Sermons on Sponges:

Two Ways

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2018

Among all the varieties of cultures and ways to live in this world, there are really only two ways to live, God's or the world's.

Intro If we could boil all the world’s religions and political philosophies down to their essentials what would we come up with? Are there real alternatives or just varieties of the same worldly way of life? Our purpose is to see that there are only two ways, God’s and the world’s. Our plan is to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 49: Preach With Balance Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2018

How can we teach our congregations to balance Christian essentials with non-essentials? How can we overcome bigotry on non-essential doctrines, while still maintaining our preference.

Lesson Goal Introduce some basic elements of balanced preaching. Lesson Intro In Acts 20:27 Paul informs the the church of God in Ephesus that he had preached to them the whole counsel of God. Most preachers that do not have a structured annual preaching plan are guilty of over-preaching their ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 50: Preach The Gospel Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 10, 2018

Preach Jesus, the Good News, evangelistic preaching from every part of the Bible.

Lesson Goal I want to encourage the preaching of Jesus, the gospel, evangelistic preaching from every part of the Bible. Lesson Intro Our planet is bombarded by dozens of important messages. Reversing dangerous global climate change is a message that is very prominent. Saying no to drugs is an ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 51: Preach Impromptu Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 13, 2018

Occasionally a preacher is required to give a sermon with only a few minutes notice and completely without preparation. Here's how to do it.

Lesson Goal Learn how to preach without notice. Lesson Intro 2 Timothy 4:2 tells preachers to always be ready to give a sermon. There comes a time when you will show up at a church service only to be asked to pinch hit for someone else who had been scheduled to speak. Perhaps you are on vacation ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What's The Holy Spirit Doing In You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 18, 2018

The Holy Spirit as teacher

Prelude How can a mere human being understand the things of God? Goal: Let’s understand the means by which God reaches out and touches us. Plan: Let’s look at John 15:26-16:15 and discover how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. John 15:26 Testify John 15:26 says, “When the Advocate comes, whom ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Does Trinity Make Sense

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 21, 2018

How is God both three and one?

Intro How is God both three and one? [Note: All scriptures are given for reference. Obviously it would be a very long and tedious sermon to turn to each and every one. I recommend turning to very few, but leaving a scripture list for those who wish to study further.] Goal: Let’s understand why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

We Preach Christ Not Ourselves

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2018

How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament?

Prelude How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s examine the popular notion that we can ignore or reinterpret clear New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering And Hope

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2018

Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope.

Intro Have we ever been ostracized by family? Have we ever been falsely accused even by a few religious people? Do we suffer in other ways? Purpose: Let’s learn to appreciate the majority of our church family that shares our suffering and our hope. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 3:20-35 and 2 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2018

What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth?

Prelude What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. Plan: We will look at Mark 4:26-34 and why optimism over the church’s future is valid, why the church will continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Once For All Delivered

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2018

As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament?

Intro As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s see if Jude gives us some help. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Giant Problems

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 18, 2018

Are our problems too large for God to handle? Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and a squall on Lake Galilee in Mark 4:35-41.

Prelude to Part 1 Giant Personalities Are our problems too large for God to handle? Purpose: Let’s learn that God helps us conquer giant problems. Plan: Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath (Gol-YATH) in 1 Samuel 17:1-49. 1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear Saul ignored the advice of God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Ready?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2016

Are we ready for his coming?

Intro When will Jesus return? Goal Let’s learn that we do not know when Christ will return but that he will come back and we must keep watch. Sermon Plan Let’s discuss Matthew 24:36-44, prophecy and keeping watch. Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance For Christmas

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2016

Let’s look at Matthew 3:1-12 and the idea of repentance as preparation for Christ.

Intro A commercialized, materialistic Christmas disappoints us every year. We spend money we don’t have on gifts that our children don’t need and we end up raising unhappy and selfish adults who don’t appreciate the greatest Christmas gift of all. What we really need, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 18, 2016

Let’s look at Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph's dilemma, the meanings of Jesus' names and whether or not Mary remained a perpetual virgin.

The Savior's Next Step for Our Church Acts 1:12-26 (Initial reading: vs. 8-14) Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 19, 2013 *This is last week's issue of "The Baptist Message," and the headline for this article is: "Hankins Delivers Sobering News to 2020 Commission." It tells us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Peace On Earth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2016

Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised.

Intro Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised. Goal Let’s understand that worldly importance is unimportant to God. He has very different values. Sermon Plan We will look at Luke 2:1-40, God’s guest list and peace on earth. Bethlehem Luke 2:1 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist