The Grove Sermon Podcast

What if the God you believe in isn't the God the Bible reveals? It's possible to be religious, attend church, know Scripture, and still have a distorted understanding of who God really is.In Acts 17:22–34, the Apostle Paul stands before the philosophers of Athens and confronts their understanding of God. Rather than offering them a version of God they would find comfortable, Paul proclaims the truth about the Creator of heaven and earth, His sovereignty over all things, and His coming judgment.That same message confronts us today. Are we worshiping God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, or have we created a version of God who simply agrees with us?SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 17:22-34SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

We live in a world overflowing with opinions, arguments, and competing ideas about what's true. But what if the greatest need of the people around us isn't another opinion, another debate, or another argument? What if what they really need is Jesus?In Acts 17:16–21, the Apostle Paul arrives in Athens, a city filled with idols and competing philosophies. Rather than ignoring the spiritual condition of the people around him, Paul allows what he sees to move his heart and motivate him to share the Gospel.His example challenges us to consider how we see and engage the people God has placed in our lives.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 17:16-21SPEAKER: Pastor Eric Rachui----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

We have countless sermons, podcasts, and Christian voices at our fingertips. But how do we know whether what we’re hearing is actually biblical, and are we allowing God’s Word to shape our lives?In Acts 17:10–15, the Bereans welcome Paul’s message eagerly and examine the Scriptures daily to see whether it is true. Their example challenges us to approach Scripture with humility, practice discernment, and respond to Jesus with faith.In this message, Pastor Roland's lead us as we consider what it means to move beyond hearing biblical teaching and become people shaped by God’s Word.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 17:10-15SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

What do we actually mean when we say, “Jesus is the Messiah”? In Acts 17:1–9, Paul arrives in Thessalonica and begins explaining from the Scriptures why the promised Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. His message is more than religious information, it is an announcement that changes everything: Jesus is the promised King.The Gospel tells us that our sin is serious, the cross was necessary, the resurrection changes everything, and Jesus demands more than our acknowledgment, He deserves our allegiance.In this message, we explore why the Gospel is a truth worth explaining, a truth that demands a response, and a truth that inevitably challenges every competing kingdom in our lives.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 17:1-9SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

What do you do when you’ve been faithful and still ended up wounded? Acts 16 closes with Paul and Silas walking out of prison after being falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned. But before they leave Philippi, they do something remarkable: they return to Lydia’s house and encourage the church.Their wounds were real, but their wounds didn’t determine what happened next. In this sermon, Pastor Roland looks at what Scripture teaches us about remaining faithful when quitting would be easier. Through Paul and Silas, Joseph, Jeremiah, and ultimately Jesus, we’re reminded that faithfulness keeps going, keeps pouring out, and keeps building.You may not see what God is doing through your faithfulness right now. Keep going anyway. You may wonder whether everything you’ve poured out has mattered. Keep pouring out. You may feel wounded by something you were trying to build. Keep building.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 16:35-40SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

What does worship look like when life hurts? In Acts 16:25–34, Paul and Silas are beaten, wounded, chained, and sitting in the darkness of a Philippian prison. Yet at midnight, they are praying and singing hymns to God. Their worship wasn’t simply a song. It was the overflow of lives surrendered to Jesus.In this message, we discover that worship is tested in our pain, trusts God before knowing the outcome, and becomes a powerful witness to the people watching our lives. Paul and Silas didn’t know an earthquake was coming. They didn’t know the prison doors would open. They didn’t know a jailer and his household were about to encounter the gospel. They simply remained faithful.Sometimes we become so focused on escaping our circumstances that we miss what God may want to do through us while we are there. Your life of worship is a powerful witness to a watching world.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 16:25-34SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

What happens when you obey God and life gets harder? In Acts 16:16–24, Paul and Silas are exactly where God called them to be. They’re preaching the gospel, confronting darkness, and seeing lives changed. Yet their obedience leads them into opposition, rejection, suffering, and eventually a prison cell. We often assume that if we’re following God, the road should get easier. Acts 16 challenges that assumption.In this message, Pastor Roland Contreras explores what it means to remain faithful when following Jesus brings opposition, puts us at odds with the crowd, or leads us into circumstances we don’t understand.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 16:16-24SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #bookofacts

We live in a culture that increasingly says to keep your faith private. But, Jesus never described discipleship that way.In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus calls His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Two things that are almost impossible to keep hidden. Salt affects whatever it touches. Light reveals itself simply by shining. So what happens when a Christian’s faith becomes virtually invisible?In this message, we’ll discover why following Jesus should make us different, why genuine faith inevitably becomes visible, and why the ultimate goal isn’t simply for people to know that we’re Christians, but for them to see Christ through us.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 5:13-16SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #gospel

Our culture increasingly tells us that loving someone means affirming their beliefs, desires, decisions, and identity, and that disagreement is inherently unloving. But is that how the Bible defines love?In Ephesians 4:1–16, Paul gives us a better picture. Christians are called neither to abandon truth for the sake of kindness nor to use truth as an excuse for harshness. Instead, we are called to “speak the truth in love” so that we might grow together into Christ.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Ephesians 4:1-16SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #gospel

Our culture tells us, “You are enough.” Scripture gives us something far better: you were never meant to be sufficient in yourself. In 2 Corinthians 3:1–6, Paul refuses to build his confidence on his résumé, accomplishments, gifts, or abilities. Instead, he declares, “Our adequacy is from God.”Christianity doesn't call us to insecurity or self-loathing. It calls us to dependence. Biblical confidence isn't self-confidence, it's God-confidence. In this message, we look at three ways to reject the myth of self-sufficiency.SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6SPEAKER: Pastor Roland Contreras----CONNECT WITH US:Online: https://www.reachthegrove.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachthegrove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachthegrove/Give: https://www.reachthegrove.com/give/----#reachthegrove #jesus #onlinechurch #faith #bible #believe #belong #cross #inspiration #christian #churchonline #truth #knowledge #trust #gospel #expository #preach #preaching #holyspirit #worship #praise #discipleship #sermon #gospel