Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 16 August, 2020
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Death of the Believer [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 11:11-46
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 16
I. Why Is It Necessary?
II. Is There Wrath in It?
III. Should We Desire It?
Psalms: 90:1-3; 116:13-18
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Holding Fast the Form of Sound Words (5)
Ashamed of the Lord’s Prisoner? [youtube]
Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1
Text: II Timothy 1:8
I. The Temptation to Be Ashamed
II. The Reasons Not to Be Ashamed
III. The Opposite of Being Ashamed
Psalms: 25:1-5 (AOS); 31:1-3
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
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 16: “The Catechism means that the death of believers is no longer to be considered a manifestation of the wrath of God, an execution of justice, a punishment for sin. It is changed into something else for those who are in Christ. This must be understood in its full sense. It must be applied not only to the final moment of dying, to our descent into the grave, but equally to all that is implied in death, to all the suffering of this present time. We lie in the midst of death in this world: dying we die. All the suffering and agony, all the sorrow and grief of this present time are the operation of death. When we confess by faith that our death is not meant as a satisfaction for sin, this also implies that all our present sufferings of soul and body are no longer to be considered as punishment of sin and expressions of the righteous judgment of God. For believers the sufferings of this present time have lost their sting. They are no longer experienced as righteous retribution. Even those sufferings that appear to be the direct result of certain concrete, personal sins may no longer be considered as punishment for sin. If a man is regenerated and called to the light of life in later life, and if in his unconverted state he has lived a life of dissipation, of drunkenness and adultery, the effects of this former life of sin are not removed by his regeneration. He must suffer them. Yet even that suffering is no longer punishment for sin and may not be regarded as such, for Christ died for all our sins. He died all our death. His death is a complete satisfaction for all our iniquities. The debt has been paid in full, and God in his justice will not exact payment twice” (The Death of the Son of God, p. 269).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet at church to consider justification and assurance.
Men’s Bible study meets this Saturday, 22 August, at 8 PM in our church building to discuss Acts 26:22-27:8.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Spriensma is entitled, “Walking With God” (Amos 3:3).
Envelopes marked “Philippines” are available on the back table today. We will be having an extra offering next Sunday, 23 August, to help the saints in the PRC in the Philippines.
Ivan Reid (elder) and Julian Kennedy (deacon) have been nominated for 3-year terms in their respective offices. A vote by male confessing members to approve/disapprove of this will be held after the evening service next Lord’s day.
Offerings: General Fund: £738.31. Donations: £1,000 (Co. Antrim), £200 (England).
Translation Additions: 33 Burmese and 1 German.
PRC News: Cornerstone PRC called Rev. DeBoer (Edgerton, MN). Rev. Spronk (Faith, MI) declined the call from Kalamazoo PRC.
God’s Promises to David
Brian D. Dykstra
II Samuel 7
We find David in his house for “the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies.” God did not see to it that the Bible is organized chronologically for II Samuel 8 records several battles of Israel against her enemies, so the events of II Samuel 7 must have taken place after the events of chapter 8.
How had David ascended to the throne? He did not kill or execute Saul or the members of Saul’s family, although he would later be accused of such. David waited for the Lord to clear the way to the throne. David did not prematurely claim the throne. Christ does the same. He waits at the Father’s right hand until all His enemies are subdued. Christ waits until all His people have been born before He returns in glory to claim His complete kingdom.
David compares his living conditions to God’s and finds the situation unacceptable. He lives in a beautiful house, while the King of kings lives in a tent! God had not filled David’s new tabernacle with His glory as He had done with the first tabernacle erected by Moses, so David thought there must be something lacking. David thinks God wants a temple, a permanent place. The prophet Nathan quickly approves of David’s plan, however, neither of them had sought input from God.
God visits Nathan during that same night to set matters right. God does want a temple to picture His dwelling permanently and at rest with His people. However, David is not the right man for the job. David pictures Christ as Christ leads His church in spiritual battle here on earth. The church militant is composed of soldiers, soldiers who fight against sin and temptation, especially as they must face these temptations in their weak flesh. Soldiers do not live in houses on the battlefield. They live in tents as pilgrims for this earth is not their lasting home. It is appropriate for God to dwell in a tent during the reign of David.
David must have been disappointed. He had carefully reasoned matters and believed his conclusion was right. God does not leave David in his disappointment but He comes with wonderful promises for David. How often doesn’t that happen? We make our plans. We were even careful to make these plans as good stewards of what God has given us, being mindful that we must not have our hopes and desires limited to this earth. God sovereignly frustrates our plans and we find His way is better, even if that way appears to us as one of sorrow and hardship.
We, and especially our children, might struggle with verse 15 where God says He took His mercy away from Saul. God’s mercy is supposed to be everlasting and God is unchangeable, yet He took his mercy away from Saul? God did not take his mercy away from Saul as an individual. Saul never had mercy from God since he was not one of His children. God is referring to Saul’s family. Once the elect could no longer found in the household of Saul, most notably Jonathan, there was no place in Saul’s house where God’s mercy could be given. Showing mercy to a house where there were no longer any elect would not be righteous.
God promises David, “thy throne shall be established for ever.” This is the language of a picture, for there is no son of David on the throne in Jerusalem today. David’s throne pictured Christ’s throne. Christ’s throne is everlasting and all His subjects wait for His return when He will establish an everlasting heavenly kingdom.
The chapter ends with David’s prayer of thanksgiving. He is humble, “Who am I, O Lord God?” He does not congratulate God for making the right and obvious choice. David did not list his many fine qualifications for the position of being first in a great dynasty which would bring glory to Israel. He does not say God is wise because He recognizes David’s superiority over any other choice which could have been made. He confesses God’s unmerited goodness to him and his family. The same is true when we give thanks for God’s gift of salvation. We do not declare that God was right in saving us because we are better than others. We do not list our good works as some type of foundation for our election or justification. David’s confession, “Who am I, O Lord God?” must be ours. God was gracious in revealing to David that Christ would come from his line. We confess the goodness of God in delivering us from our sins.
David briefly recounts the history of God redeeming Israel out of Egypt. Of all the nations on earth, God chose Israel to be His people. There was nothing desirable Israel as a people. They were slaves! Israel was powerless compared to mighty Egypt. Israel was weak and couldn’t do anything to deliver themselves from one of the most powerful nations on earth at that time. God chose them because they were the least of all people. Delivering such a people would clearly show that their deliverance was only because of the hand of God. God would not merely lend a helping hand to deliver Israel. He would manifest to all that Israel’s deliverance was entirely due to Him. This is another picture of the election and salvation of God’s church.
David finishes his prayer with the petition that God establish His word concerning him and his house. This petition is based on the promise of God to him. David did not ask or expect God to establish His word because David agreed, promised or would strive mightily to meet some conditions of obedience.
He prays for God to “do as thou hast said.” David trusts God. God is unchanging through all the ages. He will not change His goals or the way in which He will have His name glorified. God made David a promise and David knows by faith that he can hold his faithful Lord to that promise. The fulfilment of God’s promise will be pictured in the glorious reign of Solomon. The promise of establishing David’s house is truly realized in heaven where Christ will rule over His complete, catholic or universal church. We will enjoy perfect peace as subjects of our faithful King.
