Sermons on Sponge:

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

We Preach Christ Not Ourselves

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2018

How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament?

Prelude How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s examine the popular notion that we can ignore or reinterpret clear New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering And Hope

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2018

Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope.

Intro Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Purpose: Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 3:20-35 and 2 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2018

What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth?

Prelude What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. Plan: We will look at Mark 4:26-34 and why optimism over the church’s future is valid, why the church will continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Once For All Delivered

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2018

As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament?

Intro As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s see if Jude gives us some help. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Giant Problems

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 18, 2018

Are our problems too large for God to handle? Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and a squall on Lake Galilee in Mark 4:35-41.

Prelude to Part 1 Giant Personalities Are our problems too large for God to handle? Purpose: Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Plan: Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49. 1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear Saul ignored the advice of God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49, Mark 4:35-41

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

Your Testimony Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 8, 2020

Is our conversation consumed by self or trivialities? Let’s learn to talk about Jesus. Let’s look at the example of John whose focus was not self, but telling about the Light, in John 1:6-28.

Prelude: Is our conversation consumed by self or trivialities? Purpose: Let’s learn to talk about Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at the example of John whose focus was not self, but telling about the Light, in John 1:6-28. [Note: the beginning verses of this chapter are wisely reserved for Christmas ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-28

Denomination: Baptist

Mary's Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 14, 2020

What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Let’s look at Mary’s faith in Luke 1:26-38.

Prelude: What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? Purpose: Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Plan: Let’s look at Mary’s faith in Luke 1:26-38. Luke 1:26-28 Gabriel Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Two Senior Saints Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 22, 2020

What can we learn from senior saints who have lived just and devout lives? Let’s honor elderly church members. Let’s look specifically at Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:22-40.

Prelude: What can we learn from senior saints who have lived just and devout lives? Purpose: Let’s honor elderly church members. Plan: Let’s look specifically at Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:22-40. Elderly Leviticus 19:32 says, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

Heathen Believers (The Magi) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 28, 2020

Do some Christians disbelieve God? Let’s see how non-Christians can put some long-time believers to shame. Let’s look at the failure of many believers and the faith of novices in Matthew 2:1-12.

Intro: Do some Christians disbelieve God? Goal: Let’s see how non-Christians can put some long-time believers to shame. Plan: Let’s look at the failure of many believers and the faith of novices in Matthew 2:1-12. The Herods Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2021

Why did Jesus get baptized? What can we learn from Jesus’ baptism? Let’s look at what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit did at Jesus' baptism in Mark 1:4-11.

Prelude: Why did Jesus get baptized? Purpose: What can we learn from Jesus’ baptism? Plan: Let’s look at what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit did at Jesus' baptism in Mark 1:4-11. Baptism with the Holy Spirit Mark 1:8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

God's Call

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 12, 2021

God can interrupt us via an epiphany, a theophany, or a revelation to call us. Let’s learn about God’s call. Let’s look at Jesus calling Philip and Nathaniel in John 1:43-51.

Prelude: God can interrupt us via an epiphany, a theophany, or a revelation to call us. Goal: Let’s learn about God’s call. Plan: Let’s look at Jesus calling Philip and Nathaniel in John 1:43-51. Philip John 1:43-45 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Baptist