Sermons on Sponges:

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

Resurrection (Part 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2021

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel?

What is the resurrection all about? How central is it to the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 Jesus’ Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; We too received the Gospel. What does ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Balm In Gilead

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 24, 2021

Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? Purpose: Why do we need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus healing a woman and a little girl applies to us in Mark 5:21-43.

Intro Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? It's not Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment or McNess Krestol Salve. Purpose: Let’s understand why we and our world need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection (Part 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2021

Do we have questions about our own resurrection?

Do we have questions about our own resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Must this mortal body die first? 1 Corinthians 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: Will the resurrected ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rejection

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 1, 2021

A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Rejection is a true Christian experience. Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13.

Prelude A rule of polite society is don’t discuss religion. Jesus ignored that rule and was rejected in His hometown. Purpose: Rejection is a true Christian experience. Plan: Let’s look at facing rejection in Mark 6:1-13. Rejection (Mark 6:1-6) Mark 6:1 Then He went out from there and came to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Kill The Messenger

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 9, 2021

Are we offended when repentance is preached? Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29.

Prelude Are we offended when repentance is preached? Purpose: Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s Plan: Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. Who is Jesus Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him [Jesus], for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Sheep Without A Shepherd

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 12, 2021

As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Let’s focus on our mission. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

Prelude As we look around our community, do we see sheep without a shepherd who need to hear the good news? Purpose: Let’s focus on our mission. Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions and example in Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. 1 Tell & Rest Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Baptist

God Will Take Care Of You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 23, 2021

Will God take care of us? What about cancer, catastrophe or death? Let’s learn the truth about God’s control over life’s trials. Let’s look at John’s version of the feeding the 5000 and Jesus walking on water in John 6:1-21.

Prelude Will God take care of us? What about cancer, catastrophe or death? Purpose: Let’s learn the truth about God’s control over life’s trials. Plan: Let’s look at John’s version of the feeding the 5000 and Jesus walking on water in John 6:1-21. 1 The Setting John 6:1 After these things Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Killing The Prophets

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 24, 2021

Elijah’s persecution has been echoed by many ancient prophets and modern preachers. What can we learn from this faithful messenger’s recovery from a bitter experience? Let’s look at his story in 1 Kings 19:1-21.

Prelude Elijah’s persecution has been echoed by many ancient prophets and modern preachers. Purpose: What can we learn from this faithful messenger’s recovery from a bitter experience? Plan: Let’s look at his story in 1 Kings 19:1-21. He Arose and Ran After his powerful confrontation with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Bread From Heaven

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2021

Do I want MY religion or the religion of Jesus? Let’s look at the religion that came from heaven. Let’s discuss the events of John 6:24-35.

Prelude Do I want MY religion or the religion of Jesus? Purpose: Let’s look at the religion that came from heaven. Plan: Let’s discuss the events of John 6:24-35. The Throng John 6:24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:24-35

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctified By God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2023

Are all Christians saints? Are we to be holy?

Sanctify means to set apart as holy, or to dedicate for special use. Did God sanctify a people? And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (Exodus 19:14 KJV) Does truth sanctify people? Would that make studying the Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

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