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Have you ever had to face a major fork in the road? A tough decision that you knew would impact the rest of your life? Welcome AJ Crocker as he walks us through counting the cost of following Jesus - a message that he shares and lives out among the youth and young adults he disciples at Briercrest.

Life is a battle, and only by understanding who our Enemy really is and what's at stake can we ever hope to walk in freedom. And it's not even about following rules or trying harder, but about a daily surrender to the Spirit and abiding in God's love. Only then will true, life-giving fruit be produced in our lives.

Our spiritual lives can sometimes get out of alignment. Whether we're prone to legalism or liberalism, we need to continually stand firm in the freedom we have in Christ, daily renewing our commitment to being slaves to righteousness through His grace.

As a bucket, you really only have one job to do: HOLD STUFF. Some days it's heavy work. Some days it's beach work. At the end of the day, the glory isn't in the bucket - it's in the treasure. Join us this weekend as Adam Driscoll encourages us about how our faith is a beautiful treasure ... and how you and I are kind of like buckets.

In the first century, there was not much difference between a child and a slave - it was only when the child grew up did they realize their inheritance as a son of the house. Do you ever feel like that? Join us as Pastor Larry reminds us that we are chosen and beloved sons of God through adoption into His family, and that we no longer need to operate with a works-based slave mindset.

What's the most foolish thing you've ever done? The Galatians were so foolish as to think that the salvation they first received through the Spirit had to be perfected through the works of the Law. Paul reminds us that only by continuing to remain under the Spirit through faith is the Law's curse broken in our life. So remain in Christ - for who the Son sets free is free indeed.

Has worry ever caused you to 'miss the boat'? As believers in Jesus, we are to seek His Kingdom first and trust Him for all we need, including the courage to keep moving forward. Only then can we truly overcome any crisis life brings.

Have you ever needed to stand alone for truth, but chose to remain silent or back away? We are all guilty at some level, including the Apostle Peter. It took the Apostle Paul to confront him directly and publicly in order to make things right. As followers of Jesus let's speak His truth in love, and choose daily to be crucified with Him so that His life may flow from us freely, no turning back.

Where does religious tradition and culture end and the gospel begin? As social and cultural beings, its easy for us to allow rituals and routines to guide our behaviour and beliefs rather than the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Only He can bring true sanctification to our lives through a deep work on our hearts.

Who doesn't like good news? And the gospel of grace is the best news there is! Only God could have created such a dynamic plan of reckless love, including calling us to Himself. So allow Him to make your story one of good news - it'll be the best decision you'll ever make.

Legalism - people attempting to secure God's approval by good works - has threated to distort the gospel of grace ever since the Church began. Even today, may we not turn the gospel into one of works in reaction to the post-modern culture that surrounds us, because then it becomes no gospel at all. Listen in as Pastor Larry begins a new sermon series through the book of Galatians: Freedom.

What are you most worried about for 2023? Jesus teaches us that the best antidote to worry is generosity - a generosity that flows not from obligation, but from a heart filled with His Spirit, His love for His church, and His compassion for others. He then promises to bless you abundantly in return. So as you take time to reflect on all he's provided this year, allow Him to reveal to you where you're placing your treasure and how you might develop a more generous heart in 2023.

God's timing is always perfect, but that doesn't mean it will be painless or easy. After centuries of waiting for Messiah to come, Mary had to travel to Bethlehem right before delivering her baby. So whether you're in a season of waiting on God or trusting Him through the process, keep your eyes fixed on Him and don't be afraid. Nothing just happens - it's all in His time and He's working it all for your good.

It's not always easy to keep peace at Christmas - so it's good for us to remember that Biblical peace can be present even in the chaos and conflict of life. So don't limit the peace of God to what your understanding can see, but rather seek out and embrace the spiritual, emotional and relational peace God offers you right now.

On this third Sunday of Advent as we turn toward the candle of Joy, we find ourselves suspended between reality and the promised future. The scriptures reveal joy as a slowly burning candle, inviting us to find hope beyond the horizon of our lives and calling us to deepen our resolve as we await the advent of God.

The song goes, 'All You Need is Love'. But is that true? What is love, really? By reflecting on God's love for us, we find the only perfect example of selfless, sacrificial love, followed by an open invitation to us to respond in worship to Him and love for one another. So this Christmas, let's respond to this love we've received by being as gracious, patient, and forgiving with each other as God has been to us. Merry Christmas!

Are you in danger of losing the wonder, of God and of Christmas? Let's take time this December to rekindle wonder and hope through worship, and treasure the special moments God provides that draw us closer to His heart. Even when things seem dark and hopeless, we can rest assured that we have a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace whose kingdom will never end.

What holds you steady when things get tough? The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter with several key exhortations on living out our faith even in the difficult times. May God's promise that He will never leave us or forsake us give us the strength and resolve to love others well, honour our marriage vows, and live contentedly.

What's the meaning behind water baptism, and how important is it really? At COG-MJ, we consider water baptism an ordinance - a command by Jesus - and place a high priority on its celebration. Listen in as Pastor Larry unpacks how we baptize, who it's for, and why it's so important to the church.

Marc & Lisa Honorat began Haiti ARISE Ministries in 2003, investing their own savings into the first piece of land and building a team around them to help raise up godly leaders in Haiti. They now live and work with Haiti ARISE Ministries as overseers and directors of the ministry, regularly traveling between Haiti, USA and Canada to grow the vision and share progress of the ministry, meet with the Haiti ARISE teams, and build relationship with the supporting churches, businesses, and individuals.We are thrilled to have Marc share with us this Sunday!