Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 6 February, 2005
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye
of all his wondrous works”
(Psalm 105:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (3)
Abraham & Lot Separate
Genesis 13
I. The Strife Between their Herdsmen
II. The Parting of Their Ways
III. The Renewal of the Promise
Psalms: 147:1-7; 125:1-5; 72:7-11; 16:1-8
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
A Snapshot of Jesus’ Childhood
Luke 2:40-52
I. His Humility
II. His Interest
III. His Obedience
Psalms: 34:1-4, 8-13; 126:1-6; 40:1-2, 6-10; 119:9-16
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
Quotes to Consider:
Matthew Henry: “Those who in choosing relations, callings, dwellings, or settlements are guided and governed by the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, or the pride of life, and consult not the interests of their souls and their religion, cannot expect God’s presence with them, nor his blessing upon them, but are commonly disappointed even in that which they principally aimed at, and miss of that which they promised themselves satisfaction in. In all our choices this principle should overrule us, That that is best for us which is best for our souls.”
James Montgomery Boice: “You may think that you are different from Lot. But if you have put your job ahead of your family’s spiritual life, if you have put your social advancement ahead of a proper association with God’s people, if you have let your choice of a home keep you from a church in which you can grow in faith and worship—you have moved from the highlands to the plain of the Jordan. I know you will say that you can serve God there as well as at Bethel. Lot would have said, ‘I am as eager as you to serve the Lord. After all, the cities of the plain need witnesses too.’ That was true; they did. But Lot’s heart was not in witnessing. He was doing nothing for God. His heart was set on his possessions, sophistication, and glamour, and for that he lost everything.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
We welcome Rev. Rodney Kleyn of Trinity PRC and Elder Henry Boer of Hudsonville PRC to our worship services.
The January Covenant Reformed News is on the back table. We have an extra Protestant Reformed Theological Journal on the table also.
Catechism classes: Monday at the manse at 7 PM with the Campbells and Thursday at the Hamills at 7 PM.
Midweek Bible Study will be held this week TUESDAY at 8 PM at the manse. Rev. Kleyn will lead a discussion on I Corinthians 12.
The congregational dinner is this week Friday at The Ramble Inn at 7:30 PM. A sign-up sheet is on the back table. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up today.
Upcoming Lectures: This week Wednesday, February 9, Limerick, The Lord’s Day. Friday, 18 January, Ballymena, Does God Desire to Save the Reprobate? Friday, 4 March, South Wales, The Lord’s Day
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 6 February (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” (Matthew 5:3).
Last Week’s Offerings: £589.68.
PRC News: Rev. DenHartog (Singapore) accepted the call to Southwest PRC. Edmonton PRC has a new trio consisting of Revs. Bruinsma (Kalamazoo, MI), Houck (Peace, IL), and Mahtani (Pittsburgh, PA).
Encouraging Quotes:
“Thank you very much for the [Psalm] CD set, which we really enjoy. I am going to order a set on-line for a friend of ours …” – Scotland
“I would be very grateful if you would send me the following pamphlets … I enclose a donation to help with expenses … We continue to pray for God’s blessing on the CPRF.” – N. Ireland
“I still enjoy your preaching cassettes and literature. Regards to Sean Courtney when you see him next.” – England
“I write to thank you most kindly for sending literature to me over the past few years. This has been much appreciated.” – Scotland
“Many thanks indeed for posting on to me your CR News which I find very helpful indeed.” – Wales
“… Also very good letter in the Ballymena Guardian. I was astonished to learn that Ian Paisley did not see that the Tsunami in Southeast Asia as the judgment of God. I don’t know where Paisley’s Calvinism was when he made his statement to the Belfast Telegraph.” – N. Ireland
“I am sending herewith a cheque as a donation to the work of CPRF. All best wishes for 2005.” – England
“Just a few lines to say that the [Psalm] CD arrived a few days ago and we are thoroughly enjoying listening to it. Please can you pass on our thanks to those who have made this CD freely available.” – Scotland
“I have finished listening to the series on “Jehoshaphat the Ecumenical King.” I have really appreciated the unfolding story, the appropriate application to certain modern day ministers. I sent a set of the tapes to a friend.” – Wales
“I would be glad to receive the News. It is good to read the letters from the Ballymena Times and your defence of the gospel. So many in this sinful world delight in the Creator subject to the creature. Oh, if the Holy Spirit would work faith and repentance so they could see this terrible heresy. Arminianism and popery are terrible twins, and popery will never cease whilst one Arminian lives.” – N. Ireland
“Thank you for the [tapes]. I make a big effort to [lend] your tapes for other believers and students here in South Africa to listen to.” – South Africa
“I listened to the debate again yesterday. Even better the second time around.” – Republic of Ireland
Many thanks for your excellent presentation on worship in the singing of psalms. Without being over critical I don’t think Mr. Foster addressed the subject scripturally at all …” – N. Ireland
“I heard the debate, and I cam convinced you won hands down. Heard little or no Bible whatsoever from Foster. Enjoyed hearing the debate. I hold to the regulative principle of worship also …” – USA
“Enjoyed listening to your debate on exclusive psalmody with Rev. Ivan Foster. I felt you came out on top. Indeed I’ve been looking very closely at which Church to attend in recent times. Originally C of S. I moved out as I grew in the Lord and with his help. The ‘psalms vs. hymns’ obviously related to this decision in today’s society when we consider correct worship. My town in Scotland like many, has predominantly liberal churches making it a difficult but necessary decision to make. Keep up the good fight and may the Lord’s blessings come to you.” – Scotland
“Enclosed is a cheque for Upon This Rock. I received from Sean the tapes of the debate. It certainly must have been an ordeal for you, but the Lord brought you through it. In a way, the case for exclusive psalmody was proven before even a word was spoken in the two earlier tapes of Rev. Greer and Douglas with the ‘music’ that was sung before their lectures. Hope all went well in S. Wales and I look forward to hearing the tape. May the Lord bless you both.” – England
“I just listened to the debate on-line and thought you did a more than adequate job. I am interested in any reaction, feedback, after debate discussions, etc. that you may have received” – USA
“I enjoyed the debate last night on exclusive psalmody. Throughout the entire discussion Rev. Foster never addressed the issue of exclusive psalm singing only from the Scriptures in any serious manner, nor [did he] appear to understand the concept of the “public worship of God” and what God commands regarding the public worship of God … Remarkably a very foolish interpretation from the Westminster Confession was given by Rev. Foster which again church history will refute such a rendering. Notably too, was there no defense in the Rev. Foster’s rebuttals regarding testimonies or soloists incorporated in the public worship of God either. I rejoice that the truth of God was made manifest in this debate …” – N. Ireland
