Sermons on Sponges:

Revelation 3

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2020

As we study the last of seven churches, let’s notice how much they look like some modern churches.

As we study the last of seven churches, let’s notice how much they look like some modern churches. Sardis Revelation 3:1 This church is not indicted for corruption, nor harassed by persecution. It was far worse. It was dead or almost dead, as are many modern western churches. As faith without ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism At A Local Watering Hole

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 9, 2020

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42.

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42. An Unbiased Savior John 4:5-9 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Blind See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2020

We often don’t know what we cannot see, because we’ve never seen it. There is a way to gain spiritual sight. What is it? How can we see what we are blind to in our world? Let’s learn what Jesus taught about it in John 9:1-41.

We often don’t know what we cannot see, because we’ve never seen it. There is a way to gain spiritual sight. What is it? How can we see what we are blind to in our world? Let’s learn what Jesus taught about it in John 9:1-41. Fault-Finding John 9:1-5 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 21, 2020

We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Let’s really understand this most popular of all the Psalms.

We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Let’s really understand this most popular of all the Psalms. Let’s go through Psalm 23 looking at some important details. The Lord is my shepherd; ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Never Die?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2020

How would we live our lives today if we could live forever? Immortality is our reality in Christ. Let’s examine the death and resurrection of Lazarus and the One who dares to call himself “the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45.

Let’s look at a couple of ways to examine a Bible passage: solving some dilemmas and finding the Good News. Let’s examine the death of Lazarus, and Jesus’ intervention, the One who dares to call Himself “the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45. 1. What are some Dilemmas in the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is God? Part 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2020

How great is God? Is God good or evil? Is God near or far or both? Can God be three and one? Does God have a plan? Did God really create everything that is? Does God provide today? Let’s discuss some questions about God as revealed in the Christian Bible.

Who is God? Part 1 How great is God? Is God good or evil? Is God near or far or both? Can God be three and one? Does God have a plan? Did God really create everything that is? Does God provide today? A Greek word for God is Theos and so the study of God is called theology. Let’s discuss some ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24

Denomination: Baptist

Save Us Now

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 31, 2020

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure to govern itself. Let’s compare human governments with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11.

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure to govern itself. Let’s compare human governments with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11. Matthew 21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Maundy Thursday

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 2, 2020

What is Maundy Thursday all about? Is it just for Catholics? Let’s look at where Holy Thursday comes from in the Bible, and what it means for us. Let’s examine John 13:1-17, 31b-35?

What is Maundy Thursday all about? Is it just for Catholics? Let’s look at where Holy Thursday comes from in the Bible, and what it means for us. Let’s examine John 13:1-17, 31b-35? Passover John 13:1-2 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

Communion At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

Please take a moment to be sure that you have a morsel of bread and a small cup of wine or grape juice handy. If you need to, now would be the time to take a moment and prepare these elements. If possible, find a quiet place and begin.

Please take a moment to be sure that you have a morsel of bread and a small cup of wine or grape juice handy. If you need to, now would be the time to take a moment and prepare these elements. If possible, find a quiet place and begin. Let’s hear the Great Commandments, and examine our hearts. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good Friday At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

A guide for those who are shut in due to many different reasons during this paschal season.

GOOD FRIDAY at HOME Choose some appropriate music to play in the background if you wish, but silence is preferable. If there are two or more of you, you may wish to have one say the lead part and another say the second part. If alone, just say both parts out loud or read them to yourself. Christ ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Easter At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

Many people are at home with no means of participating in Easter celebrations. Here is one way to have Easter at home, even alone, if needed.

Sing: Because He Lives <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA> Reading: Ezekiel 37:3-14 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is God? Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2020

How can we understand how great God is? How good is God? How near is God to us right now? How high above us is God? How is God one? Why does God use the imagery of a Father when that offends so many today? How is Jesus also God? How is the Holy Spirit God? Let's discuss.

How Near or Far is God? Immanence — God’s nearness The Bible quotes God as saying that He fills heaven and earth or as other translations put it, he is everywhere. "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:24

Denomination: Baptist

Two Confessions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2020

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31.

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31. John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Christ?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2020

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh?

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh? Christ is from Greek, meaning the same as Messiah from Hebrew, the Savior of all humanity. Studying Christ is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Journey

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 21, 2020

Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35.

Mystery Journey Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35. Luke 24:13 says, “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist