Sermons on Sponge:

Remember Your Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 4, 2022

Is it important to remember your baptism? Purpose: Let us examine history’s most important baptism and see some relevant lessons for our own baptism. Plan: We will look at the baptism of Jesus in Luke 3:15-22.

Intro Is it important to remember your baptism? Purpose: Let us examine history’s most important baptism and see some relevant lessons for our own baptism. Plan: We will look at the baptism of Jesus in Luke 3:15-22. Baptism with the Holy Spirit “Now as the people were in expectation, and all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Faith To Forgive

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 26, 2022

Do we have enough faith to forgive? Let’s see what Jesus says about how much faith is needed to forgive in Luke 17:5-10.

Do we have enough faith to forgive? Let’s see what Jesus says about how much faith is needed to forgive in Luke 17:5-10. Faith to Forgive Let’s not isolate Jesus' comments from their context. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua-Judges

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 28, 2022

Joshua took over leadership from Moses. After him came a series of chieftains, who led Israel through a repeated cycle of apostasy, punishment and rescue.

Joshua took over leadership from Moses to bring Israel into the promised land. After him came a series of judges or notable chieftains of various tribes, who led Israel through a repeated cycle of apostasy, punishment and rescue. Leadership How important are the words even today, “be strong and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 29, 2022

Let's look at Ruth and Boaz, and how Boaz was a type of Christ the redeemer.

In examining Ruth it is essential to discuss one difficulty before we begin, the earlier prohibition against Moabites. “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.” (Deuteronomy 23:3 NIV) Note that the prohibition does ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' First Miracle

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 10, 2022

What was the first epiphany or miracle in your life? A Jewish wedding and fine wine entailed a surprise divine encounter. Let’s encounter the kingdom of God pictured in God’s provision for a marriage. Let’s examine how a wedding at Cana portrays an epiphany of the kingdom of God in John 2:1-11.

Prelude What was the first epiphany or miracle in your life? A Jewish wedding and fine wine entailed a surprise divine encounter. Purpose: Let’s encounter the kingdom of God pictured in God’s provision for a marriage. Plan: Let’s examine how a wedding at Cana portrays an epiphany of the kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Justified By Grace Not Legalism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2023

Are we justified by grace or lawkeeping? Do Jesus and Paul contradict each other?

Paul explained how we are justified by grace, not works of the law. How did we receive the Holy Spirit? You irrational Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Jesus Christ was put on display as crucified before your eyes! I just want to know this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Two Covenants

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 6, 2023

How does an analogy between two sons help us understand the old and new covenants?

Living under the law of Moses was like a child under a tutor, or like a slave. How does Paul explain this? Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Our Passover (Matthew 26)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2024

In most languages Easter is called Passover. How does the Christian version of this feast picture Christ as our Passover? Let's look in Matthew 26.

In most languages, Easter is still called Passover. What does the season commemorate for Christians? Let’s find out in Matthew 26. When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Suffering (Matthew 27a)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2024

What pampered king, president or prime minister of this world would suffer for the sake of his people? Yet, Jesus, king of the world did. Let's look at Jesus' suffering in Matthew 27:1-33.

How much did Jesus suffer even before His crucifixion? Let’s glimpse His suffering in Matthew 27:1-33. Who was Jesus taken to next? Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 1-17

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2022

Revelation is apocalyptic literature, a symbolic genre. Who and what does this book reveal?

Students of Revelation fall into four broad categories, those who believe it’s mostly 1) past history, 2) foretells Christian history, 3) mostly future or 4) symbolic. Revelation is apocalyptic literature, a symbolic genre. Who and what does this book reveal? “The revelation of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sent

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2022

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Let’s discuss a mission trip from Luke 10:1-20.

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Let’s discuss a mission trip from Luke 10:1-20. 70 Apostled Short term mission trips are as old as when Jesus sent the 70. They were 1) “sent” or “apostled” as the Greek says. The eastern churches call these the 70 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2022

God encourages us to be persistent and demanding in prayer.

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8. Purpose “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Or Sinner?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 17, 2022

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14. Self-Righteousness “Also He spoke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 18-22

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2022

Revelation reveals a righteous king and kingdom to come. But first, will this world’s Babylonian system end?

Revelation reveals a righteous king and kingdom to come. But first, will this world’s Babylonian system end? “He cried with a mighty voice, saying, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great…” (Revelation 18:2a WEB) Are kings and merchants alike corrupt? “Babylon's evil and immoral wine has made ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Reject Saved

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 29, 2022

Is there any hope for someone who has been rejected by the community? Let’s look at the change that allowed a man with a bad reputation to receive eternal salvation in Luke 19:1-10.

Is there any hope for someone who has been rejected by the community? Let’s look at the change that allowed a man with a bad reputation to receive eternal salvation in Luke 19:1-10. Taxes Before we examine the chief tax collector, we need to speak about taxes. In principle they are not wrong. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist