Dear ministers of Jesus,
[caption id="attachment_5219" align="alignright" width="151"] Greg and Susan Williams[/caption]
At our recent Denominational Conference held in Orlando, Florida, GCI President Joseph Tkach announced that I will be replacing him as President when he retires at the end of 2018. Many people congratulated me and shared other positive responses---none more positive than the kind words spoken by Mrs. Norva Kelly.
[caption id="attachment_5908" align="alignright" width="211"] Ron and Norva Kelly[/caption]
Norva recounted the many conferences she and her husband Ron have attended in their long, storied history with GCI. She mentioned that this might be the last Denominational Conference they would be able to... Read the article
Read the article
Here is part 5, which concludes the essay Clarifying Our Theological Vision by Gary Deddo, with an introduction from Joseph Tkach. This essay has been published serially here in Equipper. To read each part, click a link: introduction, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. To read the full essay in one article, click here. For the related essay, Covenant, Law and God's Faithfulness, click here. For the related essay, The Church and Its Ministry, click here.
foundational insights and conclusion
By Dr. Gary Deddo
The purpose of this essay, which we'll now conclude, has been to clarify key concepts related to GCI's incarnational Trinitarian theology in a way that is consistent with the renewal God has granted us, including the transformation of our doctrine... Read the article
Read the article
This Kids Korner is from GenMin national coordinator Jeff Broadnax.
This month, as we step into a new season of children's ministry, let's play the game Simon Says.
[caption id="attachment_5818" align="aligncenter" width="333"] (source)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_340" align="alignleft" width="157"] Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives. (Proverbs 22:6)[/caption]
I imagine you're familiar with this game. It teaches children to outwit, outlast and outplay their friends to become the lone survivor (no desert island involved!). All you need to excel is patience and a keen ability to listen for the words "Simon says" before following the instruction given.
Our version of the game... Read the article
Read the article
Scripture readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Ps. 78:1-7;
1 Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 25:1-13
Sermon by Linda Rex from Matthew 25:1-13
Join the Party!
Introduction
Our Gospel reading in Matthew 25 tells us the story of "the unfaithful servant." It's been interpreted in several ways---often in terms of a particular end-time point of view. But let's see what it says when we view it through the "lens" of Jesus---considering both who he is (as Son of God and son of man) and what he does (his mission and ministry).
The wicked servant
The context of the story includes Jesus' story (beginning in Matt. 24:45) that tells of a wealthy master who charged his lead servant to care for the other servants while he was away on a long trip. As the story... Read the article
Read the article
Scripture readings: Joshua 3:7-17 and Ps. 107:1-7, 33-37
(or Micah 3:5-12 and Ps. 43)
1 Thess. 2:9-13; Matt. 23:1-12
Sermon by Linda Rex from Matthew 23:1-12
Look to Jesus, Not Moral Religion
Introduction
In our Gospel reading today, Jesus admonished us to look to him to find a better way of relating to God. According to Jesus, the teachers of the law (the scribes) and the Pharisees---Jewish religious leaders in his day---had a place in "Moses' seat"---God-given authority within the house of Israel. However, as we learn in Hebrews 3, Moses is the servant in the house, whereas the Father is its builder and Jesus is the house itself. Moses is not the ultimate authority when it comes to the things of God, nor are the scribes and... Read the article
Read the article
In the October issue of "Equipper" (articles and sermons linked below) we continue our celebration of GCI's ongoing journey of renewal.
From Greg: Our journey from trial to abundance
Greg Williams shares an encouraging message from Norva Kelly concerning GCI's journey with Jesus from trial to abundance.
Clarifying Our Theological Vision, part 5
Gary Deddo concludes his series, looking back at two topics addressed in the essay: the Christian life and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Kid's Korner: Let's play "Simon Says"
Jeff Broadnax encourages us to begin with the who and why of children's ministry before proceeding to the what and how.
RCL sermons for November
Here are five sermons synced with the Revised... Read the article
Read the article
Scripture readings:
Deut. 34:1-12 and Ps. 90:1-6,13-17
(or Lev. 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1)
1 Thess. 2:1-8; Matt. 22:34-46
Sermon by Ted Johnston from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
(drawing on commentary by John Stott)
Leading Well with Jesus
Introduction
Last week we began a series in 1 Thessalonians looking at the apostle Paul's instructions concerning the important relationship between the gospel and the church. We noted in chapter 1 how Paul addresses the topic of evangelism---the calling the church has to live and share the gospel. Now in chapter 2, we'll see how Paul addresses the topic of Christ-like, gospel-focused church leadership.
Ideas for application of this sermon: A primary aspect of the church's disciple-making... Read the article
Read the article
This issue of Kid’s Korner is from Jeffrey Broadnax, National Coordinator for GCI Generations Ministries (GenMin).
[caption id="attachment_340" align="alignright" width="201"] Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives. (Proverbs 22:6)[/caption]
My family and I recently spent a few days in Orlando’s magical world of Disney. Along with thousands of people at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center theme parks, we enjoyed the sights, sounds, rides and food. Our hotel was located near Disney Springs, a hybrid of Disney and a shopping mall.
As my wife and I walked through Disney Springs, I noticed several quotes from Walt Disney posted along the walkways. I’m not sure how many people actually stop... Read the article
Read the article
Scripture readings:
Ex. 33:12-23 and Ps. 99
(or Isa. 45:1-7 and Ps. 96:1-13)
1 Thess. 1:1-10; Matt. 22:15-22
Sermon by Ted Johnston from 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
(drawing on commentary by John Stott)
Living and Sharing the Gospel
Introduction
Our reading from the epistles today is from Paul's first letter to the Christians in the Greek city of Thessalonica.
[caption id="attachment_5312" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Ruins of ancient marketplace in Thessalonica (source)[/caption]
Following greetings in 1 Thess. 1:1-4, Paul links the gospel and the church in 1 Thess. 1:5-10. He shows in three steps how the gospel creates the church and how the church then lives and shares the gospel:
"Our gospel came to you" (v. 5).
... Read the article
Read the article
This issue of "Equipper" celebrates GCI's transformation, which is leading us to more active participation in what Jesus is doing to reach out to those outside the walls of our churches. This month's articles and sermons are linked below.
From Greg: Celebrating Our Transformation
Greg Williams rejoices in GCI's continuing transformation as seen at the recent We Are GCI conference, and as illustrated in the story of Zacchaeus.
Hospitality "Outside the Walls"
Josh McDonald shares a message in which he encouraged his congregation to extend hospitality to others "outside the walls" of the church.
Kid's Korner: Thoughts from Walt Disney
Jeff Broadnax shares insights about ministry to children and teens gained from a recent... Read the article
Read the article
