Grace Community Church NI

Andrew Gribben’s favorite song, Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns, holds a significant emotional connection for him. Known for his love of musicals and emotionally powerful music, Andrew finds that certain songs resonate deeply, providing solace and strength during challenging times. This particular song stands out as an anthem for him, reflecting a particularly difficult period in his li...

Sharing: Neville Garland, Neil Dawson and Carolyn Dawson. By Faith by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend is a heartwarming song that encourages us to live in a way that stands out. It reminds us that God invites us on this incredible journey of faith, where we trust in Him even when we can’t see the whole picture. The song beautifully conveys that we’re called to live by faith, looking bey...

In our new series, members of our church family share their favourite songs. This week it’s the turn of William and Neil. Is He Worthy? In Revelation Chapter 5, John has a vision of a scroll that is sealed and hidden from humanity. This scroll, representing the fullness of God’s plan and knowledge, is inaccessible and causes John great distress because no one seems worthy to open it and reveal its...

Zephaniah 3:17 paints a vivid picture of God as a warrior who gives victory, embodying strength and protection. This image complements the message of John 3:16 in the New Testament, where God’s immense love for humanity is demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son. Contrary to the belief that God is perpetually angry with us, the truth is that He is profoundly for us, aligning with the idea th...

Speaker: Mauricio Quiñones. A true witness is someone who not only believes in the truth but also actively demonstrates and proves it through their actions. In the context of Christianity, this means more than simply attending church or identifying as a Christian. Remarkably, only one in ten Christians can be considered true witnesses, while the rest are merely spectators. This distinction is cruc...

In Matthew 14, after miraculously feeding the multitude, Jesus immediately withdrew to seek solitude, demonstrating His awareness of the need for personal time with God. This retreat underscores the importance of rest and spiritual replenishment, even amid pressing demands. Meanwhile, as the disciples sailed across the lake, a fierce storm arose, and in the midst of this turmoil, Jesus walked on t...

The events of Pentecost in the New Testament are often seen as a reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament. At Babel, people tried to build a tower to reach the heavens, opposing God’s desire to come down and fill the earth. As a consequence, God scattered them across the earth and confused their languages so they could no longer understand each other. In contrast, durin...

The Jewish festivals of the Feast of Tabernacles and Pentecost serve as poignant reminders of the covenant renewed at Mount Sinai. In the New Testament, Luke, who also authored Acts, illustrates the continuity and fulfilment of these ancient traditions through the life and teachings of Jesus and the early Church. Luke’s writing is characterised by its international perspective, weaving patterns an...

In John 17:20-26, Jesus talks about how he wants his followers to be united, just like he is with God the Father. It's like he's saying whether you're just starting to learn about Christianity or you've been studying it for a long time, the main idea is the same: being close to God and each other. God's love isn't something he came up with later—it's been his big plan all along. He wants to bring...

In John 16:5 – 7,13 – 15, Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure, explaining that it’s necessary for the Holy Spirit to come. This often overlooked member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, embodies truth and guides us towards authenticity in life’s journey. Jesus’s mission goes beyond expectations; instead of vanquishing enemies, he demonstrates love by sacrificing himself for them. The dis...

On the Mount of Olives, Jesus shared a profound lesson with his disciples, captured in John 15, where he likened himself to the true vine. He used this metaphor to illustrate the natural tendency of new vine branches to grow downward, becoming ensnared in dirt and vulnerable to illness. Just as a vineyard worker intervenes by lifting and securing these branches to a trellis, Jesus nurtures and sup...

Many spiritual traditions boil down to the idea of living in this world, but not being consumed by it. John 14:1 – 4 beautifully captures this essence. Here, Jesus assures his disciples not to be troubled, urging them to believe in both God and himself (John 14:1). This highlights the importance of faith as the foundation for navigating the world’s challenges. The world we inhabit can often be a p...

The Bible is a complex and ancient text. It’s natural to approach it with our own cultural understanding and biases. However, basing our beliefs solely on interpretations shaped by our preferences can lead us astray. True faith lies in finding our identity in Jesus, not in clinging to personal certainties about the Bible. The story of Thomas, often portrayed as a doubter, offers a different perspe...

The Bible tells the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection, but finding the doors locked because of fear. This fear is something we can all identify with. Fear of the world, fear of the future, fear of death – these anxieties can cause us to withdraw and isolate ourselves. They can create enemies out of unknowns and paralyze us from taking action. Jesus, however, calls us...

In John chapter 20 we read the account of the empty tomb, after Jesus had rose from the dead. We see that the burial clothes that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body were left lying in the tomb. He had no need for them in resurrected life, and as such we can learn a lot from this symbolism. Perhaps there are ​‘grave clothes’ in our lives — attitudes, behaviours, relationships — that need to be lef...

John 15:5 reminds us of our dependence on Christ. Just like branches rely on the vine for life and fruit, we need Christ for spiritual growth. So how do we connect with him? The Apostle Paul offers two keys in 2 Timothy 1:7. A ​“sound mind” allows us to discern God’s will and make wise choices. ​“Spirit of self-discipline” isn’t about harsh restrictions, but the inner strength to choose what align...

What does Jesus turn to when he wants disciples to understand what greatest love looks like? Friendship! When Jesus washes his disciples feet in John 13, he is insisting on friendship with us but also modelling the type of friends we should be. Episode webpage: https://grace-community.church/lesson/friendship-the-greatest-love

Sarah and Abraham were promised descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky and grains of sand by the shore. They were advanced in years and things did not look like they would work out. But… God remembered his promise. Hope exists in some of our most vulnerable moments, but it's also resilient and defiant. As we remember who we are: children of God, we continue to hope. Episode webpage: https...

In Matthew 28:20 we read the words of Jesus, when he promises ​‘I am with you always’. This promise is not just one that speaks of the future, but of the present, everyday experience of daily life. When we acknowledge that the presence of the risen Jesus is with us in all that we do, this will have a positive impact on our own lives and the lives of those around us. Our Hope is connected to our be...

Living Loss can be defined as ‘a loss of one’s hopes or ideals related to what a person believes should have been, could have been or might have been’. We all experience some living losses in life, and there is comfort to be found in Jesus’ words in Matt 5 v 4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted’. We read in Genesis that Joseph experienced many living losses. Rejection, being a...

In Matthew 5:4 we read, ​“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Mourning is an outward sign of inward grief, and it can be a very personal experience. We are encouraged in scripture, that there is supernatural comfort available to us through the Holy Spirit. We are also instructed to bring comfort to those around us, just as God has brought comfort to us. Episode link: https://...

Shrek, in the film of the same name, built a wall around him because he was tired of a world that made up its mind about him before it got to know him. James challenges this idea. Two thousand years later, we still make judgments based on how people look or sound, before we get to know them. My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith....

In Luke 10 we read the story of the Good Samaritan. In this account, we can see that it was through compassion and mercy that the Samaritan helped a stranger who was in need of help. Despite being noticed by others, he had been overlooked and avoided. In this instance, the Samaritan was not looking for someone to help, but rather came across the situation in his everyday life. So too can our compa...

In Jesus’ and Paul’s community, there was a culture of judgment. When people failed to adhere to the ​‘rules,’ they were immediately admonished. In our communities, we often admonish those in the ​‘other’ group. It’s all about left or right, conservative or liberal, us or them. Jesus suggests a third way. Rather than exacting judgment, we lend an ear to hear and understand those whose views differ...

In Jesus' time, being considered "blessed" meant wealth and success, seemingly tied to religious devotion. This perception persists today, with people projecting an illusion of having it all together. Jesus, however, redefines true blessing, challenging cultural norms and blessing the overlooked. Jesus introduces a radical notion of blessedness—being "poor in spirit." This reflects the Kingdom of...