Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 24 August, 2014
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done
whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Christ’s Seven Words From the Cross (1)
Christ’s Intercession for His Crucifiers [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 23:1-34
Text: Luke 23:34
I. An Amazing Intercession
II. A Particular Intercession
III. An Effectual Intercession
Psalms: 100:1-5; 78:7-13; 25:6-12; 32:1-5
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 6:9-7:11
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 41
I. The Institution It Presupposes
II. The Sins It Condemns
III. The Calling It Issues
Psalms: 122:1-9; 78:14-21; 106:23-31; 128:1-6
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
Don Doezema: “That love wherewith Jesus loved His own is probably nowhere more clearly illustrated than in the first of the seven words of the cross. From Luke’s account it appears that the first word was uttered either while, or directly after, the spikes were driven through His hands and feet. That fact makes this word all the more amazing; for at a moment when we would expect a man to call down the curse of God on his enemies, Jesus prays, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:33, 34). Even while experiencing the initial physical shock of the crucifixion, and when the far more horrible feeling of being utterly forsaken by His Father is beginning to fill His soul, Jesus’ thoughts are centered, not in Himself and His own terrible sufferings, but in the eternal welfare of His elect—elect sinners, whose rebellion made necessary this terrible cross” (Upon This Rock, vol. 2, pp. 264-265).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Daniel, Eunice and Lisa Ong from the CERC in Singapore to our worship services today.
Elder Ivan Reid’s and Deacon William Graham’s terms in office are up this month. The Council presents the following for the vote of male confessing members: 1) approval for Ivan Reid for another 3-year term as elder, 2) vote for either Julian Kennedy or David Crossett for a 3-year term as deacon. A brief meeting to vote on this will be held after the evening worship service on 31 August. Any lawful objections to these nominees should be put in writing and given to one of the elders.
The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to look at the nature of the kingdom of God.
Children’s Bible Club meets for the last time this summer this Tuesday at 11 AM.
Everyone is invited to the manse for a barbecue this Wednesday while the Ongs are here. Please come at 6:30 PM or as soon as you can thereafter. If you are able to come, let Pastor or Mary know so that they know how much food will be needed.
Men’s Bible Study meets this Saturday at the Kennedys at 8 PM to study chapter 8 of the Malachi study guide on “Behold the Day Cometh” (Mal. 4).
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) is entitled “Conviction for Christian Education” (Ephesians 6:4).
Catechism will start again for the season on Monday, 1 September.
Belgic Confession Class will begin again on Wednesday, 3 September, to study Article 24 on sanctification.
Offerings: General Fund – £925.60. Donations: £10 (pamphlets), £20 (pamphlets).
Encouraging Quotes
“Your church is helping people you don’t even know. I know two people who find great help. One of them, an ex-police officer, who sadly lost his wife after a long illness, is a big listener and we have some good chats that help us both. I get some of your pamphlets and I try to get people interested to listen. Your church is a light in a dark country. God is using your church in ways we don’t even know.” – Co. Antrim
“Thank you for your faithfulness in sending copies of the Covenant Reformed News. We have enjoyed reading them for many years. As our church has now ceased to meet, would you be kind enough to continue sending the news letter but one copy only.” – Scotland
“Have just finished listening to volume 7 of the Belgic Confession class on ‘Original Sin and Double Predestination.’ Hugely helpful and very encouraging. I will be listening to it again as I do with many of these CD box sets. There are always new insights to be had … please send me volume 8, as well as a copy of the book For Thy Truth’s Sake.” – England
“Thank you and all concerned for coming to us in S. Wales on a monthly basis. I know I am very pleased to hear the truth preached in Wales. We have very few true preachers in this area, so it is a blessing to us to have something to look forward to. How fortunate your congregations in Ballymena and Limerick are to have preachers to give them such wonderful Bible truths each week. I have found your material on the web to be a real blessing to me, as over the last few years my health has not been good and I am unable sometimes to read for long, but I can listen for hours. Thank you.” – S. Wales
“I heard your sermon. I enjoyed the deep theology in it. I also listen to your debates on YouTube on the subject of Cessationism and Calvinism.” – New Jersey, USA
“I just listened to your morning sermon which was a beautiful exposition on why the Seventh Day Adventists get it wrong on 3 days and 3 nights. It was excellent preaching.” – Uganda
“Thank you for giving us permission to translate and reprint some of the articles from the Covenant Reformed News. I pray and hope the articles will be used to encourage and strengthen Korean Christians in the Reformed faith. SDG Reformed Faith Institute is planning to launch a magazine that promotes the Reformed faith … I believe the articles in the CR News will richly contribute to the magazine. Thank you again for your approval. As we translate we will send you the translations. I loved seeing articles translated in different languages on the website. I am happy that we get to contribute to the Korean section.” – S. Korea
“The Burmese language translation of the Heidelberg Catechism is helpful to us as there are many Burmese tribal people here in Thailand. May God be pleased to continue to bless your ministry.” – Thailand
“I received the literature I requested of you and will enjoy reading them. I first saw you on Revelation TV debating Pentecostalism. I enjoyed it very much … Have been to your website and have downloaded some of your sermons. I’m looking forward to hearing them. May God bless and keep you.” – Co. Down
“Thank you so much for sending me so regularly the CR News. It is a real blessing to me. I work as a preacher missionary in the French-speaking world and travel extensively to various parts of French-speaking Africa and Haiti. With some younger men in Ivory Coast and Benin, we started a sort of internet blog where we post things in order to teach others the free grace of God in Christ. In that perspective, I wonder if I could get from you the permission to translate some of the texts you publish in your newsletter. If it is OK, then I would be happy to get the first part of the text I find in your latest (on the old and new covenants by Prof. Hanko). This is something which is totally unknown in the French-speaking nations, and yet so important.” – France
“Thank you for the prompt response to my question and the CR News. I was raised in a Christian home but my parents are both Arminian … My wife and I started going to a Baptist church three years ago. During that time I talked to a co-worker that introduced me to Reformed doctrine and it really changed my life … My co-worker and I have really enjoyed the sermons on-line. Your answer to my question was helpful and has brought me some peace. In the States, the Arminian concepts are dominant and I just pray God is merciful to those who can’t seem to let it go and embrace true grace.” – Pennsylvania, USA
“Please find enclosed a cheque for the recently ordered books. Your website and books continue to bless us greatly and give us much needed teaching. May God bless you and your ministry.” – Scotland
“I wish to express my gratitude for the excellent and biblical articles regarding the singing of the inspired Psalms versus the singing of man-made uninspired hymns. I did find the article, ‘A Special Exegesis of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16’ by Prof. John McNaugher, very stimulating and fully justified. Thank you so much.” – S. Africa
“Thank you very much for sending me your sermons. I really enjoy listening and learning from them. There are many preachers to listen to, but not enough Reformed teaching. They are very slow in mentioning election in case it puts the unsaved off.” – Co. Antrim
“The Reformed Worldview has been a great help to me in understanding what is happening in the world now and also learning what God says to us in His Word about it.”- England
