Through the Cross

TITLE: Through the Cross
PREACHER: Marcus Herbert
DATE: 6 April 2012 – Friday AM

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Who is Jesus to You?

TITLE: Who is Jesus to You?
PREACHER: Lance de Ruig
DATE: 8 April 2012 – Sunday AM

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To all the Dreamers… It’s time to Dream

by Faye Mc Clean

So this morning I began with an attempt at dreaming which may seem minimal and pathetic.
I sat in my bedroom in a small suburb of a large city with a dream that doesn’t fade.
But I have to start somewhere…. I have to know that I’m not crazy.

I have to know that even if these are words… they are a start.

A stab in the dark maybe… but within that darkness that God would reveal himself…

I dream of changing the world.
Being a history maker.

Not like the ever-famous delirious lyrics say or because it’s a line that sounds good.

I dream of changing the world because I know I carry a truth that CAN change this world.

I don’t deserve to be recognized but I know I can be recognized because HIS truth is enough to cause a tide wave of change… and I hold that truth within my heart.

I dream of being used to inspire a generation in Him.

I dream of people seeing His glory in me.

I dream of preaching till my voice and body aches.

I dream of being utterly compelled to do and say whatever and whenever the Spirit urges.

That his urges wouldn’t even have to be urges but simple utterances or whispers or notions.

I dream of praying for people and they are healed in a moment.

I dream of walking in the power of Christ in such a real way.

Not stories told about people in the book of Acts or in Hong Kong or Toronto or Kenya.

I desire it so desperately in my life.

I want to be that person bursting with stories to tell every single day.

Stories of His love. His compassion. His power.

More status’s per second than bbm, twitter or facebook can handle.

Because of HIS LOVE. His compassion.

His genuine gentleness and awe-inspiring power breaking into lives like a mighty torrent that sweeps into hearts and over our country like a revival.

Like a revival.

Like a revival.

It’s my dream.

I dream of rappers, single mom’s, homeless men, young children, famous dj’s, MD’s, students, families, foreigners, leaders, athletes, nerds, jocks, muslims, married couples, pioneers, atheists, everyone… every race… meeting Jesus.

Meeting Him as if he were face-to-face.

Being overwhelmed by His love as if it were the air being breathed.

I desire Christ being pointed to as IF my face, my body, my language, my behavior were a neon sign directing strangers and friends directly to HIM.

I dream of truly living.

I dream of doing what I am passionate about and through that – experiencing His favor to change more than just a nation.

I dream of standing on the forefront of possibility with thousands of His soldiers and shouting out what we see… and as we do… hearing echo’s of change from thousands of others around the world. I dream of encouraging people, faithing with people, standing with people I dream of my heart beating and finite flesh screaming his name with each passing day…

I dream of living with the knowledge of eternity as if it were the only thing that mattered.

I dream of being more than a girl with brown hair and blue eyes.

I dream of being someone recognized because of her love for a King who gave everything of himself for this world.

I dream of fighting for lives and seeing captives set free.

I dream of constant wonder and awe and movement as we step with His Spirit into every area and place He treads.

I dream of the impossible being absolute reality.

I dream of “celebrating” never being overrated because salvations are happening all the time.

I dream of people dreaming for more because there is constant faith within hearts for more.

I dream of passivity being unknown as hungry passion constantly grows and fires are ignited within hearts.

I dream of MORE than this.

In fact, I know there is more than this.

And I will forever dream of changing this world for Him.

What’s Easter About Anyway?

by Ryan Strydom

Contrary to popular belief that Easter (an Old English word for ‘Passover’) is all about chocolate, eggs and bunnies, Easter is celebrated by Christians as a time that represents the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It would be impossible to delve into all the details of these two events and what they mean in such a short space. But phrases such as “Jesus died for your sins” or “he was raised on the third day” often become clichés that bear no meaning for many people.

So what do these phrases really mean? Their meaning is multi-faceted and often very difficult to grasp unless we really know who Jesus was and how he lived his life. All of that has been recorded in the Bible books of Matthew, Mark Luke and John, and anyone interested in Christianity should start there.

In short, Jesus ‘died for our sins’ on Good Friday by taking them upon himself when he, as an innocent man who brought healing to others, underwent a torturous and unjust death nailed to a Roman instrument of capital punishment – a wooden cross. Justice declares that all of us, one way or another, ought to pay for the wrong things (sin) we have done to each other and even to ourselves. In effect, death is our punishment. But Jesus took the punishment of death upon himself in our place and was raised to life three days later on the Sunday (Easter Sunday) after He himself had conquered death.

By taking the punishment upon himself we no longer have to face what justice requires. Instead, we can go free – live forgiven, restored, in peace and in healing. By being raised to life Jesus declares that he has conquered death and that all who trust in Him live in his victory. In other words, we move from death into life, not death into death, when we trust Jesus. And all it takes is a simple decision to do so!

When Jesus insisted that those who were murdering him and mankind should not suffer justice but be forgiven (Luke 23:34) he ushered in a new order (Kingdom) of grace, mercy and peace. No longer does mankind need to live under an order where wrong must be put right through punishment, but now mankind can live in an order of grace and mercy where wrong is put right through love. This is how the Christian endeavours to live – just as Jesus lived.

There’s more. Jesus gives Christians his Holy Spirit, who is also God, and who lives in Christians, empowering them to live a life of love and grace; empowering them to bring God’s healing, restoration and reconciliation to the world.

And it all boils down to that pinnacle moment – Easter Sunday – when what God will do in the future – raise us up to life – was brought into the present.

The promise of God’s grace, mercy, peace and restoration is open to anyone and everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are and what you’ve done, when you trust in Jesus your sins are completely wiped away.

That’s why we celebrate Easter.

Easter in the Park: Relaxing and Lots of Fun for the Kids

by Justine Engelbrecht

A relaxing afternoon was enjoyed by friends and family at Easter in the Park, with families picnicking and browsing the craft market with both food and craft stalls; friends relaxing and chatting on the grass; and the children enjoying the obstacle course, farm animals and pony rides. Plus there was the ever popular cannot-get-enough-of Jumping Castles. A special treat was coming down the slide to receive a marshmallow egg at the bottom, an excuse to return timeously until the last egg was given out.

Easter is a blessed and memorable time in our Saviour Jesus Christ and a special time for families to get together and enjoy each other’s company and celebrate His abundance and love.

Thank you for supporting the day, which raised funds for the Ukwakha Isizwe Foundation initiatives, including the hArt Day Centre for homeless youth and the Russell House Baby Sanctuary for abandoned babies.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter weekend; be safe and be blessed.

More photos to soon follow on our Facebook page.

Making the Most of Life: Don’t Settle for Money-Rich, Time-Poor

TITLE: Making the Most of Life: Don’t Settle for Money-Rich, Time-Poor
PREACHER: Gregg McAlpine
DATE: 30 March 2012 – Friday AM

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Coffee with Kabelo a Roaring Success

by Denise Sherman

Despite rain, cold and urns that would not co-operate – Coffee with Kabelo (hosted by Uptown on 16 March in Braamfontein) was a roaring success. By my estimate we had about 200 to 250 eager students gathered in the SouthPoint reception area, waiting patiently to see and hear Kabelo.

Kudos to “Bouga 2 Shoes” for handling the crowd with such style and for making sure they knew that Jesus was the real celebrity. Kabelo has learned how to use the fame he has achieved, not for his own benefit but to bring all glory to God. He delivered a targeted message to the youth about their identity in Christ, and it was clear that God moved and hearts were touched. Approximately 10 people responded to the salvation call.

A big thank you to everyone that was involved for all your hard work!”

Healing and Testimonies

TITLE: Healing & Testimonies
PREACHER: Marcus Herbert and Others
DATE: 25 March 2012 – Sunday pM

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