Sermons on Sponges:

Faith Like A Mustard Seed

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2016

How much faith does it take to do great things for God?

Intro Jesus had described true discipleship. The Son of Man had nowhere to lay his head. Those who put family first need to put the kingdom first. Wavering or looking back makes one not fit. The cost of following him is everything. We must carry our cross and give up possessions. How could anyone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Persistent And Demanding Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 11, 2016

Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear?

Intro Do we persist with God? Do we give up and not bother to pray because we do not believe that he will hear? Goal Let’s learn that God sometimes will only hear persistent, demanding prayers. Sermon Plan We will discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Delusion Of Self-Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 23, 2016

Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone?

Intro Do we justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with others or do we compare ourselves with God alone? Goal Let’s learn that compared to God we are all pitiful and that God alone can make us justified. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings And Sorrows

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2016

Let’s discuss four blessings and four sorrows from Luke 6:20-31

Intro We should take several different baths each week. The obvious one is a bath for the outer body. A not so obvious bath is one for the inner body, by drinking an appropriate amount of clean water, rather than polluting our bodies with too much junk. Another not so obvious bath is for the mind, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-31

Denomination: Baptist

You Are The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 13, 2016

The gates of hell will not destroy this church. Jesus said that in Matthew 16:18. When he said that, he was not talking about a building. He was talking about the people, because people are the church.

Intro I’m going to utter a prophecy. The gates of hell will not destroy this church. Jesus said that in Matthew 16:18. When he said that, he was not talking about a building. He was talking about the people, because people are the church. Goal Let’s learn that real estate is not the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Thanksgiving List

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 20, 2016

Is there one thing that we can do in under and hour that gives a longer lasting and better quality lift for positive mental health than any drug? What about writing a list of things that we are thankful for?

Intro Is there one thing that we can do in under and hour that gives a longer lasting and better quality lift for positive mental health than any drug? What about writing a list of things that we are thankful for? Purpose Let’s be thankful to God for each and every day, because we never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Ready?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2016

Are we ready for his coming?

Intro When will Jesus return? Goal Let’s learn that we do not know when Christ will return but that he will come back and we must keep watch. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Matthew 24:36-44, prophecy and keeping watch. Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

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

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

A Cup Of Cold Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2017

How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us?

Intro How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us? How do we receive Gospel preachers, each other, and newcomers? Purpose Let’s become more welcoming. Plan We will look at Matthew 10:40-42 and hospitality. 2 Kings 4:8-17 The Shunammite ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17, Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

Rest For Our Souls

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2017

Where can we find rest from our heavy burdens?

Intro What burdens do we carry? What does criticism of believers who are different from us do for us? Where can we find rest from these heavy burdens? Purpose Let’s find rest from the heavy burdens that we and others place upon ourselves. Plan Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about burdens ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2017

Let us understand where we find genuine Christianity deeply within people’s hearts.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Are our hearts downtrodden, like a well-worn path? Are our hearts hard, lacking stick-to-it-iveness or thorny, laden down with worldly cares. How can we learn to become like rich soil that receives the word of the kingdom and produces a rich harvest? Let us understand where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Good And Evil In The World?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2017

Why is there evil in the world and in the church?

Intro, Purpose, Plan Why is there evil in the church? What about those who are sincere and have faith in God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Let’s understand that the church is and will always be a mixture of good and evil, but those who are righteous by faith will shine. Let’s discuss the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

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