Sermons on Sponges:

False Predictions (2 Thessalonians 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 2, 2024

Can Christians be fooled by false predictions? Let's examine this thought in 2 Thessalonians 2.

Can Christians easily be alarmed by false predictions that the day of the Lord has already come? Was a rebellion, falling away or an apostasy predicted? How can we be sure that we are not fooled? Is standing on the bedrock teachings of Jesus important? Does the truth set us apart? Let's find ...read more

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

Two Confessions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2020

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31.

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31. John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Christ?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2020

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh?

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh? Christ is from Greek, meaning the same as Messiah from Hebrew, the Savior of all humanity. Studying Christ is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Journey

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 20, 2020

Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35.

Mystery Journey Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35. Luke 24:13 says, “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Gate

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 29, 2020

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10.

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10. Background By way of background to Jesus’ lesson let’s learn a few essentials about ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is The Holy Spirit, Part 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 4, 2020

Is the Holy Spirit a universal force or a person? Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His work? What does He do in the world today?

Is the Holy Spirit a universal force or a person? Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His work? What does He do in the world today? A Greek word for spirit is p?e?µa (pneuma) and so a study of the Holy Spirit is called Pneumatology. Is the Holy Spirit a Person? He has a will and makes choices. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:11, John 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist