Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Movin' on Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA May 22, 2005 Main Scripture text: Philippians 3:10-14. As we near the time to relocate to the new property and new building, I want to talk with you about the subject of "Moving On." Moving is simply changing location, but "moving on" conveys the idea that something other than location has changed. As we move from one physical space to another, we should desire in our hearts to "move on" with God, to press ahead into the future He has for us. We also need to keep this firmly fixed in our minds: The new building is not our savior. It may facilitate growth but it will not cause it nor sustain it. We must look to God alone. We believe that an inadequate facility has been a detriment to our growth, but it is certainly not the only factor. We struggle with all the other things most churches struggle with: 1) Motivating people to active involvement; 2) Motivating people to take leadership responsibility; 3) The 80/20 rule, where 80 percent of the ministry is done by about 20 percent of the people; 4) Ineffective organization and program. Here's the truth: If we don't address these common problems, if we don't change the model, we'll continue to produce the same results, even in a new building. So we have some changes to make. Listen to me carefully. I don't want anything from you -- but I do want something for you. I want you to be an active participant in a church that is alive, growing and prospering in the Lord. That is your best shot for a life that is full, abundant and free. That is your best shot at equipping your children to face the challenges and temptations inherent in living in a fallen world. We can't have that kind of church unless each of us steps up the task God has called them to. Now, this isn't Survivor. We don't vote people off the island if you don't "measure up." But I challenge you to do this: ask God to search your heart and show you where can do a better job of sowing your life into the Kingdom. Ask God if you are living up to the commitment you've made to support His church with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service. Ask God what He desires for you. Whatever you and God come up with is okay with me. Lastly, I want to say that through this transition and in the days, months, and years to come, we must stay focused on God's purpose. The Bible states that purpose in several ways: to destroy the devil's work; to seek and to save what has been lost, to spread God's glory; to reestablish God's dominion on the Earth, to reconcile of all things to God. As we relocate and face the bills that are going to come with this new building, we will be tempted to pray: "Father, send us some more people to help us pay what we owe." We must never seek people because we want something from them but because we want something for them. There is only one appropriate motivation for seeking out others to be involved in this church: God's love for them, show in Jesus Christ. Let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith; the shepherd of our souls; the source and supply of everything we need to do His will. I am convinced that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Supporting texts: Philippians 3:20 | 1 John 3:8 | Luke 19:10 | Habakkuk 2:14 | Psalm 22:27-28 | 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (30:00). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of the sermon summarized above is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 050522a: Movin' On. © 2005 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us