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 from Jerusalem arrive.

If this were not strange enough, interlaced with this account of the conversion of the Samaritans is the magician called Simon. He thinks the power of the Holy Spirit can be bought with money.

In this sermon we see that the community on mission is:

• Radically inclusive

Through his Word, God grows our vision for bringing the gospel to the 'despised Samaritans' of our own city of Belfast and beyond.

Acts 8:4-25

David Varney, Pastor 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.

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. They went to extreme lengths to shut Stephen down - resorting to mob violence and ultimately murder.

A Spirit-Empowered person is able to not only advance the gospel, but stand up to opposition. Even in huge trials and impending death itself (whatever the cause), Spirit-Empowered people will demonstrate Jesus to the end.

Acts 6:8-7:60

David Varney, Pastor 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.

Message from baptism Sunday showing how:

• Baptism connects us with the past

Romans 6:1-11

David Varney, Pastor 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.

Message from Phil Swinburn.

Acts 4:23-31

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 too many plates. Some widows were being neglected. The preaching of the gospel was being compromised. Something had to be done.

So the Apostles told the church to find seven Spirit-filled and wise leaders to oversee the care for the poor, freeing up the Apostles for prayer and preaching the good news.

When these leaders were installed, the church gained even more ground, growing and multiplying like never before.

When we identify and release the bottleneck of 'too many plates spinning', we may humbly expect God to multiply and grow the church.

Acts 6:1-7

David Varney, Pastor 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 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 influential in the eyes of others.

Theirs was a subtle subversion - projecting a self-made righteousness.

It could have divided the church and caused distraction from the mission. But Jesus protected his people - the church. Through his Spirit he revealed the hearts and motivations of this couple and dealt with them severely.

This message equips us to be aware of community breakers, but also to inspire us to be community makers - like Barnabas (4:36-37).

Acts 4:32 - 5:11

David Varney, Pastor 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 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 possessed.

And we must humbly expect the Spirit of God to work powerfully among us as we see in the early days of the church.

Acts 3:1-26

David Varney, Pastor 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 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:

1. Devoted

Is such church possible today? We believe it is. Join us.

Acts 2:36-47

David Varney, Pastor 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 this sermon we hear about the point of Pentecost and its implications for the church today.

Acts 2:1-38

David Varney, Pastor 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.

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 learn

• the Kingdom comes by the Word

Acts 1:1-11

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

https://foundationchurchbelfast.podbean.com/e/prayer-praxis-1702923005/ 

https://foundationchurch.churchsuite.com/forms/is7rpbef

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.