In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 669

Legalism Is Sin & Slavery (Galatians 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2024

Are we under law or faith? Is circumcision in the flesh still necessary? Let's find out in Galatians 2.

Paul was directly taught by the resurrected Jesus, but was not a rebel. He cooperated with the Apostles before him. Was the commandment to be circumcised still valid in the flesh, that is, in the letter of the law? Is there a spiritual application of the law of circumcision? Are works of the law ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul's Authority (Galatians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 16, 2024

From where did Paul get his authority? What about independent preachers today? Let's look at Galatians 1.

Who was Paul? Why did Peter recognize his authority? Did he contradict or complement the teachings of Jesus about the law? Is there a difference between physical and spiritual circumcision? What defines true righteousness, the letter of the law or faith? How do we receive the Holy Spirit, by doing ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus' Resurrection (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Two focal points of Christianity are the resurrection and the great commission. Let's look at these in Matthew 28.

Did Jesus have some important instructions after His resurrection? Let’s find out in Matthew 28. Jesus’ Resurrection What happened early that Sunday morning? After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus' Crucifixion (Matthew 27b)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Let's examine the events of Jesus' crucifixion in Matthew 27.

What did they do as they crucified Jesus? Let’s look at Matthew 27:34-66. The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:34-66

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus' Suffering (Matthew 27a)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2024

What pampered king, president or prime minister of this world would suffer for the sake of his people? Yet, Jesus, king of the world did. Let's look at Jesus' suffering in Matthew 27:1-33.

How much did Jesus suffer even before His crucifixion? Let’s glimpse His suffering in Matthew 27:1-33. Who was Jesus taken to next? Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christ Our Passover (Matthew 26)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2024

In most languages Easter is called Passover. How does the Christian version of this feast picture Christ as our Passover? Let's look in Matthew 26.

In most languages, Easter is still called Passover. What does the season commemorate for Christians? Let’s find out in Matthew 26. When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Parables Of Judgment (Matthew 25)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 6, 2024

In light of the Olivet Prophecy, what did Jesus have to say about the judgment? Let's look in Matthew 25.

In light of the Olivet prophecy, the three parables of virgins, talents, and sheep and goats are very relevant. Let’s examine these important lessons in Matthew 25. Bridesmaids Were the ten virgins bridesmaids? Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prophecy From The Mount Of Olives (Matthew 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2024

How should we put prophecy into practice? Are there overlooked action words the prophecy from the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24?

Let’s look at an often misunderstood prophecy in Matthew 24. Before studying it, let’s consider the four major views. Preterism (or past fulfillment) believes that all such prophecies were fulfilled around 70 AD. Historicism (or present ongoing fulfillment) is a view that these events are ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 18, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Love & Taxes (Matthew 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Love and taxes are two important topics. What does Jesus have to say about such things? Let's see in Matthew 22.

Let’s look at lessons on God’s invitation, paying taxes, marriage in heaven and love in Matthew 22. God’s Invitation What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Did many refuse to accept the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Palm Sunday

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 16, 2024

What important events surround Palm Sunday? Let's find out in Matthew 21.

Palm Sunday brings lessons on the purpose of church buildings, faith, heavenly versus human authority, following through after saying yes, and producing fruit. Let’s review them in Matthew 21. Palm Sunday Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of the failure of human ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Divorce, Children And Wealth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19.

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19. Divorce What was the question that the Pharisees asked? When Jesus finished saying these ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Offenses And Forgiveness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18.

Are children welcome in our churches? Are they tolerated? Is any part of the service of interest to them? What would Jesus say? Can we learn anything from watching them? Let’s find out in Matthew 18. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Transfiguration

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9. A small attendance and a large miracle went hand-in-hand. False prophets often draw large crowds (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14). ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16.

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16. A Sign Are we sometimes like the Pharisees, seeking a sign instead of living by faith? Are we looking for conspiracies rather than simply discerning the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible