Grace Community Church NI

One of the 10 Commandments instructs us to observe and partake in a Sabbath day. Observing this commandment looks different depending on culture, background and upbringing. We might all define a Sabbath differently, but one thing we can agree on is the benefit and blessing that can be found in a true day of rest and rejuvenation. A Sabbath might look like a day set aside to intentionally spend tim...

John 4 describes the meeting of Jesus and a Samaritan woman. In this account, we learn that this woman carried a great deal of shame and pain from her life experiences. This is another example of a ​“Good News” story, for all those who have felt the weight of shame, rejection or hurt. Jesus offers her a drink from the ​‘living water’, which never runs dry. Unlike many temporary solutions or quick...

Our anger at situations in our world often leads us to wish for retribution. Does the gospel’s call to ​“love our enemies” require us to look at things differently? In Luke 4, Jesus quotes most of Isaiahs prophecy from chapter 61, announcing that the year of the Lords favour has been fulfilled in him which is good news for everyone, even Israels enemies. What makes Jesus’ statement interesting is...

The story of Jonah is perhaps one of the most well-known bible stories, beautifully portrayed in children’s books and animated cartoons. However, this portrayal might make it easy to miss the themes of justice, love and God’s continual mercy. We read of Jonah’s struggle with God’s love towards the people of Nineveh, causing him to literally run away. There are lessons for us in this story, perhaps...

Sadly, when we hear someone preach, we seem to enjoy when the preacher is pointing out someone else’s sin. We like that feeling of superiority when we don’t believe we have a problem with sin. As we use our judgement, we can become guilty of projecting our conclusions of what’s right and wrong onto God. God’s wrath is an often-misrepresented thing. Gospel presentations, especially in Western Chris...

The two trees in Genesis 3 pose a number of interesting questions. When it comes to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the exchange between the serpent and Eve challenges her relationship with God. In the previous chapter, there is a beautiful picture of God breathing life into humans. His power is shared with us and there is a ​“shalom” that accompanies that. There is goodness in this relati...

I was made for the Gospel. Exploring the ​“now-ness” of the Kingdom. Often we use language in church that we don’t use elsewhere. There are words we use, like ​“Gospel” that we assume we know, but make we don’t. The problem is, the Gospel is difficult to describe and, as much as we try, we can’t fit our description into a snapshot. It’s much more than Jesus dying for our sins so we can go to heave...

In Luke 15, we read a parable that depicts a Shepherd going out to to look for his Lost Sheep. This parable is another picture of the Good News Story. The Good News that one sheep was worth finding — it had precious value in the eye of the Shepherd. Perhaps when we think of this story, we jump to the conclusion that this sheep was lost by choice and he chose to leave the Shepherd and the comfort o...

In Genesis chapter 1, we read the story of how God created new life in a desolate and empty space. He brought light into a dark place — and it was very good. This is perhaps our first glimpse at the good news of the Gospel. This good news, is still good news for us today? When God enters a place, situation, or community, he brings light that cannot be overtaken with darkness. He can fill spaces th...

We carry burdens, often unnecessarily. Or feel we need to resolve conflicts or problems immediately. God wants us to be still and trust him in these moments. New City Church’s Matt McFarland shares his story of growing up and struggling to please God, then realising we can’t reach a point where we are worthy on our own merit. Instead, God loves us where we are. Psalm 37 describes what it means to...

Even in the most hostile conditions there is growth. Homero talks about what makes the cedar and palm trees special, and what they can teach us about endurance and perseverance. We then explore the idea of chesed love: A promise-keeping loyalty rooted in deep loving care.

Death, suffering and injustice are a challenge when we're confronted with them. It's easy to dismiss the feeling of sorrow as a lack of faith, or worse, shame people when they are grieving. When we shun lament we lose that place of raw, honest vulnerability. In doing this, we also avoid the pain in the world. Do we think that God cannot handle your cries? Psalms 42 and 88 emboldens us to lift our...

In Psalm 133 we see the heart of God revealed, when we are encouraged to live together in unity. This does not mean that we will agree on everything, or always see eye-to-eye, but rather we have a common bond that ties us together - Jesus! In verses 2 and 3 we are drawn to metaphors that speak to the way in which we should come together, like a fragrant oil made from a variety of ingredients or th...

The Psalms is a truly diverse mix of songs and ideas. From lament to praise. From reflection to exaltation. We often associate Psalms in the Bible with David, but there are many writers. Some unknown. This eclecticism of voice is important as we get used to the idea of ambiguity and theological assortment. We might have favourite Psalms, but they are even more powerful collectively than individual...

Stubbornness can be a good thing, but often it can be damaging. No matter what you’ve been through, God’s promise remains on your life. We walk in the promises of God through surrendered devotion to God. Stubbornness will keep us out of the presence of God. Surrender will lead us to deeper levels of encounter with the living God.

Acts 2:1 reminds us that on the day of Pentecost all believers were together in one place. We are called in to community in the same way, to walk together and encourage one another in utilising our gifts.

It’s easy to procrastinate, but what if we were able to put each day into an order that reflects our love of God and others? In Colossians Paul is commending them for the love they have in their hearts for Jesus and others. Where does their love come from? It comes from a hope that springs up from heaven. This hope is calling them home. Prepare ourselves by knowing that we are loved. Prepare ourse...

At Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured out an all flesh. This event shattered man-made hierarchies and religious norms. It would cause men and women, young and old, rich and poor to prophecy and dream. The debate around the Spirit of God tends to fall into one of two camps: academic and charismatic. However we need a balance between the two. We need both Spirit and Word. Experiencing God means...

In 1 Peter 4 v 7 – 11 we are encouraged to be clear-minded and responsible with the gifts that have been entrusted to us. We have a responsibility to take what has been given to us and share it with the world. If we steward our gifts well, we will make Jesus known to everyone and the deep love of Jesus will be seen and felt by those around us. Using our gifts to serve others, is like handing out G...

As the church has evolved over time, some changes have led to it maybe not functioning as it should. The roles of pastor and teacher have often been combined. Evangelists tend to function outside of church and prophets and apostles are few and far-between. However, it is evident that the "Ascension Gifts" mentioned in Ephesians 4 bring all of these roles together, suggesting that for the church to...

We read in 1 Corinthians 12 about the range of spiritual gifts given to us as children of God. Each person is given a different gift, but they all point to revealing who God is and who we are in him. When we don’t unwrap our gifts, the whole body of Christ misses out, as all the gifts need to work together. Like the orchestral symphony that has many different parts, but is dependant on one another...

God’s presence on earth is made visible through his people who are called to live sacrificial, fully available lives. His ‘Faithful Presence’ is manifest through us. In Romans chapter 12, we are encouraged to think of ourselves as part of the body of Christ. Each of us are blessed with gifts and talents, and we are called to use them in the building of the kingdom of God on earth. While our gifts...

The fire in Acts fell onto each person. Each individual blessed with a full gifting. And a spirit that can carry those gifts further and wider. Each of us has been gifted something that has the potential to change the lives of those around us. Yes, it’s unusual to find the sacrificial giving of your talent, time and treasure easy, but it’s important that we do not diminish the work of the Spirit a...

Early Sunday morning, the disciples had returned to where they were staying. It was just Mary Magdalene left, crying, by the tomb were Jesus lay. Soon, she saw angels and who she thought was the gardener. It is possible the Jesus waited til Mary was on her own. The picture of Jesus’ tending the garden, might have seemed like a mistake on Mary’s part. Or, there’s significance here. Jesus: hands in...

How many times do I ignore something because it doesn’t meet my standard? 1. God meets us in the ordinary moments of our lives. 2. God sits with us in our time of rest. 3. God invites us to bring our whole selves to prayer. Centre your busy fractured lives on him.