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SGAT Meeting – A prophesy, a parable and a preview

(Preached by Rev. Ivan Foster (Rtd) at the SGAT meeting, Lisburn – 24th September 2026)

It was back in May of last year that I spoke on Matthew chapter 24. Then I did point out that chapter 25 is the continuation of what is often called the Saviour’s ‘Olivet Discourse’ in chapter 24.

The very first word of chapter 25 ties in with what had preceded it.

It follows on with what the Saviour had said in chapter 24, where He gives us a view of Jerusalem.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto . . .” The Saviour is giving us a picture of the circumstances that will prevail amongst professing believers at the time when the events He had outlined in verses 14-43 of chapter 24 were taking place.

From there to the end of chapter 24 and on into chapter 25, He sets forth the prevailing condition of the “the kingdom of heaven” at the time just before His return in power and great glory.



Watch a video of this sermon below:


 

As we begin our study of chapter 25, please observe:

I.  A SLEEPING IN INDIFFERENCE

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept,” Matthew 25:5.

1. This indifference was seen among all that professed faith in Christ.  “They all slumbered and slept”.

The ‘all’ included those who were mere ‘professors’ and not true ‘possessors’ of the grace of God. Note that it is a time when 50% of professing Christians are not genuinely saved.

That would surely indicate that the pulpits were failing to separate the ‘sheep from the goats’!

It also suggests that standards were so slack that there was no challenge presented to the ‘foolish’ professors.

Today

I have to say that such is the spirit abroad today! A person professing to be a Christian is currently permitted to virtually go unchallenged when their words and actions are NOT what, but a short time ago, was the required behaviour of a Christian.

What would have had a person challenged and disciplined is today tolerated and ignored by those whose duty it is to preserve the Bible’s standards of conduct amongst the flock of God!

2. The indifference had them set aside their duty, which was, to go forth to meet the Bridegroom. They should have been holding up lamps as a token of their readiness to meet the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, coming to claim His Bride. (more…)

Modern ‘Christianity’ is old-time ‘Chicanery’!

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works,”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

Boyzone’s Shane Lynch and Phats and Small singer Ben Ofoedu to open up on their faith in Northern Ireland church tour

According to the ‘Belfast Telegraph’ of  ‘24 Sep 2026’, these two examples of what passes for ‘Christianity’ are due soon in Northern Ireland.

The duo will speak to flocks (of goats- Editor) across the country — including in Ballymena, Belfast and Newcastle next month — at what has been billed as Testimony Night.

One of the duo is reported as saying :

“I would definitely say it’d be sharing what we call our testimonies, sharing what faith has done for us, what we believe and stuff like that.”

Shane Lynch (2020), former member of the band Boyzone

“I would say that the Bible Belt of the UK is Belfast, and Belfast also reminds me a lot of Nashville, and me and Shane would love to have some involvement in turning Belfast into a kind of Nashville where a lot of gospel singer-songwriters will come over, record, play in the local bars and build up a real community there.”

“I really see that as a plan for Belfast in the next coming 20 years, because there’s something so spiritual about it, such lovely people and the bars (Emphasis mine – Editor) are up for a bit of guitar and singing and that kind of thing.”

“I think the world really needs it, just that feelgood, upbeat music (which some in the Free Presbyterian Church would embrace!!-Editor). Just as there’s a massive resurgence in music that’s not so positive as well, it’s nice that there’s a positive side of music and I think that could really happen.”

“You know, there’s massive concerts and there are loads of kids and 18 and 17-year-olds going to these massive festivals and they’re starting to get the size of your Glastonburys and things like that — 30,000, 40,000, 100,000 — and it’s such a beautiful way for those young kids to spend the evening in a really positive environment (surrounded by drugs etc! – Editor).”

Before that Ben will be performing at The Golden Dance Awards on Saturday night at The Culloden Hotel alongside Bradley McIntosh from S Club 7. The event, which is now in its third year, celebrates the dance community across Northern Ireland.”

Such an event is on par with their ‘religious gatherings’.

Whether they know it or not, these men are the modern day equivalents of those Paul refers to in our text. They are the devil’s “ministers . . . transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Doubtless, many will flock to hear them and swallow all the ysay.

I did notice that the word ‘Bible’ appeared twice in the article but not ONE QUOTE from it!

Paul’s explanation of his witness is very different!

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us,” 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.

Remember what is the ‘proof’ of a true conversion as set down by the Lord.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

CHRISTIAN, BEWARE OF ‘SHAM’ CHRISTIANS!

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
24th September 2026

Bringing the King back – Pt 1

This morning I read 2 Samuel 19 and I was reminded of a series of messages I preached on David’s return ‘home’ after Absalom’s rebellion.

Here is a recording of a message I preached in Kilkeel. It is very relevant to today’s circumstances that have overtaken the Free Presbyterian Church, even more so that it was when I preached from the passage back seven or eight years ago.

Ivan Foster



View a video of this sermon here:


 

BRINGING THE KING BACK

(Preached in Mourne Free Presbyterian Church – 2019)

The topics we hope to look at over the next three nights.

* The Conditions resulting in the king’s removal.

* The Concern for the king’s return.

* The Circumstances of his restoration.

A very good definition of what true revival is ‘Doing things amongst God’s people as they were ordained to be done.’

Jeremiah declared God’s will to backslidden Judah: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls,” Jeremiah 6:16.

How often the Lord’s people have had to ‘seek to return to the old paths’? Wandering is endemic amongst sheep and it is certainly so amongst the ‘sheep of the Lord’. Isaiah 53:6.The division that had arisen between David and his people pictures for us just what ‘backsliding from the Lord’ entails and results in. There is also a picture of the procedures that need to be adopted if we are to see the King restored amongst us today.We must begin by considering what it was caused King David’s removal. This is what overtakes a backsliding people, Hosea 5:5-6, 15. (more…)