Second Message in Pastor John Burke’s Series on Feeling Alone and Connecting With Others
The message John shared yesterday at Gateway Church was really worth a listen.
If you have hurts in your past due to family issues (who doesn’t) you’ll want to listen to this message titled, “Nobody Stands Alone: A New Kind of Family” (click below to listen to the streaming audio):
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If you want to listen to more of the recent messages from the pastors at Gateway, just go to www.GatewayChurch.com.
Christian Fiction and Spiritual Warfare – Putting on The Full Armor of God…
So, I recently started reading Jack Cavanaugh’s “Kingdom Wars
More than just entertaining me for a few idle hours, the books got me thinking about the entire realm of spiritual warfare that goes on all around us while we remain mostly oblivious…
“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. 13 That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. 14 So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.” – Ephesians 6:10-18, New Century Version (Bold and italics mine)
In the second book, the above Bible passage plays a pivotal role in the story. Of course, you’ll have to read it to find out how – trust me, it’s worth the read.
Despite that the books are fiction, the story serves as a cogent reminder that all we see is not all there is; further, it reminded me how important it is to truly put on the full armor of God, every single day.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Mr. Cavanaugh’s excellent books… I’m sure you’ll be both entertained by the story he spins, as well as inspired to look a bit deeper into spiritual warfare in scripture, as well.
And for practical teachings on spiritual warfare for Christians, check out Spiritual Warfare in a Believer’s Life
Christ Offers Rest for the Weary and Burdened – Words of Spiritual Encouragement
Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that we would have troubles in this world. Yet, as is typically the case when Christ gives us bad news, He couples it with Good News that far outweighs the bad.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV, bold and italics mine)
Of particular note to those of us who need encouragement is the fact that Christ defeated the “evil one” at the cross. Christ died for our sins, so that we would no longer stand accused because of our sin. In short, Christ took our shame away.
I know it’s hard to think of spiritual things when you’re hurting so much in the here and now. That being said, if you are troubled about things that are going on in your life right now, just remember what Jesus did at the cross, and know that you have a Savior who loves you so much He died for you.
And, Jesus desperately wants to have a relationship with you, so He can ease your sorrow:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
Want to know more? A good place to start would be to read the individual study guide at WayofChrist.info – it’s free, and it will help you understand more about Jesus and what salvation in Christ really means.
Christ is Faithful… So Hold On to Courage and Hope
“But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.” – Hebrews 3:6, NIV
Scriptures often refer to how faithful God is to His people. God keeps His promises, and He is the same now, tomorrow, and forever.
Just the same, the Son is faithful just as the Father. What that means to us is that Jesus is watching over us, faithfully… He knows your every hurt, your every pain, your every struggle.
Yet, it is up to us to hold on to courage, in the sense that we must guard our hope in a Savior who died for all our sins, so that we can be redeemed.
And if we start to lose courage, and we start to see hope slipping away, then it’s time to ask God to provide us with courage and hope.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” – from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7, Verses 7 and 8 (NIV)
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John Burke’s Message Today: Nobody Stands Alone… In A Crowd
John Burke is our lead pastor at Gateway Community Church. John doesn’t know it, but he’s part of the reason why I started attending church again.
I’m really thankful for God leading us to Gateway Church, and also I’m thankful that God is equipping people like John so they are able to make someone like me feel at home at church, even though I’ve always struggled with feeling comfortable in a traditional church setting.
I know God is working through people like John to help people like me come out of their isolation and back into active involvement in the church. I’m just glad there are pastors and other people in the ministry like that who are really trying to reach people where they are. It hurts to be alone, and as the following message explains, God doesn’t want us to fly solo.
So, here’s the message from the service today… it’s Part 1 of a new series called “Nobody Stands Alone”:
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Want more? Head on over to www.GatewayChurch.com.
Oh, one more thing – Pastor Burke has a new book coming out soon called Soul Revolution (about living in the presence and awareness of God). It’s available at Amazon.com if you want to check it out.
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