Sermons on Sponges:

Believe In Jesus & Never Die

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 22, 2023

What can we learn from a resurrection of one of Jesus closest friends?

Let’s learn a couple of ways to examine a Bible passage: 1) solving dilemmas, and 2) finding the Good News. Let’s examine the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:1-45. What was the setting? Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Samuel

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 28, 2023

Samuel the prophet was the last of the judges. 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book or scroll and describe God’s dealings with Samuel, Saul, David, Bathsheba and Absalom.

Before ancient Israel had kings, they were led in times of crisis by military leaders known as judges. Samuel the prophet was the last of the judges. 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book or scroll and describe God’s dealings with Samuel, Saul, David, Bathsheba and Absalom. Was Hannah an example ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Atheism, Emotional Not Logical

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 2, 2023

What are the motives behind atheism? Is the evidence for God's existence ubiquitous or elusive?

Romans is a book written by Paul to help Jewish and Gentile Christians realize that we are all equal before God. Paul introduced himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. Was He a slave of Christ because he was ransomed from slavery to the devil, because Jesus paid the ransom price? Is slavery to Christ ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jew & Gentile, Equal Before God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 4, 2023

How can we recognize sin yet not be judgmental of others? Is it because we should also recognize that we are all guilty of sin?

How can we recognize sin yet not be judgmental of others? Is it because we should also recognize that we are all guilty of sin? You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fruitful Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2023

Is faith without works dead? Are works of the law different to good works or works of obedience to Christ? Did Luther get it right or was he confused by a false equivalency between works of the law and works of obedience to Christ?

Do Jews have any advantage that others do not have? Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words [oracles] of God. (Romans 3:1-2 NASB) What if some of the Jews were unfaithful? True, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham's Obedient Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2023

Is there a difference between works of the law and works of faith? Many Christians confuse the two as one, but they are not. Let's let the Bible answer the question.

A false equivalence is bad logic. It occurs when we believe that the same word in different contexts means the same thing. This happens in Christian discussions of the word works. We solve the confusion by asking what kind of “works” is being discussed. Is it works of the law or works of obedient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Justified By Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

How can we be made right in God's sight? Can we believe Jesus and disobey Him?

Does Paul teach that all nations are equally sinful and the only way for any of us to be justified is by faith? Do we then have peace with God through whom? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV) Is it a disobedient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

New Holy Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

Does the new life in Christ mean we can be careless about sin or careful to live sin free? Is holiness important or is that just self-righteousness?

May we Christians just believe and not obey Jesus Christ? Can we be attached to the vine and not bear fruit? So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? (Romans 6:2 CEB) May we return to living ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Flesh And Spirit

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 25, 2023

How do the flesh and the Spirit war against one another within each of us? How do we deal with an imperfect church and a perfect Savior?

How do the flesh and Spirit affect our lives and our relationship to the law? Is the law pictured as the husband of the soul in a similar manner as a man is to his wife? Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Condemnation In Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 15, 2023

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Let's find out in Romans 8.

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1-2 NASB) Was God’s law weak ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Special Vessels

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2023

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Let's find out in Romans 9.

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Are the chosen people Jews or Christians or both? Let’s begin by asking, did Paul love his fellow Jews? I’m speaking the truth in Christ—I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit: 2 I have great sadness and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Prejudices (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2023

Jesus told us to get out of our comfort zones and spread the good news. How are we doing?

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20. They Worshiped Him Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Belief In Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2023

Is belief in Jesus important for both Jews and Gentiles?

What makes people acceptable to God? Let’s begin with Paul’s prayer for Israel? Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire is for Israel’s salvation. That’s my prayer to God for them. (Romans 10:1 CEB) What was Israel’s biggest issue? Can Christians have the same problem? I know they love God, but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Countercultural Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2023

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26.

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26. How did Jesus call some of His disciples? Is that a picture for anyone who chooses to follow Him? As Jesus passed on from there, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Baptist

Has God Rejected Israel?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2023

Has God rejected Israel? Let's let Paul answer that question in Romans 11.

Paul answers an important question. So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! I’m an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1 CEB) Were some in Israel faithful? God did not turn his back on his chosen people. Don't you remember reading in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist