This week's praise and worship was led by Debbie Fiddy singing with Jackie, who also played the piano, together with Natalie, accompanied by Jon and Reg on guitars and Josh on drums. This anointed time led into a very powerful message delivered by Pastor Jon Fiddy on the need to be 'Living in all that Calvary accomplished.'

1 John 3 v 8 tells us that the reason the Son of God (Jesus) appeared was to destroy the devil's work. This was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, was raised from the dead, having declared His work on earth 'finished,' and is now in heaven. By so doing, Jesus made it possible for believers to have open access to the Father. We must now live in the good that His sacrifice achieved. All who now enter heaven do so by the power that still emanates to those who have an encounter with the cross of Jesus.

The whole human race is infected by sin and in Deuteronomy 27 v 26 Moses laid out the curses that would befall anyone who disobeyed the Lord's commands. Because in their own strength no one could ever obey all the Laws in the Old Testament, people were saved by faith in God's ordinances which pointed forward to the cross of Christ. Jesus Christ became our substitute, standing in the place of condemnation (meant for us) for all our sins and guilt. Now when we touch the Cross of Christ it has the power to transform our hearts. We individually become a 'new creation.'

1 Peter 3 v 21-25 relates how we are called to follow in Christ's footsteps, that He has borne our sins and by His wounds we have been healed. Peter then goes on to say that we were like sheep going astray but that we have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Everything was dealt with on the cross and the victory won. After the cross, all scripture is a declaration of the victory already won. Romans 5 v 6-9 describes that whilst we were still sinners Jesus died for us and that through Him we have been saved from God's wrath. Jesus was not only our substitute, but He alone was qualified to stand in that place, being falsely accused and rejected but never falling into sin. He was perfect, His blood being uncorrupted yet he was truly man whose sacrifice was accepted by God the Father. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices simply served to cover over Man's sins.

When Jesus was on the cross, darkness fell upon the land although it was still afternoon, possibly a sign that the sin of the whole world had come upon the Lamb of God. Matthew 27 v 50 - 54 describes that at the time Jesus gave up His spirit, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom accompanied by an earthquake. Hitherto Man had been separated from the Holy of Holies but is now able to enter into the presence of God, having come out of darkness and into His light. The power of death has been broken and we need to move into all that Christ has accomplished for us.

By grace through faith we live. Trusting in Him alone we find security.

Emmanuel Gospel Church, Manorbier, meets every Sunday at 10.30 am, the service ending with tea/coffee and a time to chat. Bible study is on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm. For more information or a pastoral visit, please 'phone (01834) 871975. Recordings pif our meetings are available on CD and on our website at http://www.emmanuelgospelministries.org">www.emmanuelgospelministries.org.