Sermons on Sponges:

Preparing For Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2019

A commercialized, materialistic Christmas often leaves out the greatest Christmas gift of all. How did John the Baptist prepare for our Savior? Let’s look at John’s preparation for Jesus in Matthew 3:1-12.

A commercialized, materialistic Christmas often leaves out the greatest Christmas gift of all. How did John the Baptist prepare for our Savior? Let’s look at John’s preparation for Jesus in Matthew 3:1-12. Preaching Matthew 3:1 “In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Offended By Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 10, 2019

Are we offended by Jesus at Christmas time? If he walked the earth today would we be offended by him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11.

Are we offended by Jesus at Christmas time? If he walked the earth today would we be offended by him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11. Are You the One? Matthew 11:2-3 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us, God Saves

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 14, 2019

What was Jesus’ birth really like? Let’s understand the circumstances of Jesus' birth. Let’s look at Joseph's dilemma, the meanings of Jesus' names and whether or not Mary remained a perpetual virgin in Matthew 1:18-25.

What was Jesus’ birth really like? Let’s understand the circumstances of Jesus' birth. Let’s look at Joseph's dilemma, the meanings of Jesus' names and whether or not Mary remained a perpetual virgin in Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph’s Dilemma Matthew 1:18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus As Refugee

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2019

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23.

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23. Flee to Egypt Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Receive The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 29, 2019

Who is the Word? Do we receive the Word? Does the Word live with us? Let’s look at Jesus’ pre-existence as God and how we receive Him in John 1:1-18.

Who is the Word? Do we receive the Word? Does the Word live with us? Let’s look at Jesus’ pre-existence as God and how we receive Him in John 1:1-18. Jesus is God John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2020

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Leadership Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamb Of God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2020

What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Let's look at John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God in John 1:29-42.

What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Let’s look at John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God in John 1:29-42. The Lamb of God John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

Our Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 17, 2020

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28.

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 19, 2020

What is Revelation all about? What are the mysterious creatures and other symbols supposed to mean? This is a series for personal and group Bible Studies discovering the real secrets in the book of Revelation.

What is Revelation all about? What are the mysterious creatures and other symbols supposed to mean? This is a series for personal and group Bible Studies discovering the real secrets in the book of Revelation. Most of the quotes are from the Public Domain King James Bible, not because I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2020

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches.

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches. Ephesus Revelation 2:1-3 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden ...read more

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

The Light

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 12, 2017

Who is the light? How are we, like John, not the light? What does light change?

Prelude Who is the light? How are we, like John, not the light? What does light change? Purpose: Let’s learn to testify of the Light. Plan: Let’s look at John 1:6-8, 19-28 and John the Baptist as a witness who gave testimony about the One. John 1:6-7a Witness In John 1:6-7a we read, “There was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Humble Virgin

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 19, 2017

What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus?

Prelude What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? What can we learn from Mary the mother of Jesus? Purpose: Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Plan: Let’s look at Luke 1:26-38, the so-called Annunciation, the announcement to Mary of her pregnancy with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Christmas Pagan?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2017

Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible?

Prelude Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s examine the worth of Christmas and why it’s a perfectly fine Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions that are controversial in some churches and look at the story of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Senior Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2017

What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many of them have been faithful despite life’s suffering?

Prelude What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering? Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints. Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Baptist