Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 30 June, 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 (12)
Angels as Christ’s Ministering Spirits [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1
Text: Hebrews 1:14
I. Office
II. Beneficiaries
III. Role
Psalms: 103:17-22; 104:8-14; 91:10-16; 104:1-7
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
Continue in My Word [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 8:12-32
Text: John 8:31
I. What Jesus Presupposes
II. What Jesus Does Not Say
III. What Jesus Is Saying
Psalms: 34:11-18; 104:15-21; 37:3-9; 119:129-136
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
John Gill on Hebrews 1:14: “[The angels] are ‘sent forth’ to minister to [the elect] in such a way; they are sent forth by Christ, the Lord and Creator of them, who therefore must be superior to them; they do not take this office upon themselves, though, being put into they faithfully and diligently execute it, according to the will of Christ: and this shows the care of Christ over his people, and his kindness to them, and the great honour he puts upon them, to appoint such to minister to them.”
A. W. Pink on Hebrews 1:14: “The angels are portrayed as our attendants! When we remember who and what they are—their exalted rank in the scale of being, their sinlessness, their wondrous capacities, knowledge and powers—it is surely an astonishing thing to learn that they should minister unto us. Think of it, the unfallen angels waiting upon the fallen descendants of Adam! The courtiers of Heaven ministering to worms of the earth! The mighty angels, who ‘excel in strength,’ taking notice of and serving those so far beneath them! Could you imagine the princes of the royal family seeking out dwellers in the slums and ministering to them, not once or occasionally, but constantly? But the analogy altogether fails. The angels of God are sent forth to minister unto redeemed sinners! Marvel at it” (Exposition of Hebrews, p. 75).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This evening will be preparatory for the Lord’s Supper.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will critique the health and wealth gospel’s view of faith itself.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM).
Offerings: £1,361.20. Donation: £13,574.98 (Michigan).
Translation Additions: 2 German, 5 Portuguese and 2 Spanish.
PRC News: Hope PRC (Redlands) has called Rev. Engelsma. Lynden PRC called Rev. Barnhill. Hope PRC (Walker) has a trio of Revs. DeBoer, Decker and Maatman. Zion PRC has a trio of Revs. Decker, Smidstra and Spronk. Rev. Mahtani preaches his farewell in Hope PRC tonight and his family will move to Pittsburg this week where he will be installed as their next pastor next Sunday. Sem. Aaron VanDyke, along with his wife and two children, moved to Wingham, Ontario, this past week to begin his internship there.
Immanuel PRC Singles Retreat: Did you know that tomorrow, 1 July, is Canada Day? The True North Strong and Free has long daylight hours, comfortable summer temps, wide open skies and impressive mountains. Come experience Alberta, Canada for yourself and meet other mature believers at our Singles Retreat 5-10 June, 2025! Follow our Facebook page, “Immanuel PRC Singles Retreat,” for more information and updates throughout the year.
Jehovah’s Power Displayed at Carmel
Brian D. Dykstra
I Kings 18
God suddenly appears to Elijah to command him to meet Ahab and announce that rain will come. The command is sudden and unexpected. Scripture does not tell us that a sufficient fraction of Israelites had learned their lesson and turned from Baal. There is no record of an intimate dinner conversation between Ahab and Jezebel where they realize they must confess their sin and repent. The rain will come at the sovereign pleasure of God. The rain will be a blessing to God’s people for they will thank Him. The same rain will be a curse to the wicked for they will receive it without gratitude.
Elijah first meets God-fearing Obadiah, the man whom Ahab trusts to be in charge of his household. Obadiah lives up to his name, which means, “a servant of the Lord.” Ahab’s wickedness does not cause Obadiah to leave his job and Obadiah’s faithfulness does not lead to his dismissal by Ahab. Ahab knew he could trust Obadiah to do his job faithfully and well. Obadiah could stay in his job and use it for the benefit of God’s kingdom. This he did by hiding one hundred of God’s prophets, and feeding them with bread and water, which Obadiah diverted from Jezebel’s royal household and gave to servants of the King of creation.
