Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 24 January, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Abimelech, the Bramble King (1)
Abimelech Gets Himself Made King [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Judges 9:1-24
Text: Judges 9:1-6
I. Plans Beforehand
II. Schemings in Shechem
III. Murders in Ophrah
Psalms: 84:1-6; 75:3-10
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Abimelech, the Bramble King (2)
The Origin of Abimelech’s Kingship [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Judges 8:22-9:6
Text: Judges 9:1-6
I. Personal Reasons
II. National Declension
III. Divine Purposes
Psalms: 107:1-9; 90:1-7
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
Quotes to Consider
Matthew Henry on Judges 9: “The apostasy of Israel after the death of Gideon is punished, not as the former apostasies by a foreign invasion, or the oppressions of any neighbouring power, but by intestine broils among themselves, which in this chapter we have the story of; and it is hard to say whether their sin or their misery appears most in it. It is an account of the usurpation and tyranny of Abimelech, who was base son to Gideon; so we must call him, and not more modishly his natural son: he was so unlike him. We are here told, 1) How he thrust himself into the government at Shechem, his own city, by subtlety and cruelty, particularly by the murder of all his brethren (Judges 9:1-6). 2) How his doom was read in a parable by Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son (Judges 9:7-21). 3) What strifes there were between Abimelech and his friends the Shechemites (Judges 9:22-41). 4) How this ended in the ruin of the Shechemites (Judges 9:42-49), and of Abimelech himself (Judges 9:50-57). Of this meteor, this ignis fatuus of a prince, that was not a protector but a plague to his country, we may say, as once was said of a great tyrant, that he came in like a fox, ruled like a lion, and died like a dog. ‘For the transgression of a land, such are the princes thereof.’”
Alfred Edersheim: “Not far from Ophrah, but in the territory of Ephraim, was the ancient Shechem, connected with so much that was most solemn in the history of Israel. We know the long-standing tribal jealousy of Ephraim and their desire for leadership. Moreover, as we learn from Judges 9:28, Shechem seems to have retained among its inhabitants the lineal representatives of Hamor, the original ‘prince’ and founder of Shechem in the days of Jacob (Gen. 33:19; 34:2; comp. Josh. 24:32). These would represent, so [to] speak, the ancient feudal heathen aristocracy of the place, and, of course, the original worshippers of Baal. As perhaps the most ancient city in that part of the country, and as the seat of the descendants of Hamor, Shechem seems to have become the centre of Baal worship” (Bible History, Old Testament, vol. 3, p. 146).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Catechism classes will not meet due to the lockdown.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet in the auditorium to consider assurance and the reasons for a lack thereof.
Belgic Confession Class will meet and be streamed live this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue our consideration of the “last days” in connection with Article 37.
Saturday night Bible study will be held this Saturday, 30 January, at 8 PM on-line, looking at Hebrews 4:14-5:10.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Suffering Wrong From a Brother” (I Cor. 6:7-8).
Offerings: General Fund: £500.50.
Translation Additions: 1 Polish and 1 German.
Encouraging Quotes
“I found the CPRC YouTube channel recently. The material is excellent. There are so many false doctrines to which Christians are being exposed these days.” – North Carolina, USA
“I continue to be blessed by the Covenant Reformed News and also, I must add, in reading All Glory to the Only Good God. Do hope you are all coping with the lockdown. You are in our prayers every Lord’s day.” – London, England
“Just a day after we had become friends on Facebook, I received a parcel from a friend of mine in the UK with the following: The Five Points of Calvinism and a series of 7 CDs entitled ‘Our Wise, True, Holy and Righteous God’ … I went to my friend who has a [CD player] and I and his firstborn who is about 12 years old were blessed as we listened to CD 6. God bless you greatly. I will be making arrangements to continue listening to the rest. God bless you for reaching us through technology in our rooms here.” – Nairobi, Kenya
“Thank you so much for sending me the consignment of books I ordered. I was interested in and enjoyed the various magazines wrapped around the books, and I have been blessed by reading them. Could you please advise me how I can subscribe so that regular copies will be sent to me of the Reformed Witness Hour, Beacon Lights and the Standard Bearer. I enclose a cheque for one copy of Righteous by Faith Alone by Herman Hoeksema.” – S. Wales
“Please find enclosed payment for the excellent book, Doctrine According to Godliness, by Ronald Hanko. Also I thank you for all the copies of the ‘Reformed Witness Hour.’ They have been such help.” – Co. Antrim
“I just wanted to tell you that my wife and I were again greatly blessed by watching the evening service of the CPRC live via internet … We are deeply grateful for your prayers and we remember you and the church in Ballymena in our prayers too. We hope and pray that soon we will be able to visit you and the congregation in Ballymena. May the Lord bless you all richly!” – Bosnia & Herzegovina
“… I considered getting a systematic or biblical theology book, Berkhof or Vos, but as I’m reading the Bible more, I’m drawn to just getting good church foundational teaching that encompasses both—Christ-centred dogmatics, for lack of better words. That pretty much pointed me to Hoeksema and his Reformed Dogmatics. Many blessings to my brothers and sisters in Christ at the CPRC. Thy God reigneth!” – Macedonia
“I wish you, your congregation and the people around you God’s blessing for 2021. We pray for you all and your circumstances in NI.” – Netherlands
“I just read Rev. McGeown’s article on ‘the blood.’ As an ex-charismatic, it made so much sense. Thank you!” – Texas, USA
“Thank you so much for the CDs on Daniel chapters 5-6 which arrived on Thursday. I have been listening again to the sermons on chapters 1-4 and will finish doing so today, so I’m glad that I shall be able to start chapters 5-6 during this week. I am edified even more the second time and they speak (the Lord speaks) to my salvation which is so comforting … I am part way through Lord’s Day 3 in Rev. Hoeksema’s book 1 of The Triple Knowledge. I am taking it a section at a time, slowly and taking time to really think about it. I am finding it so very good and its teaching is so foundational and it makes me so thankful that the Lord has delivered me from the lie that there is any good at all in me by nature. I will go on to study book 2 again afterward.” – Yorkshire, England
“I have enjoyed the last two sermons on ‘The Departure of Jehovah’s Glory’ series on Ezekiel 8-11.” – Scotland
“I just ordered a copy of David Engelsma’s book, Federal Vision: Heresy at the Root. When I went to the web page about the book on the RFPA’s web site, I noticed the video interviewing Engelsma about the book. I had actually watched at least part of that video several months ago but today I definitely watched the whole video [on the CPRC YouTube page]. That video was excellent, and it convinced me to go ahead and order the book.” – Mississippi, USA
“[The CPRC witness] was used to convert me to Calvinism, [especially] the classes on the Belgic Confession, the debate with an Arminian and a couple of speeches. Thank you for showing me gospel of sovereign grace. God bless you.” – British Columbia, Canada
“I found reading the Covenant Reformed News articles on I Corinthians 7 very helpful.” – S. Africa
“I am a pastor of a church in Ukraine which professes the same documents of faith as you. I did a search on the internet and found your website. I was very pleased to find on your site materials and creeds in my native Ukrainian language. Thanks be to God.” – Ukraine
“My friend introduced me to your website. Absolutely amazing stuff. I think and know to a deeper level of understanding. Thanks so much.” – California, USA
“Thanks for sending us the Covenant Reformed News which I always enjoy reading. We have enjoyed your lectures (also those of Rev. McGeown) for many years. There were always plenty of spiritual lessons and nourishment in them so that we felt blessed whenever we attended the meetings.” – S. Wales
“Thank you for your reply and words of encouragement. The only reliable theological material that is Reformed, apart from Reformers and their faithful successors, which I have witnessed in the present time is the writings of PRCA ministers. If I were a rich person, I would have gotten all of their books and Standard Bearer magazines translated into Indian languages as a heritage for the generations to come.” – India
