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New series "The Things We Don't Talk About," with the Universe that you and I are to Master. We think that God is in control of everything. That’s an easy out for us. There is a place, let’s call it a universe, that you and I are to master: SELF. We will be looking at Galatians 5 (plus a few other Scriptures) as we discuss the challenge of this task: Self - Control. It is in the freedom of our choices that we have lost our freedom and are bound up in slavery to many things that our desires, feelings, and thoughts have led us to. Only by consent to Jesus, by surrender to His will, can we change our focus from our stimulus, to ourselves. Only there can healing from the devastation of sin can take place and we experience the power of self-control. I don’t want to be the worst version of myself. Jesus is the only one who can do this. Jesus is the master of all. He will help you master the one thing He has given to you.

This week we continue our study with the second six instructions that similarly provide guidance as we continue to build that trellis in our lives. A support that helps us access the presence and power of God. Just like last week’s lesson these instructions are not about adhering to a set of rules through legalism, but rather about establishing the formation in our lives that comes through practice and discipline. A formation that is all about organizing the whole of our lives around Being with Jesus, Becoming like Jesus and Doing what Jesus did.

Part of the power in the book of Hebrews is the fact that the writer who most believe is Paul takes the opportunity to provide a series of instructions and warnings for the Believers. An admonition which while targeted to those who are his immediate audience, is also a clear message that speaks directly to New Testament Believers. A beacon to Believers not just in the 1st century but also to those navigating life in the 21st century, and therefore a very relevant and timely message to Believers like us here at Gallery Church. Hebrews is intentional in its declarations. Paul is intentional in his writing. The message throughout Hebrews culminating in Chapter 13 is designed to not only educate us but to also challenge us. Not purely to inform us but also to form us. While Hebrews is replete with deep theological arguments it does not desire to simply win us with exposition, it desires to transform us with exhortation into Disciples who are both instructed and inspired to live intentionally for Christ. To that end Chapter 13 presents us with twelve short instructions upon which the success and quality with which we live the Christian life are dependent. A source of guidance and support, these instructions serve as part of the foundation upon which we can grow and flourish in our desire to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. For the next two lessons we will continue to deepen our practice as we walk the narrow road together with these Instructions for Living. Our response in these critical areas of instruction directly impacts how we relate to Friends, Foreigners, Fellow Laborers, Family, Finances, False Teachers, Fellowship and Faith.

Part 5 - Walking The Narrow Road Together This weekend, Lauren and Tsidkenou will be teaching about how the way of Jesus is a costly but life-giving way of surrender, obedience, sacrifice, service, and love. Psalm 27 will anchor the message, reminding us that even in hardship, God is our light and stronghold, and that our “one thing” is to dwell with Him. We’ll explore how the trellis practices orient our lives around Jesus, how community helps us carry one another and keep moving toward holiness, and how each of us is being formed for the sake of the Kingdom.

Part 4 - Growth Community This Sunday, as we continue our series, we will look at the meaning and life of our Growth Communities. Many churches have used the name small groups to define people getting together in smaller circles of church life. To us, a Growth Community is essential and serves as the place we get to practice the Way of Jesus with others. It is a place to grow in relationships and transformed, together, into the image of Jesus Christ. We will look at Jesus' Growth Community, the Growth Community that formed at the end of Pentecost, and the Growth Community that formed in the city of Corinth. Once we look at these three examples in the Bible we will discover four things that hinder/kill community and four things that build/bring to life community.

We are continuing our series designed to help us orient our lives around the vision of our church: to be a display of God's greatness in Baltimore (as it is in Heaven). We have been looking at what it means to renew our desire to deepen our practice of Community, reaffirming our commitment to God, and our commitment to one another. The stories we believe, the habits we form, and the relationships we maintain play a vital part in our transformation (looking more or less like Jesus). There is a current flowing that is trying to impact all three of these areas. Whether we see it or not, there are forces that are at work attempting to get us to believe false stories, develop bad habits, and maintain unhealthy relationships. This weekend we are going to look at one way, that dates back to the Garden of Eden, that the forces are looking to derail us and then look at three ways we can fight against it - together.

This sermon we will be focusing on the purpose of a trellis in wine country. The teaching is titled: Common Rule. We will look at why grapes aren't left to grow along the ground. What does it take to construct a spiritual trellis? We may even talk about the importance of our minds, relationships, the stories we believe, and our habits. Whatever we don't get to this week we will finish next week. Let me end this summary with a little reminder from last Sunday. Who is your Teacher? Is the path you are on taking you the person you ultimately want to be? The Way of Jesus promises life... full life. The only challenge, it is narrow.

New Series: Deepening Our Practice Together The series, running from August 9-30, will help us deepen our practice of Community (of the family of God), clarifying the commitment we make to one another and to the whole Church. Jesus left us with a "New Commandment": Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus also spoke about a "narrow road" and a "yoke". Here we will find some clarity on why it is time to establish new values for a new season at the Gallery Church. You can't miss any of the teachings in this series. Not trying to be humorous, but it would be like you walking to the concession stand in the New Spiderman movie every 45 minutes for 45 minutes. You would miss so many important storylines and plot twists. You would be confused and lost. Please make plans to join us in person or online every weekend. This is a ministry shaping month. This is an opportunity to accept the same invitation as the first disciples..."Follow Me." Ask

In John 14:27, Jesus gives us a promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” But by John 17, we see what this peace looks like in the life of His people. Jesus, our great High Priest, prays not only that we would be kept, but that we would be one. Our peace is found in abiding in Christ, and our unity becomes a testimony of His presence among us. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to receive the peace Christ gives and to live it out together as His body. Jesus prayed that we would be one “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” What would it look like for us to live in the oneness Christ has given us—so deeply united in Him that the world may know that the Father sent the Son?

Our Witness

In our continuing series, “So You Will Have Peace,” this week's lesson finds us in John Chapter 15. While this chapter doesn’t specifically mention the word peace, it actually is the section that provides the evidence to support the declarations pronounced in the other chapters. Jesus doesn't just simply promise peace in John 14 — in John 15 He gives four concrete reasons His disciples (and us) can actually rest in that promise. Join this week's study as we look at His commitment to Fruitfulness, Friendship, Fellowship, and Forewarning that serve as the foundation for Jesus’ promised peace.

New Series Starts this week: Join us this July as we walk through John 14, 15 and 16. John 14: 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." What does Jesus tell His disciples over these three chapters that is meant to give them peace? If we hear it, will it give us peace? Why was "having peace" one of the most important things on Jesus' mind for His disciples as His final days on earth approached? We will look at each chapter in the coming Sundays to help us navigate our faith, hope and love journey.

This week will be part 3 of our series, “In The Middle Of The Night.” Job really just wants to talk to God? Have you ever had a time when you just wanted to talk to God? No one else will do? Just you and God, in an honest conversation. Job and his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar get to experience a conversation with God. It might be better said, they get to listen to God. In the closing chapters of the book of Job God shows up in a whirlwind. He speaks, but it wasn’t what anyone expected. He unfolds the beauty of creation. He asks questions about what has been created. What did Job do in response? What did his friends do? What do we do when God talks to us but it doesn’t seem on topic. The wonder of creation is that… wonderful. The restoration of things lost is what we hope for. There is a hint in the closing verses that I think will bring some clarity… if not… at least some hope. Why did God double everything Job lost except his children? Twice as many animals, but just seven sons and three beautiful daughters. Here lies a very important hint. We will discuss it on Sunday. Until then… Wonder. Hope.

This Sunday finds us in part 2 of our series, “In The Middle Of The Night.” Who in this book is actually saying what is right? What are we to gain from the story of the suffering of Job? Last week we explored the narrative story of how Job was viewed by God, how Satan thought he could win, and how good friends turned bad in just over a week's time. This week we are going to do some work on the six chapters that introduce us to a totally new character, Elihu. This character is young, enthusiastic, angry, and, in my opinion, a fool. What does this add to the story? What could be inspired in this text for us today? If you are suffering, tell us. Many of you suffer in silence because you have experienced the Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s of the church. We are sorry this is in your story of suffering. We want to be different. We need to be different.

This Sunday, Pastor Ellis begins a new series, “In The Middle Of The Night.” What can we learn from the Story of Job? For the next three Sundays we will journey through this book of poetry together to find peace in dark times. What did God say about Job? What did the friends of Job do and say? Who is to blame for the suffering? How do we process our suffering? How do we suffer with others? What we think about God and our lives is important. What we think the Bible has to say about things is important. How we handle the Book of Job and the Book of Proverbs is important. It is good that we have both. One without the other would lead to heavy confusion. It is good that the Psalms separate the two books in the Bible. The Psalms seem to be a good blend of life and theology. If you haven’t experienced a season in your life when it felt like “the middle of the night”, then praise the Lord! For those of you who have, or are currently, we can learn some things from Job and his friends.