Sermons on Sponges:

Persecuted Missions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2024

What dangers and blessings await those who dare to share God's Good News in a hostile world? Let's find out in Matthew 10.

What dangers and blessings await those who dare to share the Good News in a hostile world? What authority did Jesus give the twelve disciples? He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Offense Or Rest

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 13, 2024

Do we take offense or rest in Jesus? Let's find out in Matthew 11.

Can we find rest in Jesus in the midst of a troubled world? Did John the Baptist need rest from doubt? After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Money Morality

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2024

The basic rule of money morality is well known, but often misquoted and misunderstood. Let's examine a godly approach to money.

The basic rule for money morality is well-known, but most people seem to either misquote this principle or stop after the first clause. Let’s read the whole principle. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Usury & Extortion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 16, 2024

Why do western banks engage in usury and extortion? Why do Christians go along with it without trying to change this practice?

One of the earliest principles of money lending is a law against usury. If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. (Exodus 22:25 NKJV) This is the exact opposite of how western banks operate today. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:5

Denomination: Baptist

Disguised Fraud

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2024

Fraud in politics and business is common. How should we as Christians behave in such a dishonest world?

How are political and business leaders frequently described in the Bible? Political Frauds Evil national leaders are pictured in the Bible as predatory wild animals, political frauds. For instance, Daniel had a vision of four successive empires, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greco-Macedonia and Rome, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Accused

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 20, 2024

Are Christians often falsely accused? How did Jesus handle being falsely accused? Let's find out in Matthew 12.

Jesus faced many false accusations. How did He handle them? Sabbath Accusations Did the Pharisees criticize Jesus for breaking their Sabbath rules? At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. But when ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham's Obedient Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2023

Is there a difference between works of the law and works of faith? Many Christians confuse the two as one, but they are not. Let's let the Bible answer the question.

A false equivalence is bad logic. It occurs when we believe that the same word in different contexts means the same thing. This happens in Christian discussions of the word works. We solve the confusion by asking what kind of “works” is being discussed. Is it works of the law or works of obedient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Justified By Faith

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

How can we be made right in God's sight? Can we believe Jesus and disobey Him?

Does Paul teach that all nations are equally sinful and the only way for any of us to be justified is by faith? Do we then have peace with God through whom? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV) Is it a disobedient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

New Holy Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

Does the new life in Christ mean we can be careless about sin or careful to live sin free? Is holiness important or is that just self-righteousness?

May we Christians just believe and not obey Jesus Christ? Can we be attached to the vine and not bear fruit? So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? (Romans 6:2 CEB) May we return to living ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Flesh And Spirit

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 25, 2023

How do the flesh and the Spirit war against one another within each of us? How do we deal with an imperfect church and a perfect Savior?

How do the flesh and Spirit affect our lives and our relationship to the law? Is the law pictured as the husband of the soul in a similar manner as a man is to his wife? Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Condemnation In Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 15, 2023

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Let's find out in Romans 8.

Are we all condemned to hell because of our human weakness in the flesh? Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:1-2 NASB) Was God’s law weak ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Special Vessels

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2023

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Let's find out in Romans 9.

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Are the chosen people Jews or Christians or both? Let’s begin by asking, did Paul love his fellow Jews? I’m speaking the truth in Christ—I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit: 2 I have great sadness and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Prejudices (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2023

Jesus told us to get out of our comfort zones and spread the good news. How are we doing?

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20. They Worshiped Him Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Belief In Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2023

Is belief in Jesus important for both Jews and Gentiles?

What makes people acceptable to God? Let’s begin with Paul’s prayer for Israel? Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire is for Israel’s salvation. That’s my prayer to God for them. (Romans 10:1 CEB) What was Israel’s biggest issue? Can Christians have the same problem? I know they love God, but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Countercultural Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2023

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26.

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26. How did Jesus call some of His disciples? Is that a picture for anyone who chooses to follow Him? As Jesus passed on from there, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Baptist