• WELCOME-ALL CAMPUSES/ONLINE
• MENS  BREAKFAST- NEXT SATURDAY- BRIAN C
• EASTER INVITES- PALM SUNDAY STEPHEN WILLIS
• EASTER EGG HUNT- 9 BIKES WE NEED MORE

THERE ARE SYMBOLS THAT ARE ICONIC

SYMBOLS- LOGOS THAT HAVE STOOD OVER TIME

LOGOS THAT ARE A REAL PRESENCE IN NEXT GENERATION

COCA-COLA

• THIS LOGO CAME OUT 1887
• THIS NEXT YEAR 140^TH YEAR OF THEIR PRODUCT
• LARGELY UNCHANGED-RED BACK- WHITE LETTER
• 2013-2014 NAMES ON THE BOTTLES
• 2015 COKE PRODUCTS ALIGN IN DESIGN/LETTERS

 NIKE LOGO

• SWOOSH STRIPE
• CAROLYN DAVIDSON- 1971
• 2$ HOUR- TOOK HER 17.5 HOURS ($35)
• SWOOSH STRIPE AS ITS CALLED
• COMNBINED ENERGY AND CHECK MARK

JORDAN LOGO

• A NIKE PRODUCT-
• THE JUMPMAN- SILHOET OF JORDAN DUNKING
• FEBRUARY 1988
• HE JUST JUMPED UP-PHOTO SHOOT- PIC
• THIS SILHOETTE HAS APPEARED EVERYWHERE
• ON EVERYTHING- CLEATS/GOLF SHOES/SHIRTS
• IT CAST A SHADOW OVER ALL SPORTS
• IT’S A PRESENCE IN THE NEXT FEW GENERATIONS

 CHURCH DENOMINATION LOGO

• BIBLE- GODS WORD
• DOVE – REPRESENTING THE HOLY SPIRIT

 JESUS FISH– ICHTHYS (GREEK WORD FOR FISH)

• STARTED IN 1^ST CENTURY
• MEANT IESOES CHRISTOS THEO YIOS SOTER
• JESUS CHRIST- SON OF GOD IS SAVIOR
• 2 FISH- 5 LOAVES
• WHEN TWO MET- ONE WOULD DRAW PART

THERE ARE POWERFUL SYMBOLS WELL BEYOND THESE

THEY STAND THE TEST OF TIME

THIS SYMBOL STANDS OVER HISTORY

FOR 2000 YEARS IT LOOMS LARGE AND CAST A SHADOW

THE CROSS

THE CROSS WAS USED BEFORE JESUS

MANY OTHERS HUNG AND DIED ON A CROSS

STARTED IN ASSYRIA/BABYLON/PERSIA

USED BY ROMANS 3^RD CENTURY BC TO 4^TH AD

IT WAS MEANT TO PUNISH BUT ALSO HUMILIATION

• WAS MEANT TO BE A PROLONGED SUFFERING

 THREE CROSSES

• BERNARD COFFINDAFFER-BUSINESS MAN
• LORD WOKE HIM UP ONE NIGHT-1982
• SOLD BUSINESS 3 MILLION DOLLARS
• STARTED PLACING THESE ALL OVER WV FIRST
• GOLD CROSS IN THE MIDDLE- 2 LIGHT BLUE
• HEALING OPEN HEART SURGERY DUKE MEDICAL
• SPIRIT LORD TOLD ME TELL PEOPLE

NEXT FEW WEEKS AS WE READY FOR EASTER

ENCOUNTER THE CROSS  THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

   ALL FOUR GOSPEL WRITERS TALK ABOUT THE DEATH

   EACH HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW

HILLSDALE STORY- 4^TH GRADE

NOT DAMGED FOR LIFE BUT I REMEMBER IT WELL

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE MADE FUN OF?

LUKE 23

²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸ Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ ³¹ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

LUKE 23:32

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 

 LUKE 23:33

   ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 

LUKE 23:

  ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ___________________________________________________

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” ³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews

LUKE 23:39-40

   ³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 

LUKE 23:41

  “WE ARE PUNISHED JUSTLY, FOR WE ARE GETTING WHAT OUR DEEDS DESERVE. BUT THIS MAN HAS NOTHING WRONG.”

• THE CROSS BAR WEIGHED BETWEEN 70-90 LBS
• THE ENTIRE CROSS WEIGHED ABOUT 300 LBS
• WASN’T SMOOTH SHAVED WOOD
• 10-15 FEET HIGH- CARRIED A HALF MILE

 VIDEO- THE CHOSE SCENE

• THIS SCENE IS MUCH MORE ACCURATE
• THE ROMANS WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE IT
• TO SMELL IT.   TO HEAR IT
• TO BE AFRAID OF IT- DETERENT FOR BAD BEHAVIOR
• JESUS WALKS UP CLOSE AND IS CONFRONTED

1 PETER 2:22

  22. “HE COMMITTED NO SIN, AND NO DECEIT WAS FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.”

I PETER 2:23

  23. WHEN THEY HURLED THEIR INSULTS AT HIM, HE DID NOT RETALIATE; WHEN HE SUFFERED, HE MADE NO THREATS. INSTEAD, HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY.

 I PETER 2:24

  24. HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS, IN HIS BODY ON THE CROSS. SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: “BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED”

ALISTER BEGG SAID– MOST PEOPLE- EVEN INSIDE THE CHURCH BELIEVE “IF THERE IS A GOOD GOD- IF HE DOES EXIST, HE WILL REWARD NICE PEOPLE IF THEY DO THEIR BEST” IF HES GRADING ON THE CURVE IMNOT AS BAD AS OTHERS-IM BETTER THAN MOST.

PICTURE OF THE TALLEST CROSS

• THERE IS A SHADOW THAT THE CROSS CASTS ACROSS HISTORY.
• THINK OF THE PLACES YOU SEE A CROSS
• LOCATED NEAR MADRID
• 500 FEET BY 150 FEET- CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES
• IT CAST A SHADOW ACROSS THIS VALLEY

3 CROSSES FOR 3 INDIVIDUALS

• THE IMPENITENT (NON REPENTANT THIEF)
• TO JESUS RIGHT AND YOUR LEFT
• He was in the process of dying
• His mind was on himself – “Save yourself and us!”

WE AREN’T HERE TO WORSHIP A CROSS

PSALM 22:1

1. “MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM SAVING ME, SO FAR FROM MY CRIES OF ANGUISH?

PSALM 22:2-3

• MY GOD I CRY OUT BY DAY BUT YOU DO NOT ANSWER, BY NIGHT, BUT I FIND NO REST. 3. YET YOU ARE ENTHRONED AS THE HOLY ONE; YOU ARE THE ONE ISRAEL PRAISES.

 PSALM 22:4-5

    IN YOU OUR ANCESTORS PUT THEIR TRUST; THEY TRUSTED AND YOU DELIVERED THEM. TO YOU THEY CRIED AND WERE SAVED; IN YOU THEY TRUSTED AND WERE NOT PUT TO SHAME.

 PSALM 22: 6-7

   6. BUT I AM A WORM AND NOT A MAN, SCORNED BY EVERYONE, DESPISED BY THE PEOPLE. ALL WHO SEE ME MOCK ME, THEY HURL THEIR INSULTS, SHAKING THEIR HEADS.

PSALM 22:8

   8. HE TRUSTS IN THE LORD, “THEY SAY, LET THE LORD RESCUE HIM. LET HIM DELIVER HIM SINCE HE DELIGHTS IN HIM.”

THEY PUT ON A SCARLET ROBE AND MOCKED HIM

• RIMMA (IN THIS CASE IT MEANS)
• A CRIMSON WORM- THORNY STRUCTURE
• SCARLET WAS USED/CONSIDERED ROYALTY
• BABY TOLA FEEDS ON DEATH OF MOM TO LIVE
• FINDS A TREE- BURRIES ITSELF- GIVES ITS LIFE FOR NEW LIFE ON THAT TREE.

PICTURE TOLA WORM

 PICTURE ROUND RED SPOT ON TREE

• SPLATTERING  BC BIRTH- LAST FOR 3 DAYS
• SAVIOR CRAWLED UP ON A TREE- BLED DIED
• GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

THE CROSS HAS THE FINAL WORD

SORROW MAY COME IN THE DARKEST NIGHT

BUT THE CROSS HAS THE FINAL WORD

THERES NOTHING STRONGER, NOTHING HIGHER

THERES NOTHING GREATER THAN THE NAME OF JESUS

ALL THE HONOR ALL THE POWER

ALL THE GLORY TO THE NAME OF JESUS

https://www.bible.com/events/49412314

Encounter The Cross Part 1

An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life.

Today we are beginning our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”.

We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.

Our series begins today with the one central story, rather the one person, who transformed the cross from a symbol of suffering and shame, to a symbol of life and hope.

Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Mark 15

Mark 15:22-26

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

Why we can find life and hope in something as gruesome as a cross is because of one man, and that’s Jesus. It was his crucifixion that transformed the cross into a symbol of life and hope.

Verse 24 simply says “And they crucified him.” That was enough for any first century reader.

As familiar as we are with the Golden Arches being beside our roads, so the people of the first century were familiar with what it meant to be crucified. It needed no further explanation. They got it, their stomach turned at the very thought of it.

Jesus’ hands are stretched out and nailed to the cross beam. Heavy metal spikes pounded through the bone and flesh into the wood. His feet are done the same.

Mark 15:27-37

They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

We can get a sense of the public disgrace that came with crucifixion. Victims were normally completely naked, exposed in a very public place. Passers by add insult to the already immense physical injury. Even the two other criminals join in the taunting of Jesus.

There is quite a bit of sad irony in their taunting. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He COULD save himself, but he refused so that he might save them (and us).

And with a loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. It’s finished.

This is the cross.

1 Peter 2:22-25

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The punishment that Jesus endured on the cross, was not his own, it was ours. My Sin and your always has consequences, and it always leads to death.

So on the cross Jesus takes the punishment of our sin, of our failures and mistakes. In this action he makes what the bible calls “atonement” for our sin. That’s a churchy word that means he has born the consequence of our sin, he has made the payment for sin. Jesus took that for all humanity.

The effect of this atonement is that we can be forgiven, our record of sin can be wiped clean, we receive new life, a new spirit, and we are brought into the family of God.

That’s what Jesus has made possible for you and me by grace, through believing in him.

To follow Jesus, to experience the life he offers us, we must deny ourselves. We have to turn from our way of doing things, to living any way we want, following the desires of the world and of our flesh- we have to treat those things as if they were dead. Having no power or authority of us.

It’s a complete turning away from life our way, to life God’s way as it’s shown by his spirit and in his word. God will help you do this, it’s the only way it’s even possible. But make no mistake about it, it is a real and true DEATH to yourself, that you find life in Christ.

The invitation to follow Jesus is an all-in, no holding back, radical call to die to yourself, and embrace him. And when we do, we find a life so free, so amazing, we cant help but have crosses around as a celebration of what God has done for us in the person of Jesus.

This is what it means to encounter the cross!

The Power of Music in Worship

Music is deeply woven into our lives. I bet I can sing

just a few lines of a song, and you’ll instantly

recognize where it’s from. Let’s play a little game:

Name That Jingle! (Sing the tune and have the

congregation finish it. Show images to connect

the jingle to the product of TV Show.

1.”Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a

piece of that Kit-Kat bar…”

 2.. “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid…”

 3. “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your

cup…”

4. “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R

 .My bologna has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R

 Oh, I love to eat it every day

And if you ask me why, I’ll say

 ‘Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!”

5. (For my More mature friends: “Here’s the story of a

lovely lady

 Who was bringing up three very lovely girls

 All of them had hair of gold, like their mother

 The youngest one in curls

 6. (For my friends under the age of 45)  “In west

Philadelphia born and raised…. On the playground

is where I spent most of my days…

See? Music sticks. It connects emotions, memories,

and moments in time. If Pastor Kevin can show you

Michael Jackson videos in church, then we can sing

commercial jingles!  When I hear a song of my

childhood, or my young adult years, it places me

right in the middle of that scene in my life.  For

example, when I hear the theme song to “Fresh

Prince of Bel-Air” I can almost smell the garlic in my

dad’s cooking baked Ziti, because that show was

on right around the time, he would start preparing

dinner. 

EMILY’S MUSICAL STORY

I’ll never forget when my daughter Emily, at six years

old, got in trouble after church. We told her to take a

moment to reflect before joining us for lunch on the

other side of the double doors. A few moments

later, we heard a melody. Curious, Brian and I

listened through the door—Emily was full-on belting

out a dramatic musical monologue about what had

just happened! (Sing an example) It was hilarious,

but it also reinforced the power of music to process

emotions and experiences.

 Science backs this up: music impacts our cognitive,

emotional, and physical well-being. It enhances

memory, regulates emotions, relieves stress, lowers

heart rates, and even reduces pain. No wonder God

gave us music as a tool for worship! It helps us

remember His promises, declare His truth, and

stand firm in our faith.

 Music is how most of you memorized the

 alphabet. 

Music is how many of you were calmed by

 your parents at bed time. 

Music is how a lot of Scripture has gotten into

 your brain.

    I taught my kids the books of the Bible in 

     order with the Bible book bop,

 That’s why it’s such an important part of

worship…as a weapon.

REVIEW

Over the past few weeks, Pastor Kevin and Pastor

Billy have shared different aspects of worship—

 better understood as “Worth-ship.” Worship is how

we, as followers of Christ, demonstrate God’s worth

in our lives. As we’ve discussed, worship is not just

about music; it’s about how we live our lives fully

surrendered to Christ, because He is worthy.

 Today, I want to pivot a bit and focus on the

powerful connection between worship and spiritual

warfare. Now, you might be wondering, “Spiritual

warfare? Janette, are you talking about exorcisms?”

Well, the Bible does include accounts of demon

possession, but spiritual warfare is more than that.

It’s the ongoing battle between the forces of good

and evil—a battle that tries to pull us away from

God.

 While we’ve established that worship isn’t just about

singing on Sunday mornings, Scripture makes it

clear that singing, shouting, and playing instruments

play a key role in spiritual battles.

1. Worship is a Weapon

Now, I know some of you might be thinking,

“Janette, calling music a weapon is a stretch.” But

worship is one of the most powerful weapons we

have against the enemy.

 Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world, and

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly

realms.” (NIV)

We are in a spiritual battle. Our fight is not against

people—it’s against darkness.

But …Worship is a battle cry that dismantles the

enemy’s schemes

And do you know what demons hate most? Praise.

 Think about it—before his fall, Satan was a master

musician, possibly even a worship leader in heaven.

That’s why nothing infuriates him more than when

we worship God. Our worship is not just an act of

reverence—it’s a weapon that shakes the kingdom

of darkness.

 This is exactly what we see in 1 Samuel 16 when

Saul was tormented by an evil spirit.

 Later in verse 23, we see the power of worship:

“Whenever the spirit came upon Saul, David would

take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to

Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would

leave him.”

Worship Shifts Our Focus from the Battle to the

Victor

We see this same principle play out in 2 Chronicles

20, when King Jehoshaphat received terrifying

news:

 “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,

from the other side of the Dead Sea.” (v. 2)

 The Bible says Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and his

first instinct wasn’t to gather his warriors—it was to

seek the Lord.

 Jehoshaphat called all the people together—not just

the men, but their wives, their children, and even

their little ones—and they stood before the Lord and

Jehoshaphat honestly says to the Lord,

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are

on you.”

.And then, God responded with this message

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this

vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2

Chron. 20:15)

 Church, when the enemy rises against us, our first

turn should always be toward Jesus. Why? Because

the battle is the Lord’s.

 When we turn to him and say, “I DON”T KNOW

WHAT TO DO” and lift our worship, it reminds us

who is fighting for us. Worship is not about ignoring

the battle—it’s about inviting God’s presence into it.

And when He steps in, everything changes.

 2. Worship Brings Peace & Guidance

 War brings torment, but worship brings peace because it

reminds us that God is with us.

God’s message continues…

 “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to

face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (2

Chron. 20:17)

 We’ve all faced struggles—health scares, financial stress,

broken relationships. Worship isn’t an escape from these

things; it’s an invitation for Christ’s presence in the

middle of them. His presence transforms both our

situation and our mindset.

That’s why so many will come to say after worship, “I

feel so much better!”

It’s not the worship team lifting you up—it’s you lifting

up His name.

 And worship doesn’t just bring peace—it also brings

guidance. When Jehoshaphat’s army faced an

overwhelming enemy, he did something unexpected: he

put worshipers on the front lines instead of soldiers.

 Seems bizarre right?  There is a vast army coming at us,

Let’s get some music up in here, and sing as we approach

them! CRAZY Right!

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures

forever.” (2 Chron. 20:21)

 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set

ambushes against their enemies, and they were defeated.

Jehoshaphat understood that worship wasn’t just

preparation for battle—it was the battle. Worship shifts

our focus from fear to faith, reminding us that victory

comes not by our strength, but by God’s power.

3. Worship Restores Our Joy

 Jehoshaphat and his army never even had to fight—God

fought for them! As they worshiped, their enemies turned

on each other, and by the time the army of Judah arrived,

the battle was already won. Not only did they experience

victory, but they walked away with blessings they

never expected—supplies, riches, and resources that

strengthened them for the future.

 And how did they respond? They worshiped!

 In verse 22-26

 Four days later, they gathered in a valley and named it

Berakah—”Praise”—because it became a place of

thanksgiving. Then, with joyful hearts, they returned to

Jerusalem, singing, playing instruments, and

celebrating in the temple because God had given them

victory!

At first, they were overwhelmed and afraid, but through

worship, they didn’t just survive—they came out

rejoicing!

 This is what worship does. It shifts our focus from the

battle to the One who fights for us. It reminds us that

victory isn’t just about making it through—it’s about

praising God for what He has done!

 Maybe today, you’re still in the middle of the battle.

Worship anyway. Because when God moves, He doesn’t

just bring you through—He restores your joy.

 And that joy? It’s part of your strength in the fight. 

When we fix our eyes on God, our worship becomes

part of the armor He has given us to stand firm. 

Worship and the Armor of God

But …If our focus isn’t on God when we worship,

then we’re just singing—it’s not true worship, and it

has no power as a weapon.

 Think of an “air guitar battle”—you know, when

people act like rockstars, dramatically strumming

invisible guitars.  Do you know this is really a thing? 

Like there is world wide competition and all….

Check it out.

Show Video of Air Guitar battle:

 TITLE SCREEN

Isn’t this the most ridiculous thing you have ever

seen? They’re pretending to play, but in reality,

they’re not making any real music. If our worship is

just performance—acting like we’re playing the part

without truly engaging in what it means to

acknowledge God—we’re no different than those

folks with their air guitars. We’re doing the same

thing, pretending to worship in the presence of the

King of Kings but no genuine worship is actually

happening.

 True worship should be real, powerful, and

authentic. It’s our direct connection to the God who

fights for us.

When we TRULY worship, we are doing exactly

what Paul instructs in Ephesians 6—putting on the

full armor of God. But just as we wouldn’t go into

battle unprepared, we can’t approach worship

without fully equipping ourselves with His strength

and protection.

 Armor of God Picture

CLICK FOR EACH ONE BELOW

• The belt of truth holds us steady in God’s

Word, and in worship, we declare His truth over

our lives.  I’m very careful about the songs I

select for us. The worship team reads through

the scripture of each of the songs we sing

together to remember that all songs we use in

worship are grounded in the truth of God’s

word!

 • The breastplate of righteousness guards our

hearts, and in worship, we surrender to His

holiness.

 • The shoes of peace give us firm footing, and

worship anchors us in His presence.

 • The shield of faith extinguishes the enemy’s

attacks, and worship builds and strengthens our

faith. That’s why it’s OK to FEEL something

when you worship.

• The helmet of salvation protects our minds,

and in worship, we renew our thoughts with His

promises.  That’s why focus is so important

during our times together. We do all that we can

to foster your connection with the Lord and not

distract from it.

• The sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—is our

weapon, and worship is one way we proclaim

His Word with power. That’s why so many lyrics

of the songs we sing come right from Scripture.

 Worship and the armor of God go hand in hand.

Both equip us to stand firm, resist the enemy, and

walk in victory. Worship is not just a song—it’s a

powerful weapon!

 Closing: Our Battle Cry

There is nothing that ticks the devil off more than

hearing us declare “Hallelujah!”

 Hallellujah is our Battle Cry.  The purpose of a Battle

cry is twofold:

1. to rally and inspire instill a sense of unity and

purpose,

 2.  to intimidate the enemy before or during a

battle.

Did you know that the best translation of

 “Hallelujah” means “You all must praise the Lord!”

So when we worship, we’re not just praising—we’re

calling others to join in! In the middle of our battles, we

must declare together:

“Y’all must praise the Lord! The battle belongs to

God!”

 Worship is not just a song—it is a powerful weapon!

 I don’t know what battle you’re facing today—whether

it’s a diagnosis, a broken relationship, a financial struggle,

or a spiritual challenge that no one else sees perhaps the

Battle is right there inside your own head. I know

personally that’s where Satan attacks me the most, in my

own thoughts.

Right now, you have a choice: to let fear, doubt, and

discouragement take control, or to raise your hands in

worship and fight through the battle with faith.

 Worship isn’t about ignoring difficulty; it’s about

declaring that God is greater than the difficulty.

It’s not pretending everything is fine—it’s proclaiming

that even when things aren’t fine, God is still worthy.

 Scripture gives us a powerful picture of this in the battle

between the Israelites and the Amalekites. As long as

Moses kept his hands raised, the Israelites were

winning. But when he grew weary and lowered them,

the enemy gained ground. Some of us walked in today

feeling like we have no Hallelujah left to give. But hear

this: your Hallelujah is most powerful when it costs

you something. Dare I say, that’s when it’s worship!

 Surrender is two arms up—not in defeat, but in trust.

Maybe today, that’s exactly what you need to do.

Whatever you’re carrying, lay it down. Raise your hands

in surrender and give the battle to the Lord.

 The song Hard-Fought Hallelujah says, “There’s times

when my hands go up easy, and times when it costs.” True

worship happens when we choose to praise, not because

it’s easy, but because we trust Him anyway.

 The enemy expects you to quit, to doubt, to shut down.

But when you lift a Hard-Fought Hallelujah, it declares:

“I trust God anyway.” Worship is not just a song—it’s a

powerful weapon.

  White Flag

 As you walked into worship today, you received flags.

Use them as a symbol of your surrender. These flags are

not just decorations—they represent the declaration that

you trust God in the middle of your battle. Wave them as

you raise your hands, and let them be a visual declaration

of your trust in Him.

Moses couldn’t keep his arms up alone—he needed Aaron

and Hur to hold them up. Some battles are too heavy to

fight alone, and that’s why we need each other. Worship

isn’t just personal; it’s something we do together. Maybe

someone needs you to help raise their hallelujah.

 As we sing Hard-Fought Hallelujah, let’s make this our

declaration:

“I will worship in the middle of the fire,

I will praise You in the center of the storm,

I’ll lift my hands, ‘cause I know that You’re able,

And I will sing a hard-fought Hallelujah!”