Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

Isaac: Abraham Jr. | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 26

If someone told you, “You’re just like your mom or dad,” would you take that as a compliment—or a criticism? In Genesis 26, Isaac faces many of the same temptations, obstacles, and blessings his father Abraham once did. At first glance, it seems like a chapter about wells, treaties, and famines, but underneath are deeper questions we wrestle with today. How much of my identity comes from my family of origin? How do I deal with my parents’ sins and failures? And where does God’s redemption fit into all of this? This Sunday at Grace Seal Beach, we’ll explore these questions and see how God’s faithfulness runs through generations.
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Esau's Story | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 25:19-34

Have you ever wasted money, time, or energy on something that wasn’t worth it? In Genesis 25, Esau makes one of the most tragic trades in the Bible — giving up his birthright for a single bowl of soup. This Sunday at Grace, we’ll step into Esau’s shoes with a “first-person sermon” and hear his side of the story. What led him to throw away something so valuable for something so temporary? And what can we learn from his mistake about following God with wisdom today?
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Rebekah: The Ideal Wife | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 24

When you were a kid, did you ever ask your parents how they met? In Genesis 24, we find one of the Bible’s great love stories — the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah. But this story isn’t just about romance; it’s about God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Join us at Grace as we explore how God worked through this love story and what it teaches us about His faithfulness in our lives today.
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Dying in Faith | Chris Howard | Genesis 23 + 25:1-11

What does the Bible say about trusting God when you can’t see the results?
Abraham’s story in Genesis shows us how to have faith beyond our lifetime. In Genesis 23 and Genesis 25, we see Abraham at the end of his life. His last recorded act in the Bible was purchasing a burial site—not simply to own more land, but because he believed God’s promise that this land would one day belong to his descendants.
Even though Abraham would not live to see God’s promise fulfilled, he trusted God’s Word completely. Abraham's story will help you understand what faith in God really means, how to trust His promises, and how God invites us to live with a confident hope in his plan. Whether you’re exploring Christianity, studying the Old Testament, or asking big Bible questions, this message will encourage you to live by faith today for what God will do tomorrow.
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Abraham's Test, God's Provision | Greg Bartleson | Genesis 22:1-24

Have you ever felt like God was testing you? This Sunday at Grace, we’re diving into Genesis 22—one of the most intense and challenging stories in Scripture. After decades of walking with God, Abraham faces the greatest test of his life. It’s a story that raises deep questions about trust, obedience, and the character of God. Why would God ask Abraham to do something so unthinkable? What does this reveal about our faith, our fears, and God's ultimate plan? Join us as we explore what it means to trust God when the test feels overwhelming—and how this passage points us to the hope we have in Christ.
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REFLECTION: Is there anything you're holding on to so tightly that you can't let go before God? Consider your career, friendships, possessions, habits, or even family. What would it look like for you to surrender those to God as an act of worship and stewardship for what God has given you?

Isaac and Ishmael | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 21

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited for something you deeply hoped for? This week at Grace, we're looking at Genesis 21—the moment when God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah finally comes true. After decades of infertility and nearly 30 years of waiting, Isaac is born. It's a moment of laughter, joy, and awe. But the story doesn't stop there. With the birth of Isaac comes new tensions, especially around Ishmael, and new questions about how God will work it all out. Join us as we explore how God's timing, His faithfulness, and His grace still speak into our waiting today.
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Abraham's Folly | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 20

Why do we keep falling into the same patterns of sin—even after we know better? This week at Grace, we're in Genesis 20, where Abraham, after decades of walking with God, repeats a fear-driven, selfish mistake he made years earlier. It's frustrating, even tragic—and yet, incredibly relatable. His sin doesn’t just affect him—it puts others at risk. But God's mercy shows up anyway. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of failure, this passage offers both honesty and hope: our confidence isn’t in our perfection, but in God’s persistent grace. Let’s explore it together this Sunday.
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REFLECTION:
Put yourself in Abraham's shoes, are you judging reality based on what you assume is the worst case scenario about other people or your situation in defense of yourself? How can you, instead, put your faith and trust in the God who loves and cares for you? As you navigate this question, consider how God is kind to Abraham. Do you believe God can be as kind, merciful, and gracious towards you?

Saving Lot From Sodom | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 19

Ever find yourself thinking, “Let’s just not deal with that right now”?
Some truths are hard to face—but avoiding them doesn’t make them disappear. This week at Grace, we’re in Genesis 19, the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s a heavy chapter about sin, judgment, and Lot’s hesitant response to God’s rescue. But it’s also a chapter that helps us understand the depth of human brokenness—and the even deeper mercy of God.
Join us as we face the hard stuff together and move toward the hope found in Christ.
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Standing Before the Lord | Jason Ricafranca | Genesis 18:16-33

Have you ever tried praying for someone who hurt you? This week at Grace, we’re diving into Genesis 18:16–33, where Abraham has a bold, heartfelt conversation with God about justice, mercy, and compassion. It’s one of the most powerful pictures of intercessory prayer in Scripture—where Abraham dares to ask God to spare a city for the sake of just a few righteous people. We’ll explore how prayer connects us to the heart of God, invites us to speak boldly, and challenges us to care deeply—even for those we struggle with. Come ready to be stretched and encouraged.
 
REFLECTION:
As you consider your position as a member of the royal priesthood of believers, for those who have put their faith in Christ, you stand before the Lord on behalf of others. Like Abraham, how can you seek justice and righteousness as you, through prayer, advocate for those who are lost and wicked?
 
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Sarah Laughed at God | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 18:1-15

What do you do when God's promises sound too good to be true?
This week at Grace, we're in Genesis 18:1–15, where God tells Abraham and Sarah they’ll have a son—and Sarah laughs. Her response isn’t just disbelief, it’s a mirror for the doubts we all carry when God's timing feels off or His plans seem impossible.
We’ll look at what Sarah’s laughter reveals about our own hearts and how God's gentle, faithful response invites us to deeper trust. Come join us as we move from skepticism to faith together.
REFLECTION:
Reflect on your own prayer life: Do you scoff at God in your heart? Do you laugh at God the same way Sarah did toward the things he has promised? In your time of reflection, consider if there are areas of your life or issues in the world you have simply stopped praying for or over because you have given up hope God will do anything about it. What can you do with this pain and doubt? As you wrestle with these difficult questions and reflections, remember Sarah's moment of doubt offers us a warning to not view cynicism as maturity or apathy as inevitable with age. Remaining steadfast in God's hope and promise for us requires great faith and great trust in the One who is trustworthy.