Sermons on Sponges:

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 12, 2019

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think.

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think. Perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Love Your Enemies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 18, 2019

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38. How Love Enemies Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Glimpse Of Glory

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 26, 2019

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2.

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. To understand Paul’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Loves An Imperfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2019

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3.

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3. Hosea 1:2-3 When the Lord first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

O Jerusalem!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 12, 2019

How does true love operate? Does it leave people with their demons, unhealed and hurting themselves? Does true love sacrifice even for people who initially reject it? Let’s find out by looking at Luke 13:31-35.

How does true love operate? Does it leave people with their demons, unhealed and hurting themselves? Does true love sacrifice even for people who initially reject it? Let’s find out by looking at Luke 13:31-35. Luke 13:31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2018

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? A year D sermon.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times. House of Prayer Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

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

Abraham And Succession By Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 5, 2018

Did Jesus support the theory of apostolic succession or faith? Let's see why faith is the key, through Abraham's story.

Why was Abram who became Abraham called the father of the faithful? What can we learn about about apostolic succession by looking back at Abraham? Let’s look at his early life and the tests of Abraham’s faith and how he dealt with them in Genesis 12-22 (Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, Lamb Of God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 12, 2018

What does salvation have to do with a lamb? How did Jesus become the Lamb of God?

How is God’s purpose hinted at from earliest human history? What does it have to do with a lamb? Let’s look at how Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain from the beginning and how it culminates in Revelation 22. Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 19, 2018

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised that you know many personally.

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say. Jesus Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 53:12, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

God Cares For The Little Guy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 25, 2018

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones?

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones? Let’s understand Jesus’ attitude towards believers whose faith is still small in Mark 9:38-50. Do Not Hinder Mark 9:38-39 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: Baptist

Communion Confusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2018

Is communion a sacrament, ordinance or memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper?

Is Communion a sacrament, an ordinance, or a memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper? Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 22:14-27. Passover Luke 22:14 “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.” The appointed hour that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-27

Denomination: Baptist

Rest From Our Burdens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2018

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries?

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries? Let’s find out what our true rest is, by looking at Hebrews 4. Is His Rest the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Commands The Morning?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2018

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer?

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer? Job had suffered terribly and demanded an audience with God to question His fairness. God now begins to challenge Job in Job 38. Let’s listen in. Words without Knowledge Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Does Trinity Make Sense

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 21, 2018

How is God both three and one?

Intro How is God both three and one? [Note: All scriptures are given for reference. Obviously it would be a very long and tedious sermon to turn to each and every one. I recommend turning to very few, but leaving a scripture list for those who wish to study further.] Goal: Let’s understand why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist