Lifegate Church Podcast

Full Christmas Eve Service!

Jesus’s manger wasn’t a meaningless detail or a mishap by Mary and Joseph. That old, wooden trough actually tells us something about God that we all need to hear and it reveals something about ourselves that Jesus came to restore.

During the Christmas season, you don’t even have to go to church to hear the message ringing in the air: joy to the world. Originally, that phrase was tied to the birth of Jesus, but these days most are hoping to find joy in the gifts, the food or the time off from work. However, those pleasures often don’t bring the lasting joy we’re searching for. Joy to the world is a promise from God that’s available to all and in this teaching series we’ll discover how to receive it!

Did you know all of us are known for something? The car we drive, the body we build, the scowl we wear, the tip we always or never give, the flag we fly, etc. What we are known for usually is an expression of who we are and what we value most. God is known for His outrageous love and generosity shown toward everyone, especially the undeserving. Becoming like Him in our love and generosity is one of the greatest expressions of His presence and plan for the world. And it all starts with believing and receiving fully, His generous love toward us! 

Often, what we do first matters most. We understand this principle when we plan our calendars or organize our to-do list, but we sometimes fail to see how this translates into our relationship with God. But, when we learn to prioritize God’s kingdom, it can unleash peace in our hearts and justice in the world.

If a person was asked to sum up the entire message of the Bible, they could by quoting 7 words: For God so loved . . . that He gave. Love and Giving always go together. A person can give without loving but it is impossible to love without giving. Giving is the very essence of love. Loving God, as we are learning, is for the good of others. This series: Love Gives First is an invitation to discover the fulfillment, purpose and power that comes from the united people of God loving by giving first!

We are in a cultural moment that requires better women and men to rise up, be present and serve the world. Seems like a tall order, but there’s actually an accessible and ancient path of formation that can set us free to become the people God wants to build in our world and for our world.

Maybe you’ve taken the step to make Scripture reading a part of your regular routine, taking in God’s Daily Breath, but has it changed how you live yet? Not only is God’s Word meant to be life for us, but it’s also how we give life to the world around us.

Respiration - inhaling and exhaling - is vital to our physical life. In this Cultivate series we are learning that another kind of respiration is just as essential to our spiritual life. Whether it’s inhaling the rest of sabbath, of God’s presence in prayer or the God breathed Word, each plays a role in our process of becoming more like Jesus for the good of others. In this talk we learn the Life-giving power to taking in God’s daily breath/Word.

Lee Cummings from Radiant Church in Michigan kicks off our Presbytery conference by explaining the relationship between prayer and prophecy.

Most people agree that prayer is an important part of life, but few of us actually do it in a meaningful way. The idea of prayer can be enticing, but the practice of prayer can feel intimidating. Let’s discover how accessible and powerful the simple act of prayer can be for our lives.

Sabbath is not only a gift given to us by God to experience Him more deeply, but it’s also a gift that followers of Jesus can extend to the world so others may also get a taste of God’s goodness. In this message, we’ll learn some ways to give the gift of Sabbath away to those you know and love.

"Take a break!” God’s call to cultivate a Sabbath lifestyle is His invitation in a too full, too anxious, too demanding life to “take a break” regularly. He calls us to do this as a testimony of His love for us, His ability to care for us and as a testimony of our design. We were made to live from rest, from a confidence that God’s got it all. Get ready to discover this astounding gift from God which has the potential to transform our lives, if we let it.

In this season of great personal and cultural disruption, followers of Jesus have a choice of how we’ll respond. Will we give up? Will we check out? Or will we continue to follow Jesus? This message kicks off an 8-week series, on following Jesus in difficult times, in which we’ll discover how to become more like Jesus for the good of others.

There’s something attractive and inviting about a nice tent. Kid’s love 'em and can’t resist getting in them. God is interested in tents as well, tents are where His presence dwells - with flaps open so all can encounter Him. God had a special tent King David set up that pleased Him very much - and then it was no more. However, God had a plan to set up a tent so that everyone in the whole world could get in.

What King David did by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem as he danced wildly before it in priestly garb was unprecedented in the life of Israel, yet right at the center of God's plan for not only them, but for us as well. At the heart of his choice was God's call to all - to become His priests.

What if God showed up at church and you KNEW it? What would it look like? Feel like? What would it take for God to be invited in a way that He felt wanted and comfortable to manifest His presence and power in the midst of His people, today? One wise person has said, “we can have as much of God as we want. And most people have as much as they want.” Do we want Him more this week, the same or less? The story of the Tabernacle of David teaches us how to actually welcome God’s presence in a way that He wants promises to come.

This SEEK series is about passion. Most everyone is passionate about something; whether it be sports, family, God, their country, cars or dessert. However, there is a passion God invites all of us to experience which will positively and powerfully influence every area of our lives. In order to discover it we must discover the “ONE THING” and pursue it with all of our hearts.