Gateway Fellowship

We all see the world through lenses - for good or ill. This talk is about some of the unhelpful lenses that Rusty and Linda have worn over the years that God has helped them remove, and what a difference it makes.

A Wednesday Whiteboard talk.

Jesus is Lord, not "minister of afterlife affairs." To follow him means not following the way of Barabbas, the way of the sword, the way of "power over" instead of the way of the cross. His kingdom isn't "of this world," but it is meant to manifest here, and when it does it looks and feels and smells and talks and acts and loves EXACTLY. LIKE. JESUS. Our "politic" is the way of servanthood and influence, not the "politic" of power over and control. We may face hardship, but because Jesus has overcome, we can overcome. We can love in the face of sin so that sin against us doesn't create sin in us. If our allegiance is to Him, then our agenda must be surrendered. Let's switch our thinking so we live here as missionaries. "We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken..." (Hebrews 12:28)

What is self-control? How does it form? How is it a fruit of the Spirit? Why can't I change?

Every year we do this...and I think that's great! Plus I talk about the one that I think should be at the top of all our lists for 2021.

When those who taught us the faith end up being revealed to have been living in secret sin, it can be devastating. This is a talk all about that, hypocrisy, how our conduct reflects on God, the nature of sin, and some guidance in grace.

Giving Jesus his rightful place!

The image of peace is not a serene setting where all is in place. No. A peace dependent upon circumstances is a fragile peace indeed. The peace of God is more like being hidden in the cleft of a rock overlooking a mighty storm. When we allow God to deal with the biggest issues of our life, our past and our future, then the smaller issues can be in the mystery box. When we come to know God, we come to trust God, and when we trust God, surrender can bring peace.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2)

George and Tim discuss faithfulness, dietary myths, martial arts, biblical languages, God's calculator, and a few other things.

Wowsers. It's pretty awkward to talk about divinely required foreskin modification at church. But we did (though I nearly died of embarrassment) because that's what Colossians 2:11 is all about!

1.) Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!  2.) Don’t get distracted by diversionary tactics. 3.) Arrange your day around your life’s mission. How you spend your day is how you will have spent your life. 4.) Don’t get fooled by false evil reports. 5.) Don’t shoot the POW’s, shoot the bad guys. 6.) Don’t fight using worldly weapons. 7.) Fight the fight you’re actually in. 8.) CRUCIFY victim self-talk. 9.) Get a bigger perspective. 10.) Be an encouragement to others. 11. Rise to meet the challenges. 12.) Go on offense, not defense.

SINCE demons tremble at Jesus' presence, and we believers are IN HIM, WHY do we still let the spiritual powers intimidate us? Colossians 2:10 "So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority."

In this message: jokes by Steven Wright everything's amazing and nobody's happy pilgrims survive the winter a country song Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp discuss what's Johnny Ringo's problem? we spill water on the floor we take a moment to practice gratitude Here's the powerpoint Here's Tim's notes

Three fruits of the Spirit are covered in this talk... 1) Kindness - a gracious attitude toward others whether they deserve it or not. 2) Goodness - benevolent activity for others, promoting their wellbeing in tangible and practical ways. 3) Gentleness - a strength that accommodates to other's weakness, showing consideration, friendliness, and meekness. Here's the powerpoint Here's my notes

"What good is all that God stuff if boys don't even like me?" Our problem seems to be dual. We don't want what we need and we don't know what we have! In Colossians 2:9-10 Paul says two sorta shocking things: 1.) All the fullness of God dwells in Jesus, bodily. ALL that God is, somehow lives in him. 2.) All that fullness? Yeah. It's yours IN HIM. That's more than most of us dare to take in...so instead we often go back to our familiar prisons instead of brave the unfamiliar freedom He has won for us.

Wherever you find goodness, beauty, or truth, give God the credit and give thanks. This mindset frees us from the insecurity of having to defend against God's blessings scattered throughout the world outside of our little world. The culture war is a form of tribalism, and the gospel frees us to be calm and incarnate love across the boundaries we have set for ourselves, but God did not set.

We had church outdoors today! It was a beautiful, low 70's day, with clear blue skies. We sat next to a ripe, brown soybean field, under the shade of that beautiful old oak tree by the basketball court, and sang. Stan brought this word "in season" which was what God began to stir in his heart over the course of the last several weeks. Be at peace, my friends. Jesus is king. Happy listening.

Bob shared from his heart about patience, what hinders it, what forms it, and the critical importance of growing to maturity in Christ, which is a process and takes time. An emphasis of his talk was on the importance of deeply ingesting God's Scriptures.