Sermons on sponges: showing 976-990 of 1,773

Is Christmas Pagan?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2017

Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible?

Prelude Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s examine the worth of Christmas and why it’s a perfectly fine Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions that are controversial in some churches and look at the story of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Senior Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2017

What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many of them have been faithful despite life’s suffering?

Prelude What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering? Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints. Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Cares For The Little Guy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 25, 2018

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones?

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones? Let’s understand Jesus’ attitude towards believers whose faith is still small in Mark 9:38-50. Do Not Hinder Mark 9:38-39 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Communion Confusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2018

Is communion a sacrament, ordinance or memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper?

Is Communion a sacrament, an ordinance, or a memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper? Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 22:14-27. Passover Luke 22:14 “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.” The appointed hour that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rest From Our Burdens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2018

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries?

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries? Let’s find out what our true rest is, by looking at Hebrews 4. Is His Rest the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Commands The Morning?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2018

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer?

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer? Job had suffered terribly and demanded an audience with God to question His fairness. God now begins to challenge Job in Job 38. Let’s listen in. Words without Knowledge Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We See God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 25, 2018

Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is.

Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is. Job’s final chapter must be seen in light of the first chapters. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Inheritance Of The Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 30, 2018

What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus?

What is the inheritance of the saints, those made holy by God? What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus? Let’s look at several passages that reveal our wonderful future. [a scripture flipping sermon,] Psalms 2:7-8 “...the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 5, 2018

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen?

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 In His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Beauty Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2014

The Bible makes few mandates for baptism, but what it does demand makes it beautiful.

Intro In Matthew 3 we are introduced to the Baptism of Christ. This ceremony which has become the norm for almost all Christian churches is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Goal To help us appreciate baptism and its significance. Plan We will look at what is and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Come And You Will See

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 19, 2014

Come to a church where Jesus is preached and you will begin to see the answer to the most important issues of life.

Intro What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Goal To show how important Jesus is to the church. Plan We will look at why we are here, John the Baptist’s example and the lamb of God. Why are we here Have we ever asked ourselves, why are we here? So, here we sit in a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Real Secret, The Beatitudes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2014

The Beatitudes reveal that we can be more than happy. We can be blessed!

Intro It is sometimes a puzzle to understand God's mind. His thinking is so far above ours. The secret is: there is no secret. People pay gurus millions to learn what is often half-baked wisdom and ignore the wonderful truth found in the beatitudes which is free to all (Matthew 5:1-12). These ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2020

Jesus speaks boldly. Some are offended. Some are not. Let’s discover what happened when a woman chose not to be offended at Jesus’ words, in Matthew 15:10-28.

Jesus speaks boldly. Some are offended. Some are not. Let’s discover what happened when a woman chose not to be offended at Jesus’ words, in Matthew 15:10-28. Offended When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On What Rock?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 6, 2020

Is Protestantism legitimate? What are the keys to the kingdom? If true Christians agree on essential matters, why the rivalry? Let’s look at Rome’s exclusive claim in Matthew 16:13-20.

Is Protestantism legitimate? What are the keys to the kingdom? If true Christians agree on essential matters, why the rivalry? Let’s look at Rome’s exclusive claim in Matthew 16:13-20. When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Our Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 17, 2020

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28.

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible