Unite180 with David Grobler

“God’s presence is not just around you — it is His face turned toward you.”
In this message, Pastor David Grobler unpacks the powerful truth of the presence of God — not merely as something distant or general, but as something deeply personal, relational, and transformative. Scripture reveals that God’s presence is described as His face — His attention, His favour, and His closeness toward us. While God is omnipresent (everywhere at all times), this message highlights that His presence is not always equally revealed. There is a difference between God being everywhere and God manifesting Himself in a way that transforms lives. From Adam losing the presence, to Moses encountering God face to face, to the Holy Spirit now dwelling within believers — we see a progression of how God desires to be close to His people. When we turn our face toward God, we position ourselves to experience His presence more fully. Just as Moses’ face shone after being with God, our lives are changed by the presence we pursue. The call is clear: don’t just seek what God can give — seek His face.

“Holiness produces usefulness — and usefulness produces fruit.”
In this message, Pastor David Grobler continues the “-ness” series by focusing on usefulness in the life of a believer. Building from godliness, faithfulness, thankfulness, and holiness, this message reveals that a life set apart for God naturally becomes a life that God can use. Through Paul’s teaching in 2 Timothy, we see that in a great house there are vessels for honor and dishonor — not based on their material, but on their condition. God is not looking for perfection, but for purity and readiness. When we cleanse ourselves and pursue holiness, we position ourselves to be useful in the Master’s hands. Usefulness is not about status — it’s about availability, character, and obedience. A useful life is one that serves others, carries God’s authority, and ultimately produces fruit that glorifies Him. When God can use you, He can work through you to impact others, draw them to truth, and even rescue them from deception.

“Holiness is not abstract — it is a life set apart for God.”
In this message, Pastor David Grobler continues the series on the “-ness” of the Christian life by exploring holiness. Throughout Scripture, the apostle Paul repeatedly lists the virtues that define a Christian life — qualities like faithfulness, righteousness, love, and perseverance — showing that spiritual growth follows a process. Holiness is not merely about avoiding sin or following rules. It is about being set apart for God, allowing Him to transform our lives through the process of sanctification. As believers pursue righteousness and submit to God’s work in their lives, He separates them from sin and shapes them into people who reflect His nature. Holiness affects how we live, how we use our bodies, how we treat others, and how we respond when we fall short. Ultimately, holiness flows from a life centered on God — where godliness, faithfulness, and thankfulness prepare the heart for God to produce holiness within us.

“Thankfulness honors God with our hearts.”
In this message, Pastor David Grobler continues the series on the “-ness” of the Christian life by focusing on thankfulness. Scripture teaches that thankfulness is not merely a polite response when things go well — it is a posture of the heart toward God in every circumstance. Through the story of Nebuchadnezzar, we see how pride and self-reliance cause us to lose perspective, but when we look to God and recognize His sovereignty, clarity returns. The apostle Paul instructs believers to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything, revealing that thankfulness is not dependent on circumstances but on our trust in God. A thankful heart keeps us anchored in truth, guards the peace of God in our hearts, and protects us from becoming consumed by complaint, comparison, and self-reliance.

“Faithfulness is the foundation of stewardship.”
In this message, Pastor David Grobler continues the series on the “-ness” of the Christian life, focusing on faithfulness. Paul teaches in First Corinthians that what is required of a steward is not success or status — but faithfulness. Everything we have has been entrusted to us by God: our time, relationships, gifts, and responsibilities. Faithfulness is not something we simply claim; it is something found in us over time through consistency, integrity, and reliability. Before God entrusts more, He looks for faithfulness in what we already carry.

A sluggard is habitually lazy. Work is not a result of sin. Instead, God is pleased when we work with a spirit of excellence. Sluggards have excuses, never finish what they start, and are wise in their own eyes. We should be disciplined to plow in season without excuses so that we will not be like a rotating door, busy but not going anywhere. As Christians, we should have the fear of God in us to not be lazy.

"God sees you — not only when life makes sense, but right where you are."
In this powerful and deeply personal message, Pastor David Grobler unpacks the story of Hagar and Ishmael to remind us that God sees us in our wilderness seasons, our pain, our confusion, and our unanswered questions. Through Hagar’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord, we see that God is not waiting for us to “arrive” before He notices us — He sees us now. This sermon challenges us to confront identity, obedience, and the places we try to run from, while discovering the grace of a God who calls us by name and meets us where we are.