Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 31 December, 2023
“My covenant was with him of life and peace” (Mal. 2:5)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Administration of the Lord’s Supper
The New Covenant in Christ’s Blood [youtube]
Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 3
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 29
I. Jeremiah’s Prophecy
II. Sacramental Language
III. Spiritual Blessings
Psalms: 84:4-11; 85:6-13; 34:1-10; 36:5-11
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Applicatory: Jesus Heals a Paralytic (the Son’s Works and Witnesses) (6)
The Son’s Judgment [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 5:14-30
Text: John 5:22-24, 27, 30
I. The Scope
II. The Source
III. The Sentence
Psalms: 96:8-13; 86:1-7; 99:1-7; 130:1-8
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
John Calvin: “Mahometans and Jews do indeed adorn with beautiful and magnificent titles the God whom they worship; but we ought to remember that the name of God, when it is separated from Christ, is nothing else than a vain imagination. Whoever then desires to have his worship approved by the true God, let him not turn aside from Christ. Nor was it otherwise with the Fathers under the Law; for though they beheld Christ darkly under shadows, yet never did God reveal himself out of Christ. But now, since Christ has been manifested in the flesh and appointed to be King over us, the whole world must bend the knee to him, in order to obey God; for the Father having made him sit at his right hand, he who forms a conception of God without Christ takes away the half of him” (Comm. on John 5:23).
J. C. Ryle on John 5:27: “Both in this and the preceding verse we should observe an example of the great truth, that ‘order is heaven’s first law.’ Even the Second Person in the Trinity, one with the Father, very and eternal God, does not take on himself the office of giving life and executing judgment, but receives it through the solemn appointment of God the Father. Just as it is written, ‘Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but He that said unto him, Thou art my son.’ (Heb. 5:5, so we find it written here, that in taking on Him the office of Mediator, it was ‘given’ to Him to have life in Himself, and ‘authority given to Him’ to judge. Those who take on themselves offices without either divine or human commission are very unlike our Lord” (Expository Thoughts on John, vol. 1, pp. 300).
Herman Ridderbos: “[Judgment in John 5:22-30] must be understood in the sense of 3:17ff., namely as the inseparable obverse of the saving and life-giving mission of the Son, for those who reject him in unbelief” (The Gospel of John, p. 196).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
After a week of self-examination, CPRC confessing members in good standing are called to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Your participation in the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood is in part a witness that you repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ as your only 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 the Lord’s Supper 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 already have presented to the Council an attestation from their church that they are confessing members in good standing and have received permission from the Council to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
A Bible reading programme for 2024 is available on the back table on both card stock and standard weight paper.
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.
Prof. & Lori Gritters and Elder Sid Miedema are to arrive this Friday. Their tentative schedule is on the back of the bulletin. Please sign up on the sheet on the back table if you would like to have them come to your house for dinner.
The Congregational Dinner is set for this Friday (5 January) at Ross Park Hotel. Please arrive from 7 PM onwards to be ready to eat at 7:30 PM.
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).
CPRC Lecture: Prof. Gritters will be giving a lecture on “The Ongoing Battle for the Sabbath” on Wednesday, 10 January, at 7:30 PM. Plan to attend and invite others!
Offerings: £1,361.75.
Translation Addition: 1 Polish.
