Sermons on Jonathan:

Following Jesus, My Decision For Baptism Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 14, 2022

Philip was doing a great work in Samaria when the Holy Spirit sent him on what seemed a strange mission: go to Gaza, a desert region, and then get into a chariot. He obeyed, an Ethiopian official believed, and followed the Lord in baptism.

Foreword: Full disclosure, I am a Southern Baptist and present this message from that perspective. Water baptism is part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28, Mark 16, e.g.) and is mentioned in connection with belief and with becoming a disciple. It is readily admitted there are others who hold ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus: But What Happens When I Blow It? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 21, 2022

Even a saint like Peter "blew it" when he denied he knew Jesus. Eventually he was restored to a place of service for the Lord. What happens, or what should I do, when I blow it?

Note: (Edited from a sermon preached in August 2022 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO) Introduction: One reality few of us as believers want to admit is that first, we were born sinners. Paul wrote “All have sinned and come short of God’s Glory (Romans 3:23, paraphrased)” and none of us would ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus, Even Through Trials And Tests Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 28, 2022

James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, knew about trials and tests. His words to believers of his day are just as true for us of these days, too. In a sentence, he'd say "Endure the test and receive a reward".

Full disclosure: this is edited from a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO in August 2022 Introduction: Many of us think following Jesus is going to be a walk in the park, so to speak, but that isn’t always true. Certainly, as He promised, He’s there with us, but trials and tests ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: An Unlikely Hero Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 2, 2022

Gideon didn't have much going for him but he had faith in the LORD. That was enough and God used him in a mighty way--after this first encounter, that is.

(Note: This message is edited from a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on October 9. 2022 and is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Gideon is mentioned here in Judges and he’s also one of those in the “Hebrews Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. I have to confess, the first ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

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

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