Sermons on Sponges:

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

Jesus As Refugee

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2023

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23.

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23. Fleeing to Egypt Now when they [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Chosen

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2023

Is there a group of people called the chosen ones, the elect?

Is there a group of people called the chosen ones, the elect? If God doesn’t make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God’s chosen ones [the elect], he will make the time shorter. (Matthew 24:22 CEV) How are people chosen for life? Does God’s sovereignty turn us into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:22

Denomination: Baptist

Born From Above

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 7, 2023

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17.

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17. Nicodemus There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (John 3:1 NKJV) Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ruling ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Turning To God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 13, 2023

What is conversion?

Conversion is turning to God. It is the action accompanying repentance, the outward result of a changed heart, a changed direction, in biblical Greek (epistrophé) a turning about. It is the fruit that John the Baptist demanded (Matthew 3:7-8). Do repentance and conversion go together? Repent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 15, 2023

What does it mean to be in Christ? Let’s allow the Bible to tell us. Several churches claim that eternal life is only available within their walls. Who does Jesus say will have eternal life?

What does it mean to be in Christ? Let’s allow the Bible to tell us. Several churches claim that eternal life is only available within their walls. Who does Jesus say will have eternal life? For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Permanent Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2023

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Adopted By God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 1, 2023

Can we be adopted by God? How? What does that even mean?

In ancient times there was often no difference between an adopted child and a natural born one. An adopted child received all the rights and privileges of a biological child. That is the meaning in the Bible. We have a special relationship as an adopted child of God. When the Bible uses the term ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Money (Luke 16)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2025

Do we use money for selfish pursuits or to relieve the suffering? Let's look at Luke 16.

Do we handle money wisely? Is greed a misuse of wealth? Do we use money to relieve suffering? Let’s examine Luke 16. What did a manager do during the final days before his job was terminated? And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Increase Our Faith (Luke 17)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 24, 2025

Does forgiving each other require an increase in faith? Let's look at Luke 17.

Do we have faith to forgive, to be healed, to wait for Christ’s coming? Let’s look at Luke 17. Will temptations come? What happens to the one who does the tempting? Should we forgive each other? Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause people to trip and fall into sin must happen, but how ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pray Persistently (Luke 18)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 25, 2025

Do we pray persistently or erratically? Let's look at Luke 18.

Are our prayers persistent or erratic, humble or arrogant, child-like in faith or cynical in distrusting God? Let’s look at Luke 18. Is God better than an unjust judge? Do we have faith to trust God? Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Money & Prayer (Luke 19)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 27, 2025

What do money and prayer have to do with God's kingdom? Let's review Luke 19.

What can a tax collector, ten coins and a parade teach us? Is our church a house of prayer? Let’s review Luke 19. Collectors of Rome’s taxes were deemed Jewish traitors. They became rich. Why did Jesus visit such a scoundrel? He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Olivet Prophecy (Luke 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 29, 2025

What is the prophecy all about, prediction or to be on guard? Let's look at Luke 21.

Was Jesus deliberately vague about a prophetic timeline? What should we really be on guard against? Let’s look at Luke 21. Right after Jesus describes scribes cheating widows, we’re introduced to a generous widow. Did she give, looking to God not faulty men? Do we look to God in our flawed ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Betrayal (Luke 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 30, 2025

Is betrayal also found in the church? Do we forgive our betrayers? Let's look in Luke 22.

Is betrayal sometimes a problem in church life? Is forgiveness one of the most difficult tasks? Let’s look at Luke 22. Does every church have at least one Judas hiding in the wings? Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. So the high priests and the scribes ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Crucifixion (Luke 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 31, 2025

What happened surrounding the events of Jesus' crucifixion? Let's look at Luke 23.

Is the will of the people sometimes not true justice? Were both Jews and Gentiles guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus? Let’s look at Luke 23. After the Jewish council, where was Jesus taken next? Did Pilate find Him guilty? Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist