Sunday Sermons

There is Christmas Hope in Jesus! The genealogy of Jesus includes the names of four fascinating women all of whom would have reasons to be left out if not for the love and grace of God.  These women point to the Hope we have in Jesus.  Not only that, we don't just have an objective hope to look forward to, the beauty of the story of Christmas is that the Hope of Glory resides inside of us! Every believer in Jesus receives the Spirit of Jesus himself who lives his hope through us.  This means no matter what we face in life, we can have a supernatural hope present in real time.

The church must be ready and on guard against those who only appear to be living for God.  In the story of Jessobel, the main takeaway is that we are to love everyone but we're not to tolerate (witness corruption) and not say anything.  Jessobel was an example of someone who enjoyed her sin and didn't see it as a problem, therefore she had no intention to fix it.

We cannot be so afraid to speak up that we cannot even confront sin within our own church.  We need to build one another up by lovingly letting one another know that their sin isn't okay and needs to be addressed so it doesn't become a bigger issue.

If we truly love one another it is our responsibility to let one another know and help when asked to help one another be free from our sins.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

Living as light in Dark Times- The Seven Churches Today!

The Church at Pergamum had to deal with being the site of Satan's Throne in the Roman Empire. How could Christians allow the idolatry and sexual immorality to happen in their midst? Jesus warns that we need to be careful of being too tolerant.

Pastor Cyril uses examples of TV Shows the younger generation loves to watch, the use of comedy, comic books, and more to provide examples of how we have become tolerant of attacks against Christianity.  Different actions that go against scripture are seen as extremely common and cool in today's generation. He compares these desires as a heavenly feast as opposed to the massive banquet waiting for us in heaven (Manna or Pagan feast) which he compared to a heavenly feast.

We are called to be a church that encourages others:

People are consistently being overcome by powerful spiritual forces and are being weakened to the extent that many of us do not recognize sin anymore in society.  We are called to love, encourage, support, and be in community with others in a formal love feast.  An example of this could be an Engagement Party (preparing and anticipating this exciting wedding) but instead in the excitement for Jesus to come again.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

The Church at Smyrna was suffering persecution from the authorities and Jesus challenges them to endure.  May we be ready to face persecution with peace and strength.

Remember that Jesus encourages us to love and pray for those who persecute us.  It is not our persecutors but Satan that is confusing them leading them to do evil.  All authorities will be and have been used at one point to threaten the church.

The devil will put some of us In prison, war, or severe depressing situations up to death to try and break us.  In Smyrna, there were massive murders and extremely painful situations that Christians were put through.

Revelation 2:10- Do not be afraid I will give you the crown of life.

This is in reference to the second death, and the lake of fire in the book of revelation.  Those that prepare for the persecution and tribulation of the book of revelation and don't expect to be saved by the rapture will be saved.

As Christians, we are rewarded when we overcome all the persecution that befalls the church.  Satan has been given the power to overcome the Christian church and be put to death. We need to prepare our hearts to be ready to stand by Jesus with hope no matter what is thrown at us.

We can talk about the sea of fire and end time persecution which many of us won't experience.  However, we do have many brothers and sisters in Christ who are living through this persecution and standing strong until the end times (43000 Nigerian Christians have been killed in the last 10 years).

May we stand tall against death and any persecution we face as a community.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

Jesus gave a special message to 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. We begin our new series looking at Ephesus and a church that became distracted and forgetful of their first love.

Many of the largest challenges that churches have are regarding becoming distracted and forgetting that our primary focus should be Jesus. Every church is a representation of Jesus and every church has a problem showing this to others.

The churches in the Book of Revelation lost their interest in the church in a similar fashion to Christians today as a result of COVID-19, we've gotten too comfortable with the virtual church. Technology was a great tool to meet when in-person service was not safe but was never meant to be a permanent solution.

This can also be compared to scheduling your time to prioritize the marriage to your spouse, even in the midst of many other requirements and responsibilities. We can get into an unfortunate habit of creating poor patterns of straying from God, especially today. In the technology and manufacturing age, there is a new game, app, toy, or activity that we can easily become addicted to. Just as distracted driving kills people, distracted minds kill our spiritual relationship with Jesus.

Even though the church is in danger of becoming incredibly distracted, we still have Jesus who loves us so much and will lead us back to him.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

There is a malevolent intelligence who hopes to destroy humanity. As Jesus' followers, we can resist the plans of the evil one and testify to the power of life and resurrection!  There is a malevolent intelligence who hopes to destroy humanity. As Jesus' followers, we can resist the plans of the evil one and testify to the power of life and resurrection!

 

Some Christians believe in Ghosts and Aliens but not the Devil which is scary because the Devil wants us to think he isn't real because it makes it harder to resist him.  Satan isn't in your ear, he operates by controlling powerful people and by creating an influence all around us that tempts us to wander away from God. 

 

Satan loves to attack God's church, Godly relationships, and ultimately anything focused on serving Jesus. Therefore, the concept of denying Satan's existence is terrifying, after all, he's not the monster we tell our kids isn't under their beds, he's real.

 

Fear is a dangerous thing especially when it is used against us because when we are worried about what could happen to us we worry less about what could happen to others.  The Apostle Paul warns us that in our anger do not sin, don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, if you do it can build into resentment.

 

When we filter our fear through the word of God we're able to make better sense of why we are fearful.  We are able to act differently.

 

Truths to Remember:

1.  The devil is real and actively trying to destroy humanity

2.  Faith in Jesus offers us protection from Satan's attacks Ephesians 6:12-19 (Armour of God)

3.  Do not allow fear and anger to define us as individuals (Are we angry at anyone or tempted to slander, anyone)

 

Ask yourself where fear is showing up in your life.  It's important to identify these area's so you can move forward in hope and love.

 

Ephesians 2:11-  Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

Jess Cantelon our guest speaker for this service speaks about his adventures serving in Israel.  He shares that God has placed in his heart to have a deep love for God's ancient people.  God calls us to love Israel.

We must trust the Lord even when it is scary and understand that our God is faithful.

Jesus will speak through each of us to tell others about the free gift of salvation.

Some of God's promises to Israel and to us as a whole will not be fulfilled until the end times.

Listen to this sermon to hear about his heart about how God has led him to support Israel through videos, TV, serving, etc.

Click here to learn more about the Israel Video Project:

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.

1 corinthians1:2: Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Colossians3:12-13:  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Holiness is about being loved by God and him wanting us to be more like him.

2 Corinthians5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

We are trying to find a balance between living a life of knowing God loves us no matter what but to still walking a life free of bad habits.

We need to identify the things that God would view as wrong and be willing to change it.

1 Peter 1:15-16:  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.

1 Peter 2:9:  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8:   It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Holiness is based on grace alone:

Look up the following verses on your own and reflect on what they say about Grace and Holiness:

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Philippians 1:6

Romans 8:29

1 John 3:23

Galatians 5: 22-23:

This should be a hopeful dependency on God to help us grow from the inside out.

Sanctification is not about actions:

Philippians 2:12-13:  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Although we are called to be perfect God understands that our journey of sanctification is lifelong. We all have sinned, so continue to bring our shortcomings to God.

1 John 1:8-10: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Holiness is not an option, it is the goal:

Hebrews 12:14:   Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Luke 22:39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

Reflection Questions:

What Is your plan to live life and grow in holiness?

How will you achieve spiritual maturity by letting God live within you?

How will you be disciplined in your spiritual life?

 

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Ground

1 Corinthians 13:1-3- If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

The greatest gift we can give someone is love. Love is how you act and feel towards others.  How do you feel when you meet strangers whether it is in traffic, at the grocery store or when you are in a rush to get somewhere?

Be sure to treat others as a thou/who and not an I/It.  When you are on the phone with someone are you treating them as a sibling in christ and an image of God rather than a way to get something?

God has a very sacred relationship with everyone whether they are lost or saved.  God wants us to have that same loving relationship with everyone as well. If not we may be teaching others to treat themselves as less than a child of God.

3 ways to love others:

1. Stop mind reading

1 Corinthians 2:11- For who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Exodus20:16-You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Give them a chance and ask them what they are thinking and give them a chance.  Treat them as a person.  Everyone has the right to be heard, be given the benefit of the doubt, and be trusted.

2. Manage your expectations

Potential expectation problems can be unconscious, unrealistic, unspoken, and unagreed upon.

Valid expectations must be conscious, realistic, spoken, and agreed upon.

3. Stop Avoiding Conflict - But do it privately not publically.  In private is always better than in public.

Matthew18:15- If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

We need to figure out how to clarify our expectations, fight cleanly, clarify our expectstions and communicate what triggers our frustration.  With triggers, it can be the smallest things like using a clean towel instead of a paper towel to clean a spill or putting the toilet paper in the right way.

Communicating these as expectations, however, can reduce conflict and allow you to communicate in love when it does arise.  When there is conflict be sure to remember you are communicating with your sibling in Christ and someone you love.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we'd love to have you.

On the Seventh Day God rested, so we could balance our productivity with enjoying his creativity!

This week pastor Cyril Guerette talks about the sabbath and the role of work in the life of a Christian.  Work is a good thing and as Christians, we are supposed to work (Even Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden worked), but along with work we are also expected to rest.

Colossians 2:16-17- Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

You are not required to take the sabbath at a specific time but the application of taking a sabbath is important in principle. The Sabbath was an image of Jesus in the bible.  Taking time to rest in Jesus accomplishes the purpose of the Sabbath.

Deuteronomy 5:12: Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.

How do you apply the sabbath?

1. Stop Working: "The Lord commanded that tomorrow would be a day of rest." To seize all work that breaks you down to de-stress, shut off your mind, and be with God to find rest.

2. Enjoy the rest: "Come to me those who are weary and I'll provide you with rest"

3. Enjoy Life: Do the things that you enjoy (travel, money, time with your family, hiking, sports, etc Psalm 27:4).

4. Contemplate and spend time with God: Take time during this ideally 24-hour time period to listen to worship music, pray, read your bible, talk to God or connect with God in any other way that's comfortable to you.

If you don't currently participate in the sabbath routinely we encourage you to ask our lead or pastoral team about how to structure or improve upon past sabbath attempts you've made.

Connect With Us:

If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Contact us Here:

At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.

If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to [email protected] and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.

If you would like to join our church family today we'd love to have you.