Gateway Fellowship

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.

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.