Common Ground Church Sea Point

We live in a culture obsessed with winning, being right, and getting the last word, but does "getting even" ever actually leave us satisfied? In this episode, we unpack Jesus’ famous (and often misunderstood) advice on "turning the other cheek" and "walking the second mile." By looking at these first-century references, we discover they weren't calls to be a doormat, but tactical ways to reclaim dignity and disrupt power struggles without using violence. It’s a challenge to move beyond the narrow circle of people who are easy to love and to start showing "enemy love" instead.

Ultimately, we learn that this radical generosity isn't just a strategy - it’s how we become mirrors of our Father, trading the exhausting cycle of retaliation for a life of spacious, transformative grace.

If you have missed any installments of this series, you can catch up at www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

Ever felt like you’re doing "fine," yet there’s a lingering sense of unease you just can’t shake? We often label our struggles as "stress," "personality quirks," or "just a bad day," but what if there is something deeper beneath the surface?
Together, we’ll be unmasking the "respectable" sins we love to excuse - things like anxiety, pride, and ingratitude and discover why some things can only truly be tackled by the power of the Gospel. 
Lee-Ann Maughan from CG Sea Point and Jane Hampton from the CG Rondebosch pastoral team lead us into this insightful conversation!
Find our going deeper resource here: https://tinyurl.com/confessionsgoingdeeper

In this week’s teaching, Paul explores Jesus’ call to total integrity in Matthew 5:33-37. Jesus confronts the ancient habit of using elaborate oaths to mask dishonesty, inviting us instead to a life where a simple "Yes" or "No" is sufficient. The message provides a "deeper diagnosis" of our speech, revealing how lies often stem from heart idols - like the need for approval, control, or security - where we trust human opinion or material stability more than God.

The alternative is to "put off falsehood" and live with a commitment to truth that honours our connection as one body. By resolving to live with integrity, we ensure that while lies may exist in the world, they do not triumph through us.

If you want to catch up on the rest of the series or revisit previous teachings, you can find everything you need at ⁠https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

The Beautiful Resistance: Week 8 - Marriage, Divorce & Grace.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the complexities of marriage, divorce, and grace as part of The Beautiful Resistance series. We explore the shifting marital landscape - where fewer people are marrying and divorce rates are climbing - and contrast these trends with Jesus’ radical teaching on the sanctity of the marital bond.
Drawing from Matthew 5 and 19, we discuss the profound difference between a transactional contract and a gospel-centred covenant designed for mutual transformation. Whether you are single, married, or navigating the pain of a broken relationship, this conversation points us toward the ultimate hope found in the Marriage of the Lamb and the relentless grace of God that meets us in our hardness of heart.
If you want to catch up on the rest of the series or revisit previous teachings, you can find everything you need at https://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance

In this week’s episode, Paul dives into the challenging topic of Lust, using Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:27-30 to explore how we can live with integrity in a hyper-sexualised culture. We move beyond simple rules to discuss the "Integrity of Sex," contrasting a transactional "Contract" mindset with the "Covenant" model a relational foundation based on identity, trust, and the Gospel that leads to a zone of security and greater freedom.

Paul unpacks the "Unwanted Behaviour Cycle," showing how unmet longings and isolation can lead to shame, and points us toward a source of healing that involves reinforcing our true identity in Jesus and finding wholeness through healthy community.

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-resistancehttps://www.cgseapoint.co.za/the-beautiful-resistance