Sermons on Sponges:

The Ode Of Mary

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 20, 2018

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55.

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55. Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2018

Does the sinlessly perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church the perfect church to be in? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17.

Does the perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church a joy to attend? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17. Colossians 3:12 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Persistent And Demanding Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 11, 2016

Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear?

Intro Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear? Goal Let’s learn that God sometimes will only hear persistent, demanding prayers. Sermon Plan We will discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Delusion Of Self-Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 23, 2016

Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone?

Intro Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone? Goal Let’s learn that compared to God we are all pitiful and that God alone can make us justified. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings And Sorrows

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2016

Let’s discuss four blessings and four sorrows from Luke 6:20-31

Intro We should take several different baths each week. The obvious one is a bath for the outer body. A not so obvious bath is one for the inner body, by drinking an appropriate amount of clean water, rather than polluting our bodies with too much junk. Another not so obvious bath is for the mind, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-31

Denomination: Baptist

You Are The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 13, 2016

The gates of hell will not destroy this church. Jesus said that in Matthew 16:18. When he said that, he was not talking about a building. He was talking about the people, because people are the church.

Intro I’m going to utter a prophecy. The gates of hell will not destroy this church. Jesus said that in Matthew 16:18. When he said that, he was not talking about a building. He was talking about the people, because people are the church. Goal Let’s learn that real estate is not the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Thanksgiving List

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 20, 2016

Is there one thing that we can do in under and hour that gives a longer lasting and better quality lift for positive mental health than any drug? What about writing a list of things that we are thankful for?

Intro Is there one thing that we can do in under and hour that gives a longer lasting and better quality lift for positive mental health than any drug? What about writing a list of things that we are thankful for? Purpose Let’s be thankful to God for each and every day, because we never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Ready?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2016

Are we ready for his coming?

Intro When will Jesus return? Goal Let’s learn that we do not know when Christ will return but that he will come back and we must keep watch. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Matthew 24:36-44, prophecy and keeping watch. Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

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

The Secret Behind The Ten Commandments

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 28, 2018

Can politics, science, or education fix our world? What if everyone kept the Ten Commandments? Is it even possible for a nation to keep the Ten Commandments?

Prelude Can politics, science, or education fix our world? What if everyone kept the Ten Commandments? Is it even possible for a nation to keep the Ten Commandments? Purpose: What are the Ten Commandments for? Plan: Let’s look at Exodus 20 and the purpose of the Ten Commandments. 1) No Other ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Principles In Leviticus, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 30, 2018

Can Christians, who worship in a very different manner from ancient Israel, learn anything about worship from the book of Leviticus? What are important principles of worship from Leviticus?

Prelude The book of Leviticus is about worship. Can Christians, who worship in a very different manner from ancient Israel, learn anything about worship from the book of Leviticus? What are important principles of worship from Leviticus? Purpose: Let’s learn to worship God from the first inspired ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Principles In Leviticus, Part 2 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2018

Should Christians have a worship calendar? Should we use the worship calendar from ancient Israel? How can we celebrate great events of Christ’s ministry?

Prelude Should Christians have a worship calendar? Should we use the worship calendar from ancient Israel? How can we celebrate great events of Christ’s ministry? Purpose: Let’s look at principles of a worship calendar. Plan: We’ll discuss Leviticus 23, Romans 14 and the Christian worship ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Plan For Economic Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2018

Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality?

Prelude Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality? Purpose: Let’s look at one of the most wonderful economic laws ever written and its implications for us. Plan: Let’s look at the Jubilee, how it could ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Time Apart Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2018

Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

Prelude What does fasting have to do with anything? Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose: Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. Plan: We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist