Sermons on Sponges:

Jesus And The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 2, 2020

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. What does that mean? Let’s learn what our relationship to the law is. Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. What does that mean? Let’s learn what our relationship to the law is. Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20. You ARE Salt Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Law, Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 10, 2020

Imagine a commentary on the Old Testament by Jesus Christ. It would be the best, and we have one in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s look at murder, adultery and bearing false witness in Matthew 5:21-37.

Imagine a commentary on the Old Testament by Jesus Christ. It would be the best, and we have one in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s look at murder, adultery and bearing false witness in Matthew 5:21-37. Murder Matthew 5:21-26 “You have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Baptist

A Taste Of Eternity

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 17, 2020

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result. We will look at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 and its application in transforming our lives today.

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result. We will look at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 and its application in transforming our lives today. Small Group of 3 Matthew 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Temptation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2020

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but he succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but he succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Led by the Spirit Matthew 4:1-2 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Visitor In The Dark

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2020

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17.

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17. Nicodemus John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism At A Local Watering Hole

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 9, 2020

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42.

Who can spread the Gospel? Let’s see that the Gospel is spread by ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Let’s examine the woman at the well in John 4:5-42. An Unbiased Savior John 4:5-9 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Blind See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2020

We often don’t know what we cannot see, because we’ve never seen it. There is a way to gain spiritual sight. What is it? How can we see what we are blind to in our world? Let’s learn what Jesus taught about it in John 9:1-41.

We often don’t know what we cannot see, because we’ve never seen it. There is a way to gain spiritual sight. What is it? How can we see what we are blind to in our world? Let’s learn what Jesus taught about it in John 9:1-41. Fault-Finding John 9:1-5 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 21, 2020

We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Let’s really understand this most popular of all the Psalms.

We often hear the 23rd Psalm read or recited at funerals, but did you know that it does not apply to everyone, only to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. Let’s really understand this most popular of all the Psalms. Let’s go through Psalm 23 looking at some important details. The Lord is my shepherd; ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Never Die?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2020

How would we live our lives today if we could live forever? Immortality is our reality in Christ. Let’s examine the death and resurrection of Lazarus and the One who dares to call himself “the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45.

Let’s look at a couple of ways to examine a Bible passage: solving some dilemmas and finding the Good News. Let’s examine the death of Lazarus, and Jesus’ intervention, the One who dares to call Himself “the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45. 1. What are some Dilemmas in the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is God? Part 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2020

How great is God? Is God good or evil? Is God near or far or both? Can God be three and one? Does God have a plan? Did God really create everything that is? Does God provide today? Let’s discuss some questions about God as revealed in the Christian Bible.

Who is God? Part 1 How great is God? Is God good or evil? Is God near or far or both? Can God be three and one? Does God have a plan? Did God really create everything that is? Does God provide today? A Greek word for God is Theos and so the study of God is called theology. Let’s discuss some ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24

Denomination: Baptist

Save Us Now

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 31, 2020

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure to govern itself. Let’s compare human governments with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11.

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure to govern itself. Let’s compare human governments with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11. Matthew 21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Maundy Thursday

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 2, 2020

What is Maundy Thursday all about? Is it just for Catholics? Let’s look at where Holy Thursday comes from in the Bible, and what it means for us. Let’s examine John 13:1-17, 31b-35?

What is Maundy Thursday all about? Is it just for Catholics? Let’s look at where Holy Thursday comes from in the Bible, and what it means for us. Let’s examine John 13:1-17, 31b-35? Passover John 13:1-2 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

A Long Journey To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2019

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Is Confirmation Biblical

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 8, 2019

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.

What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2. Infant baptism in NOT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 John 4:15, Acts 8:14-17, Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 9:17, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 10:44-48, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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