Sermons on Sponges:

The 2nd Coming Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2017

What is the real hope of Christmas? Where is the peace on earth? Where is the good will towards men?

Prelude What is the real hope of Christmas? Where is the peace on earth? Where is the good will towards men? Purpose: Let’s look at the hope of Christ’s coming. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 13:24-37 and why it is really good news. Preaching Mark 13:26-27 Christ is Coming Advent is a time of hope. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

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

You Are Set Free

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2016

Are we truly free in Christ or are we still in a state of bondage?

You are Set Free Intro Are we truly free in Christ or are we still in a state of bondage? Goal Let’s learn that religious bondage is every bit as bad as slavery. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Luke 13:10-17 healing, the Sabbath and freedom. Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Rethinking Community

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2016

Do Christians have a Christ-given responsibility towards the marginalized?

Intro Our world has many marginalized people. The socially excluded lack access to housing, employment, healthcare, civic participation, and legal protection. Second class citizenship leads to poverty, crime, suicide, and drug addiction. The solution begins with something that Jesus taught, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Talking Tough

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 1, 2016

Let’s examine Luke 14:25-33 and the cost of being a disciple.

Intro If church size is more important than faithfulness to Jesus, then here are 5 ways to build a mega church. 1) Promise that obedience to Jesus will improve your worldly stature. 2) Promise that people will not have to carry their own cross, because Jesus did. 3) Tell them not to use their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking The Lost

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2016

How valuable are we to God? How valuable are those not yet in the church? I want us to learn that everyone is valuable to God. Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10.

Intro How valuable are we to God? How valuable are those not yet in the church? Goal I want us to learn that everyone is valuable to God. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10. Luke 15:1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Heavenly Purposes For Filthy Lucre

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2016

What did Jesus teach about money?

Sermon Intro Why is money referred to as filthy lucre? Because we all sin, all money is tainted by sin of some kind. Is filthy lucre usable for heavenly purposes? Goal Let’s learn that filthy lucre can be used for heavenly purposes. Sermon Plan We will discuss a shrewd manager and his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Reversal

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 26, 2016

Do we even care? Or are we so busy accumulating wealth and looking for healing for ourselves, that we don't even see the destitute poor?

Intro Are compassion and money incompatible? Goal Let’s learn how important God considers our care of the less fortunate. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Luke 16:19-31, an unnamed rich man and a famous beggar, Lazarus. We will learn about the dangers of the hard-hearted, selfish use of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Like A Mustard Seed

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2016

How much faith does it take to do great things for God?

Intro Jesus had described true discipleship. The Son of Man had nowhere to lay his head. Those who put family first need to put the kingdom first. Wavering or looking back makes one not fit. The cost of following him is everything. We must carry our cross and give up possessions. How could anyone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Persistent And Demanding Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 11, 2016

Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear?

Intro Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear? Goal Let’s learn that God sometimes will only hear persistent, demanding prayers. Sermon Plan We will discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Our Demons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 19, 2016

In a crazy world, can we be free from our demons?

Intro Can we be free in a world of insanity and self-destruction? Purpose Salvation is often seen as only for eternity. But, salvation is also for today. Plan Let’s examine Luke 8:26-39 and Jesus saving a gentile from his insanity. Luke 8:26 So they arrived in the region of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Baptist

Making Difficult Choices

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 26, 2016

How do we make difficult choices and stick with them?

Intro How do we make difficult choices and stick with them? Purpose There are many factors involved in a difficult choice, but let’s look at a very important place to start. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Luke 9:51-62 and learn a very important consideration in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Baptist