Testimony, Dependence & Robert Morris of Gateway

One of the great things about Christianity is what you receive by orienting your life around Christ.  He will give you purpose, heal you, cause you to understand many things that have never quite made sense to you in the past.  Remind yourself with Luke 12:29-32 NASB95 which says,

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. [30] For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. [31] But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. [32] Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

Seeking, experiencing & becoming who Christ is and what He has destined for us is a never ending journey in this life.  Some of the best practical patterns for walking this out are presented in Israel’s journey through the promised land.

Joshua 13:1 NASB95

Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.”

Testimony before, during and after an assignment from The Lord

Before considering the land (that) remains to be possessed, consider what has already been accomplished and some of the implications.  Israel crossed the Jordan in miraculous fashion (Joshua 3). They overcame a formidable, fortified city in Jericho with a powerful demonstration of God’s might (Joshua 6).  A painful lesson was learned when AI was eventually conquered after Israel repented for Achan’s sin (Joshua 7& 8).  Many kings were defeated as Northern Palestine was taken leading up to The Lord speaking in Joshua 13.  Simply put, with God, Israel was formidable and unstoppable.  When they deviated from their obedience to and dependence upon The Lord, obstacles that should have been easily overcome proved impossible.  Remembering these crucial cause and effect correlations, right before the promised land narrative, are undoubtedly part of the reason Moses reminded Israel in Deuteronomy 29 how God had rescued them from oppression.

It is also hugely beneficial, during a challenge, to take stock in what has already been overcome.  Revelation 12:11 NASB95 tells us,

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

Courage can be summoned during a battle when the struggle is great and the outcome is in doubt.  Is there any doubt that the warriors fighting to take the promised land were emboldened by recalling the walls of Jericho being brought down by the power of God on their behalf?  Every Christian has known the miracle of his own redemption & salvation (see Col 1:13, Eph 2:5-8, etc) and we do very well when we keep it close to our memory.

Because it reminds us of our source, testimony may be most vital to us after a battle.  In the context of Joshua, AI was an inferior opponent that should have easily been defeated.  Because they didn’t act as God had told them (see Joshua 7), His favor and power weren’t with them.  Their compromise made Israel afraid while simultaneously encouraging their enemies.  Dependance on The Lord is a regular encouragement in scripture, and it should always be reviewed and refreshed during any Christian’s walk.  

A personal testimony involving Robert Morris of Gateway Church

Just over thirty years ago, when I was surrendering to my own personal calling in ministry, I listened to a sermon by a little known pastor at the time named Robert Morris.  While there were a number of aspects to the teaching, one verse was highlighted that changed my life forever.  James 2:10 NASB says,

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

As I heard this verse in the message, I had my spiritual eyes opened to the depth of the redemption that takes place during salvation in a way that I’d previously not understood.  Everyone, regardless of the degree of past transgressions, has a vast cavern between himself and The God of The Bible.  I understood, in a way that only a revelation from The Holy Spirit could convey, that my faith in Jesus wasn’t an ordinary event, it was a bonafide miracle and that only God’s love could provide.  My personal testimony, from that moment to the present day, took on a new meaning and I’ve shared with many about how the same thing can transpire in their own lives. 

Although I’ve never had any personal contact or relationship with Pastor Morris, the experience detailed above wasn’t limited to a small number of people or a short period of time.  I have witnessed multitudes of other Christians enriched by his preaching and the church, Gateway, that he started in 2000.  The reach of the ministry was international, extending to Europe and many places in the third world. 

Despite the worldwide impact of Mr. Morris’s evangelistic mission,  his life has also become a cautionary tale.  It has been recently disclosed and confirmed that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor in the early 80’s.  He is currently facing a criminal trial with his legacy badly stained.  The scandal has led to an obvious question, “How could both of these realities be true?”

It isn’t unheard of for profoundly gifted people, with significant spiritual authority, to behave abhorrently in certain situations.  Look at the biblical records for Abraham’s treatment of Sarah (Genesis 20), King David with Bathsheba/Uriah (2 Samuel 11), and Peter’s denial of Christ (Matthew 26).  These actions ranged from (best case) cowardly & immoral to diabolical & criminal.  They happened through people that accomplished much on behalf of God, before and after their transgressions.  They also paid dearly for walking independently from The Lord in these instances.

As I’ve sought to understand and learn from this situation, the timing of the entire scenario is something that I believe is significant.  At any point, for decades, these things could have been made public.  They came just ahead of a plan that has been cancelled for Pastor Morris’s son to be appointed as the new leader of Gateway.  Review again the teaching and warning we gave at the beginning of 2024 about how crushing self centered choices can be in the lives of people (CLICK HERE AND LET’S ALL GET THIS DOWN FROM NOW ON!).  The enemy of our souls is waiting for us to do our own thing.  Just like the nation of Israel in The Old Testament, with God we are formidable & unstoppable, without Him very vulnerable.

Psalm 37:5 NASB95

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Galatians 6:3 NASB95

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.