Invitation to biblical preaching!

Dear, yet scattered, believers in Limerick,

See details below for the next upcoming lecture held by the Limerick Reformed Fellowship. Please let others know, spread the news by using one of the primary means that God has appointed in personal evangelism - the invitation! I am convinced that you who love the Bible and spend much time meditating upon its glorious truths about our gracious Saviour, all know very well that there is an extreme lack of good, solid, and substantial biblical preaching in Limerick at the moment (the difference is between night and day). Now it is my duty (not to be shirked, by any means) to only speak the truth here in honesty and clarity (you must judge whether it is), but if the truth offends, that is not my fault (Gal. 4:16), and if I offend, then please forgive me. We are in a good example of the captivity in Babylon (Psa. 137) and the long-prophesied "famine of the Word" (Amos 8:11-14). And this is even though the Great Commission is that all peoples are taught to obey all things that Christ has commanded us (Matt. 28:20), and that the church must teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:17-38), and keep nothing back that is profitable (and all Scripture is profitable - II Tim. 3:16)!

Yet there is much that the broad local groups who proudly wear the name "church" would shun to teach (but who do not bear the marks thereof, e.g. "World Outreach Christian Church" who profanely preach that earthly prosperity is the Gospel of God - I Tim. 1:5-20; I Tim. 6:3-10; "Christ Church" which allows any and all heathen and ungodly hypocrites to be partakers at the Lord's Table - I Cor. 11:27-34; "Abundant Life" which despises the Spirit who speaks by the Holy Scriptures by calling the imaginations and emotions of their own sinful hearts to be God's revelation - Jer. 23:15-17; "Mallow Street Christian Fellowship" which rebukes those who testify to the Gospel of sovereign grace alone, and against the errors of Rome's works-righteousness - Gal. 1:6-10; 5:1-12; II Tim. 4:1-5, and this is merely a cursory glance at the multitudinous wicked errors and profanities by which they manifest the lack of love both for our Holy and Almighty God and for His beloved redeemed people, and this I think is not by my judgment, but Scripture's testimony to them - John 12:48; 7:24). Ought we to be ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16-17)? Otherwise how is God's righteousness revealed from faith to faith (Rom. 10:13-17), and how will God save and sanctify His people by the truth (John 17:17-19)? But the foundation of the Lord stands sure, He knows who are His (II Tim. 2:19; Rom. 8:28-39), so let us depart from iniquity.

This is a good opportunity for starved people to get well fed (Isa. 55:1-13), to be more fully prepared in our life-long battle against our own sinful natures, the world of the ungodly, and Satan who is the spirit at work in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2). Not only that, but amongst the rampant disunity (which must be unity in doctrine if it is to be unity in love - I Cor. 1:10; I Cor 13:6 - and neglect of doctrine is not godly unity, it is merely unity with Satan's damning lies - I Tim. 4:16) among believers in Limerick, with God's sheep being scattered (Jer. 23:1-40 see also: http://www.cprcextra.co.uk/Godsnearness.mp3) and blown about by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14), trained and qualified and lawfully called and ordained ministers are God's primary appointed means in this age to bring about unity (Eph. 4:1-16). And this work is His not ours - for we have strength neither to work nor will unity, except by God's working and willing in us for His name's sake (Phil. 2:13; Isa. 59:1-21). This is why we hold these lectures - for your eternal good, so that we all are conformed to the image of Christ.

Finally with this exhortation, which I hope you will consider and be stirred up by (and as the Bereans, study the Scriptures which for good reason with patience I have noted carefully, since Christ's words are spirit and life - John 6:58-65), I also want to recommend this sermon which speaks about our office as prophets in God's kingdom - and as such our own individual and corporate responsibility for the preaching, and how to exercise that responsibility for the glory of God, and the good of His people in every tribe, tongue, and nation. As a fireman ought to know and be acquainted with his office as fireman, to fulfill it, so every believer ought to know and be instructed in the exercise of their triple office as king, priest, and prophet (I Pet. 2:9). Otherwise, there is no end to the fiery catastrophe (Hos. 4:6; II Thess. 1:8; John 17:3). See: http://www.cprfextra.co.uk/officebeliever5.mp3

"For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may more and more abound in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." - Phil. 1:8-11.

Now, I have told you in advance so that you can plan to keep the time free and come if at all possible, and I have endeavoured (though feebly and amidst much sinfulness and pride, for which I hope you will be enabled to forgive me), and will continue to strive according to God's working in me, despite my many and grievous sins and failings, to love you more, and to seek to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Christ, for which reason I cannot but cling to the truth (it is our belt) which has fallen in the streets in this city (Isa. 59:14-16), and the establishment of a pillar and ground of the truth in a local instituted manifestation of the church (I Tim. 3:15), reformed according to the Word of God alone (not after man's traditions, or his superstitions, or imaginations, or feelings, all of which are the vile overflow of his totally depraved, even Satanic nature - John 8:42-47, worse than a world of sewage - Matt. 15:3-20; Mark 7:9-23; Col. 2:20-23; John 4:23-24; Gen. 8:21; Jer. 17:9; Heb. 13:15; Mal. 1:6-2:8 and we are all the priests of His heavenly Kingdom), in which God's sheep will hear the voice of the Great Shepherd who gave His life for us (John 10:1-30).

And He will without fail lead us who believe in Christ alone, though through perils and troubles in this Babylon, which is doomed to destruction for our sakes (Isa. 43; Rev. 18-19; Psa. 137; Rom. 9:16-23), to green pastures and quiet waters, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psa. 23; Eph 2:1-22). May we be obedient to Him, by His grace alone, that in all things He would be glorified, as He is worthy. If nothing else commends this lecture to you, for your good, and the good of others, then at least may my witness (however frail and flawed) in this message commend it to you by the authority and clarity of the perfect, powerful Word of God which communicates lucidly with us (by the soul-illuminating, eye-opening Spirit of God who mightily causes us sinners to believe it!) far better than we can communicate amongst ourselves. I also still hope that we will be able to support one another in working and praying together for biblical reformation, as it is the only strait (i.e. tortuous!) and narrow way in which we must seek to glorify and enjoy God, for the salvation of predestined souls, and the worship He deserves in all purity (Psa. 24:3-6).

Love in Christ, who has purchased us as His everlasting possession to show forth His praises (I Pet. 1:18-25),

Your servant, as every believer is, for His sake,

Sam.

P.S. You may pass this message on to whoever you think may profit from it. I'm especially thinking of lots of people in Christ Church whom I remember. It would be good to see them again, and for them to know that I did not leave to forsake them, but to benefit them, Lord-willing, if they are His.

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PUBLIC LECTURE
The Four Horsemen of Revelation 6
What are the 4 horsemen?
Do they ride forth today?
How do they help believers and the church understand the world
and history, calming our fears and bringing us comfort?
Speaker: Rev. Angus Stewart
of the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena, N.I. (www.cprc.co.uk)
Venue: An Cistin, Conradh na Gaeilge Hall, Thomas Street, Limerick City.
7.30pm, Thursday 30th July, 2009
www.limerickreformed.com