Sermons on Granted:

Blue Christmas 2010

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jan 12, 2011

This sermon has three parts: firstly speaking our feelings of hurt to God; secondly asking God for help; and thirdly is our expression of faith even in pain.

Blue Christmas 2010: Dec 21, 2010 Prelude: Welcome: Welcome to this service, “A Blue Christmas”... a time when we can… I have chosen Psalm 13 for this service, and the service is structured around that short Psalm. There are three parts to it, as there are to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritually Working Out

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jan 19, 2011

Salvation isn’t just a one moment event but a life-long journey of being transformed into Christ’s likeness.

Spiritually Working Out Phil 2:12-13 January 16, 2011 Intro: I don’t know about you, but it has seemed a little difficult to re-engage this January. Joanne and Thomas and I enjoyed our vacation, though we didn’t enjoy arriving back in Edmonton last Saturday in the middle of the biggest snow ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

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 Next Five Minutes

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Jan 3, 2012

If you were offered 5 million dollars for the next 5 minutes of your life, with no holds barred, would you make the deal? How much more should we live in the light of Eternity when our life on earth is but the blink of an eye.

We are going to set up the title of this message by going through a scenario. Imagine with me that there is a knock at the door, we go over to it, open it up, and in walks a man with a beautiful Armani suit, a fedora hat, and big smile on. “I have great news for you,” he says. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

To Live Is...

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 12, 2010

Truly living is to have Jesus First in order to shape and form our emotional perspective on death, for ourselves, and for those we love.

To Live Is… October 3, 2010 Phil 1:18b-26 Intro: How would you finish this sentence: “to live is…”? Take a few moments to think about that – in your experience and from your perspective, what does it mean to “live”? Our answers might include the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

On Rhythms And Seasons - Thanksgiving

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 12, 2010

Today's worship experience is meant to recapture the seasonal rhythms that will lead us towards fall, harvest, celebration, and thanksgiving.

On Rhythms and Seasons Thanksgiving, Oct 10, 2010 • Opening hymn – In Thanksgiving Let us Praise Him #557 • Greeting time • Welcome/ announcements/ intro – Steve - family service – activity packs available - CLM on Wednesday - Worship night – Nov. 6; ...read more

Scripture: John 4:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Citizenship

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 19, 2010

What it means to actually be a citizen of heaven.

Citizenship October 17, 2010 Phil. 1:27a Intro: In the “big picture”, what is your life really about? What do you want out of it, what do you expect out of it, where are you putting your energies and efforts on a day-by-day basis? And I mean that “day-by-day” bit, it is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Stand, Fight, And Don't Run Away

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 28, 2010

As citizens of heaven we must fight together for the faith, stand together with one spirit and one purpose, and not be intimidated in any way.

Stand, Fight, and Don’t Run Away Oct 24, 2010 Phil 1:27-30 Intro: Only some of you here today have experienced military service. Only some of you know what it really means to go through basic training, to be put in a squadron, to be taught how to fight as a unit, where your very lives are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Make My Joy Complete

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Nov 2, 2010

The focus on unity is to be able to think the same thing, have the same love, joined in soul, and thinking one thing.

Make My Joy Complete Oct 31, 2010 Phil. 2:1-4 Intro: What would it take to make you truly happy? I don’t presuppose in the question that you are unhappy at the moment, but I want to get you thinking for a moment about that question, and locate at least the beginnings of an answer. And ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Sunday 2010

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 7, 2010

God turns everything upside down, from defeating the power of death, to breaking down our barriers that keep His life and hope out.

Easter Sunday Apr. 4, 2010 Intro: Video: “Blindness” from sermonspice.com “But then I met Jesus, and He turned everything in my life upside down…” Today is a day of life. We have walked through death, we have stood once again at the cross as Jesus died, but now we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Doing Life: Relationship Skills From The Bible For Today

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 20, 2010

God has chosen to reside in us, in our broken, hurting lives, in a hurting world BUT we do so in the compnay of a mending, healing, reconciling God.

Doing Life: Relationship Skills from the Bible for Today April 18, 2010 Intro: Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (Jn 10:10b, NLT). So, then where is it? Jesus also said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist