Sermons on Sponges:

God Provides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Can God provide for the faithful even under political oppression? While Herod Antipas ruled Galilee under Caesar Augustus, Jesus preached to thousands. Herod had executed John the Baptist. Was he also paranoid about Jesus? Let’s find out in Matthew 14.

Can God provide for the faithful even under political oppression? While Herod Antipas ruled Galilee under Caesar Augustus, Jesus preached to thousands. Herod had executed John the Baptist. Was he also paranoid about Jesus? Let’s find out in Matthew 14. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15.

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15. Vain Traditions Was Jesus criticized over a man-made tradition? Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16.

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16. A Sign Are we sometimes like the Pharisees, seeking a sign instead of living by faith? Are we looking for conspiracies rather than simply discerning the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Transfiguration

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9. A small attendance and a large miracle went hand-in-hand. False prophets often draw large crowds (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14). ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Offenses And Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18.

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Divorce, Children And Wealth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19.

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19. Divorce What was the question that the Pharisees asked? When Jesus finished saying these ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obedient Citizens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023

Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.

Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to. Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Liberty

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 30, 2023

How do we handle the freedom we have in Christ? Let's find out in Romans 14.

Christ gives us liberty, but some are weak, and causing unnecessary offense is an abuse of that Christian freedom. How should we treat those who are weak in faith? Welcome the person who is weak in faith—but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. (Romans 14:1 CEB) What about food ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christians Together

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 8, 2023

How was life in the early church? Let's find out in Romans 15 and 16.

Paul concludes his topic of patience over non-essentials with a glimpse of the early church. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. 2 We should think of their good and try to help them by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2023

A town gathering and a few word pictures help us understand what is meant by the word church.

What is the church? A Gathering The early church borrowed a Greek term, ?????s?a (ekklésia), meaning a gathering of citizens. Thus we call the study of the church ecclesiology. Can it describe a local church? To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church's Mission

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2023

What is the Church's mission? What is the commission?

What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology. Witness and Light Where were the disciples to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard? Do we collectively carry on that mission? but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Authority

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 29, 2023

Did Paul just go about his missionary work without checking with others in the broader church to make sure that his message was orthodox?

The letter to the churches in Galatia describes a problem that still exists today, how they had fallen backwards from the grace of the Gospel into outward works of the law like circumcision. Thus, the theme of Galatians is justification by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection apart from the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Is Sin & Slavery

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2023

What did Paul teach about the law and faith? Let's look at Galatians 2.

Paul was directly taught by the resurrected Jesus, but did not act like a rebel. Instead he cooperated with the Apostles before him. Legalism is Sin & Slavery Where did Paul go to double check his teachings about the law and the Gospel? Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Justified By Grace Not Legalism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2023

Are we justified by grace or lawkeeping? Do Jesus and Paul contradict each other?

Paul explained how we are justified by grace, not works of the law. How did we receive the Holy Spirit? You irrational Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Jesus Christ was put on display as crucified before your eyes! I just want to know this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Two Covenants

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 6, 2023

How does an analogy between two sons help us understand the old and new covenants?

Living under the law of Moses was like a child under a tutor, or like a slave. How does Paul explain this? Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist