Sermons on Grants:

The Lord Is My Rock (2 Samuel 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 19, 2025

Upon whom do we rely? Let's look at 2 Samuel 22.

Do we look to God for protection, for deliverance? Do we sing God’s praise? What is the purpose of praise? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 22. Would a former shepherd like David see a high rock as a safe place for sheep from predators? Is the Lord our refuge from violent people? David sang to the Lord the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The David Conundrum (2 Samuel 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 20, 2025

How could a man who plundered whole villages, committed adultery and murder be considered righteous and a man after God's own heart? Let's begin in 2 Samuel 23.

How could a man who pillaged whole villages, committed adultery and murder be declared righteous, and a man after God’s own heart? How could the Spirit of the Lord speak through such a man? Are genuine repentance and faith keys? Let’s begin in 2 Samuel 23. Does the fear of God begin to explain ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Or Numbers (2 Samuel 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 21, 2025

Do we rely on God or numbers? Let's look at 2 Samuel 24.

Do human governments rely on God or military numbers? Does God often defeat a strong enemy using inferior numbers? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 24. Was Israel relying on military numbers rather than God, who often defeated enemies by using inferior numbers? Now the anger of the Lord burned against ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good & Bad Traditions (John 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 23, 2025

How do we discern between good and bad traditions? Let's look at John 2.

Do believers always choose the right way? Are mandatory teetotaling and selling items at church, good or bad ideas? Which traditions, built upon Jesus, are gold or stubble? Let’s begin in John 2. Should Christians make up rules not found in the Bible, like forbidding even moderate alcohol use? Did ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Above (John 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 24, 2025

Are we born from above and do we obey the one who came from above? Let's look at John 3.

Are we to be born from above and have faith in He who comes from above? What is being born of the Spirit? Does God love the world? Did Jesus baptize? Are believing and obedience connected? Let’s look at John 3. How could a religious leader, schooled in the Old Testament, completely miss the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Compassion Vs Rules (John 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 26, 2025

Which comes first compassion or man-made rules? Let's look at John 5.

Is Jesus divine? Did He put compassion above man-made rules? Did religious leaders want to murder Him? Do we believe Jesus’ words? Let's look at John 5. What did Jesus come across at the pool of Bethesda? The section in square brackets is not found in early manuscripts. Some time later, Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecy From The Mount Of Olives (Matthew 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2024

How should we put prophecy into practice? Are there overlooked action words the prophecy from the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24?

Let’s look at an often misunderstood prophecy in Matthew 24. Before studying it, let’s consider the four major views. Preterism (or past fulfillment) believes that all such prophecies were fulfilled around 70 AD. Historicism (or present ongoing fulfillment) is a view that these events are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Judgment (Matthew 25)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 5, 2024

In light of the Olivet Prophecy, what did Jesus have to say about the judgment? Let's look in Matthew 25.

In light of the Olivet prophecy, the three parables of virgins, talents, and sheep and goats are very relevant. Let’s examine these important lessons in Matthew 25. Bridesmaids Were the ten virgins bridesmaids? Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Our Passover (Matthew 26)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2024

In most languages Easter is called Passover. How does the Christian version of this feast picture Christ as our Passover? Let's look in Matthew 26.

In most languages, Easter is still called Passover. What does the season commemorate for Christians? Let’s find out in Matthew 26. When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Suffering (Matthew 27a)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2024

What pampered king, president or prime minister of this world would suffer for the sake of his people? Yet, Jesus, king of the world did. Let's look at Jesus' suffering in Matthew 27:1-33.

How much did Jesus suffer even before His crucifixion? Let’s glimpse His suffering in Matthew 27:1-33. Who was Jesus taken to next? Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Crucifixion (Matthew 27b)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Let's examine the events of Jesus' crucifixion in Matthew 27.

What did they do as they crucified Jesus? Let’s look at Matthew 27:34-66. The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:34-66

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