Sermons on Sponges:

Repentance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2022

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together.

Two main components of New Testament preaching are repentance and faith. Let’s examine how they go together. Repent & Believe What do repentance and belief have to do with salvation? Feeling sorry for ourselves but refusing to change does nothing. But, grief with repentance leads to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Mark 1:14-15, Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Faith?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2022

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included?

As we repent from sin and turn to God, what must also be included? “I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NLT) Repentance is also from unbelief to faith. Are good works evidence ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, Hebrews 11:1, Jude 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Works Or Not?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 14, 2022

Doing good works is a very controversial topic among Christians, because they are either overemphasized or underemphasized. It’s hard to find the balance, but the scriptures are the best help.

Doing good works is a very controversial topic among Christians, because they are either overemphasized or underemphasized. It’s hard to find the balance, but the scriptures are the best help, if we’ll listen to them instead of blindly accepting the prejudices of men. There are several factors to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:29, James 2:14-26, Matthew 16:27

Denomination: Baptist

The Age Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 19, 2022

We don’t need to be divided over the topic of baptism. Biblically, there is room for our preferences without disunity, if we ask simple questions. What does the Bible really require? What does the Bible leave up to us?

We don’t need to be divided over the topic of baptism. Biblically, there is room for our preferences without disunity, if we ask simple questions. What does the Bible really require? What does the Bible leave up to us? Let’s look more deeply into baptism than narrow ideas may allow. Age of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-23, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, Colossians 2:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Mode Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 20, 2022

What does the Bible mandate about the mode of baptism?

Eisegesis is a bad way to read the Bible. It means to read into the text things that are actually not there at all. One common example is reading that Jesus came up out of the water after being immersed. The text simply does not say that at all. “So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:16, 1 Corinthians 10:2, Luke 12:50, Revelation 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

Confirmation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 22, 2022

Is confirmation biblical? Does it have anything to do with the biblical doctrine of laying on of hands?

Infant baptism is neither mandated nor forbidden in the New Testament but has forerunners in the Old Testament. In adult baptism, water and laying on of hands occur as one ceremony. Infant baptism often separates the use of water and laying on of hands by many years. The author of Hebrews teaches ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-2, Matthew 10:32, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Contemporary Heaven

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 27, 2022

What does heaven look like now?

What does heaven look like now? Paradise A first glimpse of heaven was the garden. The word Paradise means a garden or park reminiscent of the garden of Eden. What did Jesus tell the thief on the cross? “Jesus replied, ‘I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:43 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Revelation 22:1-2, Acts 7:55-56

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Eternity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 27, 2022

Let’s briefly explore some prophecies of heaven. Though heaven may be timeless, the Bible speaks of heaven’s eternity in human terms.

Let’s briefly explore some prophecies of heaven. Though heaven may be timeless, the Bible speaks of heaven’s eternity in human terms. At Hand The first thing we may notice is that heaven is at hand. What does that mean? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2 CEV) “From ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17, Luke 10:20, John 5:28-29, Luke 20:37-38, Revelation 21:9-10, Revelation 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Eternal Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 28, 2022

The word heaven can bring to mind different pictures in people’s minds, because it is shrouded in mystery. Yet, the Bible also speaks of eternity or eternal life frequently.

The word heaven can bring to mind different pictures in people’s minds, because it is shrouded in mystery. Yet, the Bible also speaks of eternity or eternal life frequently. “This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” (John 17:3 CEB) True ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-3, Romans 3:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Hell

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2022

What does the Bible teach about hell?

What does the Bible teach about hell? Jesus on Hell Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. What did He say unrighteous anger and verbal abuse deserve? “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:49-50

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Offerings

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 4, 2022

What principles can Christians learn about worship from the book of Leviticus?

What principles can Christians learn about worship from the book of Leviticus? Are there spiritual applications of the physical rituals in this first worship book? Burnt Offering God spoke to Moses in Leviticus 1 about the burnt offering. The fire pictures the Holy Spirit cleansing us from sin. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Calendars

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2022

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events?

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events? Worship Calendar Leviticus 23 summarized Israel’s annual worship calendar, including the weekly Sabbath and annual sabbaths. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Exodus, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Beginning Of The Gospel (Mark 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 30, 2024

How did Jesus first preach? How did John point to Him? Let's discuss this in Mark 1.

Did John prepare the way for the Lord? Were Father, Son and Holy Spirit involved in Jesus’ baptism? How did Mark summarize the Good News that Jesus preached? What did Jesus tell his first disciples? Did Jesus heal many? Did people come to Him from everywhere? Let’s find out in Mark 1. Serving as a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Questions In Genesis (Answers In The Gospels)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 31, 2024

Genesis does not give us the final answers. Rather it poses a lot of questions and mysteries which are only answered later in the Gospels. Let's look at some of those questions.

Excellent resources are the ministry of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Research Institute. However, there are questions in Genesis not answered until the Gospels. Let’s look at some of those questions. At creation, God described humanity as “very good.” Are we now totally depraved or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Creation (Genesis 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2024

Which creation theory is likely the most correct? Let's discuss this in Genesis 1.

Is it possible for an infinite God to create everything that exists within the space of a week? Is the creation account literal history, allegory, a polemic, mythical history, majestic prose or something else? In the Beginning Who made everything that is in the material universe? In the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist