Sermons on Sponge:

What Is Salvation?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2020

What is salvation? How does it work? Are there components of salvation?

What is salvation? How does it work? Are there components of salvation? In Greek the word for Savior or Deliverer is s?t?? (soter) and so we call the study of salvation soteriology. What is salvation? Temporal Salvation When enthusiastic Christians ask others if they have been saved, many don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 4:42, 1 John 4:14

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 6, 2020

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of forgiving from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiving in Matthew 18:21-35 and Hosea 1-3.

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. How Often Forgive Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 4

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2020

Let’s take a look at John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4.

Let’s take a look at John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4. Heaven Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 5

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2020

Let’s look at John’s vision of the scroll with seven seals and of every creature in heaven and earth worshipping God in Revelation 5.

Let’s look at John’s vision of the scroll with seven seals and of every creature in heaven and earth worshipping God. The Scroll Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. A scroll written on both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Last Place

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 15, 2020

What would Jesus say about first and last place? Let’s examine the puzzle behind Jesus blessing those in last place in Matthew 20:1-16.

What would Jesus say about first and last place? Let’s examine the puzzle behind Jesus blessing those in last place in Matthew 20:1-16. Wine Industry Parable Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. The Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Four Horsemen

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 17, 2020

Let’s see what happens as Jesus opens the first six seals of the mysterious scroll.

Let’s see what happens as Jesus opens the first six seals of the mysterious scroll. 1st Seal - White Horse Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nah-Yeah

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 20, 2020

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32.

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32. Authority Matthew 21:23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Sealed (Revelation 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 27, 2020

Let’s take a look at the sealing of the faithful among all nations, beginning with Israel in Revelation 7.

Let’s take a look at the sealing of the faithful among all nations, beginning with Israel in Revelation 7. Israel Sealed Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners [angles] of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7th Seal & 1st 4 Trumpets (Revelation 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 30, 2020

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets in Revelation 8.

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets. 7th Seal - Silence Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Whether or not the seals or the scroll is being revealed is unclear, so we will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fruitfulness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 1, 2020

What kind of faith is saving faith? Let’s look at living faith, its fruit, its evidence and the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46.

What kind of faith is saving faith? Let’s look at living faith, its fruit, its evidence and the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46. The Servants Matthew 21:33-37 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Delusion Of Self-Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 23, 2016

Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone?

Intro Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone? Goal Let’s learn that compared to God we are all pitiful and that God alone can make us justified. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 10, 2021

What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34.

Prelude What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34. Scatter Seed Mark 4:26 And He said, “The kingdom of God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

Languages & Liturgy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 16, 2021

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 14.

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Profit 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Love is our highest goal, but prophecy or sharing the mind of God, is of special benefit to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection (Part 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2021

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel?

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 Jesus’ Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; We too received the Gospel. What does ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Balm In Gilead

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 24, 2021

Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? Purpose: Why do we need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus healing a woman and a little girl applies to us in Mark 5:21-43.

Intro Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? It's not Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment or McNess Krestol Salve. Purpose: Let’s understand why we and our world need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist