The Confidence Trickster

Sunday 5^th May 2024 (Week 67)

1 Peter 5: 8-9

Life can be difficult to navigate and there are times when we may not be sure of who or what we should trust. It could be information, circumstances, or people but it’s likely that all of us will at some time be unsure of a situation we are faced with.

A few years ago someone gained my confidence in order to steal from me. My trust – or naivety – enabled this individual to cause me significant financial loss. It was a particularly elaborate deception involving smoke and mirrors. The reality is that he was cunning and much cleverer than me and by the time I spotted what was going on it was too late. Unfortunately, that type of behaviour is all too common in the business world I`ve worked in for most of my life, but it is increasingly seen in everyday life too with a new “scam” hitting the streets every week.

Life wasn`t too dissimilar 2000 years ago. As Jesus was preparing to send out the apostles he said, “I am sending you out like Sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) I confess that shrewdness – or cunning – isn`t one of my strengths. I find trust and openness much more natural traits. But Jesus didn’t give the instruction without good reason. He knew that the apostles and all of His disciples would face persecution of one form or another.

Jesus also knew that whilst we would suffer everyday trials we have an enemy who will throw even more at us. Towards the end of his first letter to Christians scattered across (what is now) Turkey and adjacent areas Peter wrote, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. The truth is that Satan is the ultimate confidence trickster (an old-fashioned term for a con man) and he is capable of deceiving even the best of us if we are not alert to his tactics.

In the culture of Jesus’s time, snakes were symbolic of shrewdness and cunning. Doves were so innocent as to often seem completely clueless to danger. Jesus tells His followers to exercise whatever wise shrewdness they can to avoid conflict and danger without losing the dove-like innocence that will allow them to continue to proclaim the truth without fear. It will be a hard balance to keep, but it is necessary if we are to be authentic in our Christian faith.

Ultimately, we are called to trust in God’s unfailing care of His own and to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal goal of Heaven where there will be no more tears, scams, or confidence tricksters but just pure joy and life forever, safe with Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving us so much and for warning us of the dangers we face. Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can trust you fully to keep us safe.

Neil Bromage, 05/05/2024

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and when

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our service

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our worship leader. We typically have two songs followed by a children's slot. The children and youth will then normally go off to their respective groups. If you have children you will be able to spot and speak to one of the leaders - they will be wearing a bright yellow t-shirt! There will usually be a time of prayer and communion. We normally have another time of sung worship followed by a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

When our team is available we serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 12pm, after the service. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

sunday services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids/teens:

Creche - from approx. 6 months to 5 years (decided on a child by child basis)
Limitless Kids (4/5 - 11/12 years)
Limitless Youth (school years 7-11)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for two worship songs and the “Kids slot” and then go to creche or Limitless Kids. Limitless Youth may go out at the same time as the children but sometimes stay in the service to take communion before going to their class. Children can be picked up by parents after the service ends (but not before 12pm).

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a couple of groups that meet every week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to Join a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries and regularly support various missionaries who are part of the Elim Missions work:

Toddlers & Co weekly group
Foodbag provision
Open Doors Team
Church in the Cafe
Youth Community Outreach

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at the church.

Best Wishes
The Gatehouse Church Team

About us

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you. (*Mandatory Fields)

*Name:

Telephone:

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*Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.