The Trunk or Treat Experience

Halloween... All Saints Day... 
Celebrate... participate... ignore... swear against it...

Last night our church put on a Trunk or Treat Harvest Party. Our goal, to team up with culture to point children and their families to Jesus. There are not too many times that I like to say that we teamed up with culture, (since Jesus called the Prince of this World the evil one) but that is another thought to think about later.

We had over 100 children come, dressed up, excited with friends and family. We walked them through a journey to learn about overcoming darkness, fear and evil through Jesus. Each of the 7 fun stations had a purpose to overcome darkness, fear and evil in a really fun way. Next year I hope you can attend and experience it for yourself!
We focused on three main points.

1. Darkness & Fear are real.
Halloween is about Darkness & Fear but disguised with candy, the idea of dressing up and more candy. We can see Darkness & Fear in costumes, decorations, Haunted Houses and more visuals that can cause a ton of fear in children. But, do children go along with all of this because of candy?

Have you ever looked into the original Halloween? In doing research, there are a variety of directions on where Halloween came from. Some are clearly made up. Others are taking some truths and mixing with their own ideas. But, do you know who the Druids were? Do you know where the Druids lived? Do you know how the spirits of the dead would come and visit them? Do you know what those spirits of the dead sought and demanded? Do you know how the Druids responded? If you study this, you will know the origins of Halloween are evil to the very core.
2. Light & No Fear is real.
Jesus is all about Light & No Fear.  How many children are afraid of the dark? How many children are afraid of evil hiding under the bed or in the closet or in the backseat of the car? When times of darkness and fear occur, let's equip our children that Jesus is the light who shines bright in darkness in order to drive away fear.
John 1:5, 7, 9 (Living Bible) Jesus’ life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it….  Jesus Christ is the true Light…. The True Light arrived to shine on everyone. 
2 Tim 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control.
Last night was a blast when all the different groups of children went through the dark room to experience light overcoming darkness and fear.
3. Stomping out darkness, fear & evil is a real option.
Jesus is all about stomping out darkness and fear.
Col 2:15 Jesus disarmed the dark spiritual rulers and dark authorities. (How?) Jesus made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them on the cross.
Jesus’ perfect life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection STOMPED and STOMPS out darkness, fear and evil. In Jesus, there is no darkness. In Jesus there is no fear. In Jesus there is no evil.
During Halloween, Candy is free… But, it makes your tummy ache.
Every day, Jesus’ gift of salvation is free... Jesus loves to stomp out darkness, fear and evil. Just ask Jesus for His free gift.
Every day, Jesus offers Himself to walk with you no matter if your day is full of light or darkness, fear or peace, evil or love. Just invite Jesus to walk with you throughout your day and every day.

Pumpkins… have you heard this one? Have you shared your story through a pumpkin?

My life is like a pumpkin, I am covered with dirt, vines, leaves as I live in the patch of life. One day, God picked me while I was still dirty on the outside and inside. God brought me in and washed me off. He slowly cleaned my inner world of selfishness, sinful thoughts and actions one at a time. Then He put His Son, the Light of the World in me. Then He carved a new attitude in me. Now, I am His to shine for Him.

God says, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:25-26

The beauty of Jesus shone brightly through our Trunk or Treat event last night.
How will you let Jesus shine brightly through you today?

Seeking to shine for Jesus together,
Pastor Chris

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