Sermons on Granted:

Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2022

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. Let's look at Jesus' parables in Matthew.

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. “All of them have stubborn minds! They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 CEV) Shepherds We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2022

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed?

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed? A Leper What did Jesus say when healing a leper? “Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t say anything to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Triumph & Suffering

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 12, 2022

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory.

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory. Prophecy Before Christ comes back there will be much suffering for the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Salvation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2022

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23).

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23). Eternal Salvation Eternal salvation is often referred ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:20, Matthew 10:28, Jude 1:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2022

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together.

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together. Repent & Believe What do repentance and belief have to do with salvation? Feeling sorry for ourselves but refusing to change does nothing. But, grief with repentance leads to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Mark 1:14-15, Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Faith?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2022

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included?

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included? “I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NLT) Repentance is also from unbelief to faith. Are good works evidence ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, Hebrews 11:1, Jude 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Works Or Not?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 14, 2022

Doing good works is a very controversial topic among Christians, because they are either overemphasized or underemphasized. It’s hard to find the balance, but the scriptures are the best help.

Doing good works is a very controversial topic among Christians, because they are either overemphasized or underemphasized. It’s hard to find the balance, but the scriptures are the best help, if we’ll listen to them instead of blindly accepting the prejudices of men. There are several factors to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:29, James 2:14-26, Matthew 16:27

Denomination: Baptist

The Age Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 19, 2022

We don’t need to be divided over the topic of baptism. Biblically, there is room for our preferences without disunity, if we ask simple questions. What does the Bible really require? What does the Bible leave up to us?

We don’t need to be divided over the topic of baptism. Biblically, there is room for our preferences without disunity, if we ask simple questions. What does the Bible really require? What does the Bible leave up to us? Let’s look more deeply into baptism than narrow ideas may allow. Age of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-23, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, Colossians 2:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Mode Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 20, 2022

What does the Bible mandate about the mode of baptism?

Eisegesis is a bad way to read the Bible. It means to read into the text things that are actually not there at all. One common example is reading that Jesus came up out of the water after being immersed. The text simply does not say that at all. “So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:16, 1 Corinthians 10:2, Luke 12:50, Revelation 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

Confirmation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 22, 2022

Is confirmation biblical? Does it have anything to do with the biblical doctrine of laying on of hands?

Infant baptism is neither mandated nor forbidden in the New Testament but has forerunners in the Old Testament. In adult baptism, water and laying on of hands occur as one ceremony. Infant baptism often separates the use of water and laying on of hands by many years. The author of Hebrews teaches ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-2, Matthew 10:32, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Contemporary Heaven

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 27, 2022

What does heaven look like now?

What does heaven look like now? Paradise A first glimpse of heaven was the garden. The word Paradise means a garden or park reminiscent of the garden of Eden. What did Jesus tell the thief on the cross? “Jesus replied, ‘I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:43 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Revelation 22:1-2, Acts 7:55-56

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Eternity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 27, 2022

Let’s briefly explore some prophecies of heaven. Though heaven may be timeless, the Bible speaks of heaven’s eternity in human terms.

Let’s briefly explore some prophecies of heaven. Though heaven may be timeless, the Bible speaks of heaven’s eternity in human terms. At Hand The first thing we may notice is that heaven is at hand. What does that mean? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2 CEV) “From ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17, Luke 10:20, John 5:28-29, Luke 20:37-38, Revelation 21:9-10, Revelation 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Three & One?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 27, 2022

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one?

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one? God’s Oneness The central prayer of Jewish prayer life is the Shema Yisrael (??? ?????) after its first words in Hebrew, “Hear, O Israel.” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 28:19

Denomination: Baptist

God As Father

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2022

God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why?

Studying God as Father is called patriology or paterology. God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why? Is God a Father even to orphans? “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:26

Denomination: Baptist

God The Son

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 2, 2022

Who is Jesus? What does the Bible reveal about Him?

A study of Christ, the second Person of the Trinity is called Christology. Who is He? What does the Bible reveal about Him? Who did God say Jesus is? “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 KJV cf. Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:5, John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist