Sermons on Sponge:

Paul's Authority (Galatians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 16, 2024

From where did Paul get his authority? What about independent preachers today? Let's look at Galatians 1.

Who was Paul? Why did Peter recognize his authority? Did he contradict or complement the teachings of Jesus about the law? Is there a difference between physical and spiritual circumcision? What defines true righteousness, the letter of the law or faith? How do we receive the Holy Spirit, by doing ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Is Sin & Slavery (Galatians 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2024

Are we under law or faith? Is circumcision in the flesh still necessary? Let's find out in Galatians 2.

Paul was directly taught by the resurrected Jesus, but was not a rebel. He cooperated with the Apostles before him. Was the commandment to be circumcised still valid in the flesh, that is, in the letter of the law? Is there a spiritual application of the law of circumcision? Are works of the law ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Community Task (Exodus 36)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 15, 2024

Are there tasks in the church for the whole community, those who are willing? Let's look at Exodus 36.

Was building the tabernacle very much a community task, all who were willing? Is building a healthy local church also an undertaking involving the whole congregation, all who are willing? Let’s look at Exodus 36. How did Bezalel and Aholiab proceed to work with the freewill offerings of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Symbols In The Tabernacle (Exodus 37)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2024

How do the various parts of the Tabernacle symbolize Jesus and the new covenant? Let's look at Exodus 37.

Are there pictures of Jesus in the tabernacle? How did the ark, mercy seat, table, lampstand and altar prepare us for Jesus? Does God desire to dwell with us? Are we reminded of the true bread from heaven, the true high priest, and a better covenant to come? Let’s look at Exodus 37. The Ark Does ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Courtyard (Exodus 38)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2024

How does the courtyard of the tabernacle begin to introduce us to Jesus? Let's look at Exodus 38.

The courtyard of the tabernacle contained the altar of sacrifice. Did this picture the ultimate sacrifice of God’s Son? It also contained the laver or wash basin. Did this picture baptism and the cleansing of the church by Jesus? Does the detail teach us not to be sloppy in our approach to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Power

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2023

What kind of power did Jesus have that demonstrated who He is?

After the sermon on the mount, did many follow Jesus? Luke picks up from here as the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49). As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. (Matthew 8:1 CEV) Healings Did He begin to heal many? What did a man with a skin disease do? A man with a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

New Wine

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 28, 2023

As Jesus healed people He spoke of new wine and patching clothing. Did He mean there is a something new in the the new covenant? Let's look at Matthew 9.

Amidst various healings Jesus taught about old and new ideas. Healing Did Jesus heal a paralyzed man? Was Jesus falsely accused? And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Persecuted Missions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2024

What dangers and blessings await those who dare to share God's Good News in a hostile world? Let's find out in Matthew 10.

What dangers and blessings await those who dare to share the Good News in a hostile world? What authority did Jesus give the twelve disciples? He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Offense Or Rest

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 13, 2024

Do we take offense or rest in Jesus? Let's find out in Matthew 11.

Can we find rest in Jesus in the midst of a troubled world? Did John the Baptist need rest from doubt? After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Money Morality

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2024

The basic rule of money morality is well known, but often misquoted and misunderstood. Let's examine a godly approach to money.

The basic rule for money morality is well-known, but most people seem to either misquote this principle or stop after the first clause. Let’s read the whole principle. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Usury & Extortion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 15, 2024

Why do western banks engage in usury and extortion? Why do Christians go along with it without trying to change this practice?

One of the earliest principles of money lending is a law against usury. If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. (Exodus 22:25 NKJV) This is the exact opposite of how western banks operate today. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:5

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2024

What important events surround Palm Sunday? Let's find out in Matthew 21.

Palm Sunday brings lessons on the purpose of church buildings, faith, heavenly versus human authority, following through after saying yes, and producing fruit. Let’s review them in Matthew 21. Palm Sunday Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of the failure of human ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Love & Taxes (Matthew 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Love and taxes are two important topics. What does Jesus have to say about such things? Let's see in Matthew 22.

Let’s look at lessons on God’s invitation, paying taxes, marriage in heaven and love in Matthew 22. God’s Invitation What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Did many refuse to accept the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...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