Sermons on Sponges:

Beautiful Attitudes Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 2, 2021

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements.

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements. Jesus begins His commentary on the law with the beatitudes, sometimes called the beautiful attitudes, which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Salt And Light Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 2, 2021

What do people with the beautiful attitudes described in the beatitudes do for the world? Let's look at Matthew 5:13-16.

What do people with the beautiful attitudes described in the beatitudes do for the world? Salt Jesus describes them as being like salt. Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Murder Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. What did He mean? What did He mean by the spirit of murder? Let's look at that topic in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets. What did He mean? These were the two main divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures. So then, the Old Testament will not be abolished, but fulfilled. What does fulfill mean. It can’t mean abolish, because Jesus said that He did not come ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44.

Prelude Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Adultery Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

What about those who can truly claim faithfulness in marriage, before and during? What did Jesus say?

Like murder can exist in our hearts when we don't value other people's lives, how many of us have truly been unfaithful to a spouse? Probably more have been unfaithful before or during marriage than have committed actual murder, but what about those who can truly claim faithfulness in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Spirit Of Lying Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 4, 2021

Today we make vows of marriage, pledges of allegiance, and take oaths of office or make oaths in court. What would Jesus say about this? What about lying?

Today we make vows of marriage, pledges of allegiance, and take oaths of office or make oaths in court. What would Jesus say about this? Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' But I say to you, make no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Justice And Handling Enemies Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2021

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them.

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them. The Spirit of Justice A law of just compensation gave the value for repayment of a lost eye or tooth in an accident or altercation. But Jesus said not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

Motive Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus. 1. Motive in Giving to the Poor Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive? This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Attitudes About Money Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

We can lust for money or worry about it. Either way, Jesus has something encouraging to say about both.

We can lust for money or worry about it. Either way, Jesus has something encouraging to say about both. 1. Materialism Is our attitude towards wealth one of the Spirit or of the world? A spiritual person stores up treasure in heaven by being generous to the needs of the Gospel and to the poor and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Judgmentalism Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 8, 2021

A popular mantra today is to exaggerate how we should apply Jesus’ caution against judgmentalism, by not even righteously judging evil lifestyles. Let's look at what Jesus actually taught about judging.

A popular mantra today is to exaggerate how we should apply Jesus’ caution against judgmentalism, by not even righteously judging evil lifestyles. “Judge not, that you be not judged… Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? …” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecy Panic

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 9, 2021

Jesus often did not answer questions, but replied with more important comments. What’s the purpose of Jesus’ prophecy in Mark 13? Let’s discuss Jesus’ non-sequitur answer to his disciples’ question about when these things will be in Mark 13:1-8.

Prelude Jesus would have frustrated modern reporters. He often did not answer questions, but replied with more important comments. Purpose: What’s the purpose of Jesus’ prophecy in Mark 13? Plan: Let’s discuss Jesus’ non-sequitur answer to his disciples’ question about when these things will be in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Abel's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 16, 2021

How is Abel's life the first revival after the tragedy in the Garden?

Revival means to bring back to life. Spiritually, it means to move from being dead in trespasses and sins to life in Christ. How is Abel's life the first revival after the tragedy in the Garden? Abel’s parents had failed terribly in the garden, inflicting a curse upon all humanity, but they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Seth's And Enoch's Revivals Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2021

Can a revival of interest in God and prayer come about spontaneously? Can we walk with God? Let's look at Seth's and Enoch's revivals in Genesis 4 and 5.

Can a revival of interest in God and prayer come about spontaneously? Can we walk with God? Let's look at Seth's and Enoch's revivals in Genesis 4 and 5. 1) Seth's Revival Did Seth lead this revival, or was it a spontaneous act from among the people? “Seth also had a son, and he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Noah's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2021

If the whole world denied God, would you remain faithful? Let's look at Noah's answer to this question in Genesis 7.

If the whole world denied God, would you remain faithful? Let's look at Noah's answer to this question in Genesis 7. Noah’s responsive hearers were only the members of his own family. Revival elsewhere was refused, because people just did not want to listen. Was “a preacher of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham's Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 19, 2021

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25).

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25). Traditional history tells us that Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols. History tells that Noah and Shem ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Baptist