Sermons on Sponges:

The Spirit Of Festival Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 22, 2021

Ancient Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar, easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable events. How is this relevant for Christians?

The ancient Hebrew year was observed using a lunar-solar calendar with 12 and 13 months over a 19 year cycle. This was easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 14:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Safety And Health Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 25, 2021

In some countries with strong occupational safety laws, roofers must be harnessed in with gear similar to climbing ropes, lest they fall off the roof while they work. This is not a new innovation. Ancient Israel had a law regarding roof safety. What is the spirit of safety laws?

In some countries with strong occupational safety laws, roofers must be harnessed in with gear similar to climbing ropes, lest they fall off the roof while they work. This is not a new innovation. Ancient Israel had a law regarding roof safety. Whenever you build a new house, you must build a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:31

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Neighborhood Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 26, 2021

How would our neighborhoods look if the poor were helped and businesses operated in strict honesty? Let's look at the spirit of Old Testament neighborhood laws.

How would our neighborhoods look if the poor were helped and businesses operated in strict honesty? Community responsibility to the poor is emphasized in both testaments. The popular political notion of being hard hearted towards them is not an option and generosity is commanded. If anyone is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Through The Valley

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 26, 2021

If you're currently walking through the valley of the shadow of death, here are a few things to remember.

I'm currently walking through one of life's deep, deep valleys. While walking through the valley of the shadow of death, there are a few things I want to remember. 1. "The Lord is my shepherd." Nobody else is. He chose me first and in response I choose Him every day. He is my ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Commandments

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 29, 2021

What is the greatest commandment? Surprise! It’s not one of the Ten Commandments. Let’s look at the two Great Commandments in Mark 12:28-34.

What is the greatest commandment? Purpose: Surprise! It’s not one of the Ten Commandments. Plan: Let’s look at the two Great Commandments in Mark 12:28-34. 613 Commandments (vs. 28) Mark 12:28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Slave Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 30, 2021

The topic of slavery is a very emotional one, because most people only know of corrupt forms of slavery and because the threat of such slavery still exists in the modern world. However, we need to learn that kidnapping and enforced slavery were also forbidden in the Bible.

The topic of slavery is a very emotional one, because most people only know of corrupt forms of slavery and because the threat of such slavery still exists in the modern world. However, we need to learn that kidnapping and enforced slavery were also forbidden in the Bible. The only kinds of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Trial Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2021

The law of the Hebrew Scriptures was divided into commandments, statutes and judgments (Deuteronomy 5:31). Let’s look at how Christians apply the spirit of judgments.

The law of the Hebrew Scriptures was divided into commandments, statutes and judgments (Deuteronomy 5:31). Many judgments were already given, but as with any law, there were cases that needed to be judged individually in a court of law. Let’s look at how some judgments were to be made in a trial ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-2, Matthew 7:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Priesthood Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 1, 2021

There are principles regarding Old Testament priests which apply to all churches and their leaders regardless of their chosen vocabulary. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Some Christian churches call their pastors priests and some do not. Yet, there are principles regarding Old Testament priests which apply to all churches and their leaders regardless of their chosen vocabulary. Let’s take a look at some of them. Old Testament priests had strict laws to follow. A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beautiful Attitudes Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 2, 2021

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements.

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements. Jesus begins His commentary on the law with the beatitudes, sometimes called the beautiful attitudes, which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Salt And Light Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 2, 2021

What do people with the beautiful attitudes described in the beatitudes do for the world? Let's look at Matthew 5:13-16.

What do people with the beautiful attitudes described in the beatitudes do for the world? Salt Jesus describes them as being like salt. Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Murder Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. What did He mean? What did He mean by the spirit of murder? Let's look at that topic in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. What did He mean? These were the two main divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures. So then, the Old Testament will not be abolished, but fulfilled. What does fulfill mean. It can’t mean abolish, because Jesus said that He did not come ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44.

Prelude Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Adultery Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

What about those who can truly claim faithfulness in marriage, before and during? What did Jesus say?

Like murder can exist in our hearts when we don't value other people's lives, how many of us have truly been unfaithful to a spouse? Probably more have been unfaithful before or during marriage than have committed actual murder, but what about those who can truly claim faithfulness in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Spirit Of Lying Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 4, 2021

Today we make vows of marriage, pledges of allegiance, and take oaths of office or make oaths in court. What would Jesus say about this? What about lying?

Today we make vows of marriage, pledges of allegiance, and take oaths of office or make oaths in court. What would Jesus say about this? Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' But I say to you, make no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Justice And Handling Enemies Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2021

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them.

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them. The Spirit of Justice A law of just compensation gave the value for repayment of a lost eye or tooth in an accident or altercation. But Jesus said not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist