Sermons on Granted:

Justified By Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

How can we be made right in God's sight? Can we believe Jesus and disobey Him?

Does Paul teach that all nations are equally sinful and the only way for any of us to be justified is by faith? Do we then have peace with God through whom? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV) Is it a disobedient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

New Holy Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

Does the new life in Christ mean we can be careless about sin or careful to live sin free? Is holiness important or is that just self-righteousness?

May we Christians just believe and not obey Jesus Christ? Can we be attached to the vine and not bear fruit? So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? (Romans 6:2 CEB) May we return to living ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Flesh And Spirit

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 25, 2023

How do the flesh and the Spirit war against one another within each of us? How do we deal with an imperfect church and a perfect Savior?

How do the flesh and Spirit affect our lives and our relationship to the law? Is the law pictured as the husband of the soul in a similar manner as a man is to his wife? Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Condemnation In Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 15, 2023

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Let's find out in Romans 8.

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1-2 NASB) Was God’s law weak ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Special Vessels

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2023

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Let's find out in Romans 9.

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Are the chosen people Jews or Christians or both? Let’s begin by asking, did Paul love his fellow Jews? I’m speaking the truth in Christ—I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit: 2 I have great sadness and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Prejudices (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2023

Jesus told us to get out of our comfort zones and spread the good news. How are we doing?

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20. They Worshiped Him Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Belief In Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2023

Is belief in Jesus important for both Jews and Gentiles?

What makes people acceptable to God? Let’s begin with Paul’s prayer for Israel? Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire is for Israel’s salvation. That’s my prayer to God for them. (Romans 10:1 CEB) What was Israel’s biggest issue? Can Christians have the same problem? I know they love God, but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Countercultural Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2023

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26.

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26. How did Jesus call some of His disciples? Is that a picture for anyone who chooses to follow Him? As Jesus passed on from there, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Baptist

Has God Rejected Israel?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2023

Has God rejected Israel? Let's let Paul answer that question in Romans 11.

Paul answers an important question. So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! I’m an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1 CEB) Were some in Israel faithful? God did not turn his back on his chosen people. Don't you remember reading in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living Sacrifices

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 17, 2023

How can we apply the sacrificial laws in the Spirit to Christian worship? Let's find out in Romans 12.

How do we apply the spirit of the sacrificial laws to Christian worship? Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1 NASB) Have worldly values ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obedient Citizens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023

Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.

Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to. Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Ready?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 9, 2023

Are we ready for Jesus? Does He even know us?

Are we prepared for Christ’s Coming? Let’s learn how in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:1-2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance And Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 12, 2023

What can we learn about repentance and baptism from John the Baptist?

Repentance Why did John the Baptist preach repentance? Let’s discuss Matthew 3:1-12. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, …” (Matthew 3:1-2a ESV) The meaning here is “a change of heart,” both a one-time event and a lifestyle. Why did John preach ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Begins

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 17, 2023

How did Jesus prepare for and begin His ministry? Let's find out in Matthew 4.

Jesus prepared for His ministry by fasting. He battled temptations and won. Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11. Was Jesus thirsty or only hungry after fasting? The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for 40 days and nights, he was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beatitudes - True, Lasting Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2023

How can we find true, lasting happiness, blessedness? Let's find out in Matthew 5.

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). Poor in Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist