Common Ground Church Sea Point

This week, we dive into Romans 12:1–2 with a powerful message titled “How God Motivates His People.”What really drives lasting change in our lives? Too often we're shaped by pressure, guilt, fear, or expectation - but the gospel offers a very different motivation.In this episode, we explore what it truly means to live a life transformed by God's mercy rather than squeezed into the patterns of the world. Discover how the gospel reshapes not just what we do, but why we do it - and how real transformation begins from the inside out.You can find more sermons and resources here: https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/sermons

In this episode, we dive into Matthew 5:17-20 to explore Jesus' profound relationship with the Old Testament. Far from abolishing the Law, Jesus reveals himself as its ultimate fulfillment - the perfect high priest and sacrifice who embodies everything the prophets foretold. We discuss the challenge of living a "beautiful resistance" in a world of moral compromise, moving beyond the external legalism of the Pharisees toward a "whole-person righteousness" that aligns our hearts with God's kingdom.CATCH UP ON THE SERIES: Explore the full series, download the sermon slides, and read through the weekly summaries at: ⁠⁠https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

In our latest episode, Paul challenges us to reclaim our identity as the salt of the earth and the light of the world in an age of deep cultural compromise. We tackle the modern tension between "following your inner light" and the radical, sacrificial devotion to Jesus that actually brings about justice and change. This isn't just a call to be "good people" - it is a summons to a radical, boundary-crossing engagement that prevents decay and gives glory to the Father. CATCH UP ON THE SERIES: Explore the full series, download the sermon slides, and read through the weekly summaries at: ⁠https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

In this episode of The Beautiful Resistance, Paul Maughan explores the second half of the Beatitudes, revealing how the Sermon on the Mount describes the life we live when the Holy Spirit has His way with us. From the call to be truly merciful and pure in heart to the "great paradox" that the church is often most intense when facing cultural hostility, we dive into what it looks like to live out these counter-cultural values. We also tackle the common misconception of peacemaking, moving beyond simple conflict avoidance into a deeper, biblical maturity.CATCH UP ON THE SERIES: Explore the full series, download the sermon slides, and read through the weekly summaries at: https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

Paul Maughan continues our series The Beautiful Resistance as we journey through Matthew 5 to 7. This week we look at Matthew 5:1 to 6, where Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount and reveals the upside down nature of God's Kingdom. Those the world often overlooks are called blessed as they receive Him. Join us as we celebrate the generous love of God and the surprising beauty of life in His Kingdom.

Paul Maughan kicks off our new series, The Beautiful Resistance, with Matthew 5:1–6 from the Sermon on the Mount. This opening passage sets the scene for the radical, upside-down nature of God's Kingdom, where those the world often overlooks are called blessed as they receive Jesus. As we begin this journey together, we celebrate the generous and surprising love of God.

Waiting can feel unbearable in a world that wants everything now. In Psalm 130, Jessica unpacks the powerful image of the watchman - awake in the night, unable to force the dawn, yet utterly confident that morning will come. From the depths of prayer to the hope of redemption, this sermon invites us to discover how waiting is not wasted time but holy ground where God shapes our faith, anchors us in His steadfast love, and points us to Jesus, the One who entered our darkest night so the morning of salvation could surely break.

As a new year begins, we often ask what we want to achieve. This message invites us to ask a deeper, more formative question: who am I becoming? In this episode, Paul Maughan explores spiritual formation as the lifelong process of being shaped into people who love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength - and who love our neighbour as ourselves (Mark 12:28–31). Drawing on Scripture, the life of Jesus, and wisdom from other voices in the formation space, we are reminded that formation is always happening - whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Isaiah 35 is a radiant promise of our eternal home - a future of joy, healing, and restoration that Jesus secures for us. At the centre is the Christmas announcement in Isaiah 35:4: “He will come and save you.” That's why we celebrate on 25 December - because God has come near in Jesus, and He brings us home.

Sheldon Moultrie continues week 3 of our Advent series, Promises Delivered, for the festive season. From Isaiah 11:1–10, we see Jesus revealed as the Spirit-filled King who brings life out of decay, restores justice, and establishes lasting peace.

Steph Pienaar continues week two of our Advent: Promises Delivered series, exploring Isaiah 9:1 to 7. This passage points us to the child who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Together we reflect on Jesus as the true light who enters our darkness and brokenness, bringing hope, wisdom and peace. Advent invites us to name the darkness honestly, so that we can celebrate the light we have in Christ more fully.

Paul Maughan opens our Advent: Promises Delivered series for the festive season. In Isaiah 40:1 to 11 we see despair turn to hope as God comforts His people, prepares the way through Christ, and renews them by His word. Listen in and be reminded of the greatness and compassion of our God.

Cam Venter walks us through Psalm 134, the final Song of Ascent. This short and beautiful psalm invites us to lift our eyes and bless the Lord as we reach the end of our own year's journey. Cam explores the exchange of blessing at the heart of the passage as we bless the Lord and the Lord blesses us, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Lee-Ann Maughan continues our journey through the Psalms with Psalm 13, a Psalm of Lament. This passage gives language for the tension between deep pain and real trust in God's sovereignty. From honest sorrow to bold prayer and finally choosing trust, Psalm 13 reminds us that even in struggle, God deals bountifully with us and our hope in Christ remains secure.

Paul Maughan wraps up our Spiritual Formation series by exploring what it means for the soul to be formed by God. Together we look at the invitation Jesus gives to find rest, the call to value our souls above worldly gain, the power of Scripture to revive us, and the fruit the Spirit produces in a life shaped by Christ.

Paul Maughan continues our Spiritual Formation series, exploring what it means to love the Lord with all your strength and to love your neighbour as yourself. Together we look at how transformation takes place in our bodies and in our relationships as we honour God with every part of our lives.

This week, we explore what it means to love the Lord with all our heart. As we look at passages like Matthew 6:33 and Proverbs 4:23, we're invited to trust God more deeply and follow Jesus wholeheartedly in every part of life.

Paul Maughan kicks off our new series, Spiritual Formation: Hope for a Change. We explore how every one of us is being spiritually formed, whether intentionally or not. This week focuses on what it means to love the Lord with all our mind as we begin to understand the process of true spiritual transformation.

Etienne Du Toit from Common Ground Durbanville unpacks why the church must sing. Using Warren Wiersbe's definition of worship as a foundation, he explores how we are created to sing, commanded to sing, and compelled to sing in response to who God is and what He has done.

Paul Maughan concludes our Ruth series with chapter 4. In this final instalment we see redemption completed and the genealogy of David and ultimately Jesus revealed through Boaz and Ruth. Paul explores how losing our lives is the way we truly find them, how God makes a way, and how ordinary people can see the kingdom come in extraordinary ways.

Jessica Carolissen continues week 4 of our Ruth series, exploring Ruth 3:1–18 and The Redeemer's Promise. Naomi sets a bold plan in motion, Ruth responds with risky obedience, and Boaz reveals the redeemer's response. Though Ruth does not yet have the wedding, land, or heir, she is upheld by Boaz's word, provision, and character. This points us to Jesus, our greater Redeemer, who fulfils God's radical plan, bears the cost of redemption, and secures our eternal hope.

Sheldon Moultrie continues week 3 of our Ruth series, unpacking Ruth 2:1-23. We follow Ruth as she steps into the unknown, meets the generous Boaz, and sees God's kindness and providence at work. This encounter brings provision for the present and hope for the future, pointing us to the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Cam Venter continues week 2 of our Ruth series with a message from Ruth 1:15–22. As Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, we are encouraged to see suffering honestly, recognise God's hand in it, and find the hope that carries us through.

Paul Maughan from Common Ground Church Sea Point and Iain Kruger from Common Ground Church Rondebosch wrap up our God and Sex series with a special bonus conversation. Together they reflect on key themes from the series, tackle some tough questions, and explore how following Jesus shapes our sexuality and identity today.

Lee-Ann Maughan opens our new series on Ruth with a message from Ruth 1:1-18. We see how God is sovereign over every detail, how He works through ordinary people, and how even suffering can draw us back to Him. The story of Ruth points us to redemption, community, and the fullness we receive in Christ.

Iain Kruger from Common Ground Rondebosch closes our God & Sex series by drawing on Jesus words in John 14:6. He explores what it means to follow Jesus in our sexuality and how the gospel brings power and healing as we come to the Father.

Paul Maughan continues our God & Sex series in week 5, exploring the topics of same sex attraction and transgenderism. Jesus held both conviction, affirming marriage as between male and female, and compassion, shown in his encounters with the woman caught in adultery and the woman at the well. This message invites us to hold both conviction and compassion as we follow him.

Paul Maughan continues our God & Sex series with week 4, focusing on singleness. Together we wrestle with the cultural stories around singleness and the pressures they bring, and then turn to the hopeful vision Jesus and Paul give us in Scripture. The message invites us to see singleness not as lack, but as a gift to be embraced in Christ and within the life of the church.

Paul Maughan continues our God & Sex series with a message on marriage, exploring the difference between covenant and contract. This talk invites you to reflect and respond as you consider God's design for marriage.

In this special Women's Evening recording, four women from our community share powerful personal stories that reveal four unique reasons to pray. Rooted in real life and centred on God's presence, this evening includes time for worship and reflection, reminding us that prayer is more than a habit – it's an ongoing conversation with our Father. Whether prayer feels familiar or new, this is an invitation to be encouraged and inspired.

Steph continues our God & Sex series by exploring how our sexuality shapes us. Are we being formed into the image of Christ—or something else—by the choices we make? From cultural extremes of repression and indulgence, Jesus offers a better way: the redirection of desire and deep satisfaction in Him. Key scriptures include 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 and Psalm 32:5.

This week, we began a new series titled God & Sex. In an age of sexual confusion, this series seeks to anchor us in Scripture – no confusion! In the last 70 years, the world—particularly the West—has undergone rapid change in how it understands and practices sexuality. Marriage has been redefined. Technology, pornography, delayed marriage, and shifting norms around gender and identity have transformed what was once considered common understanding. Paul began by naming the cultural chaos around sexuality and affirming that while the world shouts slogans like “love is love”, “if it feels good, go for it” and “all things are lawful”, the Bible offers a story of design, purpose, dignity, and redemption.

In our final week of the 1 John series, Stephan Pienaar unpacks 1 John 5:13–21 - a call to confident faith in confusing times. John reminds us that we have eternal life, access to God in prayer, victory over sin, and a true Saviour in Jesus. This is more than doctrine - it's assurance that anchors us. In a world of distortion and idols, we stand firm as God's beloved children, secure in Christ.

In this week's message, Greg Groenmeyer takes us deep into 1 John 5:6–13, calling us to find assurance in the real Jesus - the one who came by water, blood, and is testified to by the Spirit. We explore what it means to believe in the Son of God and how this belief leads to eternal life, not just in the future but right now.

Jessica Carolissen continues our series in 1 John with a message from 1 John 5:1–5.Faith, love, and obedience aren't in competition—they're all part of what it means to be born of God. In this talk, we explore how true faith not only empowers us to love and obey, but also gives us the victory to overcome the world in a way that redefines what “overcoming” really means.

Sheldon Moultrie continues our 1 John series, exploring 1 John 4:7–21 and the powerful truth that God is love. Drawing from his own experience with Jesus, John calls love the defining mark of genuine faith. When we love one another, we make the invisible God visible—his love made complete in us.

In a world full of competing voices, how can we tell what's true? This message reminds us that we are not alone—God has given us his Spirit, and he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

Paul Maughan continues our 1 John series by unpacking 1 John 3:19–24. In this message, we explore how our hearts, though often weighed down by guilt or doubt, can find assurance in the truth of God's love. Through believing in Jesus and walking in love, we move from condemnation to confidence—living in the freedom of abiding in Him.

This week, Lee-Ann continues our series in 1 John, unpacking 1 John 3:11–18. We're reminded that love is not just a feeling or a word, but a call to action. Jesus shows us what real love looks like—laying down our lives for others.

Parenting today can feel like a minefield of pressure, guilt, and comparison. But what if God has already given you everything you need?Jessie and Jade dive into what it means to parent with purpose and peace in a culture of performance. From car park moments to kitchen-table chaos, this episode is full of real talk, Gospel hope, and encouragement for every parent feeling overwhelmed or under-qualified.You're not alone. You're more equipped than you think. And there's always hope.

Jessie chats with Jade Poole about what really counts in Next Gen ministry. Spoiler: it's not hype, numbers, or slick programmes - it's faithfulness to Jesus and His Word.Whether you lead two kids or twenty, this episode will remind you that your quiet, consistent presence matters. Be encouraged: God uses ordinary faithfulness to do extraordinary things.For every Next Gen leader who's ever felt under-qualified — this one's for you.

Visiting pastor Samuel Boateng brought a message from Ghana centred on Jesus' call to abide. The aspirations of young professionals in Cape Town are impressive. But this message called us to slow down and ask: What is the most important thing in life? Jesus' answer: Abide in me.