Sermons on Granted:

The Ten Commandments (7 And 8) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2021

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them.

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them. Adultery Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. This is not just a command only against the physical act, but in the spirit of the law, Jesus warned in Matthew 5 against careless glances, which by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Ten Commandments (9 And 10) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 11, 2021

Let's look at the 9th and 10th commandments as most Protestants count them.

Let's look at the 9th and 10th commandments as most Protestants count them. Lying Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. False witness is not just verbal, but also the example we set as Christians. If we go to Church faithfully, but are known as swindlers in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Loving God Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 11, 2021

Let's look at the first of the great commandments, loving God.

Before we get into the topic of loving God deeply, let’s do a little housekeeping. Mark 12:30 seems to add a word, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Where does the extra word come from? When the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Neighbor Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 12, 2021

Let's take a look at the second of the great commandments, love of neighbor.

Let's take a look at the second of the great commandments, love of neighbor. Matthew 22:39-40 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” The second great commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:39-40

Denomination: Baptist

Circumcision Of The Heart Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 13, 2021

One of the main examples that help us understand how the spirit of the law applies to the Christian is that of circumcision. It’s not a new concept but was introduced in the Hebrew Scriptures, what Christians call the Old Testament. Circumcision of the heart is more important to God than the flesh.

One of the main examples that help us understand how the spirit of the law applies to the Christian is that of circumcision. It’s not a new concept but was introduced in the Hebrew Scriptures, what Christians call the Old Testament. Circumcision of the heart is more important to God than the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:6, Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Baptist

When The Spirit Breaks The Letter Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 13, 2021

Did the disciples break the law at times? Can we sometimes break the letter of the law while keeping the spirit or intent of the law?

Did the disciples break the law at times? Can we sometimes break the letter of the law while keeping the spirit or intent of the law? Let’s look at an example using the law of the road? Imagine I come to a cross-road stop-sign way out in the country, and I can see a long way down the road to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 14, 2021

What is true greatness? Is it wealth, fame or power? How does Jesus define greatness? Let’s reject popular ideas and discover the truth in Mark 10:32-45.

Prelude What is true greatness? Is it wealth, fame or power? Purpose: How does Jesus define greatness? Plan: Let’s reject popular ideas and discover the truth in Mark 10:32-45. Background (vs. 32-34) Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

613 Commandments Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2021

How should a Christian approach the Hebrew scriptures? The number of commandments in the Old Testament is usually given as 613. That’s near enough for our discussion. Let’s look at some of them in light of Paul's instructions about the spirit of the law.

How should a Christian approach the Hebrew scriptures? The number of commandments in the Old Testament is usually given as 613. That’s near enough for our discussion. Let’s look at some of them in light of Paul's instructions about the spirit of the law. Such is the confidence that we have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Persecutor Repents (Acts 9)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 23, 2025

How would we deal with a former persecutor?

Can a persecutor repent? Should a newly baptized Christian ever preach? Did miraculous healings continue in the early church? Let’s look at Acts 9. Who did Saul meet on the road to Damascus? Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Every Nation (Acts 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2025

How did the apostles realize that the Gospel was for every nation?

Is the promise to Abraham that “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) starting to be fulfilled? How did Peter come to understand that? Let’s look at Acts 10. North of Joppa (Jaffa) on the coast is Caesarea. What happened there to a Roman soldier? Now in Caesarea ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Exclusivity (Acts 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2025

Do we think that we are exclusive, the one true church?

Were Old Testament laws of exclusivity based upon ethnicity or avoiding pagan practices like idolatry and child sacrifice? Should we therefore exclude people of different ethnicities from the church who have the same faith in Christ? Let’s look at Acts 11. Did the Jerusalem church question why ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Begins (Acts 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2025

How did Paul begin his missions?

Does a senior minister sometimes step back and take second place? Was Paul’s ministry blessed by Barnabas stepping back? Were Jews happy that Gentiles were included in God’s plan? Let’s look at Acts 13. Did the church at Antioch commission Barnabas and Saul as missionaries? The church at Antioch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Ends (Acts 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2025

What mission lessons can we learn from Paul?

How did Paul and Barnabas round out their first missionary journey? Should we always expect both challenges and accomplishments on any similar mission trip? Let’s look at Acts 14. What happened as Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium (modern day Konya, Turkey)? Now it happened in Iconium that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The 4 Rules (Acts 15)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2025

What four rules would help Jew and Gentile fellowship over a meal?

Did four rules promote table fellowship between Jew and Gentile? Were the seven laws of Noah a basis for this decision? Let’s look at Acts 15. Did some early Christians believe that circumcision and the law of Moses were still required? But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist