TGP West: Recent Episodes
The Gathering Place West
Discover the freedom that comes from letting go of performance, condemnation, and the exhausting belief that God's love must be earned. Through Peter's message in Acts 3, we explore how genuine repentance turns us back to Jesus, wipes away sin, brings seasons of spiritual refreshments, and restores us to the life God created us to live.
A youth mission trip to New Orleans produced unexpected, Spirit-led moments of healing and freedom that mirrored the early church in Acts 3. Just as God orchestrated Peter and John's encounter with the lame man, He is still putting people on holy collision courses today - working through His worshiping people in ways that lease everyone in awe.
The early church's radical devotion to teaching, fellowship, shared meal, and prayer wasn't a product of obligation - it was the natural overflow of lives surrendered to the Holy Spirit. The Challenge for us today is to stop reading these pages as history and start experiencing them as a living invitation into the same Spirit-empowered community.
Peter shows that when the Holy Spirit reveals the truth about Jesus, hearts are convicted, leading people to repent, trust in Christ, receive the Holy Spirit, and embrace God's gracious promise of salvation. Those that have experienced that transforming grace are called to stand apart from the world not through hostility or self-righteousness, but by displaying the humble, sacrificial love of Jesus that draws others to Him.
Peter's sermon in Acts 2 shows how God used fulfilled prophecy, the power of the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and the shared witness of Jesus' followers to reveal that Jesus is the promised Messiah and to draw people to salvation. The call for believers today is to remain united, grounded in God's Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and willing to share their stories of God's work so that others may come to know Christ.
Peter declares that Pentecost fulfilled Joe's prophecy, revealing that God's Spirit is now poured out on all believers and restoring what sin had broken in humanity's relationship with God and one another. Through the Holy Spirit, God removes barriers of ethnicity, gender, age, and status, calling His people to live in freedom, unity, and the shared mission of proclaiming the gospel.
The Holy Spirit empowers followers of Jesus to continue His mission with God's power and authority, not their own effort. When we submit to His leadership, God works through us in ways that reveals His glory, draw people in, and change how they see both us and Him.
Many have us have been living under the weight of hurt, disappointment, and exhaustion, but Jesus promises that ordinary believers who trust in Him can experience presence of the Holy Spirit just as the early church did. As our belief grows through trusting God and taking Him at His word, the Holy Spirit works through us to bring healing, glorify God, and draw others to faith.
Many of us have been living under the weight of hurt, disappointment, and exhaustion, but Jesus promises that ordinary believers who trust in Him can experience the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit just as the early church did. As our belief grows through trusting God and taking Him at His word, the Holy Spirit works through us to bring healing, glorify God, and draw others to faith.
God does not just save us and dwell within us; He continually fills and empowers us through His Holy Spirit so we can follow Jesus and live out His mission each day. We are challenged to stop holding parts of ourselves back from God, to seek the Spirit daily, and to fully surrender our lives so His presence and power can work through us.
Believers are called to obey Jesus by gathering together in unity and prayer, positioning themselves to experience God and receive the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. When the church humbly pursues God and one another in this way, it becomes a powerful witness that reflets His glory to the world.
We encounter God's glory for transformation and empowerment, leading us into mission; as we reflect on Christ and the Holy Spirit, we recognize that our lives are meant to share His glory with the world.
The resurrection of Jesus transforms lives by moving people from confusion and mourning to clarity, joy, and hope through a personal encounter with Him. Like Mary Magdalene, those who experience the risen Jesus are called to share the good news, becoming witnesses who bring that same hope to others.
Jesus calls His followers to wait on the Holy Spirit rather than rushing ahead in their own strength, trusting God's timing instead of demanding the full plan. True ministry and effective witness come only through the power of the Spirit, as we surrender to Him and allow His life to be reflected through us.
The church is called to continue Jesus' mission by actively sharing His gospel. not in our strength but empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we step into this calling, we become witnesses of the risen Christ, participating in His ongoing work to transform the world.
God does not define us by past sins - ours or others' - but invites us to walk in freedom through Christ and experience life with Him through the Holy Spirit. When we seek God's purpose and ask Him for what we need to fulfill it, He equips and empowers us with His gifts to save others and bring glory to His name.
Believers are anointed by the Holy Spirit, set apart by God, and given confidence because the Spirit lives within them to guide, teach, and empower them for God's mission. By abiding in God and trusting Him fully, followers of Jesus grow in experiential knowledge of Him and allow the Spirit to work through their lives with power and purpose.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit's power to every believer, and Paul teaches that each member of the church is uniquely gifted to build up the body in unity, not division or spiritual hierarchy. The church is most effective when it embraces sound doctrine, active mission, and Spirit-empowered living together-pursuing spiritual gifts in love so Christ is boldly proclaimed and glorified.
Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit with various gifts - such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, and tongues - given as He wills for the common good, to glorify God, and to build up the church. These gifts remain active until Christ returns, offering a foretaste of the fullness to come, and should be eagerly pursued and exercised in love and order.
Jesus confronts human tradition with God's truth, teaching that while believers have authority as co-heirs with Christ, true effectiveness comes only through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, not human effort or religious systems. A Healthy, biblical church grows when believers move beyond stagnant faith, wait for Spirit-empowerment, and live out a visible, God-glorifying power that draws others to Him.
Believers are challenged to move beyond man-made traditions and surface-level faith into a deep, spiritual relationships with God through the Holy Spirit, recognizing and human wisdom can obstruct true intimacy with Him. True victory, discernment, and freedom in spiritual battles are found only in knowing God spiritually as we were created to, through the indwelling and leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not an optional addition to faith but God's chosen companion who invites believers into a deep, relational communion marked by fellowship, partnership, and intimacy. Knowing and walking with the spirit is essential for understanding God, growing in Christ, and living with guidance, power, and transformed relationships.
The Holy Spirit is the personal presence of God who lives in believers, guiding them into truth, empowering them to live transformed lives, and bringing freedom, life, and true relationship with God. Believers are called to move beyond fear, legalism, and mere knowledge, learning instead to trust and walk with the Spirit so faith is lived and experienced rather than reduced to religious activity.
The Holy Spirit is fully God - Eternal, present everywhere, all-knowing, all-powerful, holy and true-active from creation through Jesus' Life, death, and resurrection, and now indwelling every believer as the mark of salvation and adoption into God's family. Like new wine needs fresh wineskins, believers and churches must let God soften and renew them so they can keep growing, hearing His voice, and experiencing His presence instead of clinging rigidly to old patterns or past experiences.
Christmas Celebrates Jesus as God's greatest gift - promised long in advance, humbly delivered, and joyfully announced - showing that God keeps His promises in unexpected ways. It calls us to respond like the shepherds: to seek Jesus wholeheartedly, let go of what holds us back, and share what God has done out of love and joy rather than obligation.
God consistently works through long sessions of waiting, shaping people and circumstances so His purposes unfold at the perfect moment. Even when life feels delayed, difficult, or uncertain, His timing is precise, His promises hold firm, and His work ultimately leads to renewal, joy, and celebration.
Joy Story- Christmas 2025 / Luke 1:26-38; Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Luke 5:31; Romans 5:6; Romans 5:8
Luke's Gospel is concluded by Jesus leading His disciples to the Mount of Olives, where He blesses them and ascends to the Father. Luke's story begins in the temple and ends in the temple, showing that God's plan has always moved toward worship, redemption, and restored relationship.
Jesus reminds us that salvation comes through Him alone and that His resurrection both fulfills Scripture and calls us to share our faith as witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we grow in understanding God's Word and depend on the Spirit's power, we are equipped to share how Jesus has transformed our lives with authenticity and love.
Jesus calms His followers' fear and doubt by showing them His physical, resurrected body, proving He is truly the Christ and confirming everything He promised. His presence turns their uncertainty into firm conviction, reminding us that God meets us where we are and strengthens our faith so we can follow Him with confidence.
In moments of heartbreak and doubt, Jesus draws near, walks with us, and patiently opens the Scriptures until our eyes are opened to His presence. Recognizing Him transforms despair into hope, reminding us that He is always working, even when we cannot see or understanding it.
At the crucifixion, God used darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and Jesus' final words to show His sovereignty and love. These signs revealed Christ's true identity, opened the way to God, and moved witnesses to recognize His innocence and glory.
Jesus offers forgiveness even as He is mocked and crucified, one criminal accepts His grace while the other rejects it. God's forgiveness is freely available to all, received not by merit but through confession, repentance, and faith in Jesus.
Jesus' journey to the cross shows both the burden of shared suffering, as Simon of Cyrene was unexpectedly forced to carry His cross, and the prophetic warning of judgment for those who reject Him. In choosing the cross, Jesus reveals sacrificial love, reminding us that following Him means enduring suffering with hope, obedience, and the assurance of ultimate victory.
Pilate and Herod both declared Jesus innocent, yet Pilate surrendered to the crowd's demands and released Barabbas, allowing Christ to be condemned to crucifixion. This injustice reveals God's greater plan of redemption, showing that Jesus' willing sacrifice secures victory over sin and assures us of His presence and strength in our own trials.
Jesus' trial before Pilate and Herod shows how He endured false accusations with composure, strength, and silence, trusting fully in God's justice rather than defending Himself. His example teaches us to lay down our need to be right in the moment and instead rely on the Spirit's power to trust God's timing, justice, and redemption.
Jesus endured mockery, questioning, and suffering yet remained faithful, boldly affirming His identity as the Messiah and Lord. We are called to follow His example by trusting God through trials, declaring Him as Lord in our lives, and allowing His Spirit to transform us, even when it cost us.
Judas betrayed Jesus for his own desires, Peter fought the wrong battle out of impulse, and Jesus surrendered fully to the Father's will. Believers are called to resist the enemy's distractions and face life's decisions in the same way Jesus did - abiding in God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus shows us that the true battle is won not in the moment of crisis, but in the quite surrender to God's will during prayer. As we follow His example-seeking intimacy with the Father, choosing obedience over comfort, and trusting that God is working even when we can't see it - we will be strengthened, transformed, and prepared for all that lies ahead.
You are invited to experience the Lord's Supper, a sacred moment of remembrance, connection, and transformation, where Jesus welcomes all to His table of forgiveness. Through His broken body and His poured-out blood, we are called not only to receive His grace but to live it out by embracing His sacrifice and extending forgiveness to others.
Obedience to Jesus prepares us for meaningful spiritual moments and aligns us with God's redemptive plan. By serving, following with faith, and receiving with readiness, we experience a deeper relationship with Him and take part in His ongoing work.
This sermon explores the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, emphasizing that authentic faith is revealed through obedient living, not just outward declarations or religious or religious activity. It calls listeners to examine their hearts, abide in Christ, and build their lives on the firm foundation of His Word, assuring them that God's love and grace are greater than any sin.
This message from Luke 21:5-19 emphasizes that followers of Jesus should live faithfully in the present, trusting in God's sovereignty and enduring trials as opportunities to bear witness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather than focusing on the signs of the end times, believers are called to abide in Christ, be filled with the Spirit, and live as empowered witnesses of His truth, even in the face of persecution.
Believers are called to live an eternal perspective, trusting in the promise of resurrection and reflecting God's truth and love in this world.
The Bible tells the story of humanity's fall into sin, our separation from God, and God's plan to redeem us through Jesus Christ. Jesus' perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection offer grace and forgiveness - not something we earn, but a gift freely given out of love. Peter's story shows that even in failure, God's grace restores and transforms, inviting each of us into personal relationship with Him.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 20:1-19; Isaiah 5:1-7; Nehemiah 9:26; Jeremiah 7:25-26; Jeremiah 25:4; Isaiah 29:13; Hebrews 3:1-6; Hebrews 3:7-8; Romans 5:6-11
Rejecting God's authority leads to spiritual ruin, as illustrated by the religious leaders' refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah. This passage challenges us to examine our own hears, urging us to embrace Jesus, the cornerstone of faith, and respond in obedience to avoid the tragic consequences of hardened hearts and rebellion.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a pivotal moment that fulfilled prophecy and divided people's hearts- some rejoicing in His kingship while others, like the Pharisees, rejected His authority. This passage challenges believers to move beyond mere celebration and recognize Jesus as a King worthy of full commitment, urging them to choose between following Him wholeheartedly or rejecting Him outright.
Jesus teaches that we are to be faithful stewards for the gifts God has given us, using them to further His Kingdom rather than hiding them in fear. Those who invest in God's work will be rewarded, while those who reject His authority will face judgment, emphasizing the importance of living by faith and expressing it through love.
God seeks and transforms us. Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus shows that we don't change ourselves-God's love changes us. When we seek Him, He meets us, restores us, and fills us with joy and purpose.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of Biblical church membership, which is centered on a supernatural, attention-grabbing love for God and one another. It challenges the common misconception of church membership as a social club and highlights that the church is meant to reflect God's love through deep commitment, mutual care, and sacrificial love, empowered by the Holy Spirit. True church membership is a covenantal relationship, where believers support each other, model Christ-like love, and fulfill God's purpose for the church in the world.
This message explores the deeper context of Matthew 11:28-30, emphasizing that true rest comes not from the absence of work but from Christ's presence and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. it warns against trying to earn salvation through works, stressing that obedience to the law alone cannot bring redemption-only faith in Jesus can. The message calls believers to shift their focus from worldly pursuits to actively seeking God, trusting in His grace, and finding true rest in him.
This message emphasizes the significance of child dedication as a commitment to sow seeds of faith, reflecting both parental and communal responsibility to guide children toward a relationship with God. It explores the biblical foundation of covenants, obedience to God's law, and the transformative power of living an authentic faith, as seen in Deuteronomy and the teachings of Jesus. The message encourages parents, family members, and the faith community to model love, obedience, and transparency in their walk with God, inspiring the next generation to embrace faith and experience God's grace and blessings.
God's grace is not just a concept to understand but an experience to live. Drawing on biblical accounts, it highlights how God's grace is active, personal, and transformative, offering forgiveness, love, and adoption into His family despite our shortcomings. The call to actions is to seek a deeper, experiential relationship with God, anchored in His unchanging grace and truth.
This message highlights that Jesus is God's gift to the world, sent to redeem humanity from sin. Through the story of His humble presentation in the temple (Luke 2:22-40), we see that Simeon and Anna, both faithful servants, recognize Jesus as the Messiah and respond with praise. The message encourages us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth and salvation, be faithful in seeking God, and respond with gratitude and praise for the incredible gift of Jesus.
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus is the reason for our celebration, focusing on the fulfillment of God's promises, as shown in the birth of Christ. It draws parallels between David's reflections in Psalm 89 and the hope found in Luke 2, urging us to pause, reflect, and praise God, even in difficult circumstances. Through Jesus, we find restoration, Hope, and Joy which are not based on our circumstances but on God's unchanging love and faithfulness.
The message reflects on Zechariah and Elizabeth's story in Luke 1:5-25; showing how God answers prayers in His perfect timing, blessing them with John the Baptist as part of His greater plan. It reminds us that God hears prayers, fulfills promises, and brings joy, urging us to trust His timing, live holy lives, and prepare others for Jesus' return. Christmas is a testament to God's love and faithfulness.
Christmas is the perfect time to share the Gospel, as it celebrates the hope and redemption brought by Jesus. It explains how Jesus, the eternal Word and light of the world, came to reveal God's love, fix humanity's brokenness, and offer salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. The message encourages believers to reflect this love by sharing the truth about Jesus with others, pointing them to the hope and restoration He provides.
Today's message explores the story of a blind man healed by Jesus, emphasizing themes of faith, persistence, and God's power. The blind man's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" and his relentless cries for healing demonstrates his deep faith, which Jesus honors by restoring his sight. This miracle not only transforms the man's life physically, socially, and spiritually but also glorifies God, inspiring others to praise Him. The sermon encourages believers to cry out to God persistently, trust in His power, and live as testimonies as of His goodness, so their lives may inspire others to seek and glorify God.
This sermon explores Jesus' teaching in Luke 18, where he contracts the Pharisee and the tax collector to show that true righteousness comes from humanity and reliance on God's mercy, not self-righteous actions. Through the tax collector's example, we learn that recognizing our need for God's grace, rather than comparing ourselves to others or trusting in our own moral efforts, is the way to be justified before God. Ultimately, Jesus calls us to approach God with childlike humility and depend solely on His mercy, as only through Jesus' sacrifice are we redeemed and made righteous.
In this sermon, Jesus teaches the importance of consistent, tenacious prayer, using the parable of the widow and unjust judge to show how persistence n prayer prevents us from losing hope. He emphasizes that abiding in God and aligning our desires with His leads us to produce spiritual fruit that blesses others, reflecting God's goodness and love. Finally, Jesus reassures us that God's timing is perfect, as He delays His return to allow more people to know Him, urging us to faithfully pray, share the gospel, and await the fullness of God's justice.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Faith; Thanksgiving, Healing / Luke 17:11-19; Leviticus 13:45-46; Leviticus 13:1-8; Luke 8:24; Luke 9:49; Philippians 3:7-10
True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God’s Word, as seen in the story of the ten lepers who were healed when they followed Jesus' command. It reminds us that Jesus’ instructions always align with God’s law, and faith is revealed in action, not just belief. The message also highlights the importance of gratitude, urging believers to respond to God’s work in their lives with thankfulness, like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus. Through our faith, obedience, and gratitude, others can witness and experience God's presence.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 17:1-4; Romans 7:18-19; Romans 12;1-2; Romans 14:13; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 18:21-22
The message encourages us to be vigilant against temptations and not lead others into sin. Jesus warns that causing others to stumble is serious, and Will reflects on his own failure to live up to this teaching. We are reminded of the importance of repentance, not just for personal guilt, but to seek joy and transformation in Christ.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 16:1-13; Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36-37; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 2:1-6;
Luke 16 invites us to see our finances and resources through the lens of God's Kingdom, using Jesus' parable of the shrewd manager to challenge how we live. It's not about dishonestly but about making wise, intentional decisions that reflect long-term priorities, just as the manager did when he adjusted his life to secure his future. Jesus calls us to shift our focus from temporary comforts to being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted us with-our money, time, and gifts. It's a call to use our blessings to care for others and live with a deep awareness that everything we have is part of God's plan. Ultimately, this message encourages us to seek God's wisdom in how we live, making decisions that align with His purposes and glorify Him in every part of our lives.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 14:25-35; Mark 1:17; Colossians 3:23-24
In today's sermon at TGP West, the focus is on the cost of discipleship as taught by Jesus in Luke 14:25-35. Jesus emphasizes that while salvation is a free gift, following Him requires significant sacrifice and devotion. He calls His followers to prioritize Him above all else and to be willing to bear their own crosses. The sermon explores the depth of commitment required and how true discipleship means putting God first in every aspect of life. It concludes by urging listeners to evaluate their readiness to follow Jesus fully and to embrace the transformative journey of discipleship.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 14:1-24; 1 Samuel 16:7; James 4:6; Matthew 5:37; Matthew 28:18-20
In the sermon, Jesus confronts religious leaders for their focus on rigid legalism and pride, showing that God's standards, not human rules, determine what is acceptable. He uses parables to expose their self-importance and lack of genuine love. Jesus emphasizes the need for the need for true commitment to God's invitation, challenging believers to reflect on their motivations and truly follow Him, rather than just supporting the idea of discipleship.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke: 13:24-28; Luke 13:31-35; Romans 8:18; Romans 8:26-31
The sermon concludes Luke 13 by emphasizing Jesus' mission of salvation and the importance of a personal relationship with God over mere tradition. It highlights Jesus' bold response to threats from Herod, illustrating God's sovereignty over all circumstances. The message encourages believers to trust in God's plan, be patient in the faith journey, and share the gospel with both urgency and compassion.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 13:1-9; Leviticus 19:23-25; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 2:7-10; John 15:1-8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Romans 9:1-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Baptism / Baptism; Salvation / Mark 1:4-5; Mark 1:7-8; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 3:20; Romans 3:21-24; John 14:25-26; Acts 2:14-21; Acts 2:37-40
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 12:49-59; Luke 2:14; Micah 7:6; Hosea 14:9; Jeremiah 9:12-14; Psalm 30:1-5
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 12:35-48; Exodus 12:11-13; Proverbs 24:30-34
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 12:1-12; Exodus 12:15-20; Acts 6:8-15; Acts 7:51-53
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 11:29-32; Matthew 5:15-16; Luke 11:33-36; 1 Kings 10:1-7; 1 Kings 3:9-14; Psalm 34:8
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 11:29-32; Matthew 5:15-16; Luke 11:33-36; 1 Kings 10:1-7; 1 Kings 3:9-14; Jonah; Psalm 34:8
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13; Leviticus 22:32-33; Isaiah 29:23
Easter / Grace; Salvation; Easter; Resurrection; God's Mercy / Mark 14:27-31; John 1:16-17; Mark 14:32-42; Mark 14:66-72; Ephesians 1:4-6; John 21:7-17; Mark 16:5-7
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 9:51-62; John 4:19-20; Luke 9:5; Luke 8:15; Isaiah 1:2-4; Isaiah 1:10-13; Isaiah 6:8; Luke 24:49
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 9:28-36; Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:22; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:6-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; 2 Corinthians 3:13-18
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 9:7-9; Matthew 11:1; Luke 3:19-20; Matthew 14:1-12; Luke 24:4; Acts 2:12; Acts 5:24; Acts 10:17; Malachi 4:5; 2 Kings 2:7-15; Luke 9:2; Luke 9:6; James 2:14-26; Matthew 25:35-36; Matthew 25:40-43; Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:16-18
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 9:1-6; Luke 24:44-49; John 14:12-17; John 14:23-26
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 8:22-25; John 14:22-26; John 14:22-26; 1 John 4:15; Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40; Matthew 14:28-33
Christmas 2023 / Luke 2:1-20; Hebrews 1:1-6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6; John 8:42; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Hebrews 10:35-39; Matthew 26:26-30
Luke 1:5-25; Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 11:1-9; Malachi 4:5-6; John 1:1-5; Luke 24:44-49; John 14:3; Mark 13:32; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 22:20
Christmas 2023 / 1 Corinthians 15:20-22; Exodus 11:1; Exodus 11:4-5; Exodus 12:5-7; Exodus 12:12-13; John 1:29; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:4; Genesis 3:17-19; Genesis 4:8; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10; Matthew 12:36-41; Matthew 16:21; Luke 23:32-37; Luke 23:39-43; Luke 23:44-48; Luke 24:36-49
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Obedience; Sacrifice; Love; Surrender (Warfare) / Luke 8:19-21; Genesis 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 2 Corinthians 5:13-15
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Light; Light of the World; Gospel; Seed; Sower scattering Seeds / Luke 8:16-18; Luke 8:9-10; Isaiah 6:8-10; Isaiah 5:10; Acts 28:23-28; 1 John 1:5-7
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Heart; Emotion; Spiritual Healing; Christian growth / Luke 8:4-15; Genesis 2:4-9; John 11:32-35; Hebrews 4:15; Ezekiel 33:31; John 2:13-17; Genesis 3:17-18; 1 John 4:18
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Women following Jesus; Hope; Grace; Ministry / Luke 8:1-3; Luke 4:17-19; James 3:12; John 4:27-30; John 4:34-42; 3 John 5-8
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 6:37-42; Romans 5:8; John 3:17; Luke 15:1-2 John 15:18-20
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Messiah; Understanding; Work of Christ / Luke 7: 18-35; Psalm 40:7; Matthew 3:13-17; Isaiah 61:1-14; John 1:1-4; Isaiah 35:5-6; Mark 7:9
Luke, The Person & Mission of Jesus / Luke 7:11-17; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Psalms 89:48; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Luke 4:23-27
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Faith; Trust; Salvation; Health and Healing; Intercessory Prayer / Luke 7:1-10; Luke 4:43; Luke 6:47-48; Proverbs 3:5-6; Genesis 15:6
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 6:43-49; John 15:1-8; Philippians 3:4-9; Romans 6:23; James 1:22
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 6:37-42; Romans 5:8; John 3:17; Luke 15:1-2; John 15:18-20
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Love; Conflict / Luke 6:27-36, John 13:34-35; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 5:8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 25:31-46
Being a follower of Jesus requires a heart change. Jesus challenges his disciples to see all people, even those who hate them, as God sees them and to love them the way that He loves them.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Honor; Shame; Blessed / Luke 6:20-26; Numbers 6:22-27; Acts 7:51-52; Jeremiah 18:1-11; Acts 2:41-47
Jesus teaches his new disciples that in his upside down Kingdom, the concepts of what brings honor and shame are not what they think.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Sabbath and Rest; Health and Healing; Defense / Luke 6:1-11; Luke 4:18-21; Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 23:25; 1 Samuel 21:6; Mark 2:27-28
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Evangelism; Paradigm / Luke 5:33-39; Romans 10:14-17; Acts 8:26-38
Jesus is comparing the old way with the new. He challenges his listeners to release their old, dead religion, and embrace the new work that God is doing. We are challenged to release our old paradigms in order to embrace every believers call to proclaim the gospel.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus /Forgiveness; Repentance / Luke 5:27-32; John 3:16-21; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 18:21-22; 1 Timothy 1:12-16
Jesus' presence reveals sin and calls us to repentance. The love, grace, and mercy of Jesus draws people of all kinds.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 5:12-16; Leviticus 13:1-8; Leviticus 13:45-46; Matthew 7:28-8:2
Luke tells the story of a man that has been ostracized by the world because of a skin disease. Jesus brings social, emotional, and physical healing. Though this act, the crowd and the religious leaders learn that Jesus has the power and authority to heal.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 5:1-11; Mark 3:9; Mark 5:24-31; Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28-2:2; Revelation 1:17; Job 42:5-6; 1 John 4:7
A glimpse into the Kingdom of God changes the way we see God, ourselves, and the world around us. Jesus calls all of us to be active participants in His Kingdom.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 4:31-44; Matthew 11:23; John 7:37-52
Luke sets the stage for his readers by showing the different responses that people have to his ministry. Luke shows that many trusted Jesus as the experienced the God exclusive activity in their lives
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 4:14-30; Matthew 4:23; Luke 23:39; Matthew 11:23-24
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Grace; Temptation; Sin / Hebrews 4:12; Deuteronomy 6;1-3; Luke 4:1-12; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 6:16; Exodus 12:5-6; Exodus 12:12-13; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:15-21; Romans 6:1-2; Romans 6:1-2: Romans 8:1-4; Romans 8:31-35
Following Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, he goes into the wilderness to be tempted. This calls us back to Israels time in the wilderness and their failure to walk with God. It also calls us back to Adam's failure to walk with God. Jesus succeeds where the rest of humanity has failed. Through Jesus' fulfillment of the law, God offers us grace which covers all our sins.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Isaiah 11:1-9; Luke 4:1-4; Mark 1:12; Exodus 16:4; Exodus 15:26; Exodus 16:9-15; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 8:1-10; Luke 11:3
Following Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, he goes into the wilderness to be tempted. This calls us back to Israels time in the wilderness and their failure to walk with God. It also calls us back to Adam's failure to walk with God. Jesus succeeds where the rest of humanity has failed.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Baptism; Jesus / Exodus 14:26-31; Exodus 15:25-27; Exodus 16:1-3; Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; John 1:19-27; John 1:29-34; John 3:22-30; John 3:31-36.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 3:10 -20; Acts 2:37-38; Matthew 22:37-40; John 3:17-18
John's message is not an easy one to hear. Turning from sin to God is the mark of repentance. Our care for ourselves versus our care for others is a clear indication of our heart.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 3:1-9 ; Luke 1:76-77; Luke 2:1; Matthew 3:1-2 Mark 1:4 Numbers 19:7-10; Acts 2:38-40
Luke shows the fulfillment of many prophecies through the ministry of John. John came to prepare the way for Jesus by calling for repentance. Turning completely from sin and self reliance to Jesus and his salvation.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 2:39-52; Philippians 2:5-8; John 1:1; John 1:14; 1 John 1:1; Luke 1:30; Acts 2:46-47
Jesus wasn't born with infinite knowledge of God, just Luke you and I, he had to grow into the person God wanted him to be.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 2:36-38; Acts 2:17;Acts 21:9; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Exodus 15:20; 1 Corinthians 11:5
God went through great lengths to show the world that Jesus was his son including many reliable witnesses. Anna, the prophetess is one of those witnesses. God spoke through her to share the message that the Messiah was here to all who visited the temple.
Easter / Easter; Regeneration: Salvation / John 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 5:18-19; Romans 10:9; Romans 8:14-17; John 3:16; Luke 15:11-24
Easter is the celebration of all that Jesus accomplished on our behalf . He has made it possible for our relationship with God to be restored.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 2:25-35; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Isiah 8:14; Revelation 6:9-11; Psalm 145:9
Just like Mary and Joseph, most of us only know a small portion of who Jesus is what He came to do. Jesus came to reveal where our hearts have placed their trust and to give us a new perspective on what it means to know God.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 2:8-20; Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 14:16-23
When a royal birth takes place, you would expect pomp from the nobility. God does the opposite and invites the outcast. We will see this same action throughout Jesus life and ministry. This should speak volumes to his people about who we should honor.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Praise; Gospel; Salvation / Luke 1:67-80; Joel 2:28; Micah 7:20; Psalm 105;8-9; Genesis 22:16-17; 1 Samuel 2:1; Ezekiel 29:21
In response to God's work in his life, Zechariah proclaims the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to His people. He speaks to John's mission in preparing the way for Jesus. Our call is similar in that we are to proclaim God's work in our lives and introducing others to the person of Jesus.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Disciples; John the Baptist; Joy; Celebration / Luke 1:57-66; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 1:14; Genesis 17:1-8; Luke 1:16-17
God gave Zechariah and Elizabeth specific details and instructions about their son. John was to prepare the way for Jesus. Our ability to hear and obey God also prepares the way for Jesus. Because they listened, their community was in awe of God's work. Our communities will also experience God through our obedience.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 1:39-45 Corinthians 4:1-10; Luke 1:36; Luke 1:15
Obedience to God's commands always lead to God exclusive activity. Mary and Elizabeth experienced the blessing of God's presence as they obeyed God.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Luke 1:39-45; 2 Corinthians 4:1-10; Luke 1:36; Luke 1:15
Obedience to God's commands always lead to God exclusive activity. Mary and Elizabeth experienced the blessing of God's presence as they obeyed God.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Faith; Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ / Luke 1:26-38; Acts 7:48; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 2 Samuel 7:16; Exodus 19:3; Isaiah 9:6; Daniel 7:14
God had promised Adam and Eve that one of their heirs would finally be able to break the curse of sin. Luke tells how God revealed to Mary that she would give birth to that heir. Jesus, the Son of God, would be their son. Mary believes and willingly offers herself to God.
Luke: The Person and Mission of Jesus / Unbelief; Faith / Luke 1:5-25; Kinds 8:10-11; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14; Matthew 5:16
In his opening narrative, Luke begins to show that Jesus was the Messiah. This question still rings in the hearts of minds today, and we can discover who Jesus is together. As we experience God others will take notice and be drawn to Jesus. Our lives become "A voice in the wilderness."
Vision Sunday / Joshua 6:1-20; Joshua 6:27; Matthew 5:16
God wants us to know Him and to make Him known. We do this by living in an abiding relationship. Obeying God and experiencing His activity in our lives.
Even though we see so much injustice in the world, God is working and in His time, He will bring justice to all.
Our enjoyment of life is not found in what we can do, but in what God does. In trying to figure out what is going on in our lives, or what to do, we need to ask God to give us His perspective.
There is an appropriate and suitable time for everything. God is sovereign all of it and wants to use it for your benefit.
Ecclesiastes: God's Love In A Broken World / Work; God: Providence; Garden / Ecclesiastes 2:18–26 Work doesn't need to be about what we get out of it, rather, God created us to work with Him. As we do so, He provides all we need.
Will continues our study of Ecclesiastes with chapter two verses twelve through seventeen.
Vision; Ministry / 1 John 5
John finishes his letter by encouraging them to obey God's commandments. As we look toward our new year and the ministry that God has given us, too, are invited to follow Jesus's instructions. It is through our love for God and one another that we will be used to reveal Jesus to our family and friends.
Living In Truth: A Study of 1 John / Love; Relationships; Culture; Truth / 1 John 4
Our culture is filled with people who think they know God. Jesus tells us in Mathew seven that there will be many who will be turned away from the Kingdom of Heaven because He does not know them. John reveals how we are to know the difference between false prophets and true disciples.
Living In Truth: A Study of 1 John / Love; Child of God / 1 John 3
We are children of God and are called to live accordingly. In order to do so, we must see ourselves as God sees us. We are his heirs in the Kingdom. Our commission is to love God and to love one another, but not as the world loves. We are to love as Jesus loved, by giving up our lives for one another.
Living In Truth: A Study Of 1 John/Love; Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment; Faith; Obedience / 1 John 2
John lays out for the church what it means to Live in the Light. We are in the light by obeying His commandments, loving one another, and being faithful in our relationships with God.
Living in Truth: A Study of 1 John/ Experience; Light; Life/ 1 John 1:1-4; 1 John 1:5-10
We know God by experience which comes through obeying His commands. John's Letter helps the leaders of the church know that Jesus is the Messiah by his testimony. Our testimony of Jesus's activity in our lives helps others to know Him.
A fresh perspective on the things God has taught us about what it means to abide, BLESS, and Commit to Community.
God's people missed the signs of the coming Messiah. If we are not careful to pay attention to God's activity, we too will miss what God has for us.
We see in the Christmas story that God chooses to use people that were not important by the world's standards. He chooses us based on our faith in Him, not our abilities or resources. Our devotion to walk with Him brings joy to a world that needs it.
God reveals Himself and His plans through His people. As we celebrate Christmas we have the opportunity to point people towards the fulfillment of the promised Messiah.
Our understanding of what it means to be free has been defined by our American culture. In the beatitudes, Jesus describes the qualities that are exhibited in the lives of those that belong to the kingdom. Biblical freedom is being set free from death and sin into a life of blessedness that comes through our relationship with Christ.
Israel comes to grips with the full results of their sin as God removes His presence from them. Moses once again intercedes for them and ask God not to forget the promise that He made to deliver them. Moses asks God to show Himself so that he can know God. It is by these kinds of revelation that we know God and experience the freedom He intends for us.
Moses pleads with God to forgive Israel and offers himself on their behalf. This change in Moses is the result of being in God's presence and God desires to make those same changes in our lives. Even when we miss it, God chooses to forgive us, and use us to accomplish His purposes through us.
Our relationship with God is more significant then ourselves. It is how God intends to reveal Himself in the world. Standing in faith when others doubt allows us to represent and show God to the world.
Moses is breaking down the law into case studies for every day life. He is providing examples of how to wisely deal with sin among God's people. God is calling Israel to live in covenant with Himself and with one another. After the explanation of the Law, God reminds Israel of His promise to Abraham to bring them into the promise land. He prepares the way for them and sends a guide to go before and defend Israel from their enemies.
Israel Chooses to distance themselves from God and ask for a mediator. Because of this separation, God puts processes in place to continue the work of redeeming His people. Even when we choose sin over God's best for us, God doesn't give up on us. He continues to work within the bondage we create as a result of our sin.
In this last message on the Ten Commandments, we are considering what it means to keep the Sabbath. God gave man the Sabbath that He may find rest from his work and so that others would see that it is God that is doing the work of sanctifying man. The Sabbath is a day that has been set aside to engage with God, find rest, and look forward to the day when our relationship with God is fully restored to its original design.
David teaches on the importance of our relationship with others. The 6th, 7th, and 8th commandments are covered.
We are taking another look at the third commandment and God's call for all believers to declare His character through both their words and their lives. Our flesh wants to build up our name, but we are called as believers to make much of God's name. Our call as a body is to join God in gathering the lost by living in a way that communicates the true character of God.
As we prepare to affirm Deacons and Deaconesses, we are looking at what it means to live in a way that reveals the character of God. The third commandment is much bigger than just the words we speak. It commands us to live in a way that doesn't diminish God's name, but honors it.
Through His second commandment, God reveals His desire to be known by who He is and what He has done and not by His image. He sets Himself apart from all other gods by not allowing an idol to be cast in His likeness. God created us in His image and wants to use us to reveal to the world who He is.
God reveals Himself to Israel for the first time at the mountain. Through this revelation, He challenges the cultural understanding of what a God is and identifies Himself with Israel to change the cultural understanding of who they were. God's preeminence in our lives transforms us into a holy people that communicate the truth of who He is by the way we live.
God gives Moses instructions on how to prepare both the people and the place for them to encounter God. We are called to prepare both the place and the people to encounter God. Our motivation is the grace we have experienced in our personal relationship with God and we are moved to share those experiences.
God leads Israel from their place of comfort to a new area so that He can reveal Himself in a new way. He again calls Israel to obey His commands so that they can know Him. God uses the leadership that He established through Moses to communicate with His people.
As Israel is moving forward into the wilderness, God uses an unlikely source to help establish godly leadership to help Moses in taking care of Israel. How can we apply this same principle to the ministry of the local church? Through the leadership of men and women called to the servant ministry of deacons and deaconesses.
God is working faithfully to teach Israel about his faithfulness to work even when they are not seeing his work. Helping people out of bondage means being a leader who has faith that God is working in the dark.
Today Moses and the people of Israel have their expectations blown and not in a good way! How do we respond when we follow God's call to join him in setting people free and everything seems to backfire?
On the heels of last week's report by Chris Kopp and in light of the messages in Exodus, Will and Glen call the church to action in regard to our TGP mission efforts.
Chris and Michelle Kopp are our missionaries in Galena, Alaska, a fly-in only village on the Yukon River. Today Chris challenges us to think about owning the lostness of the world.
In today's message Glen shares some preparations that were necessary for Moses and are necessary for us if we would join God in setting people free.
In today's message Will shares how God prepared and qualified Moses for his ministry and how He does the same for us when we join Him to set people free.
In this session Dr. Russ Meek provides elements for the context of our study including the tension between Egyptians and Jews and typologies found in Exodus.
Today Glen takes us back to Exodus chapter one to reveal the truth about God's faithfulness to his covenant with Abraham. God keeps his covenant in the face of Satan's attempts to interrupt. The message closes with a focus on God's call for us to be his image bearers in the world to bring people out of bondage to sin and legalism.
Today is Baby Dedication and Will Butterfield draws principles from the story of baby Moses for parents and church members to consider.
This morning Dr. Russ Meek gives an overview of the book of Exodus to begin our new series, Exodus: Joining God to Set Them Free.
Today Glen gives a short review of The Gathering Place history and a preview of plans for 2019.
Happy New Year! Today Glen shares words of thanksgiving, prayer, and admonition with the church based on Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. The Gathering Place West is going into a new season of ministry and missions.
In the Christmas story the wise men have lessons for the church. Today we learn the elements of true worship from these eastern wise men.
Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus, but the humble story actually began in heaven.
Glen completes the study in the book of Acts by sharing how Paul passed the torch to the elders at Ephesus.
Paul returns to Ephesus and reveals some principles to remember when we are expanding community into a pagan land.
When Paul is rejected from sharing the gospel in the synagogue it doesn't mean church was over for him and other believers. See how they were led by the Holy Spirit to see church differently.
This week Will Butterfield shares the story of Paul's visit to Corinth and the ways real church was expressed. It certainly challenges our practices.
This week we see a new aspect of multiplication as Paul addresses Greek philosophers in Athens. Paul gives us a great example to follow.
As Paul and Silas began to minister in Philippi they faced some major strongholds that God intended to destroy. In this message Glen shares how God used their imprisonment to turn those strongholds into something sacred.
The Holy Spirit continued to guide Paul and Silas as they obeyed and made their way to Macedonia. The unique experiences they had in Philippi help us know how to join the Holy Spirit in our journey to multiply community.
When God begins to build the team of multipliers there are two characteristics that stand out. They need to be driven to know Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Is there a possibility of division in the body of Christ that is an expression of unity? Yes. And in today's passage Paul and Barnabas show us how.
How does the Holy Spirit cause the church to respond when believing Jews try to add some of the old rules to the lives of new Gentile believers? The direction the community takes is suprising and displays again the grace of God.
The first stop for Paul and Barnabas when they were sent out to multiply the church was Barnabas' home of Cyprus. It makes sense that the first place we should share the gospel is in our home church and our home town.
As Paul and Barnabas continued to spread the gospel under the leadership of the Holy Spirit they received a wide variety of responses. They were determined, however, to continue to respond to the Holy Spirit and not react to the responses of people. That makes all the difference when the community multiplies.
What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the community of believers to pray for something? In today's message we see God-exclusive activity and amazement in the church.
In today's message we see how God used Peter to help Jewish believers overcome struggles with new community distinctives given by the Holy Spirit.
God is beginning to multiply the community called, "The Gathering Place." This is a timely message about how God prepares the messenger he will use for multiplication.
Today Will reminds us that when believers are abiding in the Holy Spirit biblical community multiplies. Multiplication is the fruit of abiding.
We have been studying for seven months about what biblical community looks like. Today is a check-up to see if we are in our response to the Holy Spirit.
God does not expect us to remove fear and add faith to our lives. The Holy Spirit does that through his activity in our lives and in the community.
Hear the wonderful story of how God changed the life of a pastor who was in the ministry for 22 years!
There is a evangelistic progression that we can see in Acts 8-9. God is revealing to the church that it is only when the Holy Spirit works that someone is redeemed. That is never more clear than in the case of Saul of Tarsus.
The Scripture unfolds with a story about how Philip BLESSes the Ethiopian Eunuch in the message today. The Holy Spirit uses the life of Philip to teach us some great principles.
In today's message Will opens up how the Holy Spirit uses servants who are available to reach all people.
The apostles are being used by the Holy Spirit to lead a movement to change the world. But is the leadership of this powerful movement limited to the apostles? Today we will see a leader arise who challenges even the apostles.
Where people are in community with one another conflict arises. Unfortunately, churches don't always follow the Holy Spirit in times of conflict and so problems escalate. In this story of the first church the Holy Spirit had control and the results were miraculous.
What is the difference between a power move by worldly religious leaders and the Holy Spirit of God? We will see in the text today.
God is a multitasker. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira not only was God protecting the church from hypocrisy, but He was building a deep sense of profound respect and awe in all who saw it and heard about it. This character trait was needed in the community of believers.
As the community continued to form in Jerusalem in response to the work of the Holy Spirit, Satan made an attempt to insert two wolves into the sheep fold through the most unlikely circumstance. God's grace covers the protection of his sheep as He leads them to green pastures.
Following the release of Peter and John from prison, the community had a reason to celebrate. The things that they realized and their response in prayer teaches us something about walking in community.
In Acts 3-4 there are two different responses to the healing of a man born crippled. Both lay hold of the new community of believers, but in different ways and with different agendas.
In our Acts study we have already seen evidence that the community of believers is having an impact on the watching world. Many have put thier faith in Jesus, but what does it look like to be witnesses to individuals as we live in community? How does it happen on the personal level? Today we look at principles that come from Peter and John's encounter with a crippled man.
Something weird happened in the church after Pentecost. The Holy Spirit filled believers to share all things in common. Some were even selling their possessions and giving the proceeds to those in need. What expressions are in this story for TGP?
The prayers of the new Spirit-filled community changed drastically after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Where did their devotion to communal prayer come from?
The Holy Spirit led the church in Acts to devote themselves to the breaking of bread. This commitment was to more than just eating for sustenance. It was a beautiful expression of community.
One of the commitments that a Spirit-filled community makes is to live in fellowship with one another. What is fellowship? How is it expressed?
When the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and brought salvation to 3000 souls at Pentecost the initial response was devotion of the community to the apostles' teaching. What expressions of this devotion are found in a community filled with the Holy Spirit today?
As we begin to think about joining the Holy Spirit for a spiritual awakening, we need to take origins into consideration. What did the Holy Spirit do at Pentecost that is essential today if we are to become a community that blesses?
Today Glen continues the series in Acts. In Acts chapter 2, God reveals his love for those who were in Jerusalem by personalizing the experience in a way that drew them into the community of believers.
In week four of a series from Chip Ingram's book, "Invisible War," Glen shares another message on how as believers we can defeat our enemy when he comes after us. In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us that the way to appropriate our victory is to put on the helmet of salvation, take up the sword of the Spirit, and pray.
What causes Satan to really turn on the pressure, turn up the heat, and fire his flaming arrows at believers and churches? What does it take to overcome? Today Glen shares truth from Ephesians 6 and Chip Ingram's book, "Invisible War."
This is our second week of messages on Spiritual Warfare. Today Glen reminded us about the significance of putting on our spiritual armor. We already have what we need to defeat Satan and his forces of evil, we just need to be reminded how to put it on and keep it on. For additional study, this series comes from Chip Ingram's book, "Invisible War."
Last week we began our study of the book of ACTS which chronicles the first years of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles. For the next few weeks, however, we are going to do a side study on spiritual warfare to help open our eyes to the tactics of the enemy as he attempts to hinder or destroy the work of the apostles. Today, we begin that eye opening study. For further study, the outline for this message comes from Chip Ingram's book, "Invisible War."
In Acts chapter 1 Jesus sets the stage for his disciples prior to his departure. The same steps He used to prepare his disciples then have been those He has used to prepare us.
The love of Christ draws the lost and wandering world to his side. It is a selfless all inclusive reckless love that has no conditions. How can God's children display this kind of love?
Today we begin a new series on being a community that blesses. John told us that if we walk in the light that we would have fellowship with one another. What is fellowship? Glen helps us understand in today's message.
Today Glen reminds us of the things we have learned about the advent and shows the responses recorded in John 1:1-13.
What did God do when the world was overwhelmed by sin and evil? Would he leave us in darkness? The beauty of the advent is the Word became flesh! In today's message Will Butterfield shares the story of Light coming into darkness.
If Jesus was present as the Word in the creation story, and Jesus is light and life, then where did the darkness come from? Did God create darkness? The advent of Jesus was to a world in the dark.
Today begins a four sermon series on the advent of Christ from John 1:1-13. In today's message Glen brings out the fact that Jesus is God, Word, and Creator...equal with God, preexistent, preeminent, proactive, and productive.
Though temptation is not sin, it is where sin begins. All of us deal with it and sin as a direct result of giving in to it. For a believer who desperately wants to know God through obedience, help with temptation would be greatly welcomed. Jesus teaches us in today's passage.
Does Jesus care about how much we give to the ministry? Does He care about how often we give? When Jesus looks at your giving, what does he think? Today we get some answers as Jesus watches people putting money into the treasury in Mark 12.
Jesus tells us not to worry. Easier said than done, right? But, he does more than that in today's passage. He gives us a way to be successful.
When you are disputing with someone over theological issues, or some personal issue, and you are holding your ground, is Jesus on your side? Where does He stand when we are in disputes?
In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable to address a group of people who were confident in their own righteousness. The parable reveals a great truth for those who are broken due to their sins...God offers justification!
The humility of Christ is one of the most attractive and unattractive characteristics of Jesus. It attracts our spirit and our flesh wants to turn away from it. Take a look in today's message from Luke 14.
Boldness and compassion are rarely seen in the same person. These two characteristics of Jesus are clearly revealed in the story today found in Luke 13. Listen and rejoice over the person you find in the gospel.
When the Greeks want to come to Jesus, how does He respond? In today's message Will shares the heart of Jesus as He receives and loves all who will come to Him. What is the natural response of people who have been experienced his acceptance? Grab a challenge in today's podcast.
Jesus has two encounters with women during the week before his crucifixion that reveal his desire to promote intimacy with us. In addition to seeing Jesus' response, we can discover the secrets to building intimacy through their example. Jesus not only desires intimacy above all else, he will defend you as you seek it!
Jesus makes it clear in today's passage that obedience to his commands is expected and will be the only way that his will is accomplished. We have the privilege to experience him through obedience.
Jesus had just taught his disciples that to be greatest in the kingdom of God meant to be the servant of all. On the days that followed he demonstrated to them by example what that meant. Through his interaction with Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus we can find principles to apply to our lives and celebrater that Jesus sees us.
How much of what we do in Jesus' name is really to draw attention to ourselves? See how Jesus handles his disciples when they attempt to use their connection with him for their own benefit.
The story of the prodigal son is really a parable about the grace and love of God. Listen and find yourself in the story even if, and maybe especially if, you consider yourself not to have squandered what the Father has given you.
The Gathering Place is a church of sinners! That fact reveals one of the most enticing aspects of the character of Jesus. Jesus receives sinners. Today’s message comes from Luke 15:1 which is the passage where we got our name. Listen and discover why we are so connected to this portion of Scripture.
What happens when someone whom Jesus loves dearly has an illness that will be fatal if Jesus doesn't use his power? That is the scenario in today's message and how Jesus follows his Father's will is suprising. The result is that we discover a beautiful and necessary attribute of Jesus that will change our lives.
We have the hardest time knowing what to do with our "good works." It seems that even though we know that Christ has purchased our right standing with God, we still think our works obligate God in some way. Today's message reveals that Jesus will be faithful to bring us to the point of total dependence on Him.
What happens when God reveals his glory and people see/experience it? Those people have to make sense of the God-exclusiveness of the event. Today's message evaluates how a blind man and Jewish leaders responded and gives us help in evaluating God's work in our lives.
Does Jesus have a plan to reveal his glory in us? Do we have to be really "good" Christians for that to happen? Today's text reveals God's intent to reveal his glory in the strangest of places.
There has always been a struggle with the truth about who God is. Unfortunately, as in Jesus’ day, religion has often been used by Satan to keep people in darkness rather than set them free. What does Jesus do when he faces this situation in Jerusalem?
With so many books on prayer available, bought, and read, why is it that prayer is so misunderstood and rarely practiced with consistency by believers? Maybe it's because we haven't learned to pray from Jesus himself. This message attempts to help us see how that is possible.
Today Will takes a look at the encounter that Jesus had with Mary and Martha in Luke 10. How does Jesus respond when we are more focused on busy(ness) than him?
In this message we look at how Jesus interacts with a lawyer that wants to argue over theology. We learn how Jesus handles the confrontation and changes the converstaion from theology to personal application.
Do you ever think about how Jesus feels whenever he reveals another aspect of his mysterious character to you? Does it affect him when our eyes are opened to see his glory?
So many of us have grown up thinking wrong thoughts regarding ministry. In this message we are taking a look at who Jesus is in regard to our ministry. What is his role in the ministry of the church? Enjoy.
How do you respond when after mutiple powerful experiences with God you find yourself in doubt? How do you think God responds? I hope you will be encouraged to hear that Jesus talks behind your back. Enjoy.
In today's story we see who Jesus is to us in the storms of life. Jesus is very present in ways that we would never imagine. Listen and discover.
What do you do when people who sound like they know what they are talking about challenge your beliefs and practices? What if your were very confident that the Holy Spirit already filled your heart with the truth? In today's story we find Jesus defending the disciples from exactly that. Jesus is enough!
Do you ever wonder where faith comes from? Some people speak as though faith comes through osmosis or some magical infusion. The truth is that faith comes from God and in today's story we will see how.
There are so many ideas going around in regard to healing that may or may not be biblical. In today's message we look at Jesus and the healing of many in Capernaum. Listen as we try to focus on the person of Jesus instead of the event.
Do you ever wonder why Jesus stayed on the cross? Listen as Glen describes the future joy that kept him there...
Today's message takes a look at Jesus' interaction with different people from his arrest to the cross. Which person will you connect with? Listen and find yourself in the crucifixion story.
Today we look at an encounter Jesus had with a demon possessed man in the synagogue at Capernaum. This message points to the character of Jesus as He reveals complete authority over Satan.
When Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Capernaum people were astonished. What was different between the teaching of Jesus and that of the Scribes? In this message Glen helps us to see the beauty and power in the words of Christ.
Jesus was cast out of Judea by the Pharisees and found acceptance in two of the most unlikely places: Samaria and Galilee. Today's message speaks to the need for cold hearts to recieve the warmth of the love of God which leads to repentance.
Jesus was weary, hungry and thirsty when he went through a small town of Samaria. He sat down at Jacob's well and the events that followed changed a community forever! What happened?
Jesus will come to you wherever you are and give you what you need to believe in Him. However, don't think you can hide your true self from Him. Your religious actions cannot fool the one who sees into your heart.
Take a fresh look at the cleansing of the temple in John's gospel. Today Glen challenges the church to consider our practices and invite the Holy Spirit to bring cleansing in a way that will reveal the truth of who God is to busy believers and a dying world.
Today the message is centered around the wedding at Cana and Jesus' personal touch in relationships. Glen looks at Jesus as he meets the personal and unique needs of a small town, his mother, a wedding host, and his disciples.
In today's message Glen looks at the call of Nathanael. Through Jesus' interaction with Nathanael we clearly see that He is not only willing to disclose himself completely to those he calls, and applauds our willingness to be honest about where who we are.
Today Glen's message comes from John 1:35-39. John and Andrew make a decision to behold the Lamb of God and find that Jesus invites them to be intimate with him for the rest of His life. Jesus invites intimacy!
This week Glen opens up the baptism of Jesus again. How does Jesus' baptism describe our righteousness.
We are in Matthew 3 this morning. Glen takes a closer look at the baptism of Jesus from a different perspective. The goal in this series is not to develop doctrines or practices regarding baptism, but simply to see Jesus and his character as he relates to John the Baptist and the crowd that gathered.
Today Glen preaches out of John 14. He introduces a new year of messages on the person of Christ. Knowing Jesus is enough to fuel life and ministry.
This final message in 2 Timothy comes from chapter 4. Glen reminds us to check our loyalties. Are we gathering people around us who encourage us to continue in sin, or are we adjusting to God's Word?
Today's message is from 2 Timothy 3. Glen reminds the church to stay focused on the simple gospel message. The Word of God gives us everything we need for life and godliness.
In today's message Glen continues the study in 2 Timothy 2:14-21. Paul shares with Timothy the characteristics of an honorable and dishonorable vessel.
Today we baptized four new believers: Gracie Cantwell, Ellie Reid, Cassidy Huffman, and Jared Clark. This is a recording of two of those baptisms.
Paul reminds us to connect with Jesus through remembering his shed blood, broken body, and resurrection. Today four new believers give testimonies of their changed lives through their participation in communion and baptism. Glen reminds them and the congregation that our focus on the cross and resurrection will produce a fruitful life.
In today's text Paul tells Timothy to remember to pass the ministry on to faithful people who will pass it on to others. As Paul's life and ministry is coming to an end, he wants to be sure that the message he preached continued in the way that he presented it. We all need this challenge in a time when so many "teachings" are competing for our attention.
In today's message Paul tells Timothy to remember that his motivation for ministry is the gospel message. Glen reminds us that we need to keep the gospel on the forefront of our minds. This will be effective in helping us to deal with opposition with an attitude of power, love and self-control.
In today's message Paul tells Timothy to remember his spiritual heritage. At the close of Paul's life he took the time to give us all an important reminder to let our spiritual heritage keep us motivated to maintain our ministry.
SERMON FOUR: In todays message, Glen continues to illustrate through the life of Peter how we are called to abide in Christ. Although Peter failed in abiding, we saw last week in John 21 how Christ came to Peter again. Today, we see in Acts 2:14-41 how Peter had power that he did not have prior to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
SERMON THREE: In today's message, Will reminds us about God's amazing grace and love that He gives us whenever we fail to abide by sharing Peter's experience with Jesus in John 21. Although we may fail in abiding, God continues to provide grace and invites us to follow Him again.
SERMON TWO: In Today's message, Glen continues sharing the call of Peter and what it looked like for Peter to abide in Christ as well as what it looks like for us to abide in Christ.
SERMON ONE: Today Glen's message is a reminder of the TGP West's mission distinctive. Our mission is "Leading People to Know God." By "know" we certainly mean knowing him as Savior. In addition, we want people to know him by experience. God promises to provide that type of knowledge as we abide in him. Today's message uses the story of the call of Peter to remind us how we should abide in Christ each day.
SERMON TWENTY: In this episode, Glen wraps up A Study in 1 Timothy by speaking through 1 Timothy 6:11-21. Glen's focal point in this sermon is knowing that our security is found in Jesus and not in money.
SERMON NINETEEN: In this episode, Glen speaks on Godliness with contentment from 1 Timothy 6:5-10. He challenges us to be content with God and to trust Him in all circumstances.
SERMON EIGHTEEN: In today's message Glen compares false teachers to a blowfish. He challenges us to make sure we are not puffed up with conceit because it keeps people from seeing the truth of the gospel.
SERMON SEVENTEEN: In this message Glen shares what it means for our church to honor our employers. Listen for six practical actions that show respect to our bosses.
SERMON EIGHTEEN: In this message Glen shares the responsibility of the church to provide for the pastor of teaching and preaching.
SERMON SEVENTEEN: In this message Glen speaks frankly about the problem of false teaching in the "Bible Belt." Listen to the comparison of performance based Christianity today and gospel focused Christianity.
SERMON SIXTEEN: There is such a temptation for all who grew up in the "Bible Belt" to add to the simplicity of the gospel some list of rules to follow or actions to perform. Paul warns Timothy to tell the people in Ephesus not to be drawn into that way of thinking.
BABY DEDICATION: Today we celebrate our call to rear children at the Gathering Place to love and serve the Lord. Join us as Glen discusses the role of parents and the church to pour into our little ones.
SERMON FIFTEEN: In 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Paul begins the discussion of deacons. The characteristics are basically the same as elders, so what is the difference between the two? Glen addresses this question in this message.
SERMON FOURTEEN: What does it mean to be a new convert? Are they prohibited from eldership? Glen addresses this question by comparing 1 Timothy and Titus. Also, Glen speaks about what it means to be well thought of by people outside the household of faith.
SERMON THIRTEEN: In this message Glen speaks about the similarities between managing one's household and managing the household of God.
SERMON TWELVE: In this message Glen begins with a challenge from Luke 8 about being careful how we hear the Word of God. Then he covers the characteristics of "not violent and not quarrelsome."
SERMON ELEVEN: July 3, 2016 - In this message Glen discusses Paul's teaching that a person who aspires to be an elder should not be a drunkard. He takes time to discuss how though understandings of what Scripture says about alcohol use may differ, there is no confusion about drunkenness.
SERMON TEN: June 26, 2016 - Glen continues in 1 Timothy 3:2 covering the characteristics of "hospitality" and "able to teach."
SERMON NINE: June 19, 2016 - In this message Glen continues in 1 Timothy 3:2. Two characteristics of anyone who is stretching with all their passion to be like Jesus should be vigilance and self-control.
SERMON EIGHT: June 12, 2016- Glen covers the characteristics "sober minded" and "respectable" from 1 Timothy 3:2 in the series on biblical eldership.
SERMON SEVEN: May 29, 2016 - Glen continues to discuss the characteristics of believers (elders) who aspire to work with the Holy Spirit to be like Christ. Today's message covers two characteristics: 1) above reproach and 2) husband of one wife.
SERMON SIX: May 22, 2016 - In this message Glen introduces the reason Paul gives for listing characteristics of elders for the church at Ephesus. Before we begin to discuss these characteristics we will take a look at the purpose given in 1 Timothy 3:14-16.
SERMON FIVE: May 15, 2016 - Glen shares how men should worship by bowing not only their minds, but their lives before the Lord daily.
SERMON FOUR: May 8, 2016 - Glen shares how Paul emphasized prayer as a starting point for his ministry in Ephesus. The focus of this prayer was for those who Timothy was told to correct.
SERMON THREE: Are you a trustworthy servant of God that leadership can depend on? Glen speaks about what type of person Timothy was and why Paul asked him to stay in Ephesus. These are attributes we all need to apply.
SERMON TWO:
In Ephesus there was a problem that exists in this community today. There were false teachers who were trying to add their rules and regulations to the simple truth of the gospel. How do we handle those people? In this podcast Glen covers 1 Timothy, verses 8-11 and helps us to learn how to deal with legalism.
SERMON ONE:
In this podcast Glen introduces the Study and gives some goals for each of us as we begin 1 Timothy. This podcast will cover Chapter 1, verses 1-7.
Glen introduces a message series on revealing the glory of God to the world. This is evangelism TGP style!