Sermons on Sponges:

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

Nick At Night

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2014

Nicodemus who defended Jesus at his trial, helped bury him and was later kicked out of the Sanhedrin for being a Christian did not start out filled with faith. Like most of us, he had questions. The answers that Jesus gave him are wonderful.

Intro What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Goal Let us understand the Spirit life. Plan We will examine Nicodemus, regeneration, and why we are not to condemn others. Nicodemus Nicodemus is also called Saint Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a senator ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do We Follow?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2014

We may call ourselves Christians, but is Jesus our Shepherd? Are we really following him or merely using his name to excuse following a man, a tradition or our own stubbornness?

Intro: We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Goal: To really understand the most popular of all the Psalms. Plan: We will go through Psalm 23 looking at some important details. I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Take Off The Grave Clothes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2014

From the day we are born we begin to die. It’s as if our bodies are already dressed in grave clothes. As marvelous as science is, it has not yet mastered life’s greatest enemy, death. Yet there is one who has.

Intro What kind of life would we lead if we were guaranteed not to die? How would we live if we knew already that we were immortal like a kind of Superman or Superwoman? Goal I want us to realize that immortality is not just the stuff of Hollywood fiction but a reality in Christ. Plan We will ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Of A Doubter

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 28, 2014

Thomas is called the doubter, but he is also the confessor, who made a remarkable confession like no other and did a marvelous work as far east as India.

Intro When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection what happened and what did he say? Goal I hope that we can learn that doubt is a normal and natural part of a life of faith. Plan We will look at Jesus’ appearance to ten of the eleven remaining disciples and then to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

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

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

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