Sermons on Sponges:

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

Has God Rejected Israel?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2023

Has God rejected Israel? Let's let Paul answer that question in Romans 11.

Paul answers an important question. So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! I’m an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1 CEB) Were some in Israel faithful? God did not turn his back on his chosen people. Don't you remember reading in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living Sacrifices

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 17, 2023

How can we apply the sacrificial laws in the Spirit to Christian worship? Let's find out in Romans 12.

How do we apply the spirit of the sacrificial laws to Christian worship? Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1 NASB) Have worldly values ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obedient Citizens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023

Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.

Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to. Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Liberty

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 30, 2023

How do we handle the freedom we have in Christ? Let's find out in Romans 14.

Christ gives us liberty, but some are weak, and causing unnecessary offense is an abuse of that Christian freedom. How should we treat those who are weak in faith? Welcome the person who is weak in faith—but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. (Romans 14:1 CEB) What about food ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christians Together

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 8, 2023

How was life in the early church? Let's find out in Romans 15 and 16.

Paul concludes his topic of patience over non-essentials with a glimpse of the early church. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. 2 We should think of their good and try to help them by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2023

A town gathering and a few word pictures help us understand what is meant by the word church.

What is the church? A Gathering The early church borrowed a Greek term, ?????s?a (ekklésia), meaning a gathering of citizens. Thus we call the study of the church ecclesiology. Can it describe a local church? To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church's Mission

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2023

What is the Church's mission? What is the commission?

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Witness and Light Where were the disciples to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard? Do we collectively carry on that mission? but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Flood Morality And Geology

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Was Noah's flood moral? Is God immoral? Is Noah's flood just myth?

How could a good God destroy most of humanity in a worldwide flood? How can modern Christians even believe that such a flood existed? What does the Bible actually say? Flood Morality Can atheists have any basis for a statement questioning the morality of God’s judgment? If there is no God and we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-12, 2 Peter 2:5, Matthew 25:31-32, 2 Peter 3:3-7, Genesis 9:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Flood Testimonies

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Are documented testimonies of Noah’s flood believable witnesses? Let’s look at biblical and extra-biblical testimonies and some important lessons that are relevant for us.

Are documented testimonies of Noah’s flood believable witnesses? Let’s look at biblical and extra-biblical testimonies and some important lessons that are relevant for us. Biblical Testimony Does the Bible speak of just a local flood, or something that destroyed all humanity? It speaks of the end ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-39

Denomination: Baptist

Babel And Our Nation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God or non-citizen neighbors. The sin of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. How is the tower of Babel still relevant today?

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God. Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of non-citizen neighbors. The sin of self-centered national pride, of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. Such arrogant self-importance ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:4, 1 Peter 5:5, Genesis 10:8

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.

A study of the patriarchs and matriarchs reveals that they were very imperfect people, but blessed by God because of faith. This should be an encouragement to us who are likewise very imperfect, but trust in God. Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:7-8, Hebrews 11:8, Romans 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Isaac

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? Let's look at Isaac's faith.

Isaac was the son of promise, yet Abraham was tested. How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? “And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:7-9, Hebrews 11:19, Hebrews 11:21, Matthew 22:31-32

Denomination: Baptist