Sermons on Sponges:

Becoming One In Ministry Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2017

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind?

Intro When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? Purpose We actually have record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Plan Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11. John 17 How we Got Jesus’ Prayer Part of the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Rivers Of Living Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2017

Let’s understand how Christians live like rivers of flowing water.

Intro How should we live in the world? Are we to live stagnant, isolated lives? Purpose Let’s understand how Christians live like rivers of flowing water. Plan We will examine John 7:37-39 and Jesus’ instructions on being rivers of living waters. John 7:37 If Anyone Thirsts In John 7:37 ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Into All The World

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2017

Jesus said to to go, make, baptize and teach what?

Intro Among the notable sayings of Jesus are the Great Commandments and the Great Commission. Purpose Let’s look at the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His Church. Plan Let’s explore this in Matthew 28:16-20. Matthew 28:19 Go In Matthew 28:19 the first verb in the Great Commission is to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Sheep & Harvesting

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 13, 2017

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church?

Intro What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Purpose Let’s look at some farm lessons that apply directly to the local church. Plan Let’s look at two agricultural metaphors for the church’s work in Matthew 9:35-10:8. Matthew 9:35-36 Shepherdless Sheep In Matthew ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Insults

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2017

How do we handle insults and family opposition to us being a Christian?

Intro Are we men and women of God or mice? Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world push us around and tell us to be quiet about our faith? Goal Let’s learn to be courageous disciples. Plan Let’s examine Matthew 10:24-39 and how to stand up against opposition to our faith like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Baptist

A Cup Of Cold Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2017

How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us?

Intro How important is it to be a welcoming church? How thankful are we for those who receive us? How do we receive Gospel preachers, each other, and newcomers? Purpose Let’s become more welcoming. Plan We will look at Matthew 10:40-42 and hospitality. 2 Kings 4:8-17 The Shunammite ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17, Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

Rest For Our Souls

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2017

Where can we find rest from our heavy burdens?

Intro What burdens do we carry? What does criticism of believers who are different from us do for us? Where can we find rest from these heavy burdens? Purpose Let’s find rest from the heavy burdens that we and others place upon ourselves. Plan Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about burdens ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2017

Let us understand where we find genuine Christianity deeply within people’s hearts.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Are our hearts downtrodden, like a well-worn path? Are our hearts hard, lacking stick-to-it-iveness or thorny, laden down with worldly cares. How can we learn to become like rich soil that receives the word of the kingdom and produces a rich harvest? Let us understand where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Good And Evil In The World?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2017

Why is there evil in the world and in the church?

Intro, Purpose, Plan Why is there evil in the church? What about those who are sincere and have faith in God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Let’s understand that the church is and will always be a mixture of good and evil, but those who are righteous by faith will shine. Let’s discuss the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Baptist

Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2017

The kingdom of heaven is like treasures old and new.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Do we have any special treasures? Do we own heirlooms from distant lands? Are our families among our greatest treasures? Do we treat the things of God as our greatest treasures of all? Let’s look at some special aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 39: Preach A Refrain Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 20, 2018

Preaching a sermon that repeats a motto as a learning tool

Lesson Goal Learn how to preach a sermon that repeats a motto. Lesson Intro Psalm 136 is a song with a repeating refrain, "for his steadfast love endures for ever." We can also preach a sermon with a repeating refrain. We already saw how the jewel or diamond sermon is one point tied together by ...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