Sermons on Sponges:

Come, Believe, Live

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Let’s examine what eating bread means and how Jesus is the bread of life.

Intro What is eaten but never totally consumed? How does eternal life transmit to us as we eat the bread of heaven? How does God want us to understand the bread from heaven? Goal Let’s examine what eating bread means and how Jesus is the bread of life. Plan We will read John 6:35, 41-51 ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51

Denomination: Baptist

Sense & Nonsense About Alcohol

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

May a Christian drink alcohol?

Sense & Nonsense about Alcohol Intro May a Christian drink? What about what Paul said about not eating or drinking if it caused offense? What about alcoholics? What about Jesus turning water into wine? What about respecting each other when there are differences of opinion? The Gospel is Like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:21

Denomination: Baptist

A Time To Dance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Is it okay for Christians to dance? Are rules against dancing just silly man-made rules or are they right? If dancing is okay, what kind of dancing would be right?

the Christian Church has a long history of making up rules that are not in the Bible. Is this right? Is dancing biblical or forbidden? What is the answer? Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making up religious rules that are not in the Bible. One example of this among Christians is the topic of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:4

Denomination: Baptist

Nick At Night

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2014

Nicodemus who defended Jesus at his trial, helped bury him and was later kicked out of the Sanhedrin for being a Christian did not start out filled with faith. Like most of us, he had questions. The answers that Jesus gave him are wonderful.

Intro What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Goal Let us understand the Spirit life. Plan We will examine Nicodemus, regeneration, and why we are not to condemn others. Nicodemus Nicodemus is also called Saint Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a senator ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do We Follow?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2014

We may call ourselves Christians, but is Jesus our Shepherd? Are we really following him or merely using his name to excuse following a man, a tradition or our own stubbornness?

Intro: We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Goal: To really understand the most popular of all the Psalms. Plan: We will go through Psalm 23 looking at some important details. I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Peace On Earth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2016

Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised.

Intro Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised. Goal Let’s understand that worldly importance is unimportant to God. He has very different values. Sermon Plan We will look at Luke 2:1-40, God’s guest list and peace on earth. Bethlehem Luke 2:1 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For Sheep

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2017

What do sheep and goats and heaven and hell have to do with my life now?

Intro This is the sermon that nobody wants to hear. It is far easier to preach the Gospel than live the Gospel. This contains one of the most important lessons in the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ. Purpose What are our individual and national responsibilities towards the needy? Plan We will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 9, 2017

How can we differentiate between our preferences for baptism and Christ's commands?

Intro The Baptism of Christ was a forerunner to a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Goal Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Plan We will look at Matthew 3:13-17 and Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3:13 Then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Come And See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 15, 2017

A lesson left for us by John the Baptist

Intro What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Goal Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Plan We will look at John 1:29-42 and John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance For Christmas

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2016

Let’s look at Matthew 3:1-12 and the idea of repentance as preparation for Christ.

Intro A commercialized, materialistic Christmas disappoints us every year. We spend money we don’t have on gifts that our children don’t need and we end up raising unhappy and selfish adults who don’t appreciate the greatest Christmas gift of all. What we really need, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 18, 2016

Let’s look at Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph's dilemma, the meanings of Jesus' names and whether or not Mary remained a perpetual virgin.

The Savior's Next Step for Our Church Acts 1:12-26 (Initial reading: vs. 8-14) Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 19, 2013 *This is last week's issue of "The Baptist Message," and the headline for this article is: "Hankins Delivers Sobering News to 2020 Commission." It tells us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Secure In God's Hand

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 30, 2018

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see. The Setting John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Be Strong & Courageous (Joshua 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 2, 2025

Do God's words to Joshua also apply to us? Let's begin in Joshua 1.

Do the words, “be strong and of good courage” epitomize Joshua? Do they also encourage us? Does God's promise to Joshua, “I will not fail you, nor forsake you,” also apply in principle to us? Let’s look at Joshua 1. After the death of Moses, what did God speak to Joshua about? Now after the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Prostitute's Faith (Joshua 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 4, 2025

What can we learn about faith from a Prostitute? Let's look at Joshua 2.

Are we scandalized that a prostitute can teach us about faith? Does she teach us the difference between a dead faith that does nothing and a living faith that acts? Do we sometimes act imperfectly even in faith? Let’s begin in Joshua 2. Did Joshua send scouts to spy out the walled city of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Crossing The Jordan (Joshua 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2025

How does Israel crossing the Jordan picture our wonderful eternity? Let's begin in Joshua 3.

Is there an eternal promised land of rest pictured by Israel crossing the Jordan into their promised land? Do we look for a new heaven, a new earth and a new Jerusalem? Let’s begin in Joshua 3. How did Joshua prepare to cross the Jordan into the promised land? Early in the morning Joshua and all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist