Special Meetings in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church

Church History Anniversaries - 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Amy Carmichael

Amy Carmichael was born on 16th December 1867 in Millisle, Co-Down, Northern Ireland. She is best known for her labours in Belfast and also for her missionary endeavours, particularly in Dohnavur, southern India, which included an orphanage.

She served the Lord on various mission fields for 55 years without any furlough time at home. She died, aged 83, on 18th January 1951 in Dohnavur, India, where she had laboured for over 40 of those 55 years.

For the last 20 years, of that missionary service, she was an invalid, confined to her room in the orphanage she was instrumental in seeing built 30 years earlier (1901). It was in 1931 that she suffered what seemed a fairly minor accident. However, this accident ended up crippling her. Confined to her room for those 20 years she was not inactive. From bed of sickness she organised, counselled and wrote numerous books. She wrote between 30 to 40 books during her lifetime.

Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Those who disagree with Transgender procedures within the Girl Guides are sacked

In a letter published today in the Belfast Newsletter Mr Callum Webster, the Northern Ireland officer for the Christian Institute, has outlined the fallout for those who disagree with the new transgender procedures recently adopted by the Girl Guides association. Those who disagree have been sacked!

This display of liberal intolerance is no surprise. Everyone must show tolerance towards all the perversions of the day and make accommodations for them. But when a Christian or someone else objects to these sinful practices then the real spirit among the socially liberal is displayed. It is a spirit of intolerance.

Helen Watts is one of the expelled volunteers. Her story was featured on the BBC News website recently - Girlguiding says girls not at risk from trans inclusion

In his letter Mr Webster responds to the claims of the Girl Guides leaders.

The lesson for girl guides? Shut up about transgender concerns 

Last year Girlguiding UK opted to let men can join as leaders – if they feel they have been born in the ‘wrong’ body. Likewise, boys who say they are girls could use female toilets, changing rooms, tents and showers. If this were not enough, in both instances the organisation advised leaders not to tell parents if their daughters would be affected. 

Youth Service in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church

Church History Anniversaries - 150th Anniversary of the death of William Chalmers Burns

The third church history anniversary commemorated was that of William Chalmers Burns. This year, 2018, marks the 150th anniversary of his death.

'Willie' Burns was saved from a careless life as a youth and devoted himself to the service of the Lord. He wrote: From the first moment of this wonderful experience [ie. his conversion] I had the inspiring hope of being saved by a sovereign and infinitely gracious God; and in the same instant almost, I felt that I must leave my present occupation and devote myself to Jesus in the ministry of the glorious gospel by which I had been saved.

He endured much in the land of China for the sake of his Lord and Master. The story is told how that on one occasion he was arrested and told to bow before the chief magistrate. His response was: Your Excellency, I will render to you the same obeisance as I would to my Sovereign Queen Victoria, humbly on a bended knee, but I will only kneel on both knees to God, the King of Kings.

Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Church History Anniversaries - 300th Anniversary of the birth of David Brainerd

The second church history anniversary commemorated was that of David Brainerd. This year, 2018, marks the 300th anniversary of his birth.

David Brainerd was the missionary who took the Gospel to the Native Americans. He wrote in his diary: Here am I, Lord, send me. Send me to the ends of the earth. Send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness. Send from all that is called comfort in earth or earthly comfort. Send even to death itself if it is be in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom. I care not where I go, or how I live, or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep I dream of them; when I awake they are first in my thoughts.

It was his love for Jesus Christ that constrained him to labour as he did. Again he wrote: If I had a thousand lives, my soul should gladly have laid them all down at once to have been with Christ.

Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Church History Anniversaries - 400th Anniversary of the Synod of Dort

Every August, as the Lord leads, relevant church history anniversaries are commemorated. It is important to remember the mercies of the Lord towards past generations. Events which took place that advanced the caused of Jesus Christ are worthy of remembrance. The raising up men and women of God who served the Lord with distinction is again something that ought to interest every child of God. We can say with the Psalmist: The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage, Psalm 16:6.

This year the following church history anniversaries were marked:
1. 400th anniversary of the commencement of the Synod of Dort
2. 300th anniversary of the birth of David Brainerd
3. 150th anniversary of the death of William Chalmers Burns
4. 150th anniversary of the birth of Amy Carmichael

Here is the consideration of the first of those anniversaries to be marked - 400th anniversary of the commencement of the Synod of Dort. One historian said of the Synod of Dort: The convocation and proceedings of the Synod of Dordt may be considered among the most interesting events of the seventeenth century. The Westminster Assembly was indeed more immediately interesting to British and American Presbyterians, yet the Synod of Dordt had a species of importance peculiar to itself and altogether pre-eminent. It was not merely a meeting of select divines of a single nation, but a convention of the Calvinistic world, to bear testimony against a rising and obtrusive error; to settle a question in which all the Reformed churches of Europe had an immediate and deep interest.


Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Stats for August

Primark - the Fire and Support of the Sodomite Belfast Pride

… for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness, Isaiah 26:9.

Yesterday a serious fire broke out in the Primark building in the centre of Belfast. It is five-storey listed building which has stood in the centre of the city since 1785.

The building was undergoing a major refurbishment costing an estimated £30m. The building has been extensively damaged by the fire and at present the Fire Service is not able to say if the structure is safe. There are "grave concerns" that Bank Buildings could collapse, the fire service has told the BBC. See here

The 'bank building' as it has been known was originally erected by Waddell Cunningham in 1785. It survived the Troubles when three bombs exploded in the building in 1975. In 1979, the Bank Buildings were taken over by the present occupier, Primark.

Thankfully no one was injured and the building was safely evacuated before the fire spread. Although one person who was in the store has reported that when the fire alarm went off an announcement was made that it was just a routine alarm and that the shoppers would be allowed back in shortly. Parents left buggies and prams behind, as they were directed out of the shop, only to discover outside that the roof of the building was on fire and they were unable to re-enter the shop to claim their belongings.

Primark's Support of Belfast Pride

Primark was one of the most prominent sponsors of the sodomite Belfast Pride parade which took place in the city recently. A window display in the shop contained rainbow-draped mannequins and loudly proclaimed the store's links to Stonewall, the sodomite lobby group.

Romish Cardinal has to cancel trip to join Pope in Ireland because of child abuse report

The Pope's top adviser on clergy sexual abuse has had to cancel his planned trip to Ireland because he has to investigate sexual misconduct in his own Seminary in North America.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley has backed out of a key speaking engagement in Dublin at the World Meeting of Families so that he might devote his time and attention to the unfolding scandal at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

The World Meeting of Families Conference is taking place in Dublin 21st - 26th August. The Pope is to attend the closing stages of the Conference. 

Cardinal O’Malley is chairman of Pope Francis’ Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Children. He was expected to chair a panel discussion at the World Meeting of Families Conference titled 'Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.' The panel includes Dublin abuse survivor Marie Collins, who resigned from the Commission for the Protection of Minors last year in protest at the frustration of its work by Vatican officials.

Free Presbyterian Statement regarding Presbyterian moderator's intention to meet the Pope

Love for Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and concern for the eternal souls of men will prevent any Bible believer from union or communion with a Roman Catholic Church that remains as contrary to Holy Scripture today as it ever has been.

As long as it proclaims its leader as the supreme head of the church on earth, denigrates the work that Christ completed on Calvary by the pretentious teachings central to its mass, refuses the scriptural way of salvation that justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, fleeces its adherents by means of an imaginary purgatory, and offers indulgences with as much aplomb as Tetzel managed in Martin Luther’s day, no true Christian should engage in fellowship with this system, never mind travel to welcome its Pope.

Special Church History Anniversary meetings

Free Presbyterian Open Air Witness against Belfast Pride

Today the annual open air witness against the iniquitous Belfast Pride took place.

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

Stats for July

Dr S B Cooke - The Early Years of The Free Presbyterian Church

Former Deputy-moderator of the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church, Dr S B Cooke, speaks about the early years of the denomination and its stand against apostasy.

This account is particularly important as it explains the need for the Free Presbyterian Church to continue to be true to its founding creed and to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Quotable Quote

In September 1840 Robert Murray M’Cheyne, wrote a letter to William Chalmers Burns. It contained the following sentiments:

I am deepened in my conviction, that if we are to be instruments in a true revival we must be purified from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

Oh, cry for personal holiness, constant nearness to God by the blood of the Lamb!

Bask in His beams, lie back in the arms of love, be filled with the Spirit, or all success in the ministry will only be to your own everlasting confusion.

The complete letter, including others written to William Chalmers Burns by Robert Murray M’Cheyne, can be found in The Memoir & Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne.

Stats for June

 

The Consequences of Sabbath Desecration

A sermon preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church upon the Consequences of Sabbath Desecration. It is based upon Jeremiah 17:27: But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

This sermon was preached in the light of Mrs Arlene Foster MLA and Mr Christopher Stalford MLA attending a GAA football match on the Lord's day and also Belfast City Council announcing this past week that from 2019 onwards the city marathon will take place on the Lord's day.

Letter sent to Belfast Newsletter & Belfast Telegraph on Sabbath Desecration by Clerk of Presbytery

These commenced with the attendance of high level politicians at a GAA final on Sunday and ended with the announcement that plans were being followed to switch the hugely successful Belfast Marathon from the usual public holiday to God’s holy day

Both developments cause incredible angst and offence to Christians who treasure the special nature of God’s Day. The second will certainly exclude a considerable number of Christians from participation in a race through which finances have been raised for many charitable causes and will radically inconvenience others in their attempts to proceed to their places of worship. Of course in an age when the flagships of respect, tolerance and equality are supposed to be sailing the seas, it must again be noted that such vessels are characteristically lop-sided and capable of travelling in only one direction.

When framing the famous Westminster Confession of Faith, our spiritual forebears felt it necessary to include a chapter on ‘Religious Worship, And The Sabbath Day’ – one that contained guidelines and outlined benefits not merely for professing Christians but for all of society:

“As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, He has particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto Him (Exodus 20:8,10,11; Isaiah 56:2,4,6,7).”

If it is the genuine desire of politicians in our country to secure the brightest of futures for the citizens of our beautiful country, then showing appropriate respect for God’s Day instead of targeting it for relentless selfish assault would be a good place to begin.

Rev. Ian Brown
Clerk, Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster


Belfast Newsletter - Angst is caused to Christians who treasure the special nature of God’s Day

Special Sermon Subject

Feeding the Crocodile & Offending God

This week DUP leader Arlene Foster has notched up an unwanted double achievement. In the same week she has managed to feed the crocodile she vowed never to do, prior to the most recent Assembly election; but much more seriously, she has offended God.

Following on from attending requiem mass for Martin McGuiness when he died, Arlene Foster attended the Ulster GAA final in Clones on the Lord's day.

She has trampled once more over more of our Protestant, Reformed, gospel heritage and treated it as if it were a worthless blessing. If media reports are correct, before this week is out, she will act contrary to the truths of the Gospel, and offend God even more, by attending a sodomite function at Stormont.

Her conduct is objectionable on a number of fronts:

Firstly, Desecration of the Lord's day. The fourth commandment requires us to remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. The Lord's day is not a day for unnecessary employment or for recreation. It is a day to be set aside for worship. We have six other days to engage in these other activities. To desecrate the sabbath day is to steal this day from God and use it for ourselves.

There is a blessing upon sabbath observance, Isaiah 58:13,14: If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The opposite of this Scriptural principle is also true. It was sabbath desecration that finally took the nation of Israel into captivity. You don't need to be a prophet or the son of a prophet to know that it will not go well with any individual, society or nation when they desecrate the Lord's day.

Secondly, Attendance at a GAA football match. This the same GAA which has a notorious history of naming its stadia and competitions after dead terrorists.

Silence gives consent

Letter from Mr Jim Allister, Q.C. MLA in Belfast Newsletter:

Jim Allister: DUP silence is to condone SF-placating tactics

When Arlene Foster spent her Lord’s Day afternoon on a Sinn Fein-placating mission to embrace the GAA, she was representing every single DUP MP, MLA, councillor and, indeed, member. Likewise when she gathers with LGBT activists to celebrate their achievements. Any DUP representative dissenting from the fair inference that it was done in their name needs to be heard. So far I hear no dissent! Silence gives consent.

Sad.

Jim Allister, MLA, North Antrim

DUP councillor berates Arlene Foster for ‘publicly flouting Lord’s Day’

DUP councillor Alderman John Finlay has spoken of his “deep sorrow and indignation” at his party leader’s decision to attend a GAA match on a Sunday. In a strongly worded letter to Arlene Foster, Alderman John Finlay accused her of “publicly flouting the Lord’s Day”.

Read full article here

Pope definitely not coming to Northern Ireland

After a considerable effort by Politicians, Romanists & Ecumenists, and much to their annoyance and disappointment, it has been confirmed that the Pope will not be coming to Northern Ireland in August.

The Catholic Communications Office has today released the itinerary for the upcoming papal visit to the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland, thankfully, is not on that itinerary.

See reports in:
Belfast Newsletter -  Pope Francis will not be coming to Northern Ireland.
Belfast Telegraph - Archbishop Martin disappointed Pope will not visit N Ireland on visit to Republic

The Pope will fly into Dublin on 25th August and will return back to Rome on 26th August.

During his visit he will meet homeless families before arriving at Croke Park Stadium for the 'Feast of Families'. On Sunday he will travel to the Marian shrine at Knock. 

This is an answer to prayer.

See below for reasons why a papal visit is to be opposed by all right thinking Protestants:

#1 The Pope's Blasphemous Claims
#2 The Act of Settlement
#3 The Memory of the Martyrs
#4 The Cost to Taxpayers

A Slap Down for the Pro-Abortionist Lobby

The Pro-Abortionist Lobby have a received a set back in their quest for abortion on demand in Northern Ireland. Aided and abetted by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) they took a case to the Supreme Court over the legality of Northern Ireland's abortion law.

The Pro-Abortionist Lobby lost their Supreme Court appeal. The court dismissed the appeal.

BBC News - Supreme Court rejects NI abortion law case

Abortion is a Holocaust - What else would you call the Slaughter of over 9 million unborn children?

Jim Wells MLA has been criticised for comparing the number of abortions since laws were relaxed in England, Scotland and Wales to the number of people murdered by the Nazis in concentration camps during World War Two. He made the remarks on the BBC's Radio Ulster's Nolan Show on Wednesday.

The Stormont Assembly member stated that Nine-point-two million people have had their lives terminated through abortion in Britain since 1967 … That is actually more than the number of lives murdered in the gas and concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald.

Mr Wells went on to describe it as a ghastly situation and clarified that he was only made the comparison due to the numbers involved.

Mr Wells has been criticised in response to these comments. That criticism has come from, among others, his party leader, Arlene Foster, who told UTV: I think it's the wrong use of language and again it brings us back to the fact that this is a very emotive issue and people need to be aware of that when they are discussing it.

What else would you call the killing of over 9 million unborn children but a Holocaust? 

Christian baker, in the US, who refused to bake a wedding cake for sodomites, wins his case 7-2 at the Supreme Court

The Christian baker from Colorado who refused to bake a wedding cake to celebrate a sodomite marriage has won his case at the United States Supreme Court. 

The chief justices voted 7-2 in support of Jack Phillips. This overturns the previous ruling by Colorado Civil Rights Commission which had ruled that Phillips had violated the state's anti-discrimination law, which bars businesses from discriminating against customers based on their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

It was decided by the chief justices that the Commission had violated Phillips' First Amendment right to exercise his religion. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, saying Phillips' Free Exercise rights were violated because the Commission showed hostility to his religious beliefs when they were making the decision. 

Read more:
Christian Institute - Victory for US Christian baker at Supreme Court

BBC News - US Supreme Court backs Colorado baker's gay wedding cake snub

CNN - Supreme Court rules for Colorado baker in same-sex wedding cake case

Reuters -  U.S. Supreme Court backs Christian baker who rebuffed gay couple

Stats for May

Presbytery Statement on Abortion Referendum in the Republic of Ireland

Much of Ireland imagines they have joined the ranks of the liberated as a result of the demolition of its constitutional protection for the unborn. It does not seem to care that by the same action it has effectively delivered a death sentence on a significant percentage of its potential population. 

Actions of this nature are the inevitable consequence of secularisation. As belief in God and awareness of His Word declines, so does resistance to abortion laws. It’s a matter of anthropology: when man believes himself to be a random event instead of a purposeful creation, he will inevitably draw the same conclusion about those both within him and around him. This will then enable him to weigh lives on utilitarian scales and so make distinctions about their respective value.

