Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 1 December, 2019
“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
Practical Christianity (10)
Be Doers of the Word [youtube]
Scripture Reading: James 1:18-2:13
Text: James 1:22
I. An Activity Clearly Presupposed
II. An Activity Explicitly Commanded
III. An Activity Warned Against
Psalms: 15:1-5; 119:65-72; 38:1-7; 139:17-24
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Hallowing God’s Name and Christ’s High Priestly Prayer [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 17
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 47
I. The Works of God
II. The Knowledge of God
III. The Glory of God
Psalms: 113:1-9; 119:73-80; 111:1-4, 7-9; 115:1-11
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
Thomas Manton on James 1:22: “The doers of the word are the best hearers … Mat. vii. 24, ‘He that heareth my words, and doeth them. I will liken him to a wise builder.’ That is wisdom, to come to the word so as we may go away the better. Divers hearers propound other ends. Some come to the word that they may judge it; the pulpit, which is God’s tribunal, is their bar; they come hither to sit judges of men’s gifts and parts: James 4:11, ‘Thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.’ Others come to hear pleasing things, to delight themselves in the elegancy of speech, rarity of conceits, what is finely couched and ordered, not what is proper to their case. This is not an act of religion so much as curiosity, for they come to a sermon with the same mind they would to a comedy or tragedy; the utmost that can be gained from them is commendation and praise … the end of preaching is not to exalt men, but God. You will say, An excellent sermon! But what do you gain by it? The hearer’s life is the preacher’s best commendation 2 Cor. iii. 1, 2. They that praise the man but do not practise the matter, are like those that taste wines that they may commend them, not buy them. Others come that they may better their parts, and increase their knowledge. Every one desireth to know more than another, to set up themselves; they do so much excel others as they excel them in knowledge: and therefore we are all for notions and head-light, little for that wisdom that ‘entereth upon the heart,’ Prov. ii. 10, and serveth to better the life …”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The November issue of the Covenant Reformed News is on the back table.
Monday catechism classes:
5:30 PM – Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors NT)
6:15 PM – Corey & Katelyn (Juniors OT)
7:00 PM – Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
The Council meets tomorrow evening at 7:45 PM.
Tuesday Bible Study meets at 11 AM. We will continue looking at false objects of faith.
Belgic Confession class meets on Wednesday at 7:45 PM to discuss civil resistance (Article 36), by looking at the teaching of Peter, John and Christ in the gospels.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Hannah’s Prayer for a Son” (I Sam. 1:9-18).
Offerings: General Fund: £583.20.
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will give a lecture on “William Tyndale: English Bible Translator” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 23 January, at 7:15 PM.
PRC News: Rev. Barnhill declined the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB). Kalamazoo PRC has formed a trio of Revs. Barnhill, Bleyenberg and Guichelaar. Cornerstone PRC has formed a trio of Revs. J. Engelsma, Eriks and R. Kleyn. The newly organized Unity PRC has formed a trio of Revs. J. Engelsma, Guichelaar and VanOverloop.
Encouraging Quotes
“I’m subscribed to the YouTube channel of the CPRC and thankfully have been blessed by many messages/interviews. The same applies to the free materials on your website, very beneficial. I look forward to the books [I’ve ordered from you] and hope to listen to the [Belgic Confession] classes!” – Netherlands
“Many thanks for The Confessions and the Church Order of the PRC. It is a great resource for which I enclose a cheque. Thanks also for the Beacon Lights and Reformed Witness, etc. For me such parcel packaging is a spiritual bonus—always a blessing to read.” – England
“This week we have read Joel Sugg’s pamphlet, ‘The Marriage Bond Is a Lifelong Bond.’ A few months ago we came across R. J. Hooper’s pamphlet, ‘From the Beginning,’ which is how we came across your website. Over the months we have studied the issue, and see that to divorce and remarry is indeed to commit adultery.” – N. Wales
“I have just received the volumes [of The Triple Knowledge]. Thank you for the Covenant Reformed News, the catalogues and the magazines. I’ll read everything.” – Spain
“I live in Airdrie, central Scotland. Currently I watch your live on-line stream and enjoy that but I would prefer a live church setting. Can you recommend any churches with similar teachings as your own?” – Scotland
“I really appreciate your series on Judges 17-18. In our youth Bible classes we dealt with the same passage, so your sermons have been really helpful for the preparation.” – Hungary
“Always a pleasure to speak with you on the phone. I enjoyed reading the article on charismaticism in Salt Shakers. It was good that you traced the roots of charismaticism … There is a great need to expose the roots of charismaticism when so many charismatics are ignorant of church history and doctrinal truth. I rejoice that the Lord delivered me from charismaticism and has led me to doctrinal truth … Thank you for the books, they will be a blessing. Thank you for putting your sermons on YouTube. My soul is fed and blessed through the preaching of the truth. Praying for you.” – Lincolnshire, England
“I read your website with pleasure. Thank you so much for this resource.” – Russia
“I want to express my highest appreciation of the CPRC ministry and the faithful work that you do in Northern Ireland (and especially on-line) … Theologically I would affiliate the most with your church, the Protestant Reformed Churches in America and teachers like John Owen, Arthur W. Pink, Gordon H. Clark, Herman Hoeksema, David J. Engelsma, Theodore Zachariades, Sonny Hernandez or John Gill … I find myself in a hypo-calvinistic church (affirm the well-meant offer, common grace, a form of universal love of God and accept Arminianism as a legitimate form of Christianity) and I feel like a foreign object.” – Germany
“I have been much blessed listening to the sermons on Philemon by Rev. McGeown and the first five on John 16, which series I shall soon get back to. I broke off to re-read For Thy Truth’s Sake which has been wonderful. I finished it yesterday evening and this morning started reading the current Standard Bearer.” – Yorkshire, England
“God bless your work. I watched quite a few sermons over the last months—good and truly edifying words that are always biblical, and very practical for understanding this world. I am still looking to learn more about Calvinism. I listen to the Reformed Witness Hour and it is a good source for absorbing Reformed teachings.” – Finland
“Thank you for sending me the books I ordered. Thank you so much for the magazines and other information which you enclosed with the books. They all arrived today. I look forward to reading everything sent to me.” – S. Wales
“Thanks for the CD you sent me regarding ‘Paedo-Communion.’ I have enjoyed listening to the way it was explained.” – England
“I watched the CPRC morning service and the sermon on ‘The Mortification of the Old Man’ was most helpful. Please thank the congregation for supporting the live streaming.” – California, USA
“We’ve just watched the CPRC service live about being swift to hear and slow to speak. We enjoy being virtually with the saints in Ballymena somehow. In a few hours, we’ll meet with our small group of saints in Torino.” – Italy
“Enjoyed the live service last Lord’s day morning on Revelation 1:10. Thanks.” – England
“I have been incredibly blessed reading Behold, I Come Quickly.” – Kenya
