Sermons on Sponge:

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

How God Reveals Himself

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2022

Does God reveal Himself in the Bible? How do we understand the Bible? How was the Bible composed? Let's look at the Bible as special revelation.

Does God reveal Himself in the Bible? How do we understand the Bible? How was the Bible composed? Studying God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible is called bibliology. How God Reveals Himself God reveals Himself to humans in various ways, generally in His creation and specially in other ways. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing The Way For Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2022

Is believing without repenting valid? Why did both Jesus and John the Baptist preach repent? Let’s learn why in Matthew 3:1-12.

Is believing without repenting valid? Why did both Jesus and John the Baptist preach repent? Let’s learn why in Matthew 3:1-12. Preaching & Teaching (vs 1) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1) In the Bible the word "preach" means ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Canon

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2022

How did we get the Bible? How do we understand it?

The Christian Bible forms the measure of our faith. While tradition, reason and experience can contribute in valuable ways to our faith, they are not always the teachings of Jesus, the prophets and apostles. Let’s look at the canon of the Bible. Compiling the Bible over thousands of years is ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Offended By Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2022

Are we offended by the real Jesus?

Was John the Baptist offended by Jesus? If He walked the earth today would we be offended by Him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11. Are You the One? And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Salvation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 17, 2022

People often ask, have you been saved? Do we even know what that means?

What is salvation? How does it work? In Greek the word for Savior or Deliverer is s?t?? (soter) and so we call the study of salvation soteriology. The word save means to liberate, deliver or rescue. We must look at the context to understand what kind of salvation is being referred to. Temporal ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 17, 2022

The world’s most important birth was about to take place. Why was it almost unknown? What was Joseph's dilemma? What were the baby’s names? Was Mary a perpetual virgin? Let’s look at Matthew 1:18-25.

The world’s most important birth was about to take place. Why was it almost unknown? What was Joseph's dilemma? What were the baby’s names? Was Mary a perpetual virgin? Let’s look at Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph’s Dilemma Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 18, 2022

Christmas is a season mixed with good and evil. Let’s learn about the good from Luke 2.

Christmas is a season mixed with good and evil. Let’s learn about the good from Luke 2. A Decree “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Be Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2022

What are Christians called to? Are we called to be holy, set apart by God? Is that what the word saint means? Are all Christians saints?

What are Christians called to? Are we called to be holy, set apart by God? Is that what the word saint means? Are all Christians saints? To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7 HCSB) Unto the church ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Sacrificial Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2021

Offerings were given often in Israel. One of those special offerings was the Passover lamb (Numbers 28:16). How does any of the sacrificial system apply to the Christian in the spirit? Paul gave the Romans a basic principle that applies the law in spirit.

Burnt offerings (Numbers 28:2-6) and grain and drink offerings (Numbers 28:2-8) were given often, as well as a whole liturgy of other offerings throughout the years. One of those special offerings was the Passover lamb (Numbers 28:16). How does any of the sacrificial system apply to the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Sacrificial Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2021

Offerings were given often in Israel. One of those special offerings was the Passover lamb (Numbers 28:16). How does any of the sacrificial system apply to the Christian in the spirit? Paul gave the Romans a basic principle that applies the law in spirit.

Burnt offerings (Numbers 28:2-6) and grain and drink offerings (Numbers 28:2-8) were given often, as well as a whole liturgy of other offerings throughout the years. One of those special offerings was the Passover lamb (Numbers 28:16). How does any of the sacrificial system apply to the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist