Grace Community Church NI

These times have proven that the world is a very uncertain place, therefore we should not hold on to earthly treasure. Lockdown exposes where your heart truly is. What you miss the most reveals what you value. In Matthew 6, Jesus reminds us that our treasure is in heaven and if we seek his Kingdom first, all other things will be an addition.

'Meditation' / Neil Dawson by Grace Community Church

Frances shares her story of becoming a mother. How God has brought her through difficult times to becoming a mother-figure to many people.

Within the enemy's army, David faced, there was Goliath. A man standing nine foot tall. When ordinary people are called to face extraordinary situations, He often calls us to think differently – often outside the norm. In these extraordinary times, you and I are called to think with Kingdom mindsets and speak into lives.

Our vision for our lives, church and community is to see ​“transformation”. Complimenting the values of the church (SIMPLE), we believe that to see transformation there must be a balance in our relationships. Using the triangle metaphor, the ​“UP” represents how we love God. ​“IN” is how we love one another, and ​“OUT” is the love we have for our community.

What are the deeds of your first love? When Jesus visited the Seven Churches in Revelation, his warning to the Church in Ephesus likely took the ​“good looking” church by surprise. Despite their hard work and perseverance, they had left their first love. One hundred years after the warning, the once-thriving church was no more. How many churches throughout history are either no more or a shadow of...

The scriptures can be used to make a point, or even condemn. But they always point to Jesus. 2 practical approaches: Lectio divina (eg. Psalm 1) Find yourself in the story (eg. John 9)

What does it take for us to realise that we are Sons and Daughters? Understanding who we are in Christ can change, dramatically, how we do Church. It turns out, according to Jesus, water is thicker than blood.

Of course missional living involves going out and serving, but it begins where you are right now: how you serve missionally in your local church family. Our dream is that we are so missional that we take every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially "to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith". Instead of staying in our own corner, what would it be like to be a church that dwell...

'Cessationism' Session 3, Part 2 / Eugene Smith by Grace Community Church

Eugene Smith hosted a seminar on Cessationism. This is part 2.

Eugene Smith hosted a seminar on Cessationism. This is part 1/3

We return to the word Ekklesia, which is the called out people for the welfare of a community. As we start at the end of SIMPLE, E (representing "Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere") how do meet the welfare of our workplaces, schools and social gatherings? We remind ourselves of the need for a five-fold ministry – especially the need for the areas forgotten by many, apostleship and prophecy.

Five years ago we set out our church values. At the start of 2020, it feels appropriate to revisit them. This time we will be approaching it in reverse order. In three weeks, we will be looking at P (Presence and Prayer), and to prepare we are suggesting we fast as a church. We want to hear from God, but to do so we need to posture ourselves to listen.

As we look to a new year and a new decade, we are suggesting eternal life isn't something that happens later but starts now. We ask the questions, "What is God asking us, and how do we respond?"

God's upside-down Kingdom was established in humility rather than earthly majesty. Christmas has become a difficult time of the year for those on the margins of society, counter to what Jesus came to do. He came to set free the poor and oppressed.

Between God making a promise and fulfilling the promise, there can be long periods of silence.

Saul never pursued the presence of God. And for a whole generation no one encountered Him. When David became king he led by example: he became vulnerable so the glory of God could shine through.

What is it that breaks your heart? What risk are you going to take? Simply going to church and attending meetings is not going to change the neighbourhood around us. What are we willing to sacrifice?

Our vocation is what we bring to the world we’re in. What if our vocation was a vehicle for bringing the kingdom to our workplaces? Here’s the challenge: what do we do with our gifts and talents?

What would it look like if we lived questionable lives? That people would take notice and ask questions. We still need all five gifts because the church is not yet united. We are designed to flourish at home and in our workplaces until his e we irk is complete in us.

Jenna and Andrew share their thoughts on being a Christian in the workplace. Neil introduces the morning by suggesting separating work and worship is a mistake, in fact both share the same Hebrew word: 'avoda'

Neville tells his story of how he got to where he is now and what he's looking forward to in his life as a church leader.

Christ died so that you would know freedom from the rules and traditions. When we focus on the 'don't's we deny the joy in freedom.

Standing in front of a cave in Caeserea Philippi, Jesus promised to build his church and the gates of hell, represented by the gate, would not overcome it. The church is not Sunday morning meetings, programmes or even the kingdom. It’s you and me — the people.