Sermons on Sponges:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 23, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Clear The Building

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 4, 2021

Let’s look at the most important purpose for our church building. Let’s learn Jesus’ reason for driving the merchants out of the temple court in John 2:13-25.

Prelude What kind of worship do we have here? Is it just a cabaret with Christian songs? Is it easy worship without self-sacrifice, or is it real worship from the heart? Purpose Let’s look at the most important purpose for our church building. Plan Let’s learn Jesus’ reason for driving the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Church Leaders (1 Corinthians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2021

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s listen to what God’s minister has to preach to the Corinthians. Could it apply to us too?

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s not be like rebellious people, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV). Let’s listen to what God’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Condemned

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2021

What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21.

Prelude What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21. John 3:14 The Exalted Cross As we read John 3:14 “as Moses lifted up the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Abel's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 16, 2021

How is Abel's life the first revival after the tragedy in the Garden?

Revival means to bring back to life. Spiritually, it means to move from being dead in trespasses and sins to life in Christ. How is Abel's life the first revival after the tragedy in the Garden? Abel’s parents had failed terribly in the garden, inflicting a curse upon all humanity, but they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Seth's And Enoch's Revivals Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2021

Can a revival of interest in God and prayer come about spontaneously? Can we walk with God? Let's look at Seth's and Enoch's revivals in Genesis 4 and 5.

Can a revival of interest in God and prayer come about spontaneously? Can we walk with God? Let's look at Seth's and Enoch's revivals in Genesis 4 and 5. 1) Seth's Revival Did Seth lead this revival, or was it a spontaneous act from among the people? “Seth also had a son, and he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Noah's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2021

If the whole world denied God, would you remain faithful? Let's look at Noah's answer to this question in Genesis 7.

If the whole world denied God, would you remain faithful? Let's look at Noah's answer to this question in Genesis 7. Noah’s responsive hearers were only the members of his own family. Revival elsewhere was refused, because people just did not want to listen. Was “a preacher of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 19, 2021

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25).

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25). Traditional history tells us that Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols. History tells that Noah and Shem ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Baptist

Isaac's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2021

What was Isaac’s attitude towards his father Abraham, who had planned to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son?

What was Isaac’s attitude towards his father Abraham, who had planned to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son? A generational revival continued in Isaac. A son of promise, Isaac was born and circumcised. Generational revival often brings new tests of faith. Revival that lasted another ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:19

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 21, 2021

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3. House of Prayer Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob's Family Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2021

How did revival come to a third generation of believers and what can we learn from it?

How did revival come to a third generation of believers and what can we learn from it? Jacob’s family had wandered far from God’s ideal, yet God had not given up on them. Family troubles are a common theme, but they are made worse by multiple wives and the competition between them and their ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moses' Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 23, 2021

How did a spoiled rich kid, raised in a royal palace, decide to choose the people of God over high position and worldly riches? Let's look at how God used Moses to provide revival to an enslaved people.

How did a spoiled rich kid, raised in a royal palace, decide to choose the people of God over high position and worldly riches? Let's look at how God used Moses to provide revival to an enslaved people. From the burning bush to being refused entry into the land of promise, Moses led one of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 24, 2021

Can a man sometimes only be ready to lead a revival in his old age, after a lifetime of faithful service?

Can a man sometimes only be ready to lead a revival in his old age, after a lifetime of faithful service? If God’s kingdom were a democracy, ten of twelve spies would have voted not to enter the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb from that whole generation gave a testimony of faith and would be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Othniel, Ehud And Shamgar's Revivals Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2021

Does revival come in cycles of sin and repentance? Let's look at three revivals under Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar in Judges 3.

Does revival come in cycles of sin and repentance? Othniel was Caleb’s younger brother, and the first of Israel’s judges. The history of the judges describes a cycle of apostasy, punishment and revival. Judge Othniel reveals a familiar story, “...the children of Israel did evil … the anger of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Revivals Under Deborah And Gideon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2021

What can we learn from a revival led by a woman of strong faith? How did Gideon’s leadership reveal that it is God who gives the victory?

What can we learn from a revival led by a woman of strong faith? How did Gideon’s leadership reveal that it is God who gives the victory? Deborah is the main character in this revival, simply because Barak would not engage the enemy without her. The story starts off with a familiar theme: Israel ...read more

Denomination: Baptist