Sermons on Sponges:

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

Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2017

The kingdom of heaven is like treasures old and new.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Do we have any special treasures? Do we own heirlooms from distant lands? Are our families among our greatest treasures? Do we treat the things of God as our greatest treasures of all? Let’s look at some special aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Baptist

Providence

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 2, 2017

When all we have is a few loaves and fishes, God can help us feed a multitude.

Intro, Goal and Plan What can we do with meager human resources? Is there an answer in the Gospels? Let’s understand the invisible dimension of life, Jesus. Let’s examine Matthew 14:13-21, the miracle of feeding the 5,000 and see how it applies to us today. Matthew 14:13-14 He was Moved with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 41:13, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 34:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Doubt

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2017

Why do we have so little faith and so much doubt?

Intro, Purpose & Plan Who do we look to for help when we seem to be all alone and in total darkness as life tosses us about? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33. Matthew 14:22-23 Go before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

On This Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 23, 2017

Matthew 16:13-20 What does this passage actually say and not say to us?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics largely agree on perhaps 95% of the most important teachings of Christianity. Why do we drift from the message that Jesus taught into partisanship and graceless rivalry? For instance, how do we deal with the claim by Rome of exclusive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

In Exchange For Your Soul

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 2, 2017

Let’s discuss the value of the cross, losing ourselves to gain ourselves and living a holy life all from Matthew 16:21-28.

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Have you ever suffered for doing good? Have you ever wondered if it was all worth it? Why do those who do evil seem to prosper? Is there any justice? Is evil really punished and good rewarded? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss the value ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Great Personal Offenses

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 7, 2017

In every church in Christendom, we will eventually be confronted with some great personal offenses.

Prelude, Purpose, Plan In every church in Christendom, we will eventually be confronted with some great personal offenses. How can we better deal with major conflict? Is conflict resolution always possible or even realistic? What can we do when our grievances are ignored? Why is conflict a part of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2017

How often should we forgive?

Intro, Purpose, Plan How often should we forgive? How much forgiveness do we need? What does it mean to forgive from the heart? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart. We will look at Matthew 18:21-35 and what Jesus taught about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Last

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 20, 2017

What kind of life do we lead when we put ourselves first, and others last? What kind of world encourages us to tread all over others and always be first? What would Jesus say about the first and last in society?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan What kind of life do we lead when we put ourselves first, and others last? What kind of world encourages us to tread all over others and always be first? What would Jesus say about the first and last in society? Let’s examine the incredible blessing of following Jesus to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 28, 2017

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

A Fruitful Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2017

Let’s look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and what God requires.

Prelude, Purpose, Plan What kind of faith is saving faith? Is saving faith without visible evidence or a faith that produces fruit? Let’s understand that Christians carry fruit for the kingdom. Let’s look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and what God requires. Matthew 21:33 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Baptist

God Invites Us

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2017

What is our response to God’s wedding invitation? What kind of clothing does God require?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan What is our response to God’s wedding invitation? What kind of clothing does God require? What are we doing with the opportunity God has placed before us? Let’s see that our invitation to salvation has a twofold responsibility. Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Revelation 19:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Citizenship

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2017

Ought Christians be good citizens? What’s the difference between love of country and idolatry of country? Is paying taxes participation in evil acts by governments?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan Ought Christians be good citizens? What’s the difference between love of country and idolatry of country? Is paying taxes participation in evil acts by governments? Let’s understand that Christians are to be good citizens and paying taxes ought not be a moral ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Complete Love

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 29, 2017

Do we love God completely? How do we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Do we love God completely? How do we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? We are tempted to emphasize only one dimension of loving God. Let us learn of the more complete love taught by Jesus. Let’s examine the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Baptist