Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 17 April, 2005
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of
the saints and to be had in reverence of all
that that are about him (Psalm 89:7)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (12)
The Birth of Isaac
Genesis 21:1-21
I. The Godly Laughter of Sarah
II. The Mocking Laughter of Ishmael
III. The Wandering of Hagar & Ishmael
Psalms: 113:1-9; 137:1-10; 102:12-17; 126:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Death of the Traitor
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 40; Matt. 27:3-10
I. Judas’ Repentance
II. Judas’ Suicide
II. Judas’ Silver
Psalms: 96:8-13; 139:11-16; 55:19-23; 109:6-12, 18
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
Quotes to Consider:
Rev. Robert Harbach: “‘Hagar, fear not!’ If the reader believes the fundamental scripture principle that God’s goodness is always particular, then there should be no difficulty in perceiving the significance of the fact that the words ‘fear not,’ as used in all scripture, are never spoken to a reprobate. They were spoken to Abraham (15:1), to Isaac (26:24), to believing Israel (Isa. 41:14), to Daniel (10:12), to Zacharias (Lk. 1:13), to Mary (1:30), to the godly women at the tomb (Matt. 28:5), to Paul (Acts 27:24), to the ‘little flock’ (Luke 12:342), and to the apostle John (Rev. 1:17); but never to the reprobate. The reason is obvious. They have everything to fear; for the longer they live on this earth, the heavier their condemnation in the day of judgment … Then Hagar and Ishmael are people of God. This gracious language is in keeping with, ‘God heard the voice of the lad,’ which is declared twice in one verse, ‘and God was with the lad’ compared with, ‘God is with thee’ (Abraham). Cp. verses 20, 22. It may be that a godly man may say to another who happens to be a reprobate, ‘God is with thee’ (as in I Sam. 10:7). But God does not ever say of a reprobate, ‘I have blessed him’ ‘fear thou not,’ or ‘God was with him.’ (Cp. Gen 39:2, 3, 21; Jud. 6:12; I Sam. 3:19; 18:14.) When He uses this language He uses it with reference to his children. (See Isa. 41:10; Matt. 28:20)” (Studies in the Book of Genesis, p. 440).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
This Week’s Activities: Monday: Membership Class, 7:30 PM at the manse. Tuesday: Steering Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM at the manse Wednesday: Bible Study on “Tongues in I Cor. 14,” 8 PM at the manse Thursday: Catechism, 7 PM at the Hamills. Friday: Lecture on “Total Depravity” in Porthcawl, S. Wales
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 24 April (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is “Addicted to the Ministry of the Saints” (I Cor. 16:14-18).
Last Week’s Offerings: £650.31.
Prof. & Mrs. Hanko will be with us (DV) from the afternoon of Friday, 6 May, until early morning of Monday, 23 May. Everyone is invited to a barbecue at the manse on Friday, 6 May, to welcome the Hankos.
Upcoming Lectures: Friday, 29 April, Omagh, The 1000 Years of Rev. 20 by Rev. Stewart Wednesday, 11 May, Limerick, What About Tradition? by Prof. Hanko Friday, 20 May, Ballymena, The Excellency of the AV by Prof. Hanko
PRC News: Rev. A. Brummel (S. Holland, IL) plans to answer the call he has received from Hudsonville PRC this morning. Rev. Mahtani (Pittsburgh) plans to answer Bethel PRC’s call next Sunday. Rev. Houck (Peace, IL) also plans to answer the call from Edmonton next Sunday. Holland plans to call today from a trio of Revs. Bruinsma (Kalamazoo, MI), D. Kleyn (Edgerton, MN), and Spriensma (Philippines).
