Sermons on Sponges:

Is The Law Still Valid?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2017

Jesus discusses salt, light and law

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, sacrifice animals, be circumcised, rest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Explains The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2017

Jesus explains the laws on murder, adultery and bearing false witness

Intro If we could read a commentary on the Old Testament from Jesus Christ how would that be? Well, we actually have that in the Sermon on the Mount. Goal Let’s see the intent of the law by its author, the One who is God with us. Sermon Plan Let’s examine Matthew 5:21-37, the laws on murder, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Baptist

Giving And Loving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 16, 2017

an eye for an eye, insults, generosity, enemies, borrowers and God’s love

Intro Did Jesus tell us to be as perfect as God? How is that possible? Goal Let us understand the measure of love God expects. Sermon Plan We will examine Matthew 5:38-48, an eye for an eye, insults, generosity, enemies, borrowers and God’s love. Matthew 5:38 “You have heard the law that says ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond The Grave

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 26, 2017

The Transfiguration helps us look beyond our decaying, earthly existence to our metamorphosis into joyful, bright children of God

Intro What does life look like beyond the grave? Goal Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result. Plan We will look at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 and its application in transforming our lives today. Matthew 17:1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Great Temptations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2017

Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won.

Intro Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus too was faced with great temptations, but he succeeded. Goal Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Plan We will look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Matthew 4:1-2 Led by the Spirit We read in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism At The Well

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 19, 2017

Let’s see that the Gospel flows from ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus.

Intro What kind of people are able to spread the Gospel? Goal Let’s see that the Gospel flows from ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Plan Let’s examine John 4:5-42 and the woman at the well. John 4:5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Baptist

Who Will Never Die?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 1, 2017

Let’s examine John 11:1-45, the resurrection of Lazarus and the One who dares to call himself “the resurrection and the life.”

Intro What kind of life would we lead if we were guaranteed not to die? How would we live if we knew already that we were immortal? Goal Let’s realize that immortality is a reality in Christ. Plan Let’s examine John 11:1-45, the resurrection of Lazarus and the One who dares to call himself ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Yashá Na!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2017

How does Palm Sunday introduce a new perfect government, the government of God?

Intro Christianity teaches that God is love. Jesus showed this throughout his ministry culminating in the epitome of Godly love on the cross. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of all the false gods of the ancient and modern world. Jesus’ Palm Sunday parade into Jerusalem mocks false Roman gods and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Clear The Road

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 5, 2017

How do we prepare for the Lord’s Coming? How did John prepare? How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepare us for His Coming? What do we need to clear out of our way back to God?

Intro How do we prepare for the Lord’s Coming? How did John prepare? How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepare us for His Coming? What do we need to clear out of our way back to God? Purpose: To show how preparation was made for the highway back to God. Plan: We will look at John the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Light

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 12, 2017

Who is the light? How are we, like John, not the light? What does light change?

Prelude Who is the light? How are we, like John, not the light? What does light change? Purpose: Let’s learn to testify of the Light. Plan: Let’s look at John 1:6-8, 19-28 and John the Baptist as a witness who gave testimony about the One. John 1:6-7a Witness In John 1:6-7a we read, “There was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Humble Virgin

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 19, 2017

What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus?

Prelude What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus? Purpose: Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Plan: Let’s look at Luke 1:26-38, the so-called Annunciation, the announcement to Mary of her pregnancy with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Christmas Pagan?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2017

Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible?

Prelude Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s examine the worth of Christmas and why it’s a perfectly fine Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions that are controversial in some churches and look at the story of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Senior Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2017

What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many of them have been faithful despite life’s suffering?

Prelude What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering? Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints. Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose Of The Creation Story

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2018

Is Genesis theistic evolution, day-age theory, a gap, literal 6 days, a polemic, an allegory, majestic prose, intelligent design or something else? If Christians can’t agree on the timing of creation, can we agree on the purposes of the creation story?

Prelude Berasheet bara' Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Purpose: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Relevance Of Noah's Flood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 9, 2018

Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant?

Prelude Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant? Purpose: Let’s explore some questions about Noah and the flood. Plan: Let’s look at Genesis 6-9 and the relevance of the story. Who were the Sons of God? Genesis 6:2 says, “the sons of God saw the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist