Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

A strong Christian life | Bob Wriedt | Romans 15:1-6

What does it really mean to be a strong Christian?
In Romans 15:1-6, Paul challenges us to rethink strength in spiritual terms. While physical strength has nothing to do with it, Paul often uses "strength" as a metaphor for the Christian life. From the start of Romans to its conclusion, Paul’s goal is to strengthen believers. But what exactly does spiritual strength look like? What is it for, and how do we cultivate it?
This week at Grace, we explore Paul’s expectations of the strong in faith and how we can live out those truths together.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Living Together in Christian Freedom | Bob Wriedt | Romans 14:13-23

We're diving into the second half of Romans 14, where Paul digs deeper into the challenges of Christian freedom.
The first part of Romans 14 encourages us to let go of quarreling over secondary issues of faith, which many of us can get behind. But now, Paul pushes us further, asking us to actually sacrifice our preferences for the sake of others. He challenges us to let the “weaker brother” have their way, not out of duty but as a gift of love.
It’s a tough ask, right? Most of us can relate to questions like "Why should they get their way and not me?" Join us as we explore what it means to put others first and build a community grounded in love and humility.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

But they're wrong! | Bob Wriedt | Romans 14:1-12

How do we live in unity with fellow believers who see things differently? This week, Pastor Bob dives into Romans 14:1-12, where Paul explores the importance of Christian freedom on disputed issues. Paul’s guidance gives us a pathway for respecting one another’s convictions while building a strong, united community.
Join us as we explore what it looks like to navigate our differences with grace, humility, and a commitment to unity in Christ.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Love and Perspective | Jason Ricafranca | Romans 13:8-14

Have you ever cleaned up your house just before important guests arrive? It’s a simple way to show you care, and it prepares us as we wait with eager expectation. This week, we’re reminded that we need to have that same mindset when it comes to loving others and living with a mindset prepared for the return of Christ.
In Pastor Jason’s sermon "Love and Perspective" on Romans 13:8-14, he dives deep into how Paul encourages us to put on the armor of light and embody the love and righteousness of Christ in our everyday lives. It’s not just about avoiding wrongdoing; it’s about actively choosing to live in a way that reflects our faith.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Understanding Authority | Bob Wriedt | Romans 13:1-7

Have you found yourself frustrated with political figures or disillusioned by their actions? You’re not alone. In this sermon, Pastor Bob helped us think through Romans 13:1-7, a challenging passage that calls Christians to submit to governing authorities.
For centuries, Christians have grappled with this text, wondering how to reconcile faith with the realities of authority. How do we understand the claim that rulers are appointed by God when history is filled with leaders who misuse their power?
Join us as we explore these pressing questions, seeking to uncover how we can navigate our faith amidst the complexities of governance.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Who would love their enemies? | Bob Wriedt | Romans 12:14-21

Have you ever stopped to think about why we're called to love our enemies? In Pastor Bob’s sermon, we dig into Romans 12:14-21, where Paul tells us to bless and not curse those who persecute us. We often hear about loving our enemies, like when Jesus said to turn the other cheek or forgave those who nailed him to the cross, but have you ever asked why that’s so important?
Is loving our enemies just a tough challenge, or is there something deeper going on? And how does this connect with our recent talks about loving one another in the church?
Let’s dive into these questions and see how the bigger picture of the gospel in Romans helps us understand this call to love.

Genuine Love | Chris Howard | Romans 12:9-13

Have you ever owned something of genuine quality? Maybe it’s a piece of furniture, a jacket, or even a tool that just feels different, authentic, built to last. There’s something about knowing it’s the real deal.
In Romans 12:9-13, Paul talks about genuine love, the kind that isn’t just words or good intentions. It’s love that shows up in how we live, how we treat others, and how we reflect Jesus. This love is the real thing, transforming relationships and shaping the way we care for people.
Join us as Pastor Chris explores what it means to live out this genuine love in everyday life, offering ourselves to God and each other.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Use Your Gifts | Bob Wriedt | Romans 12:3-8

"Do you know your spiritual gifts?"
This question has been popular in evangelical Christianity throughout the past fifty years or so. And with good reason - the New Testament describes spiritual gifts as being one way that God provides for His people. 
But how we talk about spiritual gifts in the church does not always match the beauty and fullness of what the New Testament describes. Too often they are reduced to an assessment inventory and a call to then join a ministry team ("Do you have the gift of mercy? Become a Children's Ministry volunteer! Actually, whatever gift you have, join Children's Ministry!") 
There's nothing wrong with (most) spiritual gifts inventories or with matching our gifts to service, but there has to be something more spiritual about spiritual gifts, doesn't there? 
In his sermon "Use Your Gifts, Pastor Bob takes us through Romans 12:3-8, one of the longest passages in the Bible about spiritual gifts. In this passage, Paul puts spiritual gifts in the context of what it means to be human - to have an accurate self-assessment of what is (and is not) possible for our lives, to need one another, and to offer something to each other. 
As we look at spiritual gifts in a broad view of the message of Romans as a whole, We hope that you can find joy, peace, and delight in using our spiritual gifts for ministry. 

Understanding the Will of God | Bob Wriedt | Romans 12:2

This week at Grace, we dove into Romans 12:2. (Yep, just one verse). Why such a short passage? Because it’s packed with insights that challenge the way we live and think today, even 2,000 years after Paul first wrote it. Paul gives a clear warning: conforming to the patterns of this world may be tempting, but it pulls us away from the will of God. He uses a vivid metaphor to describe worldly conformity as something pressing on us from the outside, distorting who God created us to be. But there’s hope. Instead of conforming, Paul calls for the renewal of our minds. What does that transformation look like? Why is renewal the key, and why does it start with the mind? 👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

Baptism and the Christian Life (Bob Wriedt)

Pastor Bob continued our Romans series, focusing on Romans 12:1-2. In this passage, Paul challenges us to respond to God’s mercy by offering our whole selves as a living sacrifice. Baptism perfectly illustrates this—a visible, outward expression of an inward transformation and a renewed commitment to live fully for Christ.
We gathered at Eisenhower Park for Grace at the Beach, where we celebrated baptisms in the Pacific Ocean. Worshiping outdoors in the heart of our community was a powerful experience. We witnessed people publicly declare their faith through baptism, a true celebration of new life in Christ. We hope this message encourages you to reflect on how God’s mercy calls for a complete and wholehearted response.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach