Category: Podcast

Everlasting Father

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Names are important.

New parents will spend literally months thinking and even arguing about what to name their child! A name communicates so much about a person’s background, heritage, and even their character. This was especially true in the Old Testament times. In many cases, your name was what gave you identity and often described what kind of person you might become. In many ways, it was your parents’ dream for what you would be like. So, in Isaiah 9 when God is given a number of special names, it is very significant.

It reveals His character and how He relates to His creation.

Last week, we studied the name Wonderful Counselor and learned that He can be relied on to step into our problems and struggles with compassion and power. Today, we will look at the name Everlasting Father. The name “father” brings out all kinds of emotions and memories of our own experiences with our earthly fathers, good or bad. Today, we will learn facts about our Everlasting Father that reveal that He is nothing like imperfect earthly fathers. In fact, we will find that our Everlasting Father is full of love, slow to anger, always present, and will never leave.

What a blessing to have a Father like that!

This message is from Steve Carpenter is from our Atoka Campus.  If you missed the message or want to hear it again, listen on-line or tune in to our podcast.

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Wonderful Counselor

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One of the most amazing passages of Scripture that we use at Christmas is found in Isaiah 9.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; nd the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end.”

This passage about the coming of the Messiah was given in a very challenging time. The nation was under the threat of invasion and their leaders were full of doubt and fear. In the midst of this situation, God made sure that the nation knew that He would meet all of their needs. The awesome thing about the prophecy in Isaiah is that it was not just for the nation of Israel all those years ago. It was indeed a prophecy of the coming Messiah . . . our Wonderful Counselor . . . our Mighty God and Everlasting Father . . our Prince of Peace.

Christmas is the celebration of the ultimate coming of the One that is all of these things in the middle of our own fear and doubt. As we journey toward Christmas, it is good to know that the wisest, most wonderful counselor has been sent from Heaven to His people, and He waits to help us in time of need!

This message is from Steve Carpenter is from our Atoka Campus.  If you missed the message or want to hear it again, listen on-line or tune in to our podcast.

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Thanksgiving Is Over

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Thanksgiving is over. The parade is over and the pumpkin pie is gone. We are five pounds heavier and still eating leftovers! Attention has now turned to the next great celebration . . . Christmas! Fall decorations are being swapped out for Christmas trees and elves on shelves! However, I wonder, did we really “get” Thanksgiving? 

Christmas always means more when we let Thanksgiving really sink in.

What does it mean to let Thanksgiving “sink” in? It means that we learn to value the things we already have been given. It means learning contentment to the point that any time we receive from God or others that our first response is to give thanks for that which we don’t deserve. In Psalm 103 we are brought face to face with so many blessings that we have in Christ. He forgives all our sins. He heals all our diseases. He redeems our lives from destruction. He crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies us with good things. Let all of that sink in.

Gratitude is a choice. Even in the most difficult times, we are called on to “give thanks to the Lord.” Our society is not so grateful anymore. In fact, gratitude has become rare. Hardly ever do we hear a genuine “thank you.” This year, as the presents pile up under the tree, thank God for the deeper gifts that He has given you, and pass on an attitude of gratitude to others.

This message is from Steve Carpenter is from our Atoka Campus.  If you missed the message or want to hear it again, listen on-line or tune in to our podcast.

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Plumb Lines 2018: Love Is Our Most Convincing Witness

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Whether you are constructing a house, getting a degree, raising a family, or growing a church, your foundation has to be sure and secure. If you cut corners or fail to plan properly, your foundation could crumble, and all of your efforts might be in vain. Builders use a “plumb line” to be sure everything is straight so that what they are building will stand the test of time.At Gateway, we have a set of Plumb Lines taken from God’s Word that are designed to keep us on track and keep everything straight. They help us make sure that we are building something that will last. Our plumb lines are short statements of the things we value most as a church. They capture who we are and where we are headed.

They are the threads that weave the fabric of Gateway’s identity as a church and our mission as a congregation. 

Love is our most convincing witness.

Jesus isn’t visible. Our community can’t watch Him love, heal, and teach. But they can see us. We paint a picture of Jesus with our lives.

When we love, we show Jesus.

This message is from Steve Carpenter is from our Atoka Campus.  If you missed the message or want to hear it again, listen on-line or tune in to our podcast. 

https://gbcatoka.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/plumb-lines-love-on-display.m4a

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Plumb Lines 2018: The Call to Follow Jesus Is A Call to the Nations

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Whether you are constructing a house, getting a degree, raising a family, or growing a church, your foundation has to be sure and secure. If you cut corners or fail to plan properly, your foundation could crumble, and all of your efforts might be in vain. Builders use a “plumb line” to be sure everything is straight so that what they are building will stand the test of time. At Gateway, we have a set of Plumb Lines taken from God’s Word that are designed to keep us on track and keep everything straight. They help us make sure that we are building something that will last. Our plumb lines are short statements of the things we value most as a church. They capture who we are and where we are headed.

They are the threads that weave the fabric of Gateway’s identity as a church and our mission as a congregation. 

The call to follow Jesus is a call to the nations.

That means that when you choose to be a follower of Jesus, you are accepting a call to care about the world. . . to go to all nations with the gospel with the gospel.

There is not a single group of people that exists right bow for which Christ did not die.

This message is from Steve Carpenter is from our Atoka Campus.  If you missed the message or want to hear it again, listen on-line or tune in to our podcast. 

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