Sermons on Sponges:

Immorality Within

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 25, 2021

Excusing iniquity within the church is nothing new. Here is a case study in how churches should handle immorality within. What was the situation?

Excusing iniquity within the church is nothing new. Here is a case study in how churches should handle immorality within. What was the situation? 1 Cor 5:1-8 Immorality Within 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Mock Parade

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 27, 2021

Where does the solution to all our problems really come from? Does it come from here on earth? What does God have to do with national and personal deliverance from all our problems? Purpose: Let’s understand the political implications of Palm Sunday. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 11:1-11.

Where does the solution to all our problems really come from? Does it come from here on earth? What does God have to do with national and personal deliverance from all our problems? Purpose: Let’s understand the political implications of Palm Sunday. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 11:1-11 and the only ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Woman, Why Are You Weeping?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 3, 2021

The story setting is early on that Sunday morning after Jesus’ resurrection.

The story setting is early on that Sunday morning after Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). This time of year, Jerusalem can be just over 20°C (about 70°F on the old scale) during the day. Early that morning it may have been about 10°C (50°F), so Mary probably wrapped herself up ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Married & Single Christians

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2021

What wisdom would married and single Christians want to consider?

What wisdom would married and single Christians want to consider? 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 Christian Marriages Is celibacy good or bad? 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. What should single people do if they continually ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Entering Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2021

Where does repentance lead us? Repentance leads us into forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean for us now?

Prelude Where does repentance lead us? Repentance leads us into forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean for us now? Purpose: Let us look at the importance of knowing forgiveness as we live each day. Plan: We will look at Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; and 1 John 3:1-7 focusing on the topic of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48, Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Bullying

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2021

What role does our loving concern for the consciences of our Christian brothers and sisters play? Can Paul’s discussion of food offered to idols help? What does knowledge without love produce? What does love produce? How can knowledge alone that an idol is nothing lead to unloving acts?

What role does our loving concern for the consciences of our Christian brothers and sisters play? Can Paul’s discussion of food offered to idols help? What does knowledge without love produce? What does love produce? How can knowledge alone that an idol is nothing lead to unloving acts? 1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrificing Our Rights

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 27, 2021

What rights do we have? What rights was Paul willing to give up for the gospel? What freedoms are we willing to sacrifice in love of God and neighbor?

What rights do we have? What rights was Paul willing to give up for the gospel? What freedoms are we willing to sacrifice in love of God and neighbor? 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Rights 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abide In The Vine

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 30, 2021

Jesus prayed that we remain in unity, but from the beginning there have been divisions. What creates unity? Let’s find out in John 15:1-8.

Prelude: Jesus prayed that we remain in unity, but from the beginning there have been divisions. Purpose: What creates unity? Plan: Let’s find out in John 15:1-8. The True Vine John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” Jesus describes himself as the true vine, sometimes ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Abide In Christ's Love

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 4, 2021

We often think of love as the number one rule of a Christian life. But, does Jesus place a different emphasis on it than many may think? Purpose: Let’s discover Jesus’ different emphasis on love. Plan: Let’s note Jesus' words in John 15:9-17.

Prelude We often think of love as the number one rule of a Christian life. But, Jesus places a different emphasis on it than many may think? Purpose: Let’s discover Jesus’ different emphasis on love. Plan: Let’s note Jesus' words in John 15:9-17. Abide in My Love John 15:9 “As the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Out Of The World

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 10, 2021

In all the world’s religions and philosophies are there real alternatives or just varieties of the same worldly way of life? Let’s see that there are only two ways, God’s and the world’s. Let’s look at John 17:6-19.

Prelude In all the world’s religions and philosophies are there real alternatives or just varieties of the same worldly way of life? Purpose: Let’s see that there are only two ways, God’s and the world’s. Plan: Let’s look at John 17:6-19. Out of the World John 17:6 “I have manifested Your name ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Baptist

Hair And Communion (1 Corinthians 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 10, 2021

Do hair length and sharing communion worthily matter to God? Who does Paul follow?

Do hair length and sharing communion in a worthy manner matter to God? Who does Paul follow? 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Hair 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Did the Corinthians generally remember their founding pastor and his instructions? 1 Corinthians 11:2 ...read more

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