Sermons on Sponges:

Revelation 1-17

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2022

Revelation is apocalyptic literature, a symbolic genre. Who and what does this book reveal?

Students of Revelation fall into four broad categories, those who believe it’s mostly 1) past history, 2) foretells Christian history, 3) mostly future or 4) symbolic. Revelation is apocalyptic literature, a symbolic genre. Who and what does this book reveal? “The revelation of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sent

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2022

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Let’s discuss a mission trip from Luke 10:1-20.

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Let’s discuss a mission trip from Luke 10:1-20. 70 Apostled Short term mission trips are as old as when Jesus sent the 70. They were 1) “sent” or “apostled” as the Greek says. The eastern churches call these the 70 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2022

God encourages us to be persistent and demanding in prayer.

Do we persist with God? Do we give up praying too soon? Let’s learn that God encourages persistent, demanding prayers. Let’s discuss prayers for ourselves, aggressive prayer and God’s justice in Luke 18:1-8. Purpose “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Or Sinner?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 17, 2022

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14. Self-Righteousness “Also He spoke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 18-22

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2022

Revelation reveals a righteous king and kingdom to come. But first, will this world’s Babylonian system end?

Revelation reveals a righteous king and kingdom to come. But first, will this world’s Babylonian system end? “He cried with a mighty voice, saying, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great…” (Revelation 18:2a WEB) Are kings and merchants alike corrupt? “Babylon's evil and immoral wine has made ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Reject Saved

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 29, 2022

Is there any hope for someone who has been rejected by the community? Let’s look at the change that allowed a man with a bad reputation to receive eternal salvation in Luke 19:1-10.

Is there any hope for someone who has been rejected by the community? Let’s look at the change that allowed a man with a bad reputation to receive eternal salvation in Luke 19:1-10. Taxes Before we examine the chief tax collector, we need to speak about taxes. In principle they are not wrong. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Humanity In The Bible

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 1, 2022

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? What does the Bible say?

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? The Greek word for mankind is ?????p?? (anthropos) and studying what the Bible teaches about humanity is called biblical anthropology. “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Terrified

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2022

Jesus said the gates of hell will not destroy His Church. He was not talking about a building. People are the Church. Let’s look at deception and endurance in Luke 21:5-19.

Jesus said the gates of hell will not destroy His Church (Matthew 16:18). He was not talking about a building. People are the Church. Let’s look at deception and endurance in Luke 21:5-19. Not One Stone Luke 21:5-6 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Sin?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 8, 2022

What is sin? How did sin originate? Did we inherit sin? What happens when Christians sin?

What is sin? How did sin originate? Did we inherit sin? What happens when Christians sin? Does God have a solution to sin? Our English word sin is a translation of many different words. The original meanings have much to teach us. Missing the Mark A common Greek word for sin ?µa?t?a (hamartia) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Solution To Sin

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 9, 2022

What’s the origin and solution to sin?

What’s the origin and solution to sin? Sin actually began in the angelic realm. Who deceived Eve? “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV) How was sin ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Giving & Forgiving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 19, 2022

Two great laws would solve many of humanity’s problems. In His hour of greatest trial, Jesus exemplified giving and forgiving. Let’s look at these two great legacies in Luke 23:33-43.

Two great laws would solve many of humanity’s problems. In His hour of greatest trial, Jesus exemplified giving and forgiving. Let’s look at these two great legacies in Luke 23:33-43. Forgiveness Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist

Be Ready

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 21, 2022

Is our job to predict when Jesus will return or to be ready? Let’s discuss this in Matthew 24:36-44.

Is our job to predict when Jesus will return or to be ready? Let’s discuss this in Matthew 24:36-44. End of an Era But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (Matthew 24:36) If Jesus is God the Son and coequal with the Father, how does He not know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Baptist

Division Over Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 11, 2019

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Let’s see how conflict is part of the Gospel message in Luke 12:49-56.

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Let’s see how conflict is part of the Gospel message in Luke 12:49-56. Fire & Division Luke 12:49-51 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2019

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17.

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17. Healed Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Inclusion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2019

Some people ought to be excluded, in prison, deported, disqualified from leading a church, and quarantined in sickness. However, other people are marginalized unjustly. Let's see what Jesus taught about righteous inclusion in Luke 14:1-14.

Some people ought to be excluded, in prison, deported, disqualified from leading a church, and quarantined in sickness. However, other people are marginalized unjustly. Let’s learn how God despises unrighteous exclusion. Let's see what Jesus taught about righteous inclusion in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist