Sermons on Jonathan:

Gideon: The Two Tests He Had To Pass Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 5, 2022

Gideon had met the Angel of the LORD face to face, one day, and that night, received a message from the LORD. That message contained instructions for two of the most difficult things Gideon would ever be asked to do.

(Note: this message is based on and edited from a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Chamois, MO on 10-16-2022 but is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Gideon had just realized he saw the Angel of the LORD and was probably trying to take it all in. He was one of only a few people ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: When The Lord Gave Him The Promised Victory Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 9, 2022

Military strategists would have laughed out loud if they had heard God's strategy for defeating the enemies of Israel during Gideon's day. Gideon,though, followed these instructions to the letter and God gave Israel a great victory!

Introduction: Some of the military’s greatest strategists mentioned never going into action against the enemy unless you have two or three times more of everything than they do. Gideon had blown the trumpet, basically the same thing as declaring war against Israel’s enemies, and many of the local ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Fifth Sunday In Advent: The Christ Candle Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 27, 2022

This candle, according to some customs, represents the birth of Jesus Himself. This message contains excerpts from one of Dr Martin Luther's Christmas sermons preached nearly 500 years ago!

Edited from a message preached 12-25-2022 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO. This is not an exact transcription. Introduction: It’s good to see you here today as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Christmas Day only falls on a Sunday every dozen years or so, as I recall, so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-18, Galatians 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Good, The Bad, & The Snuggly

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Jesus points to our salvation by the Father's grace alone, not by our works--first through a parable, and then in action as He welcomes children (even infants).

The Word of God that engages us today is our Gospel reading from Luke 18. And in our Gospel reading, Jesus challenges the presuppositions of those around Him. Our Gospel reading is really broken down into two sections—and quite often you’ll get a sermon on one or the other, as if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice In The Lord, Always In The Lord

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Beyond our three decades of ministry, and in spite of the terrors of this world, we have great reason to rejoice in the Lord! (Context of sermon: Preached on our Congregation's Rally Day and 30th Anniversary.)

[Singing] “This is the day / This is the day / That the Lord has made / That the Lord has made / I will rejoice / I will rejoice / And be glad in it / And be glad in it!” I worked at a camp in Wisconsin one summer, and we sang this song every day. Every. Sin-gle. Morning. It was the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Reunion Of Saints

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 7, 2016

On All Saints Day, we join in a family celebration made possible by our Triune God. All Saints Day is not a day of mourning the dead, but a day of celebrating the life we have in Christ, and a chance to look ahead at the joys before us!

Some kids were outside at recess playing on the school playground, as kids do. And, as kids do, they began teasing one another. But the thing is, kids, you know, when they’re teasing, don’t always have a good understanding of how far is too far. And so, these kids start to pick ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

There Is An Hedge Around You

Contributed by Seun Jonathan on May 5, 2017

A Message to stir up Christians to always praise God for the protection that He gives us. Even though unseen, there is a hedge of protection that God gives everywhere we go.

Text: Job 1: 6-10 King James Version (KJV) 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6

Solus Christus | Christ Alone

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Oct 4, 2017

For October 2017, as we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we are doing a sermon series on the "solas": Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura; and 2 others added, Soli Deo Gloria, and Solus Christus. This is the first of the series.

We’re beginning a new sermon series for the month of October, as we finally lead up to the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. It’s a series called SOLA! Sola is the Latin word for “alone” or “only.” It’s where we get the word “solo,” where ONLY one person is singing or performing or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Sola Fide | Faith Alone

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Oct 23, 2017

For October 2017, as we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we are doing a sermon series on the "solas": Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura; and 2 others added, Soli Deo Gloria, and Solus Christus. This is the fourth of the series.

Over one billion dollars. That's what insurance companies estimate in covering the damages caused by wildfires in California—and that’s just what was insured! I’m sure you’ve seen it in the news or online. The destruction caused by these flames has been absolutely awful. Over 8,400 structures ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Lutheran