Sermons on Jonathan:

Jeremiah’s Unusual Purchases: A Clay Jar Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 13, 2021

A simple jar of clay was bought and then broken. God used something as simple as this for an object lesson.

Introduction: clay jars, or “earthen vessels (KJV)” have been in use for thousands of years. These jars came and still come in various sizes, colors, and so on. Even when these jars were broken (they’re just clay, after all) the pieces could be and were used for notes, receipts, and the like ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 19:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Jeremiah’s Unusual Purchases: His Cousin’s Occupied Field Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 15, 2021

Jerusalem was surrounded with the army of Babylon laying siege to the city. During that time, Jeremiah's cousin came to visit Jeremiah and offer Jeremiah one of the strangest real estate deals in history!

Introduction: Jeremiah had been instructed by the LORD to make at least two unusual purchases. First, the LORD told him to buy a linen waistband (“girdle”, KJV) the wear it, and then bury the thing many miles away in a place where it was practically guaranteed to be ruined (see Jer.13:1-11for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Version Of The Christmas Story Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 15, 2020

Sometimes it isn't easy to explain the Christmas story, or the reason why Jesus was born into this world. For a good number of people in Galatia, they didn't understand so Paul was led to explain it to them.

Introduction: many of us are familiar with the stories of Jesus’ birth, as recorded in Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels. Paul seemed to know the story, too, but he never seemed to say much about it in his messages or his letters. He did explain the story to the Galatian believers, though, and this ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-5, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The First Christmas-Mary Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 19, 2020

Mary was a young Jewish virgin who received the surprise of her life one day! The angel Gabriel appeared to her and explained that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah! What happened then?

Introduction: the first Christmas was important to many people, three in particular. Besides Baby Jesus Himself, there were Mary, His mother after the flesh; and Joseph, chosen by God to be the foster father of the Son of God (what a challenge!). This message focuses on Mary first, because there is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-56, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The First Christmas-Joseph Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 23, 2020

Joseph is really the unsung hero of the Christmas story. He did have a crucial role to play, and best of all, he obeyed God when he was told to do something. Joseph, we salute you!

Introduction: Joseph, the husband of Mary, could be called the unsung hero of the Christmas story. He was a just or righteous man, he obeyed the instructions he received from God, and he also obeyed the command or decree from the Roman emperor when he was told he had to go to Bethlehem, home of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:21-24, Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The First Christmas-The Magi Or Wise Men Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 29, 2020

Even though the Magi or "wise men" have had a Christmas carol or two (or more) written about them, they're only mentioned in one paragraph of Matthew's Gospel. They came from a far distance, worshiped the Christ Child, and then went back home, never to be heard from again.

Introduction: the shepherds of Bethlehem were the only recorded visitors to go see Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus on the night He was born. Sometime later, Matthew recorded that “wise men (KJV)” or magi (several other translations) came to Jerusalem. The purpose of their visit was to worship the One ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham—the Journey Begins Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 1, 2021

Abraham' first appears in Scripture as Abram, son of Terah, born in Ur of the Chaldees. He received a message from the LORD and obeyed Him. His journey from Ur to Canaan wasn't the end of the journey!

Introduction: One of the most important human figures in the entire Bible is Abraham. We know more of his later years than his early years, but even so, his story is fascinating. He had no written copies of the Scriptures, as far as we know, but he had faith and for him that was enough. These ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham-The First Test Of His Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 4, 2021

Abram had obeyed God and moved his household to the land of Canaan. While there, he experienced the first severe test of his new faith. How did he respond to this challenge?

Introduction: Abram had left Ur of the Chaldees and was now living in the land of Canaan. He had settled, at least for the time being, south of Bethel and Ai. The exact location is not given in the text. When a real problem came, Abram experienced his first significant test of faith. How would he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: When He Rescued His Nephew, Lot Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 6, 2021

Lot and Abram, plus their respective households, separated from one another. Lot and his group chose to settle near Sodom. War broke out and Lot was captured. Abram came and rescued him!

Introduction: After Abram and his household were ordered to leave Egypt, they returned to Canaan. Genesis 13 describes how Abram and Lot both realized there wasn’t enough room (and probably food) for both of them to live together. Abram gave Lot the first choice and said that he would go in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham- No Child, No Problem--Or So They Thought Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 13, 2021

The LORD had promised Abram and Sarai a child. After ten additional years, and no child, they decided to help God out. The results weren't exactly what they expected.

Introduction: Genesis 15 has the story where Abram asked God a question after God had told him, “I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward (Gen. 15:1, paraphrased). Abram’s question was “What will You give me? I’m childless, and the only heir I have is Eliezer of Damascus (Gen 15:2, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: Good News And Good Laughs? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 18, 2021

Abraham saw three Visitors near his tent. How he, Sarah, and the Visitors interacted makes for a very interesting story. One of these Visitors had a special message for Abraham and for Sarah.

Introduction: Genesis 17 describes two events in Abram’s life which took place after Ishamel was born. First, God appeared to him and revealed another of His Names as “the Almighty God” or “El Shaddai”. Then, God established a covenant (firm and binding contract) with Abram, God changed Abram’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: Same Lie, Different Country Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 22, 2021

Abraham and his household moved to another area. What happened when they met this new king looks very similar to something they had tried many years before. It didn't work in this new location, either.

Introduction: After the events of Genesis 19, Abraham left Mamre/Hebron and journeyed southwest towards the Mediterranean Sea. He entered the land of the Philistines and settled at Gerar, between Kadesh and Shur. While there, he told the same lie about Sarah; only to a different king (compare this ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: When It Was Time For Some To Leave Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 27, 2021

Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah in their old age, was finally born! Sometime later, Abraham prepared a great feast to celebrate a milestone in Isaac's life. Something happened, and some found they had to leave. For good.

Introduction: Abraham must have dearly loved Ishmael, his first-born son. Abraham had watched Ishmael grow to young manhood, even making sure he was circumcised along with Abraham and every male in the household. But now, something was about to happen, and Ishmael along with Hagar, his mother, were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: The Offering He Didn't Want To Make Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 29, 2021

Abraham was told to make a special offering. He didn't want to do it, but he didn't want to disobey the LORD, either. What could he do? What did he do?

Introduction: Several years have come and gone since Isaac was weaned (Genesis 21) and this encounter. Abraham had made a number of altars and had offered several sacrifices since he had come to Canaan, but this was an offering he didn’t want to make. Even so, he obeyed God and received a reward ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: A Final Look Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 3, 2021

The last years of Abraham's life have less coverage than his middle years, between leaving Ur and settling in Beersheba. Even so, several events happened, so let's take a last look at Abraham's live

Introduction: Abraham, like most Bible characters, had his high and low points. The highest point, arguably, would be the episode where he was commanded to offer Isaac as a burnt offering but was stopped before he actually did so (Genesis 22). The last years of Abraham’s life don’t have much ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-2, Genesis 24:1-9, Genesis 25:1-10, Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist