Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 3 June, 2012
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:13)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Diligently Frequenting God’s Church [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 84
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 38
I. The Meaning
II. The Reason
Psalms: 92:1-2, 12-15; 139:1-10; 122:1-9; 111:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Blessed Sabbath [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 13
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 38
I. The Diligent Use of the Means of Grace on the Sabbath
II. The Almighty Power of Jesus Christ on the Sabbath
III. The Right Observance by God’s People of the Sabbath
Psalms: 84:1-6; 139:11-16; 27:1-5; 84:7-12
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ballymena-United-Kingdom/Covenant-Protestant-Reformed-Church-N-Ireland/337347932331
Quotes to Consider
A. Alexander: “Let the whole day be consecrated to the service of God, especially in acts of worship, public and private. This weekly recess from worldly cares and avocations, affords a precious opportunity for the study of God’s Word, and for the examination of our own hearts. Rise early, and let your first thoughts and aspirations be directed to heaven. Meditate much and profoundly on divine things, and endeavour to acquire a degree of spirituality on this day which will abide with you through the whole week.”
J. C. Ryle: “Tell your children of the duty and privilege of going to church, and joining in the prayers of the congregation. Tell them that wherever the Lord’s people are gathered together, there the Lord Jesus is present in a special way, and that those who are absent must expect, like the Apostle Thomas, to miss out on a blessing. Tell them of the importance of hearing the Word of God preached, and that it is God’s ordained way of converting, sanctifying, and building up the souls of men. Tell them how the Apostle Paul commands us not to ‘forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another’ (Heb. 10:25).”
J. C. Ryle on Luke 13:10-17: “We see in these verses a striking example of diligence in the use of means of grace. We are told of a ‘woman bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.’ We know not who this woman was. Our Lord’s saying that she was ‘a daughter of Abraham,’ would lead us to infer that she was a true believer. But her name and history are hidden from us. This only we know, that when Jesus was ‘teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,’ this woman was there. Sickness was no excuse with her for tarrying from God’s house. In spite of suffering and infirmity, she found her way to the place where the day and the word of God were honoured, and where the people of God met together. And truly she was blessed in her deed! She found a rich reward for all her pains. She came sorrowing, and went home rejoicing. The conduct of this suffering Jewess may well put to shame many a strong and healthy professing Christian. How many in the full enjoyment of bodily vigour, allow the most frivolous excuses to keep them away from the house of God! How many are constantly spending the whole Sunday in idleness, pleasure-seeking, or business, and scoffing and sneering at those who ‘keep the Sabbath holy!’ How many think it a great matter if they attend the public worship of God once on Sunday, and regard a second attendance as a needless excess of zeal akin to fanaticism! How many find religious services a weariness while they attend them, and feel relieved when they are over! How few know anything of David’s spirit when he said, ‘I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.’—How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!’ (Psalm 122:1, Ps. 84:1). Now what is the explanation of all this? What is the reason why so few are like the woman of whom we read this day? The answer to these questions is short and simple. The most have no heart for God’s service. They have no delight in God’s presence or God’s day. ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God.’ The moment a man’s heart is converted, these pretended difficulties about attending public worship vanish away. the new heart finds no trouble in keeping the Sabbath holy. Where there is a will there is always a way. Let us never forget that our feelings about Sundays are sure tests of the state of our souls. The man who can find no pleasure in giving God one day in the week, is manifestly unfit for heaven. Heaven itself is nothing but an eternal Sabbath. If we cannot enjoy a few hours in God’s service once a week in this world, it is plain that we could not enjoy an eternity in His service in the world to come. Happy are they who walk in the steps of her of whom we read today! They shall find Christ and a blessing while they live, and Christ and glory when they die.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Pete & Jan Westra from Hull PRC in Iowa and Kevin Westra from Heritage PRC in South Dakota to our worship services today.
On the back table today are copies of the May Covenant Reformed News. There are also copies of Prof. Engelsma’s superb new book, A Defense of the Church Institute: Response to the Critics of Bound to Join. These cost £8.
Everyone is welcome to stay fortea after the evening service today.
Family Visitation continues tomorrow night with visits to John McAuley (7 PM) and the Murrays (8 PM). Visits to the Hallidays, Jennifer and Rev. McGeown are still to be scheduled.
Our Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 11 AM on “Eschatology and Time.” We will discuss the “last days” in the Old Testament, etc.
Brian Crossett is scheduled to undergo a hernia operation this week Thursday. Please remember the Crossetts in your prayers.
