Sermons on Sponges:

Babel And Our Nation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God or non-citizen neighbors. The sin of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. How is the tower of Babel still relevant today?

Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of God. Love of country is good, unless it excludes love of non-citizen neighbors. The sin of self-centered national pride, of placing our name above others is the same attitude as existed at the tower of Babel. Such arrogant self-importance ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:4, 1 Peter 5:5, Genesis 10:8

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.

A study of the patriarchs and matriarchs reveals that they were very imperfect people, but blessed by God because of faith. This should be an encouragement to us who are likewise very imperfect, but trust in God. Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? Let’s look ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:7-8, Hebrews 11:8, Romans 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Isaac

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? Let's look at Isaac's faith.

Isaac was the son of promise, yet Abraham was tested. How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, and passed. What could Isaac have been thinking during his father’s trial of faith? “And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:7-9, Hebrews 11:19, Hebrews 11:21, Matthew 22:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Let's look at the life of Jacob.

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Jacob was born so soon after his twin brother Esau that he grabbed his heel and earned the name “heel catcher” or “supplanter,” a prophecy of Jacob supplanting the position of honor in the clan and the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 12:3, Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph Son Of Jacob

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Joseph was treated with favoritism and bad relations with his brothers festered. He spent 13 years of suffering. Yet, he was a man of faith. What can we learn from his life?

Joseph was treated with favoritism and at age 17, informed on his brothers’ misdeeds. Telling his brothers of a dream that they would bow down to him, made matters even worse, and bad relations between them festered. “Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In Genesis

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

There are hints of Jesus throughout the entirety of Genesis and the New Testament names Him as Creator. Let's examine hints of Jesus in Genesis.

There are hints of Jesus throughout the entirety of Genesis and the New Testament names Him as Creator. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 11:4, Luke 23:43, Galatians 3:16, 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 1:51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Ten Commandments (7 And 8) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 7, 2021

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them.

Let's look at the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments as most Protestants count them. Adultery Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. This is not just a command only against the physical act, but in the spirit of the law, Jesus warned in Matthew 5 against careless glances, which by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 10, 2022

Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26.

Prelude Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26. A Level Plain “And He came down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Love Our Enemies (Luke 6)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 16, 2022

Christians are to love their enemies. What does that mean? Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Prelude Christians are to love their enemies. Purpose: What does that mean? Plan: Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38. Do Good, Bless, Pray “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Glory & Valley Failure

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 22, 2022

Why was there glory on a mountaintop and failure in a valley? Let’s look at the transfiguration in Luke 9:28-42.

Prelude Why was there glory on a mountaintop and failure in a valley? Let’s look at the transfiguration in Luke 9:28-42. 1. Prayer “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-42

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

Paul's 1st Mission Begins (Acts 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2025

How did Paul begin his missions?

Does a senior minister sometimes step back and take second place? Was Paul’s ministry blessed by Barnabas stepping back? Were Jews happy that Gentiles were included in God’s plan? Let’s look at Acts 13. Did the church at Antioch commission Barnabas and Saul as missionaries? The church at Antioch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Ends (Acts 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2025

What mission lessons can we learn from Paul?

How did Paul and Barnabas round out their first missionary journey? Should we always expect both challenges and accomplishments on any similar mission trip? Let’s look at Acts 14. What happened as Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium (modern day Konya, Turkey)? Now it happened in Iconium that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The 4 Rules (Acts 15)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2025

What four rules would help Jew and Gentile fellowship over a meal?

Did four rules promote table fellowship between Jew and Gentile? Were the seven laws of Noah a basis for this decision? Let’s look at Acts 15. Did some early Christians believe that circumcision and the law of Moses were still required? But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Timothy Joins Paul (Acts 16)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 2, 2025

Do we do mission work like Paul?

How did Timothy join Paul’s ministry? Did the Holy Spirit direct the mission? Let’s continue Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts 16. Did Timothy join Paul and Silas as they spread the decisions made by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem? Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist