Sermons on Sponges:

Becoming One In Ministry Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2017

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind?

Intro When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? Purpose We actually have record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Plan Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11. John 17 How we Got Jesus’ Prayer Part of the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Rivers Of Living Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2017

Let’s understand how Christians live like rivers of flowing water.

Intro How should we live in the world? Are we to live stagnant, isolated lives? Purpose Let’s understand how Christians live like rivers of flowing water. Plan We will examine John 7:37-39 and Jesus’ instructions on being rivers of living waters. John 7:37 If Anyone Thirsts In John 7:37 ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Into All The World

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2017

Jesus said to to go, make, baptize and teach what?

Intro Among the notable sayings of Jesus are the Great Commandments and the Great Commission. Purpose Let’s look at the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His Church. Plan Let’s explore this in Matthew 28:16-20. Matthew 28:19 Go In Matthew 28:19 the first verb in the Great Commission is to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Sheep & Harvesting

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2017

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church?

Intro What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Purpose Let’s look at some farm lessons that apply directly to the local church. Plan Let’s look at two agricultural metaphors for the church’s work in Matthew 9:35-10:8. Matthew 9:35-36 Shepherdless Sheep In Matthew ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Insults

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2017

How do we handle insults and family opposition to us being a Christian?

Intro Are we men and women of God or mice? Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world push us around and tell us to be quiet about our faith? Goal Let’s learn to be courageous disciples. Plan Let’s examine Matthew 10:24-39 and how to stand up against opposition to our faith like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

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

The Delusion Of Self-Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 23, 2016

Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone?

Intro Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone? Goal Let’s learn that compared to God we are all pitiful and that God alone can make us justified. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Cup Of Cold Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2017

How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us?

Intro How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us? How do we receive Gospel preachers, each other, and newcomers? Purpose Let’s become more welcoming. Plan We will look at Matthew 10:40-42 and hospitality. 2 Kings 4:8-17 The Shunammite ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17, Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

Rest For Our Souls

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2017

Where can we find rest from our heavy burdens?

Intro What burdens do we carry? What does criticism of believers who are different from us do for us? Where can we find rest from these heavy burdens? Purpose Let’s find rest from the heavy burdens that we and others place upon ourselves. Plan Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about burdens ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2017

Let us understand where we find genuine Christianity deeply within people’s hearts.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Are our hearts downtrodden, like a well-worn path? Are our hearts hard, lacking stick-to-it-iveness or thorny, laden down with worldly cares. How can we learn to become like rich soil that receives the word of the kingdom and produces a rich harvest? Let us understand where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Good And Evil In The World?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2017

Why is there evil in the world and in the church?

Intro, Purpose, Plan Why is there evil in the church? What about those who are sincere and have faith in God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Let’s understand that the church is and will always be a mixture of good and evil, but those who are righteous by faith will shine. Let’s discuss the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Baptist