Sermons on Sponge:

A Humble Virgin

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 19, 2017

What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus?

Prelude What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus? Purpose: Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Plan: Let’s look at Luke 1:26-38, the so-called Annunciation, the announcement to Mary of her pregnancy with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Christmas Pagan?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2017

Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible?

Prelude Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s examine the worth of Christmas and why it’s a perfectly fine Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions that are controversial in some churches and look at the story of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Senior Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2017

What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many of them have been faithful despite life’s suffering?

Prelude What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering? Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints. Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose Of The Creation Story

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2018

Is Genesis theistic evolution, day-age theory, a gap, literal 6 days, a polemic, an allegory, majestic prose, intelligent design or something else? If Christians can’t agree on the timing of creation, can we agree on the purposes of the creation story?

Prelude Berasheet bara' Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Purpose: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Relevance Of Noah's Flood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 9, 2018

Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant?

Prelude Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant? Purpose: Let’s explore some questions about Noah and the flood. Plan: Let’s look at Genesis 6-9 and the relevance of the story. Who were the Sons of God? Genesis 6:2 says, “the sons of God saw the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham, Father Of The Faithful

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 17, 2018

Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? How did Abraham become father of the faithful?

Prelude Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? How did Abraham become father of the faithful? Purpose: Let’s look at the life of Abraham and discover why he is called a father to those who believe. Plan: We’ll look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Behind The Ten Commandments

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 28, 2018

Can politics, science, or education fix our world? What if everyone kept the Ten Commandments? Is it even possible for a nation to keep the Ten Commandments?

Prelude Can politics, science, or education fix our world? What if everyone kept the Ten Commandments? Is it even possible for a nation to keep the Ten Commandments? Purpose: What are the Ten Commandments for? Plan: Let’s look at Exodus 20 and the purpose of the Ten Commandments. 1) No Other ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Principles In Leviticus, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 30, 2018

Can Christians, who worship in a very different manner from ancient Israel, learn anything about worship from the book of Leviticus? What are important principles of worship from Leviticus?

Prelude The book of Leviticus is about worship. Can Christians, who worship in a very different manner from ancient Israel, learn anything about worship from the book of Leviticus? What are important principles of worship from Leviticus? Purpose: Let’s learn to worship God from the first inspired ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Principles In Leviticus, Part 2 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2018

Should Christians have a worship calendar? Should we use the worship calendar from ancient Israel? How can we celebrate great events of Christ’s ministry?

Prelude Should Christians have a worship calendar? Should we use the worship calendar from ancient Israel? How can we celebrate great events of Christ’s ministry? Purpose: Let’s look at principles of a worship calendar. Plan: We’ll discuss Leviticus 23, Romans 14 and the Christian worship ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Plan For Economic Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2018

Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality?

Prelude Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality? Purpose: Let’s look at one of the most wonderful economic laws ever written and its implications for us. Plan: Let’s look at the Jubilee, how it could ...read more

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

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