Sermons on Sponges:

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

Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 22, 2022

There is a freedom that politics cannot guarantee, freedom from corruption and death. Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt was a forerunner of ultimate freedom granted in Jesus.

When we speak of freedom today, we usually think of politics, freedom from dictatorship and freedom to live as we choose. But, there is a freedom that politics cannot guarantee, freedom from corruption and death. Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt was a forerunner of ultimate freedom granted in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Old Covenant

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2022

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin.

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin. “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’ “ (John 8:34 ESV) The old covenant was established to expose ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24, Romans 7:12, Romans 8:2-3, Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In Exodus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 28, 2022

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus.

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus. Did all the prophets speak of Jesus? “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:25-27, John 5:46, Hebrews 11:26, 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 6:32-50  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Preparation For Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 2, 2022

Let’s understand the circumstances of Jesus' birth and John the Baptist’s preparatory ministry.

Let’s look at the New Testament book of Matthew, which contains the best commentary about the law of Moses, and its application in the spirit for Christians. First, let’s understand the circumstances of Jesus' birth and John the Baptist’s preparatory ministry. Names Names used to be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Keys To Lasting Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 4, 2022

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5).

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). Poor in Spirit “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 5, 2022

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Let’s examine Jesus’ commentary on the law in the sermon on the mount and understand the spirit of the law.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Let’s examine Jesus’ commentary on the law in the sermon on the mount and understand the spirit of the law. You ARE Salt and Light “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Commands

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 6, 2022

The Ten Commandments are important, but are we aware of the commandments of Christ? Let’s look at some of Jesus’ commands in the Gospel of Matthew.

The Ten Commandments are important, but are we aware of the commandments of Christ? Let’s look at some of Jesus’ commands in the Gospel of Matthew. Repent What was an important focus of Jesus’ preaching? “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2022

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. Let's look at Jesus' parables in Matthew.

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. “All of them have stubborn minds! They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 CEV) Shepherds We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist