Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 5 August, 2012
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:13)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM Prof. Hanko
Universal Reconciliation [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1Text: Colossians 1:20
I. The Meaning of Reconciliation
II. The Objects of Reconciliation
III. The Blessedness of Reconciliation
Psalms: 84:1-6; 148:1-6; 32:1-5; 19:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM Prof. Engelsma
The Utter Defeat of the Demonic Powers [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2
Text: Colossians 2:14-15
I. What?
II. How?
III. With What Benefit?
Psalms: 122:1-9; 148:7-14; 27:1-5; 126:1-6
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: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Herman Hoeksema: “More than through any other agency or institution, it is through the political power of the State that the devil is the prince of this world. Under his rule, and through sin which corrupts all things, the State becomes the chief power of evil. It becomes ungodly, antichristian. Instead of using its power for the protection of the good, and the punishment of evil doers, it then causes the wicked to triumph in the land, and the righteous to suffer. It becomes a power of oppression, boasting of its own strength, usurping all authority, lording it over all, the almighty state. Using its mighty sword, it seeks to dominate in every sphere of life, in home and school, in church and society. Always it is the tendency and strife of the ungodly, antichristian State of fallen man to transgress the limits of its own proper domain, and to become totalitarian. It usurps the power to determine what we shall eat and drink, how we shall educate our children, whom and how we shall worship, and what we shall preach and believe … But God will nail His own sentence to that cross of Pilate, the handwriting of our sins. And that divine sentence He will receive and bear willingly, removing the handwriting of our sins that was against us. And so the King dies, humbling Himself as the obedient Servant of Jehovah. And thus He battles His way into His own kingdom. For God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!” (When I Survey, pp. 23-24, 30).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome all visitors to our worship services today, including those who have travelled from the US, Canada and Hungary. Prof. Hanko will be preaching for us this morning and Prof. Engelsma will be preaching this evening.
The second offering this morning is for our building fund.
Everyone is invited to stay fortea after the evening service today.
Those interested in pre-ordering CDs or DVDs of this past week’s conference on “Ye Are My Witnesses,” please contact Stephen Murray.
Rev. Stewart will be in Germany from tomorrow until 18 August. Anyone desiring a pastoral visit, should contact one of the elders.
Men’s Bible Study is scheduled for Saturday, 11 August, on Disciplines of a Godly Man, Chapter 5, “Friendship.” Notes are available on the back table.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “The Separated Life” (Nehemiah 13:1-3).
Prof. Engelsma will preach for us at both services next week and Prof. Hanko at both services on the 19 August.
Offerings: General: £742.95. Donations: £40 (books), £20 (DVDs).
PRC News: Grandville PRC has called Rev. A. Lanning to be minister-on-loan in Singapore. Randolph PRC called Rev. Spronk.
Angels
Rev. Bill Langerak, Standard Bearer, Vol. 86, Issue 7
The original and pre-eminent inhabitants of heaven are angels. Magnificent creatures, their power, freedom, and glory is unsurpassed. Essentially, angels are spirits—ethical, rational, and living souls created in the beginning with heaven, their home (Job 38:4-7). Though non-corporeal, they are described with earthly and heavenly features, reflecting their transcendence and work as intermediaries. With bird-like wings (even multiple pairs) and star-like brilliance, angels are the mighty steeds (cherubs) and holy, fiery ones (seraphs) of the heavens. Yet, angels can appear on earth in an instant, take human form, eat, walk, and talk; are full of eyes; and have one, two or four earthly faces—of a lion, calf, man, and eagle (Eze. 10:12-14; Eze. 41:18; Rev. 4:6-8).
As members of God’s household with us, angels too are called the sons of God (Job 1:6). The Lord dwells with them and they surround His throne (Rev. 5:11; Ps. 80:1). Beholding His face continually, angels worship Him, and share in the glory of His truth, holiness, and love (Matt. 18:10). Specifically, angels are designated servants in God’s house, and their obedience exemplary (Matt. 6:10). Standing on the four corners of the earth, they are agents of God’s providence, acting in, through, and even miraculously outside the laws of creation when required. Full of eyes, they know His revealed will perfectly. With wings they immediately deploy anywhere in the universe to accomplish His will unencumbered by any physical laws. An innumerable throng, they are the mighty wings of God and so many glorious fingers of His Fatherly hand (Heb. 12:22; Ps. 18:10).
More specifically, angels represent the brute creation’s groaning interest and particular role in fulfilling God’s covenant with His elect in Jesus Christ—the supreme example that providence serves grace. Woven into the very fabric of the universe and continually hovering over the mercy seat of God’s temple, they are creation’s most powerful agents to observe, announce, guard, and ensure the fulfilment of the covenant on behalf of its heirs (Ex. 25:20; Ex. 26:1; Heb. 1:14). With decency and good order, every angel has an assigned station and calling in this regard (Eph. 3:10).
Some angels are messengers of the covenant. They announce God’s covenant promises, assure doubting saints, comfort the distressed, interpret visions, direct the course of the gospel, sanctify prayers, and rejoice over the penitent (Gen. 22:15; Gen. 31:11; Dan. 8:16; Acts 8:26; Acts 27:23; Rev. 8:3; Luke 15:10). They announce the birth of covenant leaders, encourage them in battle, and instruct covenant parents in their upbringing (Judges 13:3-5). One such messenger is Gabriel, sent from God’s presence to Daniel, Zacharias, and Mary (Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Luke 1:19). Similarly, as messengers, human prophets and pastors are called angels.
Other angels are warriors of the covenant, protecting God’s people and taking vengeance on their enemies. They rescue saints from destruction, protect from murderous siblings, lead to godly wives, deliver from prison, lions, and fiery furnace (Gen. 19:15; Gen. 24:7; Gen. 32:1; Acts 12:7; Dan. 6:22; Dan. 3:28). These angels are watchers of men, present in true churches, care for its little ones, and escort believers to heaven (Dan. 4:13; I Cor. 11:10; Matt. 18:10; Luke 16:22). They form an impregnable fiery army around the church and destroy apostates, heathen nations, armies, and kings (Ps. 68:17; I Cor. 10:10; Acts 12:23). One such angel is Michael, appointed champion of the church, who withstood antichrists, disputed with Satan, led an army that cast him from heaven, and at the end will battle Satan’s champion (Dan. 10:20; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:7-10; Matt. 13:39).
Angels took a special interest and role in the ministry of our Lord. They brought the first good tidings of His incarnation and birth, ministered to Him in temptation and distress, and explained His resurrection and ascension (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43). Fitting, because Jesus is THE Angel of the Lord, THE messenger and champion of the covenant, who mediates, proclaims, establishes, guards, fulfils, and avenges it. Made a little lower than angels for suffering of death, He now is crowned with greater glory and power, set over all the works of God’s hands, and shall return with His angels to reap the harvest (Heb. 2:6-9). And we shall join in singing, “Worthy is the Lamb…. Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, and power be unto our God forever. Amen.”
