Sermons on Ulysses Grant:

Every Nation (Acts 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2025

How did the apostles realize that the Gospel was for every nation?

Is the promise to Abraham that “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) starting to be fulfilled? How did Peter come to understand that? Let’s look at Acts 10. North of Joppa (Jaffa) on the coast is Caesarea. What happened there to a Roman soldier? Now in Caesarea ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Exclusivity (Acts 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2025

Do we think that we are exclusive, the one true church?

Were Old Testament laws of exclusivity based upon ethnicity or avoiding pagan practices like idolatry and child sacrifice? Should we therefore exclude people of different ethnicities from the church who have the same faith in Christ? Let’s look at Acts 11. Did the Jerusalem church question why ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus As Refugee

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2023

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23.

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23. Fleeing to Egypt Now when they [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Chosen

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2023

Is there a group of people called the chosen ones, the elect?

Is there a group of people called the chosen ones, the elect? If God doesn’t make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God’s chosen ones [the elect], he will make the time shorter. (Matthew 24:22 CEV) How are people chosen for life? Does God’s sovereignty turn us into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:22

Denomination: Baptist

Born From Above

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 7, 2023

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17.

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17. Nicodemus There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (John 3:1 NKJV) Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ruling ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Turning To God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 13, 2023

What is conversion?

Conversion is turning to God. It is the action accompanying repentance, the outward result of a changed heart, a changed direction, in biblical Greek (epistrophé) a turning about. It is the fruit that John the Baptist demanded (Matthew 3:7-8). Do repentance and conversion go together? Repent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 15, 2023

What does it mean to be in Christ? Let’s allow the Bible to tell us. Several churches claim that eternal life is only available within their walls. Who does Jesus say will have eternal life?

What does it mean to be in Christ? Let’s allow the Bible to tell us. Several churches claim that eternal life is only available within their walls. Who does Jesus say will have eternal life? For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Justice (Job 27)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 29, 2025

Will there be justice eventually?

Though it may not always occur in this life, is justice part of God’s eternal plan? Let’s begin in Job 27. Does Job now accuse God? Does he maintain that his conscience is clear? Job said: I am desperate because God All-Powerful refuses to do what is right. As surely as God lives, and while he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom (Job 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 29, 2025

Where does wisdom come from?

Does Job allude to the criticism from his friends as not wise? Do we seek true wisdom? Let’s look at Job 28. As valuable minerals are hidden, is true wisdom even harder to find? Certainly there is a mine for silver And a place for refining gold. Iron is taken from the dust, And copper is smelted ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Defense (Job 29)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 30, 2025

Did Job's good works save him?

Did Job prove his faithfulness to God by his good works, a light in his community? Do we? Let’s look at Job 29. Did Job wish for the months of old when God watched over him and blessed him? And Job again took up his discourse, and said: “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Mockers (Job 30)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 30, 2025

Is our church safe or mockers?

Do we join the mockers who slander and blame the suffering, or do we seek to comfort the afflicted? Let’s begin in Job 30. Do the most base and untrustworthy of society now mock Job? Do we mock others? But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Job's Claim (Job 31)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 31, 2025

Can any of us claim to be sinless?

What was Job’s biggest flaw? Was it that he claimed he had no sin? Do we? Let’s begin in Job 31. Did Job understand some things that Jesus later taught in the sermon on the mount? I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. God All-Powerful punishes men who do that. In fact, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confronting Friends (Job 32)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2026

Can a young man be wiser than older friends?

Can a young man speak a little bit closer to the truth than Job’s older friends? Let’s look at Job 32. Was Job righteous in his own eyes, and did he justify himself rather than God? Did his friends condemn him though they found no answer? So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Elihu Confronts Job (Job 33)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2026

Can God give youth wisdom?

As we age we often go quiet because our wisdom is not wanted, but in the midst of blunt confrontation, can there also be some wisdom in youth? Let’s look at Job 33. Did Elihu turn his attention to Job and speak with blunt sincerity? Now please listen to what I have to say, Job. Listen to every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist