How we respond to the trials of life shows us a lot about what we fundamentally trust in.

Trials can either build faith or tear it down; push us towards God as our hope or away from him.

We see this play out in the life of King Saul. He was given a test to dig out what was truly in his inner being - a test he ultimately failed.

His trial is significant and weighty, but he responds by taking matters into his own hands, disobeying God's clear commands to him, and then attempting to make a load of excuses to point the finger of fault at everyone else.

By comparing his actions with the first man, Adam, we are pointed forward to 'a man after God's own heart,' a second Adam, fulfilled in Jesus.

Only through trust and faith in Jesus the Second Adam can we be freed from excusing away our bad decisions and faults, allowing us to be humble and accept our faults. Only then we can receive God's grace and mercy, sharing the victory of the Second Adam, Jesus.

1 Samuel 13:1-15

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

If you are person of faith - how do you know if your faith is real? And how do you define your faith - by your own standards, or by a higher authority?

The Bible challenges us to examine ourselves to see whether we are 'in the faith' (2 Corinthians 13:5). It seems there are plenty of religious people who think they have faith, but don't.

This sermon examines the three ways we can test if our faith is real:

1. Guilt
2. Grace
3. Gratitude

The presence or absence of these things in our lives (and how we deal with them) shows us a lot about our faith - and whether it is true faith according to God.

1 Samuel 12:1-25

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family

We sometimes pray: Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, On Earth as it is in heaven. We are praying about the kingdom of God.

But have you ever wondered what that means? What are you really praying for? And how would you know when this prayer is answered? What even is the kingdom of God?

This sermon shows how in the Old Testament we see Glimpses of the Kingdom of God, snippets of what is to come in fulness through King Jesus.

Through the experience of Israel's first king Saul, we learn about:

1. Effects of the Kingdom
2. Entering the Kingdom

We come to recognise signs of the Kingdom of God within ourselves, and are challenged to examine the conditions for entering the kingdom itself - what must we do?

1 Samuel 11:1-15

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family

God's choice of his first king surprised everyone, even the man himself, Saul.

But God makes Saul's calling clear in three ways, in order to confirm and underscore his decision:

1. Through signs
2. By his Spirit
3. Public selection

We then ask whether God still confirms his calling upon us in the same way today.

1 Samuel 10:1-27

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

It is possible to believe in God in general but still remain dissatisfied with him.

This was the situation the people of God found themselves in as they demanded a new king.

However, their request revealed more about the peoples' inner motivation. Their dissatisfaction with God was caused by:

• Comparison
• Rationalisation
• Bible misuse

We can likewise succumb to any or all of these causative factors, growing deep dissatisfaction towards God within us.

The good news is that a cure is available.

1 Samuel 8:1-22

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

God's people experienced spiritual renewal under the ministry of Samuel their great leader.

Judging by recent statistics there is something of a 'Quiet Revival' taking place in the UK. Increased numbers of church attenders have been noticed over the last few years, particularly among men in 20-30 age bracket.

If we notice a hunger, or desire for God, what can we do?

This sermon examines Israel's spiritual renewal and observes three steps we can take towards salvation:

1. Repentance
2. Confession
3. Approach

We can take these three steps today and turn to God, and experience his salvation power.

The sermon ends by showing three results of salvation that Israel experienced, and so shall we by faith in Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 7:2-17

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

Glenn Wasson preaches on the love of Christ for sufferers in this message as part of the series Seven Churches.

Living as a disciple of Jesus will generate opposition from others at some point in our lives. But in this text we are reminded that Jesus cares for his suffering people.

It ends with a promise of his presence with us at all times, and the hope of a victorious future as we persevere now under trials.

Revelation 2:8-11

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.

Both the Philistines and the Israelites experience the dangerous presence of God. The Ark of God seems to leave a trail of destruction behind it as it is passed from city to city, and then from Philistines back to the Israelites.

In this talk we see how God can be a dangerous presence to both religious and non-religious people. Whether it is the superstition and ignorance of the non-religious, or the disrespect and disobedience of religious types, both can fall under the 'heavy hand' of God.

We are forced to ask, 'Who then can be saved?' Only by the gospel of Jesus do we have any hope. In the gospel, God sends help across the divide, covering us in the righteousness of Christ, so we can live with a holy God.

1 Samuel 5:1-12; 6:13-14, 19-20.

David Varney, Pastor Foundation Church Belfast

Every Sunday 10:30am - 2d Knockwood Crescent, Belfast, BT5 6GE

We are part of the Advance Movement of churches and the wider Newfrontiers family.