Sermons on Sponge:

Hair And Communion (1 Corinthians 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 10, 2021

Do hair length and sharing communion worthily matter to God? Who does Paul follow?

Do hair length and sharing communion in a worthy manner matter to God? Who does Paul follow? 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Hair 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Did the Corinthians generally remember their founding pastor and his instructions? 1 Corinthians 11:2 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit's Work

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 19, 2021

What does the Holy Spirit do for us? Let’s learn some of the Holy Spirit’s work among us. Let’s look at John 15:26-16:15.

Prelude What does the Holy Spirit do for us? Purpose: Let’s learn some of the Holy Spirit’s work among us. Plan: Let’s look at John 15:26-16:15. He will Testify John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Powers (1 Corinthians 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2021

Spiritual manifestations were popular in the church in Corinth and they still are today. Paul does not want us to be uninformed. How can we get a godly balance in regard to unique skills given by the Spirit?

Spiritual manifestations were popular in the church in Corinth and they still are today. Paul does not want us to be uninformed. How can we get a godly balance in regard to unique skills given by the Spirit? Spiritual gift tests probably still make the rounds of churches. They are simplistic and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Easter & Mary Magdalene

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 12, 2022

It was early the Sunday morning of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). That time of year, mornings could be a little chilly, so Mary probably wrapped herself up against the cool early air as she headed towards the garden tomb.

It was early the Sunday morning of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). That time of year, Jerusalem could be just over 20°C (about 70°F on the old scale) during the day. Early that morning it may have been about 10°C (50°F), so Mary probably wrapped herself up against the cool ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Flood Morality And Geology

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Was Noah's flood moral? Is God immoral? Is Noah's flood just myth?

How could a good God destroy most of humanity in a worldwide flood? How can modern Christians even believe that such a flood existed? What does the Bible actually say? Flood Morality Can atheists have any basis for a statement questioning the morality of God’s judgment? If there is no God and we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-12, 2 Peter 2:5, Matthew 25:31-32, 2 Peter 3:3-7, Genesis 9:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Flood Testimonies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Are documented testimonies of Noah’s flood believable witnesses? Let’s look at biblical and extra-biblical testimonies and some important lessons that are relevant for us.

Are documented testimonies of Noah’s flood believable witnesses? Let’s look at biblical and extra-biblical testimonies and some important lessons that are relevant for us. Biblical Testimony Does the Bible speak of just a local flood, or something that destroyed all humanity? It speaks of the end ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-39

Denomination: Baptist

Babel And Our Nation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God or non-citizen neighbors. The sin of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. How is the tower of Babel still relevant today?

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God. Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of non-citizen neighbors. The sin of self-centered national pride, of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. Such arrogant self-importance ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:4, 1 Peter 5:5, Genesis 10:8

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.

A study of the patriarchs and matriarchs reveals that they were very imperfect people, but blessed by God because of faith. This should be an encouragement to us who are likewise very imperfect, but trust in God. Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:7-8, Hebrews 11:8, Romans 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Isaac

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? Let's look at Isaac's faith.

Isaac was the son of promise, yet Abraham was tested. How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? “And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:7-9, Hebrews 11:19, Hebrews 11:21, Matthew 22:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Let's look at the life of Jacob.

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Jacob was born so soon after his twin brother Esau that he grabbed his heel and earned the name “heel catcher” or “supplanter,” a prophecy of Jacob supplanting the position of honor in the clan and the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 12:3, Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph Son Of Jacob

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Joseph was treated with favoritism and bad relations with his brothers festered. He spent 13 years of suffering. Yet, he was a man of faith. What can we learn from his life?

Joseph was treated with favoritism and at age 17, informed on his brothers’ misdeeds. Telling his brothers of a dream that they would bow down to him, made matters even worse, and bad relations between them festered. “Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In Genesis

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

There are hints of Jesus throughout the entirety of Genesis and the New Testament names Him as Creator. Let's examine hints of Jesus in Genesis.

There are hints of Jesus throughout the entirety of Genesis and the New Testament names Him as Creator. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 11:4, Luke 23:43, Galatians 3:16, 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 1:51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 22, 2022

There is a freedom that politics cannot guarantee, freedom from corruption and death. Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt was a forerunner of ultimate freedom granted in Jesus.

When we speak of freedom today, we usually think of politics, freedom from dictatorship and freedom to live as we choose. But, there is a freedom that politics cannot guarantee, freedom from corruption and death. Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt was a forerunner of ultimate freedom granted in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Old Covenant

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2022

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin.

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin. “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’ “ (John 8:34 ESV) The old covenant was established to expose ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24, Romans 7:12, Romans 8:2-3, Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In Exodus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 28, 2022

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus.

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus. Did all the prophets speak of Jesus? “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:25-27, John 5:46, Hebrews 11:26, 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 6:32-50  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist