Sermons on Grants:

New Beginnings; Old Themes

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

It is difficult but essential to put the Greatest Commandment into practice when life's circumstances are difficult.

I am very pleased to report that we had a great family vacation, and I hope you will be pleased to hear that I am back at work ready to tackle a new season of ministry together. In many ways it does feel like a new season, and I want to talk about that a little more in a few moments. But first I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-39

Denomination: Baptist

Glory Experienced Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

God's glory is expressed through our transformed lives.

2 Cor 3:7-4:6 7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Glory Experienced

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

God's glory is expressed through our transformed lives.

2 Cor 3:7-4:6 7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Glory Internalized Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

God's glory shine through the brokenness of our lives when we let Him be the center of our lives.

Last Sunday we began again a focus on the glory of God, and I skipped the video I had planned to share (which we first saw last September), so I want to begin there today. It helps us with the review: what is “the glory of God”? It is the words of Pastor-theologian John Piper, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

I Cannot Climb This Mountain Myself Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

David pleads for God's mercy from within the context of God's covenant love.

Last week we began our Lenten journey, towards the cross and the empty tomb, and I introduced Psalm 51 as the text that will guide us along the way. As a reminder, Lent is the season of preparation for our greatest celebration as Christians, that of remembering the death and celebrating the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Planning And Packing Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

This is an introduction to Psalm 51.

I hope that you all know that today marks the first Sunday of Lent, which is the season of preparation for our greatest Christian celebration, that of the Resurrection of Jesus. I won’t be at all surprised if that comes as news to many of you, especially as the official beginning of Lent ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Deeply, Letting Go Completely Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 5, 2013

This is an exploration of sin and guilt and the freedom we can have in Christ.

I did some searching on the internet, and it appears that nobody wants to feel guilty. Not so much evidence of people not wanting to do bad things, but nobody wants to feel guilty. The term “guilt-free” is now a major marketing tool: I came across all sorts of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Cleansing Shower Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 14, 2013

After David's confession of his sin, he asks God to purify and renew him.

The cross is such an ironic symbol. In context, 2000 years ago, a cross was a horrible instrument of torture and death, it was feared and reviled, it was a punishment so dehumanizing that it was to be a major deterrent to crime, and those sentenced to death on a cross were humiliated and debased. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

The New Life Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 19, 2013

The result of our confession of sin and God cleansing us from our sin is to proclaim his righteousness through teaching others and worshiping him through our brokenness.

The Psalm that we have been studying during this Lenten season has taken us deep into our hearts, confronted us with the reality of our sin, and given us incredibly beautiful words with which to pray for forgiveness and cleansing. Last week we concentrated on the verses where we pray, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Walks Towards Death So We Can Live Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 27, 2013

Jesus was a revolutionary who everyone was talking about prior to the feast of Passover.

I’ve been reading and re-reading the Palm Sunday story this week, not so much for the story itself because that is familiar to all of us – Jesus comes to Jerusalem for Passover, He sends His disciples off to steal a donkey (it’s ok – I’m sure they took it back when ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Take Off The Grave Clothes

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2014

From the day we are born we begin to die. It’s as if our bodies are already dressed in grave clothes. As marvelous as science is, it has not yet mastered life’s greatest enemy, death. Yet there is one who has.

Intro What kind of life would we lead if we were guaranteed not to die? How would we live if we knew already that we were immortal like a kind of Superman or Superwoman? Goal I want us to realize that immortality is not just the stuff of Hollywood fiction but a reality in Christ. Plan We will ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Of A Doubter

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 28, 2014

Thomas is called the doubter, but he is also the confessor, who made a remarkable confession like no other and did a marvelous work as far east as India.

Intro When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection what happened and what did he say? Goal I hope that we can learn that doubt is a normal and natural part of a life of faith. Plan We will look at Jesus’ appearance to ten of the eleven remaining disciples and then to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For The Whisper

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 3, 2012

Even when we are most discouraged God calls us to get back to work, doing what He has called us to do.

Waiting For The Whisper July 15, 2012 1 Kings 19:4-15 Intro: What are you doing here? That is a great question. One we could ask each other as we gather as a church. What are you doing here? Why did you come? It is a great question we could ask corporately as this church – what are we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom Too Deep

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Is there a food that we can eat which will let us live forever?

Intro Is there a food that we can eat which will let us live forever? There is. It is bread from heaven. Goal Let’s discern the body of Christ. Plan Let’s discuss what John 6:51-58 has to say. 2 Views There are two popular views of Holy Communion: symbolic and sacramental. Many ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

Come, Believe, Live

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Let’s examine what eating bread means and how Jesus is the bread of life.

Intro What is eaten but never totally consumed? How does eternal life transmit to us as we eat the bread of heaven? How does God want us to understand the bread from heaven? Goal Let’s examine what eating bread means and how Jesus is the bread of life. Plan We will read John 6:35, 41-51 ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51

Denomination: Baptist