March 1, 2021
by Brandon Phillips
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: salvation
The promise of eternal life demonstrates that Jesus intends to fulfill His promise not to cast out anyone who truly comes to Him. Therefore, if we are true believers, our eternal security is firmly in the hands of the Father and the Son! No one can remove us from His eternal grip....
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February 25, 2021
by Brandon Phillips
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: trust, Faith
How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. David says that we will be blessed or happy when we make Yahweh our trust. Therefore, we must not trust in worldly things – these will inevitably fail us. We can trust in the Lord because He is in full control of the world and our lives. ...
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November 28, 2019
by Brandon Phillips
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: christian, church, Suffering, Trials, Christian character
The unity of the body of Christ is at the heart of Paul’s exhortation to the church. In doing so, he appealed to non-negotiable truths of the Christian walk. As believers, we should always be encouraged in Christ, finding great comfort in our love for one another, and enjoying relationships which are empowered by the Holy Spirit....
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: Faith equalizer, James
We can learn much from James’s teaching. As Christians, we can face great difficulty for our faith, and we face all the difficulties which are common to man. God does not take us out of this world when He saves us and He does not guard us from difficulties. He uses them to give us endurance and to grow us in godliness. Therefore, we must heed these mandates as we travers...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles, Pastor's Articles
I believe God is sovereign in all the circumstances which led me to TMS and to Gainesville. I am confident that the Lord called me to TMS, and I am certain that He placed me in Gainesville for His purposes and His glory. He has hemmed me in, behind and before, and has laid His hand upon me (Psalm 139:5). I tried to say no many times, but to no avail. Truly, God has shown m...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: James, Joy, Suffering, Trials
We learned that we need to submit to God’s will in our trials, because He uses them to conform us to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our trials are not merely cold circumstances of this cruel world which come upon us by chance. They come from the hand of our sovereign God who loves us deeply and desires our growth in godliness. As we endure suffering, we find o...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: Church planting, Church revitalization, Master's Seminary
I realize that God used my time there, every painful situation, every difficult assignment, and every sleep deprived night to prepare me for this sticky Florida Day. TMS trains men because lives depend on it, now me and my family depend upon it, and so do many more who will be affected by the ministry of GBC-Gainesville. I’ve also come to understand that my preparation f...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles, Pastor's Articles
We want you to know that GBC is brand-new church plant here in Gainesville. We rejoice in what the Lord will do through this new work and would love for you to join us. We do understand that church planting is difficult and is not for everyone, so if you cannot physically join us, we still want to get to know you and ask that you join us in prayer that Christ might be exal...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles
I have just embarked upon what I hope is a life of pastoral ministry. And by God’s providence, I am now a church planting bi...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles, Pastor's Articles
I believe God is sovereign in all the circumstances which led me to TMS and to Gainesville. I am confident that the Lord called me to TMS, and I am certain that He placed me in Gainesville for His purposes and His glory. He has hemmed me in, behind and before, and has laid His hand upon me (Psalm 139:5). I tried to say no many times, but to no avail. Truly, God has shown m...
Keep Reading
August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles, Pastor's Articles
We want you to know that GBC is brand-new church plant here in Gainesville. We rejoice in what the Lord will do through this new work and would love for you to join us. We do understand that church planting is difficult and is not for everyone, so if you cannot physically join us, we still want to get to know you and ask that you join us in prayer that Christ might be exal...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: bi-vocational ministry, Bible, church, Church planting, ministry
We must realize that our ministry resources are precious; therefore, we need to focus on our Lord’s prerogatives, not ours. Said another way, when we align our priorities with the Lord’s, we can expect the church to accomplish its mission. As such, we assure the church is functioning as God intends. This assurance underscores the importance of developing and following ...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: Bible, church, Gainesville
When we set the agenda, we become just like the world. Our churches lose their transcendence. Our Sunday meetings become no different than a Lion’s or Rotary Club meeting. Our acts of kindness become empty attempts to please some far away deity. However, when we look to the One who bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), then our churches become a statement to...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles
I think Solomon understood these things when he penned these wise words, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Parents, above all, teach your kids to fear God and keep His c...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles
So, as you are suffering instead of focusing on the pain, fix your eyes upon Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith and look for ways to help your brothers and sisters who are also in distress. In doing so, your pain and suffering will fade away, your love for Christ will increase, and your relationships with others will become closer and stronger! This is a promise y...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles | Tags: Faith, Fear, trust
True reverence for the Lord comes through the act of turning from our sins and following the Lord Jesus Christ! When we obey God and walk in repentance, we can have great courage knowing that nothing escapes His notice, and that He truly cares for us. When we can have a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus, we can live in great confidence as we look forward to...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles
If equipping and fellowship are the vehicles by which we grow, then serving the body is proof that we are putting what we have learned to good use. Service is proof of love’s growth in our hearts! The outcome is not only our growth as individual saints but more importantly, the building up of the church. The result of this is that we attain to the unity of the faith and ...
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August 9, 2019
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Category:
Pastor's Articles
With other religions, our destination is determined by our works here on earth, but it is not that way with Christianity. Jesus Christ has done all the work in conquering sin and the grave. All we must do is believe. Beloved, it is because Christ has conquered death that we will reign with Him forever in a new heaven and new earth where God dwells among men....
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