Sermons on Sponges:

Faith Not Legalism (Galatians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2024

Did Jesus say that until heaven and earth pass away, obedience to the law remains? Did the apostles contradict Him? Let's find out in Galatians 3.

Paul explained how we are justified by grace through faith, not works of the law. How is Abraham a model for Christians? Who are the real children of Abraham? What about Christians who insist on the works of the law? Is the law continued in spirit, discontinued in the letter, and thus transformed ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Freedom (Galatians 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 20, 2024

Is there freedom in Christ? Let's find out in Galatians 5.

Is there freedom in Christ? Is it lawlessness? Do any laws of Christ give us freedom? Are Christians free or not? Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1 KJV) Will laws like circumcision make us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of Christ (Galatians 6)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 21, 2024

Is the law of Christ different from the law of Moses? Let's find out in Galatians 6.

Should we treat each other gently, with the undeserved kindness that we have received from God? Is the law of Christ fulfilled when we bear each other’s burdens? Let’s see. How should we try to restore a wayward friend? Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual ...read more

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

The Ten Commandments (7 And 8) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2021

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them.

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them. Adultery Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. This is not just a command only against the physical act, but in the spirit of the law, Jesus warned in Matthew 5 against careless glances, which by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Begins (Acts 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2025

How did Paul begin his missions?

Does a senior minister sometimes step back and take second place? Was Paul’s ministry blessed by Barnabas stepping back? Were Jews happy that Gentiles were included in God’s plan? Let’s look at Acts 13. Did the church at Antioch commission Barnabas and Saul as missionaries? The church at Antioch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Ends (Acts 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2025

What mission lessons can we learn from Paul?

How did Paul and Barnabas round out their first missionary journey? Should we always expect both challenges and accomplishments on any similar mission trip? Let’s look at Acts 14. What happened as Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium (modern day Konya, Turkey)? Now it happened in Iconium that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The 4 Rules (Acts 15)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2025

What four rules would help Jew and Gentile fellowship over a meal?

Did four rules promote table fellowship between Jew and Gentile? Were the seven laws of Noah a basis for this decision? Let’s look at Acts 15. Did some early Christians believe that circumcision and the law of Moses were still required? But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist