Sermons on Sponge:

Becoming On With Christ Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 13, 2017

Let’s see how that Christians belong somewhere very special and how we get there.

Intro Have you ever felt like something is missing? What are we looking for? Jesus offers us an answer. Purpose Let’s see how that Christians belong somewhere very special and how we get there. Plan Let’s examine John 14:1-14 to see our permanent home and the way there. John 14:1-2 The ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming One In Spirit Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 20, 2017

Has God already unified His Church in a way that those who focus on church politics miss?

Intro When we think of church unity, we think of political unity, yet in the greatest sense is the Church already unified? Purpose Has God already unified His Church in a way that those who focus on church politics miss? Plan Let’s look at John 14:15-21 and how the Holy Spirit unifies ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Inheritance Of The Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 30, 2018

What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus?

What is the inheritance of the saints, those made holy by God? What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus? Let’s look at several passages that reveal our wonderful future. [a scripture flipping sermon,] Psalms 2:7-8 “...the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 5, 2018

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen?

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 In His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Thanksgiving List

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 13, 2018

Are we anxious? Are we worried about tomorrow? Let’s see how writing a long, long, long thanksgiving list can help.

Are we anxious? Are we worried about tomorrow? Let’s see how writing a long, long, long thanksgiving list can help. Let’s see what God has to say about fretful thoughts in Matthew 6:25-33. Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

A Kingdom Not From Here

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 19, 2018

Is Jesus a king? How does Jesus compare to government leaders of this world? What is the truth of Jesus’ reign?

Is God’s kingdom meant to just rule in our hearts or is there more to it? Is Jesus a king? How does Jesus compare to government leaders of this world? What is the truth of Jesus’ reign? Let’s examine Pilate’s questioning of Jesus in John 18:33-37 and what Jesus had to say about His kingdom. King ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Second Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2018

How do we react to signs of the end of the age? How would Jesus encourage us to proceed. Let’s examine Jesus’ prophecy in Luke 21:25-36.

How do we react to signs of the end of the age? How would Jesus encourage us to proceed. Let’s examine Jesus’ prophecy in Luke 21:25-36. Lift Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Baptist

Preparation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2018

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6. Caesar Luke 3:1 “Now in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Change For The Better

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 15, 2018

Amidst commercial hype, do we forget the meaning of Christmas? What are some of the most important things that a human being can do at Christmas, things we don’t want to neglect? Let’s look at Luke 3:7-18 and see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming.

Amidst commercial hype, do we forget the meaning of Christmas? What are some of the most important things that a human being can do at Christmas, things we don’t want to neglect? Let’s look at Luke 3:7-18 and see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming. Luke 3:7 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Ode Of Mary

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 20, 2018

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55.

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55. Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2018

Does the sinlessly perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church the perfect church to be in? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17.

Does the perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church a joy to attend? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17. Colossians 3:12 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Long Journey To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2019

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Greatly Mistaken

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 25, 2018

What if we are greatly mistaken in our understanding of Christianity? If our ideas do not square with the Bible, will we change? As the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, will we follow?

Preamble After preaching the lectionary through in these churches, I find myself drawn more and more to a year of preaching the texts the lectionary leaves out. My suspicions were aroused when I learned that Jude was eliminated, a letter which condemns many practices engaged in by the modern ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Foreigner Preached Repentance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2018

What business does a foreigner have telling any nation to repent? Jonah was such a foreigner, but he ran away because he despised Assyria. Are we running away from God? Are we bigoted against other nations?

Prelude What business does a foreigner have telling any nation to repent? If his name is Jonah, it’s God’s business. But, Jonah ran away because he despised Assyria. Are we running away from God? Are we bigoted against other nations? Purpose: Let’s learn that God cares even for our enemies. Plan: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Leaven

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 10, 2018

The Bible uses leaven to symbolize how both good and bad things grow in our lives. Let's put in the good leaven and leave out the bad, because either one can fill our lives.

Prelude The Bible uses leaven to symbolize how both good and bad things grow in our lives. It’s important for us to know the difference, so that we make sure that the good things in our lives grow and not the bad. Purpose: Let’s learn about the meaning of leaven in the Bible. Plan: We’ll look at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:13-21

Denomination: Baptist