Sermons on Bishop John Shelby Spong:

Who Are You? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 30, 2024

Explores proclaiming Christ's praises, perceiving His truth, and persisting in faith amidst opposition, emphasizing Christ's all-encompassing, all-sufficient grace.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It's a joy to be with you today, as we gather together in our Father's house, under the banner of His love, to bask in the beauty of His Word and to celebrate the life we share in Him. Today, we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, a book that is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:15-19

Topics: John, Witness

Passionate For God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 11, 2024

This sermon explores the themes of Christ's sacrifice, salvation, and our call to surrender to His sovereignty, as revealed in John 20:1-18.

Good morning, dear ones, gathered here in the name of our Lord. Today, we stand on the cusp of a great revelation, a revelation that will not only stir our hearts but also transform our lives. Today, we will open the Word of God, John 20:1-18 and allow its truth to resonate within us. In the words ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Topics: Hebrews, John

Preparing For Christmas, John's Style

Contributed by Mari Larson on Dec 17, 2018

Preparing for Christmas beyond decorating trees and writing cards.

I have done it, and I cannot undo it. I have equated social media with that/this wild-eyed picture of John the Baptist. “You brood of vipers.” Polarizing. Negative. Scary, even. I hear some of you giggling, and I see you smiling. You know what I’m talking about. There’s a lot of speaking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Announcing Elijah's Return Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 13, 2016

Elijah had already appeared, and they did not know it. Jesus had identified him.

Luke 1:5-25 Announcing Elijah’s Return 12/5/04 D. Marion Clark Introduction Halfway through the books of the Bible that present the story of the kings of Israel, a prophet suddenly appears – Elijah the Tishbite. He announces to the wicked king Ahab, “As the Lord the God of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

John The Baptist (Luke 3:1-18)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 12, 2007

My favourite sermon. JB is always the herald of Christmas for me - a guy with an attitude that is a long way from the fat elf in his red plush suit! ...

The season of Christmas is upon us! At what point did this realisation hit you? * When you saw decorations going up in shopping centres - something which always seems to happen way to early (ie. October)? * When your family first rang you to organise a Christmas luncheon or dinner, which never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Prayer: Our Most Powerful Weapon Series

Contributed by Daniel De Bruin on Nov 5, 2015

The one thing the enemy wants to stop a believer from doing daily; is prayer. Prayer is the thing that every believer can not do without, whether you are newly converted, Senoir pastor or Bishop.

The one thing the enemy wants to stop a believer from doing daily; is prayer. Prayer is the thing that every believer can not do without, whether you are newly converted, Senoir pastor or Bishop. The problem that we experience though is that people do not know what power they possess in prayer. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-14

Denomination: Bible Church

Choosing A Church Based On The Preacher

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 16, 2022

What criteria should a layperson use to determine which church to attend? It is vital for preachers and bishops to understand the concept. Preachers have the responsibility to present the Bible accurately and to encourage the people to follow it.

Choosing a Church Based on the Preacher John 4:43-54? Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz ?43 After athe two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified ?that aa prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans ?received Him, ahaving seen ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: United Methodist

Lay Baptism & Lay Evangelism (John 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2025

Who baptizes and who evangelizes in our church? Let's look at John 4.

Can ordinary disciples baptize under supervision? Can a novice evangelize? Is a future evangelist waiting somewhere for us to arrive? Do we allow living water from heaven to flow through us? Is our food to do God’s will? Do we share what others need to hear? Let’s examine John 4. Who performed the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

That They May Be One (A Sermon On John Chapter 17)

Contributed by David Smith on Jun 3, 2008

Jesus said, "I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name, the name that you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one." (John 17:11)

“Kiss me Hardy” “Et Tu, Brute” “Strike the tents!” What do these statements have in common? They were each the last words of famous men (Lord Nelson, Julius Caesar and Robert E. Lee, respectively). Let me add one from a famous woman: "Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames!" ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26, John 17:11-17

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Are You A Messenger?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 12, 2008

Applying the life of John the Baptist to our own.

Are you a Messenger? Matthew 11:1-19 Introduction Since there is only one more message left in the series “Loving the Lord”, which we will cover on Sunday, tonight’s message takes a slight detour. Tonight I wanted to look at a passage in the Word which deals directly with a messenger sent by the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trying Times - "The Truth Shall Set You Free" Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Aug 9, 2013

In review of, "What if John 3:16, were not true?"

Trying Times – “The Truth Shall Set You Free” by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (5/29/2013, 6/1/2013, 6/15/2013, 6/18/2013, 6/22/2013, 6/29/2013, 7/6/2013, 7/11/2013, 7/15/2013, 7/21/2013, 7/30/2013, 8/07/2013, 8/8/2013, 8/9/2013) “There was a man sent from God, whose ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-51

Denomination: Friends

Apostle; James The Great Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 1, 2014

Today local churches send missionaries. -- it is best to call them missionaries, to keep some folks from being confused, if they were referred to as apostles, some folks might think of them as being like the Twelve Apostles, and the Apostle Paul.

#6~ APOSTLE; JAMES THE GREAT 1-11-14 * JAMES -- name of four men in the New Testament: 1~ James, the son of Zebedee brother of John, both were apostles. 2 ~ James, a son of Mary, half brother of Jesus, he was not a member of the apostolic band, and not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Expectations

Contributed by Craig Condon on Dec 9, 2016

Have you ever been in a situation where people did not live up to the hopes and expectations you had for them? If so, you can probably understand why John the Baptist was confused in the reading we heard from Matthew’s Gospel.

Have you ever been in a situation where people did not live up to the hopes and expectations you had for them? If so, you can probably understand why John the Baptist was confused in the reading we heard from Matthew’s Gospel. Why was he confused? There are two possible reasons. One is that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Anglican

His Courage Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2017

How would you define courage? Would you agree that it would take courage to continue to speak the truth even if it meant imprisonment and death? That would certainly be courageous.

-AD 25-27- Judean Wilderness His Courage Matthew 14:4-12, Luke 3:19-20 How would you define courage? Would you agree that it would take courage to continue to speak the truth even if it meant imprisonment and death? That would certainly be courageous. Many people thought that John the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:4-12, Luke 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Right Church Leadership (1 Timothy 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 6, 2024

Do we have the right to reinterpret Paul's inspired qualifications for elders and deacons, adapting them to a sinful society? Let's find out in 1 Timothy 3.

Do we have any authority to ignore Paul’s inspired qualifications for elders and deacons? Do we have any authority for man-made requirements? Do we have any authority to ordain women as elders? Do we trust that God inspired Paul with instructions for all time, or do we bend them to suit the whims ...read more

Denomination: Baptist