Sermons on Sponges:

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 10, 2021

What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34.

Prelude What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34. Scatter Seed Mark 4:26 And He said, “The kingdom of God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

Languages & Liturgy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 16, 2021

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 14.

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Profit 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Love is our highest goal, but prophecy or sharing the mind of God, is of special benefit to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection (Part 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2021

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel?

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 Jesus’ Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; We too received the Gospel. What does ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Balm In Gilead

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 24, 2021

Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? Purpose: Why do we need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus healing a woman and a little girl applies to us in Mark 5:21-43.

Intro Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? It's not Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment or McNess Krestol Salve. Purpose: Let’s understand why we and our world need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection (Part 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2021

Do we have questions about our own resurrection?

Do we have questions about our own resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Must this mortal body die first? 1 Corinthians 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: Will the resurrected ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rejection

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 1, 2021

A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Rejection is a true Christian experience. Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13.

Prelude A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Purpose: Rejection is a true Christian experience. Plan: Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13. Rejection (Mark 6:1-6) Mark 6:1 Then He went out from there and came to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Kill The Messenger

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 9, 2021

Are we offended when repentance is preached? Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29.

Prelude Are we offended when repentance is preached? Purpose: Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s Plan: Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. Who is Jesus Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him [Jesus], for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Sheep Without A Shepherd

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 12, 2021

As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Let’s focus on our mission. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

Prelude As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Purpose: Let’s focus on our mission. Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. 1 Tell & Rest Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Baptist

Easter, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2019

Is Resurrection Sunday the most wonderful time of the year? Paul wrote that if Christ has not been raised our preaching is in vain and so is our faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). Let’s discuss the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus and the testimony of eyewitnesses in Luke 24:1-12

Is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year? What about Jesus’ resurrection? Is Resurrection Sunday the most wonderful time of the year? Paul wrote that if Christ has not been raised our preaching is in vain and so is our faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). Let’s discuss the centrality of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Two Christian Confessions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 23, 2019

What two things do Christians confess? Let’s look at what Jesus said when He appeared to His disciples in John 20:19-31.

What two things do Christians confess? Let’s look at what Jesus said when He appeared to His disciples 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 of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Cast Your Nets

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 30, 2019

Is anything holding us back? Let’s discuss putting the mistakes of the past behind us and moving forward. Let’s discuss how Jesus helped his disciples move forward after their failures in John 21:1-19.

Is anything holding us back? Let’s discuss putting the mistakes of the past behind us and moving forward. Let’s discuss how Jesus helped his disciples move forward after their failures in John 21:1-19.[1] John 21:1-5 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers Of The Bible

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2019

The Bible contains the experiences of many mothers down through human history. Let’s look at a few of them.

The Bible contains the experiences of many mothers down through human history. Let’s look at a few of them. Eve: The first mother was Eve. “the man called his wife’s name Eve [life], because she was the mother of all the living.” (Genesis 3:20) Eve was the first woman without a mother. Imagine her ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Christian Love?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 16, 2019

What is the sign that we are Jesus’ true disciples? Let’s look at what Jesus said distinguishes his disciples and see why this old command is new in Jesus. Let’s see what Jesus said about glory and love in John 13:31-35.

What is the sign that we are Jesus’ true disciples? Let’s look at what Jesus said distinguishes his disciples and see why this old command is new in Jesus. Let’s see what Jesus said about glory and love in John 13:31-35. John 13:31-32 Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Vision Of Eternity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 26, 2019

What will life be like in eternity with God? Revelation 21-22 is an end-of-the-book description of a wonderful eternity awaiting the faithful.

What will life be like in eternity with God? Revelation 21-22 is an end-of-the-book description of a wonderful eternity awaiting the faithful. Revelation 21:1-4 reveals “a new heaven and a new earth” that God will dwell among His people, and there will no longer be any death, mourning, crying, or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Unity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 3, 2019

What does Christian unity mean? Does it mean that we agree on everything? Does it mean that we allow the sinful standards of the world to infiltrate? Jesus prayed for our unity. Let’s look at part of the long Lord’s prayer in John 17:20-26 and see what unity truly is.

What does Christian unity mean? Does it mean that we agree on everything? Does it mean that we allow the sinful standards of the world to infiltrate? Jesus prayed for our unity. Let’s look at part of the long Lord’s prayer in John 17:20-26 and see what unity truly is. Christian Unity Before we ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist