Sermons on John Spong:

Why Jesus Volunteered To Die For You Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Mar 14, 2024

In John 10: 17 we hear Jesus say: “....I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord.” Jesus was not a victim; He was a volunteer. Why did He volunteer to die for you?

America is filled with volunteers. Did you know that every year 60.7 million adults volunteer which means 23.2 % of Americans volunteer. On average Americans give up 52 hours a year volunteering. Most volunteering involves food collection and distribution. Our church is blessed to have several ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Hungry – But Not For What's Really Important Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 26, 2023

In John's gospel, after feeding 5,000 people with bread and fish, Jesus goes on to say what true bread is. Actually, true bread isn't a what, it's a who. It's Jesus. He is our sustenance.

PRE-TALK earlier in the service Three pictures / slides (1) Israelites collecting manna in the wilderness ~1450 or 1270 B.C. ‘Manna’ = ‘what is it?’ The people of Israel had fled slavery in Egypt. They travelled eastwards, crossed the Red Sea and entered the Sinai Peninsula. There isn’t a lot ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-35

Denomination: Baptist

Mount Of Olives: The Easter Story - Day 7 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 7, 2023

Jesus and the eleven left the upper room and walked to the mount of Olives. Jesus may have talked to them on the trip and/or before he took Peter, James and John further into the garden. Many of the familiar verses of comfort come from this conversation. Jesus also spoke of prophesies fulfilled.

****************** Day Seven – Mount of Olives Peter Will Deny Jesus - Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:31-33, John 13:36-37 Jesus said to the eleven, “All of you will be offended because of me tonight. It is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:31-33, Luke 22:37, John 13:36-37, Zechariah 13:7, Isaiah 53:12, Psalm 109:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

X-Ray Glasses, Garbage Bags, And Grace

Contributed by John Beehler on Jul 31, 2003

We can’t hide our sins from God. What we need to do is confess and ask for God’s grace

X-Ray Glasses, Garbage Bags, and Grace We looked last week at David and how he was tempted. And we see how David really messed up. He wasn’t where he was supposed to be. He’s tempted by a beautiful woman. He invites her into his house. He commits adultery with Bathsheba. And then he has her ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fish And Chips Or Being Jesus To The World

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 19, 2022

What do we do after Resurrection? Jesus shares with us four quick lessons on some things that He wants us (His Church) to do today, tomorrow and for the rest of our time here on earth.

Scripture: John 21:1-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Title: Fish and Chips or Being Jesus to the World What do we do after Resurrection? Jesus shares with us four quick lessons on some things that He wants us (His Church) to do today, tomorrow and for the rest of our time here on earth. INTRO: ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

There Is A Fly In The Ointment Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 29, 2023

This is the 4th sermon in the series on the Seven Churches in Revelation. This one deals with the Church of Thyatira.

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29; Ecclesiastes 10:1; Song of Solomon 2:15 Theme: Tolerance – How Much? Title: The Fly in the Ointment INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Simplicity. Keeping things simple, plain and straightforward. Keeping things honest, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29, Ecclesiastes 10:1, Song of Songs 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, 1 John 4:1, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 2:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

It's Jesus - Can I Come In Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 15, 2023

How does Jesus end up being on the outside of this Church? Let's see what was happening in Laodicea and how Jesus redeems them.

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22; John 14:21-23 Theme: Who Owns the Home? Title: It’s Jesus – May I Come In? Is Jesus inside your church or heart or is He knocking at the door? INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I read this advertisement recently: Room ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22, John 14:21-23, Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Nazarene

I Will Speak Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 28, 2023

The 78th Psalm teaches us how to turn the tide of evil in our nation. What is the key to making a nation moral?

Back in the 1800s, there was a famous preacher by the name of Peter Cartwright. Cartwright was known to be a very bold and uncompromising preacher, and one day the President of US - Andrew Jackson - was going to visit his congregation. But the elders were concerned and warned Cartwright: “You ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Initiating The Turn-6(2023)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 31, 2023

6 of 12. Luke informed his audience of the initial steps that God took to turn His people toward Himself. God began the process of turning of His people toward Himself. But what principles does God use to begin turning people toward Himself? In Initiating the Turn, God uses...

‘INITIATING The TURN’-VI—Luke 1:13b-17(:5-25) Attention: Ford Motor Company is remembered for implementing innovative approaches to the assembly-line production of automobiles. The company set many historical milestones beginning in 1903. [The following innovations are borrowed from ‘Forbes’ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:13-17, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Blood Donor Saved My Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 11, 2025

What does the blood of Christ do for us, and why is it such a powerful tool for God to use for fixing our broken lives?

The American Red Cross in Oklahoma had this interesting poster sent to churches: "I gave my blood. Christ gave his. I gave a pint. He gave all. The needle is small, sharp. The nails were large, dull. The table - soft, restful. The cross - rough, painful. The nurses - kind, gentle. The soldiers ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Chance Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2003

3rd of 6 In John 4, we meet a woman at Samaria. She is doing a chore she’s probably done every day of her life—gathering water from the local well. But on this day her life is transformed because she encounters Jesus. It all starts with an invitation fro

Free Ice Water The depression took the fun out of 1932. It was no time to go into business. But Ted and Dorothy Husted bought the little drug store in their town. The little village of Wall, South Dakota was barely surviving. Grasshoppers had eaten all the crops in the region. It was a dust bowl ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Worship

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on Jul 8, 2005

Why Worship?? John 4 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Psalm 29 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 45 11 So shall the king greatly desire th

Why Worship?? John 4 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Psalm 29 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 45 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are Some Of The Reasons We Should Be Reconciled To One Another?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Failure to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters is an indication of something wrong with our relationship with God. JOhn wrote, "If anyone says He loves God but doesn’t love his brother who he can see cannot say He loves God who he does not see." (

What Are Some of the Reasons We Should be Reconciled to One Another? ILlustration: So many people are angry with each other in America. More than 50% marriages end because of "Irreconcilable differences." Is that phrase and concept Biblical? Jesus said, "Be reconciled." Few of us understand ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:22-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fear Not Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

In the midst of your storm, don’t be afraid! He is here. “Lo, I am with you always,” he promised his followers (Mt. 28:20). The night before the cross he told his men, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” (John 14:18)."

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Fear Not! John 6:16-21 Two storms raged that night. The Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias, was actually a fairly small, deep fresh water lake, thirteen miles long by about seven miles wide. However, it ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Paul Hammons on Mar 13, 2007

In the book of John 8:58 Jesus shocked His enemies when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The enemies were so furious at Him that they wanted to stone Him. They knew exactly what He was saying when He said “I Am.” They knew these words referred to the

I Am The Bread Of Life; John 6:25-35 Moses and the “I AM” revelation (Exodus 3:14) In the book of John 8:58 Jesus shocked His enemies when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The enemies were so furious at Him that they wanted to stone Him. They knew exactly what He was saying when He said “I ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35