Sermons on Sponge:

The Spirit Of The Law Part 4

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2023

Let's discuss wrong judgment, right judgment and God's judgment in Matthew 7.

As we continue the Sermon on the Mount and the Spirit of the law, Jesus explains wrong judgment, right judgment and God’s judgment in Matthew 7. Wrong Judgment Should Christians severely judge others or unfairly find fault? Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Birth & Childhood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2023

Let's look at the beginning of Jesus' life, his refugee status and move to Nazareth.

Let’s look at Matthew, a catechism or instruction book for new Christians. Preparing for Jesus (Matthew 1) Read Matthew 1. Let’s learn about Jesus' birth and John the Baptist. Abbreviated Genealogy Why did Matthew abbreviate this genealogy? The lineage in 1 Chronicles 6:3–14 is abridged in ...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

Jesus Endorses The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 26, 2023

When Jesus endorsed the law, and said that we are to be more righteous than the Pharisees, did He mean that we are to keep all 613 Old Testament commandments more rigidly, or in a completely different manner? Let's find out in Matthew 5.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that all 613 Old Testament commandments are still in force, like circumcision, Sabbaths and sacrifices? Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20. Salt & Light What are Christ’s disciples? You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

An Offensive Message (John 6)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 28, 2025

What parts of Jesus' message offends us? Let's look at John 6.

Do we water down Jesus’ message because it offends us? Let’s look at John 6. With a large crowd following Jesus, did they have enough money to feed them all? After this, Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, to Tiberias). A large crowd kept following him because they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rivers Of Living Water (John 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2025

Why do people either love or hate Jesus? Let's look at John 7.

What kind of teacher was Jesus, cautious and weak or bold and confronting? Let’s look at John 7. Did members of Jesus’ own family believe in Him? Do we have doubters in our families? After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, because he didn’t want to travel in Judea, since the Jewish leaders ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus (John 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 30, 2025

Who did Jesus say He is? Let's look at John 8.

Did Jesus confront religious leaders or simply keep quiet? Who do we believe He is? Let’s look at John 8. What happened when a woman caught in adultery was presented to Jesus? Where was the man? but Jesus walked out to the Mount of Olives. Then early the next morning he went to the temple. The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Blindness (John 9)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 30, 2025

Are we spiritually and morally blind to Jesus and what He taught? Let's look at John 9.

Is there a willing blindness of heart, a spiritual and moral blindness? Do we see but refuse to acknowledge the truth? Let’s look at John 9. Why was a man born blind? Does God often have a purpose beyond our circumstances? Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Shepherd (John 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2025

Who is the good shepherd and why? Let's look at John 10.

Why is Jesus the good shepherd? How is he the gate to the sheep pen? Why did people not believe and falsely accuse Him? Let’s look at John 10. Did people understand Jesus telling a parable about sheep and their shepherd? Do we recognize Jesus’ voice? Jesus said: I tell you for certain only ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lazarus (John 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2025

What happened surrounding the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection? Let's look at John 11.

What happened to Lazarus? Why did Jesus weep? Why did religious leaders plot? Let’s look at John 11. Why did Jesus return to a village where He could be in danger? Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Giving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 2, 2022

One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Do we give extravagantly to God or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8.

One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Do we give extravagantly to God or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8. “Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Resurrection (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Two focal points of Christianity are the resurrection and the great commission. Let's look at these in Matthew 28.

Did Jesus have some important instructions after His resurrection? Let’s find out in Matthew 28. Jesus’ Resurrection What happened early that Sunday morning? After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist