Sermons on Sponges:

Jesus' Commands

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 6, 2022

The Ten Commandments are important, but are we aware of the commandments of Christ? Let’s look at some of Jesus’ commands in the Gospel of Matthew.

The Ten Commandments are important, but are we aware of the commandments of Christ? Let’s look at some of Jesus’ commands in the Gospel of Matthew. Repent What was an important focus of Jesus’ preaching? “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2022

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. Let's look at Jesus' parables in Matthew.

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. “All of them have stubborn minds! They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 CEV) Shepherds We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2022

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed?

Christians are a miracle-believing people. All existence is due to a series of divine miracles, and some are extraordinary miracles. What lessons can we learn from the miracles that Jesus performed? A Leper What did Jesus say when healing a leper? “Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t say anything to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Triumph & Suffering

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 12, 2022

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory.

Triumph and suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus went from triumph on Palm Sunday, prophesied His ultimate triumph, and then experienced horrendous suffering. Yet His suffering was just the beginning of the ultimate victory. Prophecy Before Christ comes back there will be much suffering for the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Old Covenant

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2022

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin.

Let’s look at the Mosaic covenant and how it prepared for the new covenant. After freedom from Egypt the people were still slaves, to sin. “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’ “ (John 8:34 ESV) The old covenant was established to expose ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24, Romans 7:12, Romans 8:2-3, Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In Exodus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 28, 2022

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus.

The old covenant was a lengthy preparation to teach the need for Jesus and a new covenant. Let’s look at Jesus in the book of Exodus. Did all the prophets speak of Jesus? “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:25-27, John 5:46, Hebrews 11:26, 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 6:32-50  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Word As Seed

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 19, 2020

Are we deep or shallow? Are we quitters or do we last the distance? Are we choking in worldly cares? Do we receive the word of God? Is it fruitful in us? Let’s understand the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23.

Are we deep or shallow? Are we quitters or do we last the distance? Are we choking in worldly cares? Do we receive the word of God? Is it fruitful in us? Let’s understand the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23. The Parable Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Wheat And Weeds

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2020

Why is there evil in the world? The world is a mixture of good and evil. Let’s discuss the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Why is there evil in the world? The world is a mixture of good and evil. Let’s discuss the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Baptist

Good Works

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 21, 2023

Can Christians ignore good works? Are good works a fruit of faith?

Should a Christian do good works? What about lazy Christians who only believe, but are not interested in good works? What did Jesus teach? In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Battling Temptation With Scripture Alone

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 22, 2023

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but He succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won, using scripture. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but He succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won, using scripture. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Led by the Spirit When Jesus fasted was it a complete ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Perseverance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2023

Does Jesus imply anything about “once saved always saved” or is assurance conditional?

The Holy Spirit was not asleep on the job for 1500 years before Protestant theology came along. Traditional theology contributes great biblical wisdom about our eternal security. God’s Part Does Jesus imply anything about “once saved always saved” or is assurance conditional upon listening to and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Glory

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2023

To the ancient writers the word glory meant praise, splendor, brightness, majesty, honor and dignity. It refers first of all to God. Glorification also refers to our elevation to an exalted state in eternity.

To the ancient writers the word glory meant praise, splendor, brightness, majesty, honor and dignity. It refers first of all to God. Glorification also refers to our elevation to an exalted state in eternity. What did an ancient lyric writer compose about this? You guide me with your counsel, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:24

Denomination: Baptist

The Ten Commandments

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 12, 2023

How does the law point us to Christ? Are Christians to follow the letter or spirit of the law?

Let’s briefly look at the relevance of Deuteronomy and the Ten Commandments. There are many different ways of counting the Ten Commandments. In their excellent commentary A Survey of the Old Testament, Hill and Walton offer the standard Protestant numbering of the Ten Commandments as an outline of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is Deuteronomy For Christians?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 19, 2023

I'm shocked to learn that some Christians do not read the Old Testament. Let’s review some highlights in Deuteronomy and see how it's still relevant for Christians.

Let’s review some highlights in Deuteronomy still relevant to Christians. Images We’ll begin with statues and pictures in churches. Are such images wrong? What about the images of cherubs and pomegranates in the tabernacle? You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist