Sermons on sponges: showing 931-945 of 1,773

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

Lesson 30: Preach A Label Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2018

Labeling can be abused. But there are correct labels. Let's live up to the labels God gives us.

Lesson Goal To encourage the correct labeling of things and living up to the labels used in the churches. Lesson Intro Like it or not, we are all labeled. Some of those are false labels and some are true descriptions. Some of the labels which we may not like are true of us as well as some of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 31: Preach A Contrast Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 9, 2018

Teach people to think by contrasting two or more sides of a theological argument.

Lesson Goal Preach a sermon that contrasts different sides. Lesson Intro When we spoke of a false dichotomy, we realized that some stories have more than two sides. However, some stories have only two options, or sides and that is not a false dichotomy, but a genuine one. Let's contrast two or ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Is Forgiveness So Hard

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 10, 2018

Where does repentance lead us? What does forgiveness mean for us now?

Prelude Where does repentance lead us? Repentance leads us into forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean for us now? Purpose: Let us look at the importance of knowing forgiveness as we live each day. Plan: We will look at Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; and 1 John 3:1-7 focusing on the topic of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 32: Preach A Q And A Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 10, 2018

A question and answer style sermon

Lesson Goal I hope to teach how to preach a question and answer style sermon. Lesson Intro Have you ever been interviewed or been asked a lot of questions that you had difficulty answering. Christians are encouraged to give an answer for the hope that lies within them, but so much of the time, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:4-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 33: Preach An Adventure Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2018

Preach a sermon that builds to an adventurous climax

Lesson Goal To create an adventurous kind of sermon that is like a fox hunt or a game of chase which builds towards a climax at the end. Lesson Intro In our neighborhood the old fashioned game of tag was called chasey. It was a chase, a mission and an adventure all wrapped up on one. As I grew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 34: Preach A Diagnosis-Remedy Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 12, 2018

Spiritual diagnosis and spiritual remedy

Lesson Goal I hope to encourage the preaching of a spiritual diagnosis and an appropriate remedy. Lesson Intro One of the most dangerous sermons a preacher/pastor/priest can give is, when he goes from preachin' to meddlin' by telling people that Houston, "we" have a problem and how to fix it. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:20-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 35: Preach A Hegelian Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2018

Solve a seeming contradiction, the Hegelian thesis, antithesis and synthesis

Lesson Goal I hope to encourage preaching a sermon solving a contradiction. Lesson Intro Non-Christian skeptics love to point out apparent contradictions in the Bible, the Church, Christian history or even Christian propositions like morality. Sometimes the point is valid, sometimes not. For ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:4-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lesson 36: Preach An Analogy Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 15, 2018

Preaching analogies is very biblical

Lesson Goal I hope to encourage the preaching of sermons using an analogy. Lesson Intro Jesus is our prime model of good preaching. He used analogy continually. Many of his parables are analogies. Yet, his analogies are not limited to his parables. Jesus is the door, the bread, the light, the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible