Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 30 April, 2017
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Conclusion to Christ’s Farewell Discourse (6)
Praying in Christ’s Name [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 16:16-33
Text: John 16:23-24
I. The Historical Development
II. The Encouraging Meaning
III. The Certain Answer
Psalms: 33:1-7; 36:1-7; 143:5-11; 25:8-14
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
“I Am a Righteous Heir” [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Romans 4
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 23
I. My Righteousness
II. My Inheritance
Psalms: 111:1-6; 36:8-12; 32:1-5; 37:29-37
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Charles Ross on John 16:23-24: “… the nearer we get to God in prayer, the nearer do we come to the goal of joy. Prayer is, as it were, the mighty steed that draws the chariot in which we ride to the gate of celestial joy” (The Inner Sanctuary, p. 186).
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 23: “He who receives the unspeakably blessed grace of justification does not say, ‘My conscience no longer accuses me. I have no sin.’ Nor does he declare dualistically, ‘I am guilty and righteous before God.’ He has the victory by faith and properly expresses his wonderfully blessed experience of God’s justifying grace thus: ‘Though my conscience accuses me, yet am I perfectly righteous before the judgment seat of God’ … The righteousness of justification is an imputed righteousness, a perfect righteousness, an everlasting righteousness, a wholly transcendent and victorious righteousness. For God justifies the ungodly!” (Abundant Mercy, pp. 163-164).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The Tuesday Bible Study will not meet this week, but will resume next week, 9 May, at 11 AM to consider the promised land in Deuteronomy and Joshua.
Ladies’ Bible Study meets this Friday, 5 May, at 10:30 AM at church to discuss the lessons on “Child Discipline” and “The Poor and Needy” from the study on Proverbs.
Men’s Bible Study will meet on Friday, 5 May, at 10:30 AM at church to discuss chapter 1 of Paul Tripp’s War of Words.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is “To God, My Exceeding Joy, I Will Go” (Ps. 43).
Rev. McGeown will be preaching for us next Sunday (7 May), while Rev. Stewart is in the Limerick Reformed Fellowship. There will be tea after the evening service (Group C on the tea rota).
Plan now to attend a CPRC lecture by Rev. Stewart on “Are All Men in the Image of God?” on Friday, 12 May, at 7:30 PM. Flyers are available on the back table to pass out to family and friends.
Family visitation will begin in mid-May.
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will speak on “N. T. Wright, Justification and the Reformation” in Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 8 June, at 7:15 PM.
Offerings: General Fund: £614.30. Donation: £1,500.00 (Australia).
Translations: 2 Hungarian.
PRC News: Southwest PRC called Rev. Griess (Calvary, IA). Byron Center PRC will call a domestic missionary from a trio of Revs. Haak, Key and Spronk. Zion PRC’s new trio is Revs. Decker, Eriks and R. Kleyn. First Holland PRC’s new trio is Revs. Haak, R. Kleyn and Kuiper.
BELGIC CONFESSION, ARTICLE 26
CHRIST’S INTERCESSION
We believe that we have no access unto God but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous,1 who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine Majesty, which access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father hath appointed between Him and us, ought in no wise to affright us by His majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our fancy.2 For there is no creature either in heaven or on earth who loveth us more than Jesus Christ;3 who, though He was in the form of God, yet made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a man and of a servant for us,4 and was made like unto His brethren in all things. If, then, we should seek for another mediator, who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find who loved us more than He who laid down His life for us, even when we were His enemies?5 And if we seek for one who hath power and majesty, who is there that hath so much of both as He who sits at the right hand of His Father, and who hath all power in heaven and on earth?6 And who will sooner be heard than the own well-beloved Son of God?
Therefore it was only through distrust that this practice of dishonoring, instead of honoring, the saints was introduced, doing that which they never have done not required, but have on the contrary, steadfastly rejected, according to their bounden duty, as appears by their writings.7 Neither must we plead here our unworthiness; for the meaning is not that we should offer our prayers to God on the ground of our own worthiness, but only on the ground of the excellency and worthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ,8 whose righteousness is become ours by faith.
Therefore the apostle, to remove this foolish fear, or rather mistrust, from us, justly saith that Jesus Christ was made like unto His brethren in all things, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.9 And further to encourage us, he adds: Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.10 The same apostle saith: Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc.11 Likewise, Christ hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.12
What more can be required, since Christ Himself saith: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me?13 To what purpose should we then seek another advocate,14 since it hath pleased God to give us His own Son as an advocate?15 Let us not forsake Him to take another, or rather to seek after another, without ever being able to find him; for God well knew, when He gave Him to us, that we were sinners.
Therefore, according to the command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our only Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord’s Prayer;16 being assured that whatever we ask of the Father in His name will be granted us.17