Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 26 April, 2015
“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
Listen and Wake Up! (4)
Arm of the Lord, Awake! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Exodus 15
Text: Isaiah 51:9-11
I. The Profound Prayer
II. The Beautiful Promise
III. The Rich Fulfilment
Psalms: 93:1-5; 104:8-14; 74:10-15; 44:17-26
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Jesus the Saviour and Friendship [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 15
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 11
I. His Going to the Cross
II. His Work on the Cross
III. Our Going to the Cross
Psalms: 122:1-9; 104:15-21; 27:1-5; 25:8-14
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
Albert Barnes on Isaiah 51:9: “The arm is the instrument by which we execute any purpose. It is that by which the warrior engages in battle, and by which he wields the weapon to prostrate his foes. The arm of [Jehovah] had seemed to slumber; For seventy years the prophet sees the oppressed and suffering people in bondage, and God had not come forth to rescue them. He hears them now lifting the voice of earnest and tender entreaty, that He would interpose as He had in former times, and save them from the calamities which they were enduring.”
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 11: “Christ died for all men, the Arminian teaches. By His death on the cross He obtained the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation for every man. But did He really, according to Arminian doctrine? Did Christ by His perfect sacrifice really obtain salvation for all men in the sense that through His death all men were brought into a state of reconciliation and eternal righteousness before God? Or let us put the question thus: did Christ then, actually pay for the sins of all men by His atoning death? Not at all! The Arminian dare not teach this. He understands full well that, if Christ had actually and effectually paid by His blood for the sins of all men, all must be saved. For then the sins of all would be blotted out, forgiven for ever, and all men would be justified … And therefore, in order to be able to maintain the universality of the cross, the Arminian denies its effectualness. Christ did not pay for the sins of all, actually and effectually, but only as to His intention. Effectually He atoned for no one. As to His intention He atoned for all. In the death of Christ there is the possibility of forgiveness for all men. Actually there is forgiveness in that death for no one. And so it comes about that Arminianism is principally a denial of the blood of Christ and of vicarious atonement” (The Triple Knowledge, vol. 1, pp. 462-463).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
A letter from the Philippines is available on the back table.
The Tuesday Bible study will meet at 11 AM to study harlotry in Hosea (2).
The Belgic Confession Class on Wednesday at 7:45 PM will continue Article 25 on the abolishing of the ceremonial law according to the New Testament epistles.
Ladies’ Bible Study meets this Friday at 10:30 AM at the church.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “Considering and Provoking One Another” (Heb. 10:24).
Offerings: General Fund – £633.06. Building Fund – £10. Donations: £10 (CDs).
Website Additions: 2 Indonesian and 2 Chinese translations.
Encouraging Quotes
“Your package arrived this morning and I do indeed thank you very much. What a little treasure trove of good reading material. I would like to subscribe to the Standard Bearer and so if you could send me details of how to pay …” – England
“Thank you for your continued distribution of the News during the past year. I do hope I have not missed out on any issues. I would like to order a copy of the commentary on the book of Genesis by Robert Harbach.” – S. Wales
“Thank you so much for your parcel of booklets, books and tapes. I am really grateful for all the teachings, but thank you also for all the extras. I will so enjoy listening and reading.” – Stockport, England
“I want to thank you for your Old Testament series on ‘Absalom and His Rebellion.’ Just fantastic! Insightful!” – California, USA
“Good to hear from you again and receive more of the PRC material. Thank you so much! … I ran through your supplied booklets and had a good look into the books. Time is always an issue, but I will keep the books nearby and will set apart time for a deeper study. Most certainly enjoyed your supplied extra materials. Thank you very much.” – Co. Down
“Thank you for the Covenant Reformed News which I received today. I was interested in Prof. Hanko’s article, ‘Did Christ Die for Everybody?’ … I really do appreciate the newsletters. Though small, they are ‘meaty’ and full of truth. Over the time since you first sent them to me, they have helped build up my faith.”- Devon, England
“I am very much delighted when I came across your Spanish resource materials today. I am a retired minister, working with missionaries in Mexico. I have been asked by the missionaries for self-study materials for Mexican local leader training, and I find much of your materials in Spanish would be superb for them.” – California, USA
“Just came across your web site and read your article on divorce and remarriage. Thank you. That is what I believe because it is the only belief that squares with the Bible. What God says is what God means. We shouldn’t need a theologian to interpret it for us twisting the Scriptures to make them fit our fallen opinions. May God bless and prosper you and yours.” – Scotland
“Many thanks for Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel. The third edition of Engelsma’s book is an excellent production. It looks a great improvement over the second edition.” – Leicestershire, England
“I have heard the story of ‘It is well with my soul’ many times. This time, I did some research on the internet and I came across your article on Horatio Spafford. It was very revealing to say the least. Indeed, your article gives the reader insight into the mind and life of a very complicated man. Thank you as it is good to have such information as I was only raised with part of the story about Mr. Spafford.” – USA
“I am really blessed by what you have sent me. I read the books and found them helpful.” – Ethiopia
“It is always good to receive and read [the Standard Bearer] … I find the spiritual content to be sound and rewarding, keeping to the Scriptures and avoiding the trend towards compromise and error which is so prevalent today in a general sense. I particularly enjoyed Just Dad received last Saturday, which I read that day, apart from the letters which I read Sunday evening after returning from church. It is written in a lively and lovely way so I felt as though I knew everyone which of course I don’t! So congratulations to Lois in revealing the other side of Herman Hoeksema!” – Cambridge, England
“Thank you for sending the Covenant Reformed News. I appreciate and am very interested in the subjects undertaken. Please accept this small donation as a contribution towards all your good work.” – Scotland
“Thank you [for the video debate on charismaticism]. How calm and gentle you were while clearly trying to explain the truth of Scripture to these very confused men. I thank God for faithful preachers like yourself who are not afraid to deal with tough challenges. May the Lord bless your ministry!” – Florida, USA
“Thank you for The Reformed Worldview and the CDs of the Psalms. I have only part 2 of the book left to read. It explains and contextualizes postmodernism brilliantly and helpfully explains both the connection and difference between modernism and postmodernism—though related they are very different ‘beasts’—while highlighting the antithesis of the Reformed faith … I would like two more copies of The Reformed Worldview. Many thanks and every blessing.” – W. Midlands, England
