Sermons on Granted:

Working The Garden: Interdependent Foundations & Recovering God's Image Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 29, 2010

God's desire for us is to have relationships where we are accepted, supported, have significance and purpose.

Working the Garden: Interdependent Foundations and Recovering the Image of God Series: Doing Life: Relationship Skills from the Bible for Today April 25, 2010 Intro: Last week I introduced our new series topic which will take us until June, which I’ve decided to call “Doing Life: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Mother's Day 2010 Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 13, 2010

The skill of submission is needed today for a healthy relationship with God and others.

Intro: What does it actually mean to “honor”? Can anyone explain what that really looks like, in 2010? We know that is one of the ten commandments – “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 20:21-33

Denomination: Baptist

Those Things On The Side Of Your Head Do More Than Hold Up Glasses Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 21, 2010

We need to practice the skills of listening.

Intro: I would argue that one of the, if not THE, most essential skills we need to learn today, which will have the greatest impact on improving our relationships, is a skill you might be able to figure out from the title I have given to today’s message: “Those Things On The Side Of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict Is An Essential Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 25, 2010

Conflict avoidance is often an indicator of a shallowness of love.

Conflict is an Essential: Relational Skills from the Bible for Today May 23, 2010. Gal. 1:11-3:5 Intro: This spring we have been looking at “Relationship Skills from the Bible for Today”. Last week I taught about the skill of listening, and so as a bridge from last week into this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Jailor Is The Jailed Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 1, 2010

Forgiveness is a critical relationship skill.

The Jailor Is The Jailed: Relationships Skills from the Bible for Today Matt 18:21-35 May 30, 2010 Intro: Once upon a time there was a man to whom a great harm had been done. The exact nature is of no consequence, as long as we know the hurt went deep. He felt it continually, the pain was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Three Big Bad Reasons Not To Serve

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 8, 2010

This sermon discusses pride, fear and shame as reasons people give for choosing not to serve.

Three Big Bad Reasons Not To Serve Aug 29, 2010 Matt. 20:20-28 Intro: This summer we’ve been looking at the fundamentals of Christian living. For the past couple weeks, as preparation for the fall kick off of our ministries and especially our new ministry taking place on Wednesday night, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

But... Well... Feet Are Dirty!

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 8, 2010

The action of Jesus washing the disciples feet is action based, rooted in concrete activity, and had to be done.

But… well… feet are dirty! John 13:1-17 Aug 22, 2010 Intro: The week had been stressful. Full of tension, danger, confrontation. The small band of men had been challenged, and though they hadn’t won they also hadn’t been destroyed. Yet. The opposition was strong and ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Love Overflowing: Rally Sunday

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 14, 2010

With the arrival of fall and the change in seasons are you where you want to be in your relationship with God?

Love Overflowing: Rally Sunday Sept 12, 2010 Phil 1:3-11 Intro: I really don’t know how many pastors in the world today really, honestly, genuinely tell their congregations how they feel about them. Today I’m going to do that. I really do know that most pastors in the world today ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Laugh And Play Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 16, 2010

Play is an important relationship skill and we need more of it in our lives.

Laugh and Play: Doing Life: Relationship Skills from the Bible for Today June 6, 2010 Intro: Do you think Jesus was ticklish? Surely some of the disciples were, and I wonder if any of them giggled at the last supper when Jesus washed their feet. What about play – do you think Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:19

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 24, 2011

We can't understand how incredible the comfort of God is unless we accept our pain and mourn it.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Matt 5:4 March 20, 2011 Intro: Today, the second Sunday of Lent, our journey through the teachings of Jesus commonly called the “beatitudes”, brings us smack into the middle of a rather difficult teaching: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 29, 2011

Within every person is a deep longing, a yearning of spirit, for something full of beauty, purity, peace and purpose, and where evil is defeated.

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness Matt 5:6 March 27, 2011 Intro: Last week I was sitting at my desk in my office and heard this loud whining sound, it would rise in pitch and then die away, then start up again. It is a familiar sound, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Merciful

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 5, 2011

The way of the Kingdom of Jesus is one of trust in God, which frees us to be "merciful" and give to others, knowing that God is a God of justice and compassion, full of mercy and love.

Blessed are the Merciful Apr 3, 2011 Matt 5:7 Intro: We are half-way through our Lenten journey through the Beatitudes, the opening words of Jesus’ opening sermon (“on the mount”) where Jesus describes Kingdom life. During our last Adult Education time a couple weeks ago, as we were discussing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

Examples Of Kingdom Living

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 22, 2011

Gentleness, prayer, working through conflict and rejoicing are a few of the ways to live as citizens of God's kingdom.

Examples of Kingdom Living Phil 4:1-7 Feb 20, 2011 Intro: (Brian McLauren, “Jesus and the Kingdom”, video V00248, http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00248) Living as citizens of the Kingdom of God really is a different way of living from that of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-7, Philippians 4:1

Denomination: Baptist

Pressing On To Possess That For Which Christ Jesus First Possessed Me

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 1, 2011

The inner motivation of our hearts must be a response to God's love and not any attempt to earn God's love.

Pressing on to possess that for which Christ Jesus first possessed me Phil 3:12-21 Feb 13, 2011 Intro: I don’t really consider myself a “runner”, though I guess that since I run most days on the treadmill for fitness I suppose I should. But I just don’t see myself that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Is ....

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 1, 2011

The road to transformation involves the choice of what we put into our minds and what we choose to think about.

Whatever is… Phil 4:8-9, Feb 27, 2011 Intro: For most of us, the word “meditation” conjures up a mental picture of someone in baggy pants, sitting on the floor with their legs wrapped up like a pretzel, arms comfortably outstretched, middle finger and thumb together, saying ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist