Sermons on Sponges:

God’s Plan For Economic Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2018

Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality?

Prelude Are there national economic principles in the Bible? Does God believe in economic equality? Is there a biblical basis of economic equality? Purpose: Let’s look at one of the most wonderful economic laws ever written and its implications for us. Plan: Let’s look at the Jubilee, how it could ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Time Apart Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2018

Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

Prelude What does fasting have to do with anything? Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose: Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. Plan: We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Exhibitionism Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 14, 2018

Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship.

Prelude How should we give in public? How should we pray in public? How should we fast in public? Purpose: Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship. Plan: Let’s look Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Jesus’ discussion of public religious duties. Matthew 6:1-4 Public Giving Jesus said to let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Most Difficult Words Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 21, 2018

Let’s look at Mark 8:27-38 and our call to a selfless life.

Prelude The most difficult words Jesus ever spoke are NOT the ones that are hard to understand, but the ones that are easy to understand and hard to obey. Because being a true follower of Jesus is so difficult, early Christians took time before the most important season of the Christian year to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Our Priority Money Or Prayer? Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in the temple and prayer.

Prelude Is our priority prayer or money? Whether you are suspicious or selfish or give generously, what is the right use of money in the church? Purpose: Let’s understand that money will always be a cause for good and evil in the Church. Plan: Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

What is the preacher's task?

Introduction to Preaching! Let me introduce a series of lessons that will cover the gamut of preaching. The Gospel is the most important message on the planet. You, the preacher are a key individual in this heavenly enterprise. Few other people have the opportunity to affect the lives of people in ...read more

Scripture: John 21:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: My Testimonial Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

An icebreaker or testimonial is a great first sermon. How do we begin?

What is this Lesson’s Goal? This lesson will encourage you to talk about your spiritual journey. Do Testimonials Have a Purpose? When Paul the apostle wanted to encourage the churches in Corinth regarding endurance in the ministry of Jesus Christ, he mentioned his own example in 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Preach A Text Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

The Bible is the most important basis of preaching. How do we preach a text of Holy Scripture?

What’s our Goal Let’s emphasize the importance of Bible-based preaching. What’s the Idea The modern idea that the Bible is not the Word of God but only contains the Word of God is very narrow and inadequate. Granted, there is no verse in the Bible which calls everything from Genesis to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: An Organized Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 2, 2018

How to have a logical flow to our preaching.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to encourage preachers to have a logical flow to their preaching. Lesson Intro Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). When a sermon is disorganized it is less effective. Organization does not mean that we ignore the Holy Spirit and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Condemned Or Not Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 5, 2018

Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21

Prelude What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21. John 3:14 The Exalted Cross As we read John 3:14 “as Moses lifted up the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: Exegesis Not Eisegesis

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 5, 2018

Let's diminish bad Bible interpretation in the pulpit.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to eradicate or greatly diminish bad biblical interpretation in churches. I also hope to arm both preacher and congregation against the shoddy Scriptural analysis of many televangelists and popular Christian writers. Lesson Intro You can give a man a fish or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8: Preach For Application Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 7, 2018

Making our sermons relevant and practical

Lesson Goal The purpose of this lesson is to help us always make our sermons relevant for daily use and our congregations doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Lesson Intro There is nothing worse than hearing a pie in the sky, unrealistic sermon from a young preacher who has no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: Preach A Children's Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2018

Children's sermons

Lesson Goal The purpose of this sermon is to encourage the use of quality children's sermons. Lesson Intro Jesus' ministry is famous for his allowing little children to come to him (Matthew 19:14; Luke 18:17), mentioning specifically the advantage children have over adults in receiving the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 10: Preaching A Non-Bible Subject Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 12, 2018

Preach a topic not directly addressed by a single passage of scripture.

Lesson Goal To teach preachers how to handle subjects not directly addressed in the Bible and still have a biblical basis. Lesson Intro There are subjects that a preacher will eventually want to preach on, that are not directly covered in any one passage of Scripture. Parenting, marital ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Seed Dies & Life Begins Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 14, 2018

How does selfishness destroy us? How does selflessness save us? How does truly living only begin when the seed of selfishness dies?

Prelude How does selfishness destroy us? How does selflessness save us? How does truly living only begin when the seed of selfishness dies? Purpose: Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive and self-sacrifice is really living. Plan: Let’s examine the passage where Jesus predicts ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Baptist