Sermons on Sponge:

An Unfinished Task (Judges 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2025

Do we have unfinished tasks for God? Let's look at Judges 1.

Do we have a habit of quitting before a job is done? Did Israel fail to finish conquering the land? Are we still conquering? Will we endure to the end? Let’s begin in Judges 1. What did God say about the continuing conquest of the land? Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Judges (Judges 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 2, 2025

Are we a faithful generation? Let's look at Judges 2.

Is it important that national leaders obey God? What happens to a nation that ignores God? How many people in other nations worship God and do what is right? Let’s look at Judges 2. What did the angel of the Lord or Yahweh do at Bochim? Then the angel of Yahweh came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rescue From Enemies (Judges 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 2, 2025

When does God rescue His people from enemies? Let's look at Judges 3.

Why did Israel often fall into enemy hands? Who rescued them? Will we have enemies? How should we treat them? Who will rescue us? Let’s look at Judges 3. Did God have another reason for letting enemies stay in the promised land? Do we have enemies in the church? And the Lord had another reason ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Two Brave Women (Judges 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 4, 2025

How did two brave women deal with Israel's enemies? Let's look at Judges 4.

How did two courageous women in Israel deal with a foreign enemy? How can women lead by example today? Let’s look at Judges 4. Did Israel again fall into sin and the hands of a cruel foreign king? Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deborah & Barak's Song (Judges 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2025

What does God think about those who refuse to come to the aid of someone in trouble? Let's look at Judges 5.

What does the victory song of Deborah and Barak teach us about God? What is the last enemy to be destroyed? Are we like Meroz? Let’s look at Judges 5. Did men give themselves willingly, letting the hair grow untrimmed until victory was won? Did God give the victory? Later that day, Deborah and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Warnings In Hebrews

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2022

Hebrews gives a number of warnings. If God’s grace is irresistible, why bother with a warning?

Hebrews gives a number of warnings. If God’s grace is irresistible, why bother with a warning? “So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? …” (Hebrews 2:3 CEV) Can Christians harden their hearts? “do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Names For Communion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2022

Let’s look at some common names for communion. First of all, is the word communion even used for the ceremony of the bread and cup? That depends on the translation of the Bible.

Let’s look at some common names for communion. First of all, is the word communion even used for the ceremony of the bread and cup? That depends on the translation of the Bible. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of [participation, sharing in] the blood of Christ? The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16, Luke 22:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Communion, Symbol Or Sacrament

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 5, 2022

Is communion symbolic, an ordinance, a sacrament, a memorial or all of the above? Does it even matter?

Is communion symbolic, an ordinance, a sacrament, a memorial or all of the above? Does it even matter? Symbol The argument begins with a simple word, “is.” Those who remember the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal may remember that famous line, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” What did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Nicene Creed, Biblical?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 12, 2022

The Nicene Creed summarizes important Bible doctrines that separate orthodoxy from heresy.

The Nicene Creed summarizes important Bible doctrines that separate orthodoxy from heresy. For consistency, let’s quote the public domain King James Bible. God the Father We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29, Mark 12:32, Malachi 2:10, Genesis 17:1-4, Exodus 6:3, Matthew 6:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Apostles' Creed, Biblical?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 14, 2022

The Apostolic or Apostles’ Creed contains twelve articles of faith that are essential biblical and apostolic doctrines that have been believed throughout church history.

The Apostolic or Apostles’ Creed is reputed to have either originated with the apostles or later. Its source is a mystery. It contains twelve articles of faith that are essential biblical and apostolic doctrines that have been believed throughout church history. 1. I believe in God the Father ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:6, John 3:16, Luke 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Studying God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2022

Theos (θεός) is Greek for God. So, studying God is called theology. What does the Bible reveal about God?

Theos (?e??) is Greek for God. So, studying God is called theology. What does the Bible reveal about God? Is God a Spirit? “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 KJV) Does Jesus reveal that God is gentle? “... for I am gentle and humble ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Three & One?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 27, 2022

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one?

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one? God’s Oneness The central prayer of Jewish prayer life is the Shema Yisrael (??? ?????) after its first words in Hebrew, “Hear, O Israel.” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 28:19

Denomination: Baptist

God As Father

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2022

God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why?

Studying God as Father is called patriology or paterology. God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why? Is God a Father even to orphans? “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:26

Denomination: Baptist

God The Son

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 2, 2022

Who is Jesus? What does the Bible reveal about Him?

A study of Christ, the second Person of the Trinity is called Christology. Who is He? What does the Bible reveal about Him? Who did God say Jesus is? “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 KJV cf. Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:5, John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Filthy Lucre

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2022

Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke 16:1-13.

Should we boycott corporations that deal in dirty money, or is all money really filthy lucre? Are our tainted tithes and offerings usable for heavenly purposes? Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke 16:1-13. People versus Profits Luke 16:1-4 Jesus told ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist