Sermons on Sponges:

Preparation For His Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2021

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for Christ’s coming? Let’s learn how to prepare for His coming. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

Prelude What does building a highway have to do with preparation for Christ’s coming? Purpose: Let’s learn how to prepare for His coming. Plan: Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6. Pilate “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Repent At Christmas

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2021

Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? Purpose: What can we do to make it more meaningful? Plan: Let’s see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18.

Prelude Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? Purpose: What can we do to make it more meaningful? Plan: Let’s see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18. Vipers Luke 3:7 “So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mary's Song

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 16, 2021

What does mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss Mary’s Song in Luke 1:39-55.

What does mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss Mary’s Song in Luke 1:39-55. Luke includes three songs written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and Simeon’s Song. Spirit-Filled “Now Mary arose in those days and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Questions And Service At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 22, 2021

Is Christmas okay or in the Bible? Let’s learn why it’s a good Christian celebration. Let’s ask some questions and look at the story of Christ’s birth including an at-home service from Luke 2:1-40.

Prelude: Is Christmas okay or in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s learn why it’s a good Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions and look at the story of Christ’s birth in Luke 2:1-40. Questions What does the word Christmas mean? It literally means Christ’s Mass, or the Mass of Christ. Mass ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 10, 2022

Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26.

Prelude Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26. A Level Plain “And He came down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Love Our Enemies (Luke 6)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 16, 2022

Christians are to love their enemies. What does that mean? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Prelude Christians are to love their enemies. Purpose: What does that mean? Plan: Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38. Do Good, Bless, Pray “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Glory & Valley Failure

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 22, 2022

Why was there glory on a mountaintop and failure in a valley? Let’s look at the transfiguration in Luke 9:28-42.

Prelude Why was there glory on a mountaintop and failure in a valley? Let’s look at the transfiguration in Luke 9:28-42. 1. Prayer “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-42

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Is He

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2022

What is God’s attitude towards a world that rejects the Gospel? Does He force people to believe against their wills? Let’s look at Luke 13:31-35.

What is God’s attitude towards a world that rejects the Gospel? Does He force people to believe against their wills? Let’s look at Luke 13:31-35. Get Out “On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, ‘Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.’ ” (Luke 13:31 NKJV) This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence For God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Is the evidence of God’s existence visible? How would we discuss this with an atheist?

Is the evidence of God’s existence visible? An ancient songwriter wrote: “The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-6, Job 38:2-12, Romans 1:18-25, Romans 1:26-32, Job 12:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Thinking About God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Does the existence of God also mean that He knows how we, His creatures best function? Does that mean that He loves us? Does it mean that we can get to know Him personally? Jesus gave a simple two step process that one should think about when confronted with the truth of the Gospel.

Does the existence of God also mean that He knows how we, His creatures best function? Does that mean that He loves us? Does it mean that we can get to know Him personally? Jesus gave a simple two step process that one should think about when confronted with the truth of the Gospel. “The time is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:15, Galatians 4:8-9, Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

Inspiration Of The Bible

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Is the Bible inspired by a loving God? Some people believe that the Bible is myth or misogynistic or contains hate speech. Have they believed lies about the Bible? The phrase “thus says the Lord” is found over 400 times, so is the Bible an inspired document from a loving God?

Is the Bible inspired by a loving God? Some people believe that the Bible is myth or misogynistic or contains hate speech. Have they believed lies about the Bible? The phrase “thus says the Lord” is found over 400 times, so is the Bible an inspired document from a loving God? There are many points ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 10:34-36, 2 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Proof Of The Bible

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

There are many proofs of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Let’s discuss a few.

There are many proofs of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Let’s discuss a few. Bible Prophecy Fulfilled prophecy is a proof of the truth of the Bible, where God declares: “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis Vocabulary

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Let’s look at Genesis and why it’s important. Let’s first of all look at some vocabulary that may need a little clarification.

Let’s look at Genesis and why it’s important. Let’s first of all look at some vocabulary that may need a little clarification. Day Read Genesis 1-2 and notice how the context defines the meaning of words. For instance, how is the word day defined at least three different ways in Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1-4, Matthew 19:4

Denomination: Baptist

Creation Theories And Lessons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn?

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn? Creation Theories Let’s first examine a few of the many creation theories and some of their strengths and weaknesses 1. Godless Evolution claims to be honest with geology and biology, but denies ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis Principles

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan.

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan. Genesis is the first book of Moses, of the law, of the Pentateuch, of the Torah. How does Old Testament law relate to Christians? It applies in spirit and not in the letter. “who has made us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 2:29, Matthew 5:21-22, Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17, Jude 1:11, Matthew 5:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist