Kingdom Secrets

During June at Gospel in the City we’re returning to Mark’s gospel for a 4 part series we’re calling “Kingdom Secrets”.  Focusing on chapters 3 and 4, we’ll see how Jesus is rejected by people, including his own family, and how he begins to build a new family in God’s kingdom.
We will be thinking about our witness in the workplace by answering the question “if Jesus is God why don’t more people believe in him?” through four key passages:
  • 7 June: “Far from the madding crowd” (Mark 3:6-21)
  • 14 June: “The strong man bound” (Mark 3:20-35)
  • 21 June: “The four soils” (Mark 4:1-20)
  • 28 June: “The secret word” (Mark 4:21-34)

Dead man walking: the case for the empty tomb

Many people today see Jesus as an interesting religious thinker (like the Buddha) or a revolutionary prophet (like Che Guevara). But to contemporary people Jesus was either a dangerous heretic or he was the son of God. Put another way, they either believed he had been rightly executed by the Romans, or that God had raised him from the dead, offering life to the world.

This Easter we will be joined by Stephen Shaw QC to consider the evidence for the empty tomb. Stephen has practiced at the Northern Irish Bar for over 30 years and has been Senior Counsel since 2001. Stephen regularly speaks on the evidence for the Christian faith and we are delighted that he is able to join us for this one off event, organised by Gospel in the City.

Wednesday 12 April 2016, 1:10 – 1:50pm
May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast (see below for directions)
All welcome. No booking necessary.

A copy of a flyer for this event is available to download here. Feel free to share this with anyone you know who may be interested.

A Vision from Revelation

The book of Revelation is one of the Bible books we often find confusing. But in the first chapter, John gives us a powerful introduction that helps us understand Revelation’s central message. Even more importantly, this chapter gives us a vivid picture of the God who speaks to us and who makes us into a kingdom of priests. It’s the kind of image we need to have filling our imaginations if we are going to live as salt and light in our workplaces.

So we hope you’ll join our meetings on the next two Wednesday lunchtimes as Trevor Johnston opens up Revelation 1 with us.

  • 15th Feb: God revealed (Revelation 1:1-8)
  • 22nd Feb: A vision for the workplace (Revelation 1:9-20)

Trevor Johnston serves as Rector at All Saints Church on University Street.

Ask Google: Why does love hurt?

Every day millions of internet users ask Google life’s most difficult questions, big and small. Inspired by the Guardian series, these talks will answer some of the commonest queries.

why-does-love-hurt

“To love is to live fully, to have a purpose that makes life worth living” (Linda Blair). If that’s true, then why does love hurt so much? Why would God, who says that he is love, make a world where we our closest relationships are the ones that tend to cause us the most pain?

Join us on Weds 23rd November for a chance to think about these questions over lunch. Our speaker will be Stafford Carson, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and current Principal of Union Theological College.

1:10-1:40pm, upstairs in Caffe Nero on Fountain St. Sandwiches available (suggested donation £3).

Read the Guardian answer here: Why does love hurt?