Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 18 June, 2023
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed,
and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM – Rev. J. Laning
Gentiles Receiving the Holy Spirit [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Acts 10
Text: Acts 10:44-46a
I. The Sent Preacher
II. The Spirit’s Work
III. The One People
Psalms: 24:3-8; 119:100-107; 116:1-8; 9:1-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Rev. J. Laning
Waiting for God’s Son from Heaven [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 1
Text: I Thessalonians. 1:9b-10
I. The Genuine Turning
II. The Patient Waiting
III. The Joyful Service
Psalms: 92:3-9; 16:1-7; 96:8-13; 25:4-10
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
Quote to Consider
Rev. Gise VanBaren: “Thus the child of God, truly interested in the work of the Spirit, will not look first to certain special gifts in which some today seem to boast, but He will look to the Word of God and seek the proper preaching of that Word. It is in that area that, first of all and centrally, he beholds the beauty of the work of the Spirit in the church and in its individual members. He notes that the Spirit works in this area as the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit is seen in His work in directing and governing the body of Christ. This too He performs as the Spirit of Christ. I have earlier pointed out that the Spirit directed the church of Antioch to send forth Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Many of the references to the Spirit are in the epistles which are addressed to various churches. Again the work of the Spirit in the body of Christ receives emphasis. I Corinthians 12:13 states, ‘For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body … and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.’ The same is suggested in Ephesians 4:4: ‘There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.’ The work of the Spirit of Christ is seen in the individual child of God and, in fact, that work must be seen. Scripture contains warnings against ignoring or neglecting the Spirit and His will. Already in the early history of the church in the New Testament, one finds the account of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3). There is the striking admonition in I Thessalonians 5:19: ‘Quench not the Spirit.’ Again in Ephesians 4:30: ‘And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.’ These passages suggest that there is such a walk possible within the church where these sins are evident. As far as the power and work of the Spirit of Christ in the individual saint are concerned, we could perhaps divide this into two parts: the gift of life and the gift of the godly walk. Galatians 5:25 suggests this: ‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit’” (“The Holy Spirit: His Presence, Power and Fruits,” p. 5).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. James & Margaret Laning to our worship services. Rev. Laning will preach today and 25 June. Rev. & Mary Stewart return from Singapore on Monday, 26 June.
Tuesday Bible study will not meet this week.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “To Provide and Protect” (Eph. 5:23).
There will be tea after the evening service next Lord’s day, 25 June, as we say farewell to the Lanings. Tea Rota: Group B.
The next Lord’s Supper will be in the morning of 9 July.
Offerings: £1,038.51. Donations: £20 (Lancashire), £25 (Rep. of Ireland).
Translation Additions: 2 Polish, 1 Russian and 1 Spanish.