The Bible makes it plain that God considers even the deliberate abandonment of one’s child as an extreme example of heartlessness (Isaiah 49:15); and does not distinguish between the value of the child in the womb and the child who has made it into the world, using exactly the same word to describe both (Luke 1:41&44; Luke 18:15).

Open Air / Protest at Sunday Rugby Match

On the Lord's day afternoon 20th May an Open Air / Protest was held at the Ulster Rugby match held at the Kingspan Stadium. The stadium entry is only a matter of a few hundred metres from Mount Merrion Free Presbyterian Church. 

The Open Air / Protest was led by Rev Paul Hanna, minister of the Mount Merrion congregation. Other Free Presbyterian ministers taking part were Rev David McLaughlin [Carryduff], Rev Paul Foster [Tyndale] & Rev Brian McClung [Newtownabbey].

The Open Air / Protest took place on a area just opposite the main gates of the Kingspan Stadium.

Stats for April

Rome's Counter-Reformation Tactics #5 Insurgence Part 3

Over the centuries, since 1517, Rome has employed many different tactics and strategies. Sometimes  has been like a ravenous wild beast devouring all before her. At other times she has been as subtle as the devil himself in administering the wine of her fornication to deceive gullible Protestants. All with the aim of destroying and reversing the Protestant Reformation.

Strategy Five - Insurgence - cont'd

Part Three - The Catholic Conspiracies Against Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I was possibly England’s greatest monarch. She came to the throne of a country deeply divided, economically bankrupt and devastated by the persecutions and oppression of her half sister, Bloody Mary Tudor.

Nature Confounding Evolution - World War II planes buried under layers of ice which are supposed to be ten of thousands of years old.

Nature often has a way of confounding those who set themselves against God and His truth. We are reminded in the Book of Psalms that God in heaven will laugh at the foolishness of those who reject Him, Psalm 2:1-4: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

One example of nature confounding those who set themselves against God and His truth is observed in the account of the World War II planes that were buried under layers of ice which were supposed to be ten of thousands of years old.

The incident is detailed by Creation Ministries International (CMI) in one of their Creation magazine articles. The article in question is entitled The Lost Squadron and is to be found in Creation 19(3) June 1997.

C H Spurgeon - The First Resurrection

C. H. Spurgeon preached on the First Resurrection on the Lord's day morning 5th May 1861 at the famous Metropolitan Tabernacle, London.

This is what he said towards the commencement of his sermon on how the reference to the first resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 should be understood:

Before I proceed to enter into these privileges, I must remark that two  modes of understanding this verse have been proposed, both of which I think are untenable. 

I have been reading carefully through Albert Barnes. He gives it, as his opinion, that the first resurrection here spoken of is a resurrection of principles, — a resurrection of the patience, the undaunted courage, the holy boldness and constancy of the ancient martyrs. He says  these great principles have been forgotten, and, as it were, buried and that during the spiritual reign of Christ which is to come, these great principles  will have a resurrection. 

Stats for March

Abortion Referendum in the Republic of Ireland

The government of the Republic of Ireland has confirmed that the national referendum on changing abortion law will be held on Friday, 25th May 2018.

The referendum will centre around the Eighth Amendment of the Irish constitution. Voters will decide if they want to make changes to Republic's strict abortion laws.

Below is a link to a sermon preached in 2007 to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act being introduced in mainland United Kingdom. Thankfully that iniquitous Abortion Act has never been extended to Northern Ireland. 

Also included is a link to an earlier post on this Blog which contains some Scriptural Observations on the issue of Abortion. These form the basis of the sermon.

Mary Magdalene

A film entitled Mary Magdalene has recently been released in the United Kingdom. This film claims to be a biblical drama about the woman of the same name who is referenced a number of times in the Word of God in connection with the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ.

This film portrays Mary as a fiercely intelligent, resourceful woman who rejected the norms of being married and having children and instead insisted on following Jesus of Nazareth. This was what caused her to be, at least initially, condemned as being possessed with seven devils.

Which is more important - a film depiction of Mary Magdalene or a Scriptural portrait of this woman?

This sermon considers what the Word of God has to say about Mary Magdalene.