Flourish

You are invited to flourish. Get your ticket here and join us for a special ministry event together.

City Impact Church School Open Day

Join us for our School Open Day on 24 May, 12pm- 1:30pm. Click here to register.

Planning a Visit? Here’s What to Expect at our North Shore Location.

At City Impact Church North Shore, our Sunday services are uplifting and welcoming, bringing people together to grow in faith, build community and worship Jesus. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join us: 

WARM WELCOME

From the moment you arrive, our friendly team is ready to greet you and help you feel right at home. You’ll notice our carpark team as soon as you enter, they’re the ones in the high-vis gear. Just let them know it’s your first time and they will happily direct you and answer any questions you have. We have car parks reserved for first-time guests, parents with babies, the elderly and the mobility parking.

Once you’ve parked, head towards the large building in the middle of the carpark. If you’re not sure where to go, just ask anyone with a lanyard – they will be happy to help you!

DYNAMIC WORSHIP

All our services begin with spirit-filled praise and worship led by our talented team, aiming to create an atmosphere where you can connect with God.  Expect loud praise, vibrant lighting and a joyful atmosphere as everybody joins in and sings along to the lyrics on screen. Followed by powerful, Jesus glorifying worship songs. This is a moment to connect with God, feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be encouraged in your faith.

ENGAGING PREACHING

Following worship, one of our pastors delivers a message grounded in biblical truth. Our teaching is designed to inspire, challenge and encourage you on your faith journey. We are a proud Pentecostal church – so you can also expect times of prayer throughout the service where we lift our needs and the needs of others up to God. If you have a prayer need you can fill in a prayer request form – again just ask anyone in a lanyard or visit our Info Desk in the foyer for help.

During every service, the preacher will do a salvation call and give people the opportunity to give their heart or re-commit their life to Jesus.

KIDS CHURCH

We believe church should be exciting and meaningful for kids too! Our Kids Church provides fun, engaging programs designed to help children learn about Jesus in a way that speaks to them. With praise and worship, interactive Bible stories and age-specific activities tailored for children aged 1 year through school year 6. 

When you arrive, head to the Kids Church check-in area in our Auditorium building, where our friendly team (look for the Kids Church T-Shirts!) will be ready to help—especially if it’s your first time. You’ll check your child in and they’ll receive a registration sticker to wear. While you’ll be given a corresponding number that you’ll need to present at the end of the service to collect your child.

We’re here to give you and your family a smooth, enjoyable experience—because we love seeing kids grow in faith and have a blast doing it!

For more information, click here

YOUTH

Junior High is the place to be for children in school years 7-8 on Sunday mornings! They meet on Sunday mornings for an exciting Youth service filled with games, powerful preaching and even prizes! It’s a great space to build strong friendships, grow in faith and be equipped for the future. If you’re new, head to the front of the Sanctuary by the stage, before the service starts where all the Junior High kids gather for praise and worship together before going downstairs for their own program. Our Junior High leaders will be there too. Ask anyone in a lanyard to help you find the Junior High team. 

Our Youth program for school years 9 to 13 runs every Friday night during the school term. Expect praise-parties, God-encounters, inspiring messages, epic games and plenty of space to hang out and make friends. 

For more information, click here. 

LET’S CONNECT AFTER THE SERVICE

After the service, take a moment to connect over coffee and conversation. Church is about more than just attending a service—it’s about doing life together and building meaningful relationships.

On certain Sundays, we run an introduction meeting called Intro. We’d love to invite you to join us upstairs in the Executive Lounge (just above the foyer) after the 10am service for coffee and a slice. It’s a relaxed time to meet some of our team and hear more about the heart, history and vision of our church. You’ll also discover what’s coming up and how you can get involved.

On weekends when Intro isn’t happening, we’d still love to connect with you! Head over to our Guest Lounge for a complimentary coffee—just look for the Ask Me sign and the comfy couches to the left of the big pool as you exit the service. We’d love to say hi and help you feel right at home.

MEET THE LOCATION PASTORS

Meet our Location Pastors, Ps Greg and Krista Crawford. They are here to support you, pray with you and help you find your place in our church family. When you visit, be sure to introduce yourself—they would love to meet you! To get to know them more here. 

SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATION

Our North Shore Location holds services every Sunday at 10:00am and 6:30pm at 794 East Coast Road, Albany, Auckland. 

We can’t wait to see you this Sunday! Whether you’re coming for worship, connection, or to explore faith for the first time, you’re so welcome here. For more information on our North Shore location, click here.

As we continue exploring this topic, we’re unpacking a key tension in the Christian life: why we still struggle with sin even though Jesus has already defeated it. Read the notes below to understand what Christ has done at the cross, what we experience today, and how God is shaping us through the ongoing journey of sanctification.

The Power of Sin

  • Overview
  • The Defeat of Sin’s Power
  • The Struggle with Sin’s Influence
  • Why We Still Struggle With Sin
  • The Victory We Can Have Over Sin
  • Conclusion

Overview

Many of us understand that when Jesus gave His life on the cross, He defeated the power and authority of sin. He became sin in our place so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Yet, it’s clear that sin is still present in the world, and many Christians still struggle with temptation and sinful habits. This can feel confusing. If sin has been defeated in Christ, why do we still struggle with it?

In this blog, we’ll explore:

  • The defeat of sin’s power at the cross
  • The ongoing influence of sin
  • Why believers still struggle today
  • How we can walk in victory over sin

The Defeat of Sin’s Power

At the cross, Jesus didn’t just deal with sin emotionally or symbolically. He broke its authority and dominion over believers completely.

We are no longer slaves to sin.

Romans 6:6–11 explains this clearly:

Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

This is a decisive spiritual reality for everyone in Christ:

  • Sin no longer rules over us
  • We are no longer under its authority
  • We are now alive to God in Christ Jesus

Before salvation, sin wasn’t just something we did. It was something that ruled us. Paul uses the image of slavery to explain this:

“You were once slaves of sin…” (Romans 6:17–18)

A slave does not have full autonomy. In the same way, sin shaped our desires, decisions, and direction before Christ.

Freedom through Christ’s exchange.

Jesus broke that system through His death and resurrection:

“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin…” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Through Christ’s sacrifice:

  • We are freed from sin’s power
  • We are transferred into righteousness
  • Sin is no longer our master

But this leads to an important question: If sin is defeated, why do we still struggle?

The Struggle with Sin’s Influence

Although sin’s power has been broken, its presence and influence remain in the world.

Sin is no longer our master, but it still tries to tempt, lure, and influence us. We still live in a fallen world where spiritual battle is real.

Even Jesus experienced temptation, yet He never sinned.

Scripture is clear that believers must still actively resist sin:

  • Ephesians 6:10–12 – We wrestle against spiritual forces
  • 1 Peter 5:8 – The devil seeks to devour
  • James 1:13–14 – Temptation comes through desire

We are still in a spiritual battle

While sin no longer rules us, it still:

  • Appeals to our flesh
  • Uses external influences
  • Seeks to draw us away from God

However, sin will not always remain. Scripture promises a future where it will be completely removed:

“He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more…” (Revelation 21:4)

Why We Still Struggle With Sin

To understand the tension we live in, we need to understand the three stages of salvation (Ordo Salutis):

  1. Justification 

We are saved instantly

  • Freed from sin’s power
  • Declared righteous in Christ

2. Sanctification

We are being saved progressively

  • Freed from sin’s influence over time
  • Becoming more like Christ

3. Glorification

We will be saved fully in the future

  • Completely free from sin’s presence

Where we live now

We currently live in sanctification:

  • Sin’s power is broken
  • Sin’s influence is still present
  • Sin’s presence will one day be removed

State of sin vs acts of sin

A helpful distinction:

  • State of sin: We are no longer separated from God
  • Acts of sin: We still sometimes fall and miss the mark

Being saved does not mean we never sin again. It means sin no longer defines our identity or separates us from God.

We are:

  • Fully forgiven in Christ
  • Still being transformed in daily life

The Victory We Can Have Over Sin

We are not powerless against temptation. Scripture gives us practical ways to walk in victory.

1. Identify the sin

You cannot overcome what you refuse to acknowledge.

2. Understand there is no condemnation

“There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Conviction leads us to God. Condemnation pushes us away from Him.

3. Recognise triggers

Identify patterns and remove environments that fuel temptation.

4. Repent quickly

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…” (1 John 1:9)

Don’t delay restoration.

5. Bring sin into the light

Confession breaks secrecy. Sin grows in darkness and weakens in the light.

6. Remember your identity 

You fight sin from freedom, not for freedom.

“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

7. Rely on the Holy Spirit

Change is a process empowered by God, not human willpower alone.

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6)

Conclusion

Jesus has defeated sin, but sin has not yet been fully destroyed.

That is why:

  • We are free from sin’s power
  • We still face its influence
  • We still experience the process of sanctification

One day, at glorification, sin will be gone completely. Until then, we live in the tension of already free, but still being transformed.

The good news is this:

  • Sin does not define you
  • Sin does not separate you from God
  • Sin does not have authority over your life

You are justified, being sanctified, and one day will be glorified.

And in the meantime, the Holy Spirit is faithfully shaping you into the image of Christ.

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