This Advent teaching series presents four Christian doctrines that Make Sense of Christmas.

In this first sermon, we examine the opening paragraph of St. John's Gospel and realise that Christmas doesn't begin at the Nativity, but rather In the Beginning (John 1:1).

The message considers:

1. Who is the Eternal Word?
2. What did the Eternal Word come to do?
3. How Am I Blessed by the Eternal Word?

John 1:1-13

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

Johnny Carson preaches from 2 Kings 4 focusing on the Shunammite woman’s hospitality, the prophecy of a son, his sudden death, and Elisha’s miraculous restoration of life. He highlights Elisha as a foreshadow of Jesus and draws three faith postures from the chapter: faithful giving, resilient faith, and private, focused prayer.

The message calls listeners to practical response—give in faith, remain resilient in suffering, and shut the door to seek God in prayer—trusting the greater work of Christ who brings life out of death.

2 Kings 4:8-37

Johnny Carson, Pastor at The Way Church Ballyclare, part of the Advance Movement of churches.

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

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

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

This episode reflects on 1 Samuel 31, recounting Saul and his sons' deaths at Mount Gilboa, the Philistine victory, and the grim aftermath as towns are abandoned and bodies dishonoured.

Through this we learn three lessons that carry eternal consequences for every person:

1. the fallout of rebelling against God,
2. the finality of our rebellion, and
3. the fix for our rebellion.

There is always hope offered through Jesus, by repentance and turning to Christ we can be freed.

1 Samuel 31:1-13

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

This episode examines 1 Samuel 28:3–25, recounting King Saul’s visit to the medium at Endor, his encounter with Samuel’s spirit, and the grim consequences of his long resistance to God.

The sermon outlines four signs of resisting God—being close to God but not truly with Him, living against God’s word, persistent unbelief when faced with the gospel, and choosing darkness over light—and concludes with a call to repentance and the hope of Christ.

1 Samuel 28:3-25

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

Our reading from 1 Samuel 25 tells how David’s men are insulted by the wealthy Nabal, and Abigail rushes in with food and humility to avert bloodshed.

The sermon draws out why peacemakers are needed, who they are (Abigail and ultimately Jesus), and practical steps to be peacemakers: be brave, humble, and sacrificial.

It calls believers to pursue reconciliation whether they are the offender, the offended, or a third-party mediator, and points to Christ as the ultimate peacemaker who removes God’s wrath through his sacrifice.

1 Samuel 25:1-40

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

This sermon walks through Psalm 42–43 to define spiritual depression—when the soul feels distant from God—and explains how it affects our body, mind and spirit.

It explores possible causes (isolation, mocking, personal susceptibility), offers six practical responses (recognize the problem, use the Psalms, remember past blessings, approach God boldly, preach truth to yourself, anticipate future blessing), and points to Jesus on the cross as the ultimate hope: though believers may feel forsaken, the gospel guarantees we are not abandoned.

Psalm 42-43

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

How can we gain salvation? What does it take to be right with God and receive life from him?

This sermon highlights four steps we can take on the pathway to salvation:

1. The Earthquake
2. The Cry
3. The Belief
4. The transformation

Acts 16:25-32

David Varney, Pastor at 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast

This episode unpacks the familiar story of David and Goliath to explore how God chooses people who trust His word, walk in humility, listen and obey His voice, and recognize their need for a champion.

Using David’s example, the message connects the ancient battle to our lives today—showing that Jesus is the ultimate champion who fights for us and calling listeners to live in trust and victory rather than fear.

1 Samuel 17.

Nathan Brown, church planter in 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.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foundation-church-belfast/id1599109887

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uAXPfwFLdZGmKFlc0jRLX

Deezer https://link.deezer.com/s/30mr8UHtormGRTICQHHkP

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d056dc4-313c-4ccf-9064-398b5c0a3b06

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@foundationchurchbelfast