The Halls leave this week Saturday for the U.S. where Philip will be representing the CPRC at the PRC Synod which begins 12 June at Crete PRC in Illinois.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “Ought Ye Not to Walk in the Fear of God?” (Neh. 5) by Rev. Haak.
Encouraging Quotes:
“I was just wondering whether I had mislaid my April copy of the CR News—when through the post yesterday, it arrived! I do so look forward to receiving yours and CPRC’s publications. I have just come to the concluding chapters of Prof. Engelsma’s book on the Federal Vision—Excellent! I appreciate being a member of the Book Club as I do not want to miss out on these publications. I notice from your April News a reference to The Work of the Holy Spirit. Please forward me a copy when convenient.” – S. Wales
“Thank you very much for the book [Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel] and for the swiftness in getting it to me. I very much look forward to reading it. And thank you for the complimentary materials. I certainly hope to use your bookstore in the future.” – Scotland
“Please find enclosed a cheque for the DVDs and book as per e-mail. Many thanks for your faithful service for the Lord and His truth. May the Lord continue to lead you in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” – Australia
” … Recently I have listened to the two tapes of the Debate on Common Grace, your address on Jonathan Edwards—all three were much more meaningful to me than when I first listened to them. Then I listened to Rev. Hanko’s sermons on the first three commandments and then listened again to the 2000 BRF conference addresses on ‘The Kingdom of God.’ Although they were all about the third time of listening, again they were even more of a blessing than previously. Thank you also for the CR News and the ‘Reformed Perspectives’ on Revelation 13. They have inspired me to read Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh! again. Just finished Revelation chapter 1 with His help, today, and am finding it really wonderful … I would value prayer support about my isolated position … Trust the church there in Ballymena and the fellowship in Limerick are knowing the Lord’s blessing.” – England
“Please send me another 10-CD box set of ‘God’s Glorious Perfections.’ Very good teaching. I gave my first set away.” – Co. Down
“I watched the YouTube video ‘Good Works Versus Justification by Faith Alone.’ Wonderful. How amazing that though it is almost an hour long sermon, it is mainly the Scriptures that speak. The rest is just very nicely in tune with the spirit of the Scriptures. From what I saw, I find the use of the Heidelberg Catechism a beautiful, much needed tool. My wife and I will watch these sermons as the right alternative to the wishy-washy, deeply heretical ‘churchianity’ one can find over here.”– Belgium
“Mum received the Three Forms of Unity over the weekend. She says she can’t believe how grateful she is. She said, ‘This book may change me. Now I know why you don’t watch these televangelists any more. This is really meat.’ Her hunger for books, devotional books has gone down before our pink book. It’s the many Bible verses that draw her and the way it’s organised. She is taking her time checking all the verses and the context of them also. She is going really slow, re-reading even … She wants to take it to the village and share with them. There is no proper teaching in the village in Uganda … May God bless your work. He is moving though you may not see it.” – Uganda
“A friend of mine has shown interest in the books and CDs I have, and would like to receive a catalogue of CPRC publications and other material … Also, I would like to order two books on behalf of someone else; they are one copy of The Confessions and Church Order of the PRC and one copy of Contending for the Faith by Prof. Hanko. Trusting that you and yours are all well and the Lord continues to bless and increase His church in Ballymena and Limerick.” – England
“Please find enclosed payment for Federal Vision: Heresy at the Root. Well worth twice the price! Enjoying it immensely.” – Co. Antrim
“What a joy it is to listen to your expositions. I am sitting here keeping the Sabbath by listening to your sermons. What a tool and what a blessing they have been for us. I commend you for your faithfulness in what you do, knowing of course that it is ultimately of the Lord and not of your own wisdom. I have just listened to ‘The Goal of Pastors: Unity in the Faith.’ Had I no kinfolk in the States, I would be greatly tempted to move to your area, some way, somehow, and join with your fellowship. Furthermore, please know how grateful I am that you take the time to deal with my questions …” – North Carolina, USA
“I enjoy the DVDs very much and look forward to each new release. May God bless the work in Ballymena and elsewhere.” – Scotland
“I’m just listening to last week’s Belgic Confession class. Is it possible to have the notes which went with it? The series on Zechariah’s night visions is excellent …”– England
“I just tore myself away from the book [Federal Vision: Heresy at the Root] I received from you this morning. So much said together between only two covers! This will really be the last say in my search for the bottom of this error (heresy!). The question/reply format in the second part really equips one to defend the faith. Excellent! Thank you ever so much.” – S. Africa
