Hello family,

 

I heard we had a great gathering last Sunday with Chuck Neighbors.  Kim and I were away for the weekend and yet we always miss being with you. I would be interested in know how the “message” presented by Chuck impacted you.  Send me your thoughts.

 

And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us;

 and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Col 2:13-15

 

            The cross of Christ…what is it?  What does it mean? What was accomplished on it?  I have been reading and considering the implications of the cross these last few weeks.  Now of course we realize that the cross is central in our thinking as followers of Jesus, but why is it central?  We, just like many other church fellowships, have made the cross central in our place of worship.  We however have a “weird” cross, as Sonam noted.

 

            In the passage above we see that the cross of Jesus has not just impacted us in our relationship with our creator, but the cross of Jesus impacted the spiritual powers and their relationship with us.  The passage says Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities” and “made a public display of them”.  The phrase “rulers and authorities” is not a reference to human rulers but to spiritual powers (demonic powers) in the world.   So what Jesus did on the cross sent a shock wave into the spiritual realm.  What Jesus did on the cross completely disarmed, defanged and disgraced the demonic hoard that sought to put Jesus on the cross.  What an ironic twist.  What an amazing display of power.  It was the Devil who put it in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:2) which was one of the first steps to the cross, and yet it was what Jesus did on the cross that rendered the Devil powerless.(Heb.2:14)

I LOVE IT.

Why then do we give the demons so much credit and allow them any influence at all in our lives.  We stand in the power of what Jesus did on the cross.

So stand firm.  The cross is the glory of Jesus and the victory that we can enjoy.  

 

STAND FIRM

Brent

Hkc

 

UPDATES

            WORKDAY THIS SAT.  MARCH 6TH.   There is much to be done.  We really need to get our children’s ministry area back in good order.  This is a critical area of our ministry that needs quality space to function well.  So we have some work to do in the lower hall.  Bring some gloves and some elbow grease.  It’s also time to get our lawns in shape.   They need to be mowed and edged, so if this is something you can do then come ready to get it done.  We will begin around 9:30 AM and finish around noonish.

 

            SOUL FOOD – there has been a great turn out for our Wed night Family Soul Food event.  Thanks to all who provide the great soup and salad…and WOW…we had cheese cake for dessert last night.  Come and check it out.  Beginning on Wed. March 31st Jim Velez will be teaching the adult gathering.  More details next week on that.  5:45 dinner  6:30 AWANA starts.  7:00 PM adult teaching begins.  8:00 PM AWANA/adults end   8:30 PM youth ends.

            PROGRESS – we are seeing some progress on finishing the outside projects around the church facilities.  The paving along the curb is done.  YEAH  We may see some progress on new siding and windows on the fellowship hall soon.  The Video and lighting projects will be completed soon in our worship center.  Thanks to all who continue to give.  If you want to help see some projects completed you are invited to make a financial gift to get it done.

 

            TOT TEAMS – Jerry and Roni Rose leave Monday March 8th for their trip.  They are looking for prayer warriors.  Jake and Lanelle King leave March 18th for their trip and also are looking for prayer warriors. - Contact Jerry or Jake this Sunday to learn more about their mission!

 

            OIL CHANGE OUTREACH – Sat. March 20th we are reaching out again to single ladies in our community by changing the oil in their cars and giving them a listening ear.  We need some guys to help with the oil changes.  If you don’t mind getting some oil on your hands and at least know where the oil comes out and goes in then contact Pastor Brent if you would like to be part of the team.  This is a morning event….9 – noon.