) We ...read more

An Outline Of Acts 11:19-30

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 29, 2022

Acts 11:19-30 gives an account of how the Church reached as far away as Antioch, nearly 300 miles from Jerusalem. A group of unknown missionaries went to Antioch, then Barnabas came, and then so did Saul.

Introduction: The second part of Acts 11 covers two different scenarios, probably a few years apart. First, Luke describes the growth of the Church and how the Gospel reached as far away as Antioch. Then he adds a brief note, where one of the New Testament prophets—Agabus—made a prediction about a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist