Sermons on Sponges:

Becoming One In Ministry Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2017

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind?

Intro When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? Purpose We actually have record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Plan Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11. John 17 How we Got Jesus’ Prayer Part of the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

70 Apostled

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2016

Let’s examine Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 and what we can learn from 70 or 72 who were “apostled” by Jesus and what their mission was.

The term Apostle can refer to the twelve disciples of Christ. However, in Greek it was used more broadly. Let’s look at what God has sent us to do. Let’s examine Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 and what we can learn from 70 or 72 who were “apostled” by Jesus and what their mission ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

American Revolution Sermons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2016

Was the American Revolutionary war an act of un-Christian rebellion or does the Bible support the idea of freedom from tyrants?

Intro Was the American Revolutionary war an act of un-Christian rebellion or does the Bible support the idea of freedom from tyrants? Jonathan Mayhew July 4th reminds Americans why people fought for freedom. Jonathan Mayhew preached January 1749 on Romans 13:1-8 revealing that we submit only to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

False Friends And Loving Enemies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 10, 2016

Who is the Good Samaritan?

Intro After World War Two the Allies helped former enemies Germany and Japan rebuild. The hatred did not last forever. Thanks in large part to Allied aid, former enemies became close friends and two of the world’s strongest economies were given life. Purpose Let’s look at how even ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2016

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict?

Intro Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Goal I want us to learn that conflict is a part of the full Gospel message. Sermon Plan We will discuss Luke 12:49-56, a world on fire, family conflict and interpreting the times. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Set Free

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2016

Are we truly free in Christ or are we still in a state of bondage?

You are Set Free Intro Are we truly free in Christ or are we still in a state of bondage? Goal Let’s learn that religious bondage is every bit as bad as slavery. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Luke 13:10-17 healing, the Sabbath and freedom. Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Rethinking Community

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2016

Do Christians have a Christ-given responsibility towards the marginalized?

Intro Our world has many marginalized people. The socially excluded lack access to housing, employment, healthcare, civic participation, and legal protection. Second class citizenship leads to poverty, crime, suicide, and drug addiction. The solution begins with something that Jesus taught, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Talking Tough

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 1, 2016

Let’s examine Luke 14:25-33 and the cost of being a disciple.

Intro If church size is more important than faithfulness to Jesus, then here are 5 ways to build a mega church. 1) Promise that obedience to Jesus will improve your worldly stature. 2) Promise that people will not have to carry their own cross, because Jesus did. 3) Tell them not to use their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking The Lost

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2016

How valuable are we to God? How valuable are those not yet in the church? I want us to learn that everyone is valuable to God. Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10.

Intro How valuable are we to God? How valuable are those not yet in the church? Goal I want us to learn that everyone is valuable to God. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss a lost sheep and a lost coin from Luke 15:1-10. Luke 15:1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Heavenly Purposes For Filthy Lucre

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2016

What did Jesus teach about money?

Sermon Intro Why is money referred to as filthy lucre? Because we all sin, all money is tainted by sin of some kind. Is filthy lucre usable for heavenly purposes? Goal Let’s learn that filthy lucre can be used for heavenly purposes. Sermon Plan We will discuss a shrewd manager and his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Reversal

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 26, 2016

Do we even care? Or are we so busy accumulating wealth and looking for healing for ourselves, that we don't even see the destitute poor?

Intro Are compassion and money incompatible? Goal Let’s learn how important God considers our care of the less fortunate. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Luke 16:19-31, an unnamed rich man and a famous beggar, Lazarus. We will learn about the dangers of the hard-hearted, selfish use of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

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