The Gateway Live Podcast: Recent Episodes
Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Gateway Church of Upstate New York, located in Corinth, NY. We're a church excited about God and what He's doing in today's world!
There's a difference between reading words on a page and having them cut straight into your soul - and once you've felt that difference, you can't unfeel it. What happens when someone stands in the middle of unbearable grief with nothing to offer but a battered kind of faith? What does it actually cost to stop playing defense with your life and start fighting for something? Through a funeral that turned into unexpected ground for hope, a baptism, and an old story about a woman dragged into the street for judgment, a case is built for engaging a battle most people would rather not admit is happening at all. Comfort is not the goal here - clarity is.
What if the armor of God isn't something you put on from the outside, but something that becomes part of how you think? Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2 and Ephesians, this conversation explores what it actually means to be spiritually alive - and why that's the only way the helmet of salvation makes any sense at all. God's promises aren't inspirational decoration; they're the protection your mind needs against fear, shame, and the lies that keep you feeling unqualified. A story about a young man drawn across a soccer field toward a small worship service he couldn't even understand might just change the way you see what God is doing through your ordinary faithfulness.
Of all the pieces of spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6, the helmet of salvation may be the one most people are walking around without - and the one they need most. When life delivers its hardest blows - loss, grief, disease, financial collapse, relentless anxiety - it's not your circumstances that break you, it's your unprotected thoughts. This conversation explores what it actually means to put on the helmet of salvation, why it offers more than just peace about eternity, and how it produces a wholeness you can walk in right now. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding isn't a feeling you stumble into - it's a guard stationed at the door of your heart and mind when you choose to put it there.
What if everything you've been waiting for God to do - He's already done it? The promises, the power, the healing, the freedom - Scripture says it's all been given, and receiving it isn't a matter of waiting but of choosing. Rooted in 2 Peter 1 and 2 Corinthians 10, there's a hard and hopeful truth here: the strongholds that keep you bound were built brick by brick by your own believing, and they can come down the same way - through choices aimed at Christ rather than fixed on the problem. If you've ever felt stuck waiting for a move of God that already happened, this one won't let you leave unchanged.
The 250th anniversary of America's founding raises a question most people are afraid to honestly answer: what actually made this nation great — and what keeps it that way? The answer isn't found in political parties, military power, or government programs, but in something far more personal. From George Washington's desperate cry for divine help before an impossible revolution, to the Founding Fathers' deliberate decision to protect individual religious liberty rather than erase faith from public life, a compelling case emerges that Christian principles were never incidental to America's foundation — they were the foundation. At the heart of it all is a challenge drawn from Joshua 24, the same challenge God placed before Israel after bringing them out of Egypt: choose this day whom you will serve. Could it be that the future of a nation rises and falls not on who holds political office, but on the personal choices of ordinary people?
Before you can wield the armor of God, you have to know where you're standing - and most believers don't. This week's message cuts straight to the heart of why so many Christians feel spiritually defeated: not because they lack knowledge about the armor, but because they haven't yet taken their place in what God has already freely given them. From being chosen before the foundation of the world to standing blameless through the blood of Christ, the call is to stop living in condemnation, shame, and carnal confusion and start occupying the ground God has declared yours. A second voice then brings a powerful personal testimony of healing and leads the congregation through a Spirit-led moment of breaking the spirit of fear - the hidden root beneath so much of what holds people back from walking in freedom, health, and purpose.
What if the key to walking in the authority God has given you isn't doing more - but first becoming more? Tracing the dominion mandate from the Garden of Eden through the Great Commission, this teaching reveals how God has always worked through family rather than lone individuals to extend His kingdom on earth. The central truth is that identity in Christ must come before function for Christ: inner healing, consecration, and maturity are prerequisites to effectively enforcing what was accomplished at the cross. You'll be confronted with a defining question - are you operating from the mind of Christ, a self-serving carnal mind, or outright spiritual oppression - and shown why that distinction changes everything about how the church lives and moves together. If you've ever felt your gifts are out of order, or wondered why real transformation seems out of reach, what unfolds here will recalibrate your understanding of what it means to be both the family and the army of God.
Most believers know they're in a spiritual battle - but far fewer understand the difference between having power and walking in authority, and that gap may be costing them everything. Drawing from Ephesians 6 and the Great Commission, this teaching makes the case that the authority Christ reclaimed from the fall was not hoarded - it was handed to the body of Christ, to be walked in now. The shield of faith isn't just a defensive posture; it's the God-given capacity to extinguish flaming arrows before they ever find fuel in your life. But here's the sobering reality: you can carry the shield and still be completely unprepared for the fight - and this teaching confronts exactly why that happens.
What if there's a piece of spiritual armor that's easy to miss entirely? This continues a deep dive into Ephesians 6, but shifts the focus from individual pieces of gear to two questions easy to miss in the original Greek: who are you suiting up with, and what role does prayer actually play? Drawing on the imagery of locked Roman shields forming a protective wall, the discussion explores why isolation creates exposure-not just for one person, but for everyone standing nearby. A fish-tank analogy reframes prayer as the environment the armor operates in, rather than a final checklist item or emergency hotline. Is your formation locked in, or is there a gap the enemy is watching for?
What happens when an accusation hits its mark-and you find it coming out of your own mouth instead of being deflected? Continuing through Ephesians 6, this conversation digs into the shield of faith, the piece of armor designed to extinguish every flaming arrow the enemy throws-doubt, shame, bitterness, and the lie that God isn't for you. Why do some people walk through hardship and come out transformed, while others come out hardened? The difference, it turns out, comes down to a choice: living by sight, chasing whatever feels good in the moment, or living by faith-rooted in loyalty, trust, and an unshakable confidence in God's goodness even when nothing makes sense. Drawing from Psalm 3, Proverbs 3, and 2 Corinthians 5, this one is a call to pick the shield back up and find out what it actually covers.
The enemy isn't taking days off - and neither should your armor. Drawing from Ephesians 6, this digs into what it actually means to take up the Shield of Faith, and why so many believers are taking hit after hit without ever realizing they have a weapon that can stop every single flaming arrow. Faith isn't some distant, hard-to-reach spiritual achievement - it's already near you, already in your heart, and the question is whether you'll let it come out of your mouth. What's been stealing your faith - wounded church experiences, fallen leaders, religious routine that's quietly locked Jesus on the outside? This is Part 1 of a series that won't let you stay comfortable in your unpreparedness.Recorded Sunday, May 24th 2026
There's a spiritual battle intensifying around you, and the question isn't whether it's coming - it's whether you'll be ready when it arrives. Ephesians 6 commands believers to take up the whole armor of God, not as a suggestion, but as a necessity, and one often-overlooked piece is the footwear: feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace. Most people spend their lives chasing the right circumstances - the right job, the right relationship, the right outcome - believing that those events will finally bring them peace. But what if peace doesn't come from the right circumstances at all? The gospel itself is the event that brings peace - the finished work of the cross that has already secured forgiveness, identity, and an unshakable future - and that changes everything about how you face what's coming.Recorded Sunday, May 17th 2026
Every person alive will face an "evil day" - a moment when human strength simply isn't enough. The question isn't if that day is coming, but whether you'll be ready when it arrives. Drawing from Ephesians 6 and the unlikely courage of a shepherd boy named David, this episode unpacks what it really means to make spiritual preparations - not as a religious exercise, but as a life-or-death necessity. The breastplate of righteousness turns out to be something you can't earn, only receive - and that distinction changes everything. If shame and condemnation have kept you from standing, you won't want to miss what comes next.Recorded Sunday, May 10th, 2026
There's a moment when two believers cross paths unexpectedly — at a hardware store, in a hallway, on an ordinary Tuesday — and something undeniable passes between them. It's not chemistry, it's not coincidence, and it's not just good community. What if that "spark" is actually the Spirit of God alive in one person recognizing the Spirit in another? This is the thread that runs through one of the most foundational realities of the Christian life: that we were never meant to do this alone, and that authentic togetherness in the body of Christ is far more than a tagline. Drawing from lived experience, scripture, and the kind of faith that gets built over decades — through legalism, through loss, through a global pandemic — this conversation lands on one unavoidable truth: life in Christ is not just better together, it was designed that way.
God's plan for your life was written before you took your first breath - but that doesn't mean you get to coast. There is no middle ground in this life: you are either actively pursuing alignment with God's design or drifting into something far less. The world around us is in open spiritual conflict, and the question isn't whether you're in the battle - it's whether you're equipped for it. Drawing from Ephesians 6, the call is clear: put on the full armor of God, starting with truth as your foundation, because without it nothing else holds together. And that truth isn't a doctrine or a denomination - it's a person, and knowing his nature changes everything.Recorded Sunday, April 26th 2026.
There is a battle happening around you right now whether you acknowledge it or not - and you don't get the option to sit it out. The enemy of your soul is not a concept or a metaphor; he is actively looking for any position of influence in your life, exploiting fear, addiction, and unbelief to manipulate not just you but everyone around you. But here's what changes everything - God had a battle plan for your redemption mapped out before you ever drew your first breath. So why does following that plan still involve suffering, hardship, and seasons that feel like abandonment? Joseph's story answers that question in a way that might completely reframe everything you're currently walking through.Recorded Sunday, April 19th, 2026.
What if everything you've been told about God is wrong? So many carry a picture of a harsh, unreachable God - one who demands perfection before he'll accept you - but is that actually true? Drawing from 1 Peter 1:3-5, this Easter reflection unpacks what it really means to be "born again" - not into a religion built on shame and man-made rules, but into a living hope secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If the resurrection actually happened, and the evidence is stronger than most realize, then death itself has been defeated - which means fear, shame, and condemnation don't have to run your life anymore. The question isn't whether you're worthy enough - the price, as Christ declared from the cross, has already been paid in full.Recorded April, 5th 2026
Is there more happening around you than what your five senses can detect? There is a spiritual world in constant conflict - and whether you realize it or not, you are already in the middle of it. Drawing from the story of Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6 and the angel's delayed arrival in Daniel 10, this episode pulls back the curtain on a realm most people never consider - one where angelic armies stand ready and where the forces of darkness work to resist the answers to your prayers. What if the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem wasn't just a crowd moment - but a direct declaration to the unseen world that the keys of dominion were about to change hands? And if that debt has already been cancelled and the victory already won, why does the enemy still seem to hold so much ground - and what role does your faith, your fear, and your freedom play in answering that question?Recorded Sunday, March 29th, 2026.
What does it actually mean to be a citizen of God's kingdom - not just saved, but transformed? What if the comfortable, familiar version of faith you've settled into is actually a kind of captivity? Drawing on the stories of Daniel, Joseph, and the woman with the issue of blood, this episode explores the difference between knowing about God and personally, intimately knowing Him. Are you borrowing oil from someone else's lamp, or do you have your own? The invitation here isn't just to believe - it's to let God expose every area of mixture, pursue a holiness that changes you from the inside out, and become someone who carries heaven's culture into every room they walk into.Recorded Sunday, March 22nd, 2026.
