Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

Love, Deceit, and the Hope of the Gospel | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 29:1-30

What happens when our past sins come back to find us? In Genesis 29, Jacob—fresh off his vision of “Jacob’s ladder”—arrives in Haran with high hopes. He meets Rachel, is welcomed into Laban’s household, and seems to be stepping into blessing. But the story takes a sharp turn when Jacob, the deceiver, is himself deceived. This sermon looks at Jacob’s story in Genesis 29 and wrestles with questions many of us ask: Do we ever escape the consequences of our sin? How does God’s grace meet us in our failures? And what does this passage reveal about forgiveness and redemption in Christ? Join us at Grace Seal Beach as we continue our Genesis series and discover how God’s mercy runs deeper than our mistakes. 👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
 
📖 Passage: Genesis 29:1-30
🧠❤️ Reflection: What does the Bible mean when it says we "reap what we sow" in Galatians 6:7? How can the wisdom of this passage move us toward Christ and the hope the gospel offers?

Baptized in Christ | Bob Wriedt | Ephesians 5:1-14

This Sunday for Grace at the Beach werel taking a short pause from our Genesis series to learn from Ephesians 5:1–14. This passage reminds us that our identity in Christ transforms how we live. Just as baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, our daily lives overflow from the new identity we’ve been given in Him.
 
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📖 Passage: Ephesians 5:1-14 
🧠❤️ Reflection: Identity will drive your actions. Why is important to begin with the love of God in your identity as a child of God? How does this identity help you put off sin? How might actively living as a "child of light" allow you to live without shame?
 

Blessed and Kept | Jason Ricafranca | Genesis 28:10-22

A.W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” What we believe about God shapes how we worship Him, how we see His work in the world, and how we live in relationship with Him. That’s why it’s so important to ground our view of God in Scripture rather than in our own assumptions. This week at Grace, we’ll be in Genesis 28. After the “birthright heist” and all the deceit that tore his family apart, Jacob is on the run when he has a life-changing encounter with God. In that moment, God reveals His covenant promises and shows Jacob who He truly is. As we study this passage, we’ll see not only how God met Jacob in his failure, but also how it shapes what should come into our minds when we think about God today.
 
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
 
📖 Passage: Genesis 28:10-22 (ESV)
🧠❤️ Reflection: 1. In what ways do you try to “climb” toward God through your actions, performance, duties—and how might faith in Jesus shift that paradigm? 2. What difference does it make to your spiritual life knowing God’s presence is not confined to church buildings or special moments, but is everywhere—even in ordinary, fearful, or wilderness places?

The Opposite of the Gospel | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 27

This week at Grace we’ll be in Genesis 27, where Jacob steals Esau’s blessing by disguising himself and deceiving their father, Isaac. It’s a heartbreaking story—full of family conflict, betrayal, and loss on every side.
But even in this painful moment, there are lessons for us today. We see the danger of favoritism within families, and we’re reminded how destructive it can be. More importantly, we catch a glimpse of Jesus, who stands in complete contrast to the selfishness in this passage. Where Jacob takes, Christ gives. Where this family is torn apart, Christ makes a way for us to be restored.
Join us Sunday at Grace as we explore how this story points us to the hope we have in him.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

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.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

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?
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

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.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

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.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach

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.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
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.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach