Sermons on Sponges:

A Long Journey To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2019

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Is Confirmation Biblical

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 8, 2019

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2. Infant baptism in NOT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 John 4:15, Acts 8:14-17, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 9:17, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 10:44-48, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Manifestations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2019

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit?

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Let’s see how God’s glory was revealed in spiritual gifts given to an ancient church by exploring 1 Corinthians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Everyone Is Valuable

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2019

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a.

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For even as the body is one and yet has many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Thing

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 29, 2019

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13.

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Down Your Nets

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2019

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11.

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11. Luke 5:1-2 “Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

Self-Righteous Delusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2019

Do we constantly criticize others? Do we constantly compare ourselves to others to justify ourselves? Let’s learn that we are all in the same boat and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we constantly criticize others? What about politicians, past or current generations or fellow motorists? Do we constantly compare ourselves to others to justify ourselves? Let’s learn that we are all in the same boat and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance Of A Con Man

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 28, 2019

Can a con man change? Is it possible for a rich man with ill gotten gains to enter heaven? Let’s look at Luke 19:1-10 and one such man’s repentance.

Can a con man change? Is it possible for a rich man with ill gotten gains to enter heaven? Let’s look at Luke 19:1-10 and one such man’s repentance. Wealth Luke 19:1-4 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Dead Or Alive?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 2, 2019

What happens after death? What happens between death and the return of Christ? Let’s discuss the Sadducees, an ancient marriage custom and resurrection questions in Luke 20:27-38.

What happens after death? What happens between death and the return of Christ? Where are our loved ones? Let’s understand that God is the God of the living because to him all are alive. Let’s discuss the Sadducees, an ancient marriage custom and resurrection questions in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Deceived

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 13, 2019

Jesus said the gates of hell will not destroy His Church (Matthew 16:18). He was not talking about a building. People are the Church. Let’s look at Luke 21:5-19 and discuss fear and enduring to the end.

Jesus said the gates of hell will not destroy His Church (Matthew 16:18). He was not talking about a building. People are the Church. Let’s look at Luke 21:5-19 and discuss fear and enduring to the end. Not One Stone Luke 21:5-6 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Baptist

Failure Of Human Leadership Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 20, 2019

Can human political systems save us? We elect national leaders, and are quickly disappointed. Let’s learn that only God’s government can truly bless humanity. Let’s contrast human governments and Christ’s government in Luke 23:33-43.

Can human political systems save us? We elect national leaders, and are quickly disappointed. Let’s learn that only God’s government can truly bless humanity. Let’s contrast human governments and Christ’s government in Luke 23:33-43. Forgive Them Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist

Watching And Praying

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 24, 2019

When will Jesus return? Let’s learn that we do not know when Christ will return but that he will come back and we must keep watch. Let’s discuss this in Matthew 24:36-44.

When will Jesus return? Let’s learn that we do not know when Christ will return but that he will come back and we must keep watch. Let’s discuss this in Matthew 24:36-44. End of an Era Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2019

A commercialized, materialistic Christmas often leaves out the greatest Christmas gift of all. How did John the Baptist prepare for our Savior? Let’s look at John’s preparation for Jesus in Matthew 3:1-12.

A commercialized, materialistic Christmas often leaves out the greatest Christmas gift of all. How did John the Baptist prepare for our Savior? Let’s look at John’s preparation for Jesus in Matthew 3:1-12. Preaching Matthew 3:1 “In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist