Sermons on Grant:

The Mountains Of Law And Grace Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Nov 22, 2011

At their worst, fences keep us out of the place we most want to go.

What do you think about fences? Are you FOR them or AGAINST them? I guess that depends on whether the fence is yours or someone else’s. If you put up a fence, it is because you are trying to protect your property or your privacy, but if someone else puts up a fence that keeps you out of ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mountain Of Despair Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Nov 23, 2011

Sometimes our own expectations get in the way of us enjoying God’s pleasure in us.

Last week in our Mountain Moment series, we considered the "Mountain of Choice" as we looked at Elijah’s showdown on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. One man stood against the darkness of a nation. One man represented God when no one else would. When you look at Elijah’s encounter with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Really - A King?

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 1, 2011

We are culturally conditioned to believe in our own autonomy: my rights, my choices, me as the boss of myself, me in control of what I want to do, so is Jesus really our King?

Really – A King? various Scriptures November 20, 2011 Intro: In the church year, today is the last Sunday. Christian new year starts next week, with the first week of Advent, and the annual rhythm of worship begins anew. About a hundred years ago, in response to a growing individualism ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Wait Is On

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 2, 2011

Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for.

The Wait Is On Advent #1 Nov 27, 2011 Intro: What do the following have in common: • Doctor’s office • Holiday shopping • Connecting flights • Red light • Advent Can you guess? The answer is waiting, and that that is what we are going to explore together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Mountain Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Dec 6, 2011

An advent message based on Rev 16. The message: Keep building your anticipation for Christ's return!

"The Last Mountain" Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the best known theologians of the twentieth century. His book "The Cost of Discipleship" should be on every Christian's bookshelf. As most of you know, in 1943, Bonhoeffer found himself in prison. Eventually he would be executed for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Never About Me

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 9, 2011

We need to focus on Jesus during Christmas and ask ourselves if we are giving Him what he wants.

It’s Never About Me Zechariah’s Prophecy, Luke 1:67-80 Advent week 2, Dec 4, 2011 Intro: I’d like to borrow some words of J.B Phillips for my introduction this morning. He was an Anglican most remembered for the Phillips New Testament paraphrase (think The Message, but for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Baptist

Incarnation

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 16, 2011

The Word creates the universe and all that is within it and centuries later he presents Himself in human form as a helpless little baby, all to woo us.

Incarnation Advent #3 Dec 11, 2011 Blackness. Deep, inky, heavy, darkness. The kind that presses in from all sides, crushing, chaotic and formless, and yet powerful. It is not eyes-shut blackness – it is eyes wide open blackness, pupils straining to dilate further, desperate for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Writing Is On The Wall

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 1, 2012

Pride and blasphemy mean to continue in sin, and to do as one pleases, leaving God out of certain areas of our lives.

The Writing on the Wall Mar 18, 2012 Dan 5 Intro: There is a fairly common English idiom, you’ve probably heard: the writing is on the wall. It is a portent of doom or misfortune (Wikipedia) – something bad is going to happen; you should be able to see it coming because the writing ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

He Went Home And Knelt Down As Usual

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 1, 2012

The discipline of prayer is not optional but rather a basic requirement of the spiritual life and as a response to the love of God for us.

He Went Home and Knelt Down as Usual March 25, 2012 Dan 6 Intro: It is two weeks until Easter. So as we prepare, I want to tell you a familiar story. About an innocent man betrayed by friends around him, presented before a ruler who could not save him, then condemned to a horrible death. It ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Awakening - Easter Sunday

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 9, 2012

Jesus rose triumphant over the grave so that we could live fully awake and in response, He asks us to awaken to Him, His Kingdom, His power, His purpose, His will.

Awakening April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:12, NRSV) Yesterday I went for a brief walk, having been sick these past few days I was feeling ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Well?

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2012

If we put Jesus first in our lives then in any crisis we can turn to God for comfort and peace and say all is well.

Is it Well? Apr 29, 2012 Intro: Crisis has a distilling effect. In the midst of one, or many, all the routine, boring, petty things of life get hastily shoved to the side and the focus becomes intense. What do we have to do right now? What is important in this moment? What will happen in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-26

Denomination: Baptist

Faith, Hope And Love? Mother's Day

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2012

The words faith, hope, and love are concepts we need to be clung to as defined by God and not by the watered down, vague, poor imitations that our world suggests as the meanings.

Faith Hope and Love? May 13, 2012 Mothers’ Day 1 Cor 13:13 Intro: Definitions matter. Do you know what these words mean? ABDICATE: To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. ADULT: A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle. ANTIQUE: An ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:2-13

Denomination: Baptist

Early Signs Of The Kingdom

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 29, 2012

We are a chosen people, living stones formed around the cornerstone of Christ Himself.

Early Signs of the Kingdom Dan 2 Feb 12, 2012 Intro: The king sat bolt upright in bed, heart pounding, panicked eyes darting back and forth, sweat-soaked sheet falling off his shoulders, his scream of terror still echoing in his ears. It had happened again. The servants came running as always, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-49

Denomination: Baptist

Stay Close To The One With The Key

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Jun 4, 2012

How can a church be really successful?

I am always thankful for Bill, but a couple of days ago, I was particularly thankful! Some of you might have noticed this recycling bin next to me. If you didn't notice it, you need to work on your powers of observation. (And no, this isn't my subtle way of tipping you off to the fact that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pentecost Sunday 2012

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 5, 2012

The God of the Universe has befriended us, promised to walk every step right beside us, and calls us to obedience.

Pentecost Sunday 2012 Ezekiel 37 What does God have to do to get your attention? Sometimes, the Bible is just plain weird. We are used to it. We’ve heard Ezekiel 37 and Acts 2, which were read earlier in our service, before. They are familiar stories, so we miss how weird they actually ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-10

Denomination: Baptist