It is proof that you belong to Him and is a tool to develop your Christian faith! 

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, Acts 17:1 

The Thessalonians are suffering greatly because of their Christian profession. Paul writes, “…we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; These verses are by no means easy to understand. Cf 2 Peter 3:15-16. But that’s what we are going to attempt in this study; how Christians think about times of suffering and persecution...

Recorded live at Ballymacashon Church, Killinchy, Co.Down, Northern Ireland BT24 6RN

Read the NOTES HERE.

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2nd Thessalonians 1:1-5

Paul must write again to the Thessalonians. Since sending his first letter, he has received further reports about the local church at Thessalonica. It came with good news and bad. The good news was that the congregation there were continuing to grow in their faith and trust in God and in their love for Him and for one another, a cause for thanksgiving indeed. But there was a downside to the life of the church. There was cause for concern as far as doctrine and the Christian Life – the behaviour of the local saints, was concerned. This related to two particular issues:-

• The doctrine of the Lord’s return and the end times.
• The importance of working for one’s living. 

Listen and learn together.

Read the NOTES HERE.

Recorded LIVE at Ballymacashon.

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Acts 17:1-10a

We are moving on from 1st Thessalonians to 2nd Thessalonians, - but before we do, it might be a good idea to reprise this episode from 2021, where we learn about Paul's visit to Thessalonica, the establishment of the local church there, and the reaction it provoked. This is important, because the opposition and persecution and suffering that began at that time continued, and that's what Paul deals with in 2nd Thessalonians chapter one.

So, listen to this 'old gold retold' before you begin to learn about the book of 2nd Thessalonians.

And you can read the NOTES HERE.

Oh, and for the record, - this episode was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, Carnage Road, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland, and is used here with their very kind permission.

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 Genesis 27:1, to Genesis 28:5.

We’re still looking at the life of Jacob, the son of Isaac and we’ve already considered, briefly, his birth, and his character and how he struck a deal with his brother Esau, to deprive him of what was rightly his, his birthright. But still, old Isaac, had to be persuaded to go along with the new family dynamic Jacob had just engineered. But how? That would require an act of cunning - a great deal of deceit. There were one or two factors that were in Jacob’s favour. Number one was his mother - Rebekah. Jacob was Rebekah’s golden boy and in her eyes, Jacob could do no wrong. Genesis 25:28 Mummy would help for sure. The second fortuitous circumstance was that in his latter years, old Isaac had devastating sight loss… Circumstances converged and a plot was hatched…

Read the NOTES HERE.

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READ 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28

Paul must bring this letter to a close, and he does so by summarising what Christian fellowship looks like:-

Fellowship is Supportive

Fellowship is Sincere

Fellowship is Scipture-based,

Read the NOTES here.

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Old Reformed Church, (Congregational)

78 Saintfield Road

Killinchy

Co Down,

BT23 6RN

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Genesis 25:19-34

Let’s learn about Jacob. Jacob is the third of the three great Old Testament Patriarchs. - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and the story of his life takes up a vast amount of ink on the pages of Genesis. We shall look at his life over two episodes, but even then we will only skim the surface of the narrative. In this lesson, we’ll briefly see the circumstances of his birth, his relationship with Esau and the ‘mess of potage.’ So keep your Bible open at Genesis 25 and let’s get started…

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Read 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 

Paul’s prayer is that God would sanctify completely, the believers at Thessalonica. But there is a second part to this prayer. He prays that the Thessalonians would not only be completely sanctified, but that they would be PRESERVED until Jesus comes again.

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Church,

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1st Thessalonians 5:23

What does it mean to be ‘sanctified’ – in fact, to be sanctified wholly – completely? Let’s ask… 

What is Sanctification?

This message was recorded live at Ballymacashon.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 5:16-22

Paul adds the fourth essential of Christian worship. It is the exegesis, the expository preaching of the inspired Word of God, the Bible. The Bible is the VERY TRUTH OF GOD. It is ABSOLUTE TRUTH. So, what is our obligation to the truth? What does God expect of us regarding the reception of truth, and that which proves to be error? From the exhortations in our text, let us see what Paul says here about the Word:...

Read the NOTES HERE.

Recorded live at Ballymacashon.

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2 Chronicles 16:9

In this special podcast episode recorded at Ballymacashon Reformed Church (Congregational) Rev Raymond McLarnon one of retired ministers from Ballymena, Co.Antrim looks at 2nd Chronicles, and the backsliding of Asa, noting that he started well, but finished badly. He relied on the help of man, and failed to fully trust in the Lord - but God seen him, not just his outward actions, but what was in his heart, - for he sees and knows everything in this world. He is omniscient.

May we be sure no finish well!

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Text Thessalonians 5:16-22. 

Paul turns his attention to the WORSHIP of the church. He tells us to rejoice and to pray and be thankful.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Read: Genesis 22:1-19

Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, for Tuesday 10th Feb 2026, and our topic this week is “Who was Isaac?” Open your Bible at Genesis 22:1-19, and read the passage. Pause the recording, while you read the Scriptures, and when you have done that, start the recording again.

Click to read the NOTES.

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1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore

We are commanded to rejoice, and to rejoice always, – delighting in our faith in God.

So, why is it that many Christians don’t seem to have joy in their lives?

Let’s try to diagnose the problem.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Christian Fellowship: Peace and Support

1st Thessalonians 5:12-15

In our last study in 1st Thessalonians, we noticed that Christians not only live for the Lord, in opposition to the world, as individuals, but we live as part of the Christian Community, as those who are equal in status, but diverse in calling. To survive as part of that community we will be:-

1. Determined to live in Peace! – And be at peace among yourselves
2.  Responsive to the Needs of Others! 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
3. Prepared to Replace Vengeance with Kindness!

So, Paul gives the Thessalonians some specific teaching about the nature of the fellowship that exists within the local church. 

THIS SERMON WAS RECORDED AT TEMPLEPATRICK REFORMED CHURCH and is used here with their kind permission,

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 5:12-13 

Paul gives the Thessalonians instructions to improve and sustain relationships in the local church, and does so in the light of the expected suddenness of the return of the Lord. The first of these admonitions is to have respect for the biblical structures that God has set in the local church, – those who are ‘over you in the Lord.’ Overseers.'

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, for Tuesday 20th Jan 2026, and our topic this week is “Who was Ishmael?” Open your Bible at Galatians 4:21-31, and read the passage. Pause the recording, while you read the Scriptures, and when you have done that, start the recording again. 

So, we are asking “Who was Ishmael?” - it’s important for us to know a little bit about Ishmael, - to see his relevance for Christians, and learn a little about Paul’s use of Ismael as an analogy for the freedom we have in Christ, in other words, how Jesus in his sinless life and atoning death has set us free from Jewish ritual, and the bondage of the law.

So, first, let’s learn Ismael’s story, and then we’ll do a little bit of Christian doctrine.

Cover image courtesy of ‘Open Bible’ https://www.openbible.info/labs/ai-bible-art/

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Text: 1 Thess 5:1-11

Paul has advised the Thessalonian church that they should not be worried about the Lord’s return. In fact it should be a comfort to them, something to await with expectation, and joy, a reuniting of those who have died in Christ, as the great shout is heard and the trumpet sounds and the dead are raised and we rise to go to be with the Lord…  …and thus we shall also be with the Lord, 8 Therefore comfort one another with these words!

Read the NOTES HERE.

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READ Hebrews 7, Genesis 14:17-24.

This episode is about a strange encounter that Abraham had with two kings in Genesis 14. Beor, the now defeated King of Sodom appears in the text first, in Genesis 14:17. But there was a second king, in 14:18. His name was Melchizedek and he was the ruler of a town called Salem, which means ‘peace’ or ‘righteousness.’ Most scholars think that the town referred to was Jerusalem, which before David conquered it was a Canaanite city. Little is known about this man. We don’t know his ancestry or what became of him after this incident. He just appears on the page of Genesis over a few verses and vanishes again. Hebrews 11:3.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 4:13-17

Death is a common experience for us all. For a Christian it is essential that their approach to death should be totally different from the pagan attitudes and beliefs of the world.  So Paul teaches the Thessalonians four great truths about the death of the Christian...

Recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational church, 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down, BT23 6RN

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Isaiah 9:2

We live in dark days. It’s a deep spiritual darkness, and it’s covering these western nations and plunging many people into despair. We are walking in a deep Satanic darkness and people are wallowing in hopelessness. Yet there is Light...

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Another short history podcast, looking at Hugh McKail, a brave Presbyterian minister who was martyred at Edinburgh in 1666, and whose testimony in the face of torture and a cruel death is now legendary. McKail’s death brought the government of King Charles II to the realisation that a new tactic would be needed if they were to crush the Covenanter cause, and enforce the king’s rule, through the established hierarchy of bishops, priests and curates. That new tactic was a ‘divide and rule’ measure, - the Acts of Indulgence of 1669, which allowed compliant Presbyterian ministers to return to their pulpits. The covenanters were divided, and the remaining few ‘fanatics’ could be mopped up by the armed forces. 

But the Covenanters, still locked out of their meeting houses, took to the fields and the Conventicles, field meetings, began…

Read the NOTES HERE, and HERE.

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Luke 2:8-17 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

we are in December, the darkest time of the year, and for many, this time is all darkness and gloom. people sometimes become depressed and downcast. They’ve even got a name for it, - they call it ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ - with the appropriate acronym ‘SAD.’ But for the believer reading the account of the birth of Christ there is the story of the angels and the shepherds, and the wonderful message - behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy! Great joy at the darkest time, the very opposite of SAD. A message that the world really needs to hear.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Bob's Christmas Day Message

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Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, and our topic this week is “Who was Lot?” Open your Bible at Luke 17:28-33, and put a bookmark there, then turn back to Genesis, chapter 19:1-30. Pause the recording, and read the story of Lot, in Genesis 19:1-30. We’ll go through that chapter together. When you have read the story of Lot, start the recording again. 

Read the NOTES HERE.

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What on Earth is Concupiscence? 

WARNING: This lesson contains explicit language and sexual terms and it may not be suitable for children and younger teenagers.

Begin with reading Colossians 3:1 Pay particular attention to verse 5.

Paul is speaking to Christians, - who have been given new life in Christ John 11:24-25 If such a wonderful change has taken place, then surely we cannot continue to live as though nothing at all has happened! We keep one eye upon eternity, knowing that the pleasures that this world offers us are momentary, - and soon will be gone forever. V2 And in eternity - in heaven, we shall be without sin - glorified bodies! V4 Before we met the Lord, we lived in ignorance of our sin, but now, we know better! V10 

Paul gives us, in verse 5, a list of those old sins and immoral ways in which we walked before conversion, and which we need to be aware of, and deal with as Christian believers, seeking to be Christlike in our lives. 

Read the NOTES HERE.

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First recorded in 2022.

Should we allow a Christmas Tree to be displayed in a place where the worship of God is taking place? It’s a question recently asked by a Christian friend. It’s important to remember, firstly that this question is ‘adiaphora’ – it is not a matter of saving faith, it is something over which Christians can disagree with each other without being disagreeable! Is there a specific verse that says, “You shall not have a Christmas tree…” NO! And having, or not having a Christmas Tree in church will not result in eternal loss, neither are those who take one position or the other in any way apostate or heretical.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thess 4:9-12

Paul turns from teaching on chastity to teaching on charity. Teaching about LOVE. His words are extremely practical. He deals with three areas in which we must abound in love:

1. The OBJECTS of our Christian Love.
2. The OUTLINE of a Christian Lifestyle.
3. The OBLIGATIONS of a Christian Testimony.

A Christian is someone who knows and has experienced the love of God, and shows that love in his attitude to other believers, in our own lifestyle, and in our witness to our neighbours.

Read the Notes HERE.

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Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, and our topic this week is “Who was Abraham?” Open your Bible once again at Genesis - this time at Genesis 12, and then Hebrews 11, and be ready to read. Pause the recording while you look for those two passages, and start it again, when you are ready.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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The implications of our fallen nature are that all our emotions, thoughts and desires have been distorted by sin. Jesus told the Jews of his day, the religious people, in John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. Jeremiah preached to the Hebrew people of his day, saying Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

That’s why telling people, especially children and young adults to ‘just follow your heart’ is pure folly.

Listen on...

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Recorded LIVE at the Old Reformed Church, Ballymacashon

78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down, BT23 6RN, Norther Ireland

Readers:

Janette: Isaiah 9:6-7

David: Matthew 1:18-21

Bob: Luke 2:1-7 

Sam: Luke 2:8-14

Harvey: Luke 2:15-19 

Jim: Matthew 2:1-6 

Rueben: Matthew 2:7-12 

Malcolm: Luke 1:6-35

Fergus: John 1:1-13 

Address (and out of tune song-leading) by Rev Bob McEvoy.

Some items have been shortened for the podcast.

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First recorded in 2021

It’s time to talk honestly about Santa! So let’s see what the Bible says!

Read the NOTES HERE

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1st Thessalonians 4:1-8

Paul moves to discus moral purity in n immoral world. This was an issue then and it is an issue now. Paul’s teaching on this subject is contemporary, and very much to the point, and rightly so, for sexual immorality destroys more lives and more marriages and more families than any other evil.

This sermon was preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Does God Permit Same-Sex Marriage?

Read Romans 1:18-27

One of the more recent developments in the human sexuality debate, is the issue of ‘same sex marriage.’ As someone said on another podcast stream, even the mobile phone predates same sex marriage, - you really can’t get much more contemporary than that. So what stance should Christian believers take on that matter? Well, our first guiding principal in every debate and in every ethical issue, is the Bible, the Word of God which is our only rule of faith and conduct. So that's where we start - with Romans 1:18-27

Read the NOTES HERE

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1st Thessalonians 3: 11-13

Our prayer lives continually need to be encouraged, and we CAN encourage one another by HOW we pray, as well as by what we pray for. In this passage, Paul demonstrates a distinctive ‘teaching element’ in prayer very clearly when he prays for the Thessalonian Christians. 

This address was given and recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is used here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Welcome back to our series of lessons on Human Brokenness, and in this lesson, we shall ask whether divorce is ever an option for Christians. Before we begin, pause the recording and look up Matthew 19:1-9 and Deuteronomy 24:1-4 in your Bible. Then when you’ve read those two passages, start the recording again. Matthew 19:1-9 and Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 3:1-5

The real instigator of hostility against the people of God is Satan, the enemy of the soul. In this study we’ll return to the subject of the trials and temptations which Christians will often face. 

1. The Inescapable Presence of Trials. 1 Thes. 3:3-5

2. The Indispensable Power of Trust. 1 Thes 3:2-5.

3. The Indisputable Promise of Triumph. 1 Thess 1-10

The Thessalonians were to EXPECT hostility from the world. The very fact that there is a being called Satan, should always remind us that we are being opposed. But Satan’s power is limited, and in God’s Word we have been given the encouragement and the help that we need to be ‘overcomers.’ Let us therefore stand fast in the gospel. Hebrews 11:24-26

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Genesis 11:1-9

We have learned about the rebellion at Babel, in the plain of Shinar. The descendants of Noah’s children had gathered there, determined to stay together for their own protection. That was contrary to God’s plan, for he had commanded that they were to populate the whole earth. But the rebellion was worse than that. Not only were they disobeying God’s command, but they were turning their backs on God, and rejecting his way of salvation. They wanted to approach God their way, not his. They wanted to get to the heavens, by way of their own works, and they did it so that they would get all the glory for themselves. That’s where we left them last time, in rebellion against God, like every man or woman born since has been ever since. And that’s exactly where we begin our study today.

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Why get married when we can just live together?

We have looked at marriage, the lifelong union of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others, - which we saw was God’s intended plan for all of humanity, for the mutual help and comfort of husband and wife, and for the preservation of the human race, and then in our last lesson, we discovered what it means to say that marriage is a covenant, a relationship reflects, albeit imperfectly, the relationship between Christ and his church - a relationship that is unbreakable, based upon his love for and forgiveness of his bride. 

But why get married at all? - Surely a loving, faithful union between a man and a woman, doesn’t need all those vows and promises? And do we really need a piece of paper to certify our love? Why can’t we just simply move in together, and live as what used to be called ‘common law husband and wife?’ 

So, that’s our topic for today. Why get married, why have a formal wedding?

Read the NOTES HERE

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2025 Remembrance Service from Ballymacashon

Join us at Ballymacashon Congregational church, Killinchy, Co.Down, for our annual Service of Remembrance.

This episode includes praise, act of remembrance and address.

Recorded live at Ballymacashon.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Genesis 8:20-9:17.

What is a covenant? It is a binding, legal agreement between two parties, sometimes as the result of a negotiation, but frequently imposed by a stronger power on a weaker state or entity.

Historians like to compare the Biblical covenants with the Hittite Treaties, – but there is a vast difference, in that God created us, he owns us, we are his, and he can do with us as he determines – but in GRACE – out of love and pity for fallen rebellious humanity, he enters into a relationship with us, brings us into his kingdom, and provides us with blessings and benefits. Like the other covenants, he promises blessings and rewards for obedience and punishment for those who disobey. 

Read the Notes HERE.

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Text: Genesis 8:1-20

Now we come to chapter 8, and there is actually no break in the narrative between chapters 7 and 8. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark.

Ho=ad God forgotten Noah? NO!

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Genesis 7

Genesis 7 is a factual account of the flood. The day of God’s judgment is come, and the probation of mankind upon the earth is at an end. Like a judge sitting on the bench, professionally and precisely weighing up the evidence in his summing up, without emotion he passes sentence and decrees punishment. Judgment must happen and justice will follow and everyone will be able to say they get what they deserve.

read the NOTES HERE.

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Building A Stairway to Heaven?

Genesis 11:1-9

In our digital mid-week meting, we’re moving on to another one of those pivotal moments in Genesis, as the beginnings of human history are revealed to us, the strange incident of the Tower of Babel. The narrative is found in Genesis 11:1-9. We'll deal with this in two episodes.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Marriage is a Covenant

What does it mean to affirm that 'Marriage is lifelong, monogamous and covenantal? It's all wrapped up in he meaning of the word 'Covenant!' Open your Bible at Ephesians 5:22-33. read the passage and note how our married relationships reflect the unbreakable, exclusive relationship between Christ and his church. Then play the podcast episode!

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Genesis 6:9ff

Learn about:-

1. Noah’s Walk.  Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah:
2. Noah's Work.
3. Noah's Warranty
4. Noah's Willingness.

 James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Genesis 6:1-8

Introduction: The story of Noah begins with a description of the times. There was much disobedience, much sinfulness, much rebellion against God. Why is it important for us to understand these times? Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

We too are to be discerners of the times, for we too live in a wicked age, when abject ungodliness is the norm. It is in such times that the Son of Man will unexpectedly return. So what was it like in the days of Noah? And what is meant by, "My spirit shall not always strive with man?"

Read the NOTES HERE:

This address was given at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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1st Thessalonians 2:18-19

The first disciples were hindered in their work by Satan. Who is 'Satan?' and how does he hinder the Lord's work? What is his ultimate end. when judgment day comes?

This sermon was recoded in Ballymacashon Old Reformed Church (Congregational).

Notes are available at www.Semper-Reformata.com

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The Origin and Purpose of Marriage

Marriage is a serious subject. At a wedding service, God is present, and is our witness. Not just the minister, or the civic registrar, or some humanist celebrant. God has a part in every real marriage ceremony, whether we like it or not. Why is that?

The reason is found in the book of Genesis. so in this lesson you'll need to have your Bible open at Genesis chapter 2.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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A SASRA report by ASR Paul Somerville. Paul is one of the Army Scripture Readers working among the men and women of the armed forces here in Northern Ireland. On Sunday 2nd November, Paul visited Ballymacashon Church to talk about his work, and the work of SASRA, the Soldiers and Aviators Scripture Readers Association. With his permission I recorded his report, and I want to share some of it, just an extract, with you today. Have a listen, and please make time in your prayers to pray for these faithful evangelists…

Find out more about the work of SASRA HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 2:13-20

Paul has declared that they were BOLD IN THE GOSPEL. They were REAL in their ministry, for unlike the travelling professional philosophers and preachers of their day, they truly loved their people, they longed for their people, they lived for their people, they laboured for the people and they lead the people. See what a dramatic effect that consistent, steady ministry leading by example and faithfully preaching the Word, had upon the people who lived at Thessalonica. They were Saved. They were saved:-

• By the WORD of God Alone.
• By the GRACE of God Alone.
• For the GLORY of God Alone.

Our whole lives, our leisure, our career, our church life our family life… Everything should bring GLORY to God. Do we live our lives Soli Deo Gloria? Can we truly say that what delights God delights in us?

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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To 'change sex' – let’s call it ‘transgenderism’ – requires a complete denial of human biology – and last time I checked biology was still a science. So, since we have already established that the biblical belief is that God made us as we are, male or female, man or woman, let’s just do some science. Let’s think about some of the branches of science where transsexualism conflicts… 

Read the NOTES HERE.

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That BAPTISM Thing

Talking to some friends on Thursday 23rd October, the subject of Baptism arose, - again - and it reminded me of a sermon I had preached in 2022 - in a church that is by its constitution, Reformed Baptist - subscribing to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Part of the sermon addressed the subject of Baptism, and I extracted that section for a podcast episode in 2022.

I have reprised that episode here, as a bonus 'Monday Extra' - because it is an important issue. Baptism should UNITE Christians, not divide them. Listen to find out why.

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1st Thessalonians 2:5-12 Amos 7

Paul has been verbally attacked by some of his enemies in Thessalonica. To those accusations Paul insisted that they were BOLD in the Gospel. He had also been accused of being deceitful. To prove the point that he was not a charlatan, he embarks on a series of distinctions, to differentiate between a professional philosopher and a passionate pastor.

This message was recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational church.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Read Genesis 5:18-23, Hebrews 11:5-6, Jude 14-15.

Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him” Enoch had a godly walk, in communion and fellowship with God, and as someone once said, - he was so much in the company of God, that at the end of his life, he didn’t die, he just walked straight into heaven! That’s Enoch’s claim to fame, and that is what makes him an person of interest to us, as Christians, seeking to live in the presence of God also. Let’s try to learn just a little about this remarkable Old Testament man. 

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Sex and Gender - Are They The Same Thing?

Before we begin, please read Psalm 100, and spend a few minutes meditating on verse 3, where the psalmist writes, Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 

Find the notes at www.Semper-Reformata.com

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1st Thessalonians 2:1-4

These first believers prayed for boldness, right from their earliest days… Acts 4:29-31 When Paul and Silas preached at Thessalonica, they preached with great boldness. One of our great needs in the visible church today, is BOLDNESS IN THE GOSPEL.

Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Read Genesis 3:13-21.

Welcome to this week’s digital version of TableTalk. The Reading is from Genesis 3:13-21  In our last TableTalk I left you with a puzzle of sorts; a bit of a teaser, - the question, “Will we meet Adam in heaven?” 

Is there any hope in eternity for Adam? How could such a man ever be in heaven? And of course, we have a similar situation with Eve, his wife, and the one who was initially tempted by the serpent. 

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How Do Christians Relate to People with Gender Issues?

New Ref. Catechism on Human Sexuality? 4. Q. What does God require of us in making us in his image?

A. God requires that we love him as he created us, male or female, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves. 

In the Bible Christians are told, over and over again, that they are to love others, as Christ has loved us, and given himself for us. As far back as Leviticus we read, Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. In the NT, Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

So, we are to love our neighbour as ourselves - and do good to our neighbour, and seek to rescue our neighbour from a lost eternity, but what if the neighbour in question is a gender confused man, dressed as a woman? 

Human Brokenness, Part 5

How Do Christians Relate to People with Gender Issues?

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This week my motivation for putting pen to paper, and switching on the recording equipment has been different and a bit unusual. I was listening to an audiobook - a reading of a novel! I had been driving down to Belfast in the car, listening to a book, when one of the characters mentioned a particular artist, Tom Waite, and it brought back memories of a song that the artist had performed, back in the 1990s. It was a song called’ “Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet” and it has an interesting story, and if you give me a few minutes. I’d like to share the story with you this morning… The song went:-

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet

For this one thing I know,

That He loves me so.

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet

Listen to the podcast for the story, and

you can find the song on Spotify   https://tinyurl.com/57emjrt5

Or search on YouTube

Read a full transcript with links HERE.

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John 12:20-26

This is set in the very last week in the earthly ministry of Jesus – just before He went to Calvary, and just after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is the feast of the Passover, and this passage is just at the start of John’s account of Jesus’ last days on earth with His disciples, a week which takes up about 8 chapters of John’s gospel.

Sermon from Ballymacashon, Harvest Morning Service, 5th October 2025.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Read Genesis Chapters 1 & 2 please!

In today’s post-truth western world, identity is no longer a matter predetermined by God, but something YOU get to decide, usually based on your feelings, rather than on physical reality. 

And of course, gender is no longer a case of man and woman. In modern society, just how many genders are there? A simple internet search revealed that “There are many genders beyond just male and female, with some sources listing over 70 different gender identities. Gender is understood as a spectrum, allowing individuals to identify in various ways that may not align with traditional binary classifications.” 

In the New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, the author, Christopher Gordon asks, in Q3. How many sexes did God make at creation? "in the image of God, he created them, male and female, he created them.'

Q4. What does God require of us in making us in his image? A. God requires that we love him as he created us, male or female, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves.

It’s that phrase ‘love him as he created us, male or female’ that is important and relevant to the Christian view on gender identity, for you cannot be a true Christian believer and live a lie… 

Read the NOTES HERE

.

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John 7:37-39. Cf Isaiah 12:3.

Jesus is at the feast of Tabernacles, appointed to begin on the 15th day of the 7th month, and lasting 7 or perhaps 8 days. This was the harvest festival, and one of the ceremonies of the feast was connected with water. Jesus used that unusual ritual as an illustration, - to show that He is the Well of Salvation, that nothing in this world can satisfy the thirst of the soul, yet when brought to understand our need, we can find hope in Him alone.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 1:9-10, Acts 14:8-15

Something drastic had happened within these Thessalonians believers. They had been saved by grace, converted to Christ. Now Paul explains another part of that process of conversion, in 1 Thess. 1:9-10  He is speaking of something which is an essential part of every true conversion, and that is REPENTANCE! In this sermon, preached and recorded at Ballymacashon, we see:

1. The PROCESS of Repentance.
2. The RESULTS of Repentance.

(Recorded live - please excuse the background noise)

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Our Identity in Christ

 Christian Identity is.

• Being made all over again, to be in the image of Christ! 
• Only because of God’s grace
• Jesus has delivered us from Satan's lie in Eden. And now, 
• Christ protects us!

Before you listen, read John 8:44, and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Revelation 13:17,

A warning to the sleeping church - wake up, for the tyranny of digital ID's is drawing ever closer...

This message was preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 1:6-10

The Thessalonians had RECEIVED the Word of God – not just listened to it, or heard it, but had actively accepted it into their hearts and lives, through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for ‘having received’ is based on the root amen. They had heard the word, and in their hearts they had said AMEN. So be it Lord, and what a marvellous effect that great spiritual amen had in the lives of those Thssalonian believers.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Laying the groundwork for who we are, in God's eyes.

Before you play this episode, please read Colossians 1:16, Psalm 100:3, Revelation 4:11, Psalm 8:3-6 and Psalm 139:13-16.

We're starting with a short introduction to 'Identity' - considering the basics, who made us, how he made us and why, and bringing that right down to the individual level, learning that it is God who shapes us in the womb, who weaves us, intricately and skilfully forms us, and who knows and predetermines the composition of our body parts, who thus assigns us our gender before we are born. He makes us what we are physically meant to be.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st Thessalonians 1:4-5

Paul is writing to remind his readers of the events of Acts chapter 17.He reminds them of the events of their conversion, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: how he had preached the Gospel, and they had been saved. His words give us a glimpse into his practice of evangelistic homeletics – his preaching and teaching ministry…

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Facing Up To Our Shame 

Read Genesis 2:7-8 and Genesis 3:9-12.

Adam is hiding in the Garden. It was customary, in the cool of the evening for God to come down into this garden paradise, and to walk in fellowship with Adam. But why was Adam so ashamed? What had Adam squandered when he surrendered to sin?

Has Adam's shame brought shame upon all of us, and how can that shame be dealt with?

Read the NOTES HERE.

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In this season, running throughout Autumn and winter 2025-26, we’re going back to our studies in Biblical Ethics, with short weekly lessons, as the Lord permits, on Human Sexuality. The series title will be

Human Brokenness - Healed, Redeemed & Forgiven.

In each lesson, which will be shorter than before, maybe just 10 or 12 minutes, in the hope that perhaps we can attract a teenage audience, as well as the regular listeners, - we will be looking at Human Sexuality through the prism of a biblical worldview. We will deal with edgy topics, with ethical dilemmas that will certainly confront us in this modern age, and maybe even more so in the future. 

Join me, Bob McEvoy, for Human Brokenness, Healed, Redeemed & Forgiven, every Tuesday, as the Lord wills, at 1pm UK time. 

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1st Thessalonians 1:2-4

In this passage of Scripture, we can learn three valuable lessons.

1. A Lesson in Christian Devotion.
2. A Lesson in Christian Demeanour.
3. A Lesson in Christian Doctrine

Paul teaches the Thessalonians about Prayer, Practice and Predestination.

This sermon was recorded live in Ballymacashon - Please forgive the poor sound quality.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Being aware of Satan's Tactics

Genesis 3:1-8

As Christians we need to be aware of the tactics of the devil, who would try to distract us from the straight and narrow way, to divert us into by-paths and cause us to stumble. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian Christians, in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 We should not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. And he is aggressively pursuing the Christian believer.  1 Peter 5:8.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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ist Thessalonians 1:1

When Paul greeted the congregation at Thessalonica, he began the letter with a recognition that he was writing to a really good church. We cannot attain perfection, but Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians can help our local assembly to be a great church too! A church that is singleminded in pursuing its goal, to love and serve the Lord. In Paul’s greeting we see four simple observations:-

• A church is a Partnership of Ministry.
• A church is a local assembly, in the place where God has placed it.
• The church is a congregation of God's people.
• The church has a particular declaration.

Any local assembly of believers can be as great in God’s sight as the Thessalonians obviously were, if we make sure that the work of the church is done on the basis of PARTNERSHIP, that we are in the PLACE that God wants us to be, both geographically and spiritually, BUILDING ourselves up in the Lord, and making sure that every activity in the church has the common purpose of boldly and loudly PROCLAIMING the grace and peace of God to sinners.

Read the NOTES here.

The sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, - apologies for the background noise and echo.

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Matthew 10:40-42

We have been working our way through Matthew chapter 10, where we find the names of the twelve disciples, and where Jesus commissions them and trains them to go out into the world to serve him, as his ambassadors, his representatives. Let’s see how Jesus concludes this lesson by giving them AUTHORITY and SUPPORT.

Recorded live at Ballymacashon.

Read the NOTES HERE,

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Matthew 10v34-38

 as Jesus speaks to his disciples, he never sugar-coats his words, or plays down the difficulties or promises them that life as a Christian will be easy. He’s not the ‘gentle Jesus meek and mild’ person some people think him to be. Jesus said: ‘…he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.’ How different! According to Jesus, the Christian Life is a:-

• CONFLICT
• COMMITMENT

this sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon, - so it has some echo and background noise.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1st John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen

As we come to the very last phrase in John’s first letter, we are driven back to the most basic premise of the Christian faith. That there is only one, True, Holy, God who will not tolerate the worship of any other god that we might invent. John warns us to guard our lives from idols. There is a deep pastoral concern that the believers watch their lives, be so careful, for idolatry can present itself in so many forms, and can draw us away from faithfully following the Lord.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Matthew 10:26-30

The disciples are being sent into a world that contains great dangers for them. They will be hated by everyone in the world. Yet despite all of that, they are being tasked to preach the Gospel despite the fact that doing so will inflame and antagonise the world even more! Surely a better approach would be for the disciples to keep their heads down, preach behind closed doors, don’t offend anyone. Jesus certainly didn’t envisage that His disciples would do anything of the sort. Here he tells them to stand up and shout!

Recorded live at Ballymacashon - Apologies for echo, poor sound quality and extraneous noise.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text. 1 John 5:18-20.

John is going to remind Christians of three things we know, three blessings of the Christian life and they are all found in Christ alone. They are freedom from sin, victory over the world and a new perspective on life and death, AND these are what every person in the world really needs! I know they won't admit it, for what they THINK they need is greatly different from what they REALLY NEED, but, you see, what we think people need, and even what they think they need, is nowhere near as important as what THE BIBLE says they need! Look again at the blessings we have in Christ, blessings that everyone needs to have, and which we should be telling them about...

read the NOTES HERE.

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Text . Isaiah 55:6-7. Luke 19:1. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

We are all to be seekers…. but who will search for God?

recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational church.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: 1 John 5:16-17.

John has been speaking about prayer, and how we may have confidence in prayer, and then he adds this next verse, perhaps as a case-study for what he has just taught us; praying for sinners! What does John mean when he says that there is a sin not unto death, and a sin unto death?

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Matthew 10:16-22

Christians are living in a hostile culture But it’s NEVER been any different, and it never will, until Jesus returns. In Matthew’s account of the ministry of Jesus, he records the words of the Saviour as he sends his disciples out to witness for him. Let’s see how he prepares them for the hostile environment they will be living and working in…

This message was delivered at Ballymacashon - please excuse the sound quality, extraneous sounds and echo.

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Psalm 139:14-16

In this special bonus episode, we look briefly at these very important verses from Psalm 139, verses 14-16, – to make a prophetic statement on events that have occurred over the past few days in our sovereign UK parliament, when MPs voted in strength for an amendment which will in certain circumstances, make legal the abortion of babies up to the moment of birth. In such times as these, we would want to raise a standard, publicly, for biblical truth and Christian ethics.  

Read the NOTES HERE.

Recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

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1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life, so as soon as John has established that we KNOW that we are eternally saved, with a heavenly destiny, through faith in Christ, he moves on to prayer… and that same confidence that we have in our eternal salvation applies to our prayers. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will...

Listen for more!

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Matthew 10:8-17

Jesus has called his disciples, and now they get some really practical good advice for ministry, part of their ‘Seminary Evangelism Module’ – and its not just good advice for them, but for us also as we seek to represent the Saviour in this godless world:-

• Wisdom in Accounting
• Wisdom in Association
• Wisdom in Abandoning

Apologies for the sound quality of this recording. this sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, and there is some echo and extraneous noise.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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1 John 5:9-12 V10 He that believed; on the Son of God hath the witness in himself…

For this week's Bible Study I've reprised an episode from October 2024, recorded at TRC. No point recording the same thing again!

Do you know for sure that you are saved and forgiven, through repentance and faith in Christ, and that because of his atoning death on the cross you have forgiveness of all your sins and a certain home in heaven? The record is there for us! The testimony is available for all to see! Changed lives, the Word of God, all the objective tests. But to be saved and have eternal life, we must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally!

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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In this episode were going to be thinking about the persecution of the early church, and focusing in on the martyrdom of Polycarp, the pastor of the church at Smyrna, in what is now called Turkey. Polycarp’s testimony for Jesus Christ led to his arrest and to his death in the city of Rome in the 2nd century AD. May his perseverance and steadfast determination to follow Jesus whatever the cost be an inspiration to us also, in these days, when many Christian throughout the world still face persecution for the faith.

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Matthew 10:5-8

Christ's were being trained in the school of the master, and they were to go forth as ambassadors, and missionaries, sent out to represent Christ in their words and acts. Now we see a little more detail about that commission…

• The margins of their ministry. To LOST SHEEP.
• The message of their ministry. The KINGDOM is at hand!
• The method of their ministry. To minister in WORD and SACRAMENT.

Apologies for the sound quality of this recording. this sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, and there is some echo and extraneous noise.

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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1st John 5:6-8

What does John mean by ‘ Water and Blood?’ There are four possibilities:

1. The Wounded Side of Christ.
2. The Sacraments
3. A Witness to the Historicity of Christ's Baptism and Death - as an answer to gnosticism.
4. The Application of the Cleansing Power of Christ to the believer.

We look at these four possibilities - all of them views held by reformed evangelical commentators.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Acts 2:1-4

We look at the account of how God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the first Christian disciples, and its effects and results.

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational Church, and contains some extraneous noise and echo.

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1st John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We know that we are Christians because we have overcome the world, and we are overcoming the world! This is John's next point. So, what is the WORLD that we have overcome, how have we overcome it, and when did that happen?

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Here's some seemingly opposed and contradictory texts:

1. Ecclesiastes 7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time
2. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand:

Which statement is right? Or are both? Let's unravel the mystery of Ecclesiastes 7:17!

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1 Corinthians 15:50-58 

It is only because Jesus rose from the dead, that we too will also rise – on that final day of this earth’s history, when the trumpet of God shall sound, and the Lord Jesus will return to judge this world. The Apostle Paul turns his attention to the events and results of that last day.

Bob's sermon for Easter Sunday morning, 2025.

Recorded at Ballymacashon - so please excuse the echo.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text. 1 John 5:2-4a 

Is there an objective test for brotherly love? John suggests that there is. It is obedience. We will know that we love God's people, when we love God, and obey him. So we need to examine these verses and see what John is speaking about:

• The Legal Background to Christian Obedience.
• The Light Burden of Christian Obedience.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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You can’t have missed the increasing demands for the British government to pay ‘reparations’ for its part in the slave trade. It was an issue that confronted me when we were studying Ephesians, working our way through the book, verse by verse in an expository manner. When we came to chapter five, we were confronted by these verses, 

Ephesians 6:5-8 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 

Here’s the issue, - when Paul wrote to servants (KJV), he was in fact writing to SLAVES! Slaves who mostly had horrendous working conditions, and who had no rights whatsoever of their own.

So, in this lecture, delivered at Templepatrick Reformed Church (and reproduced here with their kind permission) we look at the issues surrounding this important subject and seek a biblical response to the demands for financial compensation.

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Text: 1 John 4:19-5:5 

John has been spending much time and ink on the importance of love. God’s love for us, and our love for God, and the resulting love that we have for each other. He tells us that:

• Love is a REACTION (To Christ's love for us)
• Love is a REVERSAL (Of the opinions and values of the world)
• Love is a RESPONSIBILITY (To obey the commandment even by Jesus)
• Love is a REINFORCEMENT (of sound doctrine)

Read the NOTES HERE

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Text. Matthew 10:1-4

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for ministry.  Before we see his particular instructions to them, his teaching on their ministry, lets see how he chooses and calls them…

Read the NOTES HERE,

APOLOGIES - THIS RECORDING WAS MADE LIVE AT BALLYMACASHON AND CONTAINS ECHO AND BACKGROUND NOISE.

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Text. 1 John 4:12-21

John preaches a sermon, for the next few verses, v13-21 are actually a commentary and expansion on what he has taught in verse 12. Now, the biblical authors did not preach to amuse you or to tickle your ears – John is going to talk about the Christian’s confidence in the day of judgement. That will require some explanation, – and it won’t be casual listening. 

Read the NOTES HERE

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Text: John 11:38-45

In this last piece of the story there is a wonderful illustration of the Gospel – and that is exactly what we would expect. John 20:30-31, …but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Let’s look for the Gospel, so that we too may believe in Him, and have eternal life…

This message was preached at Ballymacashon Congregational Church and Templepatrick Reformed Church, and was recorded at TRC. It is used here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text. 1 John 4:7-12

According to James Montgomery Boice, John has applied three tests, by which a person may know that they are a child of God: The moral test – RIGHTEOUSNESS, the social test -LOVE, the doctrinal test – TRUTH, which is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as God incarnate. For John, the greatest of these tests is the test of love. So, John does that now. In these next few passages, he goes on to draw practical conclusions from his teachings on the importance of God’s love.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: 1 John 3:24b – 4:6

John draws a series of stark contrasts, to draw the believer’s mind to the great differences that pertain between Christians and unbelievers. Let’s just see some of those sharply clear contrasts…

1. Different Constraints
2. Different Confessions
3. Different Citizenships
4. Different Caricatures

Read the NOTES HERE.

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John 11:28-37

When we are broken-hearted, Jesus knows and cares.

This sermon was preached and recorded at Templepatrick reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE

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1st John 3:19-23

Reading through this passage will remind you that there are perhaps some very special times in your Christian life, when your conscience may convict you more than any other time. It is when we come before the Lord to pray and to read his word. Whether at Church or in the prayer meeting or in the quiet place…. something deeply spiritual is happening when we commune with God.

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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John 11:17-24

Jesus and His disciples have left the safety of Galilee and gone to Bethany, and the narrative now moves on to the arrival of the travellers at Bethany. What will they find when they get there?

Read the NOTES HERE

This message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission.

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Text. 1st John 3:16-18 

Our love for others is the outworking in our lives, of his love for us… it is our response, – our practical Amen to what Christ has already done for us. So, let’s get things in the correct order, 

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Where Jesus Calls His Disciples to Witness God’s Glory at Work

Text: John 11:11

These verses show the tenderness in Christ’s heart for his disciples. He speaks with great affection about Lazarus, and words of comfort for Hs disciples, but they misunderstand, ...

Recorded at Ballymacashon - apologies for the poor sound quality.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text. 1 John 3:11-15 (OT Text: Gen 4:1-16)

Is there any hatred, down inside us? Do we love our brothers and sisters as we ought? Only by serious self-examination in the light of God's word, can we know that there has been a work of grace done in our hearts.

read the NOTES HERE.

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The one where Jesus loves Lazarus so much that he waits two days!

Text: John 11:1-10

In this short series, we are looking at an incident from the earthly ministry of Jesus, one that brought great glory to God, so amazing was it.

Click this link to read the notes.

This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon, and at Templepatrick Reformed Church, was recorded at TRC, and is used here with their kind permission.

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Text: 1 John 3:4-10

The key to understanding this passage is to grasp the meaning of two verses, verse five and verse eight. And those verses are specifically about PURPOSE. But when John talks about purpose here, he doesn’t talk about himself, or me or you, he talks about Jesus! What was HIS purpose?

Read the NOTES HERE.

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REPRISE - First broadcast in 2013.

Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and used here with their kind permission,

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Exploring the Biblical Doctrine of Work

In this talk, we attempt to establish a biblical basis for Christians to examine the important issue of work, and the place of work in our society. It’s about the ethics of work, and the biblical doctrine of work, and about attitudes to work in our our nation. And that’s where we start, for Christians are to live in a manner that is contrary to the prevailing culture in every respect. That includes our attitude to employment and to the current benefits culture.

This episode was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Text: 1 John 3:1-3.

We turn the page in our study of 1st John, and we come to chapter 3, and John talks about what we already are, as Christians, – what we will be, and what we ought to be.

read the NOTES HERE.

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Isaiah 55:6-7

We are all to be seekers…. but who will search for God?

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE

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Text. 1 John 2:26 -29.

John has already declared that we are living in the last days – that long period between the ascension of The Lord Jesus into Heaven after his resurrection, and before he returns in glory to judge the world. The period when there would be antichrists, inside the church and without, and Christians need to be wary. In this passage he gives those Christians some really practical teaching to help them to persevere in these days.

Read the NOTES HERE

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Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I’m wondering have you ever seen a bottle of Guinness? There’s a signature on that bottle, or can, ARTHUR GUINNESS. The Guinness company have been promoting that in recent years with their ‘Arthur’s day’ advert, every September, when we are all invited to raise a glass of Guinness ‘To Arthur.’ I would venture to suggest that Arthur Guinness would be turning in his grave at that! So, who was Arthur Guinness?

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John 14:1-6

This sermon was preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Many Roman Catholic people hold Patrick in such esteem that they will accept little or nothing about him which runs counter to their perceived opinion. Many Protestants have, traditionally, been so apathetic about Patrick that they have bee content to ignore him, and leave it to their Roman Catholic friends to celebrate his life in whatever way they have chosen. This podcast seeks to challenge both positions and to encourage us, in this modern age, to consider our soul's welfare, as Patrick did in bygone days.

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Text: 1 John 2:18-27.

John turns from Christian behaviour, in the earlier verses of the chapter, to Christian BELIEF in these verses, and the first point he makes is a warning against false teachers in the church – he speaks of The antichrist. What exactly does the Bible say about the antichrist in this passage?

we examine this passage under three headings:

• The Age for Antichrists
• The Appearance of these Antichrists
• The Antidote to Antichrist's Activities in the Church.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:21-24. (Cf Colossians 4:7-9)

Here we have Paul’s final words, in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, as he brings his epistle to a close and in closing he brings them a word of consolation, a word of commendation, and a word of blessing. It is an expression of Christian fellowship and love.

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, - please excuse the sound quality.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: 1 John 2:15 

Christians must be wary, for the present world holds much attraction, and they will be tempted to take of its goods and trust in its promises, but it is a false hope, for this world and everything in it is passing away. Don't be beguiled by its empty promises and false hopes...

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:19-20 – 2 Corinthians 12:9ff

The Christian has a ‘prayerful lifestyle’ – a basic disposition to prayer, a heart that will turn to God for help in whatever circumstances, seeking His guidance and help, whatever might come our way. And we are to pray for others. So, having made that point, Paul now puts them to work, – admitting HE needs prayer and asking them to pray for him, in the difficult situation in which he finds himself. 

Read the NOTES HERE.

This message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Text: 1 John 2:12-14

This is a ‘greeting’ of sorts, perhaps a hymn – or even a ‘transition’ – like between the slides on a powerpoint! Certainly it’s an exhortation to the Christians to show them who they are, and what they have in Christ.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:18 

In our last study we saw how important it was that every Christian should read and meditate upon the Bible, God’s infallible word, and so submit to the work of God the Holy Spirit, in applying God’s Word to our lives (Ephesians 5:25-26). Just as the armour of God is a defence against satanic attacks, so prayer is our greatest weapon against the enemy. In one single sentence Paul gives us the Bible’s most comprehensive advice on how to pray.  

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission.

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In the podcast we look at 1st John 2:7-11, and note that John is teaching us that to be loving, - to be predisposed to love others, is a reflection of Christlikeness in us, and that we can use our assessment of our love for others, - our 'love quotient' as a means to know if we have really experienced God's grace in our lives.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:17  

The warrior now lifts his final piece of equipment, – his sword. It will be used in defence, to ward off the onslaught of the enemy, but also in attack, to inflict mortal blows upon the adversary of the soul, for after all, sometimes attack is the best form of defence. The Sword of the Spirit is a dual purpose weapon. 

Read the NOTES HERE

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Text.1 John 2:3-6

John, in this passage, four times uses the word KNOW. We can KNOW that we KNOW Him. we can see here how we will recognise, looking inwardly, that we are saved – the EVIDENCE that conversion has been effected in our lives by a divine work of God the Holy Spirit. 

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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Ephesians 6:17

Why do we need this protection? A head wound or a bang to the head is a serious matter indeed. That’s why motor cyclists and bikers wear helmets. Brain injury is a very great danger.

So it is for us, for it is in the brain, where all of our thought-life occurs – the mind. It is in the mind that the devil often strikes, 

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE

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Text: 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

John brings us back to the historic event of the Cross, where certain things happened – things that could be achieved by no other, things that had profound effects in heaven and earth, things that had eternal consequences, including our forgiveness from sin, and John can’t leave this subject without focussing on what made it all possible. Every sermon must return to the Cross. Here’s three great facts simply stated…

1. The Exclusivity of the Sacrifice. HE is the propitiation for our sins:

2. The Effectiveness of the Sacrifice. He is the PROPITIATION for our sins.

3. The Extent of the Sacrifice. and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The soldier Paul had been watching and using as an illustration of our heavenly protection now rises, and lifts his shield. Paul likens it to the shield of faith! 

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text 1st John 2:1 

Do you see the tenderness in John’s voice here? He addresses the readers (and us!) as ‘My little children.’ John was in nature a very tender hearted man. He loved The Lord and was one of His closest companions. In his Gospel, John reminds us of his close friendship with Jesus, John 13:23 He’s not being egotistical, he’s just reminding us that he’s someone who has experienced the wonderful love of Jesus, and he wants these believers to walk in fellowship with The Lord, and with the church and his motivation is sheer love.

READ THE NOTES HERE

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Ephesians 6:14 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; READ ALSO: John 13:3-10

We are soldiers in a battle, and it is the fiercest battle of all, and we must ‘put on’ our personal protective equipment, – our armour, that God has provided for us. To help us understand this exhortation, Paul used an illustration, something that was very familiar to him, as he languished in Roman custody. To prepare for active service the Roman soldier would put his armour on, piece by piece, and Paul likens each piece of armour to one of the spiritual defences that we can use against the devil. Now the soldier lifts another piece of armour. It is his shoes!

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon - please excuse the poor sound quality.

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A special address given at Templepatrick Reformed Church on Friday 17th January 2025.

Theosophy - What is this ancient heresy and how might it be influencing global affairs today?

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Text. 1 John 1:8-10. 

John is not holding back. He is telling us that WE are sinful. He is speaking to Christians, and saying that we act sinfully because we are sinners by nature. It’s the way we are, it’s the way we are born, its the what separates us from God, who is sinless, whose primary characteristic is HOLINESS, – as John has already told us… God is LIGHT. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Now the problem with sin today, is that so many of us either ignore it, or just deny its existence.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  READ Romans 5:1-6

We need spiritual protection for the heart, and Paul calls it, ‘the Breastplate of Righteousness.’ So, we need to learn what this breastplate is, and how we employ it in our defence. But first, let’s ask what he means by ‘righteousness.’

The sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Read the NOTES HERE

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1st John 1:5-7

The first thing John wants us to learn about God is that he is LIGHT. That he is HOLY – morally pure, – so pure that we could never hope to come anywhere near him – God’s nature and character affects the relationship that we have with him for our sin affects our fellowship with a holy God.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:14  

We have an enemy, – a deadly foe, one who attacks us with subtle tactics. This enemy is spiritual, it is Satan himself. So we must put on the whole armour of God. So Paul writes, in Ephesians 6:12  

1. Divinely Ordained PPE. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. … 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, 

Twice Paul exhorts us to ‘put on the whole armour of God. cf Romans 13:12  and 2 Corinthians 6:7. Before we look at the individual pieces of armour mentions here, let’s make some general observations about this ‘armour of God.’ Paul uses his Roman guards as a kind of visual aid to illustrate how we must defend ourselves against our spiritual foe, for he introduces us to the pieces of armour in the order in which a Roman soldier would have put them on. 

Read the NOTES HERE

This sermon was recorded live at ballymacashon Church

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Text 1 John 1:1-4.  

We begin our work on 1st John by looking at the first four verses.

Like John’s Gospel it begins with a prologue, a natural introduction. So that’s where we start…

Read the NOTES HERE.

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2 Timothy 3:1-5

A New Year message from Ballymacashon

 We are living in the last days. Having said that, it is also clear that as these last days progress toward the end times, things on this ungodly earth will get significantly worse, both in the world and in the visible church. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition...

Now, as we have just passed from 2024, to 2025, it might just be time to look at this world in which we live, and look back over some of the events of the last year, and then look ahead, and try to discern what the future might hold for generations to come. What were the significant events of 2024, and what might the immediate future hold? When Paul warned Timothy about the terrible times, – he gave him a long list, a description of the lowest qualities of mankind, to sum up the kind of age in which we would be living. Surely that list would be an accurate description of the society in which we live today?

Read the NOTES HERE

This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon. Please excuse the poor sound quality.

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Revelation 12 and Matthew 2:13 -22 

Christmas is considered to be a happy time. Not for everyone of course. But for most people, it’s a time of happiness. It is after all, ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ It’s great to have families together, to have a meal together, to hear the laughter of the children... For those of us who still remember that Christmas has a spiritual dimension, a Christian message, there is happiness even when we are in sorrow, for Christ the Saviour is born. That’s certainly reflected in the biblical narrative of the birth of Jesus. It’s a time of great rejoicing, and rightfully so. But not everyone rejoiced and it is to those tragic events we turn in this message.

Read NOTES HERE

Recorded at Ballymacashon - please excuse the poor sound quality.

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Text. Ephesians 6:11, 2 Cor. 2:9-11.  

Satan is a subtle enemy, and uses many types of subterfuge to deceive us; and we should not be ignorant of his schemes and plans. We too must be aware of the wiles of the devil. So what are Satan’s devices? Of course we saw one of these last time, when we were reminded that Satan often allows us, in our foolishness, to trivialise him, – depict him as a harmless, silly red elf, or a Halloween monster… That’s a deliberate tactic, to prevent us from realising the true danger. But what direct methods does he use to destroy souls? What are ‘the wiles of the devil?” 

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

READ THE NOTES HERE.

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Text. Ephesians 6:12 

Paul, in Ephesians gives us valuable instructions on how to recognise our enemies, – and so to take precautions to protect ourselves from them, for how can we defend ourselves from an enemy we cannot recognise? In this passage we are taught both who our enemy is NOT, and who is IS.

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon as recorded at Ballymacashon - please excuse the poor sound quality - it is an old building!

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John 1:29

1. Christ Coming to John. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God

2. Christ Coming to Save. 

3. Christ Coming to Us

Read the notes HERE

This sermon as preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Bob's Christmas Day meditation for 2024.

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John 1:14

Three great biblical truths from John 1:14,

• His Incarnation
• Our Redemption
• God' Revelation to mankind

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Ephesians 6:120-14A

There’s a battle taking place. It’s a battle against evil, and it is becoming clearer to all those who want to see. Conditions in this world are not getting better, they are getting worse as time moves on towards the end of this present age. We must prepare, spiritually for what lies ahead of us and that will involve Christians taking a stand for God, for Christ, for His Word. for Truth and for what is good and moral. It will also involve taking a stand AGAINST...

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Text: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

In Ephesians, we have seen how basic gospel principles can be practically applied to everyday situations in which we will all find ourselves. Marriage, child-rearing and work are only examples of how Christian ethics work. Now, Paul comes to the final section in this book…

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Christian Management Strategies

Text: Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him

Paul is always balanced when he brings us these very practical examples of Christian doctrine and Christian faith being worked out in real life human situations. The ‘masters’ to whom he is referring here are slave-masters who would want to get the most productivity from their human assets, the slaves that they have paid for and have to feed and clothe. The usual way of doing this was to beat them, punish them severely, torture them, threaten them. But what if the person who owned those slaves was a Christian?

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at. Ballymacashon - and is therefore a bit ‘echoey.’

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Ephesians 6:5-9, Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Because we are called by God, in our daily labours, to be agents of his providence and sustaining grace, we are primarily answerable to him. And because work is a calling from God, it earns us a reward! 

As Christians we are ‘slaves of Christ.’ In 1 Corinthians 7:22-23 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. (Slave) 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. We are servants (slaves) of Christ, – not by coercion, but because we love him, – because he first loved us, and we want to serve him, to acknowledge his complete Lordship over us. 

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, Carnage Road, Templepatrick, Co.Antrim, and used here with their kind permission.

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Text: Ephesians 6:5-9, Philemon

read the NOTES HERE.

The doctrine and theology of work is a complicated issue, raising lots of ethical and moral issues for the Christian believer. In this study we must address a very serious topic… Did Paul Endorse and Support Slavery?

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Text: Ephesians 6:5 

There is a Christian ethic of work. Paul is writing here to believers. We should not be surprised at that. For our experience of redemption reaches into every area of our lives. Certainly our Christian experience and our obedience to God extends well beyond an hour’s commitment on a Sunday morning. And our faith in God does not mean that we should withdraw from the world.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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Text: Ephesians 6:5-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Christians are live differently from the unconverted world. Ephesians 4:17. There is one area of the Christian life, upon which Paul has not yet touched, but where there are huge challenges for us. That is in our employment, our everyday work and labour where we must be careful not to sully our testimony.

We begin this section of Ephesians with a simple biblical overview of work, as a divine command, to lay the groundwork before we examine the text of Ephesians 6:5-9.

Read the NOTES HERE.

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John 10:22-30 …My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

Heidelberg Catechism LD19 Q51, How does the glory of Christ, our Head, benefit us? A. First, by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly gifts upon us, his members. Second, by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.

In this message preached at TRC, we learn that when you have been rescued from your sin, by our Lord Jesus Christ, it is Christ Himself who calls you, brings you into his flock, and like a shepherd guards the flock, watches over you, until you arrive safely in heaven. 

Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Jesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson, about the need for repentance and trust, in conversion, - but to repent and believe requires a spiritual awakening that only the Holy Spirit himself can bring about. In the pig-sty of sin, a young man 'came to himself...'

This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon, so please excuse the poorer than usual sound quality.

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Read: Malachi 3:13 to 4:6

This is the last of studies in the Book of Malachi, and the last in the series of studies in the Minor Prophets. 

Malachi has accused the Jews of disobedience to the God who created them, and who rescued them from slavery. Yet God does promise rewards to those who serve him, - who serve him for the right reasons… Who serve him because they love him, and are grateful for his mercy and his salvation.  

What we want to ask in this podcast is, what are those rewards - rewards for the faithful people of God right here in this world? Malachi will help us to find out.

-oOOo-

Thank you for listening to this series of Bible Studies on the Minor Prophets, and I hope you have found it helpful. I’m taking a few weeks off, - (the Saturday sermon slot will continue), and I’ll be back soon on Tuesdays, with a new series on human sexuality - perhaps THE biggest challenge faced by Christians in these last days.

Our theme music for the Minor Prophets series is called TRISTE, and it was written and performed by Ori Vidislavski, and licensed for this podcast by www.neosounds.com. I hope you enjoyed it!

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1 John 5:9-12

V10 He that believed; on the Son of God hath the witness in himself…

Do you know for sure that you are saved and forgiven, through repentance and faith in Christ, and that because of his atoning death on the cross you have forgiveness of all your sins and a certain home in heaven? The record is there for us! The testimony is available for all to see! Changed lives, the Word of God, all the objective tests. But to be saved and have eternal life, we must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally!

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

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Read: Malachi 3:4-12

Malachi says, in verse 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

“You have robbed me!” What an accusation. the people of Malachi's day were astonished! "How have we robbed you?" - But they had, by withholding the tithes and offerings needed to maintain the order of faith and society, and which were mandated by God for the OT nation of Israel. - A bit like paying our taxes to the present day government, only not so onerous.

But have WE robbed God? In this podcast, Bob explores the idea of tithing, and concludes that in the NT Church, WHY we give is much more important than how much!

So, just what is the motivation for Christians to support the Lord's work?

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A Sermon on Malachi 3:6

Text.  Malachi 3:6.  “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

God never changes!   The Bible warns us about trusting in men, even powerful men.  Psalm 118:9   Psalm 146:3    That’s why we depend only upon him.  But what does it mean to say that God is ‘immutable' - that he never changes, - and what are the implications of that for us?

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is used here with their kind permission.

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Malachi 3:6

When we think of the state of Israel in Malachi’s day, we are forced to consider the spiritual state of God’s people in our modern age and to conclude that some sections of the modern visible church are no better than the defiant, perverse people of Judah.

Yet even for the OT Israel, there was hope. God calls upon them, through the prophet, to repent, to return unto the Lord, and he will return to them. Will they heed his command? Will we?

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Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  

We cannot ignore the fact that verse four is specifically addressed to FATHERS. In addressing the FATHER, Paul is calling the whole household to be ruled in conformity with God’s Word.

Read the NOTES HERE.

This sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon. Please excuse the poor sound quality - it's an old building!

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