Grace Community Church NI

Episode 2. Over the next few weeks we will be checking in with some of our church family, and asking what the Lord has taught them during the COVID-19 lockdown period: what habits they've gotten rid of, and what habits they've picked up. This week, it's "coffee scientist" Jesse Lampe

Over the next few weeks we will be checking in with some of our church family, and asking what the Lord has taught them during the COVID-19 lockdown period: what habits they've gotten rid of, and what habits they've picked up. This week, it's "international traveller" Nigel Burrows.

Over the last few weeks, we've been challenged by how we love people who are not like us. In this, we're exploring the risks it takes to head outside of what we're used to, but also the fruit that doing this produces.

We're continuing to be challenged by the Book of Acts. Paul was willing to risk his life to fight for the "other side". He, along with Barnabas argued passionately with the religious leaders that it was not necessary that their demands were met for people to enter the Kingdom of God.

What happens when we are willing to cross over to the ​‘other side’? We return to the Book of Acts this week. Following an encounter with an angel, Peter sets out to bring the gospel to the Gentiles – the ​“Others”.

Jesus through the story of the Good Samaritan shows how all can be part of the Kingdom. What does he teach us about loving our neighbour well?

Acts 8 recounts the story of the Ethiopian treasurer. God chased after him as he walked away from Jerusalem, and the Spirit sent Philip to meet him. What did God see in someone who was seen by many as a "lesser" man?

In this season it can be easy to become overwhelmed with what we have around us or are facing on a daily basis, but the kingdom of God is one of "opposites", less is more, lower is higher and simple is significant. In this talk we look at how God wants us to start where we are with what we have, it’s not about what it is now but what it becomes. It’s time to go on a journey with God.

Twice, Jesus brought his disciples up a mountain to pray. One time was met with sadness and sorrow as Jesus prepared for his death. The other time – Jesus' transfiguration – they saw his glory. God makes it clear that what he has to say is through his Son.

Part 11 of 12 weeks of spiritual disciplines, based on the book by Richard Foster. This week we are focussing on "guidance".

When God interrupted Moses’ routine and appeared to him through the burning bush in the wilderness, he revealed his name, and his nature: the desire to free his people from bondage.

Part 10 of 12 weeks of spiritual disciplines, based on the book by Richard Foster. This week we are focussing on "worship".

We all face disappointments in life. But sometimes we allow ourselves to become comfortable with being disappointed. When that happens, not only can it affect our identity, but it can affect our relationship with God and impact our ability to have compassion for our communities. What can we learn from the Parable of the Prodigal Son about how to deal with our disappointment?

What was it that sustained Jesus during his time of testing in the wilderness, which caused him to come out in the power of the Spirit? With Jesus as our example, what is it we need to change in our lives when we come out of this place of testing?

Repentance. It’s one of those words that scares, confuses or is misunderstood. My heart is that we get a basic grasp that of the power and beauty that there is in repentance. The fact that it is the building block of our relationship with Jesus. It’s not an event that takes place once but a choice to enter a journey that draws you closer to God and closer to the people around you. It’s something t...

How do you view the Father? Do we see him as a figure of condemnation and judgement or a person of kindness? All the way through Scripture, the Father continually shows his fairness, love and kindness to his people.
Are we guilty of projecting our own selfish desires onto God, or are we prepared to recognise him as one who goes after the guilty to show them love and compassion?

Do we serve with humility or the hope that we will be recognised?

What will the people of God be remembered for in this great time of change? The fruit of the spirit — kindness and goodness — has been spoken deep into all our hearts! Will we allow these fruits to speak to the world around us?

We're surrounded by stuff that distracts us.

When Paul was writing to the Colossian Christians, he was writing from prison. He’s writing to them to remind them who they are, but more importantly, who Jesus is.

'Solitude' / Neil Dawson by Grace Community Church

After the Resurrection, the immediate responses from the people who met him – Peter, Thomas and the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus – were a mixture of discouragement and doubt. But we also get a chance to hear Jesus’ response to them, which is quite surprising.

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God's plan was to dwell with his people. Easter marks that point in history where the division between God and man was torn in two, death was defeated and a new Kingdom, and a new hope, was established.

We are a Kingdom of priests. And during this time, it’s time to dig ditches that God will fill with water. When his army was surrounded, and there was no water, Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet. The Lord came to Elisha and said he would fill the ditches and pools with water. Soon there was more than enough. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus asked the disciples to gather the crumbs left by the Five...