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Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 ABIDE - SPIRITUAL REALM 04/19/26 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In addition to all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:11-18 Key Grammar Be Strong - ἐνδυναμόω (endunamoó) to empower, to strengthen. God given empowerment that enables believes for divine purposes. (Passive voice - strength through union not try harder) Stand - ἵστημι (histémi) to stand, to set firm, to be established. Hold position “in Christ” without compromise Rheme ῥῆμα rhéma) - utterance or a declaration (spoken/out loud) MOVEMENT 1 - The Battle - You are Being opposed Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-13 Enemy is Real - (1 Peter 5:6-9) His goals is death, his means deception (Heb. 2:14-15) Satan does not create desire—he exploits it through deception But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death. James 1:14-15 Sin does not begin when you act—it begins when you want Thus, spiritual warfare begins at the level of desire, not behavior God is Real (Romans 8:31) His goal is victory - “Through Christ we are overwhelmingly conquers God commands Be strengthened in Him and Stand firm. Victory begins when you decide you will not give sin ground—no matter the cost. MOVEMENT 2 — GOD HAS GIVEN YOU WHAT YOU NEED The Armor Does Two Things 1. Protects you from giving in to the enemy “Shield of faith extinguishes flaming arrows”Protection comes through obedience to truth, not lies and accusations 2. Enables you to actively obey God “Breastplate of righteousness” Righteousness must be lived in Christ - Obedience and Identity “Sword of the Spirit” God’s spoken truth applied in real time The armor is not defensive passivity—it is active obedience. It is something you live in every moment you choose obedience over sin MOVEMENT 3 — THE FIGHT: YOU KILL SIN OR IT KILLS YOU for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 To Stand - Refuse to Give Ground “do not give the devil an opportunity” put off old self/behaviors and put on Christ So “to stand” is putting sin to death and replacing it with obedience HOW DO YOU KILL SIN? 1. Identify the Desire (Before It Becomes Sin) James 1 — sin starts in desire. What am I wanting right now more than Christ? What lie am I believing? You don’t kill sin at the action—you kill it at the desire. 2. Confront It With Truth (Sword of the Spirit) Not vague thoughts—specific Scripture applied Lust — This is not who I am in Christ” Anger — “Man’s anger does not produce God’s righteousness” If you don’t speak truth, you will obey the lie - Truth believed kills lies If you are not actively killing sin, you are actively feeding it. 3. Replace It With Obedience (Righteous Action) Ephesians pattern - put off → renew mind → put Sin is not removed—it is replaced CONCLUSION: Two Forces in the Spiritual Realm: One working against you (destruction) One working within you (life) You are always obeying one while causing harm to the other, so decide today who you will refuse to obey

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 THE WORLD: Living Your Faith Where It Actually Happens The 5 Spheres – Part 4 4/12/2026 1. WORK FOR CHRIST—AND ENGAGE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU … obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Ephesians 6:5–9 ESV Your workplace is not just where you earn a living—it’s where you live on mission. 2. YOU REPRESENT JESUS IN EVERYTHING … put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV You are not just improving your life—you are representing a Savior. 3. RESPOND WITH HUMILITY SO PEOPLE CAN SEE CHRIST IN YOU … with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, … Ephesians 4:2 ESV How you respond to people either opens doors for the gospel—or closes them. 4. LOVE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Discipleship doesn’t happen in programs—it happens in relationships. 5. LIVE CONSISTENTLY SO YOUR LIFE POINTS PEOPLE TO JESUS … at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8–10 ESV Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV Before people listen to your message, they decide if they trust your life. 6. REMEMBER—YOU ARE SHAPING HOW PEOPLE SEE GOD For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. 1 Peter 2:13-14a NLT People see Jesus through your life and are drawn toward Him through relationship with you. 7. GUARD YOUR IDENTITY. STAY FOCUSED ON PEOPLE. STAY ON MISSION. What quietly pulls us off mission in the world is not obvious sin but subtle shifts that drain our effectiveness as disciple-makers. God has placed you in the world to intentionally reveal Jesus and make disciples where you already are.

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION Why Easter Changes the Meaning of Suffering 04/05/26 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:18-23 1) Before Pain, There is Purpose Pain is real - Bible never minimizes Pain “Jesus wept” John 11:35 People groan - 2 Cor. 5:2 “All of creation groans” Romans 8:22 Scripture interprets pain through larger story God is preparing us for what lasts “Let us make man in our own image.” Genesis 1:26 “He has also set eternity in their heart” Ecclesiastes 3:11 Soul preparation requires: freedom of will and freedom to feel Truth: This world is temporary and suffering calls us to purpose God did not merely place us in a temporary world. He placed us in a world where what lasts can actually be produced in us 2) Suffering Produces What Comfort Never Can For our momentary, light affliction is working out for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18 Without resistance . . . there is no courage, no endurance, no tested faith, no perseverance, no refinement, no dependance, no sacrificial love, no hope against despair Most virtues can only be born in a world where suffering is possible And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-4 Comfort is the enemy of growth God however did not watch from a distance He stepped into the very suffering that can produce courage, endurance, and hope 3) God Did Not Stay Distant - He Stepped In (Jesus) emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil. 2:7-8 Jesus knows hunger, betrayal, exhaustion, torture, death The Father knows the loss of a son, sorrow of love offered and rejected God did not answer suffering from heaven with an explanation He answered it from the cross with His presence Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, Hebrews 5:8-9 LSB Jesus choose to know life as we do - to suffer and still submit and obey Jesus’ death validates that suffering is real - He knows my pain Jesus’ resurrection declares that it is temporary 4) The Risen Christ Changes What Pain Can Produce But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Romans 8:11 The resurrection does not merely promise life after death; it gives power for pain right now The Spirit meets us in the pain with wisdom, strength, comfort, and power to endure . . . so that courage, endurance, obedience, and hope can rise where pain once ruled The empty tomb means suffering is no longer meaningless In Christ, pain can produce courage . . . Grief can become hope Weakness can become dependance . . .Obedience can become joy and even death itself becomes resurrection life In Christ, you have a God who knows suffering and understands your pain. In Christ, you have a Savior who was courageous, endured, and obeyed. In Christ, you have hope for life because He already defeated what you fear most. In Christ, your suffering may not always be explained, but it is never meaningless.

ABIDE - HOME/FAMILY 03/29/26 “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as phylacteries between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:22-27 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 Abiding Home/Family 1) What God Fuels In You Must Burn First At Home (Priority) See Deuteronomy 6:4-9 It starts in the heart, not behavior - “These words shall be on your heart” Abiding → internal transformation But what’s in the heart must flow out Teaching diligently - sharing often (sit, walk, lie down, rise) Abiding in Christ leads to intentional discipleship daily in the home “God assumes what is in your heart will show up in your house.” 2) Abiding Redefines Your Role In The Home - (Identity) See Ephesians 5:22-27, 6:1-4 Abiding is the fuel for which you live out your role “as unto the Lord” “as Christ loved the Church” “obey your parents in the Lord” “discipline and instruction of the Lord” Abiding doesn’t just change you—it defines your role in the home Your role in the home is not passive—it is intentional and spiritual A faith that isn’t lived out in your home isn’t moving Husband & Wife “Be subject to your own husband . . . respect your husband” “Love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” Service, Sacrifice, Love - Two living out one flesh Your marriage is relational discipleship in action Parents “Don’t provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in discipline and instruction of the Lord” “Teach sons diligently . . . shall speak of them . . . write them on doorposts” Teach children to love God purposefully and often Speak with intentionality and frequency of faith Do not let anything else dominate your home Your not just raising children—you are forming disciples Children “Obey your parent in the Lord” “Honor father and mother, that it may be well with you, that you may live long in the land” Children are in Christ and thus learning to Abide Discipleship and spiritual growth happen at all ages Discipleship begins early—following Christ is learned in the home. 3) You Can Only Lead Where You Have Been (Ability/Readiness) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Your home is the mirror of your spiritual walk and maturity Don’t like what you see? Let God change you Don’t expect from your family what you won’t pursue yourself. Discipleship requires a visible life Spouses and children will model what they have seen and heard Follow Christ faithfully so your family has something clear to follow 4) What is formed in your home will have impact outside (Multiplication) “If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” Joshua 24:15 Discipleship is generational by design Home is the first multiplication environment Faith is first lived with family Discipleship that is real at home will not stay contained What does your home reveal about the disciples you are making?

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 ABIDE The Five Spheres of a Disciple’s Life - Part 1 03/15/26 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love, by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our transgressions, according to the riches of His grace which He caused to abound to us in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him for an administration of the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth in Him. In Him, we also have been made an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, to the end that we who first have hoped in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Eph. 1:3-15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He cleans it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Biblical Context/Understanding In Christ -ἐν Χριστῷ (en Christō) - within, in the sphere of, in union with Christ. The Greek language uses something called the dative case.It often describes the place or relationship where something happens. When Paul says we are saved “in Christ,” he is saying salvation exists inside the relationship with Christ. Abide - μένω (meno) - abide, remain, continue, dwell In Christ (Position) - Living in the realm, relationship, and saving work of Christ. Every Spiritual Blessing Chosen Adoption Redemption Forgiveness Wisdom and Insight Inheritance Sealed Christ is thus both the sphere of salvation and life Abide in Christ (Practice) Abide - Union “Abide in my and I in you.” Identity not Effort Abiding is not striving to earn Christ, it does require intentional pursuit of Christ Abide - Word “If you abide in my and my words abide in you” Jesus equates His presence to His words Scripture shapes our life and thinking The primary way Christ remains present in our lives is through His word remaining in us. Abide - Dependence “apart from me you can do nothing” Branches don’t strive, strain, perform - Branches stay connected Rely on God, His Word, His people Fruit is not produced through effort rather through maintaining connection Abide - Obedience “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” Obedience is aligning yourself with the vine Obedience is how we stay aligned with the life of the vine Abide - Love “This is my commandment that you love one another” Love is the primary fruit of Abiding Love is the byproduct of a life in Christ Abiding is a relational life where Christ continually shapes how we think, live, and love Overall Point: Abiding in Christ is the fuel of discipleship. Without it, we go nowhere

DISCIPLE How We Make Disciples -Part 4 02/22/26 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Greek Context make disciples - μαθητεύσατε (controlling verb) Everything else modifies: Authority – “All authority…” Scope – “All nations…” Means – “Baptizing… teaching…” Content – “All I commanded…” Duration – “To the end of the age…” Conclusion - Mission is to Make Disciples The Seat - Christ’s Authority Defines the Mission Church is under Christ’s Authority Mission originates from Christ Success if defined by Obedience to this command Disciple making isn’t tangential - It is the Center Everything we do must be supporting Disciple-Making Spiritual Parenthood - Leg 1 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 Spiritual Leadership is Parental (See 1 Thess. 2:7, 11; Gal. 4:19) God’s model has always been Parent Child Maturity is not how much you know but who depends on you spiritually To be a Spiritual Parent you must be parenting A Spiritual Parent is intentionally discipling someone Parents Produce Parents - Leg 2 “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim. 2:2 Truth must be entrusted, not merely taught The design is reproducibility Select faithful people, train them to train others Parenting is slow initially, strong structurally, sustainable to future generations Growth through Obedience - Leg 3 “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Col. 1:28 The command is not Teach them what I commandedThe Command is Teach them to observe what I commanded Information does not produce growth, Obedience produces growth Teaching without Obedience is not the Great Commission Discipleship requires Explanation and Modeling as well as: Accountability Correction Application Without accountability, teaching becomes information Without practice, growth becomes theoretical Relational Proximity and Cost - Leg 4 “We were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives…” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Entrusting requires Access Discipleship is Relational Truth is Transferred through Life-Sharing To Love like Christ means Living like Christ You cannot Disciple at Arms Length - There is a Cost: Time Emotional exposure Access to real struggles Correction conversations Vulnerability Ongoing contact Parenthood always invests - It always costs Understanding Spiritual Growth Share Connection Minister Disciple Dead Infant Child Young Adult Parent