What if Jesus meant it literally when he commanded his followers to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, and raise the dead? In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out his disciples with specific instructions - and the authority to back them up - raising the question of whether that same power and commission still applies to believers today. But here's what's easy to miss: none of it works without love as the foundation. What does it look like when the body of Christ moves in power and compassion together? And what happens when leprosy - ancient symbol of sin's slow, isolating, identity-robbing spread - meets the one person willing to not just heal it, but cleanse it completely?Recorded Sunday, March 15th, 2026
What if everything you’ve been holding onto — the guilt, the shame, the diagnosis, the depression — was never actually yours to carry? Drawing from the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13, this episode explores a radical reinterpretation: God is the one who found the field, bought it at an incomprehensible price, and the treasure He was after… was you. What does it mean to truly understand your own value in the eyes of the One who gave everything to redeem you? If the field belongs to Him now, what exactly does that leave you with — and what does it free you from?
What do you do when you've surrendered everything to God — and then He seems to take it all anyway? Tori shares how a single year stripped her of her health, her job, her church community, and the man she loved, forcing her to confront a question she'd never truly had to answer: do I actually believe God is good? Drawing from the story of Abraham and Isaac, she unpacks what it really costs to say yes to God when you don't understand what He's doing — and what happens to the lies we believe about His character when we stop running from the fire. What does restoration look like when you stop demanding God's timeline and trust His process instead? Recorded Sunday, March 1st, 2026
What if every time you've chosen your own way over God's, you were actually making a theological statement — one that goes all the way back to the Garden? The real reason most believers struggle to obey isn't lack of willpower or discipline — it's a trust problem rooted in two ancient lies that are still being whispered today. And here's the harder question: is there a difference between knowing Jesus as Savior and surrendering to him as Lord — and which one actually describes your life right now? God's commands aren't a cage; they function more like the laws of music — invisible, mathematical, and when honored, they produce something unmistakably beautiful. What would change in your relationships, your finances, your thought life, if obedience stopped feeling like a burden and started flowing from the inside out? Recorded live Sunday, February 22nd, 2026.
What if the biggest stronghold in your life isn't out there somewhere — but sitting quietly inside your own thinking? There's an invisible structure of spiritual forces, both light and dark, and when you begin to understand that prayer doesn't just reach God but actually mobilizes armies on your behalf, everything changes. So why do so many walk around feeling alone and powerless when an innumerable host stands ready to move? The real question isn't whether God will show up — it's whether you're willing to stop retreating into comfort and step into the position you were created to hold. What would it look like to stop telling God what to do and start responding to what He's already declaring over your life? Recorded Live Sunday February 15th, 2026
What if believing all the right things still leaves you standing on the sidelines? There's a critical difference between knowing about something and actually committing to follow — and that gap is where most people get stuck. Why do so many settle for belief without ever stepping into the discipline and transformation that comes from genuine pursuit? And what if the change you've been waiting for in a single moment is actually meant to unfold through everyday faithfulness over months and years? The answer to what's missing might be simpler — and more demanding — than you think. Recorded Sunday, February 8th 2026
What if the biggest obstacle to spiritual growth isn't doubt — but laziness? Most people stop at belief and desire, but what does it actually look like to move beyond wishing into real, daily commitment? Could the way you sleep, eat, and spend your time be quietly disqualifying you from the very purpose you were created for? The connection between physical discipline and spiritual maturity might be more critical than you think. So the real question is — are you still just desiring, or are you finally ready to follow? Recorded Sunday, February 1st, 2026
What if the very feelings you trust most are the ones leading you off course? Pilots flying through storms must ignore their physical sensations and trust their instruments alone—because what feels true can kill you. The same principle applies when anxiety, fear, or circumstances threaten to spin your life out of control. Can you identify the unchangeable truths on your dashboard when everything around you is chaos? This explores why connection must come before correction, why a specific commitment changes everything, and how focusing on what's actually true—rather than what feels true—becomes your pathway to freedom. Recorded live Sunday, January 18th, 2026.
What if the very feelings you trust most are the ones leading you off course? Pilots flying through storms must ignore their physical sensations and trust their instruments alone—because what feels true can kill you. The same principle applies when anxiety, fear, or circumstances threaten to spin your life out of control. Can you identify the unchangeable truths on your dashboard when everything around you is chaos? This explores why connection must come before correction, why a specific commitment changes everything, and how focusing on what's actually true—rather than what feels true—becomes your pathway to freedom. Recorded live Sunday, January 18th, 2026.
What if everything you thought about spiritual growth was backwards? Can transformation happen through relationship rather than regulation? This episode challenges the assumption that cleaning up your life comes before connecting with God, exploring why authentic discipleship starts with connection and not correction. Through the story of a despised tax collector and two fishermen who abandoned everything, discover what makes someone willing to follow—and why religious rules alone never produce true disciples. What does it actually take to move from inherited faith to personal encounter?Recorded Live Sunday, Jauary 11th, 2026
What happens when the faith you've been living on isn't actually yours? Many people spend years operating on borrowed belief—following a parent's conviction, a mentor's testimony, or a leader's passion—without ever developing their own relationship with God. But what does it take to move from secondhand spirituality to becoming a true disciple? This exploration challenges the difference between attendance and discipleship, revealing why worship isn't just an emotional preference but the key to freedom from legalism, false teaching, and spiritual stagnation. Can you trust God with your failures, addictions, and shame enough to become a worshiper today—or are you waiting to clean up the mess first? Recorded Sunday, December 28th, 2025
What if the anxiety consuming your life exists because you're working the wrong plan? This message reveals why so many people struggle with peace despite their best efforts to maintain control over circumstances, relationships, and outcomes. Could the breakthrough you need be found in the reality that you've been bought with a price—that your body, your future, your struggles are no longer yours to manage alone? Discover how surrendering personal plans for God's design brings the kind of peace that holds steady through illness, financial stress, broken relationships, and uncertainty. What would shift in your daily life if you genuinely believed someone else had already mapped out every detail and was working it for your good? Recorded 12/21/25
What happens when deliverance doesn't feel complete? Exploring a powerful vision of the body of Christ as thousands of individual pictures forming one beautiful portrait, this discussion challenges the belief that freedom means never facing spiritual battles again. Why does thanksgiving matter beyond a single holiday, and how does cultivating gratitude actually shut down spiritual oppression? Discover how dominion looks different than expected—not the absence of struggle, but the absolute confidence to face your adversary and declare victory every single time. Can embracing suffering with Christ actually be the path to becoming more like Him? Recorded Sunday, November 23rd, 2025.
What if everything you've been taught about strength is actually working against you? We live in a culture obsessed with projecting power and having it all together—but what happens when anxiety grips your chest at 2 AM and you can't make it stop? This episode explores the counterintuitive idea that true power isn't found in pretending to be strong, but in honestly confessing where you're weak. Through a raw personal account of battling fear during a wilderness trip—heart pounding, thoughts spiraling—you'll discover why the very thing you're trying to hide might be the doorway to the freedom you've been looking for. Are you tired of fighting alone? Recorded Sunday, November 16th, 2025
What does it truly mean to magnify God in your life—and why does it matter when everything falls apart? This exploration examines how biblical figures like Elisha and David faced impossible situations with unshakeable confidence because they had magnified God far beyond Sunday worship into their daily, moment-to-moment existence. Is there a revealing gap between the God we magnify in religious observance and the God we actually access when financial crises, illness, or devastating loss shake our world? The intensity of your current struggles might be exposing something critical: how magnified is God in your everyday life versus just your weekly routine? What if learning to magnify the Lord now—making Him truly prominent in every aspect of your existence—determines whether you'll weather the next storm with peace or be overwhelmed by panic? Recorded Sunday, November 9th, 2025
quot; for divine encounters starts with experiencing them yourself first. Recorded Live Sunday, November 2nd, 2025
What if the guilt you're carrying was never yours to bear? This teaching explores the invisible spiritual warfare happening all around us and reveals why so many remain trapped in anxiety and condemnation despite their best efforts to break free. Can the blood of Christ truly erase every wrong you've committed—and should you extend that same radical forgiveness to those who've hurt you most? The answer challenges everything our culture teaches about justice, revenge, and earning your way to peace. Discover why accepting this one truth could be the key to the freedom you've been desperately seeking. Recorded Sunday, October 26th, 2025
quot;—releasing vengeance to the cross. Are you carrying guilt and shame that Jesus already paid for? Discover why choosing to forgive is the key that unlocks the joy and freedom you've been missing. Recorded Sunday, October 19th, 2025
quot; fishermen left their nets immediately—but how many others heard the same invitation and chose to stay where they were? What might be holding you back from stepping out of the boat? Recorded Sunday, October 12th, 2025
Why does God sometimes allow influential voices to be silenced through martyrdom, and what purpose does it serve in the kingdom? When Jesus fed thousands with just five loaves and two fish, did He really perform the miracle alone, or did the crowd participate in the multiplication as bread passed from hand to hand? What happens when Christians stop consuming blessings and start breaking bread to share with others? This exploration challenges the spectator mentality that keeps believers on the sidelines, revealing why the answer to "What's in your hand?" might unlock participation in the miraculous work God is doing today.Recorded Sunday, September 28th, 2025
What does a literal "obedience training" sign at a doggy daycare have to do with spiritual awakening? Discover a journey from being a perfectionist Ivy League student who always felt "second place" to learning that true obedience isn't about performing for approval—it's about trust. Why would someone walk away from a prestigious university after sensing God's quiet voice telling them to leave, and how does this connect to the way we train our pets? Through six powerful commands that mirror how we train dogs—sit, stay, come, heal, know, and leave it—explore how God's "no" might actually be His kindest possible answer. Could the very thing you're resisting be exactly what will set you free from the endless cycle of trying to prove your worth?Recorded Sunday, September 21st, 2025.
A tragic event this week has shaken the faith community and sparked deep reflection about courage in our current cultural moment. What does it mean to stand for your beliefs when the cost could be everything? This powerful discussion explores the difference between speaking truth within safe spaces versus taking that same message to hostile environments. How do we balance love and grace with unwavering conviction? What choices are we being called to make in this pivotal time? Drawing from the story of Joshua challenging Israel to choose who they would serve, this episode examines why some people are willing to suffer for their beliefs while others remain silent, and what that means for each of us moving forward.Recorded Sunday, September 14th, 2025
Are you waiting for some future event to start truly living your faith? This exploration challenges the "rapture theology" mindset that keeps believers on the sidelines, waiting for tomorrow instead of engaging with God's kingdom today. Why do so many talented people start using their gifts for God's kingdom, only to eventually redirect them toward purely personal ambitions? Through the parable of the talents, discover how fear—not inability—becomes the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth. What would change if you realized that God isn't the harsh taskmaster some believe Him to be, but rather a loving Father who wants to partner with you right now? The difference between living in fear of what you might lose versus stepping boldly into what God wants to build through you could transform everything.Recorded Sunday, September 7th, 2025.
What happens when deeply held religious traditions actually hinder spiritual growth rather than help it? This challenging exploration examines how culture and tradition can override truth in our lives, even when we intellectually agree with what's right. Why do some believers spend decades waiting to be rescued instead of actively engaging with the world around them? The discussion reveals a striking contrast between two approaches to faith in difficult times - one that retreats in fear, and another that stands confident even as global events intensify. Could our understanding of end times actually be holding the church back from its true calling? Drawing from Luke 21 and personal ministry experiences, this thought-provoking examination asks tough questions about whether popular theological positions align with biblical truth or simply reflect comfortable traditions we've inherited.Recorded Sunday, August 31st, 2025.
What happens when the protective walls we build around our hearts become prisons that keep us from God's best? Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11 and 2 Corinthians 10, this powerful exploration reveals how trauma and hurt lead us to create "strongholds" - self-protective barriers that ultimately prevent us from embracing God's incredible plan for our lives. Why does God's power manifest through gentleness rather than force, and how can His Word penetrate even the deepest emotional fortresses we've constructed? Discover the surprising truth about what's really blocking you from experiencing the future and hope God has waiting, and learn why surrendering your plan might be the key to everything you've been searching for.Recorded Sunday, August 24th, 2025
What happens when a religious leader admits he's been wrong about a fundamental biblical teaching for 45 years? This thought-provoking discussion challenges listeners to examine their own theological assumptions, particularly around the parable of the ten virgins. Rather than viewing this story as a future rapture event, could it actually be about our present responsibility as believers?The central question emerges: Are we waiting for something to happen, or are we already part of an ongoing spiritual procession that requires active participation? How do we maintain our spiritual "oil" through fellowship, service, and pouring ourselves into others' lives?This perspective suggests that spiritual preparedness isn't about anticipating a dramatic future event, but about recognizing that the bridegroom has already arrived and we have a responsibility to shine our light now.Recorded Sunday, August 17th, 2025
What if the storms you're facing aren't meant to destroy you, but to reveal something profound about where true peace exists? Using the familiar story of Jesus sleeping in the boat during a violent storm, this exploration challenges a fundamental assumption about faith. Why was Christ so peaceful while the disciples panicked in the same circumstances? Could it be that what we interpret as chaos and peril, He sees as a place of perfect tranquility? Rather than constantly asking God to step into our storms and fix our circumstances, what would happen if we learned to rest in His peace instead? This isn't just about having faith in Christ—it's about discovering the faith of Christ, where supernatural calm becomes possible even when everything around you feels out of control.Recorded Sunday August 10th, 2025
Have you ever wondered why you still make poor choices even when you know better? This exploration of Genesis 3 reveals that Eve wasn't ignorant of God's command—she could quote it accurately. So what went wrong? The answer lies in understanding how our senses can override God's voice, leading us into the same three categories of temptation that have ensnared humanity since Eden. How did Jesus face identical temptations yet respond completely differently? What practical strategies can help us choose obedience over our immediate desires when knowledge alone proves insufficient?Recorded Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
What does it really mean to be a true worshiper? Through the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, this exploration reveals how genuine worship extends far beyond church walls and Sunday services. Why did Jesus choose to reveal his identity for the first time to someone society had written off? How does daily interaction with God transform our spiritual journey? The distinction between praise and worship becomes clear as we discover that authentic faith requires letting God get personal with our mess, our struggles, and our daily lives. Can you truly encounter the divine when you're willing to be honest about who you really are?Recorded Sunday, July 27th 2025
What if you're missing the celebration happening all around you because you're tuned into the wrong frequency? This exploration reveals how the enemy keeps people trapped in despair through constant self-awareness, while God calls believers to dance to His music instead. Drawing from the story of the three Hebrew children who refused to bow to earthly pressures, discover how oppression thrives when we become consumed with ourselves rather than celebrating others' victories. Are you so focused on your own struggles that you can't hear the flute playing for joy? Learn why the kingdom's default setting is celebration, and how breaking free from self-centered thinking opens the door to genuine community and shared feelings with fellow believers.Recorded Sunday July 20th, 2025
What if the overwhelming sense of blessing you once felt has disappeared? Through Paul's urgent plea to the Galatians, we discover how legalism and performance-based faith can rob us of the joy that should define every believer's life. Why do some people attend church week after week without experiencing that deep-seated confidence that "everything's going to be okay"? The answer lies in understanding God's new covenant—one where He secured both sides of the agreement, leaving us only to believe. Can you truly live with unshakeable peace regardless of your circumstances, job situation, or even personal failures? This exploration of what it means to be "declared righteous by faith" reveals how our pursuit of personal righteousness often becomes the very barrier preventing us from accessing the freedom and blessing that's already ours.Recorded Sunday, July 13th, 2025
What does true freedom actually cost, and why do so many people remain trapped even when the door to their cage is wide open? Dave explores how Christ's sacrifice provides genuine liberation from the endless cycle of trying to balance good works against sin - a futile effort that keeps us enslaved to performance-based religion. But here's the puzzling part: even after understanding what Jesus accomplished on the cross, why do believers often walk right back into that same cage of spiritual bondage? Using vivid analogies of chained elephants and caged squirrels, this discussion reveals the "learned helplessness" that prevents us from stepping into the abundant life that's already been purchased for us. Will you have the courage to walk through the door that Christ flung open?Recorded Sunday, July 6th, 2025
What does it really mean to live in the "last days" that Scripture warns about? This exploration of 2 Timothy 3 reveals how modern culture mirrors the selfishness, pleasure-seeking, and spiritual deception Paul predicted would characterize perilous times. Are we witnessing people who prioritize themselves above family, chase pleasure over God, and maintain religious appearances while denying true spiritual power? The discussion challenges listeners to examine the difference between authentic faith and mere religious performance, warning against seductive voices that promise what we want to hear rather than what we need. How do we discern trustworthy spiritual leadership in an age of endless information and competing messages?Recorded Sunday June 29th, 2025
What happens when faith becomes more than just following rules or memorizing scripture? This exploration challenges the difference between having a "religious spirit" versus experiencing genuine spiritual relationship. Can you distinguish between simply knowing about God through text and actually hearing His voice in your daily life? The discussion reveals how early Christians transformed the world without New Testament writings, relying instead on living spiritual connection. Why do some people settle for a "text-only" relationship when dynamic, two-way communication with the divine is available? Through personal testimony and biblical examples, discover how spiritual discernment works beyond the dramatic - often through whispers rather than earthquakes.Recorded Sunday June 22nd, 2025
What happens when men lack self-control and how does it devastate entire families? Drawing from Proverbs 25:28, this Father's Day exploration reveals a startling truth: a man without rule over his own spirit is like a city with broken walls—leaving everyone he loves vulnerable to attack. Why do some churches thrive while others struggle with confusion and turmoil? Could the answer lie not in great preaching or music, but in something far more fundamental? This challenging look at masculine responsibility doesn't pull punches about addiction, selfishness, and the heavy cost of broken leadership, while offering hope for those ready to rebuild what's been torn down.Recorded Sunday, June 15th, 2025
What happens when God's kingdom welcomes everyone—even those who might hurt us? Through the parable of the great supper and the wheat and tares, we explore why God allows both genuine believers and potentially harmful people to grow together in His inclusive kingdom. But here's the twist: what if the real difference between "wheat" and "weeds" isn't about our actions, but about our hearts? Why did King David, despite being a murderer and adulterer, earn the title "a man after God's own heart," while King Saul lost his kingdom for what seemed like lesser sins? Could our relationship with God—not our human frailty—be the true measure of who we are in His kingdom?Recorded Sunday June 8th, 2025.
