Home Ground: Recent Episodes
Home Ground
Home Ground church live streams all 3 services, 8am;10am & 17:30. This podcast is the sermon part of our 10am Youtube stream.
Navigating the space between the seen world and the unseen world is tough.Thankfully, God hasn’t left us to do this blindly.This week we will explore how the scriptures will help us to see how these two realities overlap so that we can live our lives well.
How is it that this bestselling, amazing collection of books, so readily available to us here in the West is the least read book by the majority of Christians?So, why don’t we read the Bible?Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” But how can it be a lamp or a light if we're not reading it!
How does God speak to you?Do you hear God through scripture, through the spirit, through the church or through Jesus?
What is our True North? How do we make sure that we know where to go and who to trust?In 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 the Bible tells us: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."That's where we find our True North.
Welcome to the first Sunday of 2024.Looking to the future can sometimes make us anxious.This Sunday we look at a conversation between God and Moses in Exodus 33 that will give us very practical tools to step into the new year with confidence
As we come to the end of what has been a very busy and difficult year for many of us let us take some time to breathe in and remember that we are, according Acts 17, the dearly loved children of “the God who made the world and everything in it “.
School might have finished for the year, but we never stop learning! Let's look into the dictionary's definiton of a few words.In church language ADVENT is known as the four weeks before Chistmas. But, another definition is "the arrival of a notable person or thing"The adjective notable is: important and deserving attention.The arrival of a notable person ....This Sunday, let's take some time to prepare for the arrival of Jesus.
Proverbs 13:22 says that, “A good person leaves a legacy for their children’s children….”It is not just people that leave legacies, churches do as well.Last Sunday we celebrated 60 wonderful years. This Sunday you will be invited to commit to some very practical steps so that future generations can one day celebrate the legacy left to them.This is our Legacy Project Pledge Sunday!
Pornography is not controversial in the traditional sense. Nevertheless, it has been normalised to such an extent that the thought of it being wrong or sinful or damaging in this day and age is almost bordering on heresy. This is the last week of our series, join us to unpack a horrible blight that is eroding the landscape of our world.
In Genesis 1:27 it says: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."What does the bible say about what it means to be made in the image of God? How should that affect our understanding of and response to the current controversy around Gender Identity and the Transgender Phenomenon?
In Acts 2: 17 - 18 it says: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy."What does the bible really teach about women’s place in church and in our world?
Last week Richard introduced this series. If you missed this sermon it's highly recommended that you watch it to get some context.
So, what is our first Controversial Conversation? Genesis 2:23 The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman”, for she was taken out of man.’ Let's talk about the sexual revolution.
Christians WILL find themselves in controversial situations. With rugby on our mind this is an approprite thought: as we all know, you can’t run onto a rugby field without being confronted. Christianity is similar. The nature of our faith and life is that we will encounter “push back”. Join us to see why this is a good thing and how Jesus handles these moments.
It is possible to help and hurt at the same time. How can we make sure that we don't hurt when trying to be generous.
Generosity is about re-thinking how we look at people and choosing to see them as God sees them!
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." Arthur AsheSo often we feel we need to be rich, or famous, or have plenty of time on our hands to make a difference in this world.We dont!In Exodus 4 we read about how Moses doubted his worth and ability to change anything. God asked Moses a very simple question: "What is that in your hand?" and Moses replied, "A shepherds staff." You'll need to read the rest to find out what happened!What is in your hand?The aim of this series is for Jesus to transform our hearts and minds when it comes to giving and receiving, especially in spaces where there is inequity, so that when we give or receive we do so with dignity.BibleProject is the author and owner of this video. To find more BibleProject resources, visit bibleproject.com.
Family matters.
But in case you didn’t know this yet – there is no perfect family! Whether it’s your family of origin, your current family or your church family.
This series will explore some imperfect areas in family and in the process discover our purpose and our role in whatever family looks like to you.
'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:1
How should we live as Christians in South Africa in 2023? How should we respond to things like load shedding and all the other stuff??
What does Jeremiah have to say to us about living in South Africa?
Hebrew 12: 1.Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
This Sunday is a focus on the life of Joseph
“Influence without Power”
Hebrew 12: 1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
This Sunday is a focus on the life of Job and how he lived hope when literally everything in his life was a burden.
“Hope without Optimism”
You'll never walk alone. John shares with us about how the Holy Spirit is always with us!
On this Good Friday, we take a moment to sit with the image of Jesus on the cross and are confronted with the Brokeness of our saviour.
In our service today, we open the mic up for people from the church to Thank God and tell His people what He has done in their lives! Sibongile
In a world where we feel like we are always running on empty can we really expect to live a full and meaningful life every day?
Ephesians 4 may have some answers to that question.
For the next few weeks we will be looking at the word FULL to help us discover if we are really living a full life.
In a world where we feel like we are always running on empty can we really expect to live a full and meaningful life every day?
Ephesians 4 may have some answers to that question.
For the next few weeks we will be looking at the word FULL to help us discover if we are really living a full life.
In a world where we feel like we are always running on empty can we really expect to live a full and meaningful life every day?
Ephesians 4 may have some answers to that question.
For the next few weeks we will be looking at the word FULL to help us discover if we are really living a full life.
In a world where we feel like we are always running on empty can we really expect to live a full and meaningful life every day?
Ephesians 4 may have some answers to that question.
For the next few weeks we will be looking at the word FULL to help us discover if we are really living a full life.
Absent: A series around advent... In todays podcast John looks at the idea of Darkness as we prepare to receive the Light of the World!
Absent: 400 Years of Silence came before the birth of Jesus. Silence is often interpreted as absence but in actual fact it is about preparation, the world getting ready to receive Jesus. How are you preparing for Jesus arrival this year?
What does it mean to be an apprentice of Jesus, the Christ? This 3 part series is based on John mark Comers content entitled "Practising the way" Each week we'll dive into Being with Jesus; Becoming like Jesus; and finally Doing what he did!
What does it mean to be an apprentice of Jesus, the Christ? This 3 part series is based on John mark Comers content entitled "Practising the way" Each week we'll dive into Being with Jesus; Becoming like Jesus; and finally Doing what he did!
What does it mean to be an apprentice of Jesus, the Christ? This 3 part series is based on John mark Comers content entitled "Practising the way" Each week we'll dive into Being with Jesus; Becoming like Jesus; and finally Doing what he did!
Saved: A series on some of the fundamentals of our faith. This week James tackles the topic: How are we saved?
Saved: A series on some of the fundamentals of our faith. This week John tackles the topic: What are we saved from?
In this podcast John continues part 2 of a series entitled: What's so amazing about scripture?
John will be looking at the scripture from Luke 11:11: ‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?'
In Mark 11: 1 - 9 there is an account of Jesus sending his disciples to fetch a colt for him to ride on into Jerusalem. Jesus says 'If anyone asks you, "Why are you doing this?' say, 'the Lord needs it ...'"
1Corinthians 12:31 says: ‘But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.’ (NLT)
Sometimes in order for us to do a new thing we have to go back to the old things to make sure that we are on the right path and hearing what God says about things.
On Sunday Debbie will look at one of the oldest commandments and how it still applies today. She'll also be sharing an exciting update with us.
Life and our spiritual journey is lived so much better in smaller groups... Cindy is passionate about individual transformation and unpacks the importance of being in a smaller group!
In this podcast, John and Rich begin to unpack a 4 part series about how God is calling us to be transformed! Don't miss out on the next few weeks as we unpack "What's new" in the life of Home Ground Church!
As we follow Jesus on the path of Salvation and Transformation which is most important, Love or Truth? How do we choose? Should we choose? If God is both Love and Truth how do we live that out?
This easter Sunday Richard unpacks the meaning of taking up your cross and following Jesus!
A 2 part series on Hospitality, Barry shares an object lesson around a tray, binoculars and an oil Jar!
Thank God its Monday!
When you go to work, do you take your faith with you?
We’re not only called to be an authentic, empowering community when we gather on Sundays as the church, but a potent force for good when we are scattered Monday through Saturday across the city.
This 3-weeks series equips us all to see our work in a new way.
Well known theologian J I Packer says, "Trying to improve society is not worldliness but love." In a world filled with injustice and unrighteousness should Christians become involved in activism? And if yes, how? John will be exploring this today.
Through the Jesus and me series we would like to inspire everyone to intentionally pursue Jesus one on one!
Through the Jesus and me series we would like to inspire everyone to intentionally pursue Jesus one on one!
Through the Jesus and me series we would like to inspire everyone to intentionally pursue Jesus one on one!
Let's pray is a message to kick off our week of prayer and fasting.
Click on the link below to follow the material.
https://mcusercontent.com/a281084c65e390148c6a45fb4/files/22ad57fc-dfa9-ce6f-82b7-3d35decd32fa/7_Days_of_Prayer_Guide_Sheet_24_30_January_2022.pdf
As we start 2022, we pray that todays message would be a word in season from Richaard Erasmus.
Job Ayantola is a guest preacher from the USA. He is a deaf preacher/missionary and today He shares a part of his story with the help of his son Ben.
Holy habits, that is creating space to encounter God in our daily rhythms and routines, are so vital because what happens in our daily rhythms and routines works their way out into the rest of our lives.
Passage: Daniel 6
“Spiritual habits—like daily Bible reading and prayer—are at work to subtly re-form our identity as they regularly plunge us into the grand story of God and remind us of our place in it.” (Jen Pollock Michel).
Richard interviews 6 of the everyday heroes who currently call Home Ground their home church!
Transformation means being willing to submit to God and seek to follow Him wherever He leads us. We must never allow our country to replace God in our lives or loyalties.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us... But how do we do this?
Where do we start? We’ve started by using the Lord’s Prayer to guide us. In this podcast Debbie looks at the verse “give us this day our daily bread.” What does that have to do with transforming a country?
John preaches on how God’s Kingdom is not simply something that changes individuals hearts or gets us to heaven it is something that can and should transform whole countries.
It was always the plan to preach this sermon today, but after the week we have all experienced God’s timing is perfect.
We have all felt anxiety this week.
When God reminded us to “not be anxious about anything” did He mean to include situations like we are in right now?
David’s struggle with guilt tells us much about a feeling that can be both a friend and an enemy.
On Sunday Richard will be looking at this topic and what we can learn about David's struggle.
This week John Benn will be exploring how David battled with depression.
Depression is a community issue - not just an individual issue. What do we need to know and how can we support those we know who are suffering with depression? The bible tells us "to bear one anothers burdens."
Most of us know the story of David killing Goliath. But was that his only battle?
David faced many other "Goliaths" in his life - fear, anxiety, depression, guilt.
What can we learn from David and his relationship with God that will help us as we fight our own giants?
Founding pastor of Grace Family Church joins us this Fathers day and shares the true essence of being human.
We are destined to grow as followers of Christ come and discover the secret to growth and the signs of growth this Sunday.
Passage: John 15:1-10, 12-14, 16-17
Jacques shares part of his personal testimony as he invites us to REACH out and to SERVE. These are 2 of the fundamentals of how we believe disciples of Jesus should be living.
Out of slavery is a 2 week series looking at what the bible teaches about our money and our stewardship.
Out of slavery is a 2 week series looking at what the bible teaches about our money and our stewardship.
The book of Haggai is a story of how God loves to partner with His people to rebuild lives, cities and even kingdoms that are in ruins. One of the hard questions Haggai asks God’s people in Haggai 1:4 is this: “Is it time for you to live in panelled houses, while my house remains in ruins?” or as The Message version says: “How is it that it’s the ‘right time’ for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God’s Temple, is in ruins?”
For the next two weeks we will be exploring the exciting Book of Haggai . It’s a story of how God loves to partner with His people to rebuild lives, cities and even kingdoms that are in ruins. One of the hard questions Haggai asks God’s people in Haggai 1:4 is this: “Is it time for you to live in panelled houses, while my house remains in ruins?” or as The Message version says: “How is it that it’s the ‘right time’ for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God’s Temple, is in ruins?”
Revelation 5:12 ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!’
Sunday is Palm Sunday – the day we remember Jesus arriving in Jerusalem a few days before his death.
Jesus is our example of a Capital C Citizen. He shifted the culture, and He calls us to do the same.
As we wrap up the Citizens series Debbie Austwick will be helping us understand how we can live differently in this world – both as individuals and as a church.
Partiality (noun): unfair bias in favour of one person or thing; favouritism
James 2:9 says: "But if you favour some people over others, you are comitting a sin. you are guilty of breaking the law."
God is passionate that His Kingdom is filled with every kind of person in the whole world - and that they are all treated the same.
This week John Benn explores how the sin of partiality destroys unity and diversity.
We have to eat, it's good to celebrate, we need material things in our lives but what if those things are the things that drive us?
Richard will be exploring how we handle our appetites and needs as Capital C Citizens. How do we make sure that our God-given drive and appetite are kept within God's parameters?
We live in a world full of complex issues and problems.
Sometimes this can be overwhelming and we don't know how to respond.
What is God's heart for justice? And how can we mould our hearts to be like His?
God gives us clear instructions in Micah 6:8:
"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Join Debbie as she examines how we can be Capital C Citizens in an unjust world.
Paul reveals a breathtaking truth about grace in Romans 5.
He says in verse 20;“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…”
This verse give us incredible insight into the depth of God’s love for us, the more we “mess up” the more he shows us “Grace”.
He then continues in chapter 6; “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
He makes it clear the grace of God is not a licence to sin. In fact, according to Titus 2, it teaches us not to sin.
Join Jacques Coetzee as he explores this insight.
Apologies for the break up in video quality on this live stream, we were experiencing internet problems and will do our best to rectify the issue
Welcome to Home ground church service - Live
As citizens of God's Kingdom we are called to live as peacemakers in a polarized world.
This is an incredibly difficult task.
Matthew 5:20 says: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Daniel 1:8 says: “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Have you ever been in a position where you had to say “no thanks, not for me”?
This is exactly what Daniel and three of his friends did, when king Nebuchadnezzar offered them a food from his table.
Why on earth would they decline these royal delicacies?
Was it because of their flavour palate?
Or was there more to it?
"But our citizenship is in heaven." Philipians 3:20
As followers of Christ we hold dual citizenship.
Not only are we citizens on earth, we are also citizens of heaven.
Being a dual citizen can be tough. There are constant pressures, pains and polarizing circumstances.
How do we stay true to our most important citizenship?
This Sunday we start our new series called CITIZENS where we explore how we balance these two citizenships.
How are you? Really ...
Sometimes we need to take off our masks and be real with people. But being open and honest takes courage and trust.
On Sunday three of our pastors will "take off their masks" and truthfully share how they feel about life at the moment.
Let's be encouraged to do the same.
How do we best start our new year?
We are flooded with thoughts (and usually guilt trips) around new year resolutions .
But what is the best foundation to build our new year on?
John 1:1 is a great place to start.
Join us for part 4 in a 4 part study of John chapter 1 as we discover the principles that God used to build a new beginning.
How do we best start our new year?
We are flooded with thoughts (and usually guilt trips) around new year resolutions .
But what is the best foundation to build our new year on?
John 1:1 is a great place to start.
Join us for part 3 in a 4 part study of John chapter 1 as we discover the principles that God used to build a new beginning.
How do we best start our new year?
We are flooded with thoughts (and usually guilt trips) around new year resolutions .
But what is the best foundation to build our new year on?
John 1:1 is a great place to start.
Join us for part 2 in a 4 part study of John chapter 1 as we discover the principles that God used to build a new beginning.
How do we best start our new year?
We are flooded with thoughts (and usually guilt trips) around new year resolutions .
But what is the best foundation to build our new year on?
John 1:1 is a great place to start.
Join us for the next 4 weeks in John chapter 1 as we discover the principles that God used to build a new beginning.
Divine Joy is not something that is meant to be experienced as a moment, rather it is something we must learn to live in and give away.
Christmas is a time for family, food, fun and laughter but most importantly celebrating the birth of Jesus - Saviour of the world!
Joining us in the celebration, is the top hit band sensation of some time ago, ladies and gentlemen... the Black Sheep Boys.
Every human can experience true, lasting, eternal joy.
Not because we can generate it, but because it is a gift we can receive from God.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIm, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
So often we look for happiness in the wrong places. Or we struggle to find joy in challenges and hardships.
How can we have a defiant joy? What is defiant joy?
In Phillipians 4:4 Paul writes a letter from a prison cell and says this: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
What a challenge! And is it even possible?
Many may think that the pandemic of 2020 has hindered our vision of transformation. But could crisis actually be a catalyst to unlocking our vision?
Debbie Austwick
"We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke15:32
We’ve heard God’s Story of finding our way through the wilderness to freedom.
We’ve heard two amazing testimonies from Karin & Kerry of how God worked with them and walked with them in their journey.
And now it’s time for us to write our story.
How are we, as God’s representatives on earth, going to welcome and walk with people who are on this journey.
Kerry Janse Van Rensburg
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Over the last two weeks we have heard from John how God's desire for us is to live in freedom. Last week Karin told us her freedom story - from drug addiction to being set free.
This week we will be hearing Kerry's story of God's goodness and faithfulness.
Karin Ussher
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
We are often afraid to talk about the things that trap us.
Last week John reminded us of the freedom God offers each one of us.
This week Karin Ussher will be sharing her remarkable story about her journey from addiction to freedom.
John Benn
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
We are often afraid to talk about the things that trap us.
Over the next four weeks we explore the incredible story of the freedom we have as we discover the paths to living out that freedom.
This week we explore God’s Story of Freedom.
Skip Collins
Our final sermon in our God Spaces series. Skip Collins explores the space we can create for silence, stillness & solitude.
John Benn
Matthew 16:17: But when you fast.....
We often miss God spaces because we believe they are impossible for us.
But Jesus expects us to enter God spaces - He did not say IF you fast, but WHEN you fast.
How can we overcome our own ‘belief’ that some things are impossible for us?
Richard Erasmus
If we were just happy with just one experience of God a day, then we are probably settling for less than we can have.
A faith walk is much more than just settling for second best. God invites us into moments with him throughout the day - we call them God Spaces.
Join us again this week as Richard Erasmus helps us to discover more about finding these life giving spaces in our day-to-day routines.
Richard Erasmus
How are you doing in creating space for God in your busy life?
God has invited all of us to step into his presence. He creates SPACE for us to meet with him.
But, we have to step into these God created spaces and then we will find ourselves being found by God.
Take a journey with us over the next couple of weeks as we discover how to find God wherever we are, whatever we are doing.
John Benn
Why are we back?
John 1: 4 says "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
While we do have the privilege and ability to meet online there comes a time when as God's family we need to start meeting together again. For some of us that time has come. We will explore why it is essential that God's people should be face to face with each other.
John Benn
Ezekiel 1: 28 says: "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking."
As followers of Jesus we can, and must, encounter the Holiness of God. This Sunday John Benn will explore how we can encounter God's holiness wherever we are through the story of the Prophet Ezekiel.
Jacques Coetzee
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,
**“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”**
(Isaiah 6:1-3)
How would you define holiness?
Many people would describe holiness as being morally pure. Although this is true, it is often used as a secondary meaning in scripture. The primary meaning refers to the “otherness” of God.
The Bible is full of scripture proclaiming God's holiness, and when people encountered this holy God it always evoked a response and resulted in transformation.