No one can survive without hope.

As one ancient voice proclaimed, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick.'

There is so much in life that can rob us of hope. Yet God spoke a message of hope to a hopeless bunch of people which still carries power and clarity to us today.

In Zechariah 9:9-13 we see three reasons for hope this Christmas:

1. It won't always be like this

If we understand and absorb these three headlines, we shall notice hope rising from within. 

The coming king that the prophet Zechariah pointed to has come to his people - at Christmas Jesus the King came to save his people.

When we see that he did this for us, hope is planted and begins to grow.

Zechariah 9:9-13

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Baptism is a powerful moment that shapes and defines the Christian faith. At its heart, baptism points to the profound spiritual connection between Jesus and his people.

In baptism we see what happened to Jesus, happens to us. Through faith, a believer has died with Christ, and is already set free from the power of sin. Likewise, through faith, the believer will also be raised with Christ - the hope of the resurrection life.

Both the past event of the cross of Christ and the future hope of our resurrection impact our present reality: Guilt is gone! Power to overcome sin! Hope even in the face of sorrow!

This sets up a community of people who are centred around Christ, and united by their baptism. We are a community on mission at Foundation Church Belfast, helping one another live out the implications of our baptism and drawing on the huge resources that God sends through his Son Jesus.

Romans 6:1-11

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

The final message in our mini series examining the key practices that shape our gatherings at Foundation Church Belfast.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13:1-14:1

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

We look at what the Bible teaches about healing and how it should function in the local church. Part of our series investigating the key commitments and practices that shape our worship gatherings at Foundation Church Belfast.

James 5:13-16

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Message by Marc Scheibe.

Psalm 136

Part four in our mini-series examining the key commitments and practices that shape our gatherings at Foundation Church Belfast.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Check out these related resources:

• How the Spirit of God and the Word of God Builds the People of God

Next up in our six-part mini series which examines the key commitments and practices of Foundation Church Belfast – Belonging.

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Next up in our mini series examining the key commitments and practices of Foundation Church Belfast – The Sacraments.

Acts 2:36-43

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

In this mini series we examine six ways that God grows the church.

First up – the Word of God.

Isaiah 55:8-13

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Sermon by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Mark 10:32-45