Blog — Gateway Baptist Church of Travelers Rest

Revelation 4–6 and Psalm 50: God Our Glorious Judge

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 20, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

The scene in Psalm 50 and Revelation 4–6 are mirror images. Psalm 50 depicts God as the judge of all the earth, seated in glorious Zion, the temple mount. He summons all of heaven and earth to a great judgment. Only, this is not the judgment of the...

“Believing” in John’s Gospel

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 17, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

Why does John place the story of “doubting Thomas” at the climax of his gospel? Because John’s whole purpose is to call people to believe in Jesus of Nazareth—his claims about himself, his ministry, his death for sin, and especially his resurrection...

Disbelieving for Joy

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 15, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

We’re missing some needed disbelief in our Christian experience. I don’t mean the kind that causes us to ultimately doubt what God promises us is true. I mean the kind of disbelief that the disciples experienced during their first meeting with Jesus...

“We Were Hoping …”

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 11, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

We don’t normally give as much attention to the Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. But out of all of the days that we celebrate during the passion week, it is this day that connects most with the life that we live as believers in...

The Sobering Reality of the Atonement, Isaiah 53:6

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 10, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

I’m a Geek when it comes to Handel’s Messiah. I listen to it all year long. I love to analyze the way Handel matches the music to the biblical text. It’s sheer genius! The libretto that Handel used was compiled by his friend and colleague, Charles...

Jesus Washes the Feet of Judas, John 13:1–30

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 9, 2020. Posted in Blog. 2 Comments

When we read this amazing story, we’re riveted on Jesus and Peter because of Peter’s strong reaction. But let’s consider for just a moment that Jesus not only washed the feet of Peter, but he also washed the feet of Judas, the disciple who was about...

A Devotion that Shames, Matthew 26:1–16

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 8, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

Matthew lets us know that the plot against Jesus is thickening. And in the midst of this terrible news, there is one woman, whose name is not even mentioned, humbly, lovingly, pouring out affection on the one who will give his life for her.

easter, matthew

The Lord in His Temple

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 7, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

Even though Jesus is not yet suddenly and triumphantly returning to the temple as Malachi 3 prophesies, he still takes the temple by storm. For Jesus not only teaches and performs miracles, but he also masterfully handles any challenging question that...

easter, malachi

Jesus’s A-Triumphal Entry, Matthew 21:1–17

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 6, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the Sunday before Passover, he took specific, detailed steps to style himself as the coming king. Matthew 21:6 says that the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. This was a carefully planned event. Jesus wanted...

easter, matthew

Blessed Are the Forgiven: Psalm 32 and Revelation 13–16

Written by Greg Stiekes on April 3, 2020. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

To this day, I find myself thinking from time to time about something my teacher did in my second-grade class at my elementary school when she was fed up with the lack of social graces we country kids exhibited. She gave us a long talk about politeness...

psalms, revelation

Gateway to the Word