Sermons on Sponges:

Thankful In Good And Bad

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2019

How do we feel when we have helped people and they don’t bother to show thanks? Have we met people who are thankful under the most difficult circumstances? What’s their secret? Let’s learn the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:1-7 and Luke 17:11-19.

How do we feel when we have helped people and they don’t bother to show thanks? Have we met people who are thankful under the most difficult circumstances? What’s their secret? Let’s learn the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:1-7 and Luke 17:11-19. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Relentless Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 14, 2019

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8.

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8. Persistent & Demanding Prayer Luke 18:1-5 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Self-Righteous Delusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2019

Do we constantly criticize others? Do we constantly compare ourselves to others to justify ourselves? Let’s learn that we are all in the same boat and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we constantly criticize others? What about politicians, past or current generations or fellow motorists? Do we constantly compare ourselves to others to justify ourselves? Let’s learn that we are all in the same boat and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

When God's Spirit Leads

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 4, 2019

Who are the children of God? What advantage is there being led by the Spirit of God? How do we know we are being led by the Holy Spirit? Let's look at Romans 8:14-17.

Who are the children of God? What advantage is there being led by the Spirit of God? How do we know we are being led by the Holy Spirit? Led Romans 8:14 “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Are we led by the world and its values or the Spirit of God? If we are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Father's Purpose

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2019

God has a gift for Christian father’s today, a rare gift, respect. What is a man’s purpose? What is a father’s role? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

God has a gift for Christian father’s today, a rare gift, respect. What is a man’s purpose? What is a father’s role? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Deuteronomy 6:1 “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Insanity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2019

Can we be free from all the insanity and self-destruction in today’s world? Salvation is for every day and eternity. Let’s examine Jesus’ saving a gentile from his insanity in Luke 8:26-39.

Can we be free from all the insanity and self-destruction in today’s world? Salvation is for every day and eternity. Let’s examine Jesus’ saving a gentile from his insanity in Luke 8:26-39. Captive to Insanity Luke 8:26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Baptist

Cheap Talk And Lame Excuses

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 30, 2019

Should we forget everything to follow Him, or is it a question of priority? What priority does God have in our lives? Let’s learn about excuses in Luke 9:51-62.

Should we forget everything to follow Him, or is it a question of priority? What priority does God have in our lives? Let’s learn about excuses in Luke 9:51-62. Denying Jesus in Others Luke 9:46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Baptist

Sent

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 1, 2019

The term Apostle can refer to the twelve disciples of Christ. Broadly it means anyone sent on a mission with a message. Let’s look at 70 or 72 others who were “apostled” by Jesus and what their mission was in Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.

The term Apostle can refer to the twelve disciples of Christ. Broadly it means anyone sent on a mission with a message. Let’s look at 70 or 72 others who were “apostled” by Jesus and what their mission was in Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. 70 Apostled? (vs 1-2) Luke 10:1 The Lord now chose seventy-two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, Luke 10:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is My Neighbor?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 10, 2019

Let’s look at how even enemies can become good neighbors? Let’s examine the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 and see how it applies to us.

After World War Two the Allies helped former enemies Germany and Japan rebuild. The hatred did not last forever. Thanks in large part to Allied aid, former enemies became close friends and two of the world’s strongest economies were given life. Let’s look at how even enemies can become good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Too Busy For God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2019

Hard work is a Christian ethic. But sometimes we need to just sit and listen, especially when the one doing the talking is Jesus. Let’s read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

Hard work is a Christian ethic. But sometimes we need to just sit and listen, especially when the one doing the talking is Jesus. Let’s read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Luke 10:38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Tenacious Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2019

How tenaciously do we pray? May we ask for personal needs? Are we waiting to be worthy? Let’s learn to pray. We’ll look at Luke 11:1-13 verse by verse and some of what Jesus taught on how to pray.

How tenaciously do we pray? May we ask for personal needs? Are we waiting to be worthy? Let’s learn to pray unceasingly. We’ll look at Luke 11:1-13 verse by verse and some of what Jesus taught on how to pray. When Not If You Pray Luke 11:1-2a Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Letting Personal Injustice Go

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 28, 2019

Let’s not spend our lives complaining about financial injustices. There is a better choice. What did Jesus say to a victim of financial injustice in Luke 12:13-21?

Let’s not spend our lives complaining about financial injustices. There is a better choice. What did Jesus say to a victim of financial injustice in Luke 12:13-21? What Life is Not Luke 12:13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 4, 2019

What good thing ought the church to be known for, but sometimes neglects? Let’s learn something that is a high priority for God, in Luke 12:32-48.

What good thing ought the church to be known for, but sometimes neglects? Let’s learn something that is a high priority for God, in Luke 12:32-48. Part 1 Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Jesus said to his disciples, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-48

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Giant Problems

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 18, 2018

Are our problems too large for God to handle? Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and a squall on Lake Galilee in Mark 4:35-41.

Prelude to Part 1 Giant Personalities Are our problems too large for God to handle? Purpose: Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Plan: Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49. 1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear Saul ignored the advice of God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Greatly Mistaken

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 25, 2018

What if we are greatly mistaken in our understanding of Christianity? If our ideas do not square with the Bible, will we change? As the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, will we follow?

Preamble After preaching the lectionary through in these churches, I find myself drawn more and more to a year of preaching the texts the lectionary leaves out. My suspicions were aroused when I learned that Jude was eliminated, a letter which condemns many practices engaged in by the modern ...read more

Denomination: Baptist