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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Some of my Favorite Psalms”

• Part 43, Part 44, Part 45, Part 46, Part 47, Part 48, Part 49
• See all the talks in this series here.
• See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

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Featured sermon series: Studies in Job

Part 25: Songs in the Night;  Part 26: A Timely and Terrible Warning;  Part 27: A Sermon to the Preacher;  Part 28: The day when it is God's turn to answer

See all messages in this series here.

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Recently Preached Sermons

The purpose of Christ for His enemies
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Sep 25, 2022

When will the seven plagues be poured upon the earth?
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Fri Sep 23, 2022 at the SGAT meeting

Wilful, Inexcusable Ignorance
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Sep 4, 2022

View all recently preached sermons

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Older Sermons Recently Added

The day when it is God's turn to answer
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jan 15, 1995

To the highest purity from the deepest depravity
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Oct 30, 1994

Framing mischief by a law
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jun 30, 1985

View all recently added sermons

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

The Editor had the privilege of preaching the closing message of the Annual Conference in Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church.

The theme of the conference was : “GOD’S PURPOSES IN CHRIST’S RETURN”.

Read sermon notes here

 

The first message was preached by Dr John Douglas at our opening service on Friday night past. His subject was “God’s purpose for His own glory”.

Rev David McMillan, Minister of Armagh Free Presbyterian Church and Chairman of the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony Council. His subject was “His purpose for His people”.

This were great times of preaching and you may enjoy them on Kilskeery’s Facebook recordings.

Here are the enlarged notes that I used for my message tonight along with audio and video recordings of the message.

May the Lord bless you through them.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

View a video of this sermon here:

Posted on 2022-09-27 a 9:51 pm

Rev Ivan Foster preached at the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony meeting held on Friday, September 23, 2022.

His subject was, “When will the seven plagues be poured upon the earth?”

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Click here to read the sermon notes

View a video of this sermon here:

Posted on 2022-09-24 a 1:30 am

“Rev Ian Brown: Martyrs Memorial cleric finally opens up on why he did not attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral – despite a personal invitation”

So read the headline in a ‘Belfast Newsletter’ article of Wednesday, 21st September.

I understand from Rev Brown himself, that he did not attend the funeral for the late Queen because the funeral service was a highly ecumenical service, with representatives present from just about every religion in the United Kingdom.

However, that is not stated in the ‘Newsletter’ article.

What I find very disturbing as a Free Presbyterian who wishes to remain faithful to my ordination oath, whereby I promised before God, in response to the following question: “Will you maintain with all the strength God shall give you the truly Scriptural separation position of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster and vigorously withstand the apostasy of Irish Presbyterianism exhorting God’s people the teaching and commandment of I Timothy 6:3-5?” — a very positive “YES”!

It is reported in the ’Newsletter’ that: “The News Letter has spoken to a range of Free Presbyterian clerics from across NI today, and it was clear many of them took that view the funeral service was “ecumenical” or in their view, promoting joint worship involving a range of religions.

However it was also clear some did not see it in that light; others saw it as a state occasion no different to state-led war remembrance ceremonies, where a variety of faith leaders may take part in order to represent the various faiths of military personnel.”

The ’some’ referred to take much upon themselves to declare that there are occasions that the Free Presbyterian ordination oath does not apply and it is in order to fellowship with those God’s Word forbids us to fellowship with. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-22 a 4:56 pm

The day after Queen Elizabeth II is buried this headline appears on the BBC website here in Northern Ireland. I believe it to be ominously significant.

I am not a defender of the ‘religion’ taught in state schools for it is but an amalgam of the ecumenical folly taught in the churches generally.

However, to replace it with the programme these ‘researchers suggest is to make state schools even more the ‘fountainhead’ of anti-Christian teaching.

The news report serves to remind us of those who see it their purpose in life to underline the last vestiges of Bible religion!

Every day seems to present that which demands that Christians act to preserve and encourage ‘Christian Schools’, for Independent Christian Schools present the only hope of preserving true Biblical instruction for school children.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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‘Christian focused’ RE should be scrapped in schools, study says

Laws which mean schools have to teach “Christian focused” Religious Education (RE) and hold a daily act of collective worship should be scrapped, a University of Ulster (UU) research paper has said.

It says more “controversial issues” should be taught in classrooms.

There should also be “joint community schools” rather than religiously segregated ones. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-20 a 4:17 pm

Here is a picture which serves to highlight the underlying hatred of Romanism for the British throne because it is constitutionally Protestant, though it has drifted far away from the truths of God’s Word.

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Posted on 2022-09-20 a 4:11 pm

The link to this newspaper article was sent to me and it makes interesting and alarming reading, though couched in diplomatic and non-straightforward terminology!

Let me make a somewhat less diplomatic comment on the theology of the new king. He is a fool counselled and guided by fools!

The religion of the Bible is unique and exclusive, giving ground and space to none.

The Lord Jesus declared authoritatively of Himself and His gospel: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” John 14:6.

There is only ONE DOOR TO HEAVEN. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,” John 10:9. All other religions are fraudulent and lead, not to heaven but to hell.

That is what the Lord Jesus Christ taught!

To speak of other religions as being on an equal footing with the religion revealed in the Word of God is antichristian.

To do so is to totally oppose the traditional teaching of the Church of England of which Charles III is (contrary to the Word of God, I might add) spoken of as the ‘Supreme Governor of the Church of England.’

Biblical Presbyterianism says this on that subject: “There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.”

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXV, section VI.

It is dangerous to claim, as the English monarchs since the Reformation have claimed, to be in any way the ‘Governor’ of any part of the professing Church of Christ. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-19 a 12:15 am

“‭Surely thou wilt slay‭‭ the wicked‭, O God‭: depart‭‭ from me therefore, ye bloody‭ men‭.‭ ‭For they speak‭‭ against thee wickedly‭, ‭and‭ thine enemies‭ take‭‭ ‭thy name‭ in vain‭.‭ ‭Do not I hate‭‭ them, O LORD‭, that hate‭‭ thee? and am not I grieved‭‭ with those that rise up‭ against thee?‭ ‭I hate‭‭ them with perfect‭ hatred‭: I count them mine enemies‭‭.‭ ‭Search‭‭ me, O God‭, and know‭‭ my heart‭: try‭‭ me, and know‭‭ my thoughts‭:‭ ‭and see‭‭ if ‭there be any‭ wicked‭ way‭ in me, and lead‭‭ me in the way‭ everlasting‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 139:19-24.

In a day when the essence of man’s ‘religion’ is to sanctimoniously declare that they ‘love everyone and hate none’, it is somewhat startling for such to encounter words as these from holy ‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭David‭‭ the king‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, of whom the Lord said: ‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭“I have found‭‭ David‭ the ‭son‭ of Jesse‭, a man‭ after‭ mine own‭ heart‭, which‭ shall fulfil‭‭ all‭ my‭ will‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ (Acts 13:22).

Hatred plays a vital part in true religion. The Lord Jesus Himself commended the believers in the Ephesian church. “‭But‭ this‭ thou hast‭‭, that‭ thou hatest‭‭ the deeds‭ of the Nicolaitans‭, which‭ I also‭ hate‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Revelation 2:6.

The Lord declared the same hatred of sin in the Old Testament age. “‭Howbeit I sent‭‭ unto you all my servants‭ the prophets‭, rising early‭‭ and sending‭‭ ‭them‭, saying‭‭, Oh, do‭‭ not this abominable‭ thing‭ that I hate‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jeremiah 44:4. The Lord has not changed in His attitude, His hatred of sin. We, who would be like the Lord, must share in His hatred of evil!

It is hard for the blinded liberal theologians and their apologists to get round these words. They may quibble about the phrase in our text and claim that David was giving vent to sinful emotions, but they cannot say that of the One “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Who‭ knew‭‭ no‭ sin‭,” ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬2 Corinthians 5:21.

Yes, there are things that the Christian must hate.

The word ‘hate’ in our text is a Hebrew word which is translated in our Authorised Version of the Bible by the English word ‘hate’ 136 times, by ‘enemies’ 3 times, by ‘enemy’ 3 times and by ‘hateful’ once and some 146 other words of the same character, (‘hating’, ‘hateth’ etc.)

It is true that we are to ‘hate’ no one. “‭Thou shalt not hate‭‭ thy brother‭ in thine heart‭: thou shalt in any wise‭‭ rebuke‭‭ thy neighbour‭, and not suffer‭‭ sin‭ upon him,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Leviticus 19:17.

“‭He that saith‭‭ he is‭‭ in‭ the light‭, and‭ hateth‭‭ his‭ brother‭, is‭‭ in‭ darkness‭ even until‭ now‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 1 John 2:9.

“‭Whosoever‭ hateth‭‭ his‭ brother‭ is‭‭ a murderer‭: and‭ ye know‭‭ that‭ no‭‭ murderer‭ hath‭‭ eternal‭ life‭ abiding‭‭ in‭ him‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 1 John 3:15.

However, there is no contradiction between the words of David in the Psalm we are looking at and the words just quoted. They dwell together most amicably when rightly understood! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-16 a 5:40 pm

The following article from the ‘Daily Telegraph’ was sent to me this evening by a kind friend.

It is a harbinger of things to come as the lovers and defenders of moral perversion grow bolder!

Note the implied threat of violence should the wishes of the opponents be ignored!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Christian group blocked from holding conference at Cambridge college

Christian Concern accuses Fitzwilliam College of rejecting its booking on the grounds that it does not believe in gay marriage

By Gabriella Swerling, Social and Religious Affairs Editor

15 September 2022 • 7:19pm

A Christian group has been blocked from holding a conference at Cambridge University because its values were “not compatible with the values of the college”, the High Court has heard.

Christian Concern has accused Fitzwilliam College of “refusing” permission to book its conference on the grounds of the group’s philosophical and religious beliefs – namely that marriage should be between a man and a woman – and has alleged “discrimination”. The college is disputing the claim and denies discrimination. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-15 a 11:03 pm

Sir,

In Saturday’s edition of your newspaper, there appeared an article headed:

Ben Lowry: There is no reason to think King Charles will be bad for the Union

If that hope is based upon the new king’s repeating promises that he will follow in his mother’s footsteps, I just wonder just how much dependance can be placed in such promises.

Were the late Princess Diana with us still, she might have had a ‘telling’ comment to make!!

Sincerely,

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone

UPDATE:

The above letter was not published by the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ until today, Saturday 17th September.

Few today like a dose of realism.

The contrast to our late Queen’s consistently public calmness was seen in the display of irritation and ill-temper, born of a life-time of undenied privilege, by the new king in the two instances of his pique toward his assistants over the pens on the table on which he was signing the declaration of his monarchy and again at Hillsborough Castle when his pen leaked!

I am confident that his mother never displayed such ill-manners! They show just what may be expected in larger measure when he feels he can abandon the ‘show’ he has been exercising in the wake of his mother’s passing, aimed at having people forget his adulterous marriage and that he is thereby totally unfitted to be a king.

Were there a ‘John the Baptist’ around today I know what he would say. “It is not lawful for thee to have her,” Matthew 14:4. I know also the new king would show a similar sign of disgruntlement as did Herod!

Posted on 2022-09-12 a 4:38 pm

Here is the astonishing and distressful headline found in today’s ‘Belfast Telegraph’.

Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey to deliver message to King from the people of Northern Ireland

Utter madness has taken control of Ulster!

Was there ever a more grievous abandonment of propriety and decency than that displayed by this decision, by who knows who, to appoint this supporter of murder and terror to speak on behalf of the people whom he and his ilk, delighted in their being terrorised by his compatriots in the IRA.

Just what will the representative of the Unionist people do in the light of this decision?

Ought not the new King refuse to receive such a hypocritical message.

Let the DUP and its supporters recognise just how dreadful and wicked was the betrayal they were party to in the 2007 decision to join in a power-sharing deal with Sinn Fein/IRA.

The full report reveals that the whole exercise is an ‘ecumenical charade’, with the ‘cross community schools’ the only ones to play a part in the reception of the new King.

How utterly were we betrayed!

Ivan Foster.

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Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey to deliver message to King from the people of Northern Ireland

Matt Fox

September 12 2022 07:17 AM

The King and Queen Consort will receive a message of condolence from self-declared “lifelong republican activist” Alex Maskey at Hillsborough Castle tomorrow.

As Stormont Speaker, the former IRA internee has been tasked with delivering the message on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, on which it is understood King Charles III will respond.

Tomorrow’s planned ceremony will prove particularly significant as it was the IRA who murdered the King’s much beloved great-uncle Lord Mountbatten on his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, in August 1979, and has echoes of Martin McGuinness’ handshake with the Queen in 2012.

In 1983, Mr Maskey was the first member of Sinn Fein to be elected to Belfast City Council since the 1920s.

Posted on 2022-09-12 a 4:35 pm

Presbytery Statement read out in all of our Free Presbyterian Churches on Lord’s Day 11th September, 2022 and which was followed by our congregations standing for a minute’s silence, and concluded by a brief word of prayer.

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It was with the deepest sadness on Thursday evening 8th September 2022 that the ministers and ruling elders and members of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster learned of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

As a Church we lament the passing of a monarch who ruled for over seventy years with dignity, wisdom, and diligence. We thank God for her exemplary, personal, public, conduct as a monarch, and for the stability that she brought to our nation over the seven decades of her illustrious reign.

As a denomination, we express to the Royal Household our sincerest sympathy. Scripture, in 1 Timothy chapter 2, commands the Christian Church to pray “ . . . . for kings and for all that are in authority.” Therefore, we will be interceding for Her Majesty’s family, praying that the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort will impart to their hearts the true consolation of the grace of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At her coronation service on June 2nd 1953, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, presented the new Queen with a copy of the Scriptures and said, ‘Our gracious Queen: to keep your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and the Gospel of God as the Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.’

It is still the Holy Bible that carries the infallible message of God for the Royal family, our nation, and the entire Commonwealth. True comfort in life and in death, is found in Christ Jesus alone. The gospel declares, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.’

Posted on 2022-09-11 a 7:40 pm

Posted on 2022-09-08 a 6:44 pm

Posted on 2022-09-07 a 7:28 pm

Here is a report from today’s “Daily Mail” of a Christian jailed because he would not conform to the demands of the ‘transgender’ lobby in the Church of Ireland school in which he was employed.

He was absolutely right in his refusal. For that he will likely stay in jail until he recants or mercy is shown to him by the courts.

I cannot agree with him being in the employment of the Church of Ireland, an ecumenical, theologically liberal, Christ-denying, union with Rome seeking denomination which, in truth, takes no stand on the issue of female ‘ministers’, sodomy and ‘transgenderism’!

He might well have expected that such a situation would arise when he affiliated with a Church of Ireland establishment.

Long before any Republic of Ireland court ruled that he should not enter the Church of Ireland school premises, the Lord ruled: “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.

However, his actions are brave and we should pray for him that the Lord would wonderfully, to His own glory, intervene in this affair.

There will be further like cases in every sphere of society as the Truth of God is more and more abandoned and opposed.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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‘I love my school but I am here today because I would not call a boy a girl’: Teacher who refused to use student’s gender-neutral pronouns condemns ‘insanity’ as he is JAILED in Ireland

• Enoch Burke was arrested yesterday morning for breaching a court order
• The order barred him from teaching or being present at his Westmeath school
• The dispute began over his refusal to address a transitioning student as ‘they’ rather than ‘he’, as requested by the student and their parents in May
• He was later suspended, and refused to stay away from the school 
• After the ruling, Mr Burke said: ‘I love my school, with its motto Res Non Verba, actions not words, but I am here today because I said I would not call a boy a girl’

By Helen Bruce Courts Correspondent For The Irish Daily Mail

Published: 07:42, 6 September 2022.

A teacher who refused to use gender-neutral pronouns for a transgender student has been sent to Mountjoy prison for contempt of court.

Enoch Burke was arrested yesterday morning for breaching a court order not to teach at his Westmeath school, or be physically present there.

After Judge Michael Quinn made his ruling, Mr Burke said: ‘It is insanity that I will be led from this courtroom to a place of incarceration, but I will not give up my Christian beliefs.’

Counsel for Wilson’s Hospital School’s board of management said it was with a ‘heavy heart’ that it sought Mr Burke’s committal to prison, but she said her client had been left with no choice as Mr Burke continued to attend the school, despite the court order which it had obtained last week.

The dispute began over his refusal to address a transitioning student as ‘they’ rather than ‘he’, as requested by the student and their parents in May, and agreed to by the Church of Ireland school.

This escalated to his suspension on the day before the start of the autumn term, pending the outcome of a disciplinary process.

He had refused to remain away from the school on paid leave for that suspension, the court heard, and would sit in an empty classroom, declaring that he was there to work.

Teacher Enoch Burke (pictured on Monday being brought into the Bridewell Garda station in Garda custody) was arrested yesterday morning for breaching a court order not to teach at his Westmeath school, or be physically present there. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-09-06 a 7:04 pm

Here is the message I preached today in Bethel Free Presbyterian Church at a service marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of the church building.

I had to curtail my message and leave unsaid some of the matters I had in my notes, so many things demanded utterance as I stood before the people.

However, I have attached the full notes so perhaps you can do a little searching out of the verses I was unable to touch upon.

May the Lord bless you.

Ivan Foster

Click here to read the sermon notes

Watch a video of this sermon here:

Posted on 2022-09-04 a 4:49 pm

PETITION OPPOSING THE CAMPAIGN TO FORCE COUNTRIES OPPOSED TO SODOMY TO LEGALISE THIS LATTER-DAY PLAGUE

Sodomy is a wickedness spawned in hell and hated of God.

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination {hateful, disgusting thing},” Leviticus 18:22.

Furthermore, the Saviour has revealed that the proliferation of this wickedness is a sign of the approach of His return.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed,” Luke 17:26-30.

God’s faithful people should be preparing their hearts and life’s for that glorious day. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. . . . . the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut,” Matthew 24:44, 25:10.

We would urge Christians to sign this particular petition.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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AN APPEAL FROM ‘CHRISTIAN VOICE’

“There is a campaign building to pressurise countries in the developing world to legalise sodomy and same-sex marriage. British diver Tom Daley is leading the campaign and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham joined in with a ‘woke’ opening ceremony.

We have started a Petition: ‘Developing Nations Stand Against Sodomy!’

Please sign the petition here and join the resistance to ungodly measures and Western immorality!”

Deut 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. (KJV)

Yours in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

Stephen Green,

National Director, Christian Voice

Posted on 2022-09-02 a 8:31 pm

In a day when ‘gender transitioning’ has taken hold of those beguiled by the notion that a human being can alter their gender, the following report in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ makes refreshing reading. Such are in outright rebellion against the order the Lord established at the creation of the world (Genesis 1:27) and it is good to see the beginnings of a challenge of the Sinn Fein Stormont minister, Conor Murphy, squandering and misusing public funds on an organisation dedicated to the promotion of all things evil.

May good come of this legal challenge mounted against Murphy and his Stormont department, and a stop put to this profligate wastage of public funds and the promotion of such a reprehensible mania!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Stonewall funding: Stormont issued with writ for judicial review by Jamie Bryson

A legal writ for a judicial review has been lodged to challenge the Department of Finance’s continued funding of the controversial pro-trans charity Stonewall.

By The Newsroom

Wednesday, 31st August 2022, 6:00 am

The department confirmed this week that it has given a further £2,500 to the LGBTQI lobby group on top of almost £12,000 granted to it between 2019 and this year.

Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy and his department received the proposed claim by the applicant, the loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, yesterday.

In his proposed claim for judicial review, Mr Bryson charges that the Department of Finance “has acted unlawfully in directing expenditure in relation to membership of Stonewall, in circumstances whereby this is a significant and/or controversial matter within the meaning of section 20(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and therefore absent Executive approval the Minister is deprived of authority to take such a decision.”

In his submission, Mr Bryson has given the department until September 28 to respond to his application.

Posted on 2022-09-01 a 6:04 pm

Audio sermons and bulletins

Click here to listen to all the sermons on this website!

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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Some of my Favorite Psalms”

• School is out for the summer. Check back for new KICS talks once school term begins.
• See all the talks in this series here.
• See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

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Featured sermon series: Studies in Job

Part 21: Our attitude toward our enemies in the day of their fall;  Part 22: An Introduction To Elihu;  Part 23: The Ancient Truth of Conversion;  Part 24: An Enduring Peace and Quietness

See all messages in this series here.

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Recently Preached Sermons

Something we must never forget
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Aug 21, 2022

What convinced me of the need for Christian education
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Tue Aug 9, 2022

The death of the best known criminal in the world
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Aug 7, 2022

View all recently preached sermons

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Older Sermons Recently Added

To the highest purity from the deepest depravity
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Oct 30, 1994

Framing mischief by a law
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jun 30, 1985

A happy prospect for a suffering saint
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Aug 14, 1994

View all recently added sermons

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

This letter has been published today in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

It is most encouraging to read and to have these things said amidst the welter of lies and propaganda from Sinn Fein/IRA and the weaklings in the Unionist political community.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Posted on 2022-08-31 a 4:27 pm

This ‘NewsLetter’ article is dated 27th August and is worth a read.

I cannot endorse all that is written for there is no mention of the collusion of the Ecumenical Churches and the Church of Rome in the whole process of ‘sanitising’ the IRA’s terror campaign and in the aiding of the Republican terrorists to escape the castigation due for their crimes.

It is because of this that IRA glorifying Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein sits in Stormont, dictating as a result of the DUP’s greed for power and readiness to enter a ‘power-sharing’ arrangement with the cover-organisation of the IRA!

I personally witnessed that evil deceit at work in the aftermath of the ‘Poppy-Day Massacre’ in Enniskillen in November 1987 (see The Remembrance Day Massacre at Enniskillen).

At that time the four churches, the police and the British Government conspired to hide the true facts of Rome’s assistance of the bombers by her protests against any searching of property under her control before the ‘Remembrance Day’ parade to Enniskillen Cenotaph.

As a result, the IRA were able to conceal a bomb, timed to go off during the remembrance day wreath-laying, in a Roman Catholic church building right beside the Cenotaph.

All told, 12 Protestants were murdered and over 60 seriously injured in the blast.

That wicked scheming by the churches and agencies of the State has yet to be told.

However, there are valuable facts and figures in this article which should be noted.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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It is no wonder that support for the IRA has been growing

For more than 20 years the republican strategy on legacy should have been clear to anyone who follows politics closely.

By Ben Lowry.

‘The NewsLetter’, Saturday, 27th August 2022.

A poll says 70% of nationalists say IRA was justified. But nationalists who lived through it didn’t

It was in the summer of 2001 in the Weston Park talks that Sinn Fein got two huge strides forwards in its bid to retrospectively legitimise IRA terrorism. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-29 a 5:48 pm

Posted on 2022-08-29 a 12:55 pm

The following letter was submitted to the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ in the early hours of this morning. It is a rebuttal of the deceitful letter the newspaper printed on Saturday from one, Gerry Cullen.

His letter is all part of the white-washing of Irish Republicanism and an attempt to ‘ennoble’ the murderer, Michael Collins.

Please pray that it will be published in full.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Sir,

In the ‘NewsLetter’ of Saturday, 27th August, a letter appeared under the heading, ‘Michael Collins would not have backed later IRA murders’. The writer was a Mr Gerry Cullen.

The notion set forth by Mr Cullen would be laughable, were it not seen as part of the ‘sanitising’ of the murderous agenda of Irish Republicanism, both in the early and middle part of the last century. As such his letter is wickedly deceitful!

Michael Collins did not sign the ‘Anglo Irish Treaty’ in December 1921 in order to avoid the “inevitable sectarian slaughter of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland”, as claimed by Mr Cullen.

Rather, he did so because on the night of December 5th, 1921, Lloyd George brandished two letters in front of the Irish delegation and warned them that a train was waiting at Euston Station and a destroyer at Holyhead to take one of the letters to Belfast to the Northern Ireland prime minister James Craig.

One letter stated that agreement had been reached between Great Britain and the Irish Republic; the other stated that the talks had broken down. In the latter case Lloyd George threatened there would be “immediate and terrible war within three days”.

That is what prompted Collins to sign! No one knew better than he that the IRA, enfeebled after years of conflict, would be utterly wiped out under such an unshackled assault by the British Army!

As he signed, he was heard to say, ‘I am signing my death warrant’. Collins was not prepared to sign his death warrant for the sake of the Protestants or Roman Catholics of Northern Ireland! He was thinking of others, himself included, facing the threatened British Army assault.

Michael Collins was deeply involved in the terrorism unleashed on the Protestants of Northern Ireland following the signing of the ‘Treaty’. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-29 a 3:36 am

I will start this final study by thanking those who contacted me to thank me for the previous studies in Matthew 24 under the title of ‘The Beginning of Sorrows.’

These studies arose out my own consideration of the verse 8 and the fact that the Saviour indicated that the ‘Christian Era’ would be one of sorrow for the believer. It is not that the gospel brings grief to those who embrace it, for nothing could be further from the truth. What was said of Samaria upon the entrance of the gospel, may be said of individuals, communities and nations which embrace God’s truth as did Samaria. “And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:8.

But not all cities acted so. Things were different on at least one occasion in Ephesus. “And the whole city was filled with confusion,”Acts 19:29. That word ‘confusion’ refers to a riotous situation, not brought on by the gospel but brought about by the enemies of the gospel who sought by riot to stop it being preached.

So it has been over the last 2000 years.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, Final Part

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading and which form the final section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

There have been very few periods over the last 2000 years when sorrow did not feature darkly amongst the ranks of the godly. Even in times of revival blessing, those who served the Lord and preached His Word were treated shamefully. The histories of men such as the Waldenses, the Protestant Reformers, the Covenanters, George Whitefield and John Wesley testify to this fact.

This world has never had the wit to realise the greatness of the eternal good that it could enjoy if only it were to receive the message of Christ. Instead, it has treated the messengers with the ‘good news’ of salvation most abominably. In all too many instances they “had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth,” Hebrews 11:36-38.

Yes, sorrow has followed the gospel like a dark shadow but Christian, remember the words of Paul.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body,” Romans 8:18-23.

I ended our last study by indicating that we will consider the final and glorious sequence of events that will signal the return of the Saviour and our gathering unto Him. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-23 a 7:49 pm

Today, Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church marked its 48th anniversary since the opening of the hall which now forms the auditorium of the church building.

I was asked to preach at the special season of prayer in the afternoon, a feature of every anniversary over the last 48 years.

I am including two pictures of  the opening of the hall back on August 17th, 1974.

Click here to read the sermon notes

 

I did not refer to all the verses I have in my notes so perhaps you could look them up for your edification.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2022-08-21 a 7:30 pm

I received from a family member in Australia this morning the link to this article in ‘The Guardian’ newspaper of Wednesday 17th August.

I know that you will be interested in the news and rejoice that there are those who seek to oppose the dreadful apostasy of the Anglican Churches.

I think it fair to comment that while it is most welcome to see the stand against this sin that is taken by these folk, there seems to be no evidence of any real understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the latter-day apostasy.

Here are two examples of what the Bible says of the last days.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained,” 1 Timothy 4:1-6.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Was this truth understood and the departure of mainstream Anglicanism seen in this context, then there would be no question of it ever repenting and returning back to the truth of God, as Rev Peter Palmer would seemingly hold out some hope of. He is reported as saying: “If the leadership would repent and turn back to the teachings of the bible, we wouldn’t need the Diocese of Southern Cross. I’d shut it down and come back.”

There is no repentance or reformation for apostasy; it is ‘given up of God’. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-18 a 6:45 pm

Here is my fourth study in Matthew 24.

The Lord Jesus gave to His disciples a picture of the state of Christianity in the days just prior to His return.

There has been a very obvious decline and, as is always the case, error and the lies of the devil have enlarged.

In mercy to those believer who will be found in Jerusalem in those dark times, He issues a warning regarding the Antichrist and also directions regarding their response to that which will signal the start of the “great tribulation.”

I trust the opinion I give on verse 28 will prove to be helpful and edifying for you all, though I emphasise it is only my attempt at explaining a difficult verse.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, Part 4

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading and which form the third section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

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In our last study, we considered how that the Saviour indicated to us all that in the midst of the darkness of the final years of this age, just before His return in glory and great power, there would be a faithful remnant upheld in the very heart of the ‘fire’ of tribulation, in the Antichrist’s dominion.

1. I repeat, while many will “wax cold”, others will “endure” and bear witness to Christ and His gospel. They will ‘bear patiently’ the trial that will beset God’s people. By their endurance the light of the gospel witness will be maintained.

So it has ever been. Paul said to Timothy: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry,” 2 Timothy 4:5. Enduring affliction and doing the work of the evangelist have always gone hand in hand! Even in the best of times it has been so. The record of the labours of men such as George Whitefield and John and Charles Wesley testify to that.

Just before the end of this age, the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come,” Matthew 24:14. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-15 a 9:00 pm

“And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.  I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel,”  Amos 4:6-12.

We have all seen and heard the daily broadcasts by the news media, when commentators vie with each other as to who will sound the most dramatic and sensational in their reports of the extent of the natural disasters that are hitting many countries, not least the United Kingdom, especially the south of England and Wales.

There are reports from all over the world of drought, vanishing water supplies, uncontrollable forest fires, harvests lost through lack of water, fields of grain destroyed by fire, animals in distress because of thirst, likewise fish and other aquatic creatures suffering because of low river levels and a consequent drop in oxygen content. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-12 a 6:50 pm

This week the 35th Annual Summer Seminar for Trainees & Probationary Teachers is taking place in Newtownabbey Independent Christian School.

Today, I was invited to speak on the subject: “What convinced me of the need for Christian Education”.

When I was finished speaking, I supplied the trainees with notes of my message and also of the original submission to Presbytery back in 1978, requesting permission to pursue the opening of Christian Schools.

The first school opened in September of the next year.

Here is a a recording of the message and also the notes of the message for your perusal.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster.

Click here to read the sermon notes

Posted on 2022-08-09 a 10:03 pm

I make these comments on an article which appeared in a national daily newspaper two days ago.

Its subject matter would cause one to hold one’s head in one’s hands in utter despair for our nation!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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PARENTAL PSYCHOSIS

An article appeared in the London newspaper: ‘The Telegraph’ dated 6th August.  It had the headline:

‘I will not put my girls in that organisation’:  How a trans crisis engulfed Girlguiding

The crisis centres upon the claim “recent developments have left some parents fearing the needs of boys who feel they are female are being put above those of their daughters.”

“In its current summer newsletter, Girlguiding – the organisation formerly known as the Girl Guides – shares the real-life story of a recent recruit welcomed warmly into Rainbows, the organisation’s youngest tier for four-to-seven-year-old girls. The child in question – a lover of dolls and scarves and dresses, we are told, who wants to be called “Rainbow” – is biologically male, though his mother says in the article that his “true gender” is female.”

The article goes on:

“The circulation of ‘Rainbow’s story’ to the 290,000 girls between four and 18 who are members of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers has caused a storm of protest among parents. “I found it horrific reading,” says Catherine, a former nursery teacher and mother of three from north London, whose eight-year-old daughter is currently a Brownie. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-08 a 8:34 pm

Nothing highlights the dreadful pit into which Ulster has stumbled under the leadership of false prophets and hireling politicians than the arrogant and shamefull claims of Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill and her defence of IRA terrorism.

What a betrayal the DUP are guilty of when they entered ‘power-sharing’ with murderers, back in 2007 and which they blindly persist in still!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill said she believed there had been no alternative to IRA violence during the Troubles

Victims of terrorism have challenged Michelle O’Neill’s claim that there was “no alternative” to Provisional IRA violence during the Troubles.

What this evil woman is saying is that the murder of hundreds of innocent men, women and children, Protestant and Roman Catholic who died at the hands of Michelle O’Neill’s compatriots, had to die, there was no other alternative as far as Sinn Fein is concerned.

Holding the office of Vice President of Sinn Fein and coming from a family which is steeped in IRA terrorism — her father, Brendan Doris, was a Sinn Féin councillor and IRA member who served time in prison — it is not surprising that she upholds and seeks to justify the decades of IRA terrorism, the murder of hundreds of innocent victims, the bombing and the destruction of £millions of public property, kidnapping and innumerable robberies and other acts of terrorism too numerous to mention!

What is more, as one whose whole career is one of setting forth lies of falsehoods, it is nothing new for her and her ilk to talk out of the side of their mouth in order to try and justify the unjustifiable! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-04 a 11:26 pm

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life . . . . . . The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city,” John 4:14, 28.

Preached by Rev Ivan Foster when minister of  Bethel Free Presbyterian Church, May 6th, 1973.

True conversion is never a matter of chance, no matter how it may appear so to men! It is no mere ‘fluke’ that brings about an encounter between the SINNER and the SAVIOUR. The Lord Jesus was ever SEEKING the lost. He, in His search, deliberately planned confrontations with sinners. This is plainly seen in the passage we read, (John 4:1-26, 39-42).

The Lord Jesus selected the PERSON. The Lord Jesus selected the SITUATION. The Lord Jesus selected the TIME. The Lord Jesus selected the CONVERSATION. The Lord Jesus chose to REVEAL HIMSELF. “Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he,” verse 26. FIRST and LAST salvation is of the Lord!

In His conversation with this woman, Christ pinpoints the two great areas of ignorance in mankind, verse 10. “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Mankind is IGNORANT of the GIFT and GIVER.

Tonight I wish to show what the Bible teaches us about the GIFT and GIVER.

God’s gift of salvation is likened unto a WELL OF WATER. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life,” verse 14. By setting our thoughts upon such a familiar object as a well of water we can learn much about God’s salvation. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-02 a 5:45 pm

Popular priest behind atrocity that even IRA was ashamed of

RUC believed Fr James Chesney played major part in 1972 Claudy bomb massacre that left nine dead

So read the headline in a ‘Belfast Telegraph article marking the 50th anniversary of the infamous ‘Claudy Bombing’ by an IRA gang, led, it is commonly believed, by a Roman Catholic priest, one James Chesney.

Had this been an incident in which a loyalist terror group, led by a Protestant minister, set off three car bombs which resulted in the murder of 9 people and the injuring of 30, then the headlines and the general reaction would have been very different indeed.

The Pope would have appeared on his balcony to conduct the chorus of hatred and propaganda against Ulster Protestants. The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in company with the ecumenical churches, would have most diligently joined in this world-wide cry. The Westminster Government would have been on its knees in commiseration and a weeping prime minister would have offered his deepest sympathies along with £millions in compensation.

Most importantly, to a man, God-fearing Ulster Protestants would have outrightly condemned such an act for it has no place in Bible Protestantism!

As it was, things turned out very differently. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-08-01 a 12:10 am

Audio sermons and bulletins

Click here to listen to all the sermons on this website!

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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Some of my Favorite Psalms”

• School is out for the summer. Check back for new KICS talks once school term begins.
• See all the talks in this series here.
• See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

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Featured sermon series: Studies in Job

Part 16: Job's Estimate of God's Word;  Part 17: Rebels Against Light;  Part 18: To the highest purity from the deepest depravity;  Part 19: Looking Back to Better Times;  Part 20: The Protective Barriers Taken Down

See all messages in this series here.

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Recently Preached Sermons

Will the church go through the great tribulation?
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Fri Jul 22, 2022

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preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jul 17, 2022

Sanctification -- a vital truth
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jul 17, 2022

View all recently preached sermons

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Older Sermons Recently Added

To the highest purity from the deepest depravity
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Oct 30, 1994

Framing mischief by a law
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jun 30, 1985

A happy prospect for a suffering saint
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Aug 14, 1994

View all recently added sermons

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

Two news reports have been brought to my attention which need to be considered by Christians and the matters raised need to be prayed and protested against by all who would seek to honour the Lord.

First of all here is yet another reason for Independent Christian Schools!!

Sex education in schools could be made compulsory by NI secretary

“The Northern Ireland secretary says he will consider introducing compulsory relationship and sex education (RSE) in schools if the Department of Education does not.”

The schools referred to are the ‘state schools’.

But will anything arouse and alarm Christian parents who happily send their offspring to such?

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Here is another report.

There has appeared one more appeal on behalf of the perverts of the LBGTQ, (who can keep up with this ever enlarging acronym) from one, ‘Gareth Hanna’ in the ‘Belfast Telegraph, a newspaper all too ready to provide space for the promotion of such wickedness!

It appeared yesterday and a link to the article was sent to me by a friend. The article goes under the heading:

Why it’s time more NI Christians came out as LGBTQ+ affirming

It would appear that the writer would have us believe that he has some form of connection with ‘Christianity’, but in truth his writings and arguments in the article indicate plainly that he is as ignorant of God’s Word as a ‘sow going to hoke’! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-29 a 6:24 pm

I could not but comment on this news report which appears in today’s ‘Belfast Telegraph’, under the headline:

“LGBT Church of Ireland group welcomes change on same-sex marriage statement”.

It ought to have been headlined: “Church of Ireland afflicted with same terminal disease as the Church of England and they now share the same deathbed”

The article begins: “A change from the Anglican Communion on its statement around same-sex marriage issues has been welcomed by a group which represents LGBT members within the Church of Ireland.”

The article then continues: “Ahead of the Anglican Communion’s Lambeth Conference – the first in Canterbury for 14 years – organisers scrapped a statement that reaffirmed the conference’s historic stance against same-sex marriage, BBC NI reports. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-28 a 3:50 pm

“‭And the LORD‭ shall guide‭‭ thee continually‭, and satisfy‭‭ thy soul‭ in drought‭, and make fat‭‭ thy bones‭: and thou shalt be like a watered‭ garden‭, and like a spring‭ of water‭, whose waters‭ fail‭‭ not.‭ ‭And ‭they that shall be‭ of thee shall build‭‭ the old‭ waste places‭: thou shalt raise up‭‭ the foundations‭ of many‭ generations‭; and thou shalt be called‭‭, The repairer‭‭ of the breach‭, The restorer‭‭ of paths‭ to dwell in‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Isaiah 58:11-12.

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The above verses were impressed upon my heart in 1966, while a student in Whiteabbey Free Presbyterian Church, which later became Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church.

I freely confess that in unbelief I felt that I could not claim such a glorious promise as being for me from the Lord.

It was many, many years later that these words, though never forgotten, were applied with power to my heart and gave me some understanding of the task given me in the later years of my life.

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The old Whiteabbey church building, a former courthouse and police station, where I began my preaching as a student minister of the Free Presbyterian Church in February 1965, some ten months after my conversion, in company with fellow student minister, Rev William Beattie, who shortly afterwards took up full time duties in Dunmurry Free Presbyterian Church.

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Some time ago I mentioned to our readers that I had in mind a target of 1,000,000 visits to “The Burning Bush” website as a ‘line in the sand’ to indicate that it was time to wind down the witness for God’s truth which has been running, in one form or another, since March 1970 when the first printed edition appeared.

Now I have reached that point. All told of course, far more than 1,000,000 people have been reached with the voice of protest of “The Burning Bush”. The printed editions would have been shared by far more than one reader and the articles and sermons on the ‘internet’ edition undoubtedly would have been downloaded and shared many times over. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-28 a 3:06 am

“‭All‭‭ these‭ ‭are‭ the beginning‭ of sorrows‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading and which are the third section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

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The bullet-scared Jaffa Gate, the result of the battle for Jerusalem when it was reunified by the Israeli army in the ‘Six-Day War in 1967.

In our last study we considered how that ‘the beginning of sorrows’ would lead on to the full harvest of sorrow and that it would be the Jews in Jerusalem who would chiefly suffer in that time of the ‘great tribulation’ at the end of this age, just before the Saviour returns in glory.

1. The Saviour makes clear in verses 9-14 just how the ‘sorrows’ will commence and what it will entail in its early stages.

“‭Then‭ shall they deliver‭‭ you‭ up‭‭ to‭ be afflicted‭, and‭ shall kill‭‭ you‭: and‭ ye shall be‭‭ hated‭‭ of‭ all‭ nations‭ for‭ my‭ name’s sake‭.‭ ‭And‭ then‭ shall many‭ be offended‭‭, and‭ shall betray‭‭ one another‭, and‭ shall hate‭‭ one another‭.‭ ‭And‭ many‭ false prophets‭ shall rise‭‭, and‭ shall deceive‭‭ many‭.‭ ‭And‭ because‭ iniquity‭ shall abound‭‭, the love‭ of many‭ shall wax cold‭‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-27 a 6:27 pm

I was sent the following article and would wish to make one observation based upon one criticism of the rugby players who refused to wear these ‘pro-sodomy’ jerseys.

I have in the past stated that it is wrong for a Christian to turn out for any sports team which is supported by the booze and betting trades. However, bad and all as this is, it falls short of donning regalia which openly supports the ever-spreading abomination of sodomy! God certainly draws a distinction between sodomy and all other sins. I believe that it will receive the severest of all punishments on the day of eternal retribution, with the exception of the sin of rejecting the gospel of Christ.

This the Saviour states in Matthew11:23. “‭And‭ thou‭, Capernaum‭, which‭ art exalted‭‭ unto‭ heaven‭, shalt be brought down‭‭ to‭ hell‭: for‭ if‭ the mighty works‭, which‭ have been done‭‭ in‭ thee‭, had been done‭‭ in‭ Sodom‭, it would have remained‭‭‭ until‭ this day‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jude highlights the dreadful wickedness of sodomy. “‭Even as‭ Sodom‭ and‭ Gomorrha‭, and‭ the cities‭ about‭ them‭ in like‭‭ manner‭, giving themselves over to fornication‭‭, and‭ going‭‭ after‭ strange‭ flesh‭, are set forth for‭‭ an example‭, suffering‭‭ the vengeance‭ of eternal‭ fire‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jude 1:7.

The destruction visited upon those cities, surpassing all other manifestations of God’s wrath, is meant to be an example, a pattern, of the vengeance awaiting those guilty of this wickedness. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-26 a 5:49 pm

Posted on 2022-07-22 a 2:00 pm

I was notified by a friend and reader of ’The Burning Bush’ that the following tweet had appeared on the internet.

That was mounted 2 hours ago (about 9.00 pm) and I just saw that the BB site has had over 1100 hits and the number is rising steadily!!

(1260 as I send out this email).

That is what you call ’shooting yourself in the foot’! I hope it really hurts 😊.

The article he is complaining about is:

The blinded mind of a sodomite

May many benefit from this ‘advertising’ of the BB by this supporter of perversion.

He claims that what I wrote about him was ‘homophobic.

That is untrue if he is claiming that I was inciting hatred against those of his perverted persuasion.

However, I certainly would incite hatred against ‘sodomy’ of which Michael Palmer is a supporter.

In hating such a sin I am following in the footsteps of the Psalmist.

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way,” Psalm 119:104.

“Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies,” Psalm 139:21-22.

More importantly, I follow my Saviour Who said:

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate,” Revelation 2:14-15.

The Saviour ‘commends’ the hating of the doctrines of the ‘Nicolaitans’, a 1st century heretical sect.

There are things and practices which Christians are exhorted to hate by the Lord.

Be that as it may, whatever the Christian may feel about sodomy and related perversions, it is nothing to the expression of wrath that the Lord will manifest in that day referred to in Romans 1:18.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

(Written in haste!)

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2022-07-21 a 2:03 am

This the second article containing comments I have penned on Matthew 24:1-31.

I would consider this portion of God’s Word as one of the most important and relevant section of the Holy Scriptures for this day in which we live!

It speaks of those events leading up to the final seven years of this age and then goes into even greater detail regarding the second half of that season, the last three and a half years, or as they are referred to in the Bible, a thousand two hundred and threescore days, the time, times and half a time and the forty-two weeks, Revelation 11:2-3, 12:14.

I trust that you will be helped by what is here written.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster.

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“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading  and which are the second section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31. I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

Let us come to the words of this verse, which forms the basis of our study.

1. The meaning of the word ‘beginning’. The word carries the meaning of ‘the origin’. It first appears in the New Testament in Matthew 19:4. “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,” Matthew 19:4.

From that act of creation, very much has sprung! Likewise, that is what the Saviour is indicating. The wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes will give rise to very great sorrow.

2. This age is to end in sorrow and suffering. That is what sin and rebellion against God brings! “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-20 a 10:49 pm

I preached at the Sunday evening service at Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church.

Afterward, I had the pleasure of speaking at the open-air in Kilskeery that evening.

It was lovely to have the weather to get outside to speak to our neighbours.

Please ignore my singing at the start   – it was unavoidable.

We wanted you to hear all of the brief witness.

The Lord bless you.

Sincerely in Christ’s name, Ivan Foster.

Sunday Evening Service:


Open air meeting:

Posted on 2022-07-18 a 7:01 pm

If like me you use Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar, then you will see that Matthew 24 is part of the schedule for today.

My reading again of this portion brought me much joy and prompted me to consider the words in verse 8: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

As is my habit, I was prompted to start making a few notes and this developed into the following study which I hope to continue on a weekly basis.

I can but pray that the Lord is pleased to bless it to your comfort, edification, joy and spiritual benefit.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, Part 1

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading today and which are the first section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

Like so many of God’s people throughout the ages since Matthew recorded these words, I have delighted in this chapter. Yet, it is a chapter which all too many have misunderstood and made the basis of false notions. The lack of clarity of the Word of God is not to be blamed for this nor would we be correct in concluding that such error arises because God’s Word is hard to be understood. It is our foolish tendency to jump to conclusions without due consideration that causes misunderstanding and folly. The ‘golden rule’ of Scriptural interpretation is “rightly dividing the word of truth”. That is, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” 1 Corinthians 2:13. Thus we will be led to an understanding of ‘the mind of the Lord,’ 1 Corinthians 2:16.

I have ever rejoiced at the Saviour’s readiness to answer the questions of His disciples. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you,” Matthew 24:3-4.

Please note:

1. These questions arose from the Saviour’s troubling disclosure.

“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Matthew 24:2. Men have ever loved the OUTWARD symbols of religion. Even among true Bible believers the outward may take the place of that of which it merely is a witness. In this case the temple with its beauty, had become more important than the ONE Who was to be worshipped there! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-14 a 6:35 pm

While listening to the unfolding of events in London today, with Boris Johnston resigning his post as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister in humiliation and ignominy, I was reminded of the wonderful old text of God’s Word.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,”Galatians 6:7.

I noticed that he described the system of politics here as ‘Darwinian’ and that it would continue and provide leadership for the nation.

If only he realised how ironically true his words are. ‘Darwinianism’ is another name for the false notion of ‘evolution’, which claims that things are improving and getting better. The opposite is the case of course, as the testimony of every graveyard declares.

Boris will be followed by one who will prove and even greater failure.

So says the Word of God.

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,”2 Timothy 3:13.

As a result of the turmoil in London, we in Northern Ireland now have a new Secretary of State, Shailesh Vara. He is a Hindu!!! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-07 a 10:28 pm

A ‘New Step’ – DOWNWARD!!!

Further evidence of the DUP’s pandering to that cursed of God!

The headline below, which  appeared in the ‘Belfast Telegraph’ of 5th July, was drawn to my attention late last evening.

The article that it adorns illustrates afresh the slide of the DUP away from God’s Word and into the depths of wicked defiance of God.

The movement represented by the initialism, LGBTQ+, is a concoction of moral corruption and deviance, the members of which openly and unashamedly debase themselves by flaunting their spiritual delinquency and in consequence are defined by the Lord as ‘given up’ and given “over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (fitting).” They are called ‘haters of God’, (Romans 1:26, 28, 30).

Such degenerates the DUP is prepared to more and more embrace and endorse their evil campaign of debauched rebellion.

Now there are those in the DUP who do not agree with such associations. Of this I have no doubt. But when the party leader wholeheartedly welcomes and encourages such an evil alliance, then it has to be said such is the ‘established’ policy of the party and all who are in membership are tainted with this wickedness before God.

It is a Biblical truth that those who remain within a corrupt and evil organisation become guilty before God of the crimes of those with whom they company and will share in the judgment that must follow. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-06 a 7:35 pm

LGBT figures lobby for clamp down on anti-gay preaching after charges dismissed in two prosecutions

LGBT figures have called for a clamp down on street preaching against homosexuality – after a Banbridge man was acquitted of criminal charges twice in one week.

So began an article by reporter Philip Bradfield in which the “News Letter” invited a number of LGBT stakeholders to respond to the above developments..

It’s opening paragraph reads:

“Banbridge man Ryan Williamson, 44, was arrested in Larne and Dundalk last August and September respectively after preaching against homosexuality and was charged with public order offences. However his defence lawyers successfully defended him from all charges on 27 and 22 June respectively, citing his European Convention Human Rights of freedom of expression and association. Two associates, Sean Paul Tully and Robert Ervine, were also arrested and cleared in Dundalk.

In the same week, the outgoing Presbyterian Moderator told that “we will not rewrite” the Bible on issues such as same sex marriage and transgenderism.”

NI street preachers, from left to right, Sean Paul Tully, Ryan Williamson, and Robert Ervine.
All three were arrested by Garda in Dundalk in September after preaching against homosexuality.
All charges against them were dismissed last month.

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The report states:

Aisling Play of the ‘Rainbow Project’ says: “The Rainbow Project has raised concerns around the impact on LGBTQIA+ people and their families around the ongoing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia being shared by street preachers in Belfast city centre,” she said. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-04 a 7:16 pm

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly,” Genesis 13:13 — “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground,” Genesis 19:24-25.

Regent Street in London bedecked with ‘Gay Pride’ flags for the first time in history and paid for by the Crown Estate. It has commissioned 100 Pride flags to hang above the street to mark ‘London Gay Pride’ parade this weekend! The Crown Estate is an independent commercial business, created by Act of Parliament. The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning monarch ‘in right of The Crown’, that is, it is owned by the monarch for the duration of their reign, by virtue of their accession to the throne. 

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A PICTURE OF THIS PRESENT TODAY

The verse: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly,” Genesis 13:13, pictures for us the state of this wicked rebellion today in our land. Sodomy was always a perversion found amongst the pagan nations of the world and the reprobate elements amongst those professing faith in the true God. That is seen in that the Lord had to warn His people to avoid utterly such a sin. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination,” Leviticus 18:22.  The Lord adds the final warning about all the abominations He had strongly censured in the foregoing verses. “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: and the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) that the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people,” Leviticus 18:24-29.

The word that the Lord uses regarding His reaction to such sins: ‘vomiteth’, verse 25 and ‘spue & spued’, verse 28, is a clear indication that the Lord cannot tolerate such behaviour. In His mercy, He is longsuffering today as He was in the days of Noah (Genesis 6:3). Peter refers to God’s longsuffering in 1 Peter 3:20. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-01 a 5:52 pm

This is the concluding sentence of a letter which has appeared in today’s (1/7/22) ‘Belfast Newsletter’. It is from a sodomite member of the Ulster Unionist Party, who signs his name, ‘Michael Palmer’.

“I appeal to the DUP leadership to consider allowing its members who are supportive of the LGBT community to attend Belfast Pride. The future of unionism and the union hinges upon LGBT support.”

That there are LGBT supporting members of the DUP may be seen in the endorsing of one who openly acknowledged her perversion as a candidate in the last local council election back in 2019 and who presently sits as a member of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. She is Alison Bennington who became the DUP’s first openly ‘gay’ candidate to be elected when she won one of 14 DUP seats on that Council.

But there are many other ‘supporters’ of the LGBT  perversions in the DUP as subsequent events and photographs of rejoicing DUP members at her election showed.

Robbie Butler MLA, is the Deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. He is a professing Christian and has links to the Elim Pentecostal Church.

He is but one of the many who profess allegiance to Christ, in the UUP and the DUP, but who can remain silently in a ‘sodomite endorsing’ organisation! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-07-01 a 5:43 pm