“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45 NLT). As I was studying for this week’s sermon for our Kingdom
Author: Gary Combs
DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR PASSION WEEK
“And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’” (Luke 22:15 ESV). This coming Sunday begins what many Christians call Holy Week or Passion Week. It is called “Passion” week because of its connection to the Greek word πάσχω (pas’-kho), which means to feel heavy emotion or passion,
It’s Time to Celebrate and Bring Our First Gifts
This Sunday is a special day in the life of our church—a day to celebrate and bring our first gifts toward our It’s Time faith commitments! Over the past several weeks, we’ve journeyed through the book of Haggai, hearing God’s call to His people: It’s time to be strong, do the work, and be fearless. Now, we have the
LEAVING 2024
“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight;for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12 NIV). We’ve all heard the cliche, “Out with the old, and in with the new.” Yet, people are not computers with hard drives that can be erased and new software installed.
My heaven series booklist…
Many of you have been asking for a list of the books I’ve been referencing over the past six weeks during our sermon series, “HEAVEN: It’s Better Than You Ever Imagined.” So I thought I’d post about it today. Here are some of the books I read in preparation for the series on heaven.. HEAVEN
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) On this Good Friday let us meditate upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross: These seven last words are like seven diamonds on a necklace, each perfect in color, clarity and cut, but varying in caret. They hang
DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR PASSION WEEK
“And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’” (Luke 22:15 ESV). This coming Sunday begins what many Christians call Holy Week or Passion Week. It is called “Passion” week because of its connection to the Greek word πάσχω (pas’-kho), which means to feel heavy emotion or passion,
Eastgate celebrates 32 years!
Happy 32nd Anniversary Eastgate Church! Over 32 years ago, on Sunday, November 17, 1991, we held an organizational meeting in our home to discuss the idea of planting a church. We invited around 40 people to attend. Fifteen people came. At the end of the meeting, I handed out index cards asking those present to express their
THREE SIMPLE COMMITMENTS
“18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And
I’m Bound for That City
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2 ESV). I’m on my annual study retreat this week and I’ve been working on a sermon series about heaven for Spring 2024. So when the New Testament reading from the One Year Bible yesterday was