To Tell the Truth

February 01, 2026

Sermon Series: Groundwork

Teaching Pastor:

Pastor Jeff continues our Groundwork series by examining Paul's call in Ephesians 4 to put off falsehood and speak truthfully. We discover that lying destroys community while honesty builds the deeper connections we were designed for. We learn that our security in Christ's love frees us from hiding and pretending, enabling us to develop new habits of truthfulness that reflect our gospel identity. We are challenged to identify where we struggle with honesty and take practical steps toward speaking truth in love within the body of Christ.

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Continue the conversation by exploring the Sermon Guide for reflection and practical next steps, or spend time with our Devotionals to carry God's Word with you throughout the week.

More in this Series

Week 1
- Sermon Guide
- Devotional
Groundwork
Rooted Relationships
Pastor Aaron begins our Groundwork series by exploring how our identity in Christ shapes every relationship we have. We discover that Paul grounds the Ephesians in who they are before telling them how to live—we are adopted, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. We learn that when our identity is rooted in Christ rather than culture's loud messages, we experience clarity, humility, and unity in our relationships. We are challenged to let these truths reshape how we show up in every relationship—at home, in the church, and in the world.
Week 2
- Sermon Guide
- Devotional
Groundwork
Unity
Pastor Aaron continues our Groundwork series by examining Paul's urgent plea in Ephesians 4 for believers to live worthy of their calling. We discover that gospel-shaped identity must lead to gospel-shaped living—marked by humility, gentleness, and patience as we bear with one another in love. We learn that unity already exists through our one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, but maintaining that unity requires intentional effort. We are challenged to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, remembering that we're all works in progress who need grace for the journey.
Week 3
- Sermon Guide
- Devotional
Groundwork
Gospel Shaped Marriage
Pastor Aaron continues our Groundwork series by exploring how the gospel transforms marriage according to Ephesians 5. We discover that God designed marriage between a man and woman to reflect the Trinity's partnership and serve as a mirror of Christ's love for the church. We learn that both husbands and wives have countercultural callings—wives to honor and respect, husbands to sacrificially love and serve. We are challenged to let our marriages become covenant relationships of promise-keeping that point a watching world to the ultimate covenant keeper, Jesus.
Week 5
- Sermon Guide
- Devotional
Groundwork
Defusing Anger
Pastor Jeff continues our Groundwork series by examining Paul's instruction in Ephesians 4: "In your anger do not sin." We discover that beneath our anger lies unmet desires that have transformed into demands, setting us up for disappointment when people can't meet needs only God can fulfill. We learn that healthy relationships resolve conflict quickly rather than letting anger fester and give the devil a foothold. We are challenged to pause before reacting, move toward reconciliation today, and forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.

Previous Sermon in Series

Gospel Shaped Marriage

Next Sermon in Series

Defusing Anger

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