One Hope Church Stellenbosch

In this sermon from Acts 8, Scott unpacks how God used the scattering of the early church to spread the gospel far beyond Jerusalem. Through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, we’re reminded that evangelism isn’t about having perfect answers or impressive ability, it’s about simple obedience and trusting the Holy Spirit to work. Scott explores God’s heart for the lost, the freedom that comes from relying on the Spirit, and the deep joy that flows from encountering the glory of Jesus and the message of the cross.

This sermon explores Psalm 77 and the powerful discipline of lament in the life of a believer. In a broken world marked by suffering, we are invited to turn to God, honestly pour out our hearts, and wrestle with real questions about His character. Rather than staying stuck in despair, the psalmist shows us how to speak truth to our hearts by remembering God’s faithfulness. Ultimately, our hope is anchored in the greatest act of deliverance—the cross of Jesus—reminding us that God is good, present, and trustworthy even when His ways are unseen.

Easter stands at the center of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ truly died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. This sermon explores the historical reality of the cross and the resurrection, showing that Jesus is alive and reigns as King. His victory means sin, death, and Satan are defeated, our forgiveness is secured, and we are given new life in Him. The empty tomb is not just a past event—it is the foundation of our hope, guaranteeing our future resurrection and eternal life with our risen King.

This sermon from Acts 4:31–5:42 explores what makes the church truly unstoppable. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the early believers lived in deep unity, bold witness, and radical generosity. Yet the story of Ananias and Sapphira reveals the danger of hypocrisy and compromised hearts, reminding us that God cares deeply about holiness within His church. Even amid internal challenges and external opposition, the gospel continued to spread powerfully. This message calls us to live with integrity, depend on the Spirit, and boldly participate in God’s unstoppable mission.

Riley’s sermon highlights that the gospel is unstoppable, even in the face of opposition. In Acts 3–4, a miraculous healing leads to bold proclamation about Jesus, which brings resistance from authorities. Instead of reacting with fear, the early church responds with unity and prayer. They remember God’s sovereignty, recognize that opposition is part of His plan, and ask for boldness rather than safety. God answers by filling them with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to continue speaking courageously. The sermon challenges believers to depend on God, value His mission above comfort, and live as bold witnesses.

In Acts 2:14–47, we see the birth of the church and a blueprint for how the church should live today. After the Holy Spirit is poured out, Peter boldly proclaims the gospel—Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and lordship. The message pierces hearts and calls people to a radical response: repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, and receiving the Holy Spirit. As thousands respond, a new community is formed, devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, and sharing the gospel. This passage shows that when the gospel is central and the Spirit is at work, God forms a vibrant, missional community.

In this message, “Empowered for Mission” from Acts 2:1–4, Pete Cornford explores how the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered the early church for God’s mission. The same Spirit who filled the disciples is still given to every believer today—not just for personal experience, but to make us bold witnesses of Jesus. As we depend on the Spirit rather than our own ability, our lives begin to overflow with the gospel. The unstoppable mission of God advances when ordinary people are filled with the Holy Spirit and step out to share Christ with the world.

In this powerful sermon, Gareth explores the profound significance of living with a "Kingdom Mindset." Drawing from biblical principles, he emphasises that our perspective determines our reality and our impact on the world. He challenges believers to shift their focus from earthly distractions to divine priorities, cultivating a life rooted in faith, purpose, and spiritual authority. By aligning our thoughts with God’s truth, we can overcome adversity and reflect His light in every area of life. This message is a compelling call to embrace our identity in Christ and live intentionally for His glory.

In this sermon, Bates emphasizes the "One Thing" that truly matters: the singular pursuit of Jesus Christ as our ultimate source of rest and purpose. He explores how this focus transforms three specific areas of our lives. First, he addresses how we find peace when we are in trouble, shifting our gaze from the storm to the Savior. Next, he speaks to the restlessness in our hearts, showing how intimacy with God settles internal anxieties. Finally, he discusses how the "One Thing" changes us while serving, ensuring our ministry flows from love rather than duty.

In this powerful sermon, Terry Virgo explores the transformative nature of God's grace, emphasizing that it is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality. Drawing from biblical foundations, he challenges believers to move beyond legalism and performance-based faith to embrace the finished work of Christ. Virgo highlights how understanding our identity in Christ empowers us to live in true freedom and joy. This message serves as a refreshing reminder that God’s favour is unearned, encouraging listeners to rest in His love and let grace fuel their devotion and daily walk.

In this "Vision Sunday" sermon, Gareth reaffirms that the mission of the church is defined solely by Jesus’ final commands in scripture rather than human strategy. Drawing from four biblical accounts, he identifies the church as a people of presence and peace, shaped by the Word, and sent on a "glocal" mission. A key highlight is the expansion of the church's mission statement to include "filling Stellenbosch and the world" with the life of Christ. Gareth concludes by emphasizing that this global mandate is impossible without a total, daily reliance on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

In this compelling sermon Sarah explores the profound nature of God as our Savior and the intentionality behind His rescue. Focusing on the truth that we cannot save ourselves, she highlights how God meets us in our deepest brokenness not with judgment, but with transformative grace. This sermon emphasizes that salvation is both a one-time event and a daily reliance on His strength to navigate life’s trials. Listeners are challenged to surrender their self-sufficiency and find ultimate security in the finished work of Christ.

God doesn’t want part of your heart — He wants all of it. In this confronting and hope-filled sermon, Gareth explores the biblical truth that God is a jealous God, not out of control or fear, but out of deep love and covenant faithfulness. This message challenges listeners to confront distractions, misplaced priorities, and hidden idols that compete for their devotion. It’s a call to wholehearted worship, renewed obedience, and a deeper, more honest relationship with God

In this sermon from the "Behold" series, Gareth explores the sobering reality of God as Judge through the story of Achan in Joshua 7. By contrasting the miraculous victory at Jericho with the crushing defeat at Ai, it illustrates the corporate nature of sin and the necessity of God’s righteous judgment. He challenges listeners to move beyond self-fashioned views of a comfortable deity to behold the biblical God whose wrath stems from a holy love for justice. Ultimately, the message points to Jesus as the ultimate propitiation, who stepped into the place of judgment to offer us grace and redemption.

Message from Nathan Fisher on January 11, 2026

In this Immanuel series message, Gareth shows how the incarnation enables Jesus to be our perfect and empathetic Great High Priest. Fully God and fully human, Jesus now continually ministers for us—advocating for our forgiveness, mediating our relationship with the Father, and interceding for us with compassion. Because Jesus understands our weakness and represents us perfectly before God, our salvation is secure and we are invited to draw near with confidence to receive mercy and grace in every moment of need.

The profound meaning of Christmas is God’s definitive action to overcome humanity's separation from Him, declaring Immanuel—God with us. This sermon anchors the Christian faith in God's unchanging desire to dwell with His people. We trace this commitment from the prophetic promises to its ultimate fulfilment in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the visible, tangible, and permanent dwelling place of God. We then see how this access is a gift of grace through faith, calling us to communion, not performance. The sermon concludes with the glorious future hope of eternal, unveiled communion, where we will know Him fully and see Him "face to face".

In this final message from 1 Corinthians, Gareth unpacks Paul’s closing chapter as a rich window into early church life—marked by global gospel partnership, planned generosity, and mutual strengthening. He highlights Paul’s four urgent exhortations: be watchful, stand firm, act courageously, be strong, and let everything be done in love. The letter ends where it began—on the grace of Christ—calling us as a church to live gospel-shaped, outward-looking, love-filled lives as we await Jesus’ return.

This sermon unpacks the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, addressing the sceptical question of what the resurrected body will be like, drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. The passage highlights God's incredible power, demonstrated even in a simple seed, to raise the dead. The sermon explores the glorious truth that at the last trumpet, believers will be instantaneously changed. This transformation culminates in the total victory over death and the presence of sin. Let this certain hope strengthen the believer to be steadfast and immovable, knowing that in the Lord, their labour is not in vain.

