Sermons on Sponges:

Nah-Yeah

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 20, 2020

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32.

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32. Authority Matthew 21:23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Sealed (Revelation 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 27, 2020

Let’s take a look at the sealing of the faithful among all nations, beginning with Israel in Revelation 7.

Let’s take a look at the sealing of the faithful among all nations, beginning with Israel in Revelation 7. Israel Sealed Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners [angles] of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7th Seal & 1st 4 Trumpets (Revelation 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 30, 2020

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets in Revelation 8.

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets. 7th Seal - Silence Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Whether or not the seals or the scroll is being revealed is unclear, so we will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fruitfulness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 1, 2020

What kind of faith is saving faith? Let’s look at living faith, its fruit, its evidence and the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46.

What kind of faith is saving faith? Let’s look at living faith, its fruit, its evidence and the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46. The Servants Matthew 21:33-37 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Baptist

Invitation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2020

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.

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. Matthew 22:1-2 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

First Two Woes (Revelation 9)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 6, 2020

Let’s now take a look at the fifth and sixth trumpets, also known as the first two of three woes, in Revelation 9.

Let’s now take a look at the fifth and sixth trumpets, also known as the first two of three woes, in Revelation 9. 5th Trumpet 1st Woe - The Abyss Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2014

The Bible makes few mandates for baptism, but what it does demand makes it beautiful.

Intro In Matthew 3 we are introduced to the Baptism of Christ. This ceremony which has become the norm for almost all Christian churches is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Goal To help us appreciate baptism and its significance. Plan We will look at what is and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Come And You Will See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 19, 2014

Come to a church where Jesus is preached and you will begin to see the answer to the most important issues of life.

Intro What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Goal To show how important Jesus is to the church. Plan We will look at why we are here, John the Baptist’s example and the lamb of God. Why are we here Have we ever asked ourselves, why are we here? So, here we sit in a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Secret, The Beatitudes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2014

The Beatitudes reveal that we can be more than happy. We can be blessed!

Intro It is sometimes a puzzle to understand God's mind. His thinking is so far above ours. The secret is: there is no secret. People pay gurus millions to learn what is often half-baked wisdom and ignore the wonderful truth found in the beatitudes which is free to all (Matthew 5:1-12). These ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Exorcising Our Demons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 8, 2014

Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us.

Intro Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us. Goal Perhaps we can learn how evil comes in many disguises, even religious ones. Sermon Plan Are we healers or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Law And The Christian, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2014

Jesus gave the ultimate commentary on the Old Testament law, yet it is not very well understood in the Christian community. In this the first of several sermons, we will explore the law and the Christian.

Intro In the sermon on the mount Jesus called us salt and light, then condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that Christians should put to death idolaters, Sabbath breakers, adulterers and those who dishonor their parents, sacrifices animals, be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Prayer For You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2016

If Jesus prayed for you, what would he say. Let's look at his prayer for you in John 17:20-26

Intro If Jesus were to pray for you and me, what would he say? Purpose We actually have record of such a prayer. He did pray for us and among other things he prayed for our unity. Plan Let’s look at part of the long Lord’s prayer in John 17:20-26 and see its great lesson for ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Greater Works Than These

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 15, 2016

What could possibly be a greater work than the cross?

Intro On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the Church to do a mighty work. What is the work of the Church and what does it have to do with us? Purpose Let’s examine John 14:8-17 and the greater work that has been bequeathed to us. Plan 1. A Greater Work than The Cross? How can there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Guides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 22, 2016

How do we discern the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Intro How can we tell if an idea comes from the Holy Spirit or not? Purpose Many people claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, but we need to test what they say and find out the truth for ourselves. Plan One place that we can look at is John 16:12-15 where Jesus teaches about what the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Such Great Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2016

How can we have faith since we are at such a distance from the days of the Apostles?

Intro The culture and history in the Bible are in the distant past. How can we have faith in God when the stories we read are so far from us? Purpose Let’s understand that distance does not have to diminish faith may enhance it. Plan Let’s look at Luke 7:1-10 and see how one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist