April 2022

Audio sermons and bulletins

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


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


Featured sermon series: Studies in Job

Part 3: The Marks of True Friendship;  Part 4: Guarding Our Lips;  Part 5: The Blessing Of Chastening;  Part 6: The Failure of Friendship;  Part 7: The Hopelessness of Hypocrisy

See all messages in this series here.


Recently Preached Sermons

PATRICK - A true servant of Christ
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Tue Mar 15, 2022

The future for God's people revealed
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Feb 20, 2022

The mystery of God's wise providence
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Feb 20, 2022

View all recently preached sermons


Older Sermons Recently Added

Catching the soul with the Gospel lure
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jun 27, 2004

Rejoicing that our names are written down in God's register
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Jun 27, 2004

Perils fueling our prayer life
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Wed Jan 8, 2014

View all recently added sermons


Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here


 

Bookies' Sunday opening marks a complete transformation of social change 

Silent film depiction of a bookie with his odds board and clients

This is a headline which appeared in this morning’s ‘Irish News’.

Bookies’ Sunday opening marks a complete transformation of social change” 

The ’social change’ that this Nationalist newspaper rejoices in is another step in the abandoning of the standards of the Bible and the defying of the commandments of God.

It but highlights the dying of the influence of Bible Christianity in our Province. Such is the fruit of the ecumenical and liberal apostasy that has long gripped the main Protestant denominations and the enfeebled stance of the evangelical witness in Ulster.

We are seeing what Jeremiah and many others in parallel ages saw.

Heed what the Lord said back then and understand its significance in our day!

“‭Behold, ye trust‭‭ in lying‭ words‭, that cannot profit‭‭.‭ ‭Will ye steal‭‭, murder‭‭, and commit adultery‭‭, and swear‭‭ falsely‭, and burn incense‭‭ unto Baal‭, and walk‭‭ after‭ other‭ gods‭ whom ye know‭‭ not;‭ ‭and come‭‭ and stand‭‭ before‭ me in this house‭, which is called‭‭ by my name‭, and say‭‭, We are delivered‭‭ to do‭‭ all these abominations‭?‭ ‭Is this house‭, which is called‭‭ by my name‭, become a den‭ of robbers‭ in your eyes‭? Behold, even I have seen‭‭ ‭it‭, saith‭‭ the LORD‭.‭ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-29 a 4:09 pm


The beguiled and the beguilers!

Vatican: Pope meets Belfast priest and Presbyterian minister

A Presbyterian minister and a Catholic priest from Belfast have met Pope Francis in Rome. Rev Steve Stockman and ‘Fr’ Martin Magill were part of a delegation from Belfast which met the Pope at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

They were invited in their role as organisers of an annual cross-community festival which is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Free Presbyterian Church condemns the visit to the Pope by Presbyterian minister

A BIBLICAL AND CONFESSIONAL RESPONSE TO REV. STEVEN STOCKMAN

Presbyterian minister Rev. Steven Stockman is minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, a church that has for many years been in the forefront of promoting a ‘peace process collaboration’ with Clonard Monastery in West Belfast. Stockman and local priest, Martin Magill, have been organisers of an annual cross-community festival for the past ten years. In January this year the Pope sent a video message praising Magill and Stockman for their ecumenical activity. Subsequently, the two men were part of a delegation from Belfast which travelled to Rome to meet the Pope at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

Concerning the meeting at the Vatican, Stockman wrote, “I have no doubts that many in my denomination and other Protestants will call me a heretic.” He further stated, “From what I have read and heard about Pope Francis, I see him as a fellow follower of Jesus.” This telling statement reveals that Steve Stockman regards the present Pope as a “follower of Jesus”. However, he would do well to ascertain which ‘Jesus’ it is to whom he refers.

Pope Francis is the head of a religious system, which continues to reject the Jesus of the New Testament. In statement 969 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1994, Mary is presented as a mediatrix, in direct contradiction of 1 Timothy 2:5 which teaches that there is, “…one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Furthermore, the Pope claims to be the Vicar of Christ and the head of the church, however Scripture declares, that Christ alone is the Head of His Church (Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18).

Thus, in the light of the dogmas of Rome, Pope Francis is a blasphemer of the Lord Jesus Christ and is the promoter of another gospel. Steve Stockman has abandoned the Scriptures and the confessional teaching of his own denomination, which states, “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 exalts himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.” (Westminster Confession of Faith 1646, Chapter 25). Therefore, since Steve Stockman openly declares that he and the Pope are fellow followers of Jesus – but not the Jesus of Scripture – he has set up the platform upon which he is to be rightly charged with heresy.

Rev John Armstrong, Moderator of Presbytery, Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
Rev. Colin Mercer, Deputy Moderator
Rev John Greer, Clerk of Presbytery

 

Letter to ‘Belfast Newsletter’ regarding visit to pope

Dear Sir,

It is my sincere hope that the Protestant people belonging to the three main Protestant churches here will have carefully considered the recent reports of the visit by the minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church one, Rev Steve Stockman, to see the Pope and what it was he said of the head of the Roman Catholic organisation.

The reported incident illustrates clearly what the outworkings of the doctrines of ecumenism within the main Protestant denominations over the last 70 years have been. The PCI is but representative of the trend within all three Protestant denominations.

Rev Stockman is quoted as saying of the Pope that “he has a Christlikeness”. Nothing sets forth more clearly the utter about-face of Irish Presbyterianism than this statement.

Until comparatively recently, the PCI believed for centuries that to the popes of Rome belonged the title: “That Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.” (Westminster Confession of Faith 1646, Chapter 25).

Now we are told that “he has a Christlikeness”. Both definitions cannot be true!

If Rev Stockman is not speaking on behalf of the majority in his denomination then we can expect that he will be tried on a charge of heresy, of which he himself has said some Presbyterians will consider him guilty.

Another lesson to be learned from this incident is that it tells us why Ulster Unionism is in the fragmented state that it is. There has been, as illustrated by Rev Stockman, an utter forsaking of “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭the old‭ paths‭, where ‭is‭ the good‭ way‭,” (‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Jeremiah 6:16), with the consequential forsaking of Ulster by the Lord.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Kilskeery
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬27th April 2022.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

‘Fr’ Martin Magill is a poor ‘beguiled’ Romanist who believes all that the Papacy claims for itself! Therefore we are not surprised at his words. He is the parish priest at St John’s Church on the Falls Road in west Belfast, and he is reported as saying: “Pope Francis did talk about ecumenism, Christians being together, working together, praying together, being friendly together. It was lovely to hear Christians being together in a world that so fractured and at pain at this time,” he added. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-26 a 4:40 pm


The Alliance Party - Venomous Nationalism in Disguise!!

Stephen Farry –  don’t let the smile fool you!!

The ‘Irish News’ has reported that an “Alliance MP has hit out at “nods and winks” to past gunrunning, after a senior Orangeman invoked the 1914 UVF at an anti-protocol rally.”

“Stephen Farry criticised the reference by Grand Secretary of the Orange Order, Rev Mervyn Gibson. Rev Gibson warned at a rally in east Belfast that “apathy” was not an option for unionists in the fight against the protocol – a post-Brexit customs measure which has effectively created a border in the Irish Sea.”

“If left in place the protocol makes you and I subject to the laws and regulations of a foreign power and in time their influence will spread like a cancer,” he told protesters at Bloomfield Roundabout on Friday.

“Apathy was not an option when in 1912 people signed the (Ulster) Covenant. Apathy was not an option when guns were landed at Larne and Donaghadee. Apathy was not an option in 1921 when Northern Ireland was founded. Apathy was not an option during the dark days of the Troubles.”

The report from the ‘Irish News’,  went on: “The Larne gunrunning, organised in April 1914, saw almost 25,000 rifles and between three and five million rounds of ammunition from the German Empire – just months before the beginning of the First World War. The operation aimed to equip the UVF.

Mr Farry, the MP for North Down, criticised Rev Gibson’s gunrunning reference. “There is no place for guns and gunrunning in NI politics and society,” he said. “Nods and winks to past examples are not acceptable. The election candidates and parties sharing platforms should make clear their sole commitment to peaceful and democratic means.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-25 a 5:51 pm


David Attenborough - ‘Champion of the Earth’!!

Sir David Attenborough

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast,” Psalm 33:6-9.

Sir David Attenborough has recently become the recipient of the ‘Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to research, documentation, and advocacy for the protection of nature and its restoration.’ So pontificates the the ‘big-wigs’ of the UN!

David Attenborough has spent the most of his 95 years propounding one of the greatest lies that have ever issued forth from the mouth of the devil. He is the modern apostle of the ludicrous theory of ‘Evolution’! His television programmes and documentaries have been viewed worldwide and that for many years. The revelation of wild animals and creatures of all kinds in their native environment that his programmes have presented are ‘par excellence’!

However, the pleasure that such studies bring is more than marred by his constant pushing of his notions on evolution. His explanations of the origins of the unique features and physical endowments of many creatures are most ludicrous for they beg the question of how the creatures survived until they were able to ‘evolve’ the unique physical features without which they cannot live? Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-22 a 7:05 pm


Spirit of change that will end in utter condemnation

We post this article, just completed, with the prayer that you will find it helpful and instructive.

I attach a headline just sent to me this morning by a friend which serves to illustrate the central point of my article – the evil changes that are abroad in the world today, especially within the camp of professing ‘Christianity’!

New Jersey diocese agrees to pay $87.5m settlement to 300 alleged abuse victims

Agreement between diocese of Camden and plaintiffs is one of largest cash settlements involving Catholic church in US

The Lord bless you all,

Ivan Foster.


Adam and Eve cast from the garden

THE SPIRIT OF CHANGE THAT WILL END IN UTTER CONDEMNATION

Meddle not with them that are given to change,” Proverbs 24:21.

Something that is much contradicted by the enemies of the Bible is its character. It is a Book of enlightenment and instruction. Far from it being the source of ignorance and superstition and myth, as alleged by its detractors, the Bible was written for our “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭learning‭, that‭ we‭‭ through‭ patience‭ and‭ comfort‭ of the scriptures‭ might have‭‭ hope‭,‭” Romans 15:4. The ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬entrance‭ of God’s words‭ ‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭into the heart and mind “‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬giveth light‭‭; it giveth understanding‭‭ unto the simple‭,‭” Psalm 119:130.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Ignorance amongst His people is no part of God’s purpose. “‭For‭ I would‭‭ not‭, brethren‭, that ye‭ should be ignorant‭‭,‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭” Romans 11:25. “‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Moreover‭, brethren‭, I would‭‭ not‭ that ye‭ should be ignorant‭‭,‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭” Corinthians 10:1. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

That sentiment is expressed throughout the Holy Scriptures. It is a feature of the Saviour’s ministry. “‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬For‭ he taught‭‭‭‭ them‭ as‭ ‭one‭ having‭‭ authority‭, and‭ not‭ as‭ the scribes‭,‭” Matthew 7:29. Ignorance and myth has ever marked the ministry of the unholy usurpers of the office of the preacher! That is so evident today throughout the so-called ‘Christian’ world. Ignorance and blindness mark the ministry of the sham ‘doctors of the law’ who fill the air with their ungodly notions and imaginings, as they falsely claim to speak for the Lord.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ They bear all the accents of their father, “the devil”, “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭for‭ he is‭‭ a liar‭, and‭ the father‭ of it‭,‭” John 8:44.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Amongst the first references to the rebellion led by the devil and into which man was later led by the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden, is that found in Jude 1:6. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-20 a 6:35 pm


Yet another attack upon the truth of Christ's death!!

The devil is a creature of habit. He is a habitual liar.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it,” John 8:44.

Periodically he issues forth an old lie, dressed up in apparently new garb. A member of one of his chief agencies of deceit in this world today, the Roman Catholic Church, has peddled the latest version of a satanic lie, much to the delight of the ignoramuses in the media.

‘The Daily Mail’ had the headline: “Mystery of Christ’s death solved? Jesus died from fatal bleeding after dislocating his shoulder carrying the cross, claims doctor-turned-priest”.  The author of this regurgitated falsehood is ‘retired neurologist turned Roman Catholic priest, Patrick Pullicino’.

There is no mystery regarding how our Saviour died. God has given us numerous personal witness accounts of His death. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-16 a 10:27 pm


Just how much does the sinner learn upon dying and entering Hell?

My wife and I are both laid aside with the Covid virus, though we are hoping that we are coming near to a measure of recovery. It has been an unpleasant few days and likely this will continue for some time yet.

Because of the infection, I cannot minister in Kilskeery Independent Christian School. Instead, I am sending out this little study which I prepared just a day or so ago.

I trust you find instruction for your soul and that which causes you to rejoice in the kindness of God to you for delivering you from rebellion and sin and bringing you in faith to Christ Jesus.

Yours faithfully,

Ivan Foster.


JUST HOW MUCH DOES THE SINNER LEARN UPON DYING AND ENTERING HELL

 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth . . .”  Luke 16:23.

 It is quite commonly believed that the rejector of the gospel of Christ will learn of his folly when death comes and he goes out into a Christless eternity.

However, what the Bible teaches on the matter indicates that such a view might be just overstating the truth a little.

In life we are often aware of how those who refuse to take heed to wise counsel are suddenly overtaken by the consequences of their folly and made to see just how wrong was their heedlessness in the past. So it was with the Prodigal Son. He learned that the guidance offered by his father was much wiser than the headstrong views he had formed and upon which he acted to his ruin and grief.

It is easy from the awakenings to the folly many have pursued and their seeing of the blindness of their minds to the wisdom they rejected, to assume that it would be like that for those who tragically end in hell.

I don’t think that there will be such an awakening in hell to a knowledge of the lunacy of the path the damned choose!

I think a little consideration of the Saviour’s Words in Luke 16:19-31 will answer the question which is the title of this article. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-12 a 8:00 pm


Mr Charles Gill's funeral service

Mr Charlie Gill, an elder in Crossgar FPC, went to be with the Lord suddenly last Friday, April 1st.

I have known him as a friend since the early 1970s. His passing was a severe shock to my wife and me though nothing in comparison to the heartbreak suffered by his wife Freda and his children and grandchildren.

To them all, and the congregation in Crossgar, we offer our sincerest sympathy and pray that they will know the Lord’s mercy and grace at this time of sorrow. I know they will.

Here is a good message preached by Rev Gordon Dane. I know that you will be blessed as you listen to it.

Sincerely in Christ,

Ivan Foster.

Posted on 2022-04-08 a 5:00 pm


The fate of such as Vladimir Putin and his cronies

“The wicked . . . . . hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none,” Psalm 10:1, 6-15.


What satanic madness dominates the mind and heart of Vladimir Putin and what darkness enshrouds the collective consciousness of the Russian people!

Police say hundreds of people could be buried under shelled apartment blocks in the town of Borodyanka

 

The revelation of the atrocities carried out by the Russian invaders upon the civilians of Ukraine have been made evident to the world but blindly and wickedly denied by the Russian political hierarchy!

But providence has provided what might rightly be called, an independent witness — the eye of the satellite in the sky!

It is a clear likeness of the ever watchful eye of the One Who has said: “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth,” Psalm 11:4-5.

The satellite images appear to give incontrovertible evidence of the horrific atrocities carried out upon helpless civilians by Russian soldiers in area where they were in control. Both the evidence of the presence of the soldiers and the bodies of the slain are presented in the satellite images so that it is vain for the Russians to mendaciously claim that the whole crime scene has been staged by the Ukrainians. Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-06 a 8:36 pm


58 years ago, I called upon the Lord for His mercy

The house in Lowwood Park, Belfast in which I called upon the Lord. The window, top right, if I remember correctly, is that of the room in which I was saved.

On Tuesday, 5th April, it will be fifty-eight years since I called upon the Lord for His mercy and salvation. I cried out of darkness and much spiritual ignorance, hardly knowing what it was I needed or sought but moved to seek the Lord by the returning to my mind of words spoken to me by a young lassie, Hazel, while I was travelling by a train with a companion, Albert, from Belfast to Portrush in Co. Antrim on ‘Good Friday’, March 27th 1964.

What the young lassie had said to me as we emerged from the train in Portrush station, following a very acrimonious (on my part) discussion in which she and her companions sought to witness of our need of Christ to Albert and me, was to quote Genesis 6:3. “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man.”

I was totally unaware of where the quotation came from and I was utterly dismissive of the words of Hazel and truly never gave them another thought until the evening of April 5th in Albert’s home in Lowwood Park, Belfast. But in an instance, the Lord made known to me something of the meaning of those words and I was driven to call upon Him for mercy.



Here is my testimony as it was given five years ago in a gospel mission in Ballinamallard, just two miles away from Kilskeery. The mission was conducted by retired preachers, Rev Larry Power, a Free Presbyterian minister and Pastor Alvin Mullan, a retired Baptist pastor. Unknown to them, the date they asked me to testify on was the 53rd anniversary of my first time in Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church, just one week after I called upon the Lord. The 5th and 12th April will forever live in my memory.

I trust you are blessed by my telling of the Lord’s great mercy to this sinner.

Sincerely in Christ,

Ivan Foster.

Posted on 2022-04-02 a 4:01 pm


Gay conversion therapy u-turn

This news report serves to highlight the dominance of evil at the heart of our nation.

It has to be conceded that the nation is under the control of what I believe is still a minority and which embraces a lifestyle that is obnoxious to a majority of people yet, because of the threat that this minority poses to  the political parties, they bow in fear before it!

This is illustrated in this article. The Conservative government hastily performs an ‘about face’ because of the outcry the ‘pro-sodomy lobby’ at the announcement that Prime Minister, Boris Johnston,  was going to abandon plans to introduce a ban on ‘conversion therapy’!

I am no fan of ‘conversion therapy’, being convinced that only the grace of God can deliver a person from the practice of any sin, and the wickedness of sodomy and its related perversions in particular.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 teach us that.

“ 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 reported comments by some MPs, indicates the darkness that has descended upon the nation that by God’s grace, gave the world the Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures! Click to read more…

Posted on 2022-04-02 a 1:48 pm