Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 4 July, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM – Rev. M. McGeown
The Kingdom Spreading Like Leaven [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-35
Text: Matthew 13:33
I. The Leaven
II. The Hiding of the Leaven
III. The Effect of the Leaven
Psalms: 23:1-6; 136:13-20; 93:1-5; 147:12-20
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Rev. M. McGeown
The Kingdom as Hidden Treasure [youtube]
Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 4:1-18
Text: Matthew 13:44
I. Hidden in a Field
II. Discovered with Great Joy
III. Obtained at Great Cost
Psalms 148:1-6; 136:21-26; 66:1-5; 19:7-10
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: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
R. C. H. Lenski: “[In this parable] leaven pictures the good power of Christ’s rule of grace which secretly yet effectively produces its beneficent results. ‘Lion’ is thus used in an evil sense (1 Pet. 5:8), again in a noble one (Rev. 5:5); ‘serpent,’ likewise (Rev. 20:2, compared with Matt. 10:16); ‘dove’ (silly in Hos. 7:11; harmless in Matt. 10:16). The world has many ferments, all of which are decomposing and destructive; Christ and his gospel (or in his gospel) alone penetrate with beneficent power … The parable teaches faith, patience, hope, and joy. A perfect progression of thought runs through the four parables, showing that their order cannot be changed. First, the kingdom in its breadth, for the Sower casts his seed to the ends of the earth; next, the kingdom in its length, all grows until the final harvest; third, the kingdom in its height, the mustard seed becomes a tree that is higher than all else in the field or the garden; finally, the kingdom in its depth, penetrating all lands and all nations” (Matthew, pp. 530, 532-533).
Matthew Henry: “When the gospel comes into the soul, [1.] It works a change, not in the substance the dough is the same, but in the quality it makes us to savour otherwise than we have done, and other things to savour with us otherwise than they used to do (Rom. 8:5). [2.] It works a universal change it diffuses itself into all the powers and faculties of the soul, and alters the property even of the members of the body (Rom. 6:13). [3.] This change is such as makes the soul to partake of the nature of the word, as the dough does of the leaven. We are delivered into it as into a mould (Rom. 6:17), changed into the same image (2 Cor. 3:18), like the impression of the seal upon the wax. The gospel savours of God, and Christ, and free grace, and another world, and these things now relish with the soul. It is a word of faith and repentance, holiness and love, and these are wrought in the soul by it. This savour is communicated insensibly, for our life is hid but inseparably, for grace is a good part that shall never be taken away from those who have it. When the dough is leavened, then to the oven with it trials and afflictions commonly attend this change but thus saints are fitted to be bread for our Master’s table.”
John Calvin on Matthew 13:44: “The Gospel does not receive from us the respect which it deserves, unless we prefer it to all the riches, pleasures, honours, and advantages of the world, and to such an extent, that we are satisfied with the spiritual blessings which it promises, and throw aside every thing that would keep us from enjoying them; for those who aspire to heaven must be disengaged from every thing that would retard their progress. Christ exhorts those who believe in him to deny those things only which are injurious to godliness; and, at the same time, permits them to use and enjoy God’s temporal favours, as if they did not use them.”
R. C. H. Lenski: “The Scriptures know of two extraordinary ways of buying: one is without money or price (Is. 53:1; Rev. 21:6); the other is to give up for the sake of the eternal treasures of God all that would prevent our possessing them” (Matthew, p. 544).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. & Larisa McGeown today. Rev. McGeown will preach for us while Rev. Stewart preaches at the last services of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship.
The Council meets tomorrow night at 7 PM at church.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet upstairs to discuss the last of our four key propositions regarding the relationship between faith and works.
The farewell lunch for Michelle and Liam is planned for this Wednesday at 12 PM at Antrim’s Lough Shore Park. Due to Covid restrictions, people should bring their own pack lunches. If you have any questions, ask Marie or Helen.
Saturday night Bible study will meet this week at church and on-line to consider Hebrews 10:26-39.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “So I Prayed and Said …” (Neh. 2:1-10).
Offerings: General Fund: £681. Donations: £100 (Malaysia), £22 (C. R. News).
Translation Additions: 3 Kirundi (including “Sovereign Election” by Rev. VanBaren).
