This Sunday’s message: “Determined to Stay the Course”

In the last weeks of His life, Jesus made a choice that looked like it would be a dream come true for Him and His disciples. It meant a total defeat of those who had opposed and hated Him. But just days into that choice, it appeared like He had made a terrible mistake. Jesus didn’t do what most people would’ve done. The message of Easter – the whole week – is that Jesus deliberately walked into the trap set for Him. And He did it for us.

What makes the difference in who we are at the end of the day is something we don’t like very much. It’s called discipline. To keep it simple, discipline is doing something different than what we feel like doing... and it might be that simple thing that makes all of the difference.

Jesus' followers all started out with some variety of beliefs. The biggest test of their belief (and ours) is whether or not it moves us from the initial stages of belief in Who He is to the kind of faith where we the trust in His character. Trust is ultimately what helps us stay standing when we do not understand the circumstances we’re in — or where God is in the middle of it all.

The big surprise for us when it comes to looking at Jesus, Son of God, I AM, Saviour of the world, sent to save everyone and everything is how low key he is – and how relational he is. You’d think that if someone came to destroy evil and decimate the plans of the Evil One they’d be way more dramatic. After being born of a virgin and having to run for His life, Jesus lives a very non-descript life as a construction worker, and then gathers a few men around Him… who are ALSO very non-descript!

—TOP THINGS TO KNOW —
**Ways to be a part of the community**
• Kids Branch — Visit kidsbranch.ca for details!
• Encounter Youth – Friday nights at 6:30 pm
• Young Adults — TONIGHT: March 23 — Sundays, twice a month, at 4-6 pm
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—WORSHIP—

Anthem
By Phil Wickham, Josh Silverberg, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson
© 2018 Phil Wickham Music, Simply Global Songs, Sing My Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing LLC) River Wild (Admin by Curb Music Publishing) Richmond Park Publishing, Modern Hymns and Sacred Songs, Be Essential Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing)
CCLI Song No. 7113939
CCLI License No. 2843855

Every one of us is building something with our lives: our faith, our families, our future. But, Jesus makes it clear that what truly matters is the foundation we build on. Storms will come, and when they do, they will reveal whether we have built on the solid rock of Christ or the shifting sands of this world. In this message we will explore what it means to dig deep, build a faith that lasts, and stand firm no matter what comes our way.

Today’s message: Home Again

Jesus taught that at the end of time, everyone will end up somewhere. Either with Him or without Him. And it's that simple. No one will be forced to take a gift they do not want. How that all works out is something only God knows, but Scripture makes it clear that Jesus is coming back for His own!

Today’s message: Jesus’ Gathered People

 Every gathering of people has power – good or bad. That’s what helps governments to represent the poor and the rich, the weak and the strong. That concept is not something we humans have devised on our own! It’s what God did with the nation of Israel and it’s what Jesus did with His people when He placed His mission of changing the world in their hands. Let’s look at what the Church is SUPPOSED to be like… how He intended.

Today’s message: “Our Salvation is Secure”
We make promises all the time. Sometimes we keep them, but often we don't. Right after our first ancestors turned away from the truth, God promised He would make a way back and crush the enemy... and He kept His promise!

Today’s message: “The Problem”
The core reason that most people give for not believing or trusting in God is the suffering and evil they see on this planet. How does that happen in a world rich enough, but too selfish to solve the problem? Why do smart people destroy their own lives? And why can’t we... or why won’t we solve our own problems as humans? Because each and everyone of us is lost, and we make up a lost world. But, God made a way so that we don't have to stay that way.

Today’s message: “The Holy Spirit is…"
Today, we’re going to talk all about the Holy Spirit. 

The problem of sin in us and in the world system is too deeply ingrained for us to change it ourselves. We can’t change our own hearts, and we have absolutely no access to anyone else’s heart – even those of our children. We’re called by Jesus to love God with all we are and love others as ourselves. We certainly are going to need help with that.