Foundation Church Belfast

Learning to Lament

We look at a neglected yet formative part of our worship and spirituality – lamenting.
The Bible gives us a pattern of how to bring our sorrow to God.
Marc Scheibe opens up Lamentations 5.

The Liberating Power of Jesus

As the kingdom of God comes through the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, we see the kingdom of darkness pushing back in opposition. As the clash of the kingdoms ensues, demonic powers are no match for the power and authority of Jesus.
However to our Western ears, talk of demons and demon-oppression is very odd. We have little space in our concept of reality – our worldview – for demons and unclean spirits etc. We assume these are part of a pre-technological, pre-scientific society, the stuff of fable and folk religion.
Despite our cultural myopia, non-Western concepts of reality have no trouble accepting the role that demons or spirits play in the common human experience. This should at least cause us to doubt the confidence we have in our own Western worldview.
In this episode we see that the liberating power of Jesus:
OverthrowsDisturbsFreesEmpowersMain Bible Text
Mark 5:1-20
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Jesus and the Storm

Jesus performs his most powerful miracle so far in the Gospel of Mark – the calming of the storm.
As we see, this sign is part of Jesus’ overall mission to reveal to his disciples his true identity. Through healings and exorcisms Jesus has shown he has authority over the forces of evil.
However in the calming of the storm Jesus shows he has mastery over the created order itself. He literally rebukes the wind and seas and they obey his word.
The disciples are dumbfounded and scared, asking ‘who is this man?’ They knew that only God can speak to creation and it listens.
Jesus’ mastery over the storm points to his authority over all storms. We may experience the peace and security found in him when we see how Jesus faced the greatest storm through his death on the cross. Yet his resurrection showed his authoritative word is ultimate.
In this message we see:
Jesus is present IN the stormJesus is powerful OVER the stormJesus is proclaimed BY the stormMain text
Mark 4:35-41
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast
Check out these related resources:
Sermon: Security, Peace and Hope in God – Psalm 46

How the Kingdom of God is Revealed, Cultivated and Advanced

Jesus expands his teaching on the Kingdom of God through a further series of parables. Most of his teaching about the Kingdom of God was given in parables which played a dual role:
To those hungry for more the parables were the door which opened hearers to the Kingdom of God.
But to those who were on the outside, who didn’t want to know Jesus, the parables served as a barrier, closing access to the Kingdom.
In this message we learn that the Kingdom of God is:
Revealed through hearingCultivated by GodAdvanced in powerMain text
Mark 4:21-35
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

How the Teaching of Jesus Locks and Unlocks the Kingdom of God

In order to understand Jesus on his own terms it is essential that we understand his teaching. As we have seen in the previous sermon in this series, Jesus’ signs and wonders are open to gross misrepresentation unless they are understood in union with his explanations.
And so in this familiar parable of the sower, Jesus demonstrates that his teaching is immediately accessible, and yet many fail to truly embrace the implications of what he claims.
Moreover, the teaching of Jesus acts as a key – opening the kingdom of God to some who hear, and yet closing the kingdom to others.
In this sermon we consider the various responses that hearers of Jesus’ teaching can make, culminating in the one who hears the message, accepts it, and bears astounding kingdom fruit.
Main Bible Text
Mark 4:1-20
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast
Check out the following related resources:
Read Our Vision: Foundation Church Belfast describes our vision for catalysing gospel transformation of our city and nationListen The Kingdom of God: Authority, Mission, Calling

Opposition and Answers

Opposition to Jesus and the Christian faith comes from diverse quarters. In this sermon we consider two dramatically different forms of opposition to Jesus: the Scribes who are direct and aggressive against Jesus, relying on the ad hominem approach; and second, Jesus’ own family.
This latter group are a surprising source of opposition. They are very familiar with Jesus, comfortable that they know all they need to know. Yet they attempt to block Jesus’ kingdom ministry by thinking they know better.
Whether direct and aggressive, or comfortably familiar, opposition to Jesus is seen commonly today. The first form generally appear on TV or social media, whereas the second form are found seated on church pews across the country.
Jesus answers both forms of opposition differently. We can learn from his responses and consider how we may use a similar approach as we answer opposition to Jesus and the Christian faith.
Bible Text
Mark 3:20-35
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast
Recommended resource: Tactics by Greg Koukl
In Tactics, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. You’ll learn how to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the minefields of a challenging discussion and how to get people thinking about Jesus.

Apostles and the Local Church

Jesus calls his Apostles to be with him and commissions them to be sent out to minister in his name. He gives them his authoritative word to preach and his authoritative power to push back the kingdom of darkness.
As go the Apostles, so goes the church. The call to Apostleship is first a call to discipleship, to respond and follow after Jesus.
So much what we read in this passage applies to all followers of Jesus, all across time.
But how to we respond to the Apostles today? In what sense is the church to be considered ‘apostolic’? And is there a role for apostolically-gifted people today? How does Foundation Church Belfast listen to apostolic voices both ancient and contemporary?
Main Texts
Mark 3:13-19
Ephesians 4:11-13
1 Corinthians 12:28
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

The Authoritative Word and Power of Jesus

Jesus often clashed with the religious establishment of his day. His teaching and miracles drew the criticism of many religious leaders who were less than pleased to see such authoritative teaching and power at work.
Yet crowds of ordinary people flocked to him, desperate to hear his words or to experience his healing power.
In this sermon we see vastly contrasting reactions to Jesus’ authoritative power and word. He evokes hostility as well as hunger in people.
Hostility often comes when we don’t think we need Jesus. In fact, we are most hostile when we see Jesus as a threat to our way of life, our foundational beliefs and system of thought.
However we are most hungry for Jesus when we realise how much we need him. When come to Jesus and understand we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, we step into his love and receive his power.
Main Text
Mark 2:23-3:12
Preacher
David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast