Sermons on Sponges:

Eternal Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 28, 2022

The word heaven can bring to mind different pictures in people’s minds, because it is shrouded in mystery. Yet, the Bible also speaks of eternity or eternal life frequently.

The word heaven can bring to mind different pictures in people’s minds, because it is shrouded in mystery. Yet, the Bible also speaks of eternity or eternal life frequently. “This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” (John 17:3 CEB) True ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-3, Romans 3:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Hell

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2022

What does the Bible teach about hell?

What does the Bible teach about hell? Jesus on Hell Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. What did He say unrighteous anger and verbal abuse deserve? “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:49-50

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Offerings

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 4, 2022

What principles can Christians learn about worship from the book of Leviticus?

What principles can Christians learn about worship from the book of Leviticus? Are there spiritual applications of the physical rituals in this first worship book? Burnt Offering God spoke to Moses in Leviticus 1 about the burnt offering. The fire pictures the Holy Spirit cleansing us from sin. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Calendars

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2022

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events?

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events? Worship Calendar Leviticus 23 summarized Israel’s annual worship calendar, including the weekly Sabbath and annual sabbaths. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Exodus, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Sower

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Jesus often spoke in parables, stories or allegories that illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. With the natural amplification of His voice reflecting off the water, did Jesus hold a large meeting? Let’s find out in Matthew 13.

Jesus often spoke in parables, stories or allegories that illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. With the natural amplification of His voice reflecting off the water, did Jesus hold a large meeting? Let’s find out in Matthew 13. On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wheat & Weeds

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Why is there evil in the world? The world is a mixture of good and evil. Let’s discuss the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13:24-43.

Why is there evil in the world? The world is a mixture of good and evil. Let’s discuss the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13:24-43. Lolium temulentum, darnel, tares, cockle, or false wheat exists worldwide. It has deep roots. It’s toxic, and similar to wheat until maturity. Wheat is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Eternal Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Is our focus on earthly kingdoms or the kingdom of God? How much do we treasure the things of God? Let’s examine heaven’s treasure in Matthew 13:44-52.

Eternal Treasures Is our focus on earthly kingdoms or the kingdom of God? How much do we treasure the things of God? Let’s examine heaven’s treasure in Matthew 13:44-52. Like black mustard, the kingdom of heaven will grow large, not stay small like exclusive sects teach. Like leaven it affects ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Provides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Can God provide for the faithful even under political oppression? While Herod Antipas ruled Galilee under Caesar Augustus, Jesus preached to thousands. Herod had executed John the Baptist. Was he also paranoid about Jesus? Let’s find out in Matthew 14.

Can God provide for the faithful even under political oppression? While Herod Antipas ruled Galilee under Caesar Augustus, Jesus preached to thousands. Herod had executed John the Baptist. Was he also paranoid about Jesus? Let’s find out in Matthew 14. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15.

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15. Vain Traditions Was Jesus criticized over a man-made tradition? Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16.

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16. A Sign Are we sometimes like the Pharisees, seeking a sign instead of living by faith? Are we looking for conspiracies rather than simply discerning the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Transfiguration

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9. A small attendance and a large miracle went hand-in-hand. False prophets often draw large crowds (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14). ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Offenses And Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18.

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Divorce, Children And Wealth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19.

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19. Divorce What was the question that the Pharisees asked? When Jesus finished saying these ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2024

What important events surround Palm Sunday? Let's find out in Matthew 21.

Palm Sunday brings lessons on the purpose of church buildings, faith, heavenly versus human authority, following through after saying yes, and producing fruit. Let’s review them in Matthew 21. Palm Sunday Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of the failure of human ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Love & Taxes (Matthew 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Love and taxes are two important topics. What does Jesus have to say about such things? Let's see in Matthew 22.

Let’s look at lessons on God’s invitation, paying taxes, marriage in heaven and love in Matthew 22. God’s Invitation What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Did many refuse to accept the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist