Forward Together

·      Success is based on Impact.

·      Impact is determined by influence.

·      Influence has 3 critical dependencies: Proximity, Trust, Purpose.

Influence is dependent on Proximity.

Proximity may seem random but God doesn’t do random.

Influence is dependent on Trust.

Nothing establishes trust more than our personal transformation.

Influence is dependent on Purpose.

The source of our personal transformation is transferable – this is the purpose of influence!

·      Spiritual influential people engage in 3 interconnected personal practices: an ongoing connection with Jesus, one another and the world around us.

·      These 3 practices are described with these 3 phrases: Fresh Starts, Great Friends and Real Purpose.

·      These phrases have become the hook to Gateway’s mission – To develop the most spiritually influential people on the planet.

Fresh Starts is more than a do over, it’s an ongoing makeover.
John 15:4-5 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 
Philippians 1:6 “6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 Real Purpose

·      People long for a purpose but they settle for a cause.

·      Causes are good opportunities but they aren’t real purposes.

·      Causes are external and temporary. Purpose is internal and eternal.

Great Friends
Great Friends is a deeper concept than a one-on-one relationship.
Great Friends is common language for community.

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne

3 Reasons Why Developing a Community of Faith is Challenging

1) Satan conspires against community.

2) Community isn’t convenient.

3) Covid has confronted community development with new obstacles.

G = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Grace.

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

G = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Grace.

I = The Gift of Great Friends comes the Gifting of Investment.

Spiritually investing in someone else is about sharing your life for their gain.

G = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Grace.

I = The Gift of Great Friends comes the Gifting of Investment.

F = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Faith.

Acts 2:42-47, 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

G = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Grace.

I = The Gift of Great Friends comes the Gifting of Investment.

F = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Faith.

T = The Gift of Great Friends comes with the Gifting of Time.

Movement

1.    Go to the groups page and sign up for a life group.

2.    Break the relational ice with someone around you by sharing which group interests you and why. You can also do this in the chat.

3.    After the benediction drop by the Fireplace and speak to one of our Group Representatives. You can also pose your questions in the chat.