In this message, Amazing Grace: Responding to Grace, Gareth unpacks 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, showing how God’s grace completely transformed the apostle Paul—from persecutor to passionate servant of Christ. He reminds us that grace is God’s unearned, undeserved favour that changes our identity, fuels our motivation, and becomes our source of strength. When we truly see and understand grace, like Paul, we respond with wholehearted love, worship, and devotion to the One who saved us.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the unshakable foundation of our faith, not an optional belief. This truth from 1 Corinthians 15 is explored in a sermon that dives into the absolute core that underpins everything we believe. It delivers us from the exhausting struggle of trying to earn God's love, granting us a restful standing in His finished work. Discover how the Risen Christ gives you a secure, vertical identity, freeing you from defining yourself by performance or achievement. Join us to see how this victory ensures that your faith and your labour are never in vain.

"Build the body, not the ego" is the central theme of this week's message on 1 Corinthians 14, serving as the practical application of spiritual gifts through the lens of love. Paul is addressing the chaos and disorder in the Corinthian church's public gatherings. The sermon compares prophecy, which builds up the church in a common language, to tongues, which are personal and often unintelligible without an interpreter. Gifts are given for clarity and edification, not confusion or boasting. We'll explore Paul's call for order, including rules for speaking in tongues and dealing with disruptive voices. Ultimately, the goal is maturity, self-control, and using our gifts in love for tangible, compassionate action.

Based on Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 13, this sermon explores "a more excellent way" for the church: the supremacy of love. We learn that even the most spectacular Christian activities—from great sacrifice to profound knowledge—are rendered worthless if not motivated by genuine love, becoming nothing more than a "noisy gong". God's true measure is love, which is patient, kind, and never ends. Discover how Christ perfectly defines this love and how it's not a matter of striving harder, but of surrender, allowing God's Spirit to work it through us. Join us as we challenge motives and embrace the love that truly builds up the body.

In this week’s message, Gareth unpacked 1 Corinthians 12, exploring Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts and their purpose in the life of the church. He showed how the Corinthians’ confusion mirrors many believers today—some wary of spiritual gifts, others using them unwisely. Gareth reminded us that these gifts are freely given by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and intended for the common good. Each believer has a unique role within Christ’s body, and when every gift is valued and activated, the whole church is built up and Jesus is glorified.

In week 19 of our Gospel Life series, Jono Hulley unpacks the meaning of the Lord’s Supper from 1 Corinthians 11:17–34. Far more than a ritual, communion is the gospel made visible, a table of grace where Christ meets His people. This message explores how the meal calls us to reflect inward in repentance, backward in gratitude, forward in hope, and outward in love.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses a passage we’re often tempted to skip over—head coverings in worship. But beneath what might feel like a strange cultural issue lies something timeless and profound: God’s creational design for men and women. In this sermon, we explore how Paul connects creation, culture, and the life of the church. What does it mean to live out God’s order in our cultural moment, not just in Corinth, but here and now? Join us as we uncover how this passage points us beyond outward appearances to the beauty of God’s design—and how trusting that design leads to flourishing in our lives, marriages, and communities.

Scott Landman: "Based on 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1, this sermon explores the profound purpose of our lives. It argues that true purpose isn't found in personal freedom or fleeting goals, but in a singular, clear directive: to glorify God in everything we do. The message provides practical guidance on how to live out this purpose in our personal lives, our church community, and the wider world. Ultimately, we are called to imitate Christ, who is the perfect example of a life lived entirely for God's glory and the salvation of others."

Idolatry isn’t just an ancient problem with golden calves or temple feasts—it’s the daily battle of the human heart. In Corinth, Paul warned believers that to sit at the table of idols was to share in their worship. Today our idols may look different—success, approval, comfort, control—but the danger is the same: they promise much, but only enslave. Yet Paul points us to the good news: God is faithful, and in Christ He always provides a way of escape. As we flee idols, we run to Jesus—the only One who satisfies.

This week at One Hope, Gareth preached from 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 on the Gospel Method for Missional Living. He reminded us that true freedom in Christ is not for self-indulgence but for serving God and others. Like Paul, we are called to lay down our freedom to reach people with the gospel, living as sent ones in every sphere of life. Through incarnational mission, faithful contextualisation, and the Spirit’s empowering, we are ambassadors of Christ—His aroma, salt, and light in the world.

