Kingdom News: Een week verander alles – Paasfees

Leraars van Oudtshoorn gesels oor hulle persoonlike ervarings en die betekenis van Paasfees

The Hope of Easter

Before the creation of the world, God’s love for us was already evident. He decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning, the Word, Jesus Christ, already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. God created everything through Him. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.

God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness …”. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

However, at the appointed time, Christ died for the ungodly. He lived among us, teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Gospel, yet He was rejected and despised. He bore our weaknesses and sorrows, ultimately enduring crucifixion, carrying our sins upon Himself.

Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve disciples. After that, He was seen by more than 500 of His followers at one time.

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.

From His suffering emerged hope. He died, but His resurrection brought new life, offering salvation to all who believe. Through His death, Jesus bridged the gap between humanity and God, granting us eternal life through faith in Him.

This Easter, as we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, we’re reminded of His profound love for us. His resurrection signifies victory over sin and death, offering redemption and a restored relationship with God.

As Christ’s followers, we’re called to be His ambassadors, spreading His message of reconciliation.

Through Him, we’re made righteous before God, receiving the gift of sonship and eternal life.
Let us seize this opportunity to embrace Christ’s love and forgiveness. If you’ve yet to call upon the Name of the Lord, consider this prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. Today, I turn from my own ways and surrender to You. I acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive my sins and come into my life. Amen.”

If you’ve prayed this prayer, share your decision with a friend and seek out a local church to join.

JoshGen meets every Sunday, 9am at 30 Vrede Street, Oudtshoorn.
This Sunday, the JoshGen Oudtshoorn Congregation will gather for a bring-and-share picnic at 10 Vrede Street, Oudtshoorn, at 10am. Join us for fellowship and celebration.

Die viering van Paasfees kondig God se oorwinning oor die Bose magte aan. God het ’n lig aangesteek in ’n donker wêreld en die duisternis kan dit nie uitdoof nie. Al voel dit vir ons soms so…

Paasfees vier God se betrokkendheid in die wêreld. Ons lees in Joh 3:16 die volgende: “God het die wêreld so liefgehad dat Hy sy enigste Seun gegee het, sodat dié wat in Hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal hê.”

In dieselfde Johannesboek kry ons dan die reeks “Ek Is” uitsprake. Ek Is die Weg en die Waarheid, Ek Is die Lig en Lewe, Ek Is die Goeie Herder, Ek Is die Brood van die lewe en dan, Ek Is die Ware Wingerdstok.

Die “Ek Is” uitspake gee vir ons ’n kykie hoe God deur Jesus Christus en die Heilige Gees betrokke is by ons lewe. God neem die inisiatief om Sy seun te laat sterf sodat ons kan lewe.

Daarom kan ons met hoop leef en vashou aan die belofte: Ek is by julle tot die einde van die wêreld.

Paasfees sien ons wat Frederich Buechner sê: “Genade is iets wat jy nooit kan kry nie, dit kan net aan jou gegee word.”

Dit is vir my ’n voorreg om aan almal ’n geseënde Paasfees toe te wens. Mag God se liefde, genade en vrede oor julle almal wees in die Paasfees.

Ds. Andries Potgieter
NG Oudtshoorn – Welgeluk
Van der Westhuizenstraat 23 naby die skougronde
Ons Paasfeesdienste is as volg:
Donderdag 28 Maart 2024 om 18:30 (Avondmaal) / Sondag 31 Maart 2024 om 09:00

The Cross and the empty Grave

Being asked “What does the Cross and Empty Grave of Christ means to you?”, many things comes to mind but the most evident thought is a big four letter word called LOVE.

The greatest story of love came into fulfilment when Jesus through complete obedience endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2). That obedience unto death for the redemption of man was fuelled by Love. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3 and He mentions this love God has for the World, such a love that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

What an incredible love this is, that God reveals a kind of love that was manifested to you and me even before we chose Him or loved Him. Rom 5:8 Paul speaks about this amazing love that was demonstrated to us, even while we were still in sin, giving His Son to die on that cross of calvary. Once we look at that cross, that place of perfect sacrifice, we realise that it was all because of love.

The greatest response we can have towards this love of God is to love Him with all of our hearts and respond by saying “Yes” to all that He intended for us.

They hammered the expression of God’s glory (Heb 1:3) and the fullness of His love to a cross that could not change His love, and they secured the stone before His grave that could not hold Him from victory, revealing the truth that God will finish what He has started (Phil 1:6).
Paul also strongly pointed the saints to the power of the cross by saying: “

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV). The crucified Christ represents the fullness of everything that happened on that cross, the demonstrations of God’s love towards us as well as the redemption it revealed.

Within this redemption the true image of your identity in Christ has been revealed in Him. Therefore it made sense now, when Jesus said that when He is lifted up He will draw all people to Himself (John 12:32), signifying the importance of finding our identity and abundant life in the perfect work of the cross.

The Bible says (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” You see that everything changed because of the sacrifice that was made. Jesus became sin so that you and I might become the righteousness of God. What an incredible trading that took place, our sins, for His righteousness. Therefore our new identity in Christ, as a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) was revealed in Christ.

Jesus mentioned the sacrifice of the cross when he used the symbol of a seed that has to die in the ground to be able to produce a great harvest (John 12:24). This seed that died was Jesus Christ, and He Himself produced a mighty harvest of sons and daughters by taking our sins upon Him and exchanging it for His righteousness, restoring the true identity for those that receives the sacrifice (John 1:12-13).

Let us therefore receive and embrace this story of perfect redemption and all that was given to us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ps 103:2-3). Whatever is part of your “today” has already been dealt with on the cross, and already been proclaimed victorious through His resurrection. Today your portion is the Glorious Truth of “the cross and the empty grave” that brings freedom, hope, faith and newness of life (Rom 6:4), to those that are willing to receive it!!

Being asked “What does the Cross and Empty Grave of Christ means to you?”, many things comes to mind but the most evident thought is a big four letter word called LOVE.

The greatest story of love came into fulfilment when Jesus through complete obedience endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2). That obedience unto death for the redemption of man was fuelled by Love. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3 and He mentions this love God has for the World, such a love that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

What an incredible love this is, that God reveals a kind of love that was manifested to you and me even before we chose Him or loved Him. Rom 5:8 Paul speaks about this amazing love that was demonstrated to us, even while we were still in sin, giving His Son to die on that cross of calvary. Once we look at that cross, that place of perfect sacrifice, we realise that it was all because of love.

The greatest response we can have towards this love of God is to love Him with all of our hearts and respond by saying “Yes” to all that He intended for us.

They hammered the expression of God’s glory (Heb 1:3) and the fullness of His love to a cross that could not change His love, and they secured the stone before His grave that could not hold Him from victory, revealing the truth that God will finish what He has started (Phil 1:6).
Paul also strongly pointed the saints to the power of the cross by saying: “

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV). The crucified Christ represents the fullness of everything that happened on that cross, the demonstrations of God’s love towards us as well as the redemption it revealed. Within this redemption the true image of your identity in Christ has been revealed in Him.

Therefore it made sense now, when Jesus said that when He is lifted up He will draw all people to Himself (John 12:32), signifying the importance of finding our identity and abundant life in the perfect work of the cross.

The Bible says (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” You see that everything changed because of the sacrifice that was made. Jesus became sin so that you and I might become the righteousness of God. What an incredible trading that took place, our sins, for His righteousness. Therefore our new identity in Christ, as a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) was revealed in Christ.

Jesus mentioned the sacrifice of the cross when he used the symbol of a seed that has to die in the ground to be able to produce a great harvest (John 12:24). This seed that died was Jesus Christ, and He Himself produced a mighty harvest of sons and daughters by taking our sins upon Him and exchanging it for His righteousness, restoring the true identity for those that receives the sacrifice (John 1:12-13).

Let us therefore receive and embrace this story of perfect redemption and all that was given to us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ps 103:2-3). Whatever is part of your “today” has already been dealt with on the cross, and already been proclaimed victorious through His resurrection. Today your portion is the Glorious Truth of “the cross and the empty grave” that brings freedom, hope, faith and newness of life (Rom 6:4), to those that are willing to receive it!

Past André Nel
Kingdom Culture – 061 865 5083
Ostrich Emporium, 15 Rafedemeyer Street
Sunday’s 17:00 – For the whole family.

Ons wêreld is so stukkend, vol stukkende mense wat ander mense stukkend maak. Die onreg, geweld, armoede, siektes, mishandeling, verslawing, trauma, angs en dood is ingeweef in ons samelewing. Dis soms oorweldigend. Nie net wat mét mense gebeur nie, maar wat ín mense gebeur, is vernietigend. Innerlik voel ons oorlaai met skuld en skuld-gevoelens. Mense begin glo: ek is nie werd om liefgehê te word nie, mense hou nie van my nie, ek is ’n mislukking.

My gevoelens is tog nie in tel nie. Perfeksionisties probeer ons vergeefs vir onsself bewys dat ons iets werd is. Hoeveel keer sê mense nie vir my: “Daar is niks van my oor nie!”

Dit kan so anders wees! Paasfees se magtige boodskap is dít: Jesus Christus het na ons gekom om dit wat stukkend is heel te maak. Ja, die wêreld sal tot die einde gebroke bly, maar Jesus kan stukkende mense heelmaak. Hy is gebreek en verbrysel om die wat in Hom glo heel te maak.

Hulle wat oorlaai is met sonde en skuld, mag hoor: “My bloed het vir jou gedrup – jy is vergewe.”

Hulle wat so ver weg van God geloop het, mag hoor: die verhouding met jou Ontwerper, Skepper en Vader is herstel. Sonder hierdie verhouding was jy dood.” Hulle wat voel hulle word nie liefgehê nie, mag hoor: “Ek het jou ontsaglik lief – vir ewig.” Hulle wat voel hulle is nikswerd, ’n mislukking, mag hoor: “jy is vir My so kosbaar dat Ek my lewe vir jou geoffer het.” Hulle wat verworpe voel en nêrens tuis nie – hulle kan ’n plek in sy huisgesin kry, in sy ewige koninkryk!
Dit wat geen (gebroke) mens jou kan bied nie, dit bied Jesus. Jesus sê in Joh 10:10: “Ek het gekom sodat hulle die lewe kan hê, en dit in oorvloed” – ‘n innerlike vol lewe in ’n verhouding met Hom.

Die kruis was nie net geplant op Golgota nie; die kruis is geplant in die sentrum van my lewe as my lewensanker. Vir die gelowige loop alle paaie verby die kruis.

Wanneer ek seer het, dan dink ek aan Jesus wat die seerste seer deurgegaan het om my te red – Hy verstaan. Wanneer ek alleen voel, dan weet ek Hy is hier by my. Wanneer ek bang is vir die toekoms, dan weet ek Hy berei vir my ‘n toekoms ten goede.

Wanneer ander my wil afbreek, dan weet ek dis die gekruisigde Jesus se mening wat geld.
Hy is op pad met ons na volmaakte heelheid in sy ewige koninkryk.

Ek beleef klaar hoe Hy my heelmaak, daarom wil ek ook help om ander heel te maak, liefde te lééf, ander op te lig, mooi woorde soos salf aan wonde te gebruik. Paasfees is vir my die fees van heel word deur Jesus Christus se selfgewende liefde. Mag elkeen heel word deur Jesus, en self dankbaar daartoe bydra om ander heel te maak.

Deon van der Walt
Sel nommer: 082 668 7343
Die Gereformeerde Kerk, Oudtshoorn
H/v Parkweg-Suid en
Oranjestraat
Eredienstye: Goeie Vrydag en Opstandingsdag: 09:00

Van Vader Krismis tot by die voet van die kruis en die leë graf

Bring nou vir my ’n kind wat nie opgewonde is oor Kerfees, Kersfees-liggies en Vader Krismis nie. En natuurlik oor geskenke! Daar word briefies met geskenk-versoeke vir Vader Krismis geskryf, leë kussing-slope by die kaggel neergesit, en op 24 Desember is dit ’n stryd om wakker te bly, wagtend op die man met die lang wit baard op sy slee!

En Paasnaweek? Ja, kinders is opgewonde – dis ’n langnaweek! Die gesin gaan lekker saam kuier by oupa en ouma, of gaan kamp by die see of langs die dam. Jippee!

Miskien was dit ook maar my belewenis van Kersfees en Paastyd toe ek ’n kind was.

Maar gelukkig, Goddank!, het die lig vir my oor die jare begin deurbreek.

Ja, ek is nog opgewonde oor Kersfees. Ek geniet die liggies, die vrolikheid, mooi Kers-musiek, (asseblief, net nie Jingle Bells in die winkels nie!), die saamwees met geliefdes, en elke geskenkie, hoe klein ook al, wat ek ontvang. Maar die betekenis van Kersfees het vir my gegroei na ’n diep innerlike vreugde en dankbaarheid oor God se grootste geskenk aan die wêreld – die Verlosser wat gebore is!

En Paafees? Nee, Paasfees is nie meer vir my maar net ’n langnaweek van wegbreek en kuier of kamp nie. Inteendeel. Met Paasfees wil ek tuis bly. Rustig. Stil. En ek wil saam met ander Christen-gelowiges in die kerkgebou bymekaar kom.

Op Goeie Vrydag wil ek aan die nagmaalstafel aansit – gedagtig daaraan dat Hy vir my, sondaar, aan die kruis gehang het. Ek wil prewelend, stotterend saam met die gemeente sing “Ja, ek kos Hom die slae, die smarte en die hoon. Vir my hang Hy, verlate, en naak, met doringkroon. Vir my was daardie wonde, vir my moes Hy daar staan; Hy moes vir al my sonde, die bitt’re kruisweg gaan.” (Liedboek 389:2)

En op Paassondag, terwyl kerke se klokke oor die Klein Karoo beier, wil ek saam met die gemeente jubel en juig “Hoor jy die Paasfeesklokke? Hul lui van vroegdag af; hul jubel oor die wêreld: die Heer is uit die graf! Hy, Christus, die oorwinnaar, is uit die donker uit! Die Heer, die sleuteldraer, sal ook my graf ontsluit.” (Liedboek 409:1)

Ja, ek is nie meer ’n kind nie. Ek is wel Sy kind. Kinderlik bely ek dat ek tot in my diepste wese sondaar is, geneig tot die kwaad. Kinderlik gelowig en met diepe dankbaarheid kniel ek voor die kruis en aanbid ek Hom wie sy lewe vir my afgelê het. En kinderlik gelowig staan ek in verwondering voor die leë graf.

Ds Smuts Janse van Rensburg
NG Kerk Oudtshoorn-Noord (Dolerend)
Adderleystraat 176, Kontaknommer: 082 921 6854
Eredienste Paasnaweek:
29 Maart Goeie Vrydag Nagmaal 08:00
31 Maart Paassondag
Erediens 08:00

Een week verander alles

Vir my is daar etlike sleutelverse wanneer ek nadink ook wat hierdie merkwaardige tydperk vir my beteken en in my lewe tot gevolg het:

Romeine 6:5-6 – “Aangesien ons met Hom een geword het in sy dood, sal ons sekerlik ook met Hom een wees in sy opstanding. Ons weet tog dat die sondige mens wat ons was, saam met Christus gekruisig is, sodat ons sondige bestaan beëindig kon word. Ons is dus nie langer slawe van die sonde nie.”

Galasiërs 2: 20-21 – “Maar wat my betref, deur die wet is ek vir die wet dood sodat ek vir God kan lewe: ek is saam met Christus gekruisig, en nou is dit nie meer ek wat lewe nie, maar Christus wat in my lewe. Die lewe wat ek nou nog hier lewe, leef ek in die geloof in die Seun van God wat sy liefde vir my bewys het deur sy lewe vir my af te lê.”

Romeine 8:1-4 – “Daar is dus nou geen veroordeling vir dié wat in Christus Jesus is nie. Die wet van die Gees wat aan jou in Christus Jesus die lewe gee, het jou vrygemaak van die wet van sonde en dood. Wat die wet nie by magte was om te doen nie, omdat dit weens ons sondige natuur te swak was, dit het God gedoen. Hy het met die sonde afgereken deur sy eie Seun in dieselfde gestalte as die sondige mens te stuur; so het Hy die sonde in die sondige bestaan van die mens veroordeel. Nou kan ons aan die eise van die wet voldoen, óns wat ons lewe nie deur ons sondige natuur laat beheers nie, maar deur die Gees.” Met hierdie skrifgedeeltes in gedagte, beteken hierdie tyd vir my die volgende: Ek deel in Christus se onver- nietigbare lewe. Daar is ’n nuwe sekuriteit, ’n nuwe vertroue van hoop in my lewe. Die effek van hierdie se-kerheid in die toekoms is om my huidige ervaring in hierdie wêreld vreugdevol te maak – ’n vreugdevolle vryheid van vrees en ’n volle sekuriteit en vertroue en hoop in Jesus Christus. Ek het ook ’n nuwe, onwrikbare, glorieryke identiteit. My lewe is verborge.

Ek is ’n kind van God in eenheid met die verheerlikte Christus. My ware identiteit as kind van God is saam met Hom in God verborge, en dit sal in skouspelagtige heerlikheid geopenbaar word by Sy wederkoms.

Ek ervaar ook onophoudelike hulp daagliks want ek het ’n Trooster wat my die heeltyd bystaan en krag gee. Ek ervaar Jesus se teenwoordigheid in elke situasie en dit is my vreugde. Dit is my christelike voorreg. Jesus Christus leef in my, met die krag van Sy Heilige Gees wat my ook in staat stel om regverdig te kan lewe voor God. Daar is vir my geen veroordeling meer nie.

Ek is ’n nuwe mens en ek het ’n ewige verhouding met my God.

Past Francois Mattheus
AGS Klein Karoo
Buitekantstraat, Wesbank, Oudtshoorn
Ons het Vrydagoggend 08:00 ’n spesiale Goeie Vrydag geleentheid met Nagmaal, asook ons diens Sondagoggend 09:00, wanneer ons Jesus se opstanding vier.