Sermons on Sponges:

Beyond Prejudices

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 31, 2020

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20.

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Bible?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2020

How does God reveal himself in the Bible? What are inerrancy and infallibility? How do we understand the Bible? How does the Holy Spirit help us understand the Bible?

How does God reveal himself in the Bible? What are inerrancy and infallibility? How do we understand the Bible? How does the Holy Spirit help us understand the Bible? All this is a special part of studying God by studying how important his revelation in the Bible is called bibliology. How God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Shepherds And Harvests

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 3, 2020

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Let’s look at some important farm lessons that apply to our local church in Matthew 9:35-10:8.

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Let’s look at some important farm lessons that apply to our local church in Matthew 9:35-10:8. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Salvation?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2020

What is salvation? How does it work? Are there components of salvation?

What is salvation? How does it work? Are there components of salvation? In Greek the word for Savior or Deliverer is s?t?? (soter) and so we call the study of salvation soteriology. What is salvation? Temporal Salvation When enthusiastic Christians ask others if they have been saved, many don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 4:42, 1 John 4:14

Denomination: Baptist

Confessing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2020

Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world bully us into silence about our faith? Are we courageous disciples?

Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world bully us into silence about our faith? Are we courageous disciples? Let’s examine confessing Jesus in the midst of opposition in Matthew 10:24-39. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 7, 2020

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do?

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do? What is the church? The Greek Term The early church borrowed a Greek term, meaning a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into a public place. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, Acts 9:31, Ephesians 4:11

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Hospitality

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 9, 2020

How important is it to be a welcoming church? How are we received? How do we receive faithful Bible teachers, each other, and new or weak disciples? Let’s look at the importance of hospitality in Matthew 10:40-42.

How important is it to be a welcoming church? How are we received? How do we receive faithful Bible teachers, each other, and new or weak disciples? Let’s look at the importance of hospitality in Matthew 10:40-42. Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Mission?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 12, 2020

What is the church’s commission? What is the church’s mission? The study of the church’s mission is called missiology.

What is the church’s commission? What is the church’s mission? The study of the church’s mission is called missiology. The Witness and Light What is a witness? Where were the disciples to witness? but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 13:47, Luke 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

God's Promises

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 28, 2022

Promises are found throughout the Bible. What’s the most important?

Eternal Life Promises are found throughout the Bible. What’s the most important? “And this is what he promised us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:25 NIV) Are there conditions? “A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:25

Denomination: Baptist

Warnings In Hebrews

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2022

Hebrews gives a number of warnings. If God’s grace is irresistible, why bother with a warning?

Hebrews gives a number of warnings. If God’s grace is irresistible, why bother with a warning? “So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? …” (Hebrews 2:3 CEV) Can Christians harden their hearts? “do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Names For Communion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2022

Let’s look at some common names for communion. First of all, is the word communion even used for the ceremony of the bread and cup? That depends on the translation of the Bible.

Let’s look at some common names for communion. First of all, is the word communion even used for the ceremony of the bread and cup? That depends on the translation of the Bible. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of [participation, sharing in] the blood of Christ? The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16, Luke 22:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Communion, Symbol Or Sacrament

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 5, 2022

Is communion symbolic, an ordinance, a sacrament, a memorial or all of the above? Does it even matter?

Is communion symbolic, an ordinance, a sacrament, a memorial or all of the above? Does it even matter? Symbol The argument begins with a simple word, “is.” Those who remember the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal may remember that famous line, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” What did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Nicene Creed, Biblical?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 12, 2022

The Nicene Creed summarizes important Bible doctrines that separate orthodoxy from heresy.

The Nicene Creed summarizes important Bible doctrines that separate orthodoxy from heresy. For consistency, let’s quote the public domain King James Bible. God the Father We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29, Mark 12:32, Malachi 2:10, Genesis 17:1-4, Exodus 6:3, Matthew 6:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Apostles' Creed, Biblical?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 14, 2022

The Apostolic or Apostles’ Creed contains twelve articles of faith that are essential biblical and apostolic doctrines that have been believed throughout church history.

The Apostolic or Apostles’ Creed is reputed to have either originated with the apostles or later. Its source is a mystery. It contains twelve articles of faith that are essential biblical and apostolic doctrines that have been believed throughout church history. 1. I believe in God the Father ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:6, John 3:16, Luke 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Studying God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2022

Theos (θεός) is Greek for God. So, studying God is called theology. What does the Bible reveal about God?

Theos (?e??) is Greek for God. So, studying God is called theology. What does the Bible reveal about God? Is God a Spirit? “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 KJV) Does Jesus reveal that God is gentle? “... for I am gentle and humble ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist