Gateway Life

Monday Report, 12/22/2008

On Friday night (12/19), "Cops for Tots" blessed over 130 kids with gifts and bikes galore.  Gratitude and excitement abounded from children and parents alike, and an incredible team of Gateway volunteers were right there in the midst.  Woodfin Police Sergeant Dawn Roberts is an amazing public servant.  We thank the entire police force for all they do to "protect and serve" through law enforcement.

On Saturday, Robin had her "Pre-release" event for the book and CD projects (more info at www.serenadingjesus.com).  Thank you to all who have expressed interest and support and most importantly prayer!  The sales were brisk and we believe both projects will hit the mark of edification and blessing those who receive them this Christmas!

On Sunday, things were still happening:

• Tim Bryant and the worship band delivered a powerful line-up of music and narrative to draw our attention to the "Christ" of Christmas.
• Joe Louis brought us "glad tidings" of one salvation from the 8:45 a.m. Christmas service in our Prison Outreach partnership with GOD and NASCAR.  Thanks to Joe for keeping us connected in ministry at Buncombe County Correctional Center.  Thanks to Jeff, Ron, Kai and Stefan for being available to minister early on Sunday.
• The Vanbumble Growth Group presented fantastic original skit to develop the revelation of God's love in the advent of Christ.  Talk about bringing it "home" for the holidays, the GCC growth groups have made this season of Advent most blessed.  From the Bryants, to the Quigley's, to the Kelly/Chernous group and finally the Vanbumble's, I have had a reminder just how much ministry is going on every week in small group ministries at Gateway!  Whether your group is an Interest Group, an Action Group or a Growth Group and regardless if you are a leader, member or occasional attender there are plenty of ways to engage.  If you haven't connected outside of Sunday mornings, then consider yourself invited to check out ALL Gateway can offer you and your family in life-giving ministry by scrolling our groups page here.
• We received our first Outreach Expeditions Nicaragua Team live call-in this trip.  Given the news since their arrival last week, static on the line never sounded so good eventhough we were only getting every other word from our team.  This Saturday, Jeremy and Abigail return, Kendra, Patrick, Lauren and Diana depart.   Construction on Adrianna's house has begun as of today (12/22).
• LeeAnn presented a wonderful "Gateway House" update on our partner project with Republic Pilgrim in Mariupol, Ukraine.  Bottomline, Eugen and Svetlana's foster-family of HIV+ kids is growing plus, she is expecting.  There could not be a more perfect picture of "abundant life" than their family all together at Christmas!

All in all, this week is summed up with John 3:16:  "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  For me, after the "God so loved," I am grateful for the "whoever" in God's plan.  Having followed Christ as my savior for 23 years, I'm still a "whoever."  I'm not more loved now than then.  I'm not more good.  I'm not more righteous after all these years.  I'm still a whoever "so loved" by God that He sent His only son that I might not perish, but have everlasting life.  Perhaps, this Christmas you're not feeling very special.  You're not sure anyone's even thinking about you.  Whoever you are, know that someone IS thinking of you this Christmas.  In fact, He was thinking of you that first Christmas over 2000 years ago when Christ was born for all the whoevers - me and you.  On this final week of Advent, I pray you have a genuine revelation of Christmas love "whoever" you are.

Looking ahead:  3 Days of Fasting with Prayer coming January 12-14, 2009...let's begin now by asking God to help us prepare our hearts.

KTC,
Jay Liner, Senior Pastor

Monday Report, 12/7/2008

On this second week of Advent, we reflect on the promise of peace.  Hundreds of years ahead of time, the prophet Micah foretold that the birth of Christ would occur in Bethlehem.  On Sunday (12/7), we read the following:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." 3 Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. 4 And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; 5 And this One shall be peace..." (Micah 5:2-5a)

Micah relayed the promise that the coming Messiah would stand and feed His flock in strength and majesty, and they shall abide.  He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and "this One" shall BE peace!  Imagine that.  As a child of God this Christmas you don't just experience peace, but you know the One who IS peace.  As His church we aren't commissioned to experience His greatness for ourselves only.  We are commissioned to make Him great (or "known", "famous") to the ends of the earth!  Today, He feeds us with strength to do the impossible as a testament to His majesty.  Today, we abide in His peace because Christ is the One who IS peace.

As a matter of praise and thanksgiving, I can report that His majesty will be expressed in Nicaragua this Christmas as the Outreach Expeditions team prepares to depart in the next couple of weeks.  Because of the amazing response to Sunday's offering, Bob Kelly and his crew will be building a house for Adrianna and her children.  This is nothing short of miraculous given the short notice we had on this opportunity.  Again, I am blown-away at your heart for making Jesus known to the ends of the earth! 

On that point, I must revisit Micah's reference to "Bethlehem."  You see, Bethlehem, was (and still is) an obscure little town, that, to the casual observer, might not count for much.  Yet, in God's way of looking a things, it would the center-piece of Christ's advent or arrival on earth.  He thought so much of Bethlehem that He would weave the little town into numerous prophecies foretelling the coming of the Savior of the world.  Think of it this way, God OFTEN accomplishes His purpose in the most obscure ways while using those of us who, otherwise, wouldn't seem to count for much.  What Micah proclaims to the "little town of Bethlehem," I proclaim to you.  Yet you may seem little, and what you  have to give seems like nothing (in your sight), out of your charity you will make Christ known to Adrianna, her children, and many others this Christmas in Nicaragua.  May God continue to bless our vision in 2009..."Good News to thousands, whatever it takes."  Feliz navidad, ya'll.

KTC,
Jay Liner, Senior Pastor

Monday Report, 12/1/2008

On this first week of Advent, let's consider our hope of salvation as followers of Christ.  According to our reading from 1 Peter chapter one on Sunday (11/30), we are reminded:

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.

As the light of hope illuminates our hearts this week, I find these points worth reflection this Christmas season.  Consider these with me and feel free to add your own from 1 Peter 1:10-13:

• Our hope - salvation by grace was "inquired and searched carefully" by the prophets of old. In other words, our hope was foretold, and has withstood inquiry and analysis by the most spiritually in-tune minds of all times.  Our hope is sure.
  
• The Holy Spirit "sent from Heaven" is our enabler for gospel preaching.  Our hope is powerful.
  
• The gospel message is so amazing that it contains things "which angels desire to look into."  Our hope is compelling.
  

For those who were in attendance on Sunday, you remember that as we prepared to close the Celebration, we receieved a phone call concerning our dear brother Junior Hurst who has battled sickness in his body for the better part of the last year.  On Saturday, 11/29/2008, he was admitted to the hospital for the ninth time in twelve months.  The call we received was from his wife, Barbara, who conveyed that his condition was critical and he could very well be near the end.  As you recall, we were preparing to sing Junior's favorite song "I Love You" in his stead with him in mind.  Receiving that phone call, and singing that chorus together could not have been more meaningful to me.  One brother exclaimed to me, "I don't want to leave this spot." I understood what he meant.  What I witnessed was hope that we all share.  A hope that is sure, powerful and compelling.  A hope that we don't just sing about.  It is a hope we must give away, just like Junior has done every day of his Christian life.  Today, I have been bedside with Barabara as prayers have been prayed, visits made, and finally Hospice called in.  All I can say is hope has never been more sure, powerful or compelling than what I have seen exhibited by the Hurst's or their amazing church family at Gateway.  Thank you all for being partners in hope.  May our witness for Christ this Christmas be sure, powerful and compelling!

KTC,
Jay Liner
Senior Pastor

Monday Report, 10/20/2008

GOOD NEWS:
Bob and Tammy Kelly were able to connect the Outreach Expeditions' team with the body of Christ across town at Harvest Time Assembly on Sunday Morning.  The team attended as special guests to highlight the upcoming work in Nicaragua in December and January.  This represents an intitial step in God opening doors for Outreach Expeditions to expand in both human and financial resources for the amazing work God has given them to accomplish in partnership with Sandy Carter to orphaned children in the heart of Central America.

Joni VanBumble reported on the progress of the first semester of Bible Marathon reaching the 1/4 completion mark on Monday, 10/13/2008.  The group began in August and will continue until the entire Bible is read, in chronological order, requiring the group to read about 10 pages per day to accomplish this goal.  Joni commented on the insight and understanding that comes from studying the Bible in chronological order as it pertains to seeing God's purpose in Christ from the very beginning in Genesis.  She also mentioned that it is possible to join at any time if you missed out on getting in August.

Scott Pate shared the amazing story of God's assurance and work in bringing Shannon's pregnancy to full term with baby Emily after initial reports that suggested aborting the pregnancy should be considered.  Scott replayed the effect it had on him personally as he weighed the options.  However, as he and Shannon purposed in their hearts to ask for prayer and trust God with Emily's life, they found assurance and rest that was confirmed in each subsequent doctor visit.  Scott's faith was built-up as he witnessed the dismay of medical professionals who acknowledged there was no explanation for the turn-around.  Today, the entire Pate family (Scott, Shannon, Britney, and Emily) are a another testimony of God's glory, power and triumph over "the odds" against us.

As for my message, we got started on Part One of the Politically Speaking Series.  I listed the the three common fallacies pertaining to politics and the church today.  We were able to undo fallacy #1 and we will undo fallacies #2 & #3 this week.  Additionally, we will take on the "how" of engaging politically as followers of Christ, and on November 2 I will address the core issue of our time in Part Three "Just What IS at Stake?"

POLITICALLY SPEAKING SERIES
PART ONE - SHOULD WE, CAN WE?

THIS WEEK'S NOTES:
Fallacy #1: “But politics are of the devil.”  (or, “Jesus is above all this.”  Special note:  If irrelevance to your world IS your goal, then this is the recommended short cut to that end.) This position is staked out around  Luke 4:5-8, where Satan offers Jesus the authority of all the kingdoms of the world, to which Jesus replies, “Get behind me, Satan...  Although, this is an obvious and literal account of conflict between the devil and Jesus, the issue here is NOT politics, it's worship.  God's interest in political process and governmental authority can best be appreciated in how He gets things done in the kingdom dimension (see Job 1:6-12, I Kings 22:19-23, Luke 22:31-32)  CONCLUSION:  Should we engage politically? Yes, we should because God understands order, authority and political process.  He always has positions open for those willing to serve His purposes in politics.

COMING THIS SUNDAY:
We will undo the next two fallacys.
Fallacy #2:  “But we can't because we're the church.”  (or, “It's more about IRS 501(c)3 than it is about the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.”   Can anyone say WIRGOH?)
Fallacy #3:  “But we must because we're the church.”  (or “If we don't, He can't.” which eventually derives “Kingdom Now” propaganda – watch out, bad theology.)
PLUS, we will get practical by addressing the "But How" of our political engagement as servants of God and people of purpose.

STAY SHARP - TRY THIS:
Make a list of the issues that are most concerning to you politically, economically, and socially this week.  Take that list and compare it to Matthew 6:24-34, 7:1-6.  After eliminating the things that don't make the cut of Jesus' instruction to us as His followers, ask God for boldness to take up those things that remain on the list in prayer and action.  Be assured, you should, you can, and He will show you how.

Esse Quam Videri,
Jay Liner
Senior Pastor
Gateway Christian Community