Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 24 December, 2023
“My covenant was with him of life and peace” (Mal. 2:5)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Jesus Heals a Paralytic (the Son’s Works and Witnesses) (5)
The Son Quickens Whom He Wants [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 5:8-30
Text: John 5:21, 24-26
I. The Meaning
II. The Life
III. The Time
Psalms: 87:1-7; 84:7-12; 36:5-11; 2:6-12
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
True Conversion [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-5:7
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 33
I. Its Meaning
II. Its Two Parts
Psalms: 95:1-7; 85:1-7; 19:7-13; 119:57-64
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
Canons III/IV:R:8: “The true doctrine having been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those … Who teach: That God in the regeneration of man does not use such powers of his omnipotence as potently and infallibly bend man’s will to faith and conversion; but that all the works of grace having been accomplished, which God employs to convert man, man may yet so resist God and the Holy Spirit, when God intends man’s regeneration and wills to regenerate him, and indeed that man often does so resist that he prevents entirely his regeneration, and that it therefore remains in man’s power to be regenerated or not. Rejection: For this is nothing less than the denial of all the efficiency of God’s grace in our conversion, and the subjecting of the working of Almighty God to the will of man, which is contrary to the apostles, who teach: That we believe according to the working of the strength of his power (Eph. 1:19). And: That God fulfills every desire of goodness and every work of faith with power (II Thess. 1:11). And: That his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (II Pet. 1:3).”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This evening will be preparatory with the view to partaking of the Lord’s Supper next Lord’s day morning.
For the last couple of weeks, Mrs. Callender has had pain when swallowing and has been able to eat only a very little. She has lost a lot of weight and is very tired. Neither Mrs. Callender nor the doctors think any medical intervention should be done. Please continue to remember the Callenders in your prayers.
Catechism classes resume on Monday, 8 January.
Tuesday Bible study will not be held this week but will meet again on 9 January.
Belgic Confession class will not meet this week or next.
The Men’s Bible study is on this Saturday, 30 December, at 7.30 PM on-line, finishing the study of II Thessalonians.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “The Lord Revealed from Heaven” (II Thess. 1:7-10).
Church Visitation: Prof. & Lori Gritters and Elder Sid Miedema are to arrive on Friday, 5 January and be with us until Monday, 15 January.
The Congregational Dinner is set for Friday, 5 January at Ross Park Hotel. A sign-up sheet is on the back table. PLEASE SIGN-UP TODAY. The hotel wants our order a week in advance, and we will have to pay for anyone who signs up but does not come.
CPRC Lecture: Prof. Gritters will be giving a lecture on “The Ongoing Battle for the Sabbath” on Wednesday, 10 January, at 7:30 PM.
Offerings: £1,548.56. Donations: £130 (Shropshire), £37.66 (MA, US), £10 (CR News).
Translation Additions: 1 Polish, 2 Spanish and 2 Swahili.
Watchman, What of the Night?
Rev. Cornelius Hanko
(an article in The Standard Bearer, vol. 45, issue 6)
Watchman, what of the night?
Centuries ago the prophet Isaiah heard this question coming to him from afar, even from a neighbouring country (Isa. 21:11). He stood as watchman upon the walls of Sion, jealously guarding the City of God against the sneak attacks of the enemy, and at the same time alert throughout the night for the coming of the dawn, even the dawn of the new day. He heard a voice of inquiry from Seir, which is Edom; from one who realizes the darkness of the night and longs for the morning. “What of the night?” He even repeats the question in eager anxiety.
Was it possibly a convert from Edom? Or was it one of Jerusalem’s children who had wandered off to Edom for carnal security, and there found the darkness of sin pressing heavily upon his soul in anguish of death? It appears to have been the latter, but in any case, he is representative of those who are spiritually concerned and seek their help from God’s servant in Jerusalem.
And this servant answers: “The morning cometh, and also the night!
Strange answer, one would say. “The morning cometh,” does not that bring an end to the night? And if the night still lingers beyond the hour of dawn, how can the morning ever come?
The answer lies in the summons of the watchman: “If ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come!” From the watch tower at Jerusalem the Word of the Lord reaches out to Edom. Those of you who are burdened, seek, yea, keep enquiring. But you must not seek your dawn in Edom. Edom is Esau, and Esau is the reprobate. So that Edom represents the world of wickedness that is making its measure of iniquity full unto the day of judgment. Edom is the land of curse and death, of perpetual night. There is no dawn there.
But in Jerusalem the day dawns. For out of Sion must come the Deliverer, from the root of Jesse and out of the dead stump of David. Do you seek the dawn of the eternal day in the coming of the Christ? Then come, for you find it only in Jerusalem, in the church, where the eternal Word speaks and where the Spirit dwells.
And they undoubtedly came.
And saw the dawn. For the dawn did break. The Christ did come.
But it is still night.
The night of sin and death in an evil world.
The prince of darkness still rules in the hearts of wicked men, who arise in proud defiance against our God and His Christ. The fool still says in his heart: God is dead!
And since God is dead, “sin” has become a bad word. They tell us that there is no such thing as sin. Social disorders? Yes. Racial inequality? To be sure. Economic problems? Many. Individual frustrations? Overwhelming. Man is “sick, sick, sick.” But a sinner? NO!
God has been replaced by the vain idol “Man.” Man’s intelligence and wisdom, man’s ingenuity and skill, man’s inventions and accomplishments deserve the admiration of all the world. Man will bring about social reform, racial equality, world-wide peace and prosperity.
There will be more time for recreation, sports, vacations, carnal satisfaction. The effort will be intensified to banish God from their thoughts and quell the plaguing voice of conscience. More cursing, more Sabbath desecration, more defiance of all decency, law and order, will fill man’s day. Hatred, immorality, sexual atrocities, theft, lying, slander, whisperings are all excusable, and can be perfectly proper, even good, if done “for the good of others.”
Wickedness already abounds.
The darkness thickens.
Watchman, you do hear us?
Thou art the Christ, the Word that became flesh.
Thou hast spoken through the prophets of old. Thou hast dwelt among us in the flesh, so that our hands did touch Thee, our ears heard Thee, and our eyes even saw Thee.
Thou art the Lamb of God that was slain and lives. All power is Thine in heaven and upon the earth.
Yet Thy Holy Scriptures are being torn in shreds. We are told not to believe any more that Thou hast infallibly spoken to us on every page of Scripture. Much of the Bible, they say, is but wrapping paper. They do not tell us how much. But we are not to take the life and the walk of the saints too seriously, for much of that might be folklore. Their example and their warning evidently should not mean too much for us.
Even Thy words and works while Thou didst tabernacle among us, are being questioned. And Thy holy apostles are accused of listening to old wives fables.
If we lose Thy Word what have we left?
Watchman, what of the night?
The morning cometh!
Tell My people: All flesh is as grass, and all its glory is as the flower of the field that fadeth. But the word of the Lord abideth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel of the Scriptures is preached unto you.
The Lord reigneth, let the nations tremble. Come ye out from among them.
The night is already far spent.
Our King cometh unto us!
Let Sion now rejoice and be glad!
