St. Mark takes us to some highly significant moments at the start of Jesus’ ministry: his baptism, his forty days of temptation, and his preaching.

All of these snapshots show us who Jesus claimed to be:

• He was the Son of God

Integrated to his identity was also his mission – what he came to do. The headline message that he began to give was this:

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Proclamation of the kingdom of God was only part of it. He came to call people to enter it, to become his disciples and follow him.

In this message we examine these key moments in Jesus’ early ministry and think how they set the pace for us at Foundation Church Belfast as we pray, ‘May your kingdom come.’

Main text: Mark 1:9-20

Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

If you want to examine the claims of Jesus Christ to see if they have merit, start by studying the Gospel According to Mark.

Over the next few months we shall be examining the central teachings of Jesus as we read and think through passage by passage of Mark.

Many people who dismiss Christianity do so because of past experiences with the Church or with people who claim to be Christians. Rarely it is because they have taken time to read the primary sources, think through the claims of Christ, and conclude that he is not to be believed.

As a church in Belfast we want to have a sound grasp of the life and teachings of Jesus. It is important for believers in Jesus to come to ever-increasing understanding and experience of him in our own lives and in our community. As a community on mission we are built upon the person and work of Jesus, so knowing him better is essential to church health and vibrancy.

Main text: Mark 1:1-8.

Sermon by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Main text: Luke 14:25-33

Message by Tyler Rawson

The Psalmist shows us that it is possible to experience peace and security in the middle of immense turmoil.

We access this profound resource through entering in to the kingdom city of God. This is not mere psychological escapism. Rather it is the solid promise of a God who has acted concretely in human history.

Jesus opens the way to the kingdom of God. We enter through faith in him. And when we see what he has done for us, we realise that nothing in life can ultimately tear us away from the favour and love of God.

Main text: Psalm 46

Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Here’s the main theme of Paul’s letter to Titus: Get the truth straight and allow the truth to shape you.

In this concluding sermon we examine the results that will be noted in a church that is committed to learning and living the truth:

1. Healthy Community

We consider how we are experiencing this at Foundation Church Belfast so far and how we long to see this be manifested more powerfully in the coming years.

Titus 3:9-15

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Check out the following related sermons:

9 Marks: Church Discipline

Community Makers, Community Breakers

Christians are to live lives that positively impact those around them. The Christian faith has a role in how believers behave in society. They are to be outstanding citizens of their own city or nation.

The people of Crete were not renowned for being outstanding citizens. In fact they bore a reputation of being rebellious and obstinate.

However those who heard and believed the message of Jesus Christ were called to live in distinction to the Cretan stereotype. This is because followers of Christ are called to recognise the God-given authority of civil authorities.

This was not possible because the Cretan believers simply chose to live moral lives from now on. It was only through the transforming work of God in their lives that they were able to live lives of distinction and humility.

In this message we see:

• How to act in the world

Titus 3:1-8

David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

You may also like the following related messages:

9 Marks: The Gospel

Real Religion: How Wealth Should Be Used

The grace of God appeared decisively in history when Jesus Christ entered the scene.

St. Paul shows that this appearing of God’s grace is the basis of our present moral and ethical transformation, and sets us up to anticipate the future return of Christ.

When we see and understand the grace of God we are equipped to cope better with fear and anxiety that comes from our current challenging circumstances.

Titus 2:11-15

Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast.

Want to find out more? Check out the following related messages:

• The Ascension of Jesus

When we get the truth straight, and allow the truth to shape us, our lives will begin to beautify the message of Jesus.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul sketches out a vision of the Radical Ordinary – lives lived in counter-cultural gospel community.

As contemporary Western society has less in common with its Christian heritage, the modern day church will appear increasingly radical as it lives the faith according to the Bible’s teaching.

In this message we examine Paul’s application of the Greco-Roman household code to the Christian church and ask how we might live as the Radical Ordinary today.

Main text: Titus 2:1-10

Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Why not check out the following related messages:

Four Marks of a Gospel-Centred, Spirit-Empowered Community on Mission

Living Life in Transforming Community

The first believers in Crete had enthusiastically accepted the gospel message of Jesus. They then gathered together in small communities where they could worship and live for Jesus together.

But there was a fake message going around the island: one that sounded similar but was actually threatened the existence of the believing communities.

In this message we examine the impact of fake teaching and consider how it might present itself today in our own context. We then look at how to arm ourselves against this threat at Foundation Church Belfast so we might grow as a healthy church.

1. The nature of fake teaching

Main passage: Titus 1:10-16

Read it here.

• Check out our message series 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.

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:

1. Elders get the truth straight

The message finishes with three headline practical applications to our church at Foundation Church Belfast.

Message by David Varney, pastor of Foundation Church Belfast.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+1.5-9&version=ESVUK