Sermons on Sponges:

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

The Ode Of Mary

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 20, 2018

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55.

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55. Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2018

Does the sinlessly perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church the perfect church to be in? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17.

Does the perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church a joy to attend? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17. Colossians 3:12 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Long Journey To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2019

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Is Confirmation Biblical

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 8, 2019

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2. Infant baptism in NOT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 John 4:15, Acts 8:14-17, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 9:17, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 10:44-48, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Manifestations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2019

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit?

What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Are spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Let’s see how God’s glory was revealed in spiritual gifts given to an ancient church by exploring 1 Corinthians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Everyone Is Valuable

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2019

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a.

How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For even as the body is one and yet has many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Thing

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 29, 2019

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13.

What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Down Your Nets

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2019

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11.

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11. Luke 5:1-2 “Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 12, 2019

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think.

Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Christianity is for thinking people. Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to think. Perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Love Your Enemies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 18, 2019

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Why should Christians love their enemies? What does love for an enemy mean? Do we have to like them too? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38. How Love Enemies Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Glimpse Of Glory

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 26, 2019

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2.

When we look in the mirror what do we see? Do we see someone hopelessly lost in sin, or a repentant sinner, forgiven and being transformed into God’s image from glory to glory every day? Let’s look at Paul’s discussion of being remarkably transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. To understand Paul’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Unity In God's Name

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 20, 2020

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? We actually have a record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11.

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? We actually have a record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11. John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Are We?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2020

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist?

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? The Greek word for a human being is ?????p?? (anthropos) and so this study of humanity deals with the topic of biblical anthropology. Who are we? First of all, we are the children of Adam. Adam was named for his origin, because his name refers to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, Genesis 2:7, Romans 8:29

Denomination: Baptist