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City Impact Church School Open Day

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Youth at City Impact Church Great South Road

JUNIOR HIGH (AGES 11-13 | SCHOOL YEARS 7-8)

Every Sunday morning. We start together for worship in the front of the church, then head to the Junior High Room for the rest of the morning.

 

WHAT A TYPICAL NIGHT LOOKS LIKE:

  • Worship tailored for the Intermediate age group

  • Games and fun activities

  • Messages to inspire and challenge

  • Small groups for discussion and connection

  • Prizes and treats to make the morning extra fun

 

MEET THE YOUTH LEADERS

Judi leads Junior High and is one of the youth leaders at the church. She is studying teaching and works part-time at a before- and after-school care. Judi loves creating a space for young people to encounter God and build community.

 

 

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

  • Look for the Junior High flag at the front of the church for worship.

  • Leaders will introduce your child to others and help them get connected.

  • What to bring: Bibles and pens are optional.

 
FIRST TIME? YOU’RE WELCOME

Welcome to Junior High! If you’re in Intermediate school, we have an incredible Sunday morning for you — worship, games, small groups and more. Our team would love to meet you in the Junior High Room or at the front for worship.

HIGH SCHOOL (AGES 14-18 | SCHOOL YEARS 9-13)

Every Friday night during the school term at 473 Great South Road, Penrose.

  • Pre-hangs: Basketball, games and social connection at the court

  • Evening program: Socials, sports nights, HUB nights (small groups), or a Youth Church service

  • End of night: A message to challenge and inspire

 
 

 

WHAT A TYPICAL NIGHT LOOKS LIKE:

Friday nights change throughout the term and may include:

  • Sports Nights

  • HUB Nights (small group discussions)

  • Youth Church

  • Themed events

  • Fun, connection, worship and snacks

 
MEET THE YOUTH LEADERS

Maka and Sesi run the High School team. They are a passionate couple with two daughters and one son, committed to seeing young people connected and on fire for God.

 

 

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

  • Arrival: Park in the church carpark and look for the City Impact Youth flag.

  • A leader will greet you at the Welcome Desk.

  • What to bring: Depends on the event — check Instagram for details.

  • Parents can stay for the evening or join Hub groups if they wish.

 

 

FIRST TIME? YOU’RE WELCOME

Hey! Welcome to Friday Nights at Youth. Each week is a specially planned event for High School students. Come join us for fun, games, worship, small groups and an inspiring message.

YOUNG ADULTS (AGES 18-25)

Fortnightly on Thursday nights, with various events throughout the term. Occasional midweek hangs also happen. Check Instagram or Facebook for details.

WHAT A TYPICAL NIGHT LOOKS LIKE:

  • Meet and connect over games, snacks, or sports like volleyball

  • Different themed events such as:

    • Young Adults Services

    • Dinner Parties

    • HUB / Bible Study Groups

 
MEET THE YOUTH LEADERS

Hamish and Nikki facilitate all Young Adults events. Married since 2024, they are committed to building community and helping young adults grow as strong men and women of God.

Shardae Noavea oversees youth as a whole at Great South Road, working as the Generational Champion to support people in Christ from birth to adulthood.

 

WHAT PARENTS & YOUNG ADULTS NEED TO KNOW

  • Arrival: See a team member with a lanyard for guidance

  • What to bring: Bible, pen, or a plate to share depending on the event

 
FIRST TIME? YOU’RE WELCOME

If you are a Young Adult, we’d love to invite you to come! Each event is different, but this is a place to connect, grow in your faith and meet others at the same life stage.

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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