On 26th July 2025, on the eve of a sinful public display of debauchery, an open air witness service was held at the corner of Waring Street in Belfast, led by Rev. Gordon Dane.
The service commenced with the hymn Jesus, the Name High Over All. This was followed by a prayer offered by Rev. Wilson. The attending congregants then sang I Am Not Ashamed To Own My Lord.
The Bible reading, from Isaiah 53, was delivered by Mr. Ian Adams from Portavogie. A testimony was given by Mr. Paul Taylor of Sandown Free Presbyterian Church. Several members of the congregation shared brief gospel messages.
Rev. David McLaughlin preached a sermon based on Isaiah 53:5–6, focusing on the theme of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In his introduction, he described Isaiah 53 as the greatest prophetic utterance in all of Holy Scripture and the clearest. He quoted Thomas Manton, who referred to Isaiah 53 as “the Gospel of Isaiah” rather than merely a prophecy.
Rev. McLaughlin emphasised that the chapter encompasses the entirety of Christ’s life—His birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. The sermon focused specifically on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
Rev. McLaughlin drew a poignant comparison between the sacrifices made by soldiers, referencing his recent visit to the Somme and Ypres, and the far greater sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the ultimate soldier.
The sermon was structured around three main points:
- The Corrupt State of Sinful Man: Rev. McLaughlin described humanity as transgressors, rebels who have crossed God’s boundaries by breaking His Law, as outlined in the Ten Commandments. He highlighted mankind’s perverse nature and guilt of iniquities, with a bias away from God, referencing Romans 3:23 and Jeremiah 17:9. He noted that God’s verdict, as defined in the Shorter Catechism, declares sin as the transgression of God’s Law.
- The Triumphant Coming of the Son of Man: Christ’s wounding signifies His entry into our world to destroy the works of the Devil (John 10:10) and to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Humanity is likened to lost sheep, and Christ’s mission was to provide spiritual peace with God (Romans 5:1) and spiritual healing through the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
- The Truthful Cure of the Saviour of Men: Christ’s suffering on the cross included physical torment—beatings, a crown of thorns, scourging, nails, and a spear—as well as the spiritual wrath of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Rev. McLaughlin explained the concept of double imputation: Christ was treated as the worst of sinners, bearing the punishment for humanity’s sin (Psalm 22:1), while believers are accepted as righteous. Christ’s death was described as that of a substitute, a sin-bearer (1 Peter 2:22–24), a sacrificial lamb, a surety for the broken law, and a sin offering upon which God’s wrath was poured. Rev McLaughlin called for repentance of sin and faith in Christ, citing Matthew 4:17 and Acts 4:12.
Those passing by heard the message of the Gospel proclaimed with a clear call to repentance from sin and turning to the only one that can satisfy, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The service concluded with the hymn There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood, followed by a closing prayer by Rev. David Stewart. Pray that this witness will be used as the Hebrews 4:12 states:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