In this message, Gareth unpacks 1 Corinthians 9 and shows how the gospel doesn’t just save us but reshapes our whole lives and motivations. Like Paul, we are called to lay down our rights, not for personal gain, but so that others may encounter Jesus. Paul was compelled to preach, motivated by obedience to Christ, love for people, and the promise of eternal reward. May we too be stirred to run our race for the sake of the gospel.

In I Corinthians Chapter 8, the apostle Paul addresses a conflict within the church around believers’ freedom to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. While on the surface the Corinthian church seemed to have knowledge about spiritual truths, the apostle Paul contrasted their argument with the outworking of love. In this passage we see principles that show us how the Gospel is meant to shape how we view knowledge, how we view our brothers and sisters in Christ, and ultimately how we go about exercising the freedoms that we have.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul gives gritty, practical guidance to believers in every life stage — married, widowed, single, or in spiritually mixed marriages. Gareth unpacks God’s design for marriage, His grace for broken situations, and His call to live fully in the season He’s assigned us. Whatever our circumstances, we are urged to embrace undivided devotion to Jesus, letting the gospel shape every part of our lives as a response to His love.

In this sermon, titled Singleness, a Gift from God, Johannes unpacks 1 Corinthians 7:6–9 and 25–38, continuing our journey through the book of 1 Corinthians. Building on last week’s message about marriage, this week’s focus shifts to the equally valuable and often misunderstood gift of singleness. Johannes speaks honestly about his own journey, the cultural pressures surrounding romantic love, and what Scripture reveals about living a fulfilled, undivided life devoted to God. Whether you're single or married, this message is a call to see singleness not as a second-best, but as a God-given opportunity for thriving, purpose, and deep devotion.

In this week’s message, Gareth unpacks 1 Corinthians 7:1–5, showing how God’s design for sex and marriage is both beautiful and deeply practical. In a world full of confusion and distortion, Scripture calls us to flee sexual immorality and embrace God’s good gift of sex within marriage. With clarity and compassion, Gareth explores creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—helping both marrieds and singles develop a biblical, God-glorifying view of sex and the body.

In a world that tells us, “You are your own,” the apostle Paul writes something radically countercultural: “You are not your own—you were bought at a price.” In this message from 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, we explore what it means to belong—body and soul—to Jesus Christ. As Paul responds to troubling behavior in the Corinthian church, he doesn’t just offer moral correction—he unveils a beautiful, eternal truth: our bodies matter to God. This sermon unpacks Paul’s piercing question—“Do you not know?”—and reveals four foundational truths: 1. What you do with your body matters 2. Your body is united to Christ 3. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit 4. You are not your own Far from being a list of restrictions, this is a glorious invitation to freedom, holiness, and hope. Whether you’re wrestling with sexual sin, cultural confusion, or identity questions—this text offers clarity and compassion through the gospel.

Paul addresses the issue within the Corinthian church of believers taking "trivial cases" to be judged by individuals outside of the church. His overall focus is that this approach is not unifying for the church and then he goes on to list a few other reasons as to why believers should be dealing with these "trivial cases" within the church. Those include: 1. Because Saints will one day judge the world and angels. 2. Because Saints have a higher position and wisdom than unbelieving judges. 3. Because Saints are brothers. 4. Even if you win, you lose. Paul then wraps up this passage with such an encouraging passage for all people.....saying that at one time we were sinners.....lost. But now we are washed....sanctified.....and justified.

This sermon explores how the gospel shapes the church's response to sin within its community. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 5, it highlights a shocking case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church and their arrogant, ungodly response to it. The sermon emphasizes that sin is not a private matter and affects the entire church body. It outlines a biblical approach to dealing with unrepentant sin, stressing the importance of grief, removal from fellowship for the sake of the individual's spirit, and maintaining the purity and witness of the church. The message distinguishes between disassociating from worldly sinners and holding believers accountable, ultimately aiming for restoration and holiness within the church family.

Join us as Scott Landman teaches this morning from 1 Corinthians 4.

Join us as Gareth Bowley teaches in 1 Corinthians 3 this morning.

Spiritual Wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. In this passage, the apostle Paul continues his call for unity in the church by showing that true wisdom is found in the message of the cross. In this sermon, Johannes unpacks the difference between human and Godly wisdom, exploring both the natural and spiritual aspects of how we understand truth. He reminds us that as mature believers, we are called to reflect unity grounded in God’s wisdom—a wisdom that can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit.

In this powerful message from 1 Peter 2:4-12, Stephen unpacks God’s marvellous plan to build a remarkable people - His church. God is building His church with unremarkable and diverse people who were once not a people at all, but are now all people connected to Jesus, the cornerstone. Through the gospel, God transforms those previously called “not my people” into His treasured possession, clothed in mercy and proclaiming His glory.

Nkululeko Mahlanyane from God First Tembisa exhorted One Hope Church from Judges 5:1-2 to lead well & follow well just like Deborah, Barak & our Lord Jesus did! We can do so because we trust in Him - Bless the LORD!

In this sermon from Psalm 126, Gareth unpacks how we’re invited to respond differently in times of hardship. Rather than retreat or give up, the Psalm calls us to remember God’s past faithfulness, to pray faith-filled prayers, and to keep sowing even through tears. As we follow Jesus—who sowed in tears for our joy—we’re encouraged to keep going, trusting that God will bring a harvest of joy in due time.

In this message from 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5, Gareth unpacks how the cross of Christ—though seen as foolish or weak by the world—is in fact the wisdom and power of God. Paul’s simple gospel message confounded the proud city of Corinth, just as it still does in our city today. We are reminded that our salvation rests not on human effort or intellect, but on God’s grace alone—and this humbles us into worship and bold proclamation.

'In part two of our Gospel Life Series, Nathan takes us through 1 Corinthians 1:10–17, where the Apostle Paul addresses a divided church and points us back to the one thing that truly unites us: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why do personality-driven factions creep into the church? How can we stay centered on the cross rather than human leaders or preferences? Join us as we explore Paul's passionate appeal for unity, the dangers of misplaced loyalty, and the powerful reminder that Christ alone was crucified for us. This message challenges us to pursue a unity that reflects the heart of the Gospel—humble, Christ-centered, and cross-shaped.'

In this opening message of our Gospel Life series in 1 Corinthians, Gareth explores how the gospel is not only what we believe but what transforms every part of our lives. Drawing powerful parallels between Corinth and Stellenbosch, he shows how the church is a gathering of sanctified saints, called by God and sustained by His grace. Even in our messiness, God is faithful—He will keep us guiltless until the end as we trust in Jesus.

Jesus invites us into a new, abundant life by calling us to look to Him daily. In this message from Hebrews 12:1-2, we explore the hindrances that can slow us down — weights, sin, isolation, and suffering. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, He reshapes our WHY, secures our RIGHTEOUSNESS, renews our RELATIONSHIPS, and fills us with HOPE. With our gaze set on Him, we are empowered to run the race marked out for us with endurance and faith.

On Resurrection Sunday, Gareth preached from 1 Timothy 1:12–17, reminding us of the staggering mercy of our Saviour. Through Paul’s reflections on his own salvation, we’re invited to marvel at God’s grace, who chooses and transforms even His enemies. We see Jesus as the source of our life and purpose, the One who overflows with mercy and patience. This message calls us to worship and rejoice in the wonder of our salvation—Jesus, our merciful Saviour.

In the final message of our Knowing God series, Gareth unpacks the beauty and richness of life shaped by the Trinity. Far from abstract theology, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite us into a dynamic relationship of love and joy. This sermon calls us to keep exploring God’s nature, embrace a full Trinitarian balance in our prayer & worship, avoid common theological errors, and enter the eternal “dance” of communion with God. Be stirred to know and love God more deeply.

“Scripture teaches us that as believers we are each sent—commissioned to make disciples of all nations. However, we can sometimes rely on wrong motivation leading to weariness, joylessness, or even ultimately abdicating our call to mission. Understanding the overflowing love and relationship of the Trinity helps us to realign with the beautiful truth and call of the gospel in our lives leading to faithful, fruitful worship through mission.”