Sermons on Sponge:

The Faith Of A Doubter

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 28, 2014

Thomas is called the doubter, but he is also the confessor, who made a remarkable confession like no other and did a marvelous work as far east as India.

Intro When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection what happened and what did he say? Goal I hope that we can learn that doubt is a normal and natural part of a life of faith. Plan We will look at Jesus’ appearance to ten of the eleven remaining disciples and then to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2014

The Bible makes few mandates for baptism, but what it does demand makes it beautiful.

Intro In Matthew 3 we are introduced to the Baptism of Christ. This ceremony which has become the norm for almost all Christian churches is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Goal To help us appreciate baptism and its significance. Plan We will look at what is and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Come And You Will See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 19, 2014

Come to a church where Jesus is preached and you will begin to see the answer to the most important issues of life.

Intro What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Goal To show how important Jesus is to the church. Plan We will look at why we are here, John the Baptist’s example and the lamb of God. Why are we here Have we ever asked ourselves, why are we here? So, here we sit in a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Secret, The Beatitudes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2014

The Beatitudes reveal that we can be more than happy. We can be blessed!

Intro It is sometimes a puzzle to understand God's mind. His thinking is so far above ours. The secret is: there is no secret. People pay gurus millions to learn what is often half-baked wisdom and ignore the wonderful truth found in the beatitudes which is free to all (Matthew 5:1-12). These ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Exorcising Our Demons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 8, 2014

Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us.

Intro Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us. Goal Perhaps we can learn how evil comes in many disguises, even religious ones. Sermon Plan Are we healers or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Law And The Christian, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2014

Jesus gave the ultimate commentary on the Old Testament law, yet it is not very well understood in the Christian community. In this the first of several sermons, we will explore the law and the Christian.

Intro In the sermon on the mount Jesus called us salt and light, then condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that Christians should put to death idolaters, Sabbath breakers, adulterers and those who dishonor their parents, sacrifices animals, be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Is Confirmation Biblical

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 8, 2019

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2. Infant baptism in NOT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 John 4:15, Acts 8:14-17, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 9:17, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 10:44-48, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Manifestations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2019

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit?

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Let’s see how God’s glory was revealed in spiritual gifts given to an ancient church by exploring 1 Corinthians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Everyone Is Valuable

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2019

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a.

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For even as the body is one and yet has many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Thing

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 29, 2019

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13.

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Down Your Nets

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2019

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11.

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11. Luke 5:1-2 “Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 12, 2019

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think.

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think. Perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Love Your Enemies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 18, 2019

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38. How Love Enemies Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Glimpse Of Glory

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 26, 2019

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2.

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. To understand Paul’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Loves An Imperfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2019

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3.

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3. Hosea 1:2-3 When the Lord first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist