Sermons on Granted:

A Patient Urgency

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 4, 2007

Challenging Christians to the Mission of evangelism, and putting it first.

A Patient Urgency Nov. 2/3, 2002 Intro: "Everyone seemed confident that the ship was all right," recalled first-class passenger Henry Sleeper Harper. At last, however, the call came for all passengers to come up on deck wearing their life belts, and soon after midnight, Captain Smith directed crew ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Art Of Giving: The Fruitful Disciple

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

What does it mean to "remain"? fruitfulness and total dependence.

The Art of Giving: The Fruitful Disciple John 15: 1-8; Nov. 23/24, 2002 Intro: How many of you know what you are supposed to do when you get lost in the woods? (answer: remain where you are until somebody comes and finds you). Have any of you ever tried to do that? Can you imagine how ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

It Started With A Warning

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on May 8, 2007

Easter through the eyes of Peter. A message of hope for those who waver from the purpose that God creaTED THEM FOR.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

A New Year's Feast

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Leading into communion, with a large amount of OT Festival background, all around the question "how is your relationship with God?"

A New Year’s Feast Jan 4/5, 2003 Intro: New year’s resolutions… There was a couple who were sitting with a marriage counselor for their first session and the good doctor asked them to identify what seemed to be the root of their problems. The wife responded, "It all started when we thought it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

Denomination: Baptist

When To Weed Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

the parable of the weeds teaches us: don’t worry, God will sort it out. Evil can grow for awhile, but it will not prevail. Stand strong, be faithful, and we will see the Kingdom of God.

When to Weed: Your Kingdom Come Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 Intro: This morning we are going to look at another parable of the Kingdom of God, found in Matt. 13. And since it is an agricultural parable, I thought you might enjoy the following fictitious conversation between God and St. Francis, who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Baptist

What Pulls The Train

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Seek first - its about priorities, not about worry

What Pulls The Train Matt 6:25-34 Intro: This past week, several of us attended a leadership conference – linked via satellite to over 38 000 Christian leaders. Conferences are almost always great experiences, getting refreshed and inspired and enlightened, learning that PowerPoint can get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Adventure

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

The story of Joseph, demonstrating that a life with God is full of adventure, challenge, and significance

Summer Day Camp Sunday 2003 Intro: How many of you love a great adventure? My friend Calvin does: (Calvin and Hobbes cartoon) And I do too: (Whitewater rafting pic) But let me tell you this: the Greatest Adventure – better than soaking your dad when he isn’t looking, (though that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A New Commandment Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Our society is not geared towards creating deep, lasting relationships. Jesus’ Solution:“Love one another as I have loved you.” This sermon casts a vision for small groups

A New Commandment: Experiencing Biblical Community John 13:31-35 Aug 31, 2003 Intro: I think I am in denial. Summer can’t possibly be over, tomorrow can’t be the first day of September, the fall can’t be here already… I know some of you parents with school-age children are singing along with ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Born To Belong Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

The best answer to lonliness is true Biblical community, like we see in Acts 1

Born To Belong Experiencing Biblical Community: Acts 1 Intro: TV Guide recently came up with a list of what they consider the top 50 TV shows of all time; the top 5 were (source: http://www.tvguide.com/50th/features/020429a.asp): 5. The Sopranos – “A complex drama built around a thinking man’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Bread And Building Bonds Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

The Holy Spirit comes in community, and creates community. This message leads into communion.

Breaking Bread and Building Bonds: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 2:1-4, 42-47 September 14, 2003 Intro: We want to spend a little more time around the communion table this morning than normal, partly because it feels like the right thing to do early in the fall as the rhythm of our lives ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Safest Place On Earth Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

bearing one another’s burdens... the early church was united, generous, and powerful witnesses

The Safest Place On Earth Experiencing Biblical Community: Acts 4:23-35 Intro: For the last several weeks I’ve been talking about our need for community – for a place to love as Jesus loved, and to be loved for who we are. I’ve shared that I’ve been feeling lonely, like there is no one outside ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of The Forgery Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Biblical community wasn’t always perfect...

The Cost of the Forgery Acts 5:1-11 Intro: Our faith journey is a shared journey as well as an individual journey. This fall we have been on a shared journey of experiencing Biblical community – of building relationships where we can live out Jesus’ new command of John 13:34: “Love one another ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Unstoppable Force Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

God heals, puts us in conflict situations, and invites us to NOT fight against Him but rather join His unstoppable force.

An Unstoppable Force: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 5:12-42 Intro: Have you ever been in a situation where doing the right thing was going to get you in trouble? Where you had a choice, and it was clear which option was right, and it was also clear that if you did that thing, there was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Baptist

God's Story Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Stephen’s martyrdom as a Thanksgiving sermon

God’s Story: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 6:8-7:60 Intro: A 4 year old boy was asked to return thanks before Thanksgiving dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking the Lord for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Danger And Opportunity Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Philip’s story: persecution to opportunities for evangelism to building bridges to baptism and the Holy Spirit.

Danger and Opportunity: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 8:1-25 Intro: Do any of you read Chinese? I wonder if you can read the characters on the screen behind me and translate them for us. (Chinese word for crisis; two distinct characters, put together these = “crisis”) What is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Baptist