Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 22 June, 2025
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Judges Deborah and Barak (1)
Israel’s Mighty Oppression Under the Canaanites [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Judges 4:1-16
Text: Judges 4:1-8
I. The Just Sale
II. The Weak Deliverers
Psalms: 44:9-15; 130:1-8; 106:34-42; 119:129-136
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
The Worship That God Accepts [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 24
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 35
I. Where?
II. Through Whom?
III. From Whom?
Psalms: 115:1-11; 131:1-3; 15:1-5; 24:3-8
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
Prof. David J. Engelsma: “Israel’s sin is idolatry ‘again’ (Judges 4:1). And God’s chastisement is oppression by a hostile power again. ‘They chose new gods; then was war in the gates,’ according to Deborah’s song in Judges 5:8. This is more severe oppression than before. When God’s people disregard former chastisements, he steps up the severity of the new chastisement. The oppression lasts twenty years, longer than any previous bondage. The enemy oppresses Israel ‘mightily’ (4:3), that is, with extreme force and violence. He is seemingly irresistible and unconquerable because he has nine hundred iron-clad chariots. No thought of resistance is found among the terrified men of Israel: ‘Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?’ asks Deborah (5:8)” (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 5, pp. 46-47).
Dale Ralph Davis on Judges 4:1-3: “These verses allude to the pressurized piety of Israel. ‘Now Ehud had died’ (v. 1)—it was then Israel ‘again did what was evil.’ This is a sample of what 2:19 was talking about. Take away the external restraint and Israel displays her true character. There is something wrong with religion when its degree of fidelity depends solely on outside pressures, influences, and leadership. Then we are ‘Christian’ only because of our surroundings, or because of the expectations of Christian people around us, and lack a genuine, internal work of God” (Judges: Such a Great Salvation, pp. 72-73).
Herman Hoeksema: “Whenever we form a conception of God that is not according to his revelation in the holy scriptures, we lie about God and make an image of him. When we conceive of God as a being who is so filled with love that he condones sin, we deny his righteousness and make an image of him. When we imagine a God who is so merciful that he cannot cast the sinner into eternal desolation as punishment for his sins, we deprive God of the glory of his immutable justice and form an image of him in our minds. When in our prayers we attempt to approach God without seeking forgiveness in the blood of Christ Jesus, we worship an image just as really as the Israelites at Horeb worshiped the golden calf. When we conceive of God as a sort of Santa Claus who exists to bestow all kinds of good things on us, as one to fight our battles and to give us victories, as one who must solve the problems we create in this sinful world, or as one to whom we cry when we are in trouble, but for the rest we forget him and do not care to glorify him and to walk in his ways, we worship images of our making. When we deny the scriptural truths of election and reprobation and that God is merciful to whom he will be merciful and whom he wills he hardens; when we represent God in the salvation of the sinner as being dependent on the will of man to open the door of his heart before God can enter; or when we conceive of God as being gracious in the preaching of the gospel to everyone who hears, head for head and soul for soul, we deny his absolute sovereignty and fashion an image of God just as really as the pagans carve one in wood or chisel one in stone … Let this be sufficient to convince us that the sin of image worship dwells in our sinful flesh and that, according to our evil natures, we are always inclined to worship our lies and to deny the God who has revealed himself in his word in Christ Jesus.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome all our visitors from Australia and America to the worship services today.
This evening will be a preparatory service with the view to partaking of the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning.
Tuesday Bible study will meet this week at 11 AM to continue our study of the Council of Nicea (AD 325), particularly considering what the Arians taught.
Sven Kuhs and Megan Higgs’ wedding service is to begin at 10 AM on Thursday, 26 June. All are welcome to attend the ceremony.
Men’s Bible study plans to meet this Saturday, 28 June, at 7:30 PM on-line, treating Psalm 90, using A 30 Day Walk With God Through the Psalms.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “The God Who Wouldn’t Let Go” (Jonah 1:4-15).
Offerings: £1,816.79.
Translation Additions: 1 Albanian, 1 French, 2 Polish, 1 Russian and 6 Urdu.
PRC News: Cornerstone PRC called Rev. Spronk. Grace PRC called Rev. DeBoer. Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) and Southwest PRC called Rev. W. Langerak. Synod approved the examination of Mr. Aaron Van Dyke and declared him a candidate for the ministry in the PRCA.
Encouraging Quotes
“The brother in Kent is enjoying his gift [of The More Glorious Covenant] as I too was blessed by it.” – London
“Greetings from Peru. I always visit the CPRC website, and I have translated an article which I have attached … I was reading the articles on the web, and this article was not translated. I took the time to do it and pass the file to you so it can be used for dissemination.” – North Peru
“Thank you for the Covenant Reformed News articles. They are very informative and encouraging … After reading the articles on Psalm singing in worship and watching the debate, I am convinced that the Holy Scriptures state the same. Why would our blessed Lord leave His worship to mere men when His Word is not open to private interpretation and is our guide according to His will? … I’ve noticed in Bible studies with the saints that the different translations which are used cause conflicting discussion especially if it is an NIV translation that is being used. I have been able to share your website with others and pray the good Lord will open the eyes of understanding to the truth of His Word.” – Australia
“Thank you for Behold He Cometh. God willing I plan to post that volume to [a friend] who has requested a Reformed commentary on Revelation. I believe this volume will greatly bless him in the Reformed faith, and will also be a bulwark against Arminianism and dispensationalism.” – Lincolnshire
“I listened to the sermon yesterday on Christ’s teaching regarding little children. It was excellent! I shared it with a few people. Such a necessary sermon these days. I have noticed in my circles at least, Arminianism is one of the biggest threats to those who have grown up in the Reformed faith and leave for ‘non-denominational’ churches. Or even the growth of Reformed Baptists with some popular trending preachers on the internet.” – New Jersey
“I greatly gain from the CPRC website because of the many valuable materials already available. I really love visiting the website. I honestly learn a lot from the sermons and the teaching style.” – Kenya
“Thank you for the kind gift of Reformed literature and the book. I’ll read them in the next few months. I find myself increasing referring to covenant theology so this is very timely.” – N. Yorkshire
