Gateway Church Live | “Hide or Go Seek” by Abram DePrang | January 8
Jan 30, 2025
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The discussion centers around the importance of not hiding from Jesus, emphasizing the need for restoration through faith. Personal struggles are highlighted, showing that confronting issues openly leads to growth. The tension between hiding and seeking in spiritual life is explored, with biblical examples illustrating how shame and jealousy can hinder faith. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize their connection with God and engage actively with community initiatives to deepen their spiritual journey. Emphasis is placed on prayer and personal relationships within the church.
40:28
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Quick takeaways
Pastor Abram DePrang emphasizes the importance of seeking Jesus for restoration instead of succumbing to shame and hiding from Him.
The speaker reflects on how deeply rooted familial and communal ties within Gateway Church contributed to his spiritual growth and sense of belonging.
Deep dives
A Family's Journey to Gateway Church
The speaker reflects on the family’s significant decision to move from Louisiana to Texas to join Gateway Church, emphasizing the divine call felt by his father. This move not only changed their geographic location but also became a transformative experience for the speaker, who learned vital life lessons about worship and spirituality. Key moments in his family's involvement and growth within the church, such as his first job and marriage proposal, highlight the deep connections established over the years. The speaker describes how the family became rooted in the church community, illustrating the importance of being 'planted' in a supportive environment.
Understanding 'Son of the House'
The speaker explores the concept of being a 'son of the house,' a term he became familiar with only recently. He reflects on a heartfelt phone call with his father, who felt the need to apologize for the challenges faced in the church; however, the speaker reassures him that their calling was about contributing through difficult times rather than merely consuming when times are good. This revelation helped him understand the importance of belonging and responsibility within the church community and to honor the elders who have shaped him. The speaker’s personal stories exemplify how familial and communal ties deepen one’s connection to faith.
Hiding vs. Seeking in Spiritual Life
The speaker discusses the innate tendency to hide in times of trouble rather than seeking God, drawing parallels to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. He highlights that shame leads to hiding and that this tactic, used by Satan, is a common generational strategy that affects people of all ages. Through this lens, he emphasizes the need for awareness of what we consume mentally and spiritually, indicating that our focus can easily drift if we aren't diligent. The speaker urges individuals to choose between hiding or actively seeking God, reinforcing the idea that both actions cannot coexist.
The Importance of Ears and Eyes in Faith
The speaker stresses that what we allow into our ears and eyes profoundly impacts our lives and our relationship with God. He explains that the enemy seeks to gain our ears to manipulate our focus and ultimately divert us from seeking the heart of God. By highlighting the difference between casual engagement with faith and true intimacy with God, the speaker calls for a commitment to deeper spiritual practices, including listening attentively to God's word and maintaining integrity in one’s faith. He concludes this point by urging the congregation not to settle for superficial faith, encouraging them to pursue a transformative relationship with God.
On the final evening of F1RST, Pastor Abram DePrang reminds the Gateway family that we cannot “hide” from Jesus—we need to seek Jesus and find restoration in Him by putting our lives in His hands!
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