Foundation Church Belfast

Finding and affirming excellent leadership is key to the growth of a healthy church. That is why St. Paul addresses the issue first in his letter to Titus. The message about Jesus has been shared powerfully on Crete. Communities of people have been formed around their shared belief in the gospel message. But these communities are not complete churches until they have suitably called and affirmed spiritual leadership in place. In this message, St Paul shows us what qualities to look for in a potential elder within the local church: Elders get the truth straightElders let the truth shape them The message finishes with three headline practical applications to our church at Foundation Church Belfast. Message by David Varney, pastor of Foundation Church Belfast. Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+1.5-9&version=ESVUK

It is often said that we are living in a post-truth world. Fake news and various conspiracy theories gain increasing traction in mainstream thought life, influencing the shape of our contemporary discourse. Truth claims are seen as attempts to manipulate and gain power. This leads to widespread scepticism and suspicion about anyone making ultimate truth claims. Paul writes to his deputy Titus who is carrying out apostolic work on the island of Crete. Crete is renowned for having a dubious approach to ‘truth’ which has led to a dehumanising and abusive society. In this first message in our series from Paul’s letter to Titus, we examine the nature of truth from Paul’s perspective, and how he seeks to strengthen the fledgling churches in Crete, so that they understand and articulate a robust, vibrant faith. Message by David Varney, pastor of Foundation Church Belfast. Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+1.1-4&version=ESVUK

For all the positive steps forward in the work of restoration, God’s people come to a life-or-death decision – do they follow God with their whole hearts? This final message in our Restoration series through the book of Ezra comes to a climactic – and unfinished – ending. As contemporary readers we are left with a choice to make. Will we heed the lesson of the people in Ezra’s day and follow whole-heartedly after God, or will we allow our hearts to be captured by another love that welds a stronger influence in our lives? In this message we see Three Outstanding Values of the Restoration Community: Meaningful MarriagesRadical RepentanceLiving Lordship This is not a comfortable message! It is challenging and radical. But this is what God calls his people to be. And it what we aspire to be as we obey him and live for him as a community on mission.

For all the progress that was made by the restoration community, there was a serious problem that threatened their entire existence. How could things get so bad? Ezra discovers that the community had allowed themselves to become critically compromised by intermarrying into the surrounding pagan nations. It seems that all their external actions of worship had not produced the inner transformation that Ezra knew was essential before God. As Christians, external actions must begin with a heart that is transformed by the gospel of Jesus. If not people will make emotional responses to religion but fail to be truly transformed by God’s grace. In this message we see: Part 1: The Problem of Sin Part 2: The Response to Sin Part 3: The Solution to Sin

All relationships are enhanced and strengthened by trust. Nowhere is this more true than our relationship with God. In this message we learn from Ezra 8 what trusting God looks like in real life. If we really trust God and live consistently with our beliefs about him, we will be used in powerful ways by him in his kingdom building work. Part 1 – the Basis of Trust Part 2 – the Nature of Trust Part 3 – the Result of Trust Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra+8&version=ESVUK Connect with Us Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

Ezra was known as ‘the Second Moses’ such was his significance in the restoration process of God’s people. He was extraordinarily effective in God’s kingdom work. In this message we examine Three Qualities of an Extraordinarily Effective Kingdom Builder. Through Ezra we are given a model to follow if we are to be used by God for significant kingdom work. Extraordinarily effective kingdom builders: Passionately Pursue GodInfluential in Their ContextApply Courage to Their Calling Check out the Advance Theology Course https://www.advancemovement.com/courses/advance-theology-course/ Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra+7&version=ESVUK Connect with us here Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

When the temple in Jerusalem is finally completed the community erupt in deep joy. However this joy is not merely the result of a good job well done. It is rooted in the discovery that the God who decreed all this to happen was good to his word. His promises were fulfilled as he stated many years earlier. The same God who decreed the restoration of his people in Ezra is the same God who decrees the powerful restoration of his people TODAY. Today we base our joy on the solid rock of God’s decree and it grows among us as we see his decree fleshed out as he builds his church. In this message we see: Joy is FOUNDED on God’s decree Joy is RECEIVED through participationJoy is EXPRESSED in wholehearted worship Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+6%3A13-22&version=ESVUK Connect with us here Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foun

The next message in our RESTORATION series through the book of Ezra. Message by Tim Purdue, ministry assistant at Foundation Church Belfast.

As the kingdom of God advances with greater pace so too does opposition. Opposition comes in a variety of forms but they all stem from the same source – the evil powers of darkness. In this message we see that the work of restoration meets with inevitable opposition. Yet in the gospel we are given powerful resources to prepare for and overcome opposition. The Restoration Community should expect oppositionThe Restoration Community can prepare for oppositionThe Restoration Community will overcome opposition Bible text available here Connect with Foundation Church Belfast Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

Community on Mission When God’s people returned to their homeland, they had to make a choice to pursue what is most important. A massive rebuilding project laid ahead of them yet they had to re-evaluate what things mattered the most. In this message we see that:Restoration Prioritises WORSHIP Restoration Necessitates hard WORK The order is crucial for the community on mission to function healthily. Worship at Foundation Church Belfast As we prepare to return to gathered worship at Foundation Church Belfast we must get back to the core purpose of our gathering – WORSHIP. So out of a solid grasp of God and what he has done in saving us, we WORK hard, laying down foundations and building up the church so that more can see and hear God at work among them. We’d love you to join the team. Bible text available here Connect with us Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.ins

When God restores the worshipping community he calls together a group of people share: – a PIONEERING spirit – a DIVERSE makeup, and – are deeply CONNECTED to one another. In this message we examine the teaching of Ezra 2 as part of our RESTORATION series. Our shared vision is to impact the Belfast church and the wider society, and across the island of Ireland for Jesus. We do this through the planting and revitalisation of gospel-centred, Spirit-empowered communities on mission. Will you join the team? Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra+2&version=ESVUK Connect with us here Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

In the book of Ezra we see how God restores his people back to worship after decades in exile. He STIRS the community with renewed vision and SUPPLIES them with the resources to rebuild the temple for worship. At Foundation Church Belfast as we prepare ourselves to return to gathered worship we can be confident that God STIRS us afresh and promises to SUPPLY what we need to build for him. Our shared vision is to impact and influence Belfast and the island of Ireland for Jesus. We do this through the planting and revitalisation of gospel-centred, Spirit-empowered churches on mission for the Kingdom. Will you join the team? There’s room for everybody! Bible text available here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra+1&version=ESVUK Connect with us Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

In the final message of our Gideon series we ask: how do we prevent ending the mission badly? Gideon is famous for his stunning victory against all odds as he delivered Israel from their enemies. But his life did not end well. He compromised on his convictions and opened the door for further disintegration of Israelite society. In this message we examine some of the reasons why Gideon ended badly: He reverted to type He believed the hype We conclude by showing how we may avoid his errors and instead live lives that are faith-filled and purposeful. Main text: Judges 8:22-35 Preacher: David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast Connect with us here Email hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter https://twitter.com/foundationcb

Before Gideon goes to battle he must be convicted of God’s calling and anointing of him. His faith is weak and God takes steps to strengthen him for the fight. With the coronavirus pandemic we realise our vulnerability and powerlessness like never before, whether as a nation or as individuals. The good news is that God has power to save and deepen our faith and trust in him. Our weakness points us to his saving power working in us. In this message we see when it comes to salvation, God strengthens the weak God weakens the strong Main text: Judges 6:35-7:18 Preacher: David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

The second message in our series on the Old Testament character Gideon. Before God uses Gideon to achieve victory against Israel’s external enemies, he leads Gideon to tackle the inner enemy – Israel’s divided heart towards God. The people have embraced idols and have gone away from their first love, their source of identity and peace. Decisive action needs to be taken before Israel have any hope of overcoming their external enemies. Inner renewal is the precursor to wider blessing from God. In this message we see: We cannot expect God’s blessing when busy serving idolsCutting down our idols is a painful processThe gospel of Jesus gives us power to deal with our idols Main text: Judges 6:25-35 Preacher: David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

We look at the life and work of Gideon in this new series from Judges 6-8. In this message we see: God always takes the initiative when saving his peopleWe need to listen to God and respond, no matter where it takes us Main text Judges 6:1-24. Preacher: David Varney

PJ Smyth addresses the Advance churches across the globe with this encouraging and comforting message. Partners (Phil 1:1-2)Partnership (Phil 1:3-11)Primary Passion (Phil 1:12-14) Main text: Philippians 1:1-14 Speaker: PJ Smyth, pastor Monument Church, Washington DC, USA Foundation Church Belfast is part of Advance. For more information about the Advance Movement of churches click here.

This Easter Sunday we take a look at the earliest eye witness account of the Easter story. Christianity is founded upon objective historical facts. In this message we consider the history of Easter, as reported by St. Mark. Does it all stack up? We then look at the theology of Easter – what does it all mean? Finally we consider three possible responses a person can make after an honest assessment of the data. Main text: Mark 16:1-8 Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast Want to connect? Email: hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/foundationcb

Restoring Broken Community In our final message from the Real Religion series, we look at James’ parting shot: the call to restore broken community. From what do we bring a brother back? Why should we bring a brother back? How do we bring a brother back? To what do we bring a brother back? Main text: James 5:19-20 Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast Want to connect? Email: hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/foundationcb

Restoring Broken Community In our final message from the Real Religion series, we look at James’ parting shot: the call to restore broken community. From what do we bring a brother back? Why should we bring a brother back? How do we bring a brother back? To what do we bring a brother back? Main text: James 5:19-20 Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast Want to connect? Email: hello@foundationchurchbelfast.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/foundationchurchbelfast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/foundationcb