Foundation Church Belfast

In this series we examine the biblical framework for the five catalytic gifts that Jesus gives to his church so that it may reach unity and maturity.   This talk focuses on the role and gift of the Apostle.    Who is an Apostle? How does an Apostle work? What is an Apostle like? How […]

Advent sermon from Micah 5:1-5.   Christmas shows us: Greatness comes from insignificance Strengthen comes from weakness Peace comes from the enemy   But we need Easter to apply Christmas to us. Only through Jesus’ cross and resurrection can we know greatness, strength and peace we see at the first Christmas.   MAIN TEXT Micah […]

In this final message of our series in the life of Gideon, we see that Gideon ended badly.   For all his moments of faith, he ultimately left the Israelites in a worse position than before.   How can this be? We see two major faults in Gideon: He was a product of his father’s […]

One encounter with Jesus will transform your life.   That was true for the characters in this account from John 12. One experienced Jesus’ resurrection power. One responded in radical devotion and love. One hid his selfishness behind his religious words.   The Christian gospel carries a power that can lift the dead to new […]

Gideon struggles with weak faith. What’s more, he has some major battles ahead of him. To seek clarity he lays down some tests for God, who graciously complies. Furthermore, God gives an additional encouragement through an unusual dream. How much of Gideon’s story should provide a model for our own discernment and decision-making? How should […]

This new series focuses on the life of Old Testament character Gideon: The rise and fall of faith and power.   When God steps in to save his people we notice two phases: God always takes the initiative  We must listen and respond   MAIN TEXT Judges 6:1-24   SPEAKER David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church […]

Jesus brought immediate calm when he spoke to the raging storm. Life was at risk, and the disciples were panicking to do something – anything – that would save them. But nothing was helping. Their only option was Jesus.   In this sermon we learn: Jesus is present in the storm Jesus is powerful over […]

The final talk in our Transforming Community series.   If we grasp the message of the gospel of Jesus, this will have a profound effect on three relationships within the church:   With our leaders With one another With God in worship   This will shape how we see our meeting together as believers in Jesus.   […]

How we think about the final day will impact how we live in the present day.   The Apostle Paul writes to encourage the new Christian believers in Thessalonica that the Day of the Lord is something they can look forward to in hope, and not to fear.   This sermon addresses mistakes we make […]

Message by Nathan Brown as part of our Transforming Community series.     MAIN TEXT 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12   SPEAKER Nathan Brown, church planter in Belfast   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am – 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

People transformed by Jesus should live differently to those who have not encountered him.   One of the chief ways this difference can be noted is how Christians handle grief.   Paul addresses this very issue: how the hope of Jesus coming back transforms the way we grieve even the deepest losses.   ***Apologies for […]

The new Christians in Thessalonica received the gospel of Jesus with joy. However, they were vulnerable to attack – from the old enemy Satan and from persecution from hostile outsiders.   Paul and his apostolic team are anxious for the new believers, so they sent Timothy to strengthen the church and find out how they […]

For community to be truly transformative it must receive and accept God’s Word for what it is: a divine word from God, centred on his Son, and instructions of how to live for him through his Spirit.   However, as the Thessalonian believers found out, God’s word is divisive, highlighting clearly where living for Jesus looks radically […]

First message in our series Transforming Community.   For a true community to be powerfully transforming it is: Originated in God Birthed by Word and Spirit Resilient in Adversity Attractive to Outsiders   MAIN TEXT 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10   SPEAKER David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am – 2d Knockwood […]

Transforming Community is built by two key attributes: Authenticity Missionality In this sermon, we look at the Apostle Paul’s example to the church in Thessalonica, and consider how these essential attributes can be embodied at Foundation Church Belfast.   MAIN TEXT 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12   SPEAKER David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   FOUNDATION CHURCH […]

Everyone wishes to know the joy of rest. But for many of us it is so elusive.   This message examines why we find rest so difficult to achieve and then considers the way that God leads us into deep rest in him.   We then conclude with practical steps we can take to enter […]

With so much injustice in the world, what does God do about it?   In Psalm 10 we are given a blueprint for lament – taking our cries for justice to God. The Psalm shows us what the wicked unjust are like under the surface, behaving as if there is no God.   However the […]

According to the Psalmist, God makes himself known to us in three ways: He is displayed in the skies He is defined in the word He is discerned in the heart   It is possible to know God through each of these ways, each one building upon the other.   MAIN TEXT Psalm 19:1-14   […]

The end of the Book of Acts sees the Apostle Paul imprisoned on trial in Rome. Is this the biggest anti-climax in the Bible? Not in the slightest.   In fact, from prison, Paul is able to preach the good news of Jesus ‘without hindrance.’ He is chained up but the gospel message can never […]

Sermon by Mike Duff from Cornerstone Church Newcastle, as part of our eldership installation service.   MAIN TEXT Joshua 1:1-9   SPEAKER Mike Duff, Cornerstone Church Newcastle   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am – 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

A church without elders is incomplete, unhealthy, vulnerable. This is according to the Apostle Paul, who sought to appoint elders to lead and care for the churches.   In this message, we examine Paul’s passionate message to the elders of the church in Ephesus as he concludes his third missionary journey.   Taking himself as […]

Sermon from Marc Scheibe.   MAIN TEXT Matthew 11:1-30   SPEAKER Marc Scheibe   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am – 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

We are heavily influenced by the culture we live in. We often don't realise how much we are shaped by our culture; how it shapes our values, aspirations, search for meaning.   As the church, we must be aware of the dominant culture around us, so that...

The gospel message is the same for all people - the message of God's saving work through Jesus. But the way the gospel comes to a person can vary widely.   In this bible text we see the gospel taking root in three diverse people: a successful busines...

As the gospel advances there will be setbacks. If we are to be used by God to advance the gospel through planting and strengthening churches, we must be ready to deal with discouragement.   Paul's second missionary journey begun under a cloud of disc...

The gospel of Jesus had been making huge strides in its forward momentum.   But the brakes are jammed on as the church hits a theological controversy - What is the nature of the gospel? In other words, how is someone actually saved?   A group of Jewi...

We address the reality of spiritual evil in this sermon. It always seeks to obstruct the advance of the gospel.   In this episode, a magician of considerable spiritual power, tries to stop a key local civic leader from believing the gospel message of...

Sermon from Matt Adams of Immanuel Church Millisle.   MAIN TEXT Acts 12:1-19   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

In the newly-formed church in Antioch, we see a gifted team being assembled by the Holy Spirit that plants and strengthens the church.   Unnamed evangelists bring the good news to Antioch; Barnabas brings apostolic exhortation and encouragement; Saul...

An officer of the Roman army converts to Christianity, signalling a paradigm shift in the advance of the gospel. Why is it so significant? He and his family are the first Gentiles to be enveloped into the people of God called the church. The doors of...

How is it that someone so devoted to the destruction of Christianity can become one of it's greatest heroes?   In the account of the conversion of the Apostle Paul (aka Saul) we see how such radical transformation is possible.   But beyond Paul's ama...

The Kingdom of God advances by  Outsiders Coming In Insiders Going Out Both are powerfully depicted by Philip's interaction with the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.   MAIN TEXT Acts 8:26-40   SPEAKER David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   FOUND...

The gospel advances to all the 'wrong' places. Here we see the hated neighbours - the Samaritans - believing the message about Jesus in their hundreds.   Curiously, the Holy Spirit appears to be withheld from these new believers until the Apostles fr...

One of the most gifted leaders of the early church was cut off in his prime. Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit and was highly effective in the church.   But he was the object of sustained opposition from people who hated the message of Jesus....

Message from baptism Sunday showing how: Baptism connects us with the past Baptism orientates us with the future Baptism gives hope for the present   MAIN TEXT Romans 6:1-11   SPEAKER David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   FOUNDATION CHURCH...

Message from Phil Swinburn. MAIN TEXT Acts 4:23-31   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

The early church had grown rapidly as the Word of God and the Spirit of God spread like fire.   Up to this point, the Apostles oversaw the distribution of funds to the poor in the church. But as the church grew, the Apostles found themselves spinning...

We hear teaching from an astonishing section of the history of the early church.   A husband and wife chose to conspire against the church and ultimately against God and end up dead as a result. Their sin? Using religion to make themselves influentia...

The Word of God and the Spirit of God drive the advance of the gospel through the people of God.   If we are to see great gospel advance in our day we must share the same conviction of the Word of God - the message about Jesus - that the early church...

The first church rapidly grew to more than 3,000 people, yet the quality and depth of its community was remarkable.   A gospel-centred, Spirit-empowered community on mission is characterised by Four Marks: Devoted Awe-Inspired Generous Growing Is suc...

In this sermon we hear about the point of Pentecost and its implications for the church today. Main Texts Acts 2:1-38   Speaker David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, B...

St. Luke describes all that Jesus began to do and teach in the first volume of his work - the Gospel of Luke.   But the second volume begins with the anticipation of what Jesus continues to do as his kingdom comes.   In this introductory message, we ...

For Christmas to be more than a sentimental event, we need to be clear: That Christmas happened   Why Christmas happened   Only then can we really get in to the Christmas spirit!   This message ends with a challenge to respond to Christmas by identif...

In this final talk in our mini series on Prayer, we think through the practical aspects of doing prayer. Main Texts Luke 11:2-4, 11-13   Speaker David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast   YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE https://foundationchurchbelfast.com/...

How should we come to God in prayer? What should our attitude or stance be?   The Bible paints a stirring picture of prayer. In the New Testament we see five facets as we approach prayer: Boldness Devotion Persistent Faith-filled Earnest   The sermon...

Prayer begins with an invitation to come to God and receive from him.   Jesus said, 'Whoever is thirsty, come to me and I will give them living water.'   In this message we examine Jesus' life-changing offer and ask how we might receive this living w...

Following on from one of Jesus' most amazing miracles - raising Lazarus from death - Mary gives Jesus an exquisite display of public honour and devotion. She pours costly ointment on Jesus' feet so that the whole house was filled with the fragrance. ...

Sermon from Glenn Wasson, member of Foundation Church Belfast.   Main Text John 11:17-44   HOW TO GIVE https://foundationchurchbelfast.com/giving/   JOIN THE TEAM https://foundationchurch.churchsuite.com/forms/is7rpbef   FOUNDATION CHURCH BELFAST Eve...

Jesus brings life from the dust. The man born blind certainly experienced this. But following on from this remarkable healing, onlookers were more reserved about confessing their allegiance to Jesus. In these three groups, we discern three reasons why people reject faith in Jesus: However it’s only through a proper understanding and inner reception of […]

Jesus brings life from the dust. The man born blind certainly experienced this. But following on from this remarkable healing, onlookers were more reserved about confessing their allegiance to Jesus. In these three groups, we discern three reasons wh...

Matt Adams teaches on encountering Jesus as the Bread of Life. MAIN TEXT John 6:25-35   PREACHER Matt Adams, Immanuel Church Millisle   HOW TO GIVE https://foundationchurchbelfast.com/giving/   JOIN THE TEAM https://foundationchurch.churchsuite.com/f...