Sermons on Sponges:

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

Jesus Loves An Imperfect Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2019

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3.

How can Jesus love such a sinful Church? Why does He still love a Church that has often failed Him? Will He abandon us forever, or has He given everything to save us from ourselves? Let’s look at a heartwarming story of adultery, divorce and remarriage in Hosea 1-3. Hosea 1:2-3 When the Lord first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 40: Preach A Series Of Statements Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 21, 2018

Preaching a sermon using several mottos

Lesson Goal Learn how to preach a sermon that builds on several mottos. Lesson Intro In the previous sermon model we tied several points together by the continual repeating of a refrain, a phrase or motto. In this sermon, we do something similar except that the refrain evolves, builds, or ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, Ephesians 3:14-21, Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Baptist

The Love Test

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 25, 2018

How can we tell a false from a true messenger of God? How does love separate truth from error? How do we know God loves us? Why is love of the church and its people such an important indicator of our love for God? How willingly and openly confess Christ?

Prelude to Part 1 How can we tell a false from a true messenger of God? How does love separate truth from error? How do we know God loves us? Let’s examine God’s love and the difference it makes, by looking at 1 John 4:1-11. 1 John 4:1 Test the Spirits In 1 John 4:1 we read, “Beloved, do not ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 42: Preach Without Notes Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2018

How to preach extemporaneously, without notes or a manuscript.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to teach you how to preach extemporaneously, without notes. Lesson Intro Reading through Acts 2 we get the idea that Peter preached off the cuff. Okay, it's time to crank the ratchet up yet another notch. You have seen me allude to this before, but now it's time ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 43: Subversive Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 27, 2018

How to subvert a popular theological misconception.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to teach you how to subvert a popular notion. Lesson Intro The sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is subversive, but wise in avoiding hot political issues. Many preachers around the world get themselves into political trouble by trying to subvert the legally ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 44: A Complete Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 28, 2018

Learn elements of a complete sermon

Lesson Goal Learn some elements of a complete sermon. Lesson Intro We have discussed many varieties of sermon types so far, but what makes for a complete sermon? Are there elements which make for a balanced approach to preaching? Lesson Plan This chapter introduces a number of counselors with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:3-9, Acts 26:12-14, Acts 22:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 45: Preach Praise Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 30, 2018

How to preach a doxology sermon, a sermon praising God

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to present some elements of a doxology sermon which gives praise to God. Lesson Intro Augustine wrote about three kinds of sermon, the subdued sermon for teaching, the elegant sermon for praise and the majestic sermon for exhortation. We have already covered the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 46: Preach In Grand Style Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 3, 2018

How to preach a grand or majestic sermon

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to teach the grand style or majestic sermon. Lesson Intro The Romans considered rhetoric to exist on three levels. Low style rhetoric was didactic, teaching. Middle style rhetoric was pleasing, entertaining. But grand style rhetoric was stirring, rousing and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-18, Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist