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Monthly edition

April 2020

Audio sermons

KICS assembly talks. Current series of KICS studies: “They were Bright and Shining Lights.”

  • A word about the coronavirus
  • Bright and shining lights in the Bible: No new messages currently being added due to school closure. See all the talks in this series here.
  • Download a zip file of all the recent studies in the Parables here.
  • See all the KICS assembly talks listed here

Featured series on the Book of Ephesians: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Part 24- But God... Pt2;  Part 25- But God... Pt3

(See all the messages in the series here)

A message from God in a virus by Rev. Andy Foster. A message preached in Penticton FPC.

The stand of the Free Presbyterian Church. A message preached by Rev Ivan Foster at the 40th anniversary of Armagh Free Presbyterian Church on 15th October 2005

Sovereign Grace Advent testimony 2020 Spring Conference

Because of the Covid 19 ‘lockdown’ and the restriction on public gatherings, the two services were broadcast on the internet. The following messages were preached by Rev. Brian McClung (Newtownabbey FPC):
‘The Testimony of Moses to Christ’
‘The Testimony of David to Christ’

 

Happy birthday Capt. Moore!

“The Burning Bush” would wish to join with those honouring a 100-year-old Second World War veteran who raised £32,000,000 for the NHS and who showed to this generation something of the spirit of doggedness and courage of our fathers and grandfathers which enabled them to bear patiently the hardships and deprivations of 1939-45.

The mural was organised by Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) Mark Smyth RLC based at Aldergrove Flying Station. WO2 Smyth said: “Having watched his amazing achievement from Captain Tom over the past few weeks and the way in which he conducted himself with great humour and enthusiasm, we wanted to pay tribute to him on his 100th birthday as a fantastic example of selfless service to the Nation.”

See a full tribute on the BBC news to Capt Tom Moore.

Fury as Sinn Fein MP Gildernew praises IRA man who ‘tried to murder’ Arlene Foster’s father

Here is an article from the‘Belfast Telegraph’ of April 27th, in which a senior Sinn Fein member, former Stormont Power-Sharing ‘Minister’ and Westminster MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, is reported as praising and honouring one of the IRA’s most infamous killers, Seamus McElwain.

McElwain was shot by the SAS in 1986 as he and another man attempted to lay a landmine in an attempted ambush of a security force patrol.
Michelle Gildernew, a true Irish Republican ‘harpy’, posted a tribute to the IRA killer on her ’Twitter’ account. She said: “Remembering Óglach Séamus McElwain who was killed by British forces on this day in 1986 near Roslea, Co Fermanagh. “Fuair sé bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann” The Irish phrase translates as: “He died for Irish freedom.”

DUP MLA, Mervyn Storey, commenting on Gildernew’s tweet, said: “Thankfully we live in better times . . . ”
While he was correct in condemning Gildernew, I resent strongly Storey seeking to make some pro-power-sharing propaganda from the incident.

The times are not truly better since McElwain’s ‘buddies’ are once more in power in Stormont, thanks to Storey and his DUP pals, and wielding even greater influence over our affairs.

The daily press here in Ulster reveals the advancing influence of Sinn Fein/IRA and the back-to-the-wall retreat of Unionism as a result of the power-sharing arrangement and the elevation of the supporters of Irish Republican murder and terror to positions in government once more.

Mervyn Storey is less vexed about Gildernew’s posting than he is keen to white-wash his compromise and that of his party.  If he and his like were not so keen on ‘feathering their own nests’ through the money they receive as Stormont MLAs, Sinn Fein/IRA would not be in government today!

What goes around comes around!

The following article appeared on the BBC Northern Ireland news website. When I read the headline I immediately considered a parallel plague that we here in Northern Ireland suffered for over thirty years and which had its origins in the evil philosophy which drives the party of which Mary Lou McDonald is the present leader.

I am of course speaking of the Provisional Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA terror campaign which stretched from the year 1969 up until – well some would say with good reason – the present time with the evil activities of the ‘Dissident’ republican terrorists, who are but the ‘rump’ of the ‘Provos’, using the weaponry they never ‘decommissioned’, despite their claims and those of Ecumenists to the contrary. Read more…

The sad silence in today’s news reports.

While listening to the daily reports of the deaths of more and more people from Covid-19, and the many, many interviews with the grieving family members of the latest victims, there is naturally a going out of our heart-felt sympathy to those suffering such losses. The nation is in grief today and that to a degree not seen since World War II.

However, there is one feature of the many scenes of grief which I, and I am sure all true believers, will have noted with sorrow of heart. It is the fact that there is virtually no mention whatever of the Lord or any words regarding the passing of friends and loved ones which would indicate the slightest knowledge of what is entailed in death!

Family and friends attending our death bed may appear to be a most essential thing, bu,t in truth, such can really render no help or comfort whatever. Indeed, whatever comfort may be derived is false and empty if not accompanied by the grace of God and will evaporate the instant death approaches. Read more…

The blame game!!

Increasingly our news reports are taken up with representatives of various government agencies, media spokesmen and women, armchair ‘experts’ of every shade and the voices of critics in profusion – all busy pointing fingers in various directions as they seek to apportion blame, where they feel it belongs, in the wake of the startling and frightening extent of the Covid-19 plague becoming known.

Doubtless, mistakes, many mistakes, have been made in the battle against the virus. Very often, petty professional and political jealousies have lain at the heart of the inefficiencies which seem to have marked the responses to Covid-19. An example of this was seen in the media reports of the infighting and jockeying that went on amongst Cabinet ministers as a number sought to take the place of Boris Johnston the Prime Minister, when he fell ill with the virus.
Where such an atmosphere is present mistakes will most definitely ensue.

As I have listened to the ‘blame game’ being played in News programmes, I must say I have grown somewhat ‘heated’ and sought to take part in the debate by irately addressing the broadcasters (to no effect)!

What I wanted the ‘blame-layers’ to do was simply consider a little history! Read more…

“Former IRA man’s expose´of: “The IRA, the Catholic Church & Big Lies”.

While we do not endorse all within the article we believe it makes instructive reading. Read more…

God’s kindness amidst trouble

“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun,” Ecclesiastes 11:7.

I am sure I speak for many Christians when I say that the above verse, part of my daily reading this morning, is especially relevant and applicable today.

As one of those under the strictest ‘lockdown’, involving 4 months of ‘self-isolation’ (which is likely to be extended since the confusion amongst the ranks of those leading the nation at this time of crisis is troubling, to say the least, and does not augur well for the future), the wonderful spell of sunshine has been a special blessing.
In the midst of trouble, we happily rest upon the unfailing provision of our God and Saviour. We are exhorted not to worry or fret. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7.

The word ‘careful’ means quite literally ‘to be full of care, to be anxious’. We are not to be full of care but rather, we are to be full of faith: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” 1 Peter 5:6-7. Read more…

 

Back to school missionaries from Free Presbyterian Church given an even tougher mission in Africa

GRAEME COUSINS finds out about the efforts of missionaries from Ulster in lockdown in the east African nation of Uganda.

Building a school in a developing country is a tough enough task, but with the world in lockdown due the coronavirus pandemic a group of missionaries from Northern Ireland have shifted their focus to feeding the starving.

Uganda, like most other countries is on lockdown, though the east African nation is yet to experience any deaths due to Covid-19.

However should the virus take hold in Uganda it could have devastating impact with the health service there unequipped to cope with an outbreak.

Read more… (link to Belfast Newsletter article)

JUST WHERE HAS THE CORONAVIRUS COME FROM?

We ask this question in the light of the DUP’s rejection that the virus is a judgment from the hand of God. It has been widely reported that the DUP does not believe that the present plague troubling virtually the whole world, the Coronavirus, is a judgment sent of God.

For the Christian, a few verses from the Bible will settle this matter and indicate that the DUP is utterly wrong, AGAIN!

1. “Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?” Amos 3:6. The obvious answer to that question is ’NO’! Read more…

O come quickly Lord Jesus!

“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” Revelation 22:20.

These words contain a PROMISE and a PLEA. Here are the last words of Christ to His people at the close of the holy canon of Scripture and the earnest prayer of John, the writer of the final book of the Bible, expressing what has been and is still the earnest longing of the people of God.

It has ever been the longing of believers, in every age, that the Lord Jesus return to this earth in power and great glory. Jude indicates this by quoting from the words of one who preached to the very first generation of mankind.

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him,” Jude 14-15. Read more…

A very express word from the Spirit

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith….”

Today, as part of my daily reading, I read the above verses. The word ‘express’ appears only here so that this is a very unique and specific utterance of the Holy Spirit for the people of God in the ‘latter times’!

The term ‘latter times’ is likewise unique in that it appears nowhere else in the Bible. There is the parallel phrase, ‘the last days’ (Genesis 49:1, Isaiah 2:2, 2 Timothy 3:1, etc.)
The days that will come at the close of this age are often the subject of the Holy Spirit’s considerations. We would do well to consider them for we, as a generation, are above all before us, the nearest to those referred to by the Lord.

There are many of us who believe that this generation is indeed the generation whose offspring will likely see the close of this age!
In the verses above it is clear that the Lord, above all generations that have been born, has a word for those living at the end. It is a word of WARNING and a word of INSTRUCTION! Read more…

Sinn Fein’s backwards approach to Covid-19 outbreak proves lengths it will go to show disdain for UK

by Ruth Dudley Edwards, Belfast Telegraph, 13th April 2020

Why does the party slavishly urge obedience to the World Health Organisation, asks Ruth Dudley Edwards.

Among all the questions to ask Michelle O’Neill about Sinn Fein’s health policy concerns is her new-found enthusiasm for the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Here are just a few. How does she feel about the WHO’s disastrous failure to inform the world of the coronavirus threat in early January? Why did it repeat the Chinese Government’s lie about there being no evidence of human-to-human transmission?

Why did its director general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus praise China for its transparency when there was no doubt of a cover-up and the silencing of whistleblowers? Why, as late as March, was Ghebreyesus saying that the “stigma” of calling this virus Chinese – which it was – “was more dangerous than the virus itself”? Read more…

The Bible or The Traditions of Rome

The following is the text of an e-mail message we received from a visitor to our website and the answer we sent to him. We thought both would be of interest to all our readers.

A Further response and the editor’s reply is included

Dear Sirs,

I live in a an area that is mostly Roman Catholic. However, when I leave my own geographic area I continually meat many people who are members of many Protestant denominations. Most of the Protestants I have met are sincere Christians who make outrageous statements about The Roman Catholic Faith.

At first, I considered what was being said and took it to heart. I began to study and research what they said. Are they telling the truth about the Catholic Church. After all if they believed in something so strongly maybe they were right. Read more…

The cure is worse than the disease!

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished,” Proverbs 27:12.

It was reported on the ‘Fox News’ website that President Donald Trump said on 23rd March that he wants to reopen the country (the USA) for business in weeks, not months, and claimed, without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the pandemic itself. “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem.” This was echoing a midnight ‘tweet’ on the previous Sunday evening. in which he said: “We have to open our country because that causes problems that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems.”

As I considered his use of this old adage, I thought that such a response has long been the response of millions to the cure for sin that is offered to lost mankind in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The wisdom of such a reaction by President Trump to the coronavirus pandemic is questionable and many have said that he is utterly wrong.

Whether he is or not can be argued over ad nauseam but regarding the response of the majority of mankind to the gospel there is no question but they are wrong when they deem God’s cure to be worse than the disease of sin. Read more…

Social distancing rule flouted by Republicans

The following letter appeared in today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

It is a response to the recent reports of Republicans flouting the ‘social distancing’ that all are supposed to adhere to when attending funerals. (See news report here)
The letter should be read carefully by all Unionists. It highlights how our future and our liberties were sold into Republican hands. It really is time that Unionists saw the betrayal that was wrought twenty-two years ago when we weres sold out for a ‘mess of political pottage’!!

The fiasco that is Stormont today is illustrative of the total emptiness of the “Belfast Agreement” and its update, “The St Andrews Agreement”. The latter gave birth to today’s power-sharing, when the DUP, deceitfully and that for their own political and monetary gains, entered into power-sharing with Sinn Fein/IRA. Read more…

Huge Pro-Life Response to NIO Abortion Consultation Disregarded

Jim Allister speaks for the unborn.

1. Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister, March 25th 2020:
“The data published by the Northern Ireland Office today shows that there was a huge response to the consultation on abortion. Over 21,200 responses were received – with a massive 79% registering their general opposition to any abortion provision in Northern Ireland beyond that which was permitted.

“I commend the many groups and individuals who took the time to respond to consultation making clear that they supported the life of the unborn. The number of responses illustrates that in spite of the noise generated on social media and the pro-abortion bias of much of the mainstream media Northern Ireland remains a Province which values the most vulnerable – unborn children. Read more… or watch Jim Allister speak in the Assembly on abortion regulations using the player below.

Pro-abortion campaign in Northern Ireland

An issue about which Christians in Northern Ireland should pray is the terrible campaign by pro-abortionists here in Ulster. Not only has Westminster imposed the most liberal abortions laws upon us, chiefly at the behest of Sinn Fein sympathisers, it has to be said, but now the Alliance Party’s only Westminster MP, Dr Stephen Farry, is calling for the recent decision to make available a pill for expectant mothers in England to use at home, to bring on the abortion of a baby to be extended to Northern Ireland.
BBC

The BBC reported recently: “Patients in England can now have home abortions during the Covid-19 outbreak, the government in England has said. Abortion Policy has changed several times during the current pandemic. Women and girls wanting to terminate an early pregnancy were first told the service would be available but that decision was then retracted. Now, the government has decided patients can take two pills at home instead of going to a clinic to avoid exposure to coronavirus.” Read more…

Trump says PM’s coronavirus approach could have been ‘very catastrophic’

It is irritating to have to read the words of the world’s leading buffoon regarding the UK’s dealing with Coronavirus, given the stupid utterances of the man in recent times.

See also: Trump’s shifting views on China and coronavirus raises long-term concerns

If ever a person personified the truth of the ancient saying : “They whom the gods would destroy they first make mad!” it is Donald ‘Chump’ !

This ‘wag o the wall’ world leader, who recently told America that the coronavirus crisis would all be over by Easter and Americans would all be back to work and then, virtually in the next breath, said that 200,000 dead Americans would be a ‘great’ result in their fight against the CV, has voiced criticism of the UK’s efforts to curb the pandemic.

Now I am no advocate of the wisdom or ethics of Boris Johnston but I certainly resent criticism from such an idiot as Trump, especially  given his record in recent days, when even his own medical advisors are embarrassed by his idiocy !

In truth, the organising of a ‘government’ machine, with all its competitive personalities seeking at a time like this to advance their own standing and political status, to run in unison and harmony is a task no human can successfully handle.

It would take a Joseph (Genesis 48:38-39) to cope with today’s modern bureaucracy!

There is a leaving out of the Lord in the thinking of all governments. That is the mark of this age and the apostasy which is quickly ripening for judgment.

Leading doctor warns north must ‘harmonise’ with south to win coronavirus battle

This article from the Irish News reports a statement from a Republican/Nationalist medical doctor, in which he makes this point. It is an example of the ideologically driven agenda followed by such, even in the midst of the dangers and distresses of the coronavirus crisis.

Protestants and Unionists can never let down their guard for, as ever, the old rally cry of popish Irish Nationalism is unchanged! It used to be “England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity” and the implications of that evil mindset is easily transferred to today’s difficulties.

There is nothing that Irish Romanism will not use in order to seek to further its cause of severing Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. The spirit that was seen in 1916 ‘Easter Rising’, when Irish terrorists seized the opportunity to engage in rebellion at a time when the rest of the British Isles along with its allies, were engaged in a dreadful war with Germany. At that time, many tens of thousands of Irish men were engaged in that war with Germany within the ranks of various British regiments. Indeed, many brave Irishmen sacrificed their lives in that struggle. At such a time, embryonic Sinn Fein and others rose up in a treacherous but short-lived act of rebellion in Dublin.

Sadly, the deceived and deceitful ecumenists have so poisoned the minds and hearts of their flocks that few amongst the main denominations have an awareness of Rome’s wicked deviousness and treachery. They, like poor dumb sheep, embrace every lie of the devil spouted by their religious leaders and follow on down the road to their own destruction!

May God quicken and awaken His own people to these dangers and stir them to pray and revive our pulpits to proclaim with fresh power the old truths of God as they are set forth in the Bible and which He was pleased to spread by His faithful servants amongst the nations in bygone days, and in more recent times, of reformation and revival here in Ulster. God save us from popery!

DUP councillor blames coronavirus pandemic on ‘God’s judgment’ for legalising abortion

See ITV news report here.

The sad thing is that though Mr Carson speaks the truth of God on this matter, he is a member of a political party that has helped spread acceptance of the very sins that he says have brought down God’s judgment upon the nation!

Many Christians have got very excited about Mr Carson’s comments BUT while his condemnation of these sins is commendable, he is soiled with them himself, given his political allegiance!

His party is in a political coalition with the chief pro-abortion party in the Stormont Assembly, Sinn Fein, as well as with the SDLP and the Alliance Party, both of which are pro-abortion. Read more…

UPDATE

Ballymena DUP councillor John Carson apologises after blaming coronavirus pandemic on ‘God’s judgement’ for legalising abortion and same-sex marriage

This is a follow-up to an article I circulated just an hour or so ago.

He has apologised for saying that the coronavirus was sent of God as a judgment for the support given to same-sex marriage and abortion.

He didn’t need to go on the ’Nolan Show’ to be made a fool of. He managed that himself.

“As wax melteth before the fire” so melted the courage of this mighty man of valour!

The following report of this sad event appeared in the ‘Irish News.’ Mr Carson is pictured there with his party leader, Mrs Arlene Foster. In the picture he is seen very close to her but following his comments the party distanced itself from him. He, in turn, made a grovelling apology in order to crawl back into the party’s ‘good books’.  Like all turncoats, he will find that is just not really possible. No one likes a ‘yellow belly’! Read more…

March 2020

Audio sermons

KICS assembly talks. Current series: “Bright and shining lights in the Bible”

Featured series on the Book of Ephesians: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Part 17- After conversion, What then? Pt4;  Part 18- After conversion, What then? Pt5;  Part 19- After conversion, What then? Pt6;  Part 20- After conversion, What then? Pt7;  Part 21- The Christian's past Pt1;  Part 22- The Christian's past Pt2;  Part 23- But God... Pt1

(See all the messages in the series here)

 

Martin Luther on the Christian’s duty in a plague

When Martin Luther was asked: “Whether One Should Flee From A Deadly Plague?” he replied as follows:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” (Volume 43, Page 132)

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain,” 

Isaiah 26:20-21.

These words speak, of course, of a future day though we see an application for today. As with the people of Israel, on the night of the first Passover, they were to enter their homes, marked by the blood of the Passover lamb, and shut the doors in order to escape the judgment that would befall Egypt, even so it will be one day, and that very soon I believe, when the Lord will rise in indignation to punish the earth for its sins.

How wise to be aware of and prepared for that day by seeking the shelter of the blood of the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29.

The arrogant folly of Westminster

The blind stupidity and the utterly unavailing defiance of God by rebellious sinners that is recorded here will, of course, come to pass and that perhaps not in the too distant future.

However, it has ever been seen in the history of man, though perhaps not quite so blatantly as it will yet be seen. We see a measure of it today in the proposed actions of Boris Johnston’s government regarding changes to the abortion and same sex marriage laws here in Northern Ireland.

Here is a recent newspaper report on the matter as it appeared in the “Belfast Newsletter”, on Wednesday, 25th March 2020. Read more…

A reply to Rev Trevor Kirkland’s unjustified attack upon Christians and evangelical denominations who complied with the Government’s ‘social distancing’ requirements and suspended church services, published in a letter to the “Belfast Newsletter.”

It is an excellent response indeed. It will be interesting to see if Mr Kirkland will defy the requirement to stop assembling and endure the consequences!!

“I have no desire to be drawn into a long debate with Rev Kirkland but he has levelled serious charges against thousands of Evangelicals in Northern Ireland without giving any consideration to the fact that brothers and sisters in Christ may have come to a different conclusion to him on the matter of church closures. Read more…

General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

Statement on Behalf of the Presbytery’s Executive Committee

The Presbytery’s Executive Committee, meeting on Thursday afternoon, 19th March 2020, to discuss the increasingly serious situation in the UK created by the coronavirus pandemic, decided that all worship services in all Free Presbyterian Churches are to be postponed with immediate effect. This solemn decision was taken with heavy hearts and with great reluctance. However, this decision was necessary for the following reasons.

It is our Christian duty as a Church to uphold the Lord’s clear instruction in Matthew 22:39 that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. Among other issues this injunction means that, in the midst of this deepening health crisis, we must exercise a duty of care toward our own church families, members and adherents. In addition we are to exercise the same duty of care toward society in general. To proclaim the message of God’s love for sinners in both common and saving grace and then fail to act responsibly in taking all necessary measures to protect them in the face of this virus would be sheer hypocrisy. Consequently, the Executive Committee felt that they had no option but to postpone all gatherings for worship on the Lord’s Day and throughout the week.
The Executive Committee were convinced that the necessity for this decision was further underlined by the startling reports being issued by the Department of Health with respect to the advancement of the virus through social contact in public gatherings. On the same day as the Executive Committee met Mr. Robin Swann, Health Minister for Northern Ireland said that “…in the case of an 80% infection rate, the NI death toll could be in the region of 14,000.”
In Romans 13 we are taught by the Spirit of God to obey the civil government He has placed over us. The UK Government in seeking to prevent the spread of the virus has issued a call to various groupings, including churches, to cease public gatherings. The Executive Committee concluded that we have no option but to obey the directive of the powers that be.
The Executive Committee also focused much on the issue of the public testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. The Committee concluded that due to the pandemic nature of the virus it would be totally irresponsible to run the risk of endangering life by the high probability of spreading the virus through church gatherings. If this were to be the result great shame would be brought upon our testimony as part of the body of Christ.

It must be noted that this decision does not mean that we cease to minister as a church, either to our own congregations or to the wider public. The Committee would encourage brethren to pursue every available avenue of ministry. The Lord has given us modern means in terms of the electronic methods that are available to us today – many of which have already been employed by our churches such as Sermon Audio and Facebook. In recognising the direction of matters some brethren are seriously considering the option of drive-in services.

The Executive Committee would also encourage earnest and protracted prayer for a move of God both among His people and among the lost around us. Undoubtedly the Lord is speaking through this pandemic. Many are deeply fearful. We need to pray that their fear of the virus will be translated into a fear of God and eternal ruin. Clearly there is great opportunity evangelise intensely so that sinners will come to know peace with God through Christ.

This decision pertains only to public gatherings of Christ’s Church. It obviously does not preclude family events such as funerals and weddings.

As you will understand this decision includes the cancellation of the Easter Convention meetings.

By way of notice, the Presbytery’s Charity Commission has informed the NICC that, as a denomination, we will not be taking up the matter of registration of our congregations until 3 months after the restrictions relating to the coronavirus are lifted.

This postponement of church gatherings will continue to until the Lord in His sovereign mercy removes the threat of the virus from our land. Let us seek Him earnestly for this also.

Social isolation: A lesson in Biblical separation!

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

‘Social Isolation’ has been defined thus: “Social isolation is a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society.”
The true people of God should not, amidst all the distress that the ‘Coronavirus’ is creating, fail to notice a very clear spiritual lesson which I am sure the Lord would have us learn from this all.

Separation from sin is a very vital element in true religion, though it has been rejected by many in these ‘modern times’!

However, ‘separation’ is taught us from the very commencement of God revealing His Law to His chosen people Israel. The law of separation was to be observed in what they could sow in their fields, what they could eat, what they could wear as well as the company they could keep. Read more…

Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey has said a threat has been received of an ‘imminent attack’ against him.

There are few who can play the ‘hypocrite’ like the members of Sinn Fein/IRA!!In the wake of a dissident IRA death threat against the Sinn Fein Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey, a statement from Sinn Fein leader here in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, reported in today’s ‘Irish News’, described the threat against Alex Maskey as “an attack on the whole democratic process”.

That is ripe indeed coming from that organisation which endorsed and supported the slaughter of thousands over a 30 year + period and which is still under the direction and control of those who directed that terrorism, the ‘IRA Army Council ! It is not that long ago that the Police Service of Northern Ireland stated that the IRA Army Council still directed Sinn Fein and made the political decisions. See the 8th November 2019 Belfast Telegraph article: “IRA Army Council retains oversight of Sinn Fein, say police. That those supporters of IRA murder should find themselves now targeted by former compatriots is but an example of poetic justice.

The Bible states it thus: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed,” Genesis 9:6; and again: “Then said Jesus unto him, . . . . all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword,” Matthew 26:52. 

The murderers and terrorists of the IRA and their supporters have a harvest awaiting them in eternity, irrespective what may overtake here on earth! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” Galatians 6:7. – IF

(Irish News, 06 March, 2020.) The Sinn Féin MLA said police visited him yesterday to inform him of the threat. Mr Maskey said: “I note that this threat was received in the week when I announced my intention to use the role of Speaker to represent every side of the Assembly chamber and to engage with every section of our community. This threat will not deter me from those events or continuing such efforts in the future.

“As Speaker of the Assembly, I will be clear that intimidation of any elected representative in our democratic institutions is deplorable whether threats of this nature or vile abuse on social media.  It can only be responded to by continuing to work to take our society forward.”

Last month police informed Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill that dissident republicans were planning an attack against her and Gerry Kelly. Ms O’Neill said the threat had been issued after they attended a PSNI recruitment event.

Speaking today, Ms O’Neill described the threat against Mr Maskey as “an attack on the whole democratic process”. “He has been a trail blazing public representative and political activist for almost 40 years and has played a leading role in the peace process,” she said. “In his role as Speaker, Alex Maskey acts as a representative of all the parties and MLAs in the Assembly and all sections of the community.”

Pope lifts the lid on the Vatican’s colossal property empire in London

Pope FrancisThis article appeared in the “Daily Telegraph” on 14th March and was shared with me shortly after.  I was sent the full text of the article for I could not access that ‘subscribers only’ newspaper.

It is to be noted that the article begins with a reference to God’s Word, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25.  It is a quote that should utterly shame every Pope and his entire entourage throughout the centuries of their existence.

It will not, of course.

However, may the Lord be pleased to use it to highlight the true character of popery to those benighted souls who are besotted by its deceits! Read the article.

The territory of the ‘Old Roman Empire’ back in focus once again!!

The Coronavirus outbreak appears to have started in China but it has quickly spread to Europe and seems to have centred upon those lands that once lay at the heart of the old ‘Roman World’!

The ‘Coronavirus Crisis’ is not just a matter of public health but it is, if anything, a much more serious financial catastrophe!

Major business organisations are facing utter ruin, as are smaller ‘high street’ merchants.

The whole population here in the United Kingdom has been placed under restrictions utterly unknown in our history. Even during World War II, there were not such constraints placed upon the citizenry.

The elderly have been told to stay indoors and avoid contact with virtually everyone and that for the foreseeable future. We have never lived through such circumstances before! What has the Bible to say about this? Read more…

The Voice of the Cholera

A message preached by Charles Haddon Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, August 12, 1866.

In the midst of all the proclamations, announcements and advice-giving since the beginning of the ‘Coronavirus Crisis’, I have yet to see one person in any position of authority in ‘church or state’ mention the One Person Who has absolute control in this matter and Who should be the first to be consulted and heeded!

I am referring of course to the Lord. I was reminded of the sermon preached by C H Spurgeon on this passage and thought that his words, so wonderfully owned by the Lord throughout the one hundred and twenty eight years since he went home to glory, would make better reading than anything I could write.

His message and his application of God’s Word is an indication of how far the land has drifted in the intervening one hundred and fifty four years. Back then, the Lord was the first refuge considered and sought out in a time of crisis. Now, He is not even mentioned! Surely the ‘perilous times’ of 2 Timothy 3:1 have begun amongst us! – IF

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it.”— Amos iii. 3— 6.

WE have all felt grieved when reading our bills of mortality to observe the mysterious spread of cholera in our great city. It is high time that it should be made the subject of special prayer, and that the nation should seek unto the Lord for its removal. While as yet there has been but comparatively little of the evil, we should be humbled under it, that we may be spared a greater outbreak.

There are different ways of looking at this disease. Men viewing it from one point of view alone, have frequently despised those who have regarded it under another aspect. Occasionally Christian men express themselves indignantly concerning those who speak of cholera as the product of ascertained and governable causes, to be checked and even prevented by due attention to the laws of health. I have never shared in that indignation. Read more…

The rule that some would have others keep but which they refuse to keep themselves!!!

I was recently informed of the criticism of an Officer of Presbytery directed against me in response to my article, Why This Shameful Silence? It was alleged by this brother that I had done wrong in writing this article without first contacting those against whom I had written, since, he claimed, Matthew 18:15-17 requires such action.

This is a cowardly, pathetic misuse of God’s Word. Please read the article ‘Matthew 18 and the public rebuke of sin’. This article highlights the folly of those who appeal to these verses in response to proper criticism they are unable and unwilling to answer!

Often those who refer to this verse when attempting to fault those who rightly condemn sin are heard condemning the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of Ireland ministers for their public utterances which are contrary to God’ Word. The question must be asked: “Do they first contact those they criticise before issuing their condemnations?” Read more…

Stormont can amend abortion and same-sex marriage laws

We have been informed of this through a letter from the Clerk of the Free Presbyterian Presbytery, Rev John Greer. If what the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland told the Free Presbyterian Delegation is true, that is good news indeed.

I use the little word ‘if’ for the simple reason Secretaries of State in the past past have proved deceitful.

However, we trust that this time the truth is being told.

That being so, we wait with prayerful interest on the DUP Free Presbyterian members of the Stormont Assembly putting down an appropriate motion before the Assembly.

One of those who organised the meeting with the Secretary of State is Lord Morrow, an elder in our Dungannon congregation. He would doubtless have the support of  Mr Mervyn Storey, elder in our Ballymoney congregation and Mr Thomas Buchanan, an elder in Castlederg congregation. Between them they should be able to present a pertinent proposal before the Stormont Assembly.

We wait with interest for this to happen. Click here to see the letter as it appeared in the Newsletter.

What moves men to side with murderers and rebels against the Saviour??

A lesson for the Free Presbyterian Church from the Jews’ choice of Barabbas.

“Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them,” Mark 15:6-11

Both Pilate, the Roman Governor and Herod had found no fault in the Saviour. “And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him,” Luke 23:13-16. Read more…

Please use the following links to listen to the conference messages.

Lord’s Day: 7.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms Differences Between Interpretation and Application of Prophetic Scripture

Monday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Great Importance of Events in the Last Days

Tuesday: 8.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms The Arising of False Christs and False Prophets in the Last Days

Wednesday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Vital Information given us of Events in the Last Days

Thursday: 8.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms The Religion of the Final Confederation of Nations

Friday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Glorious Inevitability of Christ's Victory in the Last Days

Worship is impossible where there is an outstanding allegation of wrong doing

Some thoughts on Matthew 5:23-24 by Rev. Andy Foster

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

The words of the Saviour recorded here are part of His exposition of the meaning and application of the sixth commandment. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, the Saviour is enlarging upon the permanent relevance of the Moral Law, summarized in the ten commandments, to the citizens of His kingdom i.e. all His people. Read more…

The Burning Bush turns 50 this month

Over the years, we have made friends and established contacts in many, many countries. It is ever a source of amazement to me that from out of the somewhat isolated west of Ulster, there has gone out a witness almost, it can be said, to the ends of the earth. The reports I get from the website contacts indicate that we have readers throughout the five continents. China, Iran, Turkey, and many, many other unlikely countries have those who frequently visit and download from “The Burning Bush” website.

I must say that was never envisaged when we began the witness. But we can but praise the Lord for His blessing upon the efforts made for “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,” Psalm 127:1. Read more….

Why this shameful silence??

“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? and they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; and answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things,” Luke 14:16.

The silent response to the Saviour’s challenges stands as a lasting monument to the wicked opposition by these men to Him. They were against Him but could not fault what He was saying or doing.

Such must surely qualify as an utterly shameful and cowardly position to adopt.

Sadly, we see a situation developing before us in the Free Presbyterian Church which bears some resemblance to this scene in Luke’s gospel. Read more…

Further follow-up on Ballymoney protest

Here are two pictures taken of two articles in the ‘Coleraine Chronicle’. The first is of a report which appeared two weeks ago and the second is of a letter which appeared last week. May good come of both publications. Click on the images below to read.

February 2020

Audio sermons

KICS assembly talks. Current series: “Bright and shining lights in the Bible”

  • Part 19, Part 20, Part 21
  • See all the talks in this series here.
  • Download a zip file of all the recent studies in the Parables here.
  • See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

Featured series on the Book of Ephesians: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Part 14- After conversion, What then? Pt1;  Part 15- After conversion, What then? Pt2;  Part 16- After conversion, What then? Pt3;  Part 17- After conversion, What then? Pt4

(See all the messages in the series here)

Other Messages

An ongoing universal conflict involving all but a few! A message preached by Rev. Ivan Foster in Walsham Le Willows e Evangelical Congregational Church, January 26th, 2020.

The testimony of Enoch A message preached by Rev. Foster at the SGAT meeting on January 24th, 2020.

Christ's message to the Church at Pergamos A message preached by Rev. David Creane in Kilskeery FPC, February 16th, 2020.

Funeral service for Mrs. W. Gallagher, held in Kilskeery FPC, February 18th, 2020.

 

A History of Ireland as It Relates to the Ulster Scots

Three programmes on this subject wereprepared by Rev. Foster and originally broadcast on Pastor Ralph Ovadal’s radio programme, ‘Heart of the Matter’ on 14th, 21st and 28th April 2014.

The three broadcasts are entitled:

1. From Patrick to the Rebellion of 1641.
2. From the Commonwealth through the 19th Century.
3. From Home Rule Rejected to Terrorists in Government.

Click here to listen.

Date decided for first ever Fermangah Pride event: Letter of protest from Rev. Foster

In last week’s edition of our local weekly newspaper, “The Impartial Reporter” – a misnomer if there was one – an article appeared carrying the title above.

The article disclosed that a group of local sodomites and most likely some not so local, had announced that:

“A date has now been set for a Pride festival to take place in Enniskillen this summer, with planning underway for an event which will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community of this area and beyond. Originally called ‘Enniskillen Pride’ the festival has recently been renamed ‘Fermanagh Pride’ and is due to take place in the county town on Saturday, August 8.”

In response to this distressing disclosure I sent the following letter to the Editor. Please pray that it may be published and touch the hearts of Christians and stir them to pray against this event that the Lord might intervene according to His will. Read more…

If not, what then?? A consideration of the same-sex marriage debate

Of late, there have been some reports in the newspapers of the concerns Christians have regarding the Government’s regulations regarding ‘same-sex weddings’!

‘The Christian Institute’ has raised the issue regarding the situation in Northern Ireland. It reported back in January ’02 that: “Public order law will be amended to underline that criticism of same-sex marriage is not an offence. He (former Secretary of State for NI, Julian Smith) also said that equality law is being amended so that religious bodies and staff cannot be sued for declining to take part in a blessing or other event marking a civil same-sex wedding. Changes will also protect the ability of religious organisations to dismiss a staff member who enters a same-sex marriage if that is incompatible with the organisation’s values. The Secretary of State says he is also in discussion with Northern Irish equalities bodies about guidance for employers and schools to make clear that beliefs and opinions about marriage should be respected.” (See here)

It is right that Christians oppose the introduction of wicked laws which openly and flagrantly breach God’s Law. It is also right that when Governments press ahead, as they invariably do, with the introduction of such laws, that Christians demand freedom to be exempt from them. Read more…

Murder doesn’t suddenly become legitimate simply because one-fifth of the electorate turns a blind eye

Malachi O’Doherty, Belfast Telegraph February 11th, 2020.

The killing of Paul Quinn asks entirely reasonable questions of Sinn Fein’s fitness to govern, argues Malachi O’Doherty

Sinn Fein supporters are in cheery form this week because of their astonishing performance in the southern election. And some of them are in smug form, too, delighted by the failure of what they saw as a strategy to damage the party.

That is how they represent the discussion last week about the murder of Paul Quinn and the Finance Minister Conor Murphy’s past maligning of him as a criminal.

Even on Monday, callers to the Nolan Show (the biggest programme in the province) accused Stephen of trying and failing to influence an election by interviewing the bereaved parents of Paul Quinn on his radio and television shows. This annoyed them, yet it had no apparent impact on the result. Read more…

Free speech defended by court: Police probe into ‘transphobic’ tweets unlawful

The police response to an ex-officer’s allegedly transphobic tweets was unlawful, the High Court has ruled. Harry Miller was visited by Humberside Police at work in January last year after a complaint about his tweets.

He was told he had not committed a crime, but it would be recorded as a non-crime “hate incident”.  The court found the force’s actions were a “disproportionate interference” with his right to freedom of expression.

Officers visited Mr Miller’s workplace and then spoke with him on the phone, and he was left with the impression “that he might be prosecuted if he continued to tweet”, according to a judge.

Speaking after the ruling, Mr Miller, from Lincolnshire, said: “This is a watershed moment for liberty – the police were wrong to visit my workplace, wrong to ‘check my thinking’.”

His solicitor Paul Conrathe added: “It is a strong warning to local police forces not to interfere with people’s free speech rights on matters of significant controversy.” Read more…

A follow-up article on the Ballymoney protest

The following article is by Mr Luke Barker and is a follow-up to the report of his protest in Ballymoney on Friday 7th February and which was circulated earlier.

This follow-up has been made necessary by the false reports that have maliciously been spread around.

Surely it says ill of those whose cause must be defended by falsehoods. This vividly reminds me of the reaction to Free Presbyterian protests against ecumenical Presbyterianism, Episcopalianism and Methodistism back in the ‘60s and ‘70s!

It makes sad reading to hear of members of Presbytery sneering at Mr Barker and his placard!

Sadder still is the fact that his experiences in Ballymoney mirrored at least to some degree what was encountered years ago when the battle was brought to the doors of the ecumenical apostasy.

I am encouraged to hear of those ministers and elders who openly congratulated Mr Barker. This bodes well for the future. Read more…

A Tribute to Mrs Winifred Gallagher

By Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd), her minister for some 41 years.

Mrs. Gallagher was born on 22nd April 1928. She was close to 92 years old when she was called home on Lord’s Day morning past. She was born in the townland of Drumgowna near Ederny in Co Fermanagh. The family moved to Stranahone, Lack and shortly after to Aghadorra, Dromore in Co Tyrone.

She sought the Lord at an Irish Evangelistic Band gospel mission in Shaneragh Hall, near Dromore, on 7th February 1952. The preachers were Mr Willie Moore and Mr Harold Purvis.

Shortly after, she felt the call of God into full-time service and responded and entered Emmanuel Bible College in Birkenhead. After training there she joined the Faith Mission where she served the Lord for some ten years. During her time of missioning she laboured mainly around Cork in the Republic of Ireland and in Co. Antrim up here in Northern Ireland. Read more…

Listen to a recording of the full service here.

A flood of judgement

This weekend has seen some very sad events in Wales, Scotland and England with many hundreds of home and business premises flooded under deep water and damage sustained from very high winds as the storm, ‘Dennis’ swept in.

We here in Northern Ireland have been greatly spared to a very great degree.

Christians are reminded of a solemn truth by the words of the Saviour in Luke 13:1-5.

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Read more…

The message of God since the world began

“And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began,” Luke 1:69-70.

“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began,” Acts 3:21.

This morning I read Luke 1:39-80 as part of my daily reading. I follow ‘Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar’, which I highly commend to all my readers.
When I read the verse 70, I recalled that Peter used similar words to those spoken here by Zacharias the father of John the Baptist. He was speaking under the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, verse 67, as was Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

In these two verses you have the very heart, the essence, of the message of ALL the prophets.

Consider just some matters that arise from this truth.
1. The two advents of the Lord Jesus lie at the heart of the gospel message.
2. Both these truths have been known by the people of God since the dawn of time.
3. If we would have a truly Biblical ministry, then we must centre our preaching on these two vital truths. Read more…

Email problems

I believe that some who were in receipt of our ‘Burning Bush Articles Email’ may not have received our emails of late. It would appear that their names have been ‘clipped’ from the BB group list as a result of a fault with my email application.

From my research online, it would appear such problems are not unknown.

If you requested your name to be put on our list and did receive emails for a time but they have ceased, please let me know and we will attempt to add your name once again to our list.

We apologise for any inconvenience but I think I can say that ‘it was beyond our control’.

Israel Folau given his livelihood back despite efforts of Bible haters – but at what price?

Many Christians will have saluted the stand taken by the Australian, Israel Folau, against sodomy last year and sympathised with him in the price he had to pay for his stand.

However, the latest development in the story will not be quite so welcomed by those who love the truth of God sincerely. Read this article from the ‘Protestant Revival’ to learn the details. – Ivan Foster.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

The enemies of God came out in force last year to make sure that a man widely considered one of the greatest rugby players in the world, Israel Folau, would lose his job simply for taking a stand for God.

Israel Folau was seen as the star of the Australian rugby union international side which was preparing for last autumn’s World Cup and a major star in the Australian league.

Read more on the Protestant Revival website

Vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished,” 2 Peter 2:4-9.

I was made to think once more of the words of Peter regarding Lot. “Just (righteous) Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.” That which brought these words before me were some of the headlines on the BBC News sites. They read:

  • “I don’t remember not wanting to wear dresses” (These were the words of a ‘man’!
  • “Same-sex marriage: Couple ‘excited but nervous’ to become first in NI”
  • “Phillip Schofield announcement: How it feels when your partner comes out as gay”
  • “What it’s like when your parent comes out as LGBT” Read more…

DUP and Leo Varadkar have helped to sanitise Sinn Fein and propel them to victory in Dublin, says Jim Allister

Published by Belfast Newsletter: 06:00 Monday 10 February 2020

Unionists have reacted to Sinn Fein’s success, with the TUV attacking those who “sanitised” the republican party and the UUP describing the result as indicating “interesting times.”

Jim Allister QC MLA said “In the Republic’s election Leo Varadkar is reaping what he sowed. By insisting Sinn Fein was fit for government in Northern Ireland, and must be included, he validated and sanitised the party of the IRA.”

The TUV leader added: “Likewise, by the DUP making Sinn Féin’s elevation into Stormont government possible, they short-sightedly endorsed them as a party fit for government. Read more…

Protest outside Free Presbyterian Presbytery meeting in Ballymoney church, Friday 7th February 2020.

The following account of the protest and the leaflet distributed were sent to me by Mr Luke Barker, the one who mounted the protest.

Mr Barker is a graduate of the Whitefield College of the Bible Missionary Course. He is a communicant member of a Free Presbyterian church and speaks frequently at Free Presbyterian meetings.

He recently took part in a protest in Armagh Anglican Cathedral led by Rev Daniel Henderson and accompanied by Rev Paul Hanna and Rev David Creane. (See here)

I have no doubt that Mr Barker’s protest will have aroused the hackles of some but I support him 100%! Read more… 

Matthew 18 and the public rebuke of sin

Below is an article by Rev Andy Foster, Penticton Free Presbyterian Church, which first appeared on his blog 7 years ago. It answers the the very wrong use of the verses 17 and 18 of Matthew 18 which so many opponents of the open and public rebuking of sin, required by the Lord and practised by His servants throughout the ages, love to quote against those who obey God and stand up for the ‘crown rights of King Jesus and the crown jewels of His gospel’! 

Doubtless there will be those who will seek to apply them erroneously against Luke Barker’s protest! – Rev Ivan Foster.

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17)
Very often the first response to any public witness against sin, or the public censure of a Christian who has sinned publicly, is an accusation that to make such a public denunciation is contrary to the Saviour’s teaching in this passage. Usually it is asserted that there cannot be a public censure of sin until private overtures have been made to the offender. This has the effect of diverting attention from the original error and focuses attention on the one trying to protest against it. But what does this passage teach? Is it addressing the matter of public sin at all? Read more…

The Saviour praying in the garden of Gethsemane

Did He show ‘unwillingness’ to go to the cross?

There is a constant need to counter the terrible notion that Christ ‘baulked’ at the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane. Personally, I cannot understand that He Who ordained the sufferings of the cross as the means of the salvation of His elect, and that from all eternity, should seek to withdraw from its sufferings in Gethsemane!

Christ told His disciples repeatedly that He would suffer and die and rise again the third day. Are we to believe that for a time He Who is TRUTH contemplated breaking His Word?

I say that the very idea of this is shamefully wicked and wrong!

Here is an article I wrote back some five years ago. My reading of Mark 9:4 this morning and the cross reference in Luke 9:30-31, in which is the mention of Moses and Elijah speaking with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration of the Saviour’s death at the cross.

The word ‘accomplish’ highlights that they talked of the Saviour ‘fufilling’, ‘completing’ the task given Him of His Father in eternity! Neither Moses and Elijah saw any ‘baulking’ by the Saviour on the eve of His death at the cross. These verses served to reinforce my conviction on this matter.  Read more…

Two important statements from Jim Allister MLA

Below are two important statements from Jim Allister MLA. The first is on the latest folly of the new Stormont Assembly, ‘Justice Minister’, Naomi Long and the second on the need for the ‘Minister of Finance’, Sinn Feiner, Paul Murphy, to resign after it is acknowledged that he lied about a statement he made following the murder by the IRA of Paul Quinn, a young Roman Catholic. Read more…

‘Compassionate’ murder!!

A news item entitled, “Abortion: Health bodies want laws for ‘safe and compassionate’ care”, leads on the BBC Northern Ireland news site today. It features a call from a number of organisations, all of which labour under the public image of ‘caring’ organisations!

They are the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Royal College of Midwives and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.

They are calling for abortion to be legalised up to six months of pregnancy. At six months an unborn baby, though premature, is utterly capable of survival.

Whoever these organisations are seeking to be ‘safe and compassionate’ toward, it is certainly not toward the baby they wish to slay! Pro-abortionists are demanding that the murder of these little ones be legalised! These abortionists declare: “This system will not only safeguard women’s rights, but will also facilitate our members to provide high quality care to women in NI.” What hypocrisy! ‘Safeguard women’s rights’, ‘high quality care to women in NI’! The price of this ‘kindness is the murder of the unborn! Read more…

The reaping day begins for the DUP

The report below, in the Belfast Newsletter of February 3rd, signals the beginning of a reaping of the duplicity of the DUP with regards its promotion of the ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ (RHI) which it abandoned, along with those who were persuaded by the promises issued to potential customers who invested heavily in order to avail of the benefits of the scheme. The DUP dumped the scheme in order to placate Sinn Fein and gain its agreement to re-enter power-sharing and so get the Stormont Assembly up and running again and Mrs Foster back in as First Minister!

As is so often the case, the people who really suffer are those who believed the politicians, who generally are only striving after their own advancement. It has already been repeatedly reported in the press that senior DUP staff members benefitted from the scheme. Read more…

The blind folly of an ever more vocal minority

Here is a ‘screenshot’ of a headline posted on Thursday January 16th, 2020, on the BBC Northern Ireland news site.

The words of the headline are those of a person claiming to be a ‘woman’ but who was born a male and is therefore still a male, irrespective of the unnatural claim made or the government laws endorsing such claims or the ranting of the many pervert-supporting lobbyists active everywhere!

In a most ironic fashion this headline is true. ‘Transgenderism’ is a lifestyle which most certainly leads to a dead end! Nothing, humanly speaking, can come of it. Read more…

Evil ‘christianised’!!

As I return from a trip to England, where I had a preaching engagement or two, I was sent a link to the article below along with a picture of the first part of the story. The picture ‘explains’ the nature of the story!!

The very headline is offensive enough but this is the theme of a “remarkable (disgusting) story . . . revealed in a talk given at a public meeting in Belfast Bible College, which was streamed online.” So says the report in the Belfast newsletter of today – with the exception of the word in brackets which I added!!

It is supposed to be a tale of the distress caused by the vileness of ‘transgenderism’ but instead it turns into nothing more than an ‘explaining away’ of this depravity! Nowhere is there a word of Biblical denunciation of this wickedness or a mention of the hell to which it will bring those deceived by it!

That the narrator of this tale of perversion is a supposed pastor and it is evident from the report that he does not repudiate his ‘father’s’ perverted lifestyle but rather eulogises him, is a display of the state into which so-called ‘evangelicalism’ has sunk. It is to be noted that it was publicised and commended by the “Evangelical Alliance’ and took place in Belfast Bible College. Read more…

The final sell-out of Ulster by Westminster

Below is an article taken from the “Belfast Newsletter” of February 1st, 2020.  It highlights the ineptitude of the DUP’s response to Boris Johnston’s betrayal of this part of the United Kingdom.
It also highlights the total absence of any spirit of fight or resistance within the DUP. Having linked itself up to rabid republicanism it is not likely that it will show any resistance to the accelerated drift towards a ‘united Ireland’, so much desired by the DUP’s stablemate, Sinn Fein.

Where do all this betrayal and double-dealing and political cowardice spring from? To answer that we must look for the source of our forefathers’ spirit of resistance to betrayal by London in their day. That source was Bible Protestantism! Read more…

Free Presbyterian Protest disrupts service for (so called) Ecumenical Christian Unity in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh.

(A report compiled by Rev Paul Hanna, minister of Mt Merrion FPC, Thursday 23rd January 2020 )

‘Father’ Tony Currer (a Roman Catholic priest appointed by the Vatican to promote relations between mainstream Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic church within the UK) was due to be the keynote preacher at an Ecumenical gathering held last night (Wednesday) in the Church of Ireland Cathedral in the ecclesiastical capitol of Ireland – Armagh City.  The ‘wrecked and derelict boat’ is a fitting symbol of the ‘Ecumenical Movement’ which is doomed to utter failure because it is not of God.

A group of Free Presbyterian ministers, who had been informed that the meeting was due to take place, had made their way to the Cathedral in order to stage a protest and voice their opposition and concern to the inclusion of a Roman Catholic priest due to take part in the service. Read more…

Doomsday clock – WRONG

This little article was prompted by a headline I saw on the website of the American news agency – ‘USA Today’.

Once again, in his own foolish benighted manner, man was speculating on that which all mankind knows inherently, instinctively: This age will come to an end!
However, his knowledge of this truth has been greatly marred by the fall in Adam and consequently, he has engaged in all sorts of foolish speculations.
This article on the ‘USA Today’ website is an example of that.

I want to just set forth as few Bible truths on the matter for the comfort and instruction of Christians and as a warning to the unsaved, unprepared sinner.
The headline on “USA Today” website read: We’re closer to destruction than ever before: Doomsday clock reset to 100 seconds to midnight

As a headline it is both right and wrong. Read more…

Protestors with scripture placards picket official launch of Mid Ulster Pride Parade

I am so pleased and thankful for the Free Presbyterian protest in Cookstown last night against the evil gathering of sodomites and its defenders in a hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. The following report from the Belfast Newsletter gives details of that protest. May the Lord be pleased to bless it as He did so wonderfully in past years,.

A protest organised by the Free Presbyterian churches of Mid Ulster outside the official launch of the Mid Ulster Pride Parade in Cookstown on Thursday night.
Published: 09:17 Friday 17 January 2020, Belfast Newsletter

Free Presbyterians last night protested outside a Cookstown hotel while inside the Mid Ulster Pride committee officially launched its parade and associated events.
Eighty Protestors with placards stood outside the Royal Hotel while inside a conference entitled ‘Blessed are the Queer’ was unveiled for April 1.

 It will feature two high-profile speakers from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick, a former lecturer at the church’s theological training college in Belfast, and Rev Cheryl Meban from Ulster University.

 Prof Kirkpatrick was sacked from Union Theological College Belfast last year over media comments on same-sex relationships, and his participation in the forthcoming conference is likely to cause debate within the church.scribe Today

 Free Presbyterian minister Rev Marcus Lecky from Coalisland (should read Cookstown – IF) had called for opposition to the Mid Ulster Pride parade “first by prayer, and then by all other lawful and peaceful methods”.

“Our placards are carrying scriptures about homosexuality, the true meaning of love, and the gospel message and the love of God towards sinners,” he said.

Earlier this week he said that “a sad, stark and significant choice has been forced upon the people of Mid-Ulster – will they accept and perhaps even support the reported forthcoming Rural Pride’ event, or will they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?”

The letter was signed by Rev Marcus Lecky from Cookstown, Rev John Armstrong from Dungannon, Rev Peter McIntyre from Clogher Valley, Rev Colin Mercer from Omagh and Rev Timothy Omerod from Sixmilecross.

 “For almost two millennia”, they said, “the entirety of Christendom accepted that Jesus Christ – and all the Scriptures – taught that homosexuality was sinful” and despite “much misinformation… the truth of God’s Word remains unchanged”.

The “very last thing” the area needs is more Pride, they countered, saying Christ commands “true humility” and repentance from homosexuality, stealing, adultery, envy, vengeance and all other sins.

Motivated by “concern and love for our Saviour, our society and the souls of others” they say the parade will “be burned into the memories of the young and impressionable” but that future generations “deserve the same traditional family upbringing that most of us have enjoyed”.

In closing, they urged every Christian to oppose the parade “first by prayer, and then by all other lawful and peaceful methods”.

 But Coalisland Rector Rev Andrew Rawding, who is vice chair of the Mid Ulster Pride Committee, took an opposite view.

The wicked lies that form the basis of the new Stormont agreement

I feel compelled to publish articles which highlight the unbelievable treachery of the recent ‘Power-Sharing’ deal that the DUP has signed up to with Sinn Fein/IRA!

The article below in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ of January 16th sets out the alleged treachery of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, a man who has manifested total disdain for the opinions of the Unionist people.

If what has been alleged in this article is true then deliberate lies were told about the Government’s future plans regarding the issue of ‘legacy’, the resolving of the issues of criminality stemming from the years of IRA terrorism. I suppose when we remember Boris Johnston’s deceit regarding the impact of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland, it is not really surprising.

What fools are they who depend upon the DUP for ‘deliverance’!!! Read more…

DUP councillor Spence shows support for rainbow flag at Army HQ

This is the headline of an article in the Belfast Telegraph of January 17th.

It reveals to us the heart of the DUP. Sodomy is openly supported and opposition to it condemned and SILENCE marks those Christians who insist on retaining membership of the party.

Since last May, when the DUP endorsed a sodomite candidate in the local council elections, there has been no significant protest from those who profess Christ, especially those who belong to the Free Presbyterian Church. Neither have they opposed the reforming of the political alliance of the party with terrorist supporting Sinn Fein/IRA.

Disaster will surely befall such compromise and betrayal of God’s truth.