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

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

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

Jesus' Prayer For You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2016

If Jesus prayed for you, what would he say. Let's look at his prayer for you in John 17:20-26

Intro If Jesus were to pray for you and me, what would he say? Purpose We actually have record of such a prayer. He did pray for us and among other things he prayed for our unity. Plan Let’s look at part of the long Lord’s prayer in John 17:20-26 and see its great lesson for ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Greater Works Than These

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 15, 2016

What could possibly be a greater work than the cross?

Intro On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the Church to do a mighty work. What is the work of the Church and what does it have to do with us? Purpose Let’s examine John 14:8-17 and the greater work that has been bequeathed to us. Plan 1. A Greater Work than The Cross? How can there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Guides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 22, 2016

How do we discern the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Intro How can we tell if an idea comes from the Holy Spirit or not? Purpose Many people claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, but we need to test what they say and find out the truth for ourselves. Plan One place that we can look at is John 16:12-15 where Jesus teaches about what the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Such Great Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2016

How can we have faith since we are at such a distance from the days of the Apostles?

Intro The culture and history in the Bible are in the distant past. How can we have faith in God when the stories we read are so far from us? Purpose Let’s understand that distance does not have to diminish faith may enhance it. Plan Let’s look at Luke 7:1-10 and see how one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Too Late?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2016

Is it too late for Jesus to give life back to a dead marriage, business, relationship, dream, or even a dead body?

Intro Who has the authority to give life to the dead? Is death too late for Jesus? Purpose Let’s look at Jesus’ authority over life and death. Plan We will look at Jesus’ resurrection of a widow’s only son in Luke 7:11-17 and how it is different than other resurrections ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Sinner Comes To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2016

Do we look upon fellow sinners as a "super-righteous" person might or as Jesus does?

Intro When we look at people what do we see? Do we see others as a super righteous person might or as Jesus would? Purpose Let’s discover how to see people as Jesus sees them, for the love in their hearts and not for the mistakes they may have made. Plan Let’s look at Luke 7:36-8:3 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist