CCK Life blog

And what a day it has been!! We’re seeing such an outbreak of God’s presence amongst those calling on His name that words cannot do justice to what’s going on! If you’re child’s here, they’re probably going to come back transformed. GOD IS AT WORK at Newday and as you can see, I’m bubbling with excitement! I live to see God work in people’s lives. I thrive on these moments. Jesus is being glorified!

Main Session 6: Joel Virgo – Peter: Restored by God

Mark 14:26-31,6-72

From this incredible story of Peter’s boast of his loyalty and his ultimate denial of Jesus, Joel, urged us not to be proud about who we are and to approach God, broken for His will in our lives.

Peter, who later wrote urging us to be on our guard against the prowling lion (the devil), had been shown how desperately he needed God. Satan had asked God if he could sift Peter, but Jesus had prayed for Peter. Sifting is the separating of the wheat from the chaff.

God knows how frail and fragile we are. As a father has compassion over his children, so our heavenly Father has compassion on those who fear Him.

At Newday, most of us our on a spiritual high as we encounter God and as He places ambitions and plans on our hearts. When times of testing follow, remember that you are not the hero of your story, Jesus is.

The evening session began with worship lead by Simon Brading, who was joined on stage by crowd favorites, The 29th Chapter! People went wild as soon as they appeared on stage on joined with Simon and the band to do their popular rendition of ‘Our God He reigns‘. What amazed me the most though was that in spite of the song being not your typical worship song, we never lost our sense of worshipping Jesus.

Main Session 7: Mike Pilavachi – Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ezek 47:1-12

The crowd roared with anticipation as Mike took the pulpit to preach again. Mike seems to have become a very popular speaker as he brings his depth of understanding of the Word along with a very dramatic sense of humour to the stage. We loved him!

Last night after Mike preached, we spent some time waiting on the Holy Spirit. And the presence of God came! What followed was, well, not normal! You had people crying in one corner, laughing in another, doubling over groaning, jumping, dancing. Mike sought to explain what had happened or rather, to explain why he couldn’t!

From Ezekiel 47, Mike explained how the river that flowed from the altar of God’s Temple was an indication of the Spirit that flowed from the altar of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. There can be no Pentecost without Calvary. The Spirit is a gift from the Father through His Son. We don’t earn Him. The Spirit often comes to us in our weakness and brokenness rather than in strength and achievement. It is never about how good you are, but how good Jesus is. The destination of the river is the world. It moves to makes things fresh, to create things new.

The imagery in Ezekiel’s prophesy is about stepping of the ground and releasing control. God’s plan is for the Spirit to be completely in control We can’t call Him ‘Lord’ and then proced to do what we want to. When we invite Him, He comes to us and takes complete control.

God dwells in us by His Spirit. Through His indwelling, His gifts are released in us. It’s not about wearing the badge of the gifts of the Spirit, but about it being a power to take the gospel to the world.

The Holy Spirit points us to Jesus. We must be people of the Word and the Spirit is we want to grow in our understanding of Jesus.

Gig Review: 29th Chapter

By Jotham Oakley

29th Chapter will be remembered by many for the famous ‘Jesus Rocks’ rap last year with Simon Brading. It would appear that they have built on that success as the gig venue was possibly at its fullest yet. A solid start to the gig rolled into a slower mid-section which could have been seen by some as a surprise. But as a result the energy of the crowd was saved for the end of the gig in which the band performed their new single ‘Invincible’. Bright lights, active on-stage dancing and impressive crowd partciption meant that fans left the venue buzzing with energy.

And we’re finally here! And what a start to the event! Thunderous applause preceded our very own Joel Virgo as he took the stage to open Newday 2009. Jesus was about to be glorified by about 7,000 young people at The Norfolk Show Ground! CCK’s Simon Brading then lead a very charged worship time which regularily featured rapturous applause as truth after truth was sung about our Lord.

Main Session 1: Stef Liston – Receiving Forgiveness

Charismatic preacher, Stef Liston kicked off  with the first of his two part preach series on Forgiveness. He began by appealing to those who were on the verge of leaving the meeting to stay on and soak in the presence of God and the transforming truths of His Bible.

Forgiveness, he exhorted us, is the key to the difference between surviving and overcoming in this life.

1. Our greatest need – to be in a relationship with God (Gen 1:26-27)

We have been created in the image of God and God burns to see His image reflected in you. We are made for close intimacy and relatinship with our God. It i by His Holy Spirit, that what’s in the Bible is ‘blasted’ into our hearts and you just know that God loves you.

2. Our greatest problem – sin (Gen 3:1-6)

Sin is anything that is contrary to the nature and perfections of God. All sin is ultimately against God. God cannot just sweep sin under the carpet because He is holy. And for that we need forgiveness for our sins and our sinfulness. So He sent His Son to crush the devil’s head on the cross. (Col 2:15)

Stef concluded his preach by pointing us to 1 John 1:8-9 and the forgiveness we receive when we confess our sins.

Gigs: Four Kornerz

By Jotham Oakley

Four Kornez arrived at Newday to perform an energetic set that had hundreds of fans jumping and dancing. With their unique blend of dance/hip-hop/reggae and trilby hats, they provided songs of both Biblical truth and musical genius. As far as the sound was concerned, they proved their skill on their instruments, played tightly as a group and, to add to the experience, the crowd participation kept the fans involved rght until the end. A fun night was had by all.

Excerpts from the article:

“We want young people to enjoy church. That might seem a weird thing to some people, but we’re seeing more and more young people from teenagers into their 20s wanting to get closer to God,” he added.

Thousands of young people from Norfolk and across the UK are expected to descend upon Norwich for the six day festival, with highlights including music and preaching from Simon Bradling, Lou Fellingham, Adrian Holloway, Phatfish and Matt Redman.

Newday was set up by preacher Joel Virgo with a vision to restore the Church to a worldwide audience through the eyes of young people.

To read the complete article, please click here.

Yohaan Philip will be live blogging during Newday on the ccklife blog.