Sermons on Sponges:

Mystery Of Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2020

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Leadership Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamb Of God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 14, 2020

What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Let's look at John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God in John 1:29-42.

What are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? Let’s understand how important pointing to Jesus is. Let’s look at John the Baptist’s example of pointing to the Lamb of God in John 1:29-42. The Lamb of God John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Really Follow Jesus?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 22, 2020

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23.

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23. Capernaum Matthew 4:12-13 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

Secrets Of Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 22, 2020

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit Matthew 5:1-3 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

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

Communion At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

Please take a moment to be sure that you have a morsel of bread and a small cup of wine or grape juice handy. If you need to, now would be the time to take a moment and prepare these elements. If possible, find a quiet place and begin.

Please take a moment to be sure that you have a morsel of bread and a small cup of wine or grape juice handy. If you need to, now would be the time to take a moment and prepare these elements. If possible, find a quiet place and begin. Let’s hear the Great Commandments, and examine our hearts. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good Friday At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

A guide for those who are shut in due to many different reasons during this paschal season.

GOOD FRIDAY at HOME Choose some appropriate music to play in the background if you wish, but silence is preferable. If there are two or more of you, you may wish to have one say the lead part and another say the second part. If alone, just say both parts out loud or read them to yourself. Christ ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Easter At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 7, 2020

Many people are at home with no means of participating in Easter celebrations. Here is one way to have Easter at home, even alone, if needed.

Sing: Because He Lives <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA> Reading: Ezekiel 37:3-14 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is God? Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2020

How can we understand how great God is? How good is God? How near is God to us right now? How high above us is God? How is God one? Why does God use the imagery of a Father when that offends so many today? How is Jesus also God? How is the Holy Spirit God? Let's discuss.

How Near or Far is God? Immanence — God’s nearness The Bible quotes God as saying that He fills heaven and earth or as other translations put it, he is everywhere. "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:24

Denomination: Baptist

Two Confessions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2020

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31.

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31. John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Christ?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2020

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh?

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh? Christ is from Greek, meaning the same as Messiah from Hebrew, the Savior of all humanity. Studying Christ is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Mystery Journey

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 21, 2020

Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35.

Mystery Journey Life’s journey is a mystery. We meet a stranger. He opens the Scriptures to our understanding. He can be a mystery until we break bread. Who’s the stranger? What’s the mystery? Let’s find out in Luke 24:13-35. Luke 24:13 says, “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Gate

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 29, 2020

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10.

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10. Background By way of background to Jesus’ lesson let’s learn a few essentials about ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is The Holy Spirit, Part 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 4, 2020

Is the Holy Spirit a universal force or a person? Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His work? What does He do in the world today?

Is the Holy Spirit a universal force or a person? Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His work? What does He do in the world today? A Greek word for spirit is p?e?µa (pneuma) and so a study of the Holy Spirit is called Pneumatology. Is the Holy Spirit a Person? He has a will and makes choices. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:11, John 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Place For You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 7, 2020

Do we sometimes feel like we don’t belong? We really belong somewhere else, somewhere wonderful. How do we get there? Let’s find the way to the place where we truly belong in John 14:1-14.

Do we sometimes feel like we don’t belong? We really belong somewhere else, somewhere wonderful. How do we get there? Let’s find the way to the place where we truly belong in John 14:1-14. John 14:1-2 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist