Sermons from 2020 (Page 2)
The Rest of Peter Orasuk’s Life Story (49 min)
Parties, drugs, violence, debt, jail…”then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee”. Peter Orasuk’s (1948-2005) remarkable story of conversion has gone all around the world and been used by God to bless many people. But what happened next? How did life turn out for the former conman and chronic addict from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada? Is God’s salvation real? Does it really change people from the inside out? Does it last? In this recording, from October 1997, Peter tells…
Alex McLean – The Godly Man (44 min)
Alex McLean (1932-2019) preaches a powerful message on the need for godly men, referencing three prayers in the Bible: “Help Lord” (Psa 12:1), “Speak Lord” (1 Sam 3:9) and “What, Lord?” (Acts 9:6). Alex was a preacher who came across in his delivery with fervour and earnestness as he pressed the claims of Christ on the lives of believers. He weaves into his message a number of telling anecdotes and references from his own experience with the Lord (Message recorded…
How I Study My Bible (47 min)
A.M.S. Gooding (1915-1999) was a mighty expositor of the Word of God. Considering he left school at 15, never attended University, and was advised by his cousin, Professor David Gooding, not to spend much time with the “original Hebrew and Greek” unless he was going to make a lifetime study of it, one might wonder how on earth he became so knowledgeable and so able. In this message he explains the story of how he learned to study his Bible,…
Egypt to Canaan – Part 2 (57 min)
PART 2 of 7 – John Grant takes up the story of the “manna from heaven”, that came at the 7th of 44 stopping places on the way from Egypt to Canaan. As Israel moved through their journey, God repeatedly tested their faith. The test this time was “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”. When your resources dry up, and when you stand in need of help, do you believe that God can meet that need? Mr Grant…
A Warning from History (54 min)
It has been said that “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” Looking back over the history of the last 2,000 years of Christian testimony, Ian Jackson sounds an alarm for believers and assemblies in the present day, lest we lose our way by forgetting the lessons of the past. By going back to Scripture and then tracing the providential ways of God throughout history, Ian issues a much needed and eye-opening warning…
Joseph in His Personal House (45 min)
PART 5 of 6 – Sandy Higgins preaches on “Joseph in his personal house” in Egypt. Joseph’s personal house was marked by heavenly character in 4 respects. In his house 1. headship was acknowledged; 2. hospitality was experienced; 3. holiness was evident and 4. harmony was found at his table. Mr Higgins makes practical application of all of this for the edification of the listener. Readings: Gen 43:16-17, 43:24-34, 44:14-17, 44:30-45:5, 45:9-11, 14-24 (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, 2007).
T. Ernest Wilson – Two Ordinances (33 min)
Saved in early life, T Ernest Wilson (1902-1996) grew up in a godly home in Belfast, attending the meetings at Donegal Road Gospel Hall. Called to missionary service while working as a carpenter at the Belfast shipyards, at the age of 21 he headed to Africa soon after World War 1, taking the gospel to the land of Angola. Mr Wilson endured the primitive conditions of Angola early in the 20th Century and learned one of the local languages. Through…
The Ecumenical Movement Examined (44 min)
Albert Leckie (1920-1988) examines the ecumenical movement – the attempt to link all churches together in global unity – in the light of holy Scripture. In a solidly biblical, heartfelt and searching message, Mr Leckie proves that while the ecumenical movement has no divine sanction, it has developed according to divine prediction. The Bible predicts a future “harlot church” that will ride upon a political antichrist during the tribulation period. Mr Leckie contends that the current ecumenical movement is the…
Egypt to Canaan – Part 1 (49 min)
PART 1 of 7 – John Grant begins a series of messages on the journey of the children of Israel “from Egypt to Canaan”. After looking generally at a number of journeys in Scripture he introduces his subject. Deliverance from Egypt (the penalty of sin) was followed by the crossing of the Red Sea (the power of sin). Israel’s journey began with a song of redemption but also with an impossible situation into which God put them to prove them…
Joseph in Pharoah’s House (42 min)
PART 4 of 6 – Sandy Higgins preaches “Joseph in the Pharoah’s house” under 4 headings. Joseph the skilful administrator, Joseph the scrupulous steward, Joseph the spiritual brother, and Joseph the sorrowing son. Joseph proved to be a leader with perception, faithfulness and godliness as he rose from the dungeon to a position of great authority in Egypt, in fulfillment of the dreams God gave him as a youth. Reading: Gen 41:40-45, 43:50-57, 43:19-23, 45:1-2, 16, 21-24, 46:31-34, 47:2, 5-6,…
“Twice Rescued” – Rob Oliver’s story (18 min)
Rob Oliver loved to surf. Catching big waves on the east coast of the USA was a favourite summer activity for Rob and his friends…until one day, when a perfect ‘wave ride’ went inexplicably and terribly wrong, and in Rob’s own words, “I heard a crunch…and suddenly I couldn’t move at all”. Paralysed and submerged in water, Rob realised, “If someone doesn’t come and get me out of this water, I’m going to die”. But this wasn’t the only time…
Hugh Scott – Door Keeping in the House of God (50 min)
Hugh Scott (1911-1986), from Whitburn in Scotland, was a much-used teacher of the Word of God. In the non-combatant Corps during WW2, Mr Scott was then for many years the manager of a grocery store. It is said that his ministry was very much like the layout of his shop; everything was in order and neatly packaged. A master of his subject, he spoke with great authority and fervour, pouring forth material at a rate difficult to keep up with,…
Walter Gustafson – The One Name (25 min)
Walter Gustafson (1921-2020) was saved in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on 2nd November 1941 at the age of 20 (See below for how he was saved, in his own words). Commended in 1954 to preach the gospel and teach the Word of God, he continued faithfully right into his 90’s. A brother with a distinctive Boston accent and a photographic memory, to hear him once was never to forget him. He kept a meticulous diary of every detail of his labours,…
Joseph in the Prison House (39 min)
PART 3 of 6 – Sandy Higgins preaches on “Joseph in the prison house”. This was a difficult time for Joseph. Knowing that he didn’t deserve the terrible events that came his way, the prison period raised the question of why believers suffer? Mr Higgins gives 5 reasons why believers suffer: 1. Occasionally it’s punitive, because of transgression; 2. Then preparative, for future usefulness and service; 3. Often preventative, against pride and disqualification; 4. Always to proclaim or reveal God’s…
God Wants your Heart (29 min)
In 2011 at the age of 74, 54 years saved, Albert Hull (1936-2015) preached at the Toronto Easter Conference on “God wants your heart”. In a world of deception, darkness and division, God has called us in salvation to be dedicated and devoted to him for the rest of our lives. Mr Hull used selfless, sacrificial actions of the mighty men who brought water for David to drink to illustrate his point. A challenging message from a warm-hearted earnest preacher.…
Joseph in Potiphar’s House (37 min)
PART 2 of 6 – Sandy Higgins speaks on “House No 2” in the life of Joseph – namely, Potiphar’s house. Sandy uses 4 headings: the Christian and his employment: the Christian and enticement: the Christian and evil doers; and the Christian at his extremity. A practical message that develops several much-needed themes concerning God’s providence in our lives, in our trials and in our temptations. Reading: Gen Ch 39 (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, 2007)
The Psychology of the Bible (40 min)
David Gilliland preaches on the subject of the human mind. We are composed of two elements – the physical and the spiritual – our minds made up of intellect, will and emotion. These must be kept in balance through the Word of God and through the resources of our Lord Jesus, who is prophet, priest and King. We must guard our minds because we are not what we think we are, but what we think – we are. After dealing…
I Was a Marxist Revolutionary (45 min)
Alec Catchpole grew up not knowing the gospel. Leaving School he got into drugs and soon became an addict. Then he was seduced by the ideas of Karl Marx and became an activist for socialism, even taking part in the riots at the Wapping dispute in 1986. He was full of hate, believing the only answer to the UK’s problems was a revolution where the workers take over the means of production, leading to a communist utopia. However, travelling to…
Joseph in his Parents’ House (49 min)
PART 1 of 6 – Sandy Higgins takes up the life of Joseph in 6 messages, built around the various houses in his life, starting with “Joseph in his parent’s house”. Reading the whole of Genesis 37, Mr Higgins then looks at the teen years of Joseph as he dealt with peer pressure and envy and assorted other challenges in his home. A practical helpful message to start this useful series of sermons. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, 2007)
Do Fossils Prove Evolution? (45 min)
Darwin’s theory of evolution, propounded in his book On The Origin of Species (1859), would never have seen the light of day had it not been for Charles Lyell’s earlier book The Principles of Geology (1830-1833). Lyell’s work single-handedly convinced multitudes of people that the fossil record wasn’t laid down during the catastrophe of Noah’s flood, but rather over millions of years of history by processes visible in the world today. This idea became known as uniformitarianism, and the whole…
Depression – Its Causes and Its Cure (40 min)
David West speaks on some of the causes for, and also the cure for, depression. After looking at a number of relevant proverbs of Solomon, Mr West traces numerous cases of pain, loss and depression in the Bible. Gleaning helpful lessons from the experiences of others, Mr West then looks at the cure for depression as he discusses what the Bible has to say about the Christian mind, especially from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. Readings: Prov 3:7, 4:23, 5:8-12,…
The Virgin Birth: Essential or Optional? (44 min)
Jim Flanigan (1931-2014) preaches a comprehensive and clear message on the fundamental truth of the virgin birth of Christ. In the mid-1980’s, a leading Bishop in the Church of England became well known for his denial of both the virgin birth and the resurrection of Christ. In response Mr Flanigan took up this topic at a large meeting in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on 2nd Feb 1985. He asked 4 questions. 1. What is the virgin birth? 2. Why do we…
Can We Trust Genesis? (51 min)
Jim Allen preaches on the truth of God’s word in relation to the beginning of the universe, life and human beings. He takes a stand against the “gap theory” and the “day age theory” and any attempt to compromise with the evolutionary theories of men in imbibing some form of “theistic evolution”. Readings: Col 1:15-17, Heb 11:3, Gen 1:1-5, 1:31-2:4. (Message preached in Ballymena, 31st Oct 1981)
Should a Christian Drink Alcohol? (41 min)
Stephen Arbuthnot tackles the question of Christians and alcohol. Is it OK to drink wine? Beer? Whisky? With a meal; at a wedding; on a flight? These pressing questions demand clear answers. Stephen carefully, logically and scripturally lays out a very persuasive case for total abstinence, showing that, far from being an extreme position, this is the only correct position for a Christian in today’s society. This message will repay careful listening. Reading: John 2:1-11 (Message preached in Ballymena 28th…
Friendship with the World is Enmity with God (40 min)
Jim Wishart preaches an earnest and faithful message on the believer’s relationship with “the world”. He defines what the Bible means when it speaks of “the world” in a moral and dispensational sense. He takes a brief tour from Eden to the cross, before outlining the Bible’s teaching on how the believer should be separate from the world and devoted to Christ. Readings: John 17:6, 11, 14-21, 1 John 2:15-17, Jas 4:1-4, Gal 6:12-14, 2 Pet 3:10-14, 17-18 (Message preached…
Saved at Coopers Corner in Killeevan (33 min)
Born in New Bliss, Co Monaghan, Ireland, Jim Smyth (1919-2012) grew up without a knowledge of the gospel. His father drank a lot, leaving the family dirt poor. Jim was a hard working young man who enjoyed the pleasures of the world in the local badminton team and as the drummer in a dance band. He heard the gospel once from two “Faith Mission pilgrims” in a meeting in New Bliss, but he didn’t like it and left the meeting…
Introduction to the Offerings (47 min)
David Gilliland gives a very helpful “introduction to the offerings”. He takes an overview of the topic of sacrifice in Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus before discussing how, when and where Israelites brought sacrifices. The sacrifices were costly and heavy and taught serious lessons to those who brought them. David discusses the issue of forgiveness and atonement in relation to the Old Testament sacrifices. Were Old Testament offerers really forgiven, and if so how? Finally he discusses the different types of…
Norman Mellish – How I Learned the Truth of the Assembly (38 min)
Norman Mellish was saved as a teenager. You can hear him tell the story of his conversion here. In this recording, he tells the story of his life after God saved him, and how he learnt the truth of the local assembly. In his 20’s Norman got caught up in the Pentecostal movement, and in a dramatic meeting one evening he had an experience of “speaking in tongues”. He then spend 5 years mixed up in charismaticism. However, one day,…
Do You Have a Sectarian Spirit? (39 min)
Jim Flanigan (1931-2014) preaches on “the sin of sectarianism”. Brought up, saved and baptised in a Baptist Church, Mr Flanigan later found that he could not accept a “sectarian name” – Baptist – that divided him from other Christians. He wrote to his Pastor and resigned from the church. At Parkgate Gospel Hall in Belfast he came into local assembly fellowship, which he describes in this message as “the nameless place”. However, Mr Flanigan makes the oft-missed point that while…
Every Mouth Stopped (52 min)
In a powerful gospel meeting, Peter Orasuk opens by describing the court scene in the epistle to the Romans that culminates in “every mouth being stopped” as the sentence of condemnation rings out. Mr Murray McCandless follows with a second message in which he preaches on Christ as the door to heaven. Messages preached in Feb 2001 in Ballymena.
The Assembly Prayer Meeting (44 min)
You will go a long way before you hear a more practical message than this! Peter Orasuk preaches on the local assembly prayer meeting under 5 headings: the conviction of it, the conditions of it, the care found in it, the consideration needed in it, and the contribution to it by the sisters. Stirring stuff! Readings: 1 Cor 1:2, 1 Tim 2:1-12 (Message given in Ontario, Canada)
The Mark of the Beast (41 min)
Sam Jennings preaches on the topic of what the Bible calls “the mark of the beast” (666), which is mentioned 8x in the book of Revelation. This mark will be introduced in the tribulation period after the rapture of the church, once the antichrist is on the scene. Mr Jennings asks two questions: 1. What is the mark of the beast? and 2. Why will there be a mark of the beast? He suggests it is a literal visible mark…
Unto the Church at Laodicea (48 min)
PART 7 – Jim Allen finishes his series on the “7 Churches of Asia” with a message on the letter to the church at Laodicea from Revelation 3:14-22. Looked at historically, he sees Laodicea as a picture of the charismatic movement. Practically he sees a wealthy glamorous church that was not aware of its real spiritual condition of poverty. Mr Allen works his way through the Lord’s message to this church sentence by sentence and makes challenging applications. (Message preached…
The Significance of the Lord’s Supper (28 min)
Dan Shutt preaches on the importance and significance of the Lord’s Supper. In a practical message, Dan speaks on three aspects of the supper. It is 1. dispensational, 2. periodical (once a week on the Lord’s Day), and 3. Christological. Readings: Matt 26:26-29, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Cor 11:23-26 (Message preached at Toronto Easter Conference 2013)
What is “the World”? (48 min)
Phil Coulson preaches on the neglected subject of “the world” and the believer’s relation to it. After providing some technical information about the various words used in the New Testament for “world”, Phil deals with 4 items. The believer is “out of the world” in salvation; “in the world” in situation; “not of the world” in sanctification, and “into the world” in service. A helpful, practical and challenging word of ministry. Readings: John 17:4-5, Eph 2:1-2, Rev 12:7-9. (Message preached…
The 1859 Ulster Revival (21 min)
Wilbert Crawford (1928-2018) tells the story of how the “1859 Revival” in Ulster (now Northern Ireland) led to the formation of numerous assemblies in the area where he lived (Co Antrim). He tells how the Lord gathered believers together as churches of God in Kells, Clonkeen, Crosskeys and Ballybolan in those early days of gospel blessing late in the 19th century. One of the 4 young men who met to pray in the Old Schoolhouse in Kells, Northern Ireland, where…
Unto the Church at Philadelphia (55 min)
PART 6 – Jim Allen takes up the message of the Lord to the church at Philadelphia from Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia had “a little strength”. They “kept God’s word” and had “not denied My name”. They are warned “Let no man take thy crown”. So, the Lord gives information, instruction and admonition, and there’s a lot for us to learn from the message to this church. Mr Allen contends that Revelation 3:10, which says “I will keep thee from the…
How We Got Our Bible (58 min)
David Gilliland gives a 58 minute overview of how the King James Version of the Bible came to be. Starting with how God gave the original Scriptures in Hebrew and Greek, Mr Gilliland works through the centuries up until when the Bible was translated into English – first, from the Latin, by John Wycliffe, and finally from the Greek by the martyr William Tyndale. Then the fascinating story of how the King James Bible came to be produced and eventually…
3 Dangers When Leaving Home (38 min)
Elton Fairfield addresses the issue of “leaving home” and what young people will face at University and in the workplace. He preaches using 3 headings: “a lesson in immorality” (Joseph, Gen 39), “a lesson in identity” (Esther, Est 2-4), and “a lesson in idolatry” (Daniel, Dan 1:1-8). How will you cope with Fresher’s week, the internet, relationships, meeting attendance and so much more when the time comes to “leave home”? Elton gives helpful, succinct and plain advice that will benefit…
“I Chose Never To Attend Another Gospel meeting” (38 min)
Albert Hull (1936-2015) tells the thrilling and heart-warming story of how God saved him “on the roadside” in 1957 listening to the gospel through the open window of a gospel meeting. As a preacher’s son, Albert knew the gospel well, but a point came in his teens when he made a choice never to attend another gospel meeting. Off he went to enjoy the pleasures of the world. Yet, even when he was drunk, he was still able to preach…
Investment in an Assembly (51 min)
PART 3 – In his final message in this 3-part series on the local assembly, John Dennison preaches on our “investment” in the assembly. He reads Matt 6:21 “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” and asks “What are you investing in the assembly?” The key to understanding why a Christian should invest their whole life in the local assembly is to see it as God sees it. Working from Acts 20:28 John speaks of the the…
Unto the Church at Sardis (49 min)
PART 5 – Jim Allen takes up the message of the Lord to the church at Sardis from Revelation 3:1-6. Sardians generally were a proud people. Proud of their history and prowess. But the local assembly in that town had very little that the Lord could commend. In fact, the Lord says they had a “name to live but are dead”. In other words, they had a reputation, but that was it. Mr Allen challenges his audience with this message…
Involvement in an Assembly (59 min)
PART 2 – After his “introduction” to an assembly in Part 1, John Dennison now takes up what it means to be “involved” in an assembly. He works his way through Acts Ch 2 and draws out vital, fundamental and practical lessons from the 4 steps outlined in vvs 37-42 – “salvation”, “baptism”, “addition” and “continuation”. This is good, wholesome and plain ‘assembly truth” which will be a blessing to young and old. Readings: Matt 18:17-20, Acts 2:37-42 (Message preached…
“I Tried to Solve the Puzzle of Salvation” (25 min)
Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Andrew Ussher grew up as a child of missionary parents, familiar with the gospel message. During a year’s furlough in Northern Ireland, Mr & Mrs Ussher took young Andrew to gospel meetings. In one of them Andrew heard about the final judgment from Revelation Ch 21 and for the first time in his life realised he was sinner who deserved God’s judgment – but the impression made didn’t last. The following year (1973) Andrew moved…
Unto the Church at Thyatira (48 min)
PART 4 – Jim Allen takes up the message of the Lord to the church at Thyatira from Revelation 2:18-29. Mr Allen brings out 4 lessons: historical, local, prophetic and practical. This is the “false church” where Jezebel held sway, bringing with her deception, seduction and compromise. If Ephesus is passion, and Smyrna is persecution, and Pergamos is patronisation, then Thyatira is pollution. Taking the historical view of the 7 churches, Mr Allen dates Ephesus at 70-170AD, Smyrna at 170-312AD,…
Introduction to the Assembly (48 min)
PART 1 – John Dennison introduces a 3-part series of messages on the local assembly. In this introduction he looks at the first mention of the local assembly in the New Testament in Matt 18. He outlines the context of the passage, the concept of the assembly it contains, the crisis being resolved in the passage, and some characteristics of assembly found in the passage. Mr Dennison asks “What makes the local assembly unique?” He distinguishes it from the body…
What is Your Spiritual Geography? (24 min)
Peter Orasuk (1948-2005) preaches on the “spiritual geography” of every man or woman “in Adam”. The following 4 things describe the spiritual position of human beings in their natural state outside of Christ. They have: “Wrath above” them (John 3:36) “Hell beneath” them (Isa 14:9) “Sin behind” them (Num 32:23) “Judgment ahead” of them (Heb 9:27) But, when a person becomes saved, everything changes. All things become new for those who are “in Christ” (2 Cor 15:22). In this message…
Unto the Church at Pergamos (56 min)
PART 3 – Jim Allen takes up the message of the Lord to the church at Pergamos from Revelation 2:12-17. This is the faltering church that was on a knife edge when the Lord spoke to them. He lines up the details of this church with the period in history after 312AD when the Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity. No longer was persecution a problem: now it was popular to be a “Christian”. This brought all kinds of compromise and mixture…
Peter Orasuk – Restoration (35 min)
Peter Orasuk (1948-2005) is best known for his testimony, but he was also a gifted encourager in ministry! Murray McCandless wrote of him: “After conversion, Peter became an avid student of the Word and continued until his health started to steal his ability to concentrate. He spent hours in it, enjoyed it, shared it, and became a channel of blessing to those who listened to his ministry. I understand the Word of God reveals itself to our hearts, but I…
Great Are The Offices He Bears (48 min)
Michael Penfold preaches on the three great mediatorial offices of the Messiah – ‘prophet’, ‘priest’ and ‘king’. The only person able to hold all three offices at one time is the Lord Jesus. The character, purpose and timing of each of these roles of Christ is examined, with special attention being given to His priesthood. The title of this message is taken from Samuel Medley’s famous hymn, “Come let us sing the matchless worth”, which contains the lines, “Great are…
How I Was Saved Through Luke 19:10 (12 min)
Murray McCandless relates the story of his conversion. Raised in St Thomas, Ontario, in a Christian family, he grew up learning memory verses in Sunday School. As a child he would often ask his parents to tell him how they were saved. He was awakened to his own need of salvation at the age of 12 under the preaching of Oswald McLeod at the Sarnia Conference. He tried to get saved, but could not understand what he needed to do.…
An Awakening and a Quickening (38 min)
Peter Orasuk preaches on “an awakening and a quickening”. How long have you known the gospel, yet you are still not saved? It is time to wake up before it is too late. Reading: Eph 5:14 (Message preached in June 2003)
Having the Courage to say “No” (28 min)
During the 1960’s, in a landmark address at the large Easter Conference in the Grosvenor Hall in Belfast, before over 2,000 people, Mr Eddie Fairfield (1902-1994), a missionary home on furlough from Venezuela, preached a message called “having the courage to say no”. He made this claim: “If you are going to be anything for God you will have to learn to say no”. Mr Fairfield cited Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Naboth, Daniel and his 3 friends, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua…
Unto the Church at Smyrna (48 min)
PART 2 – Jim Allen takes up the message of the Lord to the church at Smyrna from Revelation 2:8-11. This is the “suffering church” of the 7, recorded by John the apostle on the Isle of PAtmos (pictured above). Mr Allen’s remarks centre around 4 things: Christ’s character – “He lives”. Christ’s consolation – “He knows”. Christ’s command – “He speaks”. Christ’s challenge – “He opens their understanding. (Message preached in Wallingford, Nov 2004)
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – One Thing (36 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued through the 19th week, further blessing came and the meetings were extended until Sunday June 4th. On Wednesday 31st May Peter Orasuk went first and preached on 4 trumpets. A trumpet of warning (Eze 33:1-8), a trumpet of waiting (1 Thess 4:15-18), a trumpet of awakening (1 Cor 15:51-52) and trumpets of wrath (Rev 8:2-11). Murray McCandless followed with a message centred around three mentions in the Bible of “one thing”. One thing neglected, one thing…
Unto the Church at Ephesus (60 min)
PART 1 – Jim Allen begins a series on the 7 Churches of Asia (Revelation Chs 2-3) with a 24 minute introduction, before looking in detail at the first of the 7 churches, namely Ephesus. Each of the 7 churches was 1. a specific church, 2. manifested a certain spiritual condition and 3. represents a stage in Christian history. John the apostle is on the island of Patmos in Greece (pictured above) and 7 letters are given to him by…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – “Remember” (48 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued into their 19th and last week, on Sunday 28th May 2000 Mr Murray McCandless announced that the final meeting would be Wednesday 31st May. The meeting then began with a hymn that had become a favourite in the meetings, “It’s all taken away”. Murray then preached on the man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho (Lu 10:30-36) as a picture of someone on the broad road to destruction. Peter Orasuk followed with a mighty message…
“Pleasure was putting myself right out of my mind” (26 min)
Mark Thomas was born and bred in “the West country”, a few yards from the scenic Cheddar Gorge and just half an hour from the epicentre of the UK’s festival scene in Glastonbury. So, when Mark got into the drug and rave lifestyle as a young man, he had every opportunity right on his doorstep to dive into the ‘ecstasy culture’ where pleasure was defined as “putting yourself right out of your mind”. Despite a couple of close shaves with…
What the Bible Teaches about Assembly Reception (43 min)
David Vallance takes up the important topic of assembly reception. In the first half of his message he explains the distinction between the local assembly and the body of Christ (“the church which is His body”). He contends that the local assembly is neither a miniature nor a microcosm of the body of Christ; nor is it even “an expression of the body of Christ”. It is a doctrinally based gathering of Christians who have been saved, baptised and brought…
An Appreciation of Propitiation (30 min)
Jim Allen preaches on the fundamental Bible doctrine of “propitiation”. What is it? How, when and where was propitiation made? He then moves on to discuss the practical issue of sin in the life of a Christian. Do I need a fresh application of Christ’s propitiatory work at the cross each time I sin? No! I need a fresh appreciation of it! A most useful message giving positional and practical teaching relative to a believer’s position before God. Readings: Luke…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – The Scriptures (48 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued back in the Milburn Centre (pictured above), on the Monday of week 18 (22nd May 2000) it was announced that “this is the last week”; the meetings will conclude on Sunday 28th May. Murray McCandless preached on “the Scriptures”. The unbreakable, unbendable, undeniable Scriptures are also “understandable”. Some of you have known them since childhood, but have you obeyed the gospel they contain? (Readings: 2 Tim 3:15, John 10:35, 5:39, 1 Cor 15:3-3). Peter Orasuk continued…
The Recovery of a Lost Smile (41 min)
David Gilliland preaches on Psalm 39:13 which, he explains, carries the sense of “O spare me, that I may smile again”. After some introductory remarks about people who are always smiling, some who never smile, and others who smile on the outside but whose heart isn’t smiling, David focuses his attention on two questions: “What makes Christians lose their smile?” and “How can Christians get their smile back”? He draws answers to these questions from Psalm 39 and 40. Reading:…
Standing for God in the Crises of Life (30 min)
Jack Hay preaches on the stand for God taken by the “three Hebrew children” – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – in Daniel Ch 3. After some introductory remarks about the background of the passage, and a brief excursus drawing a list of interesting comparisons between Daniel 3 and Revelation 13, Jack draws numerous challenging practical lessons from this story. Are you willing to stand for God in the crises of life? You will need to be marked by “purpose of…
Larry Steers – God Had Other Plans (31 min)
Larry Steers (1937-2024) stopped going to meetings at the age of 13 out of frustration with the gospel. Then at 18 he set his face to leave home and enjoy the world. Heading to Toronto, he ended up in a prayer meeting and a gospel meeting where he was impressed by the evident care Albert Joyce (one of the preachers) had for his soul. Then word came through that Larry’s father was dying. Heading home he made it to the…
Understanding Saving Faith (40 min)
PART 2 of 2 – Michael Penfold preaches on the foundational doctrine of saving faith under 4 headings: 1. A definition of faith; 2. The principle of faith; 3. The nature of faith and 4. The results of faith. What does it mean to believe in Christ? Why do some people have trouble believing? These and other vital questions are explored in a message that will help anyone struggling with assurance, as well as anyone involved in spreading the gospel…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – Conscience (48 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued in the Tent, on the Thursday of week 17 (18th May 2000) Murray McCandless preached from John 8:3-12 on the subject of “conscience” under 4 headings: 1. convicted by conscience, 2. controlled by conscience, 3. condemned by conscience, and finally 4. a conscience cleared. Peter Orasuk followed with a mighty word on the value of a soul. He used three examples of people who “sold their souls” cheaply: Esau for pleasure, Judas for possessions, and Pilate…
PART 5 – Overview of Dispensationalism (46 min)
A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them. PART 5 – In the closing message of the conference, Ian Jackson gives a ‘prophetic overview’ from a dispensational viewpoint. He starts with the goal of God’s plan from Ephesians 1:10 (everything to be headed up in Christ in the Millennium), moving on to outline the programme of Daniel’s 70 weeks, and then…
PART 4 – Salvation in Dispensationalism (27 min)
A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them. PART 4 – David Vallance preaches on dispensationalism and salvation. If history and prophecy consists of a succession of different ages and dispensations, are there different ways of getting saved in those dispensations? David answers with an emphatic “no”. In every dispensation the source of salvation is grace, its basis is the cross…
Understanding Repentance (40 min)
PART 1 of 2 – Michael Penfold preaches on the fundamentally important foundational doctrine of repentance under 5 headings: 1. Why study repentance? 2. What is the link between repentance and faith? 3. What is repentance? 4. How does repentance come about? 5. What are the fruits of repentance? The subject is vital, for unless we understand repentance we will be unable to properly preach the gospel. Readings: Matt 4:17, Luke 13:3, 15:17-19, 24:46-47, Acts 2:37-38a, 20:20-21, 26:19-20. (Recorded on…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – God’s Standard (44 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued, a Gospel Tent had to be erected on Sidney Scott’s land because the Community Centre was not available for three weeks. This was the third location that had been used over the months, but the blessing continued. On the Tuesday of week 17 (16th May 2000), under the canvas, Murray McCandless preached on “God’s standard” from Romans 3:10-23. God is a holy God of inflexible righteousness. We come short of his measurement; we are found wanting…
PART 3 – Dispensationalism and the Church (58 min)
A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them. PART 3 – Ian Jackson makes a solid scriptural case for the need to draw a very clear distinction between Israel and the Church – as to origin, character and destiny. Israel is God’s earthly people; the church is His heavenly people. Israel has been set aside for now – while the kingdom…
Alex McLean – The Gospel to Russian Fishermen (33 min)
Alex McLean (1932-2019) from Peterhead, on the North East coast of Scotland, spent his life at sea catching fish. In the 1990’s, after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, opportunities opened up for Alex to take the gospel to Russian fishermen whose boats were frequenting Scottish ports like Peterhead and Fraserburgh. In the mercy of God, Alex started to catch men – men who had never heard the gospel or seen a Bible in all of their lives. In…
“I thought the gospel was a big joke” (37 min)
Born in Canada in 1933, Max McLean grew up on a small farm in a house with no electricity. He moved to the “big town” of Oil Springs in Dec 1945 where his shrewd father bought a business. Sadly Max’s father had a fondness for drinking and gambling, ruinous habits he passed to his son. At age 18, Max moved to Sarnia to work in the Polysar rubber plant. There he met a man called Dave Kember. Dave was known…
“I was a good Church-going person…but I didn’t realise I was lost” (9 min)
David Spurl, grew up going to church (in Iowa, USA). He was a “good guy”. No drugs, no crime…nothing like that. He even asked Jesus into his heart once upon a time. Then, years later, he met a young lady who struck him as “different”. There was something about her. She invited him to come to a gospel meeting. David started going regularly and began to understand what he had never understood before; that he was a helpless sinner who…
PART 2 – Dispensationalism vs. Covenant Theology (56 min)
A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them. PART 2 – David Vallance looks at the ramifications of a person’s eschatology (their view of future events). Why did Oliver Cromwell go into battle singing the Psalms, and crushing his enemies in spirit of a Joshua who conquered the Canaanites? Why was Luther anti-Semitic? Why do some churches have ornate sanctuaries and…
“I couldn’t wait to leave home” (13 min)
Aubrey Butler couldn’t wait to leave home. He resented his meeting-going upbringing and rebelled against the gospel. “I don’t want to be anything like you and Dad”, he told his mum. Moving out, Aubrey got involved in sports and much else to try and satisfy himself and fill his life. Then God intervened with a riding accident. Brought to see his need of salvation he spoke to the evangelist Art Ward who gave him a copy of God’s Way of…
PART 1 – Dispensationalism Introduction (53 min)
A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them. PART 1 – Dan Shutt introduces the biblical concept of a “dispensation” and explains how history, from Eden to the Millennium, is divided into numerous ages in which God administers His dealings with men in different ways to fulfil His ultimate purpose. After some introductory remarks, Dan works his way through Scripture…
“Are you saved or are you not?” (11 min)
When you are a 15 year old teenager with serious thoughts about eternity, there’s only one question you need to get settled – “Are you saved or are you not?”. That was Darrel Raynor’s concern until matters finally came to a head on 19th August 1988 while attending gospel meetings with Peter Orasuk and Albert Ramsay, on Prince Edward Island, in Canada (Island view above). Darrel told his story of salvation at Cedar Falls Conference, Iowa, in 2018.
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – Three Musts (43 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued, on the Wednesday of week 13 (19th April 2000) Peter Orasuk preached on the three “musts” in John Ch 3. Nicodemus was first of all shocked, then silenced (because he didn’t know how to be born again), and finally saved. Murray McCandless followed with a striking message marked by unusual power and pathos based on Luke 13:29 “They shall come from the East, and from the West, and from the North, and from the South.”…
I’m Gonna Lose My Sole (7 min)
It’s amazing what God uses sometimes to wake people up to their need of salvation. Robert Orr, from Iowa, USA, grew up hearing the gospel, even being privileged to sit under the preaching of giants like Oliver Smith and Louis Brandt. However, he remained careless about his soul…until one day, in August 1950, in the middle of a casual conversation, a neighbouring farmer looked down at his old work shoes and said “I’m gonna lose my sole.” Immediately Robert’s mind…
The Landmark of the Gospel Meeting (30 min)
Jon Procopio follows up his message on the landmark of the prayer meeting with a message on the landmark of the gospel meeting. In another powerful sermon, Jonathan flags up the importance of preaching the gospel and urges his audience not to abandon gospel preaching, nor to add to it, nor to replace it with other methods that are not found in Scripture. Jonathan’s insightful message is based on Scripture and backed up by decades of experience in gospel work.…
The Landmark of the Prayer Meeting (18 min)
Jon Procopio preaches a rousing message about the importance of the assembly prayer meeting. In the first 8 minutes of his message he speaks about the prohibitions in Prov 22:28 and 23:10 against “removing the landmarks” and makes the point that the first landmark many Christians remove in their lives is attendance at the assembly prayer meeting. The vital part that the assembly prayer meeting plays in the life of the Christian and the local assembly is highlighted powerfully in…
A Wild Night on Mount Rushmore (36 min)
Mr Ward, an alcoholic purple heart WW2 veteran, used to beat his wife and get his 8 year old son Art (pictured right) drunk, much to the amusement of the men at the tavern. Small wonder that Art’s tragic childhood turned into a wild adulthood filled with drink, drugs, violence and fast motorbikes. Art heard the gospel message as a young man, but it made little impact on him. Then God intervened in his life. On a bike trip to…
Saved as a boy of 12 (8 min)
In this recording, made in 1961, Eric McCullough (1925-2020) tells how God saved him in Bangor, Northern Ireland, as a boy of 12, the day after a series of gospel meetings with David Craig had finished. Eric’s father, James McCullough, was a preacher of the gospel who had moved from the UK to Nova Scotia, Canada, to preach the gospel. It was on a visit back to Ireland in 1938, young Eric was saved. Back in North America Eric was…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – The Cup (40 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued, on the Monday of week 12 (Mon 10th April 2000) Murray McCandless preached an unusal but solemn message on Bible cups. A cup being filled (Gen 15:16); a cup over-filled (Luke 3:18-20) and a cup emptied (John 18:11, 19:29-30). You are filing a cup every day you live without Christ – a cup that will overflow one day and bring judgment. Look at the lives of Belshazzar, Saul, Herod, Judas and Pilate and remember: there’s…
Troubled and Empty, But I Didn’t Know Why (9 min)
Born in the USA in 1939, Jerry Jennings grew up without a Bible or the gospel. Tragically, his alcoholic father drowned in 1948. Joining the navy, Jerry would serve in Korea and Vietnam, but still he never heard the gospel. Looking up at the stars as a child had convinced him there was a God but now, aged 34, married and back in the USA, he found himself troubled and empty, but he didn’t really know why. Then a lady…
If there’s a God, why is there all the suffering in the world? (19 min)
Born in 1948 in “industrial Scotland” (Govan, Glasgow), Matt Reid left School at 15 to become an apprentice in the Glasgow shipyards. His Presbyterian upbringing quickly fell away as Matt got into drink and drugs and soon became a hardened foul-mouthed cynic, very bitter against God. His reasoning? – “If there’s a God why is there all the suffering in the world?” He had a strong antipathy towards organised religion. That was his “pet peeve”. Emigrating to Canada, Matt ended…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – When, Where and How (45 min)
With blessing in weeks 10 and 11, the Coleraine meetings were extended. On Sunday 9th April 2000, at the start of week 12, Peter Orasuk read about the “second death” and the “second birth” (Rev 20:11-15, John 3:3-7). You must have the second birth to avoid the second death. So: when, where and how were you born again? Peter told with warmth and fondness of the spot in house of Albert Ramsay in Prince Edward Island where he was saved.…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – “The Way of Cain” (48 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued, the evangelist Peter Orasuk from Prince Edward Island, Canada, arrived in late Feb 2000 to join Murray McCandless and help in the meetings. Soon after, Murray’s dear and godly mother, Ruth McCandless, was suddenly called home to heaven. Peter continued the meetings while Murray went home to Canada for the funeral. With Murray back from Canada, both evangelists preached away nightly through the month of March and a number of souls were saved. Then on…
Norman Crawford – How God Saved Me (16 min)
Norman Crawford (1927-2017), from North America, was saved on Friday 1st April 1938. 58 years later, in 1996, standing in the pulpit of the Gospel Hall in Cambridge Avenue, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, he told how the gospel had reached his family in a previous generation not a mile from where he was standing. Returning all these years and generations later, he testified to the grace of God in saving his soul as a young man. It’s clear from this recording…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – The Value of a Soul (40 min)
On Tuesday 15th Feb 2000, as te 4th week of the Coleraine meetings continued, Murray McCandless preached on “the value of a soul” from Mark 8:36-27. In light of the fact that you will live forever either in heaven or hell, what is your soul worth? What would you be willing to risk losing it for? Mr McCandless looked at a number of people in the Bible who played the fool and lost their souls, like Abner and Esau. But…
John Stubbs – Christ is the Answer (49 min)
John Stubbs went home to heaven in 2019 after spending decades in the service of the Lord, teaching the Word and preaching the gospel. As a newborn baby, John was not expected to live…but God spared his life and we are all the richer for that intervention of the Lord. Overcoming physical disabilities, John fervently served, studied, preached and wrote – leaving behind a rich and worthwhile ministry of Christ. In this message, John takes the hearer on a journey…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – “I am the Door” (41 min)
On Sunday 13th Feb 2000, as the Coleraine meetings commended their 4th week, Murray McCandless preached on the great gospel text “I am the door, by Me is any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). Hanging on the wall behind the pulpit throughout this series of meeting was the “Two Roads Chart”. There’s only one door and we’re all born outside of it! To be saved you must enter the door. When did you enter the door?…
“I went to 4 meetings every Sunday” (10 min)
Alec Dryburgh (1936-2022) relates how he was converted to Christ in 1949. Raised in a Christian family in Scotland and taken to meetings 4 times every Sunday, not to mention mid-week meetings, Alec was a spiritually privileged, but spiritually dead in sins – something he had to learn before being saved. Awakened in gospel meetings in his local Gospel Hall, Alec was saved through Isaiah 53:5. Mr Dryburgh has served the Lord as an evangelist and Bible teacher in Canada…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – The Great Supper (37 min)
As the Coleraine meetings continued in their second week, on Tuesday 1st Feb 2000 Murray McCandless preached on “the great supper” from Luke 14:16-24. He drew simple yet powerful lessons from the fact that the supper of which the Lord spoke had been financed by another, that the banqueting house was going to be filled, and that acceptance of the invitation to the supper had to come first, above every other consideration. He applies this to the “gospel supper” and…
Coleraine 20th Anniversary – The Prodigal Son (38 min)
2020 was the 20th anniversary year of a much blessed series of gospel meetings in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, with Canadian evangelists Murray McCandless and Peter Orasuk. The meetings commenced on Sunday 23rd January 2000 and were expected to run for perhaps 6-8 weeks. In the end, due to the interest and the ongoing blessing, the meetings kept being extended “one more week” and didn’t eventually finish until May. Every night for 19 weeks, including Saturdays, the gospel was preached, first…