Sermons on Sponges:

Conquering Power

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 5, 2018

How do we know we love God? How do we know we love God’s children? How do we conquer evils of the world? Let's learn what it means to live an overcoming life. Let's look at 1 John 5:1-6.

Prelude How do we know we love God? How do we know we love God’s children? How do we conquer evils of the world? Let's learn what it means to live an overcoming life. Let's look at 1 John 5:1-6. 1 John 5:1 Loving God’s Children 1 John 5:1 says, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 47: Preach With Humor Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 5, 2018

Preach with joyous, godly humor

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to teach how to preach a humorous sermon. Lesson Intro The top pay for professional comedians is probably in the multiple millions. That's far more than we pay the average preacher laboring in the word of God. Why? Why is it that the hollow, immoral message of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 48: Preach Apologetics Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 7, 2018

Basic elements of preaching to defend the Christian faith

Lesson Goal Introduce some basic elements of preaching apologetically. Lesson Intro In Philippians 1:7, 17 Paul defended the Christian faith. Defending the Christian faith has a long history. Those who have a particular gift in this area have served the church well throughout Christian history. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Two Ways

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2018

Among all the varieties of cultures and ways to live in this world, there are really only two ways to live, God's or the world's.

Intro If we could boil all the world’s religions and political philosophies down to their essentials what would we come up with? Are there real alternatives or just varieties of the same worldly way of life? Our purpose is to see that there are only two ways, God’s and the world’s. Our plan is to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 49: Preach With Balance Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2018

How can we teach our congregations to balance Christian essentials with non-essentials? How can we overcome bigotry on non-essential doctrines, while still maintaining our preference.

Lesson Goal Introduce some basic elements of balanced preaching. Lesson Intro In Acts 20:27 Paul informs the the church of God in Ephesus that he had preached to them the whole counsel of God. Most preachers that do not have a structured annual preaching plan are guilty of over-preaching their ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Time Apart Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2018

Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

Prelude What does fasting have to do with anything? Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose: Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. Plan: We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Exhibitionism Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 14, 2018

Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship.

Prelude How should we give in public? How should we pray in public? How should we fast in public? Purpose: Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship. Plan: Let’s look Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Jesus’ discussion of public religious duties. Matthew 6:1-4 Public Giving Jesus said to let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Most Difficult Words Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 21, 2018

Let’s look at Mark 8:27-38 and our call to a selfless life.

Prelude The most difficult words Jesus ever spoke are NOT the ones that are hard to understand, but the ones that are easy to understand and hard to obey. Because being a true follower of Jesus is so difficult, early Christians took time before the most important season of the Christian year to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Our Priority Money Or Prayer? Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in the temple and prayer.

Prelude Is our priority prayer or money? Whether you are suspicious or selfish or give generously, what is the right use of money in the church? Purpose: Let’s understand that money will always be a cause for good and evil in the Church. Plan: Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

What is the preacher's task?

Introduction to Preaching! Let me introduce a series of lessons that will cover the gamut of preaching. The Gospel is the most important message on the planet. You, the preacher are a key individual in this heavenly enterprise. Few other people have the opportunity to affect the lives of people in ...read more

Scripture: John 21:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: My Testimonial Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

An icebreaker or testimonial is a great first sermon. How do we begin?

What is this Lesson’s Goal? This lesson will encourage you to talk about your spiritual journey. Do Testimonials Have a Purpose? When Paul the apostle wanted to encourage the churches in Corinth regarding endurance in the ministry of Jesus Christ, he mentioned his own example in 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Preach A Text Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

The Bible is the most important basis of preaching. How do we preach a text of Holy Scripture?

What’s our Goal Let’s emphasize the importance of Bible-based preaching. What’s the Idea The modern idea that the Bible is not the Word of God but only contains the Word of God is very narrow and inadequate. Granted, there is no verse in the Bible which calls everything from Genesis to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: An Organized Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 2, 2018

How to have a logical flow to our preaching.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to encourage preachers to have a logical flow to their preaching. Lesson Intro Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). When a sermon is disorganized it is less effective. Organization does not mean that we ignore the Holy Spirit and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Condemned Or Not Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 5, 2018

Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21

Prelude What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21. John 3:14 The Exalted Cross As we read John 3:14 “as Moses lifted up the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: Exegesis Not Eisegesis

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 5, 2018

Let's diminish bad Bible interpretation in the pulpit.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to eradicate or greatly diminish bad biblical interpretation in churches. I also hope to arm both preacher and congregation against the shoddy Scriptural analysis of many televangelists and popular Christian writers. Lesson Intro You can give a man a fish or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist