Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 28 December, 2003
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips shall praise thee” (Psalm 63:3)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Christian Marriage & Singleness (1)
The Goodness of Singleness
I Corinthians 7:1
I. The Meaning
II. The Application
Psalms: 135:1-6; 89:44-48; 33:10-16; 34:8-15
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Neither Poverty Nor Riches
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 44, Proverbs 30:8b-9
I. The Meaning
II. The Reason
Psalms: 92:3-8; 89:49-52; 73:1-8; 49:16-20
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:
Prof. David Engelsma on I Corinthians 7: “It is safe to say that Reformed Christians have generally failed to do justice to what the apostle says about single life in this passage. They have, therefore, failed to do justice to the single life that some of their members actually live and that others might live, if properly instructed. There are two main reasons for this failure. One is the strong reaction on the part of the Reformed against the Roman Catholic use of this passage to support its teaching that the single life is inherently more spiritual and religious than marriage. This has resulted in Rome’s glorifying of celibacy, especially for her clergy. The other reason is the Reformed emphasis upon marriage and family on account of the Reformed doctrine of the covenant. Since God establishes His covenant with believers and their children, gathering His church in the generations of believers and using the godly home to rear covenant children to maturity in Christ, the Reformed emphasis upon marriage is right. But such an emphasis on marriage which ignores or even disparages single life is wrong. Justice must be done to what I Corinthians 7 teaches about the single life. After all, this too is part of biblical doctrine. Besides, failure to reckon with the biblical teaching on single life discourages the unmarried. They begin to think of themselves as second-class citizens of the kingdom. Some may even plunge into a disastrous marriage in order to escape singleness. What is even worse, if we ignore what is said about single life for some, we hinder the life of special devotion to the Lord that some may very well choose to live as single.” (Better to Marry, p. 34).
Announcements:
The Standard Bearers are in. This issue includes as excellent article on Iain Murray’s book John Wesley and Men Who Followed.
The December issue of the Covenant Reformed News is available. There are 2 bundles of News in the back for those who can help with the posting.
Also on the back table are missionary reports on Spokane and Singapore, as well as a flyer regarding the “Friends of Dordt.”
Willy and Jenny Russell (Ayr) send their regards to the CPRF.
Bible Study will next be held on Wednesday, 7 January, at 8 PM at the manse. We will then conclude our study of the end times in the Old Testament (DV).
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 4 January, (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is “God’s Wise Leading of His Church” (Exodus 13:17-22).
Last Week’s Offerings: £391.90.
PRC News: Lacombe (AB) extended a call to Rev. Bruinsma (Kalamazoo). Byron Center called Rev. Eriks (Loveland, CO). Faith extends a call to Rev. Haak (Bethel, IL). Hudsonville’s trio is Rev. Cammenga (Southwest), Rev. Eriks, and Rev. Van Overloop (Georgetown).