What if the famous Shakespeare quote "to be or not to be" reveals a deeper spiritual truth about the choices we face every day? Drawing from the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7, this exploration challenges a dangerous stronghold that keeps believers trapped and ineffective. How does our culture promote victimhood through media, politics, and social manipulation, and why does Satan want us distracted by past hurts rather than focused on Christ? Could choosing to reject a victim mentality unlock the same kind of ripple effect that Stephen created in the early church - one that's still impacting lives today?Recorded June 1st, 2025
Why was Jesus called "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"? Join us as we explore the profound connection between the ancient Passover story and the freedom that's already been purchased for you. What does it mean that judgment passes over those covered by the blood, and how does this 4,000-year-old tradition reveal the depth of spiritual liberty available today? Are you living in the full understanding of what's been accomplished, or are you still carrying burdens that have already been lifted? Discover how focusing on freedom rather than failure can transform your daily walk and why some believers experience victory while others remain trapped in cycles of guilt and shame.Recorded Sunday May 25th, 2025
Are we writing our own stories or becoming part of something greater? There's a profound difference between wanting God to be part of your story versus becoming part of His. What happens when we surrender our personal narratives and step into God's eternal purpose? Join us as we explore how even our smallest acts of faith are recorded when we align with God's greater story. Have you ever wondered if your life could transform from temporary to eternal? This message offers hope that no matter where your story has taken you so far, it's never too late to become part of history—His story.Recorded Sunday, May 11th, 2025
What does it mean to have faith through physical battles? Join us for a powerful testimony where faith and healing converge. Have you ever felt disqualified from believing in something you haven't yet experienced? After seven years of battling a physical "perfect storm," Hannah shares how God taught her that His healing power comes from His word, not our experiences. Can hope stay alive when circumstances seem dire? Discover how the miraculous works in both moments and processes, and why faith requires action even when we don't see immediate results.Recorded Sunday May 4th, 2025
Have you ever felt like an outsider looking in? Ever wondered if a community is too tight-knit for someone new to truly belong? A recent visitor's comment sparked an important realization about how even the most welcoming communities can feel intimidating to newcomers. What does it truly mean to move from visitor to family? The story of a woman who broke social barriers to encounter Jesus reminds us that true community isn't about perfection but redemption. Join us as we explore how brokenness becomes the foundation for authentic connection and why our arms are wide open to welcome you exactly as you are. Will you take that step from merely visiting to finding your place at the table?Recorded Sunday, April 27th, 2025
Can we truly find peace in a world where suffering is inevitable? Join us as we explore Jesus's powerful declaration in John 16:33 that offers courage even in our darkest moments. Have you ever wondered what makes the resurrection so transformative? While 500 people witnessed Christ alive after his death, it's the personal connection to this event that can bring joy when everything else falls apart. What if this reality could open up an entirely new kingdom to you today?RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.Recorded live Sunday, April 20th, 2025
Are you wondering if your mind is truly ready for life's trials? Join us this Palm Sunday as we explore 1 Peter 1:13, which urges us to prepare our thinking for what lies ahead. How might your responses change if you had predetermined how to face challenges? What would happen if you set your hope completely on God's grace rather than your own understanding? This message reminds us that life's difficulties will come, but with minds ready for action, we can respond by faith instead of emotion, finding peace in knowing that God remains good even in our temporary earthly residence.Recorded Sunday, April 13th, 2025
Ever felt trapped by shame or life's complexities? Join us to discover the liberating power of Jesus' sacrifice that brings true freedom every day. What makes the message of the cross so transformative yet misunderstood by many? Is your relationship with God based on rules or genuine love? The cross offers more than historical significance—it provides ongoing freedom from guilt and a path to wholeness. Are you experiencing the simplicity of this relationship, or have distractions pulled you away? Find out how this timeless message continues to change lives through God's unconditional love that covers our past, present, and future.
Are you ready to transform your thinking? In these biblically significant times, how will you prepare for what's coming? Drawing from 1 Peter 4, join us as we explore what it means to "arm yourself" with Christ's way of thinking instead of just responding impulsively. Will you make predetermined choices based on God's will before challenges arrive? The power of God isn't just about miracles but manifests through daily decisions when we align our thoughts with His. Have you considered that the subtlety of coming technologies might require spiritual readiness now rather than later?Recorded live Sunday, March 30th, 2025.
What if our plans aren't God's plans? When Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter correctly identified Him as the Messiah and was blessed for this divine revelation. But how quickly things changed! When Jesus revealed His coming suffering, Peter's human concerns emerged, earning a sharp rebuke.Are we clinging to our own plans while God has something different in mind? Have we ever felt blessed one moment and crushed the next? Join us as we explore what happens when life takes unexpected turns and our carefully laid plans fall apart.What comes out when we're squeezed by life's disappointments? Can we still say "I will bless the Lord at all times" even when suffering comes?Recorded live Sunday, March 23rd, 2025
Is there power in unconditional love that can shield us from spiritual attacks? What happens when the shield of faith becomes an active force through love? Can trusting God's vast strength change how we view our relationships? Join us as we explore the profound connection between faith and love as spiritual protection. Drawing from a meaningful dream about fiery attacks being extinguished where love dwells, it challenges us to move beyond merely believing in God to actively loving others without expectation. The world doesn't need our doctrines or religiosity - it needs to witness love that transforms lives, just as those pushed to society's edges were drawn to Jesus.Recorded live Sunday, March 16, 2025
Jesus opened the Beatitudes with "blessed are the poor in spirit". Poverty of spirit isn't about lacking resources, but recognizing our complete dependence on God's grace and mercy. When we empty ourselves of pride and self-sufficiency, we create space for the Kingdom of Heaven to take root in our hearts. True spiritual blessing begins when we acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy and fall to our knees before the throne of grace.Recorded live Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
Life can be messy, but Christ gives us access to be washed clean, walking in freedom and forgiveness.Recorded January 26th, 2025
It's not always the "big" sins, but sometimes the little things we let slide that can prevent us from walking in all that God has for us.Recorded January 19th, 2025.
In the beginning, God brought peace (Shalom) into chaos. As His followers, we ought to strive to bring peace to the lives of those around us.Recorded Jan, 5th, 2025.
The ministry of reconciliation, as outlined in 2 Corinthians 5, is about restoring relationships with God and others. This ministry is not about eternal salvation but about living a joyful and productive life in the present. The early church demonstrated this ministry through serving and building genuine connections with fellowship in their community.Recorded Sunday, December 29th, 2024.
Psalm 8:4 says “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” The creator of the universe came to earth as a baby, announced to a handful of nobodies. God’s love for us defies our logic even today.Recorded December 22nd, 2024.
Christianity is often made more complicated than it needs to be, with unnecessary structures and expectations. The key to living for God is to have faith and seek Him, as He desires to present us as pure and holy before Christ. We must be vigilant against deception, especially in our technologically advanced world, and rely on God’s Spirit to lead us into truth.Recorded Sunday, December 15th, 2024.
The concept of “likeness” is explored, connecting it to the sleeping saints and the Genesis mandate. The Septuagint version of Genesis 1:28 is examined, highlighting its significance in understanding the relationship between humans and the environment. This verse in sheds light on the proper stewardship of the earth and the role of humanity in mediating between heaven and earth. God’s original mandate for humanity was to increase in honor, bring the earth to completion, and exercise authority under His guidance. This mandate, rejected through sin, was restored through Christ’s sacrifice, empowering believers to fulfill their calling through repentance and a Spirit-led life. Ultimately, believers will give an account of their stewardship, as illustrated in the parable of the talents, where faithful stewardship is rewarded and unfaithfulness is punished. The parable of the talents is interpreted as a call to grow in Christ-likeness, using our gifts and weaknesses as opportunities for repentance and obedience. Repentance is seen as a gift that leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more Christ-like life. Spiritual warfare is defined as destroying spiritual obstacles that prevent the earth from coming to completeness in Christ. The “sleeping saints” are successful warriors who lack understanding of their purpose, which is to bring the earth to completion through the Genesis 1:28 mandate. Recorded December 8th, 2024
Part one of two, a vision of a spiritual battle reveals victorious saints asleep, prompting a deep reflection on the role of truth in spiritual warfare. Exploring the Genesis creation story, where God’s separation of light from darkness reflects His work in the darkest parts of life. Humanity’s unique connection to the earth and the divine highlights a responsibility to live in God’s image and likeness, shaping our choices and relationships. Even the most difficult people (like slow drivers), reflect this divine image, reminding us to approach others with honor and humility.Recorded Sunday December 1st, 2024
We ALL have a role to play in God's kingdom, and each one is important in God's eyes. Our perception of greater and lesser roles can hinder us from becoming active participants in what He wants to do in the lives of those around us. Recorded Sunday November 10th, 2024.
This time of year, as a nation we take time to reflect and be grateful. But as believers, we should always have something to be grateful for. Recorded November 3rd, 2024.
Some of us know we need a savior while others may have convinced themselves they do not. Truth is, we all need Jesus!Recorded Sunday, October 6th, 2024.
We're instructed to love our neighbor as ourself, but it's not always as easy as that. Just how are we to love others the way He wants us to love them?Recorded Sunday, September 22nd 2024.
God has a plan and purpose for each one of us, but our world view and how we perceive those around us can affect us. Some feel they don't measure up to those around while other may think more highly of themselves.Recorded Sunday, September 15th, 2024
Worship is more than something we do on a Sunday morning. Worship demands sacrifice. Worship is a loving the Lord with our whole heart, mind and strength.Recorded Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Does your idea of Worship line up with the Word of God? Worship is more than what we do on a Sunday morning, it's a lifestyle a mindset and it demands sacrifice.Recorded September 1st, 2024.
