Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 7 August, 2022
“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will
I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 89:1)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Christian Husbands Avoiding Adultery [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Peter 2:13-3:7
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 41
I. Dwell With Your Wife
II. Know Your Wife
III. Honour Your Wife
Psalms: 86:6-12; 36:8-12; 50:17-22; 128:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Most Avoided Messianic Psalm (9)
“Add Iniquity Unto Their Iniquity” [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 69:14-29
Text: Psalm 69:26-28
I. The Theory That It Refutes
II. The Meaning of the Prayer
III. The Grounds of the Imprecations
Psalms: 83:1-4, 16-18; 37:1-7; 130:1-8; 69:23-28
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
Quotes to Consider
John Gill on Psalm 69:26: “For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten … Meaning the Messiah, who was not only smitten and scourged by men, but was stricken and smitten of God; according to his determinate counsel and foreknowledge, and agreeably to his will and plea sure; with the rod of his justice for the satisfaction of it; for the sins of his people, whose surety he was. Him the Jews followed with reproaches and calumnies; pursued after his life, and persecuted him unto death; and which was the cause of their ruin and destruction; see 1 Thess. 2:15; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded; or, ‘of thy wounded ones’; not wounded by him, but wounded for his sake, on his account, and for their profession of faith in his son Jesus Christ. These, as they were led to the slaughter, had trial of cruel mockings, which aggravated their sufferings, and were very grieving to them; especially such talk as reflected upon their dear Redeemer, for whose sake they were put to death.”
Matthew Poole on Psalm 69:27: “Of thy righteousness, properly so called, of that everlasting righteousness which the Messiah shall bring into the world, Daniel 9:24, which is called the righteousness of God, Romans 1:17 Philippians 3:9, &c., which is said to be witnessed by the law and the prophets, Romans 3:21, by and for which God doth justify or pardon sinners, and accept them in Christ as righteous persons. For this was the righteousness which the Jews rejected to their own ruin, Romans 10:3, according to this prediction. Thus as the first branch of the verse maketh or supposeth them guilty of many sins, so this excludes them from the only remedy, the remission of their sins. And that justifying rather than sanctifying righteousness is here meant seems most probable from the phrase, which seems to be a judicial phrase, as we read of coming or entering into judgment, Job 22:4 34:23, and into condemnation, John 5:24, opposite unto which is this phrase, of coming into justification; or, which is all one, into thy righteousness.”
J. A. Alexander on Psalm 69:27: “The righteousness of God is that which he bestows by the judicial act of justification, including pardon. To come into it is to come into possession or enjoyment of it, to become a sharer in it.”
Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 69:28: “‘And not be written with the righteous.’ This clause is parallel with the former, and shows that the inner meaning of being blotted out from the book of life is to have it made evident that the name was never written there at all. Man in his imperfect copy of God’s book of life will have to make many emendations, both of insertion and erasure; but, as before the Lord, the record is for ever fixed and unalterable.”
John Calvin on Psalm 69:28: “As then David desires that the vengeance of God may be manifested, he very properly speaks of the reprobation of his enemies in language accommodated to our understanding; as if he had said, O God! reckon them not among the number or ranks of thy people, and let them not be gathered together with thy Church; but rather show by destroying them that thou has rejected them; and although they occupy a place for a time among thy faithful ones, do thou at length cut them off, to make it manifest that they were aliens, though they were mingled with the members of thy family.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Copies of a letter from Rev. Stewart to the PRC are on the back table today.
The Council meets tomorrow evening, 8 August, at 7 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to discuss the Roman Catholic view of faith.
The Saturday night Bible study will meet to discuss Malachi 3:7-12 this week (13 August) at 8 PM at the Kennedys and on-line.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “The Secret Providence of God” (Rom. 8:28).
Offerings: £1,598.80. Donations: £200 (W. Yorkshire), £300 (Texas, USA), £25 (Lancashire), £40 (translator fund).
Translation Additions: 1 Polish and 1 Russian.
Dear brothers and sister in the CPRC,
As many of you know, the last couple of years have been difficult. So much so that it has effected our Church attendance for Worship, Catechism (for the children) and Tuesday Bible study, etc. There are many other aspects of our life effected too, but I am hopeful that things will take a positive turn soon so that we may return to normal activities. Everything has it’s season (Ecclesiastes 3) and I am being as patient as possible for better things to come.
It was a privilege and a blessing to see the children be baptized this summer and for all of us to become official members of the Church. Since then, we have had some issues with Aaysha’s medication for her epilepsy which also effects her sleep. And some car issues too!
But as for now, Aaysha’s epilepsy is pretty stable, with her having 2-3 seizures per day. This is never permanently the case for her as she fluctuates from time to time but I’m grateful for these days where she can enjoy life a little better. She only attended school (Riverside Special School) 2 weeks last year, so I am praying her health will be good enough to allow her to return in September to take advantage of the various therapies they provide for her.
Somaya and Yossef will return to Newtownabbey Independent Christian school in September, and its hard to believe they will be starting year 4 and 3! Also, I am praying that circumstances will work in favour of me being able to take them to the catechism classes when they commence.
As for me, I am in good health and in good spirits, and thankful to the Lord for His grace and mercy he showers upon me and my children (Psalm 118:1).
Times have proven to be challenging, but the Lord is surely with me in my struggles, every step of the way (Isaiah 41:10).
I have learnt many lessons through my trials but there are two which I felt have been the most significant, which I feel would help any believer in a tough situation.
Perseverance and Acceptance
Many times (despite my best efforts) the plans that I make do not come into effect. Aaysha’s health and needs are an obvious priority in my life, and, as frustrating as it is, can prevent us from taking part in many activities in life (as I pointed out above). But the Lord has granted me perseverance which helps keep the fire burning inside me for God’s Word and to keep pushing forward (Romans 12:12).
Acceptance has probably been the most difficult but also the most rewarding lesson learnt. All of these responsibilities, heartaches, battles and obstacles in life have only drawn me closer to my God and Saviour. It has made me joyfully accept the work he has given me to do and made me trust that it is in Him only I can rely on for all my worries (I Peter 5:7). Scripture has comforted and strengthened me in many challenging times, and truly His Word is a lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). No matter how difficult things get or how isolated we can feel, it is amazing how the joy of being in Christ can overcome all our sorrows and comfort our broken hearts (Psalm 147:3). How reassuring it is to be a living witness of His promises being fulfilled!
I would like to thank you all for your prayers for my little family and I would ask that you continue to pray for us, that we may return to worship and join you all in fellowship again.
Yours in Christ,
Kerryann Gould
(I Thessalonians 5:11)
