Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 21 February, 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
Zephaniah and the Day of the Lord (10)
The Day of the Church’s Singing [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3
Text: Zephaniah 3:11-15
I. The Purification of That Day
II. The Blessedness of That Day
III. The Fulfilment of That Day
Psalms: 139:17-24; 128:1-6; 23:1-6; 46:4-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Stealing! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Leviticus 19:11-37
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 42
I. The Kinds of Stealing
II. The Aggravations of Stealing
III. The Opposite of Stealing
Psalms: 111:1-6; 129:1-8; 50:15-21a; 112:5-10
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
John Calvin on Zephaniah 3:14-15: “The Prophet confirms what he has been teaching, and encourages the faithful to rejoice, as though he saw with his eyes what he had previously promised. For thus the Prophets, while encouraging the faithful to entertain hope, stimulate them to testify their gratitude, as though God’s favour was already enjoyed. It is certain, that this instruction was set before the Jews for this purpose,—that in their exile and extreme distress they might yet prepare themselves to give thanks to God, as though they were already, as they say, in possession of what they had prayed for. But we must remember the design of our Prophet, and the common mode of proceeding which all the Prophets followed; for the faithful are exhorted to praise God the same as if they had already enjoyed his blessings, which yet were remote, and seemed concealed from their view.”
Herman Hoeksema: “The believer is God’s officebearer with regard to his earthly possessions. This implies that as an officebearer he realizes his calling with regard to earthly goods, whatever they may be and however much or little they may be, to serve and glorify God with them and to walk in the way of his precepts. He does not use them for himself, for his carnal enjoyment, but for the glory of God and the well-being of the neighbor. Such is the believer’s calling. Insofar as he does not realize that calling, he is a thief who violates the eighth commandment” (Love Thy Neighbor for God’s Sake, p. 147).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The February issue of the Covenant Reformed News is on the back table today.
Monday evening’s Catechism classes
5:45 PM – Taylor, Josh, Corey, Bradley & Samuel (Beginners OT, book 2)
6:30 PM – Alex & Nathan (Seniors OT)
7:15 PM – Jacob & Joseph (Heidelberg Catechism, book 1)
The Tuesday Bible study meets this Tuesday at 11 AM to study the covenant and the knowledge of God in Hosea.
The Belgic Confession Class will not meet this Wednesday because Rev. & Mary Stewart will be in North Wales attending the funeral of Michael Kimmitt, a long-time member of the BRF and former editor of the British Reformed Journal.
Rev. McGeown lectures in S. Wales this Thursday on “The Love of the World.” Please remember this witness and the saints there in your prayers.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “This Gospel in All the World” (Matt. 24:14).
Upcoming Lectures:
CPRC, Friday, 18 March, 7:30 PM, Rev. Stewart on “Our Identity in Christ”
S. Wales, Thursday, 7 April, 7:15 PM, Rev. Stewart on “Who Is in the Image of God?”
Offerings: General Fund: £741.16.
Website Additions: 1 Indonesian and 1 Spanish translations.
Encouraging Quotes
“Many thanks for your leaflets and sound scriptural teaching. Enclosed is a cheque for In the Beginning God.” – Cheshire, England
“Thank you very much for sending my books so promptly. I look forward very much to reading them as I have long wondered about the biblical truth of baptism. I was baptized as an infant … However, I find that teaching on the covenant and believers and their children is limited in the churches I’ve had dealings with … I would be pleased to receive the Covenant Reformed News by post.” – Scotland
“Meant to let you know we enjoyed Sunday evening live again and appreciated your methodical and careful treatment of the text. Keep up the great work. God bless.” – Co. Antrim
“[The CPRC] has been a great blessing to me! … I have heard a big change in the local radio station and I am encouraged. However, there are still a lot of personality worship and loose-cannon preachers … I hope I can be at least an encourager to you. The Lord bless you and enlarge your coasts!” – N. Carolina, USA
“We appreciate very much the faithfulness of the witness that comes forth from the CPRC at Ballymena and pray for its sure continuance.” – Australia
“Finally, I’ve finished the revision on this article [“The Image of God in Man” in Portuguese] … We’ve received your bimonthly letter and we rejoiced together. May God bless you and your work in His church.” – Brazil
“Have finished Behold He Cometh. Much to think about and revisit. Considering the blessing and the warning attached to this particular book, and the times we are now living in, I find studying the apocalypse sobering, exciting and salutary.” – W. Midlands, England
“The pamphlet on particular redemption is outstanding and, in my judgment, the best introduction to the subject. I have just given it some advertisement on Good-reads and the Puritan Board. Keep up the good work.” – Co. Down
“Attached is the translation of your article [on II Peter 3:9]. Thank you very much for the package [of Righteous by Faith Alone]. The CPRC’s articles are so fine that it is even hard to decide which one to translate next.” – Hungary
“I can’t tell you how happy I was to receive your parcel of CDs, book, Standard Bearers and leaflets today! The contents were much appreciated … I was especially pleased to have the handout listing all the Bible texts to do with Christ’s substitutionary, penal atonement. Thank you so very much for my wonderful parcel!” – Essex, England
“Just listened to your last sermon on ‘The Interlude and the Seventh Trumpet.’ Good teaching. Thanks for sharing.” – S. Wales
“I read your article on exclusive Psalmody and would love to keep up to date via your newsletters. I am a Reformed baptist and am convinced that exclusive Psalmody is biblical. May God bless you and encourage you.” – Australia
“I came from the pentecostal/charismatic movement, in which were my parents and grandparents, but God brought me out of it. I am grateful to the ministry of the CPRC. Thank you for the biblical doctrine you teach. May God continue to use you for this purpose.” – S. Carolina, USA
“Could you please sort me out with my Standard Bearer subscription? Thank you very much also for the Covenant Reformed News.” – Co. Tyrone
“Thank you for sending us the Covenant Reformed News. Wishing you the Lord’s blessing on your labour and also for your churches and the Covenant Reformed News.” – Alberta, Canada
“This morning I listened to the last class on Article 18 of the Belgic Confession. They have all been a blessing! The wonder of Christ becoming man for us has been impressed on my mind more deeply!” – Yorkshire, England
“Greetings in the name of our Lord! Yesterday at our church meeting, I met a man who works on a mission field in Kenya. The mission is conducted under the auspices of a Pentecostal denomination, but the man has become interested in the Reformed faith and so while in Moscow he decided to visit the worship service of our Evangelical Reformed Church. He said what has affected him most in terms of making him gravitate towards Reformed theology were two books—one Calvin’s Institutes and the other one Doctrine According to Godliness by Ron Hanko! He read the Russian translation which he downloaded from your website! Isn’t this something? Praise the Lord! His ways are past finding out!” – Russia
