Quote~ J.C. Ryle

It costs something to be a true Christian. Let that never be forgotten. To be a mere nominal Christian, and go to church, is cheap and easy work. But to hear Christ’s voice, and follow Christ, and believe in Christ, and confess Christ, requires much self-denial. It will cost us our sins, and our self-righteousness, and our ease, and our worldliness. All- all must be given up. We must fight an enemy who comes against us with twenty thousand followers. We must build a tower in troubled times. Our Lord Jesus Christ would have us thoroughly understand this. He bids us “count the cost.”

~ J.C. Ryle

Neighborhood event raises food for Helping Hands

Here is an article about our Food Drive in the community. Thanks @GFchurch for being the church on mission!!


Neighborhood event raises food for Helping Hands

By JIM HARDINHerald-Banner

Rockwall County — A Royse City Church held a neighborhood-based food drive Saturday to help Helping Hands of Rockwall County restock its food shelves.

Signs in Royse City led to a residence on Mockingbird Street. And in the home’s driveway were several boxes of food and another sign promoting the food drive.

Donna Webb, who hosted the food drive at her residence, said the food drive was sponsored as a community event by Gateway Fellowship Church.

Few Royse City residents dropped off food, so church members started going door-to-door. Webb said that effort was more productive.

“We’re doing this to provide a service to the community and to meet the community,” Webb said.

Several families from the church helped Webb and her husband, Max, with the project.


Here is the link to the article in the Herald Banner
http://roysecityheraldbanner.com/local/x2055606979/Neighborhood-event-raises-food-for-Helping-Hands

November 12, 2010~RightNow Conference session2

JR Vassar
The Sacred Call To Work

Ephesians 6: 5-9

....How does this change our view about work
....How we work as those who supervised other as well as being supervised by someone else
....Work was given to us before the fall

What is God's vision for work

People spend the most of their time in their workplaces
We must disciple them to use their workplace as a mission field

1. Identity is not in a position but in a person
..... We are bond-slaves to Jesus
.... We are someone because of who we are in Him not what we do

2. Work is worship
.... But you are not called to worship your work
.... We are called to work as doing everything as unto the Lord
..... No matter what you do, or whatever task you are given.. do as unto the lord
..... Work is sacred ... Do not preach the word if you are called to serve tables..... Do not serve tables if you have been called to preach the word ---- The Disciples had that one right!!

What are the implications?

1. Your work needs to be good work
... For work to be good it has an upward, inward and outward dimension

2. Your work needs to have proper motivation
..... Define the "win" in your work
..... must see that the Lord is the one we are ultimately serving
1a. Doing your work from the heart (integrity, diligent, and with excellence )
2b..Treat those who you work with, with Gospel humility
.... Treat others with dignity, love, and respect
.... The Gospel levels everyone and lifts everyone
3c. Work mindful of what the reward is in HIM
... Believe the Gospel
.... You will have no regrets

3. Work is a Gospel opportunity
.... Whatever you do as a vocation do it as a witness of the Gospel- adorn your work with the Gospel
..... Every portion of your life is brought under subjection of the Gospel

Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship

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November 12, 2010~RightNow Conference.... Breakout

David Kinnaman
From Unchristian to Christian

What we need to do in order to gain the attention of those who are unchristian

Scripture::

Teach the high standard of image-bearing to which Christ holds believers

Romans 2:24
Matthew 23:13
Matthew 5:16
John 17:23

Restore a proper theology of insiders an outsiders

Colossians 4: 5-6
1 Corinthians 5: 9-13

Rediscover the deeper meaning of the "offense" of the Gospel

Galatians 2:13 and 5:11
Luke 15

Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship

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November 12, 2010~RightNow Conference session1

JR Vassar
Depending on the Holy Spirit

Don't settle for the results of the work of your flesh

Don't let intimidation lead you into imitation

We must rely on the Holy Spirit
John 20:19

You need the same resources
.... The presence an the purpose of the Holy Spirt
.... In Jesus' incarnation He became reliant upon the Holy Spirt

The people of God have to be dependent on the Holy Spirit to be a prophetic, priestly, people of God

God has to be intimate and in you rather than just among you

This is the promise of the new covenant

Our default is manufacturing ministries in the church - imitation
.....Imitation slays creativity

What would I look like if we began to experience the Spirit in similar ways as Jesus did with similar affects

1. Experience a confirmation of our sonship
2. Prompting toward ministry and an empowerment for ministry
.... Are we responding to the prompting of the Spirt
.... What are we forfeiting on the other side of the prompting by not responding to the Spirit

There must be an expectancy in our hearts for what He wants for us, what He want to do to us, and what He want to do through us
.... It is about posture!

Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship

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November 11, 2010~RightNow Conference session2

Tim Ross
Too Much Information

John 4:

Jesus had an assignment to reveal Himself to those around Him. A brief but very profound ministry. His own people would not listen so He goes elsewhere. He gets weary and rests at the well.
Physical well- spiritual well

As leaders for us to reach people we have to be able communicate about something we both now
.... Meet them on their turf

..... The story unfolds:: they are both thirsty but thirsty for something different .... Literal vs spiritual

Water here is the common denominator between them both

....Starts off with something natural and then gets personal

It is all about relationship
.... Move past religion

You have had 5 husbands and the one you are with now is not your husband but I don't care

Look at the disciples.. The religious people are questioning themselves on why He is talking to her

We can't try to push people into a relationship with Jesus through the eyehole of Religion

She runs to the village and tells everyone about the man that just told me everything about my life and didn't care

... We must release people from our own perception of what we think people are gonna think about them
.... We must release people into relationship rather than into religion
.... Why do we think He does not call us to be vulnerable
.... Ministry calls us to give Too Much Information
..... We need to run back to the community and scream "Come See A Man" who loves me
..... People want to connect to those who know about them but still love them
..... This women had to perform for 6 men until she met The Man who loved her for who she is

We must release people from the shame of their past

He loves us right where we are

Grace is more promiscuous than any prostitute
Grace will get with anyone!!

Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship

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November 11, 2010~RightNow Conference breakout2

Mac Lake and Michael Lukaszewski
Keys to planting healthy, thriving churches

1. New churches have to rely on God
.... Not on anything else
.... You have to rely on God, not your talent

2. New churches must develop new leaders
..... Growing churches have growing leaders
..... Healthy churches have healthy leaders

The habits of your core group will become the culture of your church

3. New churches have to develop strong systems
..... Missional
..... Discipleship
..... Leadership
...... Accountability

People are drawn to places that life change is happening

Capitalize on the power of Story

Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship

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