Sermons on Sponges:

Is God Three & One?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 27, 2022

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one?

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but is the concept there? How can God be both three and one? God’s Oneness The central prayer of Jewish prayer life is the Shema Yisrael (??? ?????) after its first words in Hebrew, “Hear, O Israel.” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 28:19

Denomination: Baptist

God As Father

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2022

God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why?

Studying God as Father is called patriology or paterology. God is described as Father about 15 times in the Old Testament and over 250 times in the New Testament? Why? Is God a Father even to orphans? “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:26

Denomination: Baptist

God The Son

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 2, 2022

Who is Jesus? What does the Bible reveal about Him?

A study of Christ, the second Person of the Trinity is called Christology. Who is He? What does the Bible reveal about Him? Who did God say Jesus is? “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 KJV cf. Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:5, John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Filthy Lucre

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2022

Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke 16:1-13.

Should we boycott corporations that deal in dirty money, or is all money really filthy lucre? Are our tainted tithes and offerings usable for heavenly purposes? Let’s discuss a shrewd business manager and his wise use of filthy money in Luke 16:1-13. People versus Profits Luke 16:1-4 Jesus told ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

God The Holy Spirit

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2022

Let’s explore who is the Holy Spirit.

A study of the third Person of the Trinity is called Pneumatology, from the Greek word pneuma (p?e?µa) meaning Spirit, wind or breath. Let’s explore who is the Holy Spirit. Was the Holy Spirit involved in creation? “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 5:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Angels

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 24, 2022

Angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Christian Bible, slightly more often in the New Testament. Let's learn about angels.

Angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Christian Bible, slightly more often in the New Testament. The word angel comes from a Greek word ???e??? (angelos) meaning a messenger. So, the study of angels is called angelology. Were angels created by God? “For in him all things were created: things ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:14, Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Questions And Service At Home

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 22, 2021

Is Christmas okay or in the Bible? Let’s learn why it’s a good Christian celebration. Let’s ask some questions and look at the story of Christ’s birth including an at-home service from Luke 2:1-40.

Prelude: Is Christmas okay or in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s learn why it’s a good Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions and look at the story of Christ’s birth in Luke 2:1-40. Questions What does the word Christmas mean? It literally means Christ’s Mass, or the Mass of Christ. Mass ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Receive The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2022

Who is the Word? Is Jesus God? Let’s find out in John 1:1-18.

Hymns Thy Word, Ancient Words, Wonderful Words of Life Readings Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14 Sermon Who is the Word? Is Jesus God? Let’s find out in John 1:1-18. Jesus is God In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Remember Your Baptism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 4, 2022

Is it important to remember your baptism? Purpose: Let us examine history’s most important baptism and see some relevant lessons for our own baptism. Plan: We will look at the baptism of Jesus in Luke 3:15-22.

Intro Is it important to remember your baptism? Purpose: Let us examine history’s most important baptism and see some relevant lessons for our own baptism. Plan: We will look at the baptism of Jesus in Luke 3:15-22. Baptism with the Holy Spirit “Now as the people were in expectation, and all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' First Miracle

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 10, 2022

What was the first epiphany or miracle in your life? A Jewish wedding and fine wine entailed a surprise divine encounter. Let’s encounter the kingdom of God pictured in God’s provision for a marriage. Let’s examine how a wedding at Cana portrays an epiphany of the kingdom of God in John 2:1-11.

Prelude What was the first epiphany or miracle in your life? A Jewish wedding and fine wine entailed a surprise divine encounter. Purpose: Let’s encounter the kingdom of God pictured in God’s provision for a marriage. Plan: Let’s examine how a wedding at Cana portrays an epiphany of the kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Healing And Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 20, 2022

What did Jesus bring for the poor, the brokenhearted, the blind, and the oppressed? Is there a year of release for those who suffer? Let’s examine Jesus' words in Luke 4:14-21.

Prelude What did Jesus bring? What about the poor, the brokenhearted, the blind, and the oppressed? Is there a year of release for those who suffer? Let’s examine Jesus' words in Luke 4:14-21. Power of the Spirit “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Xenophobia

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2022

An angry hatred of immigrants is popular. Purpose: Yet God’s promise to Abraham was that in him ALL nations would be blessed. Plan: Let’s see how Jesus challenged xenophobia in Luke 4:21-30.

Prelude An angry hatred of immigrants is popular. Purpose: Yet God’s promise to Abraham was that in him ALL nations would be blessed. Plan: Let’s see how Jesus challenged xenophobia in Luke 4:21-30. No Acceptance And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Catch Jesus Provides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 30, 2022

Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11.

Prelude Do we experience Jesus while we’re working? Are we ready for church growth? Do we see daily miracles? Let’s find out in Luke 5:1-11. Fishermen “So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Introduces Himself Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 3, 2022

Who is God? In the very first verse of the Bible, God is introduced as Elohim (Genesis 1:1), an intensive plural, meaning mighty, or very great. Later, God introduces Himself to Abram with the words, “I am the Lord [Yahweh].” (Genesis 15:7)

Who is God? In the very first verse of the Bible, God is introduced as Elohim (Genesis 1:1), an intensive plural, meaning mighty, or very great. Later, God introduces Himself to Abram with the words, “I am the Lord [Yahweh].” (Genesis 15:7) With the same words He introduces Himself to Moses (Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 15:7, Isaiah 42:8

Denomination: Baptist

613 Commandments Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2021

How should a Christian approach the Hebrew scriptures? The number of commandments in the Old Testament is usually given as 613. That’s near enough for our discussion. Let’s look at some of them in light of Paul's instructions about the spirit of the law.

How should a Christian approach the Hebrew scriptures? The number of commandments in the Old Testament is usually given as 613. That’s near enough for our discussion. Let’s look at some of them in light of Paul's instructions about the spirit of the law. Such is the confidence that we have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Denomination: Baptist