Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 2 April, 2023
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed,
and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Call of Moses (9)
God Will Harden Pharaoh’s Heart! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:1-18
Text: Exodus 4:18-23
I. The Biblical Testimony
II. The Appropriate Placement
III. The Vital Significance
Psalms: 84:1-6; 63:6-11; 119:105-112; 105:25-37
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Our Anointed Melchizedekian Priest [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 12
I. His Office
II. Its Characteristics
III. Its Work
Psalms: 119:145-152; 64:1-4; 40:6-10; 110:1-6
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: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Homer C. Hoeksema: “It is exactly the character of Pharaoh’s sin that he does not want to acknowledge a sovereign Lord. As a moral, rational creature he exalts himself over against the Sovereign of heaven and earth by his own will. It is not a good heart that God hardens and thus makes wicked; instead, the hardening process presupposes a sinful heart that God hardens in its sin. It means that God somehow strengthened Pharaoh unto his own rebellion. This understanding is in accord with the meaning of the words used by scripture. To harden is to render firm, hard, strong, heavy, so that the words and signs make no impression upon him … This is always the case. Sin is not a creature in itself, and sin is not a power in itself. Sin involves the false use of God’s good power. Sin is the subversion and the perversion of good gifts of God” (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 3, p. 265).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
On the back table are copies of Rev. Stewart’s letter to the PRC.
Monday catechism classes:
5:00PM: Corey, Jason, Katelyn, Maisie & Sebastian (Seniors OT)
5:45PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Hannah, Jorja, Keagan, Lucas, Sammy, Somaya, Sophie & Yossef (Beginners NT) – END OF YEAR TEST
6:30PM: Penelope & Xander (Juniors OT)
7:15PM: Angelica, Bradley, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Heidelberg, Book 2)
The Council meets tomorrow evening at 8 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to discuss the relationship between faith and love.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:30 PM. In connection with article 37 and the signs of Christ’s second coming, we will look at the worldwide preaching of the gospel.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Prof. Griess is entitled, “Irresistible Grace (2)” (John 6:44, 65-66).
Join us for an Easter Monday picnic (10 April), weather permitting, at Glenarriff Forest (main car park) at noon with a walk to the waterfalls following.
Offerings: £1,268.95. Donations: £20 (Rep. of Ireland), £18 (Co. Antrim), £200 (Malaysia).
Translation Additions: 2 Italian, 2 Polish and 1 Russian.
PRC News: Rev. J. Holstege (Zion, MI) accepted the call to First PRC.
The Hope PR Ministry Podcast features archived Beacon Lights devotionals from “Watching Daily at My Gates.” Sermons from Hope PRC (Michigan) are posted on Wednesdays and other edifying content is added each Friday. We have listeners from across the US and throughout the world. Please follow the podcast and share it with your friends and acquaintances (https://hopeprchurch.org/outreach/podcast).
Scripture Texts on the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
A. God’s Activity
Exodus 4:21: “And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”
Exodus 7:3: “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 7:13: “And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.”
Exodus 9:12: “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.”
Exodus 10:1: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him.”
Exodus 10:20: “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.”
Exodus 10:27: “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.”
Exodus 11:10: “And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
Exodus 14:4: “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.”
Exodus 14:8: “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.”
Exodus 14:17: “And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.”
_____________
Romans 9:17-18: “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.”
B. Pharaoh’s Activity
Exodus 8:15: “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.”
Exodus 8:32: “And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.”
Exodus 9:34: “And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.”
C. Passive
Exodus 7:14: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.”
Exodus 7:22: “And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.”
Exodus 8:19: “Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.”
Exodus 9:7: “And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.”
Exodus 9:35: “And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.”
