Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 12 June, 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
Complete in Christ (5)
All the Fulness of the Godhead Dwells in Christ [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2
Text: Colossians 2:9-10
I. The Meaning
II. The Manner
III. The Benefit
Psalms: 24:1-6; 145:16-21; 63:1-8; 36:5-11
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Praying for Our Daily Bread [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 145
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 50
I. A Prayer of the Needy
II. A Prayer of the Industrious
III. A Prayer of the Blessed
Psalms: 84:1-6; 146:1-6; 104:17-24; 37:21-27
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
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 50: “… even though this petition is a prayer for tangible and material bread, it is deeply spiritual. This is not a common petition that any man can pray. The natural, unregenerated man is unable to make it his own. All the manifestations of greed and covetousness, the striving after the things of this world and always more of them, the constant and bitter fighting between the haves and the have-nots, and the lusts of the flesh and of the eyes and the pride of life that manifestly characterize the life of the natural man all constitute a striking contrast to the simple request for daily bread. Even for the believer it is not always easy to utter this petition in spirit and in truth and without reservation. We do not usually live on the high spiritual level that is required to take this petition on our lips and to mean it … In the petition we acknowledge that God is the only fountain of all good and that neither our care nor industry, nor even his gifts, can profit us without his blessing. Therefore, we can withdraw our trust from all creatures and place it alone in him” (The Perfect Prayer, pp. 121-122).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
New CD/DVD box sets and free pamphlet catalogues are available on the back table.
Everyone is welcome to stay for tea after this evening’s service. Tea rota: Group C.
Marina Mawhinney and Helen Mawhinney have requested membership in the CPRC. After meeting with the two women and hearing of their agreement with the doctrines “taught here in this Christian church,” the Council joyfully granted that request. We welcome them and pray that the Lord will bless our fellowship together.
Have you booked yet for the BRF Conference (16-23 July)? All bookings and full payments are due this week. Extra booking forms are on the back table. If you are unsure how much you owe, please check with Kristin.
Philip Hall’s term as deacon ends in August. Church Order 22 advises that members be given “an opportunity to direct attention to suitable persons,” so if you have anyone you believe should be nominated for this office, please speak with Rev. Stewart or an elder.
The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to discuss the eating of blood in connection with the OT food laws.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “The New Heaven and New Earth” (Rev. 21:1-3).
Offerings: General Fund: £871.63. Building Fund: £249.87. Donations: £200 (DVDs).
New translations: 3 Hungarian.
PRC news: The PR Synod begins this week. Rev. McGeown leaves tomorrow to represent our congregation and the LRF. Pray for the Lord’s blessing on Rev. McGeown and on this assembly.
Belial’s Balladeers
Brian D. Dykstra
Psalm 100:2: “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
Last October, a parent gave me a copy of an article from Calvin College’s newspaper, The Chimes. I do not know if the parent’s intent was for me to address the article’s content on the “back of the note” but that’s the risk one takes when giving me an article. I had already planned several article topics for the beginning of the school year, so I decided to save the article. The article is titled, “Calvin Debates Common Grace in Music,” and it appeared in the 4 October, 2002 issue.
The article was occasioned by performances at Calvin College by the groups Jimmy Eat World, which uses obscenities in its performances, and the Indigo Girls, two lesbian women. The article speaks of the debate taking place at Calvin about “two key beliefs of the Christian Reformed Church about culture that are often in tension with one another: common grace and antithesis.”
One advantage I had in waiting to treat this article is that is has been ably handled in the Standard Bearer. Rev. Koole dealt with it in an “All Around Us” article in the November 15, 2002 issue, and Prof. Engelsma dealt with it in passing in the December 1, 2002 issue in his series “He Shines in All That’s Fair” [now published in the book, Common Grace Revisited]. You might wish to go over those articles again because I would like to look at the events reported in The Chimes from a different point of view. First, we can see the effects on a Christian school when false doctrine is held and, second, the reason for music instruction in our schools.
Calvin College held a panel discussion on “how hosting those artists fits into Calvin’s mission.” One of the panel members was Richard Mouw. We have heard about him through the Standard Bearer. During the discussion, Mouw said, “common grace modifies the antithesis.” That’s the way it is with false doctrine. It “modifies” the truth until the truth isn’t recognized any more. What happens is that common grace bleaches the black and soils the white so the church can meet the world on the common gray. It’s a bit like modifying the noun “dog,” not with the adjectives of “snout” and “fur,” but with “beak” and “feathers.”
In a school setting, everything can then be introduced to students under the cover of common grace. Mr. Mouw said about “cultural” events at Calvin in earlier years, “They were all for the point of creating discernment.” Calvin professor Helen Sterk said about the Indigo Girls, “If you listen to them, a lot of what they bring us is how to love, and that’s probably a good thing.” Incredible, isn’t it? Why tell students to turn to the book of Proverbs for spiritual discernment when movies and rock groups can serve the same purpose? Why look to God the Father for a lesson about love because He sent His only begotten Son or why look to the Son who willingly took upon Himself our sins and bore them all the way through His suffering and death on the cross for an example of love, when the Indigo Girls can supply the same instruction in a contemporary fashion?
I was going to use a common metaphor and say that false doctrine provides a loophole big enough to drive a truck through, but recent reports in the Grand Rapids Press’ Saturday religion section (and I wish I had noted the dates at the time) indicate that the loophole is actually large enough to accommodate the congregation of First Toronto CRC, and that is all I care to say about that congregation here. The effects of false doctrine on a school, not to mention a denomination, are devastating.
These events remind us of the need for musical instruction. Man has a musical nature. Very early in history, we see the development of musical instruments. Jubal already makes his appearance in Genesis 4. An honorary “aunt” of mine was known for her tin ear. She could never sing on pitch. She mentioned that one enjoyable aspect of having all her children in school was that she could sing as loudly as she wanted in her empty house. We are musical and need to learn how to use music for God’s glory.
Music can appeal to us emotionally and, because of this, it must be used carefully. Satan has learned to use music to spread ungodly morals and sinful rebellion. Satan’s balladeers numb their listeners to the effects of sin. Sin is not so serious and becomes an accepted fact of today’s society. Heresy can enter a church through music that is not solidly based on Scripture. Our children need to learn to discern between the good and the evil. The antithesis cuts through this area of life also.
How many of God’s people have found comfort singing Psalms with loved ones in times of sorrow and loss? The Psalms also express the joy of being delivered from sin. How often don’t the generations that gather at family reunions express unity by singing together? We can teach our children about music and how to use it in submission to God’s purpose.
May God preserve us in His Truth so we do not take Satan’s songs on our lips, but come before Him singing the songs of Zion.
