Sermons on Sponges:

Nicodemus In The Dark

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2021

What does it mean to be born again? Purpose: How are we born of water and the Spirit? Plan: Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17.

Prelude What does it mean to be born again? Purpose: How are we born of water and the Spirit? Plan: Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17. Nicodemus John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus was a senator in ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Accusing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 4, 2021

Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35.

Intro Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35. Is our Faith Crazy? Are Christians nuts because of their self-sacrifice? Mark 3:20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2021

What is the “more excellent way” that Paul was inspired to show? Let's find out in 1 Corinthians 13.

What is the “more excellent way” that Paul was inspired to show? The Greek word agapé does not always mean divine love as is commonly believed. It can even refer to the wrong kind of love. Men loved darkness (John 3:19), the praise of men more than God (John 12:43), or this world (2 Timothy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 10, 2021

What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34.

Prelude What is the future of the church and kingdom? Who is responsible for it? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of both kingdom and church. Plan: Let’s look at some optimistic riddles of the future of both in Mark 4:26-34. Scatter Seed Mark 4:26 And He said, “The kingdom of God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

Languages & Liturgy

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 16, 2021

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 14.

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all. 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Profit 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Love is our highest goal, but prophecy or sharing the mind of God, is of special benefit to ...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

Proof Of The Bible

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

There are many proofs of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Let’s discuss a few.

There are many proofs of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Let’s discuss a few. Bible Prophecy Fulfilled prophecy is a proof of the truth of the Bible, where God declares: “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis Vocabulary

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Let’s look at Genesis and why it’s important. Let’s first of all look at some vocabulary that may need a little clarification.

Let’s look at Genesis and why it’s important. Let’s first of all look at some vocabulary that may need a little clarification. Day Read Genesis 1-2 and notice how the context defines the meaning of words. For instance, how is the word day defined at least three different ways in Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1-4, Matthew 19:4

Denomination: Baptist

Creation Theories And Lessons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn?

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn? Creation Theories Let’s first examine a few of the many creation theories and some of their strengths and weaknesses 1. Godless Evolution claims to be honest with geology and biology, but denies ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis Principles

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan.

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan. Genesis is the first book of Moses, of the law, of the Pentateuch, of the Torah. How does Old Testament law relate to Christians? It applies in spirit and not in the letter. “who has made us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 2:29, Matthew 5:21-22, Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17, Jude 1:11, Matthew 5:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Bearing Fruit?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 19, 2022

Where is God when bad things happen? Purpose: Let’s discuss time and chance, and God giving us one last chance to repent. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-9.

Where is God when bad things happen? Purpose: Let’s discuss time and chance, and God giving us one last chance to repent. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-9. Martyrs “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Prodigal Or Judgmental

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 20, 2022

Imagine someone who wasted his inheritance on wild living, went broke, was homeless, smelled like a pig and just wanted to come home? Purpose: Let’s look at the prodigal son. Plan: Let’s examine Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32.

Hymns: You Raise Me Up (Joshua 5); Forgiven (Psalm 32); We Are Standing on Holy Ground (2 Corinthians 5); Father I Have Sinned (the Prodigal Son Song). Readings: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Prelude: Imagine someone who wasted his inheritance on wild living, went broke, was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist