Need A Church Home...Look No Further
Greater Ideal is church focused on ministry, i.e., meeting the needs of the people of Midland. As we hold fast to that belief and endeavor to become a blessing to others, God will continue to bless us. So come join us, get involved, and be a part of our blessing. We have a number of ministries where you can grow in the Lord and reach your full potential in the Lord.
To learn more about what we believe, please review our Tenants of Faith.
Learn more about our ministries | Submit a request for prayer or more information
If you would like a reply from the In Touch Ministry, please include an email address or phone number so we can contact you.
Worshiping God Alone!
The Ten Commandments have been a foundation of the Christian life ever since Moses wrote those words in a stone tablet more than 3500 years ago. The first major theme of the Commandments focuses on our relationship with God. It is aboundantly clear from today's scripture Exodus 20:1 - 6 that we are to worship God, and God alone.
This week Pastor Bell expounds on the benefits of following this Commandment and the shortfalls of disobedience. View a sample of the sermon online
.
Living On A Promise
Have you ever wondered what to do when between the time God gives you a promise and the fulfillment of that promise? Do you wait patiently, or do you fret? How have others handled this time?
This week Pastor Bell focuses on Abraham and Sarah and how they handled a promise from God that took 25 years to manifest. Thinking that's a long time? Well look at the results of waiting on God. The sermon is taken from Genesis 21:1 - 7. View a sample of the sermon online
.
I Feel Restless
You may wonder, "What does a picture of a bowl of bean soup have to do with the title of the lesson...about being restless?" Well, this week, Pastor Bell focuses on a passage in the book of Genesis where two brothers, their mother and an aged father set the stage for a story deceit, lost opportunity, and restoration. The sermon is taken specifically from Genesis 27:38 - 40, but we encourage you to read the entire chapter as background.
If you've ever felt like you've missed out on a opportunity in life, take heart, you're not alone. Listen to see how becoming "restless" can lead to restoration. View a sample of the sermon online.
Why Are You Sitting Next To Me?
A necessary part of every Christian's life is growth. Sometimes our spiritual growth Today's sermon comes from Genesis 42:8. In this passage, Joseph, has risen to the position of 2nd in command of Egypt. Twenty two years earlier he had been sold as a slave by his brothers. In this meeting, his brothers did not recognize him; they had left him for dead years earlier. Joseph had an opportunity to punish his brothers for the wrong they had done, but Joseph was a changed man; he had gone through a process to get to his current position.
Is God sending you through a process and all you can see is what's in front of you and not the end goal? View a sample of the sermon online to better understand some processes God sends us through.
How Do You Like Me Now?
Today's sermon comes from Genesis 42:8. In this passage, Joseph, has risen to the position of 2nd in command of Egypt. Twenty two years earlier he had been sold as a slave by his brothers. In this meeting, his brothers did not recognize him; they had left him for dead years earlier. Joseph had an opportunity to punish his brothers for the wrong they had done, but Joseph was a changed man; he had gone through a process to get to his current position.
Is God sending you through a process and all you can see is what's in front of you and not the end goal? View a sample of the sermon online to better understand some processes God sends us through.
Don't Walk Alone
The Scripture passage for this sermon comes from Genesis 2:18 - 25. It is a familiar passage where God states that it is not good man (Adam) to be alone. And he creates Eve. Pastor Bell expands on this concept of "its not good to be alone" and applies it to Community, specifically the Church. What happens when a Christian strays from the Church? What makes the Church unique in that we need to be a part of its Community?
View a sample of the sermon online to find out the answers. See the Tape Ministry to get the entire sermon and discover how Pastor Bell ties
programs like "Wild Kingdom" nature programs on the Discovery Channel into the sermon. This online sample gives you a taste...the entire sermon provides the full meal. 
How Committed Are You?
In the book of Numbers, Israel had had spent 40 years wandering in the desert. In Chapter 32, they had come to the edge of the Jordan River. They could see the Promised Land and were on the verge of realizing what their parents had rejected...the Fulfilled Promise of God. But a few tribes wanted to stay back and settle for land that appeared good for raising cattle, but was not what God had promised. In effect, they wanted something other that God's best.
Even though this history of Israel took place about 3500 years ago, it has application for us today. Are you committed to the assignment God has given you? Are you on the edge of a promise and thinking that something else is better? Are you about to walk away from a blessing? Listen to Dr. Bell expound on this story and to make sure you enter God's "promised land" for your life.
Building A Community From The Top Down
Building of the idea of "Community", Dr. Bell asks, "Are you building up Community or are you tearing down Community?" He explains that there are two ways to tear down the Community that Jesus had in mind for His Church. Listen to the sample of this sermon to find out how and ask yourself, "What Am I doing to Community?"
Click here to listen. The Scripture text for this message is taken from Psalm 145:3 - 4.
I Call You Friends
Continuing the series on "Community", Dr. Bell focuses John 15:9 - 13, where Jesus refers to his disciples as "friends". What does it mean to be a friend? Have you been a friend to someone lately?
Listen up and find out what it means to be "a friend".
Called To Community
One of our primary needs that God placed in in us was our need for relationship. Relationships are so central to life. God sent Christ to restore the relationship between He and us. We grow up in family relationships. Business is conducted based on relationships. Relationships are equally important in the Church.
Listen to Pastor Bell as he expounds on how we are "called to community" and the mistakes we make when we bring "Wilson's" into our lives. The scriptures for this message are found in James 1:1 - 4 and John 17:20 - 21. Click here to listen to a sample of the sermon.
You Can Make A Moment
As we live out our lives day by day, year by year, we come across "famines" in our lives. These "famines" can affect our jobs, our emotions, our health, our children, or any area of our lives. Our natural inclination would be to "run for cover" and do what everyone else is doing. But sometimes, we have to do what no one else is doing. We must focus on the glory of our God instead of the vastness or our "famine". Only then can we be like the tree with roots in "Living Waters".
The scripture for this message is found in Genesis 8:22 and Genesis 26:1, 12 - 13. Click here to listen to a sample of the sermon.
You Were Made For This Moment
Life is hard sometimes. There are times that struggles seem unbearable, unsolvable, unending and unreasonable. You may even start to think that Job must have been a branch in your family tree. But God, who knew you from the womb, also knew of the struggles you would encounter. And as a result gave you everything you needed to overcome your situation. In other words, you were made for this moment.
The scripture for this message is found in Ester 4:12 - 14. Click here to listen to a sample of the sermon.
Take Nothing For Granted
Its easy for us to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Life can seem to be so routine that we have a tendency to go into "auto pilot", making our own plans, setting our own goals, rewarding ourselves for when things go well. Then Life throws us a curve and we find ourselves wondering, "Where was God?", when He was asking, "Have you forgotten Me? Have you included Me in your daily plans?"
Pastor Bell expounds on James 4:13 - 17 and encourges us not to take anything for granted, especially God. The last thing we want is to call ourselves Christians, but live "atheist" lives. Click here to listen to a thirty minute segment of the sermon.
| Other Online Sermons | |
|---|---|
| Learn How To Give, When Giving Is Not Easy | Don't Bother Me At Offering Time! |
| Would You Please Pay Your Rent? | Don't Steal From God |
| You Need Some Help And I Know Where You Can Get It | You Are Not In This By Yourself |
| Stand | Affirmation, Motivation, Expectation and Celebration |
| It Ain't Over | Finding Morning At Midnight | Click on a title to listen a sermon Click here to view a list of all online sermons |
The 2011 GIBC Church Picnic
We had a great time at the 2011 Annual GIBC Church Picnic. We would like to thank all those who helped make this picnic the best yet.
To view our picnic slideshow, click here. Pictures were taken by our very own Bro. Malcolm McPhearson.
The Power of Prayer in Tuscaloosa
By now you have heard of the devastating tonados that ripped through the southeast on Wednesday. By now you have seen the images of the destruction of homes, businesses, schools and everything in the paths of the tornados. But what you haven't heard much of are the testimonies from people of faith. Listen to the exerience of Reginald Eppes and his family. He, his wife and three children survived the storm, but have no home to which to return. But the most powerful aspects of their story are: 1) the role prayer played during the storm, and 2) their attitudes in the aftermath.
As you listen, pay particular attention to the following:
- The hour in which Mrs. Eppes woke up
- What did she "routinely" do when she got up
- What the couple did as the storm raged around them
- What Mrs. Eppes did as her oldest son was torn away from his father by the tornado
- How the oldest son "landed" back on the ground and found his parents
- Mr. Eppes' statement of faith at the end of the story
This story really poses some deep questions about our faith in the midst of our personal storms:
- How seriously do you take your prayer life?
- What habits have you developed to buld your personal relationship with the Lord?
- Do you know what's really important in life and do you acknowledge them daily?
- How did you respond to the last "storm" you encountered? And why did you respond that way?
- What do you need to do differently?
The interview was given from Mr. Eppes' hospital bed on Thursday, April 28, 2011 to an NPR reporter (National Public Radio). Click here to listen. When you click, another window will open to the NPR site where you can listen to the 4 minute story. Click on Listen to the Story.
Finding Morning At Midnight
The Book of Job is full of biblical principles that can help you in your time of need. You may be familiar with the story, but how well do you know the truths?
Can you apply them in your life to make real difference now...today...tomorrow?
Listen to the teaching of GI's First Lady and learn how you can find "morning" during the "midnight" times of your life. The scripture text for this lesson is found in Job 1:6 - 12.