Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 14 July, 2024
“My covenant was with him of life and peace” (Mal. 2:5)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
God’s Son—So Much Better Than the Angels (13)
Responding Rightly to the Things We Have Heard [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-2:4
Text: Hebrews 2:1
I. The Vivid Prohibition
II. The Serious Calling
III. The Powerful Reasons
Psalms: 95:6-11; 105:1-7; 63:1-8; 119:9-16
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
God’s Son—So Much Better Than the Angels (14)
Why We Must Not Neglect So Great Salvation [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2
Text: Hebrews 2:2-4
I. The Speakers
II. The Punishments
III. The Witnesses
Psalms: 122:1-9; 105:8-14; 106:34-42; 25:1-7
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
Quote to Consider
John Brown on Hebrews 2:1: “No person can read the scriptures without observing the stress that is laid on consideration, and the criminality and hazards which are represented as connected with inconsideration. Nor is this at all wonderful, when we reflect that the Gospel is a moral remedy for our moral disease. It is by being believed that it becomes efficacious. It cannot be believed unless it is understood; it cannot be understood unless it is attended to. Truth must be kept before the mind in order to its producing its appropriate effect; and how can it be kept before the mind, but by our giving heed to it? … The revelation made by Jesus Christ consists of doctrines and precepts. In order to take heed to one of the doctrines of Christ,—for example, the doctrine of the atonement,—the first thing is to endeavour to obtain distinct ideas of this doctrine, as stated by Christ—to apprehend clearly the meaning of the declarations in the Christian revelation on this subject. We cannot properly give heed to anything, till we have distinctly ascertained what it is. This is the radical part of the duty of consideration; and if we go wrong here, we are giving heed, not to the things which we have heard of Christ, but, it may be, to the things we have heard of men only, or to the unauthorized suggestions of our own mind. Distinct apprehensions of the meaning of Christian truth, are plainly, then, of primary importance.”
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the Word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.
5 Biblical References to the Role of Angels at the Giving of the Law on Mount Sinai
Deut. 33:2: “And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.”
Ps. 68:17: “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.”
Acts 7:53: “Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
Gal. 3:19: “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
Heb. 2:2: “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The July issue of the Covenant Reformed News is on the back table.
The Council meets tomorrow night at 7 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will begin Paul’s first missionary journey, starting in Antioch in Acts 13:1ff.
The Men’s Bible study is this Saturday, 20 July, at 7:30 PM on-line, to discuss Amos 3.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Tabitha Raised from the Dead” (Acts 9:36-42).
Timothy Spence plans to return on 30 July and begin his new job on 7 August.
The preaching schedule for the end of July and beginning of August:
28 July: Rev. Ron Hanko (both services)
4 August: DVDs (both services)
11 August: Prof. Brian Huizinga (both services)
18 August: Rev. Ron Hanko (both services)
Offerings: £1,836.36. Donation: £80 (Dublin).
Translation Additions: 1 German, 2 Hungarian, 2 Russian and 2 Spanish.
PRC News: Loveland PRC has a new trio of Revs. De Boer, Smidstra and Cand. Haveman. Lynden PRC called Rev. Barnhill. Hope PRC (Walker, MI) called Rev. De Boer. Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) called Rev. Engelsma. Zion PRC called Rev. Decker.
Syria’s Battles with Israel (1)
Brian D. Dykstra
I Kings 20
As this chapter opens, we meet Benhadad, king of Syria. This is not the same Benhadad of I Kings 15, the king Asa hired to attack northern Israel when Baasha, king of Israel, caused Judah some trouble. This Benhadad is the other’s son. Asa foolishly hired Syria to come attack Israel. Syria now comes on her own initiative. Syria’s motivation does not appear to be to settle a grievance because Israel broke some previously made agreement. Syria’s aggression is caused by a desire to plunder.
Thirty-two kings accompany Benhadad. These kings did not equal Benhadad in power or wealth. As king of a populous and important city, Benhadad’s territory was large. These other kings were rulers of lesser cities. As they did not govern a large territory or possess wealth comparable to Benhadad’s, these kings were subservient to Benhadad, though not enemies. These rulers were willing to confederate for a common cause. They believe that their combined forces will easily defeat Israel. They will soon enjoy a nice payday.
As the action opens, Syria is already besieging Samaria, Israel’s capital. Scripture does not mention any battles taking place which allowed the enemy to advance so far into Israel’s territory. Syria surrounded Samaria, not allowing any supplies of food to enter or any trade to take place which would generate wealth. How long Syria had been there, or how bad conditions were in Samaria, we are not told. One commentator thinks that because Samaria was so recently built, its fortifications were not yet finished and the Syrians had not been on the scene that long.
However, the situation was favourable enough for Syria that Benhadad feels confident in making some demands. Benhadad says all of Ahab’s silver and gold belongs to him, as well as his wives and children. Ahab quickly agrees. I remember a student asking, “Did Ahab agree to this so he could get rid of Jezebel?” Although we would think Ahab’s life would improve without such a wicked wife, Benhadad does not intend to march off with all of Ahab’s cash and family.
What’s likely is that Benhadad is making Ahab’s humiliation clear. Whatever Ahab possesses, he has with the permission of Benhadad. When Benhadad wishes, he can tell Ahab to turn something over to him, be it money or people, as a form of tribute. A commentator, reflecting on the sins of that time and culture, discretely mentions that he thought Benhadad wanted some of Ahab’s sons for what he described as, “unnatural purposes.” As we consider the debauchery of our times, we note there is nothing new under the sun.
Benhadad announces that his servants will go through Samaria and take whatever they want. This is when the elders of the land tell Ahab not to consent to the new terms. When Benhadad says that the dust of Samaria would not suffice for handfuls for the people that follow him, he is boasting that his host would destroy Samaria so thoroughly that they would grind Samaria into a powder. If each man were to take a handful of the refuse away, there would be nothing left of Ahab’s pleasant capital. Benhadad is very confident!
When Ahab agreed to Benhadad’s first demand, we see Benhadad then asks for more, much more. The same is true for Satan and his temptations. If we give in and do what he wants, Satan will not be satisfied but he will come back with even greater demands. Satan is a cruel, uncompromising master.
This next demand of Benhadad gives rise to the only occasion when we would say that Ahab spoke well as Israel’s king. Ahab warned Benhadad not to boast about a victory before the combatants had even put on their armour. Strange things can happen on the battlefield. It doesn’t take much of a mistake to change a victory into a defeat.
Benhadad’s mistake is drunkenness. He and his vassal kings think they can live a life of luxury, be at ease and drink. The Israelites emerge from Samaria, ready to fight. There are 232 young princes leading 7,000 Israelites. We cannot help but notice that this is the same number as those who God told Elijah hadn’t worshipped Baal. Were these the same people? Commentators say no but, if not, this is quite a coincidence. While under the influence of alcohol, even though it was only noon, he gives the foolish command that he does not want the enemy killed. He wants them captured. The result is a humiliating defeat for Syria.
We must make a comparison of Ahab to David. As soon as David became king of Israel, the Philistines attacked twice. Before each battle, David inquired of the Lord what he should do. David followed God’s directions each time. Also David wrote several psalms in which he gave glory to God for his victories. We do not read of Ahab going to inquire of God what he should do as he faces the enemy. The prophets came to Ahab since God had sent them. We do not read that Ahab thanked God for victory, nor do we see that Ahab has learned that there is one true God so he will put away his idols and serve Him.
After this first victory, a prophet warns Ahab that the Syrians will come back “at the return of the year.” This is the following spring. Benhadad’s servants have advice for him so that there will not be another defeat. Benhadad must equip another army as he had before, but this time, don’t put your vassal kings in command; replace them with military captains. Benhadad’s advisors remembered the behaviour of their leaders. The partying and drinking did not help their cause. The next time there would be military men in charge so there would be some professionalism. This advice was sound but insufficient, as we’ll see next week, DV. … to be continued
