Sermons on sponges: showing 751-765 of 1,772

Kill The Messenger

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 9, 2021

Are we offended when repentance is preached? Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29.

Prelude Are we offended when repentance is preached? Purpose: Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s Plan: Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. Who is Jesus Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him [Jesus], for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sheep Without A Shepherd

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 12, 2021

As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Let’s focus on our mission. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

Prelude As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Purpose: Let’s focus on our mission. Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. 1 Tell & Rest Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Immorality Within

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 25, 2021

Excusing iniquity within the church is nothing new. Here is a case study in how churches should handle immorality within. What was the situation?

Excusing iniquity within the church is nothing new. Here is a case study in how churches should handle immorality within. What was the situation? 1 Cor 5:1-8 Immorality Within 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Mock Parade

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 27, 2021

Where does the solution to all our problems really come from? Does it come from here on earth? What does God have to do with national and personal deliverance from all our problems? Purpose: Let’s understand the political implications of Palm Sunday. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 11:1-11.

Where does the solution to all our problems really come from? Does it come from here on earth? What does God have to do with national and personal deliverance from all our problems? Purpose: Let’s understand the political implications of Palm Sunday. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 11:1-11 and the only ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Woman, Why Are You Weeping?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 3, 2021

The story setting is early on that Sunday morning after Jesus’ resurrection.

The story setting is early on that Sunday morning after Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). This time of year, Jerusalem can be just over 20°C (about 70°F on the old scale) during the day. Early that morning it may have been about 10°C (50°F), so Mary probably wrapped herself up ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Married & Single Christians

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2021

What wisdom would married and single Christians want to consider?

What wisdom would married and single Christians want to consider? 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 Christian Marriages Is celibacy good or bad? 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. What should single people do if they continually ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

Miracles Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2022

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed?

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed? A Leper What did Jesus say when healing a leper? “Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t say anything to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Triumph & Suffering

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 12, 2022

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory.

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory. Prophecy Before Christ comes back there will be much suffering for the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Salvation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2022

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23).

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23). Eternal Salvation Eternal salvation is often referred ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:20, Matthew 10:28, Jude 1:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Repentance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2022

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together.

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together. Repent & Believe What do repentance and belief have to do with salvation? Feeling sorry for ourselves but refusing to change does nothing. But, grief with repentance leads to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Mark 1:14-15, Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Faith?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2022

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included?

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included? “I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NLT) Repentance is also from unbelief to faith. Are good works evidence ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, Hebrews 11:1, Jude 1:3

Denomination: Independent/Bible