Gateway Fellowship Sacramento Podcast

Life's Pleasant Boundaries

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:48:00 GMT

This is the second message in a series of inductive studies in the book of Galatians. The purpose of the series is to teach skills of studying the Bible for personal benefit. The first half of the message is inductive study and the second half is a particular application that comes out of the passage.

Today's message concerns the boundaries that God likes to place around our life. To some, these limitations may seem hard to bear. But when we recognize and live out their value, they can be so peace-producing.

Real Good News

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Every three years, we cover the five basic skills that every Christian needs to perfect to live a pleasing and rewarding life in God. One of those five skills is the ability to read the Bible and learn from it yourself. This is the first message in a series titled "A Summer in the Good Book". The series goes through the Book of Galatians and covers the basic skills needed to do personal inductive Bible Study. This first message also looks at the True Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ways people try to change it.

Oh the Humanity

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:14:00 GMT

Pastor Rick tried some new and innovative ideas in this message...including interaction with the congregation, allowing them also to talk to each other. Because of this, half of the message could not be recorded. But we have the essential aspect of it on this recording.

Bible Profits

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 21:55:00 GMT

We begin the summer of study into how you can learn the Bible for yourself with effectiveness and joy. Before looking at "how" to do it, we will look this morning on how the Bible can benefit your life when you learn to learn from it properly.

Familiar with the Bible

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 17:32:00 GMT

This is the first of two pre-messages in our summer series "A Summer with the Good Book". Pastor Larry Yurk kicks this off with his message and Pastor Mike Phillips will continue next Sunday in getting us ready for the Book of Galatians.

I Don't Have No Clue

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Every two years, the Christian and Missionary Alliance (the Movement our church is part of) meets for vision, strategy and spiritual refreshing. This past week, we met in Louisville, KY for 6 days. I was honored to give the Thursday night message to Council. The theme for the week was "Jesus Only" and my message focuses on Intercessory Prayer.

Faith and Vision

Mon, 25 May 2009 15:15:00 GMT

How are Faith and Vision interrelated? This glimpse at the life of Abraham is the greatest and most profound example of how faith can radically change how we view and live out our personal vision in life. This is the last message in the series on Personal Vision. Next week, we start the new series of teachings on Personal Bible Study and Reflection.

A Vision Lifestyle

Sun, 17 May 2009 21:31:00 GMT

One of the most dangerous moments in a man's life is that year after he retires. Many men actually do not survive three years after leaving employment. The reasons are many, but one stands out clearly: When a person does not have a vision for where their life is going it can often take all the life out of them. In this message, we look at someone who knew how to find an entire lifestyle of Visionary living.

Restoring a Derailed Vision

Mon, 11 May 2009 16:16:00 GMT

When a train goes off the track, the cost to fix this disaster is often many times the value of the train itself. But the railways fixes the mess so that future shipments will not be impeded. In this message on Personal Vision, we look at what needs to happen to get a derailed vision back on track again.

Note: This is the second of a two-part message. The first part, we are sorry to say, did not record properly. Please do not email asking where the first part is that we reference in the message. It will just make us feel worse ;-)

Course Adjustments

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:38:00 GMT

All the Apollo spacecraft, right before re-entering the atmosphere, would make course adjustments to align them perfectly with the right angle to make it home safely. In the same way, only God knows the best route for each of us to make our way to his perfect will. In this message, we talk about the three stages that go into making course adjustments.

The Mentor

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Our tendency is to treat our personal vision and life burdens alone. We are not inclined to assume that others would want to share those visions or to help us fulfill them. But God's plan is much different: rarely does he allow any of his children to seek out their personal vision without help.

Freed to Free

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:14:00 GMT

This message begins with the reading of one of the world's most recognizable books on the human condition and ends with a recognition that we all live in the same place - we just don't live the same way. As we each seek that perfect path for our lives, how we approach the weirdest days will show us who we are when we get to the end of the road.

Timing

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:28:00 GMT

The difference between a great golf hit and a poor one is often less than a tenth of a second of timing on the wrist turn. That small of a timing problem can seem overwhelming. The same thing is true when we look at our personal vision and direction in life. Vision requires good timing to work. How can we roll with the timing of our vision when we have so much insecurity?

Obedience

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:06:00 GMT

In the previous teaching, we examined what burdens can be to our lives; the building blocks of personal vision. The sad and sometimes frightening reality is that many people will never see the burdens give birth to vision. This is because they are missing one vital ingredient.

Burdened

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Where does personal vision really start? Do we have to find a road laid out in front of us, an overarching plan carved in marble? Are the beginnings of a vision humble or exotic? This message begins to find the nuts and bolts of developing personal vision for life.

God's Roadblocks

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 23:27:00 GMT

The hero in an action adventure movie is approaching a police roadblock. What are the odds that he will slow down, stop or approach the barrier with caution? Exactly - next to none! We are taught that roadblocks in life are for overcoming. But what if God is the one putting up the roadblock? This is the second message in the series "Where Am I Supposed to Be?"

Building the Lord's House

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:37:00 GMT

This sermon was given by Pastor Rick Gall and is based upon Haggai Chapter one.

Vision Starts Here

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:01:00 GMT

Isaac newton said, "If I have seen farther than others, it was because I was standing on the shoulders of giants". In this, he exemplifies what it really means to have vision for life. But as we will learn in this message, even he couldn't live up to this ideal. Do you want to have clear vision for your life? This message will show you where to start.

Prophetic Celebrations

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Your friends are excited about it; but somehow you feel the opposite. Then there are things that really make your heart sing, and the people around you are not happy with those same things. In this case, it is not because you are strange, but because the values God instills in you cause different types of celebrations than other people. It's a good thing.

Celebrating Communion

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 05:50:00 GMT

The longest running celebration in history is almost 2,000 years old and has been celebrated every day since. If you would like to know how and why to celebrate this meal with your friends, listen to this message.

Honor Guard

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:55:00 GMT

The kid dreams about hitting the home run that wins the world series. The writer envisions the Pulitzer Prize. We all want to be honored by others. But with this sermon, we learn from Jesus that honoring others may be even more satisfying.

For those who are still having problems listening to the message, there are two options. First, click on the big blue "Q" beside the description. That should bring up your Quicktime Player. If you don't have Quicktime, it is a free download to your browser (see "Tools" for doing that". Or you can download the file. Below the description is a file name (in small black letters). Right click on that and click "save link as" and then it will save to your computer. Remember where you save it.

Gratitude Lives

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:31:00 GMT

The essential truth in this message centers on this: You cannot be grateful and have a sense of entitlement at the same time. It is impossible.

The Love Coverup

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 05:58:00 GMT

Love is both something to celebrate and the one thing that can make life truly worth celebrating. How does that work?

Hope Floats

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:00:00 GMT

In this series on celebrating, most of what we have studied relates to good times. But how does one celebrate when life is bad? There is a secret to it all - and it must be a secret since so few people know it - and we learn it from what some people call "The most depressing book in the Bible." Don't worry...I think this sermon will inspire you to celebrate life.

Celebrate Giving

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:23:00 GMT

We often think that we give to bless someone else. But this message shows us that giving delivers us from fear and reveals our calling and character.

Holiday Purpose

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:02:00 GMT

This is the second message in the series "The Art of Celebration". This message features the formation of a new holiday in the book of Esther and what that shows us about finding purpose in all our holidays and feasts.

Celebrating Victories

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 03:21:00 GMT

A football quarterback named Gus Ferotte scored a touchdown several years ago and was extremely excited. To celebrate, he bashed his head (with the helmet on) against the wall in the endzone. He cracked his neck and gave himself a season-ending concussion. He didn't know how to celebrate. In this message, some of heaven's main residents will show us how to celebrate a victory with joy and maturity.

Dealing With Evil

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:58:00 GMT

Are you one of the people whose motto is "I went out to conquer the world and something shiny distracted me"? This message is all about distractions, something we all have to learn to get over. And life's major distraction is the existence of evil around us. Here's how to live successfully with evil in this world.

The Leash

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:04:00 GMT

Everyone is thankful when the owner of a large dog walks him with a thick leash. Did you know that God has a leash? And do you know what is on the other end of it?

Rebellion

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:43:00 GMT

In Christianity, the phrase "The Imminent Return of Christ" often means that Jesus can return at any time. But the passage we will be studying suggests that certain things have to happen before His return. But the real focus of this sermon is on our attitudes - and the attitudes of the human race at the end of the age. We want to make sure our attitude is not that of the rest of the people who will participate in the Rebellion and follow the Man of Lawlessness. This is the ninth message in the series "Presentfuture".

Restoring Peter

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:30:00 GMT

All of Jesus' followers were ecstatic that He had risen from the dead. Well, not all. One of them, Simon Peter, was morose that he above all had failed Jesus. In this message, we will see how Jesus restored him. That process of restoration can be ours as well.

To Be or Not To Be

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:05:00 GMT

In Hamlet, the title character asks the question: "To Be or Not To Be?" He is asking himself whether he wanted to live any more or not. And maybe his question is much larger than we think. Do you want to really live? And who can tell us how to do that?

Justice Served

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:35:00 GMT

There is so much in life that is "not fair". We can see so many situations that are just not right and so many people who start out in life at a huge disadvantage. Does God care when life is not fair? This message points out the difference between fairness and justice.

Sleepy Souls Awake

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:06:00 GMT

The days ahead may prove to be the most challenging to our country in a generation. How will we handle them? In times of crisis, it really shows who is walking in the light and who is fumbling around in the darkness. Which are you?

Panic Prevention

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 21:51:00 GMT

All the Treasury Secretary had to say were the words "panic in the banking sector" and everyone wanted to throw money at banks to make the panic go away. We often want to avoid that feeling of being powerless, no matter what it costs. But there is another way that works much better. This message focuses on godly panic prevention.

Encouragement

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:25:00 GMT

Do you know the guy who has the future all figured out? Or maybe the preacher who is sure they know when Jesus will return? Or the Great-Aunt who is positive the rapture is going to happen in 2012? Well, none of them are going to like this message. For the rest of you, it may be just the tonic you need.

People Joy

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:42:00 GMT

Seemingly, there are no guarantees in life. But in this sermon, a core message in the "Presentfuture" series, we will come as close as possible to outlining how you can experience real joy that will last. This is no hype: This works every time.

Angry God - September 14 2008

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:08:00 GMT

Since God has forgiven the sins of all men, why does God still get angry? Or does He? We will explore what God gets angry at and why. More importantly, we will look at what we can do about that. This is the second message in the "Presentfuture" series of studies in 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Note: The message for September 7, the first in the series on "Presentfuture" was not recorded properly and is missing from this set. We apologize for this.

Glory Hounds - August 31 2008

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 16:51:00 GMT

This is the final message in the series "CSI". In this look at our nature and purpose as humans, we examine the calling and possibilities that we have when others see something of God in our lives. But there is a right way and a wrong way to show "God in Us" to others.

Freedom

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:49:00 GMT

This is a very unusual message. Members of our Encuentro Hispano ministry here at Gateway joined us for the service. Pastor Ken translated as Pastor Mike preaches. This is the 8th message in the series on "CSI: Who Are We" and features the concept of freedom and how we are called to use our Freedom for maximum spiritual advantage

A Transforming Community

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:56:00 GMT

This message is the seventh in the series "CSI: Who are We?" From the outset, mankind has made two mistakes when it comes to transforming our lives to become moral. First, we develop systems where we do it all ourselves - pull ourselves up by our bootstraps - systems where God is not necessary. These generally do not work, and even when they do the changes are cosmetic. The second mistake is to just ask God to change us without any involvement in the change on man's part. This does not work because it means that our choice is not involved. This message goes into detail about how transformation really works and what a church looks like when it makes Transformation one of its priorities.

Equipping

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:53:00 GMT

This is the sixth message in the series "CSI: Who are We?" We have already established that God created us, that he helped us work through the issue of sin and the awful way we think about ourselves and others. We learned that we are his partners. Then we focused on who Gateway Fellowship is. Pastor Rick showed from the Bible that we are a Diversifying Fellowship. Pastor Larry shows in this message that we are an Equipping Community.

diversifying

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 19:26:00 GMT

We live in a diverse community and our church should reflect that diversity. Hear what Pastor Rick has to say about achieving that from Ephesians 2:11-22.

Partners

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:42:00 GMT

Why would God need a partner? Is he running low on cash? Has his ideas well run dry? Maybe God's energy levels are flagging? Obviously, none of those answers makes sense. Yet, God clearly shows us he wants us to partner with him in this Great Venture. What is the venture and how real is the partnership? Those are the questions we answer in this message from the series "CSI: Who Are We?"

We Are Atoned

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:26:00 GMT

Once again, we couldn't adjust the maximum volume on this recording. But if you turn it down yourself, it should be fine. This message is the third one in the series "CSI: Who Are You". Having established that humans are free-choosing creations of God and that all of us have a conscience that is enough for us to be moral agents, now we have to figure out what can be done when our free choice messes us up and our consciences won't stop reminding us that we are in trouble. Here is the answer: We are Atoned For.

Seventy Times Seven Relationships (for Men)

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:44:00 GMT

Pastor Ray Van Gilst shares with the Men's Ministry of Gateway Fellowship at this summer barbecue. He shares the truth found in Matthew 19 and the story of forgiveness ... both forgiveness offered and received. This message is for more than just men...but it is given to men because God calls men to lead the way in spiritual skills.

Moral Agents July 13 2008

mikeinsac@sbcglobal.net — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:55:00 GMT

One of the twentieth century's most influential atheists stated that his primary criticism of the church is that it assumes that only believers in God have moral values. He claimed that everyone has basic moral values. Perhaps he thought he was being original, but actually the book of Romans says exactly the same thing. In this second message in the series on "Who Are We" we explore the nature of all human beings as moral agents.

NOTE: We apologize for the quality problems on this recording. It was recorded accidentally at highest volume. We have tried to fix this afterwards, but it makes the entire podcast sound distorted. You may want to lower your volume to listen also.

Who Are We Humans - July 6 2008

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 21:48:00 GMT

CSI always starts with Roger Daughtry singing "Who are You". That's how we start this sermon series: "Who are you?" This message is the first in the series where we focus on who we are as human beings. Basic, simple understanding is often hard to come by...so this is where we start.

Spur One Another On

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 19:48:00 GMT

Two and a half years ago, Gateway Fellowship planted a new church in Roseville which is affectionately referred to as G2; (they actually refer to us affectionately as G1). The pastor of that church, Mike Marczak delivers this message as he speaks from Hebrews 10. This is part sermon and part testimony to what God has done in G2.

Spicy Creating

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:52:00 GMT

What do Jimi Hendrix, shadow boxes, vintage 57 Chevys and Field of Dreams have in common? They all point to one of God's most exciting attributes: He is the Creator. In this final message in the series "Spicy Living" we explore what it would mean to see creative miracles, creative changes, creative words cascading through our world instead of decay and destruction. You can be part of this creating.

Salting the Generations

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:54:00 GMT

Teaching is only one way that we pass on information from one generation to the next. Being salt on this earth means we should become craftsmen in the art of passing good things along.

Second Chance Lovers

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 03:23:00 GMT

Second chances in life can be very confusing. Who deserves a second chance? When should it be given or not given? We will learn in this message that Second Chances can be one of life's greatest teaching opportunities if practiced with care and expertise.

Comfortable?

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:05:00 GMT

We go out of our way to make visitors to our home comfortable. We want them to know they are welcome to be part of our lives and to share, however briefly, in the best our lives have to offer. But the ones who need comfort are often far from us emotionally. They hurt, grieve, and feel the pain of loss. This message speaks of the Spice of Comfort.

Spicy Joy

Sun, 25 May 2008 19:42:00 GMT

Joy and happiness are not the same thing at all. But they are often mistaken for each other. In this message, we explore how it is possible, and even necessary, to exhibit and experience Joy consistently in our lives. Even in the midst of pain.

What's In A Name - May 18, 2008

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:22:00 GMT

The Patriarch Jacob was named 'Deceiver' and it defined his life until one incredible encounter with God changed all that. God redefined him with a new name and God wants to give you a new name.

Crossing Boundaries 5-11-08

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:14:00 GMT

There are many kinds of relational boundaries in this world: Gender, age, race, religion, gang affiliation, language, ... so many boundaries creating so many difficulties in our world. But in this passage we study this morning, there will be a perspective given to us from a Mother where we see what can happen when we cross boundaries the way that God directs.

Patience Is Not Waiting - 04-27--08

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:21:00 GMT

We are so afraid to ask God to give us patience. This is because we're afraid that he will dump the worst junk into our lives and then tell us to just be patient with it all. But what if that was not patience? In this message we will look at how to be "aggressively kind" and "actively patient".

Out of Your League (04-20-08)

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:18:00 GMT

This second message in the "Spicy Living" sermon series focuses on the Spice of Caring. God gives a privilege to the Righteous Ones to care for His needs as they are found in elements of society that others have neglected. In the end, this spice is to be delivered by pinches, not by handfuls.

We Are Salt

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:48:00 GMT

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asks a question for which he expects no answer: "What can salt do if it isn't salty any more?" The reason he doesn't expect an answer is that salt never becomes non-salty. In the same respect, the believer in Jesus Christ, by virtue of their presence in this world is the salt of the earth. If we aren't, then why are we here? This message is the first in a ten-part series celebrating what kind of a difference we can make in this world.

We're all Building This Boat

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:54:00 GMT

Today's Christian thinks of themselves in terms of their individual growth and happiness. That is not primarily how the Church was originally designed to run. This message focuses on how the Body of Christ can really build itself up and see growth that lasts and maturity that amazes.

A Voice from the Afterlife

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:18:00 GMT

One smart aleck college student asked: "I'm not interested in life after death; I'm interested in life before life after death". That statement represents some of the population. But a much higher percentage of the population want to know what will happen after we die. In this message we start with the words of The Princess Bride and end with 22 people surrendering their lives to Christ. This service is full of salvation.

And Remember these words of Correction: Energizer Bunny, Energizer Bunny, Energizer Bunny (my children spent the evening torturing me for this).

Cleaning out the Temple

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:27:00 GMT

On what we call Palm Sunday, Jesus came to the Temple in Jerusalem and turned everything upside down - both literally and figuratively. The Bible also tells us that God does not live in temples made by hands. The temple of God now is the believer in God. He lives in us. This message focuses on how God can clean up those things that stand in the way of others finding God.

Trust (March 9, 2008)

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:07:00 GMT

The tension between wanting to trust someone and not knowing who we can trust can cause many problems. But in this drive to change and be agents of change, there must at least be a faith/trust in God that endures. In this message, we explore why that is hard, and how to make it more straightforward.

Reinforcements (3-02-08)

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:01:00 GMT

The road to change is sometimes smooth, but most often it faces opposition at many stages. The greatest reinforcement we have is the Holy Spirit. This message focuses on the help the Spirit gives us as we pray for change and make the initial steps to change.

Engaging (2-24-08)

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:33:00 GMT

The time has come to discuss how we are going to take the real changes that God has placed in our life and engage with the evil we find all around us: Including our own family trees. This message will take up the cause of engaging the evil in this world through strategically assessing the situation and prayerfully acting.

Reconnaisance (2-18-08)

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:20:00 GMT

Once God begins to communicate his burden to you (as in "My yoke is easy and my burden is light), it is then time to take it out into real life. In order to make us successful in the fulfillment of His calling, God helps us with the Burdens by giving us guideposts along the way, insights into the mysteries we are called to understand.

Coded Orders

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:32:00 GMT

Coded orders are given to a military unit because they are for their eyes only. In the Kingdom of God, it is not so much that God wants to keep secrets as much as He wants every person to concentrate on the particular assignments He gives them and not everyone else's. As we consider the kind of changes that God wants to make in our personal world, we would be well advised to learn how to interpret God's coded orders to each of us.

Obedience (1-20-08)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:40:00 GMT

The secret is not so hard to understand. The secret is not that difficult to put into practice...occasionally. The secret to making permanent changes in your life isn't just obvious, it is workable. But so few people really make it work that it acts like a huge "secret". What is the secret? Listen closely to this message.

Intelligence (1-13-08)

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:52:00 GMT

Our goal is to see changes happen in our lives. God's goal goes deeper than that. Not only does God want to see change, but He wants it to be exactly the right change that our lives need right now. Only God has that kind of intelligence to understand what we need. We don't even possess it. Just as the Army needs the right intel to make the proper military moves, so we need God's intelligence in the process of becoming the Army of God that makes a difference in this world.

The Change Commander (1-08-08)

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 18:58:00 GMT

This message begins a brand-new sermon series, exploring and explaining the foundation of Gateway Fellowship's viewpoint on personal change as a Christian and the role that Intercessory Prayer plays with that. The series is called "The Delta Force" and this first message explains the role of the commander of the Delta Force. The Delta symbol in scientific circles represents the measurement of change in a given experiment or series of observations. Come experience what it can mean to appoint a new commander to the changes which you and God know must take place in your life.

Holy Holy Holy (12-30-07)

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 18:41:00 GMT

Pastor Rick Gall of Gateway Fellowship explores the meaning behind Isaiah chapter 6.

Stories of Christmas

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:19:00 GMT

This message focuses on the Government of Jesus as He comes to make his Presence felt in the world. We also have two readings from a collection of stories that were never published about God's miracle working power at Christmas.

Angels Teach us to Party

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:40:00 GMT

Angels are messengers sent by God to announce the mighty works of God. They have been in that capacity since they were created. And they know how to party. In this final message on "The Jesus Party" we look at what the angels get excited about and what they have to teach us by example in this world in the throes of anxiety and depression. The angels know how to party and they are willing to teach us by example.

Jesus Brings the Wine - 12-16-07

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:45:00 GMT

When Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding in Galilee, the Gospel writer John mentions that this was a sign. The word "sign" means something of importance which has deeper meaning. This miracle, performed at a party, tells us so much about how the Kingdom of God is for blessings and delights. At this party, Jesus brings the wine.

Party Animals or Party Poopers (12-9-07)

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:39:00 GMT

In this second message in the series titled "The Jesus Party" we explore the parable of the Prodigal Son. In this instance, we look not at the return home of the wayward one but rather the celebratory reaction of the father and the poopish reaction of the older brother. In seeing their contrasting emotions we are confronted with our own choices: Do we really love seeing other people changed by God's power?

Baptismal Testimonies

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:31:00 GMT

During this regular service of Gateway Fellowship, the entire second half of the service was devoted to the stories of people whose lives were changed by God and wanted to reflect that by being baptized. After these testimonies, Pastor Mike gave a invitation to receive Christ and 15 people responded by surrendering their lives and being forgiven of their sins. Enjoy these wonderful stories.

The Two Parties - 12-2-07

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:27:00 GMT

From the beginning of time, God has thrown a party for His people. But at the very time when God began to offer the party to us, another party began. This party was unlike God's party. It promised more than it could deliver...in fact, all it delivers is thievery, murder and mayhem. But the God party delivers as much blessing and joy as you can imagine. You have to choose between the two parties...every day.

Principles of a Healthy Mind (11-18-07)

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:45:00 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is given the task of investigating and cleaning up areas of toxic waste and poison to the environment. But that only applies to the physical world. Who will clean up the toxic attitudes that infest our workplaces, homes and entertainment? In this message, the prelude the Thanksgiving week, we embark on an epic journey. From the teaching of Jesus, we will learn what it looks like to live free of toxins in our attitudes and walk in victory through three simple principles.

Detours and Delays

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:51:00 GMT

In our lives, we make decisions and we live by those decisions, but even with the most well-prayed and well-thought out plans, there are delays and detours that cannot be avoided. Some of these delays are from God and some of the detours are not. But there is a process we can enter through regardless of where the changes in plans come from.

Decisive Living

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 23:34:00 GMT

Those who have made their living with bold decisions will always tell you that living boldly is the way to go. Those who have thrived with caution and careful planning will tell you that caution is a virtue. But when we look at what it means to live decisively, it actually turns out to be an amazing mixture of boldness and caution. The Bible points out, in the pivotal moment of Jesus' life, what really made him a decisive man. This message explores that moment.

Difficulties

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:27:00 GMT

Life is full of difficult decisions: Relationship decisions, health decisions, location, vocation and legal decisions. Many times we think we are making the best decisions only to have them turn out as disasters. In this three-part series we will look at the primary biblical principles involved with making difficult decisions

Continuing to Keep a Clean Soul

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:37:00 GMT

Builders of new homes in America cannot allow mold to exist in any quantity or form, or else they face the threat of lawsuit. Mold is a greater problem than almost anything else facing a homeowner because it is a living organism, and if left to flourish, it can totally destroy the house. This is very much like sin. In this final message in the series on "The Proper Care and Feeding of Your Soul" we will look at how the soul can be scrubbed clean regularly so that the "moldy" effects of sin can be eliminated or at least greatly reduced.

The Transfer of Authority

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 21:48:00 GMT

One complaint of many church-goers is that some in leadership in churches use their authority to control or manipulate others. But the alternative to that is to have a church where there is no authority. In this message we will examine the spiritual implications to authority and how God has designed a unique balancing principle to help prevent spiritual abuse of authority

Your Soul, the Warrior

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 11:54:00 GMT

Do you feel like there are days that you fight an internal battle you just aren't winning? Perhaps the battle isn't against any particular sin or temptation, but ideas, emotions and attitudes that just won't quit and are fighting against the peace we want to maintain. In this series, we have talked about achieving a state of peace, joy and freedom. This message will help with the difficult task of staying there.

Worship is Also for the Soul

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:06:00 GMT

Though John 4 does tell us that God is seeking those who will worship in "spirit and in truth", this does not mean that worship leaves out the soul. In actuality, the soul reaps many benefits from worship. Come explore Psalm 103 and see how worship can take an old dilapidated bird and turn it back into a soaring sentinel of the sky.

Connecting to the Anchor for the Soul

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:19:00 GMT

Back in 2000, one of the most well-read magazines in the country published their annual issue of the 50 most Popular people in the world. On that list were at least 20 people who would not make the list five years later. Popularity is like that; and so are people. One thing that this world teaches us is that everything changes over time. The one exception will be carefully laid out in this message.

Finding Good Soul Food

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:50:00 GMT

Chris Webber, formerly a basketball player for the Sacramento Kings, once commented that the only thing he didn't like about Sacramento is its dearth of good soul food restaurants. That's a problem most of us face as well. Where does one go to find good food for the soul? We'll be looking into this intriguing subject as we study Psalm 1.

A Sabbath for the Sake of Your Soul

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:57:00 GMT

Church fights have been precipitated on the issue of the Sabbath. The dividing line between denominations has swirled around the Sabbath. Many of Jesus' most heated discussions with Jewish leaders had to do with the Sabbath. Maybe God's idea of one day in Seven is not such a good one? Or maybe we have a tendency to buck all of God's best plans. The "day", "month" and "year" all have astronomical significance, but the week is the only calendar designation that is purely spiritual in origin. And at the very heart of that week is this beautiful gift for our souls called the Sabbath. Come learn what it is really all about.

Times of Refreshing For Your Soul

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:39:00 GMT

There are two kinds of boredom. There is the boredom where there really is nothing to do. That can easily be relieved unless you're in Algebra at 8 a.m. or your radio receiver can only get the All-Polka station. But the other kind of boredom is actually a sign that God is up to something. And when we respond to this kind of boredom properly, times of refreshing can come to us from the Lord.

Enjoyable Obligations of the Soul

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:54:00 GMT

Not only do people have things for us to do, they have things for us to care about. During the first Gulf War, people were watching CNN 18-20 hours a day, and found they lost jobs, marriages and peace of mind following the burden of war around the clock. The burdens of other people, the burdens we weren't meant to carry, can get desperately heavy. There is an answer to this, and it is to get rid of the unwarranted burdens and to take the yoke of Jesus upon ourselves. Then it becomes enjoyable.

Sleep - Where Your Soul is Renewed

Mon, 6 Aug 2007 01:50:00 GMT

Pastor Jack Hayford of "Church on the Way" in Van Nuys has said that much debilitating spiritual warfare could be reduced or eliminated if God's people learned to get a good night's sleep. Noted sleep researcher, William Dement has said that 33% of all car accidents, 40% of sports injuries and almost 50% of illnesses have a sleep deprivation element. The Bible clearly shows that sleep is a gift from God and should be protected as one of our most valuable commodities. Yet, most of us treat sleep as at best an annoyance, and at worst, something to be bartered away for trinkets. Is there a way out of this mess? Most assuredly there is. Listen to this message for answers.

Contentment is the Off-Switch for Your Soul

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:45:00 GMT

Imagine that our desires are like the bull in the field with all the cows. How do you get him to want to leave such a desirable place when he seems made for the occasion? Or your television has so many program offerings and only 24 hours in the day to watch. How do you tell your soul it can't have any more when even continuous watching would not be enough? We won't even talk about buffets: Or will we?

Hope is Gatorade for the Soul

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:21:00 GMT

Hopelessness is a cancer to the soul. It feeds off of every good thing in the soul and makes a mockery of it all. But the person who is caught up in the web of this hopelessness usually has no strength left to fight it off. That is exactly why God created a type of Gatorade for the soul. It is called HOPE and it is readily available for anyone.

Having a Meet and Greet With Your Own Soul

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:48:00 GMT

We have hundreds of home testing kits to let us know what is happening with our bodies. But where are the tests for our souls? The soul is that amazing bridge between the physical and spirit realms. The soul is the central core of our being, the part that separates us from others more completely than any other part. In this first message in the series "The Proper Care and Feeding of Your Soul" we go through the basic understanding of the soul, and how to tell if you have a healthy or unhealthy soul. Subsequent messages will focus on how to make the soul more complete and healthy

Why Love Can Be So Difficult

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 15:49:00 GMT

A young girl wrote an online advice columnist complaining her parents were opposed to her seeing her much older boyfriend she had met online. "But I get knots in my stomach when we're together. He makes me feel dizzy and I sometimes even feel faint after we kiss" she proclaimed. "It must be love" was her conclusion. Actually that sounds more like the flu. Or malaria.

But that kind of love is easy compared to the real love that God wants us to show. The real love is sacrificial, difficult and demanding. But the real reasons it is difficult may be more surprising than you think.

Even Love Has Its Battle Line

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 03:32:00 GMT

The Sixties culture told us there were only two alternatives: Make Love, Not War. So is it either love or fight? It is possible to make love and war at the same time...but it's not what you think. We don't often associate love with conflict, and for the most part, that is true. But there is a place where love must have a battle line. When one love in our life meets another love in our life, only one of them is going to win. With that in mind, this message explores one of the most intriguing truths of the first letter of John to the churches. Using music from Etta Jones and a phenomenal testimony of a little white-haired man from Australia, we will delve into the uncharted reaches of love's experience: The only battle line love will draw in our lives.

Living Out Of Your Glory

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:47:00 GMT

In this Father's Day message, Pastor Larry Yurk gives us a biblical perspective on the creation of Man and the glory of God

The Darkness of Fickle Loves

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:12:00 GMT

This message is not contained in its entirety on this recording...but almost. We are missing a few minutes at the beginning and a two-minute stretch in the middle. We thought about filling it with light elevator music or maybe something from Flogging Molly, but we were talked out of it. It is almost entirely there however. This third message in the series on "Who Wrote the Book of Love" - studies in First John, deals with the difference between the fickle nature of human love and the steadfast nature of the sort of love we can show by the Presence of God within us.

Pornography Answers

Fri, 8 Jun 2007 03:42:00 GMT

This seminar was run on Monday June 4 at Gateway Fellowship Church in Sacramento. It is one in a series of messages this year on sexual issues for men. Several illustrations were cut out of the final tape because of privacy issues and an inability to obtain permission from people involved. You may notice a few "continuity" issues with the message because of this. In addition, we use some very graphic descriptions of pornography and sexual addiction, even though there is no profanity. We see nothing wrong with allowing teenagers to listen to this as long as parents are there to answer questions.

If there is interest, we may be willing to put a message on here from a seminar that Pastor Mike did titled "Why Women are Stupid...about Pornography". The seminar directors will not allow us to use the tape made at the seminar, but we might be willing to redo the main points if there is enough interest.

If you are a man who has a pornography problem or feel your husband or son does and want help for them, please email me at:
mikeinsac@sbcglobal.net.

Baptismal Service and Gospel Presentation

Mon, 4 Jun 2007 03:38:00 GMT

In this very special service from Gateway Fellowship, we feature four of our teenagers who are giving their lives to Jesus in Baptism. Pastor Rick Gall gives the message from John 3 as he explains the simplicity of believing in God. Also during this message we have the testimony of the four teens. At the end of the baptism, Pastor Rick gives an opportunity to receive Christ. At the service, ten people responded, giving their lives to Jesus.

Is it Mental Illness or True Love

Mon, 28 May 2007 04:47:00 GMT

Science has determined that many of the same chemical changes which happen when a person falls in love correspond to the changes found in sufferers with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia. When all of our emotional connections to people can be explained by chemical phenomena, it is difficult to see the moral significance of our actions. That is why the Bible introduces a new kind of love, a love that cannot be explained by any chemical reactions or human emotions. This kind of love cannot be found in those with mental illness: it is Perfect Love.

If you want to download this message, just right-click on the file below here and hit "save link as". This will save the file to your hard drive and then you can listen to it on an audio program such as Windows Media Player.

The People of Love Revealed

Mon, 21 May 2007 01:44:00 GMT

There are many groups of people with whom we may feel some level of affinity and friendship. We certainly may feel very close to those we share a disaster with for instance. People in the same college course may often spend time together, and even fans at a basketball game can feel close to one another as long as they are close enough to the arena. But there is something about the people of God that goes way beyond all of this. The affinity we have is based upon a person and a changed life that we all share. Come learn about the People of Love in this first message in the series titled "Who Wrote the Book of Love".

If you want to download this message, just right-click on the file below here and hit "save link as". This will save the file to your hard drive and then you can listen to it on an audio program such as Windows Media Player.

The Challenges Women Have Always Faced

Mon, 14 May 2007 04:06:00 GMT

At Gateway Fellowship, we have always celebrated all the women in our church on Mother's Day and not just the mothers. In this message, we look at the very first mother in this world (and very first woman for that matter) to determine the challenges she faced when sin came into the world. What we discover is that those challenges are essentially no different than what most women face today.

Four People Who Heard God

Sun, 6 May 2007 22:50:00 GMT

The second fastest selling book on Amazon right now is "The Most Dangerous Book for Boys". Essentially, it is a book that explains how to teach boys basic dangerous skills such as climbing a tree, making a go-kart, playing with a Jackknife and talking to girls. Each of these skills is best learned by one-on-one mentoring. In the same way, God gives us many hands-on exercises and examples of how He taught people to hear His voice. In this final message in the series on Hearing God we will explore how four people, from totally different walks of life, were able to hear God. We will also see what they can teach us about reacting to what we hear.

I Wouldn't Want You to Miss Anything

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:24:00 GMT

So many times we are asking ourselves, "would things have gone differently for me if I had heard from God before making that decision." In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus spent his last night on earth asking his Father about the events ahead of him. He tried to get his disciples to join him in digging in to the mind of the Lord before the momentous events. They chose sleep instead. This message focuses on how not to fall asleep when God is trying to help us with input.

If you want to download this message, just right-click on the file below here and hit "save target as". This will save the file to your hard drive and then you can listen to it on an audio program such as Windows Media Player.

Free Bible Software

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:35:00 GMT

As I mentioned in this message (ie. "Stop Abusing the Bible), there are several sites dedicated to full usage of the Bible for little or no cost. Here they are:

E-Sword.... www.e-sword.net

Bible Gateway... www.biblegateway.com

Bible .... www.bible.com

Esword has programs that can be downloaded to your computer, whereas the other two have programs that can be used right on their site. Most of the resources are free. So make use of them and hear what God has to say to you through the Bible.

Stop Abusing the Bible

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 22:00:00 GMT

When Billy Graham used to say "The Bible Says...." you could be fairly sure that he was was going to make a clear presentation of what the Bible said. But many people today are not as clear or careful with how the Bible is represented. In this message, we look at how many people misuse their own Bibles. In essence, because they do this, they miss out on what might say to them through the Bible.

Call the Police: My Bible is Alive

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:49:00 GMT

According to Hebrews chapter four, your Bible is Alive and it is energetic. In one sense, it is like the holographic doctor on Star Trek Voyager...but then again, you may not be a trekkie. You'll just have to listen to the message in order to figure it out.

No Wife and No Bones

Mon, 9 Apr 2007 02:42:00 GMT

Every year around Easter, today's media likes to produce special magazines, movies and documentaries trying to reinvent Jesus. After "Da Vinci Code" and the "Lost Tomb of Jesus" people just want to hear the truth instead. This message deals with the implications of the resurrection instead of trying to disprove sensational and stupid theories.

Peeps in a Microwave - the Meaning of Easter?

Mon, 9 Apr 2007 02:31:00 GMT

Here is the video that preceded this morning message. An original video produced by Mike Phillips and his wife Kathy "Vanna White".

How Faith Helps Us Hear God

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 04:50:00 GMT

This is a picture of my dad at age 18. The photo was pretty much destroyed, but through the instrumentality of some great graphics programs (particularly GIMP), it was able to be restored somewhat. This message talks about how much we fear getting it wrong when it comes to hearing God. The primary focus is looking at a man like Enoch who both pleased God and followed hard after God. With his example we can see how to hear God in a way that will change our life and the lives of others.

Waking Up The Sleepy Soul

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:14:00 GMT

Within the Family of God, there are some who feel left out. They do not hear God's voice, or feel his presence, or read the Bible with any real sense of freedom. There are real reasons why this is so, and the Bible gives us a clear answer to the problem of a sleepy soul.

Why We Still Have Missionaries

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:39:00 GMT

Some estimates are that the church outside of North America is one of the smaller manifestations of the church around this world. The Church in China may be five to ten times larger than the church in America. The church in Vietnam has conquered territory that the American military could not hold. The Korean nation now has over 50% professing Christians. The same is true of Nigeria. So with all this explosive growth overseas, do we still need to be sending missionaries? Dr. David Constance, a long-time missionary to Argentina, and now working to produce teaching materials to Latin American churches, gives three excellent reasons why missions is not close to being completed.

If I Can't Have World Peace, Can I At Least Have Peace

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 03:19:00 GMT

As much as we get excited about all the new possibilities connected with hearing the voice of God, the real fear that many Christians face is this question: "How do I know that I'm really hearing God?" In this message, we begin to address this question. God has given us a gift that helps to referee the doubts we have about God's voice...it is called "Peace".

Knowing Things In Your "Knower"

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:18:00 GMT

There are some who hear God through dreams and visions, others through emotions and others through straightforward thought patterns. But many people experience God's leading in a completely different way. In this message, we look at a woman who comes up for healing from Jesus but doesn't want to reveal her need to anyone. She receives the healing, but in the process, both her and Jesus hear God through their Intuitive sense. We will learn through their example what to do when we begin to hear things in our 'knowers'.

God Speaks Through Multicolored Emotions

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:29:00 GMT

Are emotions helpful in any way? Can we trust them for anything? In this seventh message in the series on Hearing God's Voice, we explore the ways that the inner voice of God can be translated into our emotions. And this way of hearing will impact some people more than any other way of hearing God.

Seeing is Believing is Doing

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:45:00 GMT

God not only speaks to us through thought patterns but also through seeing visions, dreams and pictures. But not only does God show us pictures, but also gives us the ability to interpret and apply the truths He shows.

Just as a way of reminder, if you are wanting to listen to this on an MP3 player other than Ipod, then go below to the "direct download " link on this entry, right click and "save target as". Then your browser will save this file so you can listen to it on your computer or MP3 player through Windows Media Player or another player.

God Speaks Into Our Minds

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 04:43:00 GMT

In this fifth message in the series on Hearing God's Voice, we look at the first of the most practical ways that God speaks - directly into our minds. We learn from the Old Testament prophets how they went about hearing God and the real reason God agreed to show them what He needed them to know.

Just as a way of reminder, if you are wanting to listen to this on an MP3 player other than Ipod, then go below to the "direct download " link on this entry, right click and "save target as". Then your browser will save this file so you can listen to it on your computer or MP3 player through Windows Media Player or another player.

Recognizing Spiritual Hearburn

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:54:00 GMT

In our series on "Hearing God's Voice" we finally come to the practicalities of listening to God. How do you know God is saying something at that moment? And what are the clues that God is trying to convey something of great importance?

Just as a way of reminder, if you are wanting to listen to this on an MP3 player other than Ipod, then go below to the "direct download " link on this entry, right click and "save target as". Then your browser will save this file so you can listen to it on your computer or MP3 player through Windows Media Player or another player.

The Spirit of the Mystery

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:51:00 GMT

A mystery in our english language means something strange, unknown and peculiar. However, in the Greek language, a mystery is something that can only be known by Revelation. In this message on hearing God's voice, we explore the spirit of man and how God begins His process of communicating with us by speaking mysteries to our spirits. If this seems like a strange way of saying it, we challenge you to listen to this message and grow in your understanding of how God communicates.

My Sheep Hear My Voice - Part 1

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 05:42:00 GMT

This is the first message in the series on "Hearing God's Voice". In this sermon, we look at what it really means to have an intimate relationship with Father God and to hear what He has to say. We learn that everyone can hear God, and everyone hears in unique ways.

Communion and Healing Message

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 05:39:00 GMT

This is the communion and healing message from the January 7 service at Gateway Fellowship.

The Value of a Well-Chosen Vow

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 06:03:00 GMT

"It was just a little promise" you might say. But the power of a promise - both the promise we keep and the ones we don't - can magnify many times its original size. In this final message in the series on How to Bring God's Presence into Your Home, we will look a the value of a vow when it is well-chosen by God, and the dangers of a vow that has been left untended.

The Value of Changed Plans

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 06:06:00 GMT

Mary and Joseph are just some of the people who have had their plans changed. Often when God changes our plans, it is not to make us angry or to deliberately inconvenience us, but rather to bring blessings to our lives that cannot come any other way. We don't often see it that way, but God is determined to show us his blessings. Our response needs to be one of submission; God's response to submission is to supply whatever we need to fulfill God's plan.

The Value of Peace in Your Home

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 04:18:00 GMT

There are many people who look back at their Christmases from childhood with great fondness and joy. There are others who regret so many of their Christmas memories that this season of the year is not all that welcome. No matter which a person has experienced, there is always a way to bring the Peace of Christ into the place where you live. And the peace of Christ can make all the difference in anyone's life.

The Value of Feasting

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:06:00 GMT

Job is not considered the chief party animal among biblical characters. But the beginning of his book shows us a picture of his life and family that goes against the standard picture of his suffering and misery. Though it would be stretching it to call Job a "party animal" perhaps, he does exemplify one of the primary principles of how to live in the presence of God in our families.

Real Churches Contain Real People

Tue, 5 Dec 2006 01:03:00 GMT

Some people have an ideal in their head that churches should live up to. In one sense, it is an ideal that they themselves do not live up to. Others have given way to cynicism and do not believe that the Church can ever recover the place of respect they once had for it. In this message, we explore the value of Spiritual Fathers in a church and what can happen if we allow those Spiritual Fathers to have expectations of us.

Law and Order Asks the Question

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:28:00 GMT

As a special bonus for subscribers to this Podcast, we are offering five classic messages from Mike Phillips on the subject of "The Bible Answers the Questions Posed by Today's Culture". These are all re-broadcasts of the most popular sermon series that Mike has ever done. Each one addresses a theme question presented by a popular Television series.

In this final message in the series, the crime drama, "Law and Order" asks the Bible a fascinating question.

Survivor Asks the Question

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:19:00 GMT

As a special bonus for subscribers to this Podcast, we are offering five classic messages from Mike Phillips on the subject of "The Bible Answers the Questions Posed by Today's Culture". These are all re-broadcasts of the most popular sermon series that Mike has ever done. Each one addresses a theme question presented by a popular Television series.

The immensely popular Television series, "Survivor" asks this sermon's question: What will it take to survive this life?

SportsCenter Asks the Question

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:08:00 GMT

As a special bonus for subscribers to this Podcast, we are offering five classic messages from Mike Phillips on the subject of "The Bible Answers the Questions Posed by Today's Culture". These are all re-broadcasts of the most popular sermon series that Mike has ever done. Each one addresses a theme question presented by a popular Television series.

This message addresses the sports world hero worship and wonders aloud, "What really makes a winner?" The Bible has some answers for this.

Seventh Heaven Asks the Question

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:55:00 GMT

As a special bonus for subscribers to this Podcast, we are offering five classic messages from Mike Phillips on the subject of "The Bible Answers the Questions Posed by Today's Culture". These are all re-broadcasts of the most popular sermon series that Mike has ever done. Each one addresses a theme question presented by a popular Television series.

This second in the series is based on the popular series called "Seventh Heaven"

Seinfeld Asks the Question

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:46:00 GMT

As a special bonus for subscribers to this Podcast, we are offering five classic messages from Mike Phillips on the subject of "The Bible Answers the Questions Posed by Today's Culture". These are all re-broadcasts of the most popular sermon series that Mike has ever done. Each one addresses a theme question presented by a popular Television series.

This particular message, the first, explores the question asked by Seinfeld: "Is Life Really about Nothing?"

Don't Waste your Sadness

Sun, 5 Nov 2006 23:03:00 GMT

All of us have moments, or even seasons, of sadness. This situation is critical depending on how we handle it. Most people waste times of sadness and do not realize how incredibly loud God can be during sadness. In this message, we explore how you can make every time of sadness a time of discovery and growth.

Podcast Missing - We're Sorry!

Wed, 1 Nov 2006 18:12:00 GMT

This past week we had the most phenomenal Men's retreat at Gateway Fellowship. It would be inappropriate for me to share the details of what God did in the lives of the individual men. But suffice to say that several marriages were completely healed (including a couple on the verge of divorce), many fathers were shown by the Lord how to take care of their kids with more diligence and spiritual fervor, etc.

I came back to preach on the "testosterone-deprived" Sunday services. As a result of not having our regular recording crew in place, I made a huge mistake and didn't replace the battery in the lapel microphone. As a result, I ended up using the handheld mike...which wasn't connected to the recording device.

All of that to say that this week we do not have a current podcast to launch here. Sorry!

Congregational Meeting October 20 2006

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 03:53:00 GMT

On October 20, 2006, the congregation of Gateway Fellowship in Sacramento met to discuss the beginning of our new vision of Gateway 3.0. This vision is of a new way of doing church - Open Source Christianity. Just as Open Source software prepares the original computer code and then encourages others to add to it and improve it, so Gateway 3.0 proposes the basic idea of where God wants us to go, but it is up to every member of our church to improve it and work upon it. Listen to this 45 minute meeting and view the accompanying PowerPoint presentation on this podcast. At the end, please fill out the form and attach it to an email, sending it to:

mikeinsac@sbcglobal.net

People We Should Keep Away From

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 22:24:00 GMT

One young girl told a pastor that she would be willing to sleep with a guy if it meant he would come to Jesus and go to heaven. On the other end of that spectrum, there are bible teachers who claim that God doesn't want us to have anything to do with unbelievers or to have anything to do with Christians who have anything to do with unbelievers. Somewhere between the two of them is a balanced approach. There are people with whom we should have no deep relationship. In this message, we discover who they might be and how to keep away from them.

Powerpoint for the Congregational Meeting

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 17:53:00 GMT

This Powerpoint presentation goes along with the Audio congregational meeting which is posted above. If you desire, download this and then advance the slides as the presentation goes along.

Also, here is the response form that we would like you to submit as soon as you can. If you want to send it to us, email it back to:

mikeinsac@sbcglobal.net

For downloading these forms, right click on the link and click "save link as" and it will begin downloading.

You can also bring it one of the next two Sundays. Please do not sign it. We want these forms to have the strength of anonymity.

The Obstacles People Lay Before Us

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 02:23:00 GMT

Our lives would be so much easier if people were not involved in them. Whether it is pastoring, psychiatry, teaching or working in an office, any job would be a piece of cake if people weren't central to what we have to do. In this message, we explore how others put obstacles in our way, and how we can act in the opposite spirit to not only hurdle the obstacles but represent God well in the process.

Looking Behind the Veil of Legalism

Mon, 9 Oct 2006 02:49:00 GMT

Legalism is not a love or rules or a critical spirit or a cultural habit. There is a much different answer completely that may surprise you. When you see what the real reason behind legalism is, you'll realize that any of us can enter into it.

How Do You Smell To Others

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 02:44:00 GMT

Just as there are physical senses which keep us in touch with the physical realm, so too are there spiritual senses which help us identify spiritual things and truths. There is a spiritual sense of smell and even the person who doesn't believe in God has it. In this message, we will look at how a Christian smells like to another Christian and to those who don't believe. The real point of this is seeing what we need to do about the noxious fumes that emanate from us to others.

Stop Being Outwitted by the Enemy

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:53:00 GMT

We tend to minimize life to sets of rules to guide us. But how do we determine the rules about relationships? If we were thorough, we would need about 1,000 chapters in the "Book of Love"...and that is just to cover Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This message looks at how to avoid the problems that the Enemy causes in relationships, and what God wants to do to help us avoid them.

Two Secrets to Have More Successful Conflict

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:06:00 GMT

80% of the people in this country use Avoidance as their primary means of dealing with conflict. This may be because they have rarely seen conflict done properly. This message contains two key ingredients from the teachings in 2 Corinthians that show us how conflict not only can be done effectively but can actually make good relationships great

A Hero For Those Who Need a Champion

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 03:32:00 GMT

Do you know of someone who can't solve their problem...it is just too much? That is the point where not only they, but all of their friends, despair. But in this message, we will see how several friends found a way, and thereby set us an example of how to get a friend in need into a place where they can get major help

A Hero for the Overworked and Underutilized

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 17:47:00 GMT

Are you overworked? At the same time, are you bored? They are actually flip sides of the same coin. In this message, we will see someone who comes up with an idea that is heroic and majestic...and downright simple.

A Hero for Those Who Can't Find the Road

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 17:41:00 GMT

If there is a perfect plan for each of our lives, it is unlikely most of us have walked it completely. But we try. However, some seem to lose the path completely. The hero we talk about in this message is skilled at helping others find that path again.

The Portrait of a Non-Hero

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 17:34:00 GMT

Often, we learn a principle by seeing the opposite in action. In this encounter between Jesus and some fuzzy thinkers, the clear differentiation between Jesus the Hero and all non-heroes is clear.

The Hero of the Calculated Risk

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 17:28:00 GMT

We are taught often that risk-taking is only for venture-capitalists or fools. But the Bible is full of examples of people who found risk-taking (when properly managed) is much more fulfilling and rewarding than hiding behind propriety.

A Hero For Small Beginnings

Fri, 7 Jul 2006 23:35:00 GMT

People often confuse small with insignificant. But not this kind of hero. This hero is looking for those tiny moments and unforeseen opportunities that have the potential to explode once they hit the tipping point. This hero is often the one who tips it over into real importance.

A Hero Defends The Innocent and the Guilty

Fri, 7 Jul 2006 17:24:00 GMT

It isn't easy to come to the defense of someone who is innocent. You may end up getting hurt. But can anyone imagine defending someone who is guilty and knowing that they won't credit you anything for it. This is what one hero did...and it is the right thing to do sometimes.

Ushers and Greeters Training

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:26:00 GMT

This is the training audio for the Gateway Fellowship Ushers and Greeters Ministry. After listening to this, email me at my main email and let me know you have finished it. Listen as many times as you need to.

A Hero is the One Out Front

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:33:00 GMT

This is the first message in a new Sermon Series during the summer titled "Ordinary Heroes". In this first message, we will explore the life of Lydia, a wealthy woman who uses her influence to begin something that very few others would have dreamed of.

Affecting the Place you Love

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 23:05:00 GMT

If you could change the place you love - your home, church, town, business, school, nation - would you? Is there a way to pray that is much more effective than what we normally do? (i.e. Throw the prayers up against the wall to see which ones stick). This final message in the series "The Parallel Universe" focuses on how Daniel's prayer touched the spirit realm and then touched his world, and the place he loved, for the better.

Sanity is Not Hereditary: You Get it From Perspective

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 22:59:00 GMT

Sanity is not primarily a mental condition as much as it is spiritual. This is part of the series on "The Parallel Universe" from the Book of Daniel. In this message we encounter someone who loses their mind and gains it back. Why he did each of these is the point of teaching and life we will explore in detail.

Overcoming in the Rat Race

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:48:00 GMT

Our job can seem unfair; our church may seem unfair; our families certainly seem unfair at times. Daniel was a man who faced a lifetime of service in a job he never wanted, in a place he abhored living in, with a people he felt alien to. But he did his job with excellence and becomes the shining example for all of us how to win in the rat race of life.

Overcoming Future Shock

Wed, 24 May 2006 23:00:00 GMT

The spirit realm and the physical realm are both real and parallel to one another, in the sense that they both affect many parts of our lives. One very real area that the spirit realm differs is that it dwells outside the normal rules of time and space. Because of this, God is able to give us glimpses into the future to ready us for the way we live in the present.

Entering Into His Rest

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 21:56:00 GMT

With so much going on most Christians don't rest very well. And yet God has called us to rest in him. In this sermon you can gain some insight into the problem of unrest and the solution God offers you. Thousands of years ago God reserved his rest for you. Find out what that means and how to enter that rest! Message given by Rick Gall at Gateway.

Allowing a Lamb to Lead

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:07:00 GMT

When asked, very few people consider themselves to be leaders. But from experience, we find there are several times each week when our actions and decisions affect the lives of so many other people. At the very least, we lead in what we decide and what we do. From there, our leadership abilities and responsibilities increase. In this message, we contrast the leadership styles of Caiaphas and Jesus and see a simple truth: the alternative leadership style works better.

Consider the Possibilities If We Learn to Live in Peace

Tue, 4 Apr 2006 18:21:00 GMT

To most peace activists, the definition of peace includes the idea of ending war. To take the Iraq war as an example, we might ask: Did they have peace before the war started? Have they had peace during the war? Is there peace after the war? So maybe peace is not contingent upon ending war. In this message, we will explore how the average person can have peace and what really gets in the way of having peace permanently.

Consider the Possibilities If We Learn to Live in Love

Tue, 4 Apr 2006 18:18:00 GMT

For the majority of people, living a life of love either means becoming a "romeo" or a sex goddess...or being an idealistic dreamer who lives on the ideal plain. But the type of love God wants to give us as a tool is eminently practical and can be lived hour by hour. In fact, this message will show that this is the best way to live in love: Hour by hour.

Consider the Possibilities When We Minister with His Power

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:47:00 GMT

This series of messages is all about adding new tools to our spiritual toolbelt. If we can learn to use them, the additional strength and power that flows out of our life will open up windows of opportunity and allow the flow of God to be constant through us.

Consider the Possibilities if We Believed the Truth

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:45:00 GMT

Lie-based thinking is shattering the hopes and dreams of so many people. But God can thoroughly change that and can help us to see the difference the Truth makes. Living in the Truth is much more than just believing the right things in our head...it is settling old issues in our hearts.

Consider the Possibilities if We Obey God - Part 2

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:43:00 GMT

The continuation of the idea of the first message with some more practical applications of the concept.

Consider the Possibilities If We Obey God

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:41:00 GMT

"Obey" is a word that doesn't even show up in wedding vows much any more. However that may rankle some, we have to realize that we have come to see obedience as equal to slavery. But what if obedience is the path to freedom? Come and see what that could mean.

Consider the Possibilities When We Pray for Loved Ones

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:39:00 GMT

At times we complain about our family, we try to avoid them and even set very necessary but difficult boundaries. Have you tried praying for them? Perhaps you have, but did it make any difference? We look at how to pray for loved ones in a way that will assure some radical changes and God-things will happen

The Possibilities When You Practice Friend-Focused Prayer

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:31:00 GMT

Friend-focused prayer is also called Intercession by some people, but in this case, is intent upon seeing changes in those we care about and know. Sometimes that knowledge gets in the way and can hinder. We'll talk about how to overcome that to pray very effectively.

Building a New Foundation for Your Future

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:48:00 GMT

Everyone has seasons in their life when they feel like building something new into their life. How does that correspond to what God is doing with your life? How does God want to build the people of God? This message explores how God has always wanted to build up His people.

The God Seminar - Is The Bible Really God's Word?

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:46:00 GMT

Is the Bible really a message from God, or is it a collection of writings of man about God. Yes...(what does he mean, yes? Isn't that confusing...I'm not sure either...I guess we'll have to listen to find out).

The God Seminar - How Can We Prove that God Exists

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 21:47:00 GMT

This is one of the oldest questions mankind has ever asked. If there was an answer that everyone would accept, we would have discovered it by now. In answering this one, we come to the place where maybe the question is not one question at all.

The God Seminar - Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 21:46:00 GMT

This question has haunted mankind forever. Good things happening to bad people and its converse side seem to suggest that there is no justice and therefore, no God of Justice. But there is another way of looking at this (you knew there would be, didn't you?).

The God Seminar - How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:03:00 GMT

These two concepts...God's Love and Hell...don't seem to reconcilable in the same universe. How can one co-exist with the other? Not only can they co-exist, but they actually must exist together if God is to be consistent with Himself.

The God Seminar - Why Doesn't God Heal Everyone?

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:02:00 GMT

Even for those who believe in healing (as we do), there are moments when you throw up your hands in despair and ask this question. Are there principles to follow in understanding this question? Yes, there are.

The God Seminar - Why Does God Allow the Innocent to Suffer

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 19:59:00 GMT

In this series of messages, we will take on the toughest questions posed by those who struggle to believe in God. This first one is the most honest of the bunch and the answer is simpler than most people realize.

The Solution to Despair

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 19:58:00 GMT

It is when we give up completely that the fight has been lost. But there are seasons in our lives when it is difficult to hold on. This message focuses on how to stay away from the life-draining experience of despair.

Dealing With Temptation

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 19:57:00 GMT

Temptation is often viewed as all our fault or all the Devil's fault. But the truth is somewhere else...as usual. Come explore how to deal with these spiritual tests and always come out the Victor.

Remember the Good Work God is Doing

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 19:55:00 GMT

A great way to bring joy and thanksgiving is to dwell upon the good things that God is doing. But so much of life wants to point our attention the other direction. In this message we will explore how to accomplish the kind of thought life that will defeat the nihilism of our day.

Spiritual Warfare Basics Part 4

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 19:53:00 GMT

The hardest spiritual warfare is the fight you can't see. The enemy's job is to convince you he isn't there and that you're just fighting yourself.

Spiritual Warfare Basics Part 3

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:06:00 GMT

Much of what we consider to be spiritual warfare is something else entirely. In the same light, much that is spiritual warfare is called something else. In this message, we explore the difference between the two.

Spiritual Warfare Basics Part 2

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:02:00 GMT

The Armor of God is often taken to be definitive things that God adds to our lives. But what if it isn't? What if the Armor of God is something we already possess and need to learn how to use?

Spiritual Warfare Basics Part 1

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:01:00 GMT

In this message, we continue the series on Ephesians, but begin a new series which encompasses the basic types of spiritual warfare that every person has to overcome.

The Basics of Worship

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 17:57:00 GMT

This message is part of a series of messages in Ephesians and encompasses the strength of ministry we can have when we worship together.