Friday, October 30, 2009
Lack of posts and out of date website
I'm really sorry that we have missed a few weeks and that also our website is out of date, we are working on this and hope to have it back soon
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Our new home
Tomorrow is our 1st Sunday in our new venue, we'll be talking about building a new home together. We'd love to see you there. The new address is City Christian Center, Nelson Street NR2 4DR. 10am for breakfast and the service starts at 10.30am
Friday, October 02, 2009
Celebration
This Sunday we are taking a break in James and will celebrate our 4th birthday. Yes it was 4 years ago that 9 people sat in our front room and Gateway Vineyard was born. In those 4 years a lot as happened, we've grown to around 60 adults and 20 children.
Over the past 4 years activities have included Alpha courses (we are about to start another one if you are interested, just contact us and let us know), small groups, community projects, live music events, praying for healing on the streets, parties and Sunday Services to name a few.
It’s also going to be our last Sunday service at Fishergate as we have out grown this venue so we're on the move.
As from next week (October 11th) we will be meeting at City Christian Centre, Nelson Street, NR2 4DR which is just past the Fat Cat pub.
We are very excited about this opportunity!
Please join us this Sunday at Fishergate for cake and Cava and a chance to hear a bit of our story and to celebrate all that God has done then next please feel free to join us at our new home.
Over the past 4 years activities have included Alpha courses (we are about to start another one if you are interested, just contact us and let us know), small groups, community projects, live music events, praying for healing on the streets, parties and Sunday Services to name a few.
It’s also going to be our last Sunday service at Fishergate as we have out grown this venue so we're on the move.
As from next week (October 11th) we will be meeting at City Christian Centre, Nelson Street, NR2 4DR which is just past the Fat Cat pub.
We are very excited about this opportunity!
Please join us this Sunday at Fishergate for cake and Cava and a chance to hear a bit of our story and to celebrate all that God has done then next please feel free to join us at our new home.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Faith and Deeds
This Sunday we are looking at James Ch2:14-26 which is all about having faith and deeds. The 2 should go together.
Jesus said in Matthew you are the light of the world and this light should be seen by all people. If you have faith there has to be some actions that work together with that faith otherwise James says your faith is useless.
The 2 have to go hand in hand, having a real faith leads to real change in your life and leads to real works in the community you live in, the one you work in, or maybe the one which God sends you to i.e. the world mission field.
Once we have a real faith our life should reflect Jesus and others should be able to see that in our choices, they way we act, the way we handle our money and our relationships and the way we relate to others.
Why did Jesus show and teach people how to pray for the sick, take care of the poor, how to live a life that is different to the one the rest or the world was living and why did Jesus finish his works by saying now you go and do the same.
Everything I’ve just shown you, everything I’ve taught you – go do it – you are now the light of the world – now shine
If your faith is real there will be an action
Jesus said in Matthew you are the light of the world and this light should be seen by all people. If you have faith there has to be some actions that work together with that faith otherwise James says your faith is useless.
The 2 have to go hand in hand, having a real faith leads to real change in your life and leads to real works in the community you live in, the one you work in, or maybe the one which God sends you to i.e. the world mission field.
Once we have a real faith our life should reflect Jesus and others should be able to see that in our choices, they way we act, the way we handle our money and our relationships and the way we relate to others.
Why did Jesus show and teach people how to pray for the sick, take care of the poor, how to live a life that is different to the one the rest or the world was living and why did Jesus finish his works by saying now you go and do the same.
Everything I’ve just shown you, everything I’ve taught you – go do it – you are now the light of the world – now shine
If your faith is real there will be an action
Late Post
Sorry I missed last weeks post – its been a very busy time. We basicly picked up where we left off in James and this week we looked at how favourtism has no place in the church. Why? Well its a form of judging people and the trouble is we are not qualified to judge – only God is. The reason for this is very simple, we tend to judge based on what we see on the outside and God is only interested in the heart.
We look at people and think they have it all together and we’re sure they have their place in heaven and we look at another person their lifestyle is messy and we pray for them hoping one day they’ll scrape into heaven but all the time Jesus is looking inside.
The gospel turns things unside down, thats why in James it says “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith”
Matthew 21:28-32 tells a story which goes like this
What is the point here?
It’s the langue being used – Jesus says it’s the tax collectors and prostitutes who are getting into heaven ahead of the mighty theologians – why – Jesus sees their hearts.
If we were the judge what would we see?
We look at people and think they have it all together and we’re sure they have their place in heaven and we look at another person their lifestyle is messy and we pray for them hoping one day they’ll scrape into heaven but all the time Jesus is looking inside.
The gospel turns things unside down, thats why in James it says “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith”
Matthew 21:28-32 tells a story which goes like this
What is the point here?
It’s the langue being used – Jesus says it’s the tax collectors and prostitutes who are getting into heaven ahead of the mighty theologians – why – Jesus sees their hearts.
If we were the judge what would we see?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Listening and Doing
This Sunday we are continuing looking at the book of James. Listening is a skill, and it’s getting harder to do, partly because our lives are busy and so full of stuff, we talk on the phone while texting or looking at Facebook. If you try and find somewhere where you can be silent it’s very hard not to be distracted by cars, planes, people etc.
Burnie Krause records nature sounds, he said in 1968 in order to get one hour of natural sound, no planes, no cars etc it would take him 15 hrs of recording time. Today to get that same hour it takes 2000 hrs of recording time.
As people we all need someone to listen to us, everyone needs someone to listen to them and God wants us to listen to him but not just listen, respond to what you heard.
Now if listening is hard doing is even harder.
But James says if you don’t become a doer you are deceiving yourself. You aren’t growing as a disciple at all. All you are doing is filling your head with information, want Jesus wants from us is application to what we hear.
That’s why I think that James ends with 3 things which makes a real disciple, and they are all doing things:
Watch your tongue
Look after the poor
Don’t get caught up in a life that doesn't reflect Jesus
Gods heart for us is to grow and become more like Jesus, information alone won’t do that. It’s our actions that cause us to grow.
Burnie Krause records nature sounds, he said in 1968 in order to get one hour of natural sound, no planes, no cars etc it would take him 15 hrs of recording time. Today to get that same hour it takes 2000 hrs of recording time.
As people we all need someone to listen to us, everyone needs someone to listen to them and God wants us to listen to him but not just listen, respond to what you heard.
Now if listening is hard doing is even harder.
But James says if you don’t become a doer you are deceiving yourself. You aren’t growing as a disciple at all. All you are doing is filling your head with information, want Jesus wants from us is application to what we hear.
That’s why I think that James ends with 3 things which makes a real disciple, and they are all doing things:
Watch your tongue
Look after the poor
Don’t get caught up in a life that doesn't reflect Jesus
Gods heart for us is to grow and become more like Jesus, information alone won’t do that. It’s our actions that cause us to grow.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Trials and Temptations
This Sunday we are starting a new series going through James. James was an amazing character. He found himself with the title "James the Just" and had a nick name of "Camel Knees" because he spent so much time on his knees in prayer it formed calsis on them.
Even on the event of his death he prayed from those who killed him. He was thrown the pinnacle of the temple which was about 100 ft tall but survived. At the bottom he knelt to pray for his murders who approached him and killed him by stoning.
He writes consider it pure joy when going through trials and temptations - why? Well its trials and temptations that strengthen us and help us to reach maturity. Maturity in Greek is Teleos and means to reach the intended end and our intended end is Jesus, to be more like him, to live like him and to walk in a way that is worthy.
I think James had this down, he totally understood this, that’s why he realised that trials and temptations are good, they strengthen us, they shape us, they should cause us to push more into God therefore making us more like his son Jesus.
Even on the event of his death he prayed from those who killed him. He was thrown the pinnacle of the temple which was about 100 ft tall but survived. At the bottom he knelt to pray for his murders who approached him and killed him by stoning.
He writes consider it pure joy when going through trials and temptations - why? Well its trials and temptations that strengthen us and help us to reach maturity. Maturity in Greek is Teleos and means to reach the intended end and our intended end is Jesus, to be more like him, to live like him and to walk in a way that is worthy.
I think James had this down, he totally understood this, that’s why he realised that trials and temptations are good, they strengthen us, they shape us, they should cause us to push more into God therefore making us more like his son Jesus.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Summer Programme
Dont forget that Gateway Vineyard is taking a break from meeting on Sunday mornings during August but take a look at what is happening this summer and feel free to join us for the summer events.
There will be no Sunday services from 2nd August to 30th August. Please join us for events as follows:
2nd and 9th August - No event will be taking place.
16th August - Picnic at Eaton Park. 11am onwards. Please bring food and drinks Meet on the grass opposite children’s play area. Organised by John and Vic, Tel 07920430077 for more information or wet weather plan.
23rd August - BBQ and games at Mikes house. Meet at Fishergate at 10am or head to Mikes for 10.30am. Bring games (bats, balls, frizbees etc), drinks and food to put on the BBQ. Speak to Mike Deal for more details. 07833 445506
30th August - Car Treasure Hunt. Meet at Fishergate at 10am. Teams can be sort out on the day unless you want to plan your team a head of time. If you don't have a car please let Matt know as we can put you in a team with someone who has spare seats. Bring food for BBQ and drinks. Speak to Matt for more details. 07769 951724
Sunday services will resume September 6th
Don't forget you can stay in touch by texting the word GATEWAY to 80480 for free text messages. (first text charged at your standard network rate, all texts received will be free).
There will be no Sunday services from 2nd August to 30th August. Please join us for events as follows:
2nd and 9th August - No event will be taking place.
16th August - Picnic at Eaton Park. 11am onwards. Please bring food and drinks Meet on the grass opposite children’s play area. Organised by John and Vic, Tel 07920430077 for more information or wet weather plan.
23rd August - BBQ and games at Mikes house. Meet at Fishergate at 10am or head to Mikes for 10.30am. Bring games (bats, balls, frizbees etc), drinks and food to put on the BBQ. Speak to Mike Deal for more details. 07833 445506
30th August - Car Treasure Hunt. Meet at Fishergate at 10am. Teams can be sort out on the day unless you want to plan your team a head of time. If you don't have a car please let Matt know as we can put you in a team with someone who has spare seats. Bring food for BBQ and drinks. Speak to Matt for more details. 07769 951724
Sunday services will resume September 6th
Don't forget you can stay in touch by texting the word GATEWAY to 80480 for free text messages. (first text charged at your standard network rate, all texts received will be free).
Ephesians - The Whole Picture
On Sunday we are continuing in Ephesians. I really want to make sure we leave this series seeing the whole picture that has been painted for us by Paul in Ephesians. It’s important that when we study a book that we remember it as a whole book and see the whole picture.
This Sunday I want to walk through just 10 things that I believe Paul has been saying to us through this book – there are of course many more.
1. We are rich in Jesus Christ
2. Prayer is vital
3. In Jesus we are changed
4. We are saved by grace alone
5. We have peace with God
6. Our greatest treasure is Jesus himself
7. There is only one church
8. We are to live worthy lives
9. We are to submit our lives fully to him – and one another.
10. We are at war.
Underneath all of this is something really important.
Ephesians 2:4 NIV says:
"But because of his great love for us"
That’s why we submit it all. Because of his love. That’s why he died, its John 3:16
He loves you, he really loves you, not as you should be – or going to be.
He loves you as much now as he will love you when you are made perfect in heaven, now that’s a thought!
In September I hope to have the mp3's of these talks and many more available.
This Sunday I want to walk through just 10 things that I believe Paul has been saying to us through this book – there are of course many more.
1. We are rich in Jesus Christ
2. Prayer is vital
3. In Jesus we are changed
4. We are saved by grace alone
5. We have peace with God
6. Our greatest treasure is Jesus himself
7. There is only one church
8. We are to live worthy lives
9. We are to submit our lives fully to him – and one another.
10. We are at war.
Underneath all of this is something really important.
Ephesians 2:4 NIV says:
"But because of his great love for us"
That’s why we submit it all. Because of his love. That’s why he died, its John 3:16
He loves you, he really loves you, not as you should be – or going to be.
He loves you as much now as he will love you when you are made perfect in heaven, now that’s a thought!
In September I hope to have the mp3's of these talks and many more available.
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