Distraction is one of most effective tools the enemy uses against those who follow Christ. Sometimes blatant and sometimes subtle, if we're not aware and vigilant we can be distracted from God's will for our lives. Recorded Sunday, August 4th, 2024.
We will never grow spiritually if we don't exercise and discipline ourselves unto godliness.Recorded Sunday, July 21st, 2024
If you have a need, God has already made provision to meet it! So often we are looking for a supernatural intervention when He wants to use the body of christ that is around you. The question is, will those who have been given gifts step up and be the weapon of righteousness that he calls us to be (Rom 6:12-14).Recorded June 9th, 2024
The question of identity is answering who am I? It is so important for us to have our identity firmly rooted in Christ. Who He says that we are can tear down every lie, limiting belief, and contradicting thought that would stand up against the truth. As a Child of God we have the power to take every thought and limiting belief captive and it is our inheritance to walk in freedom.Recorded Sunday June 2nd, 2024
What do you need from God? He's already provided all your needs, you just need to access what he has in the storehouse. Recorded Sunday May 26th.
God is NOT far from you. God has not forgotten you. You are not in a negative place. You are not being punished. You ware being PREPARED.Recorded Sunday, May 5th, 2024.
What does it mean to be holy? Holiness is a word that we've heard within Christian circles, but how should we respond to 1 Peter 1:16 where we're told to "be holy for I am holy". Recorded Sunday, April 28th, 2024.
Pastor Wade Petteys, recorded Sunday March 17th, 2024 at Gateway Church in Corinth, NY.
As believers, we must be aware of the roles that both grace and the gospel play in our lives. Grace is the vehicle that leads us to the gospel. Recorded Sunday, March 3rd, 2024.
Sermon recorded on January 21st, 2024 in response to our brother-in-Christ, Steve Stark's passing.
Sermon recorded on January 14th, 2024 in response to our brother-in-Christ, Steve Stark's situation.
What will you do when the answer to your prayer or promise goes unanswered in your ideal timeframe? David experienced this in his early life and yet went on to write Psalm 34, stating "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." and "I sought the Lord and He answered ME and delivered ME from all my fears". We'll look at how David's action and reaction to the space between his anointing as a young man and the time he was crowned king allowed him to write this Psalm.Recorded December 3rd, 2023, our monthly Youth-led service.
Offended - Do We Have The Right? - September 10th, 2023 (Dan) by Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Boldness Part 2 - A Frank, Blunt Assurance - February 26th, 2023 by Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Why do we give up on some prayers so easily? If we don't see an answer in our time we give up when we should be persistent. But are we praying for the correct things? Listen to this week's message for more insight on how to pray and what to pray for!
Don't be like an inflatable seasonal yard display. Putting on a happy face for all to see, but deflated and without joy when nobody is looking. God has called us to a life of joy, regardless of our current situation!
Have you ever felt as though you're not good enough to do what God has called you to do? Maybe you feel as though you're an impostor in His kingdom?
Believing in God is the start, but not the end. What does it look like to take the next step as a maturing Christian?
When Moses came off of Mt Sinai, the glory of God radiated so brightly from his countenance that his had to put a veil over his face. And just like in Moses day, God wants a people that will radiate his glory in todays world. But how do we become the unveiled face of God to this world?
For the maturing Christian the question should NOT be what can God do for us, but what can He do THROUGH us!
When the spirit dwells within us, it becomes a buffer between us and the evil that surrounds us.
Pastor Wade Petteys continues his 2 part message on following God past the point of believing and into the fullness of a true relationship with Him.
Have you experienced all God has for you? While many will name the name of Christ, not everyone moves past this point into the fullness of what God has available to us.
What makes a spiritually healthy Christian? In order to effective in His kingdom, we need to be intentional about our spiritual health.
In order to live the life God wants us to live we must first build on a foundation that is solid and square. Anything built on a less than perfect foundation will suffer when storms arise.
Praise is often confused with worship, so what does it mean to be a true worshipper of Christ?
For today's "Morning Manna" devotion, Pastor Wade Petteys encourages us in finding rest for our soul.
In order for god’s kingdom here on earth to thrive, He has called us to be vessels of Honor. What does it take to be such a vessel?
Pastor Wade Petteys speaking on the difference between belief and faith. Belief is the solid foundation on which our faith can grow.
We each have a story that continues to be written. Where and how God fits into that story is something that we have a choice over.
Sermon by Wade Petteys, recorded 4/3/22 at Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Pastor Wade Petteys takes the concept of spiritual warfare to a new, simple and more practical level. We were meant to walk in the spirit but so often we're never taught and shown what that should look like where the rubber meets the road.
Rare Christianity Part 4 - “A” = Acting Like Yourself 2 by Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Rare Christianity Part 3 - “A” = Acting Like Yourself(2017-07-30) by Gateway Church of Upstate NY
Wade Petteys preaching "His Powerful Word" at Gateway Church on Sunday, November 13th, 2016.
Wade Petteys preaching "Before the Alarm" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 30th, 2016.
Wade Petteys teaching adult Sunday School on "Colossians Chapter 3 - Living in Freedom" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 30th, 2016.
Wade Petteys teaching adult Sunday School on "Colossians Chapter 1" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 16th, 2016.
Wade Petteys preaching "Kneel Before Him" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 16th, 2016.
Wade Petteys teaching adult Sunday School on "Philippians Chapter 4" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 2nd, 2016.
Wade Petteys preaching "Don't Stop Until You Find Him" at Gateway Church on Sunday, October 2nd, 2016.
Wade Petteys teaching adult Sunday School on "Philippians Chapter 3" at Gateway Church on Sunday, September 25th, 2016.
Wade Petteys preaching "Hope That Brings Life" at Gateway Church on Sunday, September 25th, 2016.