Sermons on Granted:

Not By Might, Not By Power Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

supposed to be, right? Not always, and not now. God doesn’t relieve us of all responsibility and do all the work for us. He empowers us, and we get started. And maybe it is a small start. A few boulders moved, a few shovels of dirt thrown to the s

Not By Might, Not By Power Aug 3, 2008 Zechariah 4 Intro: I like to get things done. To make things happen. To accomplish something. To be “productive”. Cut a board, build a fire, assemble a shelf, paint a sanctuary. Part of it is my personality, part of it is a desire that all of us have – ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Will Come Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

It begins with God, who created. Humanity, who rebelled. Jesus, who came. And us, who respond with repentance. And then we live lives of hope – hope that “our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.

The Day Will Come Zech 12-13 Nov 9, 2008 Intro: "Hope" is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all— And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm— I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The End Of The Road Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

This invitation, this cry of love, and this hope of justice calls to us today. It calls us to respond, to love in return, and to commit our lives to justice until “that day”, when God finally comes and brings complete justice

The End of the Road Nov 16, 2008 Zech 14 Intro: This morning brings us to the end of our journey through the Old Testament book of Zechariah. We’ve been immersing ourselves in the time of God’s people, returned from slavery in Babylon in the 4th and 5th century BC, to find their homes and ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The God Who Still Comes For His People Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

Where is God when we’ve messed up? God is there with compassion. That is the word in the passage. God is there with restoration. God is there to strengthen. God is there to answer. These are powerful, amazing words! Let’s not run past them!!

The God Who Still Comes For His People October 19, 2008 Zech 10 Intro: A little over a month ago, I was sitting on the LRT late one night after a football game, feeling a profound sense of sadness. No, it was not because the Eskimos lost, though they had. I’m getting used to that… and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 10:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The (Real) Good Shepard Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

Obey. Listen to His voice. Go where He sends, do what He says, accept what He gives and trust where He is taking. Even when the road is difficult. Because I know that with the Lord as my Shepherd, my good shepherd, the “Real” Good Shepherd

The (Real) Good Shepherd Zech 11 October 26, 2008 Intro: I want to rewind a little bit in our study of Zechariah, before diving in to chapter 11. In our previous discussion, we’ve talked about how the exiles were returning from slavery and beginning the process of rebuilding their nation – ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Times Of Zechariah Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

“Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong

The Times of Zechariah (originally for June 15, revised and preached on July 6, 2008) Intro: Last month we began a study of one of the small books tucked at the end of the Old Testament that often go unnoticed, the book of Zechariah. We talked about how the thing that makes these books difficult ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Was It Really For Me Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

Is Jesus first in your life? Is it all about you, or all about Him? Have you lost your first love, been living for you, turned your back to Him? God looks at all of our lives, and He asks, “Is it really for me??”

Was It Really For Me? August 31, 2008 Zech 7 Intro: One of the really healthy, but challenging, things about preaching through a book of the Bible is that I don’t get to just preach the words of encouragement and promise that make us feel good. Preaching right through a book forces us to take ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Who Holds The Future? Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

What could God do with your life?

Who Holds the Future Aug 17, 2008 Zech 6 Intro: Would you think with me a moment about your life. Whatever place you are at, whatever your joys or frustrations, your struggles or victories, your dreams and your disappointments. Think about it for a moment, wrap your head around it, imagine how ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

How We Live Reflects Who We Are

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 6, 2009

Know who you are in Jesus, and then live it. How we live reflects who we are.

How We Live Reflects Who We Are Aug 2, 2009 1 Peter 1:13-25 Intro: Chickens don’t fly around in the sky, perch on telephone wires, or swoop down and capture some prey. That’s not who they are. Whales don’t walk around on land, or dig around in the dirt looking for a meal. That’s not who they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Tasting, Craving, And Cleaning House

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 18, 2009

Craving God and being obedient

Tasting, Craving, and Cleaning House 1 Pet. 2:1-3 Aug. 9, 2009 Intro: Those of you who have been around Laurier for a number of years know that I like to attend a conference called “The Leadership Summit” each year, generally the first Thursday and Friday of August, and you might be used to me ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Building The Non-Building

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 18, 2009

Exploring our identity as Christians and the actions that should come out of that identity.

Building the Non-Building 1 Peter 2:4-8 August 16, 2009 Intro: We are one week into our renovation project, and a lot has happened! I did a real rough calculation and am excited to report that we put in more than 250 volunteer hours in the last week, getting as much done as possible before the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Special We

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 8, 2009

As Christians we are chosen by God to join others in a church community where we find belonging, significance, love, and where we serve one another. A church is not about catering to our own individual needs and wants.

The Special WE September 6, 2009 1 Pet 2:9-12 Intro: We are special. That is a true statement, and an important one. We are special – we, the people of God called Laurier Heights Baptist Church are special. As true as the statement is, it is problematic. We hear “special”, and think ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Sent Or Stuck?

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 15, 2009

Jesus commissions his disciples with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Sent or Stuck? John 20:19-23 September 13, 2009 Intro: I’ve never really been in fear for my life. I have felt fear – that powerful, raw emotional response to some situation, where the heart suddenly starts beating much harder, sweat appears on the brow, all the senses go on high alert, and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Work In Progress Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 22, 2009

What God has in mind for us ahead is far greater than that which we have already experienced.

A Work in Progress: The Beginning of the Acts September 20, 2009 Acts 1:1-11 Intro: Many of you know that during my June Sabbatical I began some courses at the University of Alberta, working on a Masters of Education degree. Among many other things, one of the implications is that during this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Defining Stories Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 30, 2009

What is needed in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Intro: In the collective mind of all people and cultures, there are a group of defining stories. These are the potent, lasting, almost universally known tales within a culture that give it the very identity that is shared and understood. Sometimes these stories inspire, create harmony and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist