Gateway Fellowship

He touched the ark and died. David's first reaction? He was angry. He was afraid of God. He was unwilling to host the ark. Herein are my observations, thoughts, and some related biblical connections.

What is real? What is the good life? Who is a genuinely good person? What is grace?

What's your favorite Easter scene? Why don't people recognize Jesus after he's raised? Is there good evidence for Christianity? Do Christians believe in the immortal soul or the resurrection of the dead? What if the highest ethical ideals could merge with the realm of events and things? If Christ were truly raised, what would that require of us? Does C.S. Lewis' idea about liar, lunatic, Lord resonate with you? We end by looking at some gospel logic from 1 Corinthians 15...

There is a huge difference between monotheism as an idea and monotheism of the heart.

God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21)

This is part 2 on Colossians 3:1-4

This is part 1 on Colossians 3:1-4

In which we talk about how important it is to go after the means of grace with diligence and discipline...

Brian shared what he felt God put on his heart for our congregation as a timely message.

Hannah weeping at Shiloh is the catalyst for Samuel's birth and his unique calling and devotion...

Q #1 - If I already died with Christ, then do I still need to die to anything else? Q #2 - If the law and asceticism doesn't work, but grace does, then what is the role of self-discipline in the Jesus-life?

There's a lot of really important stuff tucked in this chat.

This Sunday chat sort of happened. I left my notes behind almost immediately and went after a big picture view...

The religious self-salvation projects humanity is so addicted to have a demonic aspect. And not only that, but they are also completely ineffective at killing sin or making us right with God. In Christ, we died to these "stoicheia," the lowly evil powers that drive empty religious earning. Instead we receive God's love and forgiveness and life as a gift and now live FROM the high ground of union with God toward the challenges of life. This talk is on Colossians 2:20-23.

God has always been after our hearts in touch with His heart.

Sometimes we make too much of personal spiritual experiences in a way that puffs us up and doesn't help others really know God better, but instead leaves them feeling disqualified. Jesus, on the other hand, transforms, beautifies, and grows us up into the image of love. Jesus should be the focus of our mountaintop experiences with God.

Don't let anyone condemn you over shadows when you have the substance who is Christ. This little talk is from Col 2:16-17.

And other various homesick restorations of our beautiful inheritance.

A sermon on Colossians 2:13-15 You were dead (in actions and nature) God made you alive (with Christ) We needed resurrection, not education; a new nature, not improvement of an old one! Through the cross of Jesus, God... 1.) Forgave all our trespasses 2.) Erased the record of our wrongs 3.) Set aside the law, nailing it to the cross 4.) Disarmed the rulers and authorities 5.) Made a public spectacle of them 6.) Triumphed over them, putting them to open shame

This week's kids story time moment. It taught Stan that sometimes shortcuts don't pay.