Sermons on Sponges:

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: Baptist

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: Baptist

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: Baptist

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: Baptist

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: Baptist

Rest For Our Souls

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2017

Where can we find rest from our heavy burdens?

Intro What burdens do we carry? What does criticism of believers who are different from us do for us? Where can we find rest from these heavy burdens? Purpose Let’s find rest from the heavy burdens that we and others place upon ourselves. Plan Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about burdens ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2017

Let us understand where we find genuine Christianity deeply within people’s hearts.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Are our hearts downtrodden, like a well-worn path? Are our hearts hard, lacking stick-to-it-iveness or thorny, laden down with worldly cares. How can we learn to become like rich soil that receives the word of the kingdom and produces a rich harvest? Let us understand where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2014

The Bible makes few mandates for baptism, but what it does demand makes it beautiful.

Intro In Matthew 3 we are introduced to the Baptism of Christ. This ceremony which has become the norm for almost all Christian churches is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Goal To help us appreciate baptism and its significance. Plan We will look at what is and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Come And You Will See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 19, 2014

Come to a church where Jesus is preached and you will begin to see the answer to the most important issues of life.

Intro What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Goal To show how important Jesus is to the church. Plan We will look at why we are here, John the Baptist’s example and the lamb of God. Why are we here Have we ever asked ourselves, why are we here? So, here we sit in a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Secret, The Beatitudes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2014

The Beatitudes reveal that we can be more than happy. We can be blessed!

Intro It is sometimes a puzzle to understand God's mind. His thinking is so far above ours. The secret is: there is no secret. People pay gurus millions to learn what is often half-baked wisdom and ignore the wonderful truth found in the beatitudes which is free to all (Matthew 5:1-12). These ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Exorcising Our Demons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 8, 2014

Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us.

Intro Even the most righteous people and institutions can be possessed by wrong attitudes. Let’s examine how only the authority of Jesus can heal what’s wrong with us. Goal Perhaps we can learn how evil comes in many disguises, even religious ones. Sermon Plan Are we healers or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Law And The Christian, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2014

Jesus gave the ultimate commentary on the Old Testament law, yet it is not very well understood in the Christian community. In this the first of several sermons, we will explore the law and the Christian.

Intro In the sermon on the mount Jesus called us salt and light, then condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that Christians should put to death idolaters, Sabbath breakers, adulterers and those who dishonor their parents, sacrifices animals, be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Come Meet Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2017

Have we ever wanted Jesus to show Himself? Would we like to meet Jesus? Have we been walking right past Jesus without recognizing Him?

Prelude Have we ever wanted Jesus to show Himself? Would we like to meet Jesus? Have we been walking right past Jesus without recognizing Him? Purpose: Let’s find Jesus in the needy. Plan: Let’s look at the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and Goats. Story: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

The 2nd Coming Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2017

What is the real hope of Christmas? Where is the peace on earth? Where is the good will towards men?

Prelude What is the real hope of Christmas? Where is the peace on earth? Where is the good will towards men? Purpose: Let’s look at the hope of Christ’s coming. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 13:24-37 and why it is really good news. Preaching Mark 13:26-27 Christ is Coming Advent is a time of hope. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Baptist

Clear The Road

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 5, 2017

How do we prepare for the Lord’s Coming? How did John prepare? How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepare us for His Coming? What do we need to clear out of our way back to God?

Intro How do we prepare for the Lord’s Coming? How did John prepare? How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepare us for His Coming? What do we need to clear out of our way back to God? Purpose: To show how preparation was made for the highway back to God. Plan: We will look at John the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Baptist