The Reason For Christmas
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Dec. 18, 2011
Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1,14, 3:16
Archives 2011
Real Joy
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Dec. 11, 2011
Isaiah 9:6, 35:1-10
We get more than presented wrapped in bright paper on Christmas–we get the joy of Christ’s arrival.
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They Missed Him
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Dec. 4, 2011
Matthew 1:18-25
When the Savior of the world was born in a stable, most people missed him. When God intervenes in our lives today, most of us miss Him, too. We must be ready for God in whatever form He comes.
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The Message of Advent – Comfort
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Nov. 27, 2011
Isaiah 40:1-5
On this first Sunday in Advent, we remember that Jesus, our Messiah, has overcome the world and can comfort us in our times of hardship.
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In All Things, Give Thanks
Speaker:Tom Atkins
Nov. 20, 2011
1 Thessalonians 5:18
It’s easy to give thanks when everything is going well, but Paul commands us to give thanks in all circumstances, even when times are hard.
They Laughed at Jesus
Speaker: Tom Atkins
November 13, 2011
Luke 8: 40-42, 49-56
Like a man in the Bible named Jairus, often we may mock God before admitting our real need.
The Fellowship
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Nov. 6, 2011
Acts 2:42
The early Christians devoted themselves to “the fellowship.” What does that mean, and how can we do the same today?
Halloween
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Oct. 30, 2011
Ephesians 5:11 and other texts
Halloween is the second largest holiday in America and is growing quickly. Christians need to turn this originally pagan holiday on its heels and use it to share the love of Jesus Christ with others.
Success with God
Speaker: Tom Atkins
October 23, 2011
Joshua 1:1-9
We have a choice we have to make: to be successful on our own terms, or to be successful on God’s terms. Sometimes the two are very different.
The New Covenant
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
Oct. 16, 2011
2 Corinthians 3:6-18
Under the Old Covenant of the Law we were dead; but under the New Covenant of the Spirit, we have life.
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Rejoice in the Lord
Speaker: Tom Atkins
October 9, 2011
Philippians 4:4-9
Is it possible to live in a fast-moving, changing society without anxiety or worry?
The Refining Fire
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
October 2, 2011
Psalm 145:8-9
God uses our pain and hardship to mold us and shape us into the persons He would have us be.
In a Fix
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Sept. 25, 2011
Exodus 14:5-15
So often in life we find ourselves in a fix–whether at work, at home, or in our spiritual lives. We can learn from the example of the Israelites how God wants us to respond in these difficult situations.
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The Power of God (Part 5 of 2011 Revival)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jon Tal Murphree
Sept. 21, 2011
2 Peter 1:3-4; Isaiah 27:5
God is all-powerful, yet there are some things He cannot do. How can this be?
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The Fullness of the Holy Spirit (Part 4 of 2011 Revival)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jon Tal Murphree
Sept. 20, 2011
John 14:16-17; 16:7; Ephesians 5:18
At Pentecost God called us to be continually full of His Holy Spirit. That call continues to us today.
The Man Who Held the Rope (Part 3 of 2011 Revival)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jon Tal Murphree
Sept. 19, 2011
Acts 9:22-31
Often when we think of the spreading of the Gospel we think of great figures like Paul or Peter; but no person is too small or seemingly unimportant to be used in great ways by God.
Persistence in Prayer (Part 2 of 2011 Revival)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. John Tal Murphree
Sept. 18, 2011
Luke 18:1-7
Like the widow who kept knocking on the door of the unjust judge, we must be persistent in our requests to God. If our requests are within His will, we can be confident that God, who is just, will answer.
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The Prodigal Sons (Part 1 of 2011 Revival)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. John Tal Murphree
September 18, 2011
Luke 15:25-32
Jesus told the story of a prodigal son who does sinful actions, but we often forget that Jesus mentioned an older brother as well, who has a sinful attitude. We must be sure to remember both brothers.
A New Beginning
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
Sept. 11, 2011
Isaiah 35:12-7
Reflecting on the past decade since 9/11, as a country and as people, we may feel exhausted and defeated. Yet we can always turn to God, the God of new beginnings. (more…)
The Mystery Has Been Solved
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Aug. 28, 2011
Colossians 1:24-29
Many people have no clue about the purpose of their lives. But in Christ, what was once a mystery becomes clear. (more…)
When Christians Disagree
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Aug. 21, 2011
Matthew 18:15-20
No matter how spiritually mature we may be, we can still have disagreements with each other. Even Paul and Barnabas disagreed. What should we do when disagreements arise? (more…)
Standing Firm
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Aug. 14, 2011
1 Peter 5:6-10
There is an enemy of our souls. But he can be resisted and defeated. (more…)
Is God Doing a Good Job?
Speaker: Joseph Slife
Aug. 7, 2011
1 Peter 1:3-16 and other texts (more…)
Calling Out to Jesus
Speaker: Bishop Ricardo Pereira of the Methodist Church in Cuba (Iglesia Metodista Evangelica Cuba)
July 31, 2011
Mark 10:46-52 (more…)
Carried on to Completion
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
July 24, 2011
Philippians 1:3-6 (more…)
Change You Can Believe In
Speaker: Joseph Slife
July 17, 2011
Romans 6:1-14 and other texts (more…)
Real Freedom
Speaker: Tom Atkins
July 3, 2011
John 8:31-36
What did Jesus mean when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free?”
Our Father’s Example: The Lost Son
June 19, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Luke 15:11-24
In Luke 15, Jesus tells us about a father who is loving, gracious, and committed to the best for his children.
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Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Pentecost Sunday — June 12, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Acts 1:4-8
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be filled with the perfect love of God.
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How to Avoid Spiritual Defeat
June 5, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Joshua 7:1-12
We are in a spiritual battle — and we will suffer loss if we don’t heed what Scripture tells us about the sin Israel committed at a place called Ai.
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Model for Victory
May 29, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Joshua 6:1-20
The biblical account of the Battle of Jericho illustrates how we can win life’s battles. Hint: It’s not by trusting in our own abilities.
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The Wrath of God
May 15, 2011
Speaker: Joseph Slife
1 Thess. 5:9 and other texts
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Behold Your Mother
May 8, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
John 19:25-27
A sermon for Mother’s Day.
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Thanks for the Memories
May 1, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Joshua 4:1-24
Remembering what God has done in the past can give us courage to move forward into God’s destiny for us.
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Easter: Blinded by Tears
April 24, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
John 20:1-18
Even through our tears, our gracious God can empower us to see the resurrected Christ.
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Palm Sunday: Lessons From a Donkey
April 17, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Mark 11:1-11
What can we learn from the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem?
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You Get to Pick
April 10, 2011
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
Matthew 7:7-8
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Home post
From lead pastor Tom Atkins
Years ago, when I first heard that Boggs Chapel United Methodist Church had changed its name to Gateway, I thought, “What a great name for a church!” And now, by the providence of God, I find myself as lead pastor at Gateway.
The name sums up what we are all about. In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself in two ways. First He says, “I am the ‘gate’; whoever enters through me will be saved” (10:9a). Then He says, “I am the ‘way,’ the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (14:6).
That’s what we are seeking to be at Gateway. We want to be the gate that leads people to THE GATE where salvation may be found. We also want to be a way that leads people to THE WAY — the only way — to find real peace.
I hope that you enjoy our website, and I hope you will join us Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for powerful contemporary worship. I promise you that you will never visit a church that will welcome you more with the love of Christ.
Come as you are — but plan to leave differently!
In Him,
Tom Atkins
Lead Pastor
The Greatest Love Story Every Told
April 3, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
John 3:14-17
Jesus loves us so much he shed his blood for us. Without his blood we have no eternal life.
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Are You Sure?
March 27, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
John 3:16-17, John 15:5-8
An intimate ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ is the way to heaven — and the way to abundant life on earth.
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A Form of Godliness (pt. 2)
March 20, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
2 Timothy 3:1-5
We cannot “partially surrender” and expect God to move among us.
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Requirements for Real Revival
March 13, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
2 Chronicles 7:11-16
God wants to revive us again. Let’s invite him to do so.
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Our Most Godlike Characteristic
March 6, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
The Book of Philemon
We are never more like God than when we forgive.
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The Greatest Story Ever Told
February 27, 2011
Speaker: Joseph Slife
Romans 15:4 and other texts
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Living With the Inequities of Life
February 20, 2011
Speaker: Bob Beckwith
Genesis 37:2-11
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Healing 101
February 13, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
James 5:13-16
What does the Bible say about the church’s ministry of healing?
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But if Not…
February 6, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Daniel 3:8-30
Sometimes it seems as though God doesn’t hear our prayers or act on our behalf. How do we keep holding on?
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‘Twas Grace That Taught My Heart to Fear
January 30, 2011
Speaker: Joseph Slife
Various Scripture texts
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A Form of Godliness
January 23, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The early church experienced the power of God in remarkable ways. Why does the church see so little of that power today?
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The Holiness of God
January 16, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Isaiah 6:1-6
Our lives will be changed if we catch a vision of the holiness of God.
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We Welcome Our New Pastor: Tom Atkins!
Tom is the past president of the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists and has preached at revivals, camp meetings, and special services all across the USA.
As a member of the Francis Asbury Society, Tom is focused on living and proclaiming that Christian salvation involves not only forgiveness but also transformation through the Holy Spirit’s power.
Assisting Tom with the preaching ministry at Gateway are Bob Beckwith, director of the University of Georgia Wesley Foundation, and lay speaker Joseph Slife, editor of MethodistThinker.com.
Tom is being assisted in Gateway’s pastoral care ministry by retired college professor Gene Acuff, a long-time pastor in the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ.
Who Are We Anyway?
January 9, 2011
Speaker: Tom Atkins
Matthew 28:16-20
We are a redeemed and redeeming people.
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