Sermons on Ulysses Grant:

Receiving The Word

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2017

Let us understand where we find genuine Christianity deeply within people’s hearts.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Are our hearts downtrodden, like a well-worn path? Are our hearts hard, lacking stick-to-it-iveness or thorny, laden down with worldly cares. How can we learn to become like rich soil that receives the word of the kingdom and produces a rich harvest? Let us understand where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Good And Evil In The World?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2017

Why is there evil in the world and in the church?

Intro, Purpose, Plan Why is there evil in the church? What about those who are sincere and have faith in God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Let’s understand that the church is and will always be a mixture of good and evil, but those who are righteous by faith will shine. Let’s discuss the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Baptist

Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2017

The kingdom of heaven is like treasures old and new.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Do we have any special treasures? Do we own heirlooms from distant lands? Are our families among our greatest treasures? Do we treat the things of God as our greatest treasures of all? Let’s look at some special aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Baptist

Providence

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 2, 2017

When all we have is a few loaves and fishes, God can help us feed a multitude.

Intro, Goal and Plan What can we do with meager human resources? Is there an answer in the Gospels? Let’s understand the invisible dimension of life, Jesus. Let’s examine Matthew 14:13-21, the miracle of feeding the 5,000 and see how it applies to us today. Matthew 14:13-14 He was Moved with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 41:13, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 34:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Doubt

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2017

Why do we have so little faith and so much doubt?

Intro, Purpose & Plan Who do we look to for help when we seem to be all alone and in total darkness as life tosses us about? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33. Matthew 14:22-23 Go before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

On This Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 23, 2017

Matthew 16:13-20 What does this passage actually say and not say to us?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics largely agree on perhaps 95% of the most important teachings of Christianity. Why do we drift from the message that Jesus taught into partisanship and graceless rivalry? For instance, how do we deal with the claim by Rome of exclusive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Time Apart Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2018

Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

Prelude What does fasting have to do with anything? Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose: Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for meditation and reflection on our lives. Plan: We will look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Exhibitionism Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 14, 2018

Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship.

Prelude How should we give in public? How should we pray in public? How should we fast in public? Purpose: Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship. Plan: Let’s look Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Jesus’ discussion of public religious duties. Matthew 6:1-4 Public Giving Jesus said to let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Most Difficult Words Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 21, 2018

Let’s look at Mark 8:27-38 and our call to a selfless life.

Prelude The most difficult words Jesus ever spoke are NOT the ones that are hard to understand, but the ones that are easy to understand and hard to obey. Because being a true follower of Jesus is so difficult, early Christians took time before the most important season of the Christian year to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is Our Priority Money Or Prayer? Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in the temple and prayer.

Prelude Is our priority prayer or money? Whether you are suspicious or selfish or give generously, what is the right use of money in the church? Purpose: Let’s understand that money will always be a cause for good and evil in the Church. Plan: Let’s examine John 2:13-25, the money changers in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

What is the preacher's task?

Introduction to Preaching! Let me introduce a series of lessons that will cover the gamut of preaching. The Gospel is the most important message on the planet. You, the preacher are a key individual in this heavenly enterprise. Few other people have the opportunity to affect the lives of people in ...read more

Scripture: John 21:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: My Testimonial Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

An icebreaker or testimonial is a great first sermon. How do we begin?

What is this Lesson’s Goal? This lesson will encourage you to talk about your spiritual journey. Do Testimonials Have a Purpose? When Paul the apostle wanted to encourage the churches in Corinth regarding endurance in the ministry of Jesus Christ, he mentioned his own example in 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Preach A Text Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

The Bible is the most important basis of preaching. How do we preach a text of Holy Scripture?

What’s our Goal Let’s emphasize the importance of Bible-based preaching. What’s the Idea The modern idea that the Bible is not the Word of God but only contains the Word of God is very narrow and inadequate. Granted, there is no verse in the Bible which calls everything from Genesis to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Read Scripture Aloud Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2018

How do we read the Bible aloud with dignity and appropriate drama?

Intro Very few of us read the Bible aloud well. Yet, the most important words we will ever say in our entire lifetimes are those we quote from the Bible. Public reading of the Holy Scriptures in many churches needs an upgrade. Too often preachers rush through words inspired by God, so that they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Powerful Outros Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2018

How can we conclude our sermons well?

Lesson Goal This lesson will encourage us to conclude our sermons well. Lesson Intro Moderns often use the terms intro and outro for the older sounding terms introduction and conclusion. Because the English language is ever evolving, let’s attempt to keep up to date and use those terms ...read more

Denomination: Baptist