Sermons on Ulysses Grant:

Autumn Offerings (Numbers 29)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 5, 2024

How did the autumn offerings foreshadow Christ and the Christian life? Let's look at Numbers 29.

What were the feasts observed in the autumn? What do the sacrifices teach us? Why are they no longer necessary? Let’s look at Numbers 29. What was the offering to be made on the Feast of Trumpets? Why did God later say that He hated their sacrifices? Was it perhaps because they didn’t include a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Making Promises (Numbers 30)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 6, 2024

Do we tell the truth? Do we fulfill our promises? Let's look at Numbers 30.

How important is telling the truth? Do we lie to others? Do we make promises that we fail to keep? Let’s look at Numbers 30. How seriously did God take any promise to do something? Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Yahweh has ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Toward God (Luke 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 8, 2024

Are we greedy for wealth or rich toward God? Let's look at Luke 12.

Are we hypocrites or righteous? Do we publicly acknowledge Jesus? Are we more concerned with being rich in material things than rich toward God? Let’s look at Luke 12. What was the leaven of the Pharisees? Will all hypocrisy eventually be exposed? At this time, after so many thousands of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Conquering An Enemy (Numbers 31)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 9, 2024

What was God's last task for Moses? Let's look in Numbers 31.

As Israel overcame nations with vile practices like idolatry and child sacrifice, do we overcome sin in our lives? Let’s look at Numbers 31. What last task did God give to Moses before his death? And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reuben & Gad's Request (Numbers 32)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 10, 2024

Why did God destroy nations and allow Israel to take their land? Let's look at Numbers 32.

Before we judge God harshly, let’s ask ourselves some questions: Does God have an eternal plan for even innocent children? Is it merciful to allow children just to be sacrificed, or taught harmful practices, or do we trust God with a mysterious future not yet fully revealed? Is God perfectly loving ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Israel's Journey (Numbers 33)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 12, 2024

What can we learn from Israel's journey from slavery through baptism in the sea to the promised land? Let's look at Numbers 33.

What do we learn in Israel’s journey from slavery to baptism through the sea and freedom in the promised land? Is our journey to that eternal promised land similar? Do evils that we fail to eliminate still trouble us? Let’s look at Numbers 33. Of about 42 stages in their journey, where did Israel ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Israel's Inheritance (Numbers 34)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 12, 2024

How was the criteria for Israel's inheritance in the land different to the critieria for our eternal inheritance? Let's begin in Numbers 34)

Was the promised land divided by lot among the remaining nine and a half tribes? Was there a committee member from each tribe? How will our inheritance in eternity be decided differently? Let’s begin in Numbers 34. What were the southern and western borders of Israel’s land? Then the Lord spoke ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Manslaughter & Murder (Numbers 35)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 14, 2024

How did ancient Israel handle murder and suicide? How are we to handle our enemies? Let's begin in Numers 35.

How were manslaughter and murder handled under the old covenant? Where was custody until a case was decided? How should we act towards our enemies? Let’s look at Numbers 35. How were the Levitical cities to be appointed among the tribes of Israel? The Lord told Moses in the wilderness of Moab, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Zelophehad's Daughters (Numbers 36)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 14, 2024

How does the equality and independence of Israel's land laws guide Christians in their help of the poor? Let's begin in Numbers 36.

Concluding Numbers with Zelophehad’s daughters, highlights the equality and independence guaranteed in Israel’s land grants. Greedy oligarchs, predatory Communist party bosses and selfish billionaires do not exhibit God’s way. Are we narcissistic takers or selfless givers? Let’s look at Numbers ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Narrow Way (Luke 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 16, 2024

What is the narrow way? Let's look in Luke 13.

Do we blame the suffering for their plight? Does repentance happen without fruit? Is relieving human suffering more important than the letter of the law? Is the way narrow? Is Jerusalem known for killing the prophets? Let’s look at Luke 13. Do we blame the suffering for their plight or must we all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Recounting The Exodus (Deuteronomy 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 16, 2024

Are there lessons in Moses' recounting of the Exodus that are valuable for us? Let's look at Deuteronomy 1.

What can we learn from Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness? Are we learning to trust God? Are we learning not to make things worse when God disciplines us? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 1. What history did Moses recount before Israel crossed the Jordan into Canaan? These are the words ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Destroying Heshbon (Deuteronomy 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 18, 2024

Does we hate wickedness as much as God? Is God merciful to those who are trying to obey Him? Let's look at Deuteronomy 2.

Was Israel merciful to many neighboring nations? Did God destroy perverse nations? Does God still curse aberrant nations? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 2. What were the Israelites to do as they passed through the land of their relatives, Esau? Then we turned around and headed back across the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Special Vessels

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2023

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Let's find out in Romans 9.

How does God choose some to be special vessels and others not? Are the chosen people Jews or Christians or both? Let’s begin by asking, did Paul love his fellow Jews? I’m speaking the truth in Christ—I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit: 2 I have great sadness and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Prejudices (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2023

Jesus told us to get out of our comfort zones and spread the good news. How are we doing?

The Great Commission challenges Christians to go beyond national and tribal prejudices. Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 28:16-20. They Worshiped Him Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Belief In Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2023

Is belief in Jesus important for both Jews and Gentiles?

What makes people acceptable to God? Let’s begin with Paul’s prayer for Israel? Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire is for Israel’s salvation. That’s my prayer to God for them. (Romans 10:1 CEB) What was Israel’s biggest issue? Can Christians have the same problem? I know they love God, but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist