Sermons on Sponges:

Mystery Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2020

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Leadership Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamb Of God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2020

What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Let's look at John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God in John 1:29-42.

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

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Really Follow Jesus?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 22, 2020

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23.

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23. Capernaum Matthew 4:12-13 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

Secrets Of Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 22, 2020

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit Matthew 5:1-3 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 2, 2020

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. What does that mean? Let’s learn what our relationship to the law is. Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. What does that mean? Let’s learn what our relationship to the law is. Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20. You ARE Salt Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Law, Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 10, 2020

Imagine a commentary on the Old Testament by Jesus Christ. It would be the best, and we have one in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s look at murder, adultery and bearing false witness in Matthew 5:21-37.

Imagine a commentary on the Old Testament by Jesus Christ. It would be the best, and we have one in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s look at murder, adultery and bearing false witness in Matthew 5:21-37. Murder Matthew 5:21-26 “You have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Baptist

A Taste Of Eternity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 17, 2020

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result. We will look at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 and its application in transforming our lives today.

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result. We will look at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 and its application in transforming our lives today. Small Group of 3 Matthew 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Temptation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2020

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but he succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

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

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Visitor In The Dark

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2020

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17.

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17. Nicodemus John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism At A Local Watering Hole

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 9, 2020

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42.

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42. An Unbiased Savior John 4:5-9 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Baptist

We Preach Christ Not Ourselves

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2018

How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament?

Prelude How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s examine the popular notion that we can ignore or reinterpret clear New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering And Hope

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2018

Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope.

Intro Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Purpose: Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 3:20-35 and 2 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2018

What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth?

Prelude What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. Plan: We will look at Mark 4:26-34 and why optimism over the church’s future is valid, why the church will continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Once For All Delivered

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2018

As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament?

Intro As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s see if Jude gives us some help. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Giant Problems

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 18, 2018

Are our problems too large for God to handle? Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and a squall on Lake Galilee in Mark 4:35-41.

Prelude to Part 1 Giant Personalities Are our problems too large for God to handle? Purpose: Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Plan: Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49. 1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear Saul ignored the advice of God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist