Grace Christian Church Cork - audio sermons, contempory teaching and preaching from the Bible.: Recent Episodes
Grace Christian Church Cork
Listen to podcasts from Grace Christian Church. Grace is an Irish Independent Christian Church, based in Cork City Ireland. Our focus is on a real relationship with the risen Jesus Christ, with contempory, life transforming teaching and preaching from Gods word - the Bible.
Tom talks about being covered. We need shelter to survive physically and the same applies spiritually.
When communication breaks down, relationships break down. Tom looks at Abimelech, an almost unknown character in the bible, and how he communicated with Isaac in Genesis 26.
You may have heard the expression, "a leap of faith." It's like a jump, really. Tom shares that whenever we jump there's a preparation that happens first; and suggests that God prepares us ever before we get to the point where a leap of faith is needed.
Are there things in your life that are closed, contrary to God's will, that you know should be opened? Mike looks at the account of the man whom Jesus healed by touching his ears and tongue; restoring his hearing and speaking.
Mike shares an amusing childhood memory of his beloved family dog. And then teaches us some home truths as he references the Biblical account of the woman who impressed Jesus with her dogged, never-giving-up kind of faith.
Whether it's waiting for a bus; a pay cheque or a promise from God, we're all waiting for something. Dara looks at Biblical principles of how we wait, because the way we wait is important.
The religious leaders in Jesus' day loved to knit-pick about the rules of the Law. They sent a delegation from Headquarters in Jerusalem to investigate what Jesus and his disciples were up to; after hearing of the miracles like the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus called them hypocrites; more concerned with external things. He taught his disciples that what comes out of the heart is what makes us unclean, not what goes into our mouths. Mike reminds us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control; and against such things there is no law.
Have you ever been in a season where you feel like you're taking one step forward and two steps back? Some things are going great and then out of nowhere a bill arrives or a health setback comes to scupper your breakthrough. Mike provides us with Biblical encouragement for when you feel like you're against the wind.
Do you like fast food? Did somebody say, "Just Eat"? Mike looks at the account of Jesus and fast food in Mark's gospel chapter 6; and reminds us that if we come to Him humbly; with empty hands, empty hearts and empty souls, Jesus will fill us with the power of his provision.
Mike teaches from the Gospel of Mark reminding us that the Gospels are all about Jesus from beginning to end. Picking up the account of John the Baptist and Herod, Mike asks "who's the real prisoner?" and looks at how this applies to our lives today.
Tom reminds us that turning around is a great symbol for repentance; an ongoing event in our Christian life. Every now and again we've got to change our attitude because we're human and we make mistakes.
Tom looks at how God gave Noah specific instructions for the ark before the flood but no further details. And how he often does the same with us; which means we need faith for the journey. For what we can understand, God has given us our minds; and for what we cannot, he has given us his Spirit, represented by the dove in this biblical account.
Ever been on holiday? Mike asks how often we're back from holiday with stuff in our suitcase we didn't even use. Spiritually speaking he challenges us to look at the excess baggage or dead weight we might be carrying around unnecessarily; and encourages us to hand it to Jesus.
Dara looks at how we all need support in our faith journey. How when Moses' arms grew weary - the weight of his leadership weighing him down - Aaron and Hur held up Moses' arms - and the battle was won.
We are all made in the image of God. Heaven is going to have every tribe and every tongue. Tom looks at the account from scripture of God's instruction to create cities of safety and refuge. Who hasn't been chased by trouble; physical, mental or emotional? In the broken world that we are living in, there is something that draws us to a place of refuge. Thank God for the local church.
Mike encourages us to press in to Jesus, like the woman with the issue of blood. She pressed in, despite the crowd and her faith made her well. Only those who pressed in, truly got to know Him.
We live in an age where for every theory there's a conspiracy theory. An age where we're told, if something's too good to be true, it probably is. Do you think it was any different in Jesus' day? On this Resurrection Sunday, Mike looks at our doubts and how legitimate they can be.
Ever lose or forget your keys? Tom reminds us to value our keys in the physical and also in the spiritual. God gives us keys to open doors to our future, for moving into God's will.
Happy St. Patrick's Day or as we say in Irish Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! Tom shares about the real saint Patrick, how he was born again, Spirit-filled and trusted God to be his pilot on his life's journey.
Jesus doesn't do deals with the Devil! Mike takes us through the incredible account of a man who instilled fear in everyone; yet fell at Jesus feet. "What is your name, " Jesus asked him. Mike asks the same thought-provoking question of us? What is YOUR name?
Don't you wish your life was problem-free and just plain sailing? It's not like that, is it? Mike looks at Mark 4 in scripture, the account of the disciples in a boat in a storm fearing for their life; while Jesus slept. It's time to wake the Teacher, Mike encourages us! For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.ie
Brian explores some of the questions people often ask him about God. How Jesus answered a man who came to him with questions in the middle of the night. And how God invites us into the No Judgement Zone; which is good news indeed!
Tom dives into Acts 10 and looks at the strange companions God called together for his purposes. Sometimes God does that in our lives too. As followers of Jesus Christ, there is no division of race, nationality or age. He is our peace. We have a new identity in him.
Do you ever look at a situation in your life and think it's useless, hopeless! The Spirit of God hovered over the darkness before the earth was formed. Tom reminds us that our God can make something wonderful out of absolutely nothing!
Mike teaches us more practical things that are good for our souls - that part of us that will live forever. Looking at Jesus as our Master and we, his apprentices, Mike gives us the 'fast five' practices of Jesus that if we will do likewise, will lead to more peace in our lives.
For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.ie
To do what is good for your soul is to do good for that part of you which will last forever. Mike encourages us to do just that!
For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.ie
If Life's a journey, our minds are often focussed on the destination. But none of us knows exactly what our destination will be. In fact, most of the time, we live our lives Between Places. Like Abraham, in Genesis 13, Mike says, we make our way, step by step, by degrees, towards either Bethel (meaning the House of God) or Ai (meaning Heap of Ruins), in every choice we make. For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.ie
Knowing God's will for your life is a process. Dara reminds us that the Bible says we LEARN God's will and that we trust God in the process.
With a new year ahead, we can look over the Jordan River to the Promised Land so to speak, and like Joshua, take ground with every step. But it's not until Heaven, the real Promised Land, when we'll be free from trials along the way. Tom encourages us to be strong in the Lord and courageously take a step of faith for this new year. But he also reminds us not to force doors that God will open at the right time.
It felt like our futures had been stolen when Covid Lockdown hit, as a church and for people personally. When terrible things happen we have a choice. To be a victim or to be a visionary. Tom reminds us that with God's help we can overcome; if we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Everyone has dreams. Things in your heart that you'd love to pursue. In the Bible, a young man named Joseph, also had dreams. But when his fiancé became pregnant by the Holy Spirit, God spoke to him through a dream. In fact, as Pastor Mike shares, God spoke to Joseph in dreams on four ocassions - more times than anyone else recorded in Scripture. Perhaps because with each dream, he did exactly what God asked of him.
Christmas is often associated with fragrances. What you put on is what you give off. Perfume adverts entice us to believe we can buy an identity. Celebrities on the red carpet are often asked "Who you wearing?" Mike reminds us that this Christmas we can wear Jesus Christ - The Fragrance of Life - and give off the fragrance of Christ in our attitude and actions.
Perhaps you're dealing with a difficult situation or a difficult person; perhaps you might even be the one who's difficult. Dara shows us encouraging promises from God's word, weapons to fight back against the enemy of our souls.
The Inn Keeper had no room. Do you feel like you have no room for anything more, this Christmas? Tom shares on how God is gentle with us; he never overwhelms us. Just like the nightsong experience the shepherds encountered in Bethlehem that first Christmas.
Mike reckons Fear gets a bad wrap! He reminds us that Jesus said we should forget fear and fear God instead; and "do not be afraid."
Ever been so afraid you've been petrified? Fear is healthy; but only to a point. Mike talks about what Jesus had to say about fear.
Jesus was the best at conflict management. Guest speaker, Pastor Matt Brown from Sandals Church, California, walks us through what Jesus did to handle difficult people and difficult situations. Plus, he shares a personal testimony of how God answered his prayer to raise someone from the dead!
Tom looks at the account of Isaac and Rebekah and its significance for us today. The whole New Testament gospel message can be found in this Old Testament story.
Tom shares how God prepares Divine appointments for us at times; and how we can ask God for a sign to confirm his will for us. Abraham's servant was sent to find a godly wife for Isaac. The servant put a fleece before the Lord; that is, he asked God for a sign that was remarkable, yet possible - to confirm that Rebekah was God's choice for Isaac's bride. Listen in as Tom shares how, in his own life, a mistake he made, turned into a Divine appointment with generational impact.
If you feel overlooked, undervalued, drained or forgotten. If you've been grieving. If you're wondering, does God even see you, then this message of encouragement from visiting speaker, Pastor Craig Cooney is for you. Craig looks at the story of David when the prophet Samuel sought him out to anoint him as king.
Dara speaks of the Biblical account of David facing the giant Goliath. Like him, we don't always get to choose which battles or giants we face, but we must guard our hearts against bitterness and unforgiveness. David had to when his brother Eliab was unsupportive. God chose David, not Eliab to be king, despite Eliab being better looking and better built. Dara reminds us that people look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.
Just like the chameleon lizard, we can be changed by the patterns around us to blend in. Mike reminds us that the scriptures tell us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed inwardly by renewing our minds. Then we will know the perfect will of God.
Most of us have read or watched a biography - a book or film based on a true story. Mike suggests that the four gospels are four biographies of Jesus which are transformational. He is the Master and modelling our lives on his character is utterly life-changing. Mike invites us to a space of grace where we can all learn from the Master.
A child learns to think, talk and walk by copying their parents. Mike reminds us that we are not as unique as we might think we are. We are a mosaic influenced by our family, friends and life experiences. The apostle Paul said "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Though that imitation, we choose to develop good character, good patterns and good practices.
As human beings we change at different times in our lives. We're not the same at 30 years of age as we were at 15. Tom looks at The New You - when God changes us spiritually.
Paul's three years in Arabia is mentioned in several places in the Bible, but what does this mean for us? Spiritually speaking we too can go to 'Arabia'. Tom explores what this can mean for us on our journey with God. For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.com
Dara reminds us that there's a big difference between God's wisdom and the world's wisdom and that it's clearly laid out in black and white in God's written word, the Bible. We make plans, but the Lord orders our steps. His purposes prevail. And He is wisdom. The Word of God, Jesus Christ.
We all carry 'baggage' from our childhood; whether we like to admit it or not, but when we deal with it before God, inviting his Holy Spirit to help us, it means our children don't have to carry it too.
Andy shares a testimony of a boy who grew up on a farm, struggled at school and was diagnosed with a list of challenges that left him feeling totally unqualified in life. But God doesn't call the qualified; he equips the called. Andy reminds us that our lives too have purpose in God.
Long time pastor and counsellor, guest speaker Brian Synnott encourages us that while our society is changing at a mega speed, there is a way forward. There is a channel by which we can navigate through climate change, judgement, corruption, violence. There is a way through it all - his name is Jesus.
We all experience doubt at times. Just like cholesterol, there's good doubt and bad doubt. Tom reminds us that Jesus taught his discWe all experience doubt at times. Just like cholesterol, there's good doubt and bad doubt. Tom reminds us that Jesus taught his disciples about prayer and fasting to overcome unbelief.iples about prayer and fasting to overcome unbelief.
Sometimes it's Jesus who disrupts our well-made plans. Mike reminds us that Jesus disrupted even time itself, dividing it into BC and AD. He disrupts disease, religion, politics even science and nature when he rose from the dead. Are we willing to say to him, "Your will be done, Lord" and give him our plans?
Dara builds on her previous message with a gripping biblical account from the time when Deborah was a judge in Israel. How God empowered ordinary men and women to fulfill their divine destiny and how he can do the same for us today.
God has included you in His plans, he has planned a Divine Destiny for you, but only you can choose to walk in it. Looking at the prophet Deborah from the book of Judges, Dara draws lessons to learn about accepting God's call despite the opposition both within us, in our own souls and outside us from society.
Most people deal with discouragement some of the time; whether at work, school, in their relationships, financially or otherwise. Mike shares on what the Bible says and how God's people are commanded to be courageous in his strength.
There's a time to speak and a time to remain silent. Tom reminds us of the example Jesus set, how we can have strong silence in our lives. Silence that leads to life and not death.
Tom talks about when a weight we carry is lifted off us, we become unburdened. That weight might be anxiety, a relationship or health issue, a financial challenge. Sometimes when God takes something away from us, it's a blessing; a 'blessed subtraction' if you will.
Mike shows us from the book of Nehemiah how they rebuilt the walls amidst the ruins. How practical their faith was. They prayed AND carried their swords (the word of God) while they worked. And we are called to do the same.
Tom looks at the account in scripture of the Greek woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter of an unclean spirit. Jesus was moved by her bold faith. On this, Empty Shoe Sunday, Tom encourages us to come with bold faith, in prayer, for someone we love.
Tom looks at what the Bible says about holy ground and how its relevant to our lives in the here and now; a place where God's presence dwells, even if briefly.
Babylon is symbolic of where we live now. Mike reminds us that wherever you've come from, it is in THIS place where God would bless and prosper you. At the end of the Exile, the people of God sang a new song. They said it was like a dream, that the Lord had done amazing things for them; and they were filled with laughter. God brought them back and just like for them, God is still on the move for us, today.
Mike shares on the Israelites having found themselves physical, cultural and spiritual exiles in Babylon; facing the challenge of building a life in a hostile culture. Using the example of Daniel, Mike points out the three things we will need: faith, wisdom and courage so that we can build a life where God has placed us.
Michael draws the parallel between the exile experience of the Israelites in Babylon and the Christians in today's culture.
Dara speaks about how we as Christians need to grow in grace; and takes us through four ways to do so.
Tom encourages us to make peace with God this Easter. To connect with the risen Jesus. To fear God and not man. When he rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples behind locked doors, the risen Jesus didn't rebuke them for being afraid or for doubting. Instead he said, "Peace be with you." That kind of shalom peace means God's favour. That's good news and if we're born again we can be in no doubt that our eternal future is secure.
A good question can reveal the motives of the heart. Jesus asked more than 50 questions in Mark's Gospel alone. "Who do YOU say that I am?" was one of them. How we answer that says a lot about us. Mike focuses on an even better question: "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked the rich young ruler.
Mike shares how every Christian is born into a battle which takes place behind enemy lines; into a hostile culture that isn't always welcoming of Christian faith, ethics and values. And while that sounds like bad news; the good news is that we're going to win because we are on the side of the One who conquered all.
Tom reminds us about the push and pull of life. He shows us how in Biblical times it was a big push to attend the Jewish Festivals in Jerusalem in hot and unpleasant conditions. And yet, there was a pull too, a blessing. Simon of Cyrene who was forced to carry Jesus' cross, had just arrived in Jerusalem after 23 days travel. What a blessing despite the push he received! For more information check out our website on www.graceireland.com
Tom shows us Biblical examples of how Jesus followers really FELT their faith. They had passion and so can we, towards our relationships, our friendships, our marriages, in all things godly.
Mike tells us what we as Christians can do to overcome the darkness we see around us in the world today; and the hope God's word gives us: that as Christ-followers doing good, our path gets brighter and brighter as the day of salvation approaches.
At the start of this Lenten period, Mike looks at the first battle Jesus fought in the desert after fasting forty days and forty nights. Satan tempted him with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Jesus overcame and was without sin. He used God's word to speak truth to the teller of lies.
Tom talks about how the Bible says things happen first in the natural and then in the spiritual. How you can sense a shift in the spiritual since December last year. He challenges us to move out of neutral, to shift up a gear in our Christian walk with the Lord.
In the heart of Valentine's week, Dara looks at how love can lie to us. She covers four ways the world looks at love versus the way God looks at love.
God really does want to see you and when he sees you, he hears you. On Prayer Station Sunday we look at two examples from scripture of how God saw a man and a woman.
Mustard Seed Sunday... Starting week of Prayer and Fasting. When God sees you, he hears you!
We've all heard the expression, "Speak of the Devil," but let's pay attention to what Jesus said of him. Let's look at what God's word says we are to do to resist our Enemy, whose native language is lies. Lies about God, lies about other people and lies about ourselves. These lies can sometimes bounce around the echo chamber of our minds for years. We need to replace them with Truth. As Jesus-followers, the Devil only has as much power over us as we give him. Jesus promised if we submit to God, resist the Devil, he must flee.
We all feel the gale force wins of the world, the things that pull us an tempt us; the things our eyes desire, pride and boasting in our achievements. But John makes it clear in the scriptures that if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
The antidote to this resistance we feel from the world lies in the spritual disciplines of solitude and reflection on God's word, the Bible. Being part of a church community also offers a safe harbour from the storms of this world.
Paul said in the scriptures, "I do the things I don't want to do and the things I do want to do I don't do! Can you relate? So how can we resist this war we are in against our sinful nature, "the flesh"? The Bible provides the answer: spiritual discipline. Not in our own strength but in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Prayer, fasting, reading God's word... the spiritual disciplines that Christians have been doing for centuries.
This is a pivotal time of year. A time to reflect on what's gone and look forward to what's to come in this new season.
What the Lord wants to say about truly having a joyful Christmas, can be found in the Biblical account of the valley of dry bones. Sometimes, particularly if we've been Christians a long time, we can lose the joy of Christmas, but we shouldn't because it's available to us at any time. To have a joyful Christmas with substance - something to be truly grateful for - gives us strength to face the challenges of life.
When the angel appeared to Mary and she responded with "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true," did she really know what she was agreeing to? When the angel said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you," was the Lord really with her? In all the trouble, in the heart-break? What about our own lives? Are trials and trouble a sign that God is not with us? Au contraire! Quite the opposite! They are there to prove the genuineness of our faith if we too are favoured by God.
Wherever Jesus went there was healing! And wherever the Holy Spirit was on the move, healing broke out spontaneously, sometimes in strange and startling ways; sometimes in the simplest of ways. Are you ready to believe that God can move in just that way in you and through you?
Hearing God is more often than not a matter of attention. More often than not we need to have our ears unblocked to hear clearly! Drawing from the story of the young Samuel at the tabernacle, Pastor Tom Burke asks, are you hearing God and if not, why not?
We all think we know what will make us happy We all have a picture of a life, a situation, a set of well aligned circumstances that will make us happy. We have simply put an agenda in our heads and our hearts that we think will produce for us or in us real happiness. But what if we have it upside down? What if the very agenda we have to make us happy actually ends up having the opposite effect?
Visiting speaker, Pastor Ken Burns, shows us three keys for Life, all based on the nature and quality of our relationships with one another and with God. Relationships are the most important thing in our lives as they are the only thing we take with us to eternity!
Everyone wants to be Happy, but most people look in the wrong places or look for happiness in things that can and will never satisfy. God wants us to be happy too and has provided us a way!!
Sometimes it is us who close doors in our lives; but Jesus is still coming through closed doors and saying to us, "Peace be with you."
Maybe it takes someone from the Rebel County of Cork to encourage Christians to be Good Rebels for the Kingdom of God?
Jesus said whoever is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. That means that if we're born again, we are greater and Jesus is the greatest!
God's promises of provision are so prevalent they shouldn't occupy our minds, worry about our needs. Jesus warned instead that we, should be on our guard against moralism and materialism which are absolutely poisonous to the soul!
The top five myths or untruths about Bible-believing Christianity that I've heard the most over my four decades a Christian.
We're all a little weird about something, aren't we? For some people it's their animals; for others it's food or hygiene. Pastor Mike contends that as Christians, we can seem weird too because we see things in such a different way; with such a different worldview. We are called to to different. We are called to go and represent Jesus Christ as citizens of heaven.
Praise is our weapon! Jesus sang at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane as He faced into His death on the cross. That's a challenge for us to do likewise in the trials of this life.
First in the natural, then in the spiritual. That's what the word of God says. There is a changing Spiritual climate in Ireland. God is doing a new thing. Do you perceive it?
As Jesus-followers we need to make our words count; and bring blessing and life and hope to those around us. Join visiting guest speaker Pastor Jamie Corcoran from Lighthouse Church in Navan and Dublin, Ireland in his message entitled Word Count.
Do you come from a messed up family? God can transform even the most difficult family background for His glory.
What happens in your life when you just can't see clearly? We look at the top five reasons why we sometimes can't see straight in a Spiritual sense.
Are you driftING or are your remainING in Jesus. He's the Anchor for our souls in the currents of life.