Sermons on Ulysses Grant:

Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2017

How often should we forgive?

Intro, Purpose, Plan How often should we forgive? How much forgiveness do we need? What does it mean to forgive from the heart? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart. We will look at Matthew 18:21-35 and what Jesus taught about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Last

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 20, 2017

What kind of life do we lead when we put ourselves first, and others last? What kind of world encourages us to tread all over others and always be first? What would Jesus say about the first and last in society?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan What kind of life do we lead when we put ourselves first, and others last? What kind of world encourages us to tread all over others and always be first? What would Jesus say about the first and last in society? Let’s examine the incredible blessing of following Jesus to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of Righteousness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 28, 2017

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

A Fruitful Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 2, 2017

Let’s look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and what God requires.

Prelude, Purpose, Plan What kind of faith is saving faith? Is saving faith without visible evidence or a faith that produces fruit? Let’s understand that Christians carry fruit for the kingdom. Let’s look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and what God requires. Matthew 21:33 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Baptist

God Invites Us

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 10, 2017

What is our response to God’s wedding invitation? What kind of clothing does God require?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan What is our response to God’s wedding invitation? What kind of clothing does God require? What are we doing with the opportunity God has placed before us? Let’s see that our invitation to salvation has a twofold responsibility. Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Revelation 19:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Citizenship

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2017

Ought Christians be good citizens? What’s the difference between love of country and idolatry of country? Is paying taxes participation in evil acts by governments?

Prelude, Purpose & Plan Ought Christians be good citizens? What’s the difference between love of country and idolatry of country? Is paying taxes participation in evil acts by governments? Let’s understand that Christians are to be good citizens and paying taxes ought not be a moral ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Complete Love

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 29, 2017

Do we love God completely? How do we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Do we love God completely? How do we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? We are tempted to emphasize only one dimension of loving God. Let us learn of the more complete love taught by Jesus. Let’s examine the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Baptist

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Watchfulness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2017

What must we do to prepare for Christ’s Coming? Should we closely follow world events, research prophecy and draw up wildly speculative timelines? Is there something spiritual that we should be looking at in ourselves?

Prelude What must we do to prepare for Christ’s Coming? Should we closely follow world events, research prophecy and draw up wildly speculative timelines? Is there something spiritual that we should be looking at in ourselves? Our purpose is to learn how to prepare for His Coming. Our plan is to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Well Done!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 14, 2017

What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Do we take risks using our gifts or hide them for safekeeping? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally?

Prelude What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Do we take risks using our gifts or hide them for safekeeping? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally? Purpose: Let’s see what God expects us to do with our gifts. Plan: Let’s look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Is Christmas Pagan?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 21, 2017

Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible?

Prelude Is Christmas pagan? Is it okay for Christians to observe? Is Christmas even in the Bible? Purpose: Let’s examine the worth of Christmas and why it’s a perfectly fine Christian celebration. Plan: Let’s ask some questions that are controversial in some churches and look at the story of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Senior Saints

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 27, 2017

What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many of them have been faithful despite life’s suffering?

Prelude What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering? Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints. Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose Of The Creation Story

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2018

Is Genesis theistic evolution, day-age theory, a gap, literal 6 days, a polemic, an allegory, majestic prose, intelligent design or something else? If Christians can’t agree on the timing of creation, can we agree on the purposes of the creation story?

Prelude Berasheet bara' Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Purpose: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Relevance Of Noah's Flood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 9, 2018

Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant?

Prelude Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant? Purpose: Let’s explore some questions about Noah and the flood. Plan: Let’s look at Genesis 6-9 and the relevance of the story. Who were the Sons of God? Genesis 6:2 says, “the sons of God saw the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham, Father Of The Faithful

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 17, 2018

Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? How did Abraham become father of the faithful?

Prelude Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? How did Abraham become father of the faithful? Purpose: Let’s look at the life of Abraham and discover why he is called a father to those who believe. Plan: We’ll look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist