Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 25 December, 2016
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM – Rev. M. McGeown
Administration of the Lord’s Supper
The Restoring of Malchus’ Ear [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:24-54
Text: Luke 22:49-51
I. The Need
II. The Act
III. The Reasons
Psalms: 113:1-9; 22:22-26; 94:9-15; 40:5-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Rev. M. McGeown
Applicatory
Wholeheartedly Trusting in Jehovah [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-35
Text: Proverbs 3:5-6
I. The Meaning
II. The Extent
III. The Promise
Psalms: 125:1-5; 22:27-31; 25:1-7; 5:7-12
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
John Calvin: “We are much more courageous and ready for fighting than for bearing the cross; and, therefore, we ought always to deliberate wisely what the Lord commands, and what he requires from every one of us, lest the fervor of our zeal exceed the bounds of reason and moderation … Instead of a proper and well-regulated zeal, confused irregularity for the most part reigns in us … Yet from this we draw a useful doctrine, that those who resort to unlawful means on the plea of necessity pour dishonor on God. If a man is destitute of lawful aid and support, he runs headlong to wicked schemes and sinful undertakings; and the reason is, that few look for the secret protection of God, which alone ought to be sufficient to set our minds at rest.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. McGeown who will be preaching today, while Rev. Stewart is in Limerick. We also welcome Alicia Prins and Dana VanDyke from Trinity PRC. The Council has granted permission to Alicia to partake of the Lord’s Supper with us.
After a week of self-examination, confessing members in good standing are called to partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Your participation in the Lord’s Supper is in part a witness that you repent of your sins, believe that Jesus Christ is your righteousness, and desire to live a new and godly life. As this heavenly food can be taken to one’s judgment (I Cor. 11:28-30) and as the common reception of this food is a confession of doctrinal unity (Acts 2:42), the elders supervise the partaking of the sacrament. Visitors who are members of other denominations must request permission from the Council.
A Bible-reading programme for 2017 is available on the back table.
Monday evening’s Catechism Classes resume 9 January.
The Tuesday Bible Study meets again next week, 3 January, at 11 AM.
Belgic Confession Class next meets on Wednesday, 4 January, at 7:45 PM.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is “The Ruler From Bethlehem” (Micah 5:2).
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will speak on “Christian Contentment” Thursday, January 12, in The Round Chapel, Margam, at 7:15 PM.
The church visitors, Rev. VanOverloop and Sid Miedema, and their wives, plan to arrive on Friday, 13 January. Rev. VanOverloop will give a lecture on Wednesday, 18 January, at 7:30 PM on “Content With Who I Am in Christ.”
Keep Friday, 20 January, free for the congregational dinner at Ross Park Hotel. A sign-up sheet is on the back table.
Offerings: General Fund: £1,026.50.
New translations: 1 Indonesian and 1 Spanish.
PRC News: Rev. R. Kleyn declined the call to be third missionary to the Philippines.
Peace Education Week
Brian D. Dykstra
“And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?” (II Kings 9:22).
Mr. Koole received something interesting in the post a few weeks ago which he shared with the staff at a teachers’ meeting.
The Grand Rapids Board of Education passed a resolution calling for a Peace Education Week (February 15–20). A copy of this resolution was sent to area schools. This resolution consists of ten “whereas’s” and three resolutions. I will quote the first six “whereas” statements and the first resolution. “Whereas, a world without war is in the best interest of all humanity; and Whereas, there is worldwide awareness of the desirability of world peace, especially in light of recent conflicts throughout the world; and Whereas, there is a growing awareness of the need to learn the skills of conflict resolution in order to defuse the growth of violence in our communities; and Whereas, with the advent of the new millennium, there is a growing desire to change our communities and schools from a culture of violence to a culture of peace; and Whereas, the goal of a peaceful world and tolerant society is an appropriate concern for all public bodies, without regard to partisan politics; and Whereas, there are strong indications that the morale of students, development of responsible citizenship, and interest in school are directly affected by perceptions of hope for their future … Therefore, be it resolved, that it is the role of the schools to help young people understand the philosophies, goals, and values of other peoples, as well as the need to build workable structures for the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations and among people of different racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds …”
Included with the resolution was a flyer about Peacefest 2004. The flyer lists seven goals with a brief explanation of each. In the interest of space, I will only quote the explanations. “To respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism, hateful words, physical attacks and self-destructive behaviour. To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express my anger, and to work at solving problems peacefully. To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me, and to consider others’ feelings and needs rather than insist on having my own way. To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive others, and to keep from holding grudges. To challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it, whether at home, at school, at work, in the community, and to stand with others who are treated unfairly. To treat the environment and all living things including our pets, with respect and care. To select entertainment and toys that support our family’s values and to avoid entertainment that makes violence look exciting, funny or acceptable.”
The language of these items is typical of the leaders of public education in that it is fuzzy in its meaning and does not really say anything. In years gone by, I took classes with these types and it is as if one is wrestling with shadows. It is very clear, however, that there is no mention of Christ. All of these “high ideals” of peace are to be reached without Christ or His Word, so all the efforts of the world and the false church to find peace are doomed to failure. Whatever kind of peace the kingdom of Antichrist is able to establish will not last. Such peace will also be revealed to be a flimsy façade when the forces of the world rush to the great battle of Armageddon. Without God’s regenerating Spirit, man’s heart will contain only hate for the neighbour.
The world would not even put away its ungodly entertainment to seek peace with Him. Do you remember the mood of our nation on September 12, 2001? For a short time, sports and entertainment were set aside and churches were filled with people searching for answers and direction. There was a lull in the revelry and the pursuit of the next exciting good time.
The mood change did not last long. Look at the news events of this month. Reading the news accounts of the halftime entertainment of the Super Bowl reveals many ways in which God was offended. The news concerning the issuing of marriage licenses in San Francisco and even here in conservative Grand Rapids shows the world’s headlong rush to its own condemnation and destruction.
The world desperately seeks peace but the reprobate will not seek for any peace which would require recognizing Christ as King. Joram wanted peace for his kingdom too. He was very eager for the report from Jehu to see if he had won peace. Jehu would later demonstrate his rebellion against God by refusing to turn from the sin of worshipping the golden calves but Jehu’s answer still had some truth to it. Israel would never have peace as long as the whoredoms and witchcrafts of Jezebel were so many.
It is the same for today’s world. They work for peace and have weeks dedicated for peace education, but they will fail. They love their way of whoredom and witchcraft, and all the while call their chosen path good and pleasant. “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace” (Isa. 59:8).
