Sermons on Sponge:

Out Of The Heart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2018

Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says?

Prelude Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says? What defiles us? Let’s look at Matthew 15:10-20 and see what Jesus has to say about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

You Will Long To See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 31, 2018

When times are tough, what do we long to see? Do we long to hear once more the stories of Jesus?

Prelude This week several stories of firefighters and a police chief losing their homes to wildfires have emerged. They had no time to mourn their losses, because they had a job to do in continuing to fight. Something greater than personal loss drove them on, they longed to see others saved. When ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:20-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Son Of Man Is Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2018

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. A Year D Sermon.

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. Ready Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Baptist

Woes To Unfaithful Church Leaders

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 14, 2018

Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for church leaders today. A Year D sermon.

It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-39

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2018

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? A year D sermon.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times. House of Prayer Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Secure In God's Hand

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 30, 2018

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see. The Setting John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham And Succession By Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 5, 2018

Did Jesus support the theory of apostolic succession or faith? Let's see why faith is the key, through Abraham's story.

Why was Abram who became Abraham called the father of the faithful? What can we learn about about apostolic succession by looking back at Abraham? Let’s look at his early life and the tests of Abraham’s faith and how he dealt with them in Genesis 12-22 (Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, Lamb Of God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 12, 2018

What does salvation have to do with a lamb? How did Jesus become the Lamb of God?

How is God’s purpose hinted at from earliest human history? What does it have to do with a lamb? Let’s look at how Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain from the beginning and how it culminates in Revelation 22. Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 19, 2018

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised that you know many personally.

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say. Jesus Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 53:12, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

God Cares For The Little Guy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 25, 2018

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones?

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones? Let’s understand Jesus’ attitude towards believers whose faith is still small in Mark 9:38-50. Do Not Hinder Mark 9:38-39 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: Baptist

Communion Confusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2018

Is communion a sacrament, ordinance or memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper?

Is Communion a sacrament, an ordinance, or a memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper? Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 22:14-27. Passover Luke 22:14 “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.” The appointed hour that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-27

Denomination: Baptist

Rest From Our Burdens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2018

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries?

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries? Let’s find out what our true rest is, by looking at Hebrews 4. Is His Rest the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Commands The Morning?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2018

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer?

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer? Job had suffered terribly and demanded an audience with God to question His fairness. God now begins to challenge Job in Job 38. Let’s listen in. Words without Knowledge Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Do We See God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 25, 2018

Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is.

Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is. Job’s final chapter must be seen in light of the first chapters. ...read more

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