Sermons on Sponges:

Are We Greatly Mistaken

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 25, 2018

What if we are greatly mistaken in our understanding of Christianity? If our ideas do not square with the Bible, will we change? As the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, will we follow?

Preamble After preaching the lectionary through in these churches, I find myself drawn more and more to a year of preaching the texts the lectionary leaves out. My suspicions were aroused when I learned that Jude was eliminated, a letter which condemns many practices engaged in by the modern ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Division Over Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 11, 2019

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Let’s see how conflict is part of the Gospel message in Luke 12:49-56.

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Let’s see how conflict is part of the Gospel message in Luke 12:49-56. Fire & Division Luke 12:49-51 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2019

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17.

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17. Healed Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Inclusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2019

Some people ought to be excluded, in prison, deported, disqualified from leading a church, and quarantined in sickness. However, other people are marginalized unjustly. Let's see what Jesus taught about righteous inclusion in Luke 14:1-14.

Some people ought to be excluded, in prison, deported, disqualified from leading a church, and quarantined in sickness. However, other people are marginalized unjustly. Let’s learn how God despises unrighteous exclusion. Let's see what Jesus taught about righteous inclusion in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Total Commitment

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 1, 2019

How committed are we to Jesus? Are we willing to carry our cross? Have we counted the cost of discipleship? Are we willing to make the sacrifice? Let’s examine our cross, our cost and our sacrifice as disciples in Luke 14:25-33.

Are we willing to carry our cross? Have we counted the cost of discipleship? Are we willing to make the sacrifice? Let’s examine our cross, our cost and our sacrifice as disciples in Luke 14:25-33. Our Cross Luke 14:25-27 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

God's Lost Valuables

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 9, 2019

How valuable are non-Christians to God? Let’s see just how valuable they are. Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10.

How valuable are non-Christians to God? Let’s see just how valuable they are. Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10. Luke 15:1-2 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Tainted Tithes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 15, 2019

Is all money filthy lucre, somehow tainted? Is our contaminated money usable for heavenly purposes? Let’s learn that our tainted tithes can be used for heaven. Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke 16:1-13.

Should we boycott corporations with dirty money, or is all money filthy lucre, somehow tainted? Is our contaminated money usable for heavenly purposes? Let’s learn that our tainted tithes can be used for heaven. Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Wealth Test

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 22, 2019

Why is money such a common topic in Jesus’ preaching? Could it be that our wealth is a test? Could the way we handle money reveal whether we choose heaven or hell for all eternity? Let’s discuss this and the Great Reversal in Luke 16:19-31.

Why is money such a common topic in Jesus’ preaching? Could it be that our wealth is a test? Could the way we handle money reveal whether we choose heaven or hell for all eternity? Let’s discuss this and the Great Reversal in Luke 16:19-31. Rich Luke 16:19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Faith To Work

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 30, 2019

How can anyone have enough faith to follow Jesus all the way? Let’s learn that we already have enough faith to fulfill big dreams. Let’s see what Jesus says in Luke 17:5-10.

How can anyone have enough faith to follow Jesus all the way? Let’s learn that we already have enough faith to fulfill big dreams. Let’s see what Jesus says in Luke 17:5-10. Tiny Faith Big Action Luke 17:5-6 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” 6 The Lord answered, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Thankful In Good And Bad

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2019

How do we feel when we have helped people and they don’t bother to show thanks? Have we met people who are thankful under the most difficult circumstances? What’s their secret? Let’s learn the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:1-7 and Luke 17:11-19.

How do we feel when we have helped people and they don’t bother to show thanks? Have we met people who are thankful under the most difficult circumstances? What’s their secret? Let’s learn the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:1-7 and Luke 17:11-19. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Relentless Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 14, 2019

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8.

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8. Persistent & Demanding Prayer Luke 18:1-5 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 6, 2020

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of forgiving from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiving in Matthew 18:21-35 and Hosea 1-3.

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. How Often Forgive Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 4

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2020

Let’s take a look at John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4.

Let’s take a look at John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4. Heaven Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 5

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2020

Let’s look at John’s vision of the scroll with seven seals and of every creature in heaven and earth worshipping God in Revelation 5.

Let’s look at John’s vision of the scroll with seven seals and of every creature in heaven and earth worshipping God. The Scroll Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. A scroll written on both ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Last Place

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 15, 2020

What would Jesus say about first and last place? Let’s examine the puzzle behind Jesus blessing those in last place in Matthew 20:1-16.

What would Jesus say about first and last place? Let’s examine the puzzle behind Jesus blessing those in last place in Matthew 20:1-16. Wine Industry Parable Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. The Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist