Sermons on Sponges:

The Son Of Man Is Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2018

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. A Year D Sermon.

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. Ready Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming One In Spirit Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 20, 2017

Has God already unified His Church in a way that those who focus on church politics miss?

Intro When we think of church unity, we think of political unity, yet in the greatest sense is the Church already unified? Purpose Has God already unified His Church in a way that those who focus on church politics miss? Plan Let’s look at John 14:15-21 and how the Holy Spirit unifies ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2017

The kingdom of heaven is like treasures old and new.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Do we have any special treasures? Do we own heirlooms from distant lands? Are our families among our greatest treasures? Do we treat the things of God as our greatest treasures of all? Let’s look at some special aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Baptist

Providence

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 2, 2017

When all we have is a few loaves and fishes, God can help us feed a multitude.

Intro, Goal and Plan What can we do with meager human resources? Is there an answer in the Gospels? Let’s understand the invisible dimension of life, Jesus. Let’s examine Matthew 14:13-21, the miracle of feeding the 5,000 and see how it applies to us today. Matthew 14:13-14 He was Moved with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 41:13, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 34:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Doubt

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2017

Why do we have so little faith and so much doubt?

Intro, Purpose & Plan Who do we look to for help when we seem to be all alone and in total darkness as life tosses us about? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33. Matthew 14:22-23 Go before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

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