When Obadiah saw the spiritual condition of Israel under Ahab’s rule, he did not move his family to Judah. Many Levites and Israelites who sought to serve God had moved in the early days of the division of Israel. Obadiah realized there was yet a place for him and God’s people in Israel. Also Obadiah is an example to us that God’s children often work for the godless and God will preserve His saints from corruption. Joseph and Daniel served their masters in similar conditions. It is sad, however, when a godly employee’s faithful witness does not lead the boss to conversion.
Ahab and Obadiah searched for grass in an effort to sustain the lives of the remaining royal horses and mules. These men expended great energy in this search which also produced the sweat of the brow. Ahab exerts himself to save the lives of some of his beasts. It is too bad he does not exert any effort for the well-being of his soul.
When Elijah meets Obadiah, Obadiah reports on how extensive and earnest was Ahab’s search for Elijah. The miracles performed during Elijah’s time with the widow of Zarephath must not have been widely reported, and perhaps not discussed at all, or Ahab would have caught wind of Elijah’s location and arrested him.
When Elijah meets Obadiah, there is an interesting reaction in Obadiah of doubt and faith. Obadiah cannot believe God would really allow a face-to-face meeting between Elijah and Ahab. Ahab would certainly kill Elijah. Obadiah doubts that what Elijah announced, which was God’s word, would really take place. By faith, Obadiah knew it was within God’s power miraculously to deliver Elijah by moving him far away from danger. Yet Obadiah feared that when Ahab did not actually meet Elijah, Ahab would kill Obadiah in retribution, for he fears that the God who would spare Elijah would not spare him. This is often part of the Christian’s life on earth. Saints know about God’s great promises to His church but in weakness we sometimes doubt that these promises will be applied to us personally.
Elijah calls for a meeting of all Israel on Mount Carmel. There will be a contest between God and Baal. Which God will answer with fire? The God who does will be proclaimed the true God. What a shame for the people to say, “It is well spoken.” They think the outcome is debatable. They imagine the contestants each have strengths and weaknesses. As the crowd gathers, the spectators anticipate a good, closely fought contest. In their faithless minds, there is actually a doubt as to which God will win. They anticipate this event with the eagerness we witness when two world-class football clubs battle it out on the pitch. They don’t realize that this contest will not even be as close as when a world-class football team plays against a group of kindergartners.
The setting of the contest is Mount Carmel. Commentators enjoy describing the beauty of the place. The soil is fertile, supporting olive trees, flowering shrubs and a variety of colourful wildflowers. Mount Carmel is not one peak but a ridge. On the northern shore of Israel is a little point of land which extends into the Mediterranean Sea. The ridge of Carmel, which has several promontories and ravines, extends from the sea to the south-south-east for many miles. The highest point of the ridge is toward the eastern extremity. Its name is El-Mohhraka, “the Burning” or “the Burnt Place.” Many believe that to be the site of the contest. While most commentators say Elijah used water from the sea to douse his sacrifice, those who are more thorough in their descriptions point out there is a spring at the base of this peak which always has water, even in drought. These commentators say this is the source of Elijah’s water as the sea was too distant to allow for a trip to the sea and back during the afternoon of Elijah’s sacrifice.
Elijah and Baal’s priests present a stark, even antithetical, contrast. Elijah appeared in his coat of camel’s hair and leather girdle; not a stylish look. Baal’s priests wore nice white robes and white, pointed caps. Four hundred fifty men dressed in dazzling white must have made quite an impression as they danced under the brilliant Mediterranean sun. When Elijah petitioned God in humble prayer, his words were few, reminding one of the New Testament injunction, “Let thy words be few.” Baal’s priests repeated the same phrase for hours, “O, Baal, hear us!” and very loudly as well. This reminds one of the shallow “religious” music of the day with its repetition of the same five to seven words.
Elijah calmly stood before God in prayer. Baal’s priests danced and what a dance it was. They began with a moderate cry and a back-and-forth swinging motion. Their cries crescendoed and the dancers increased their pace, as they kept-up a circular motion and weaved through each other. They would bend over and sweep the ground with their long hair which cascaded from beneath their caps. They hoped members of the crowd would join the dance. They also cut themselves and their blood flowed in a shameful torrent as they strove to appease their god. God forbade His people from cutting themselves or putting marks on their skin. God desired not the blood of men as sacrifice but that of the perfect sacramental Lamb which He would provide.
The King James Bible records that Baal’s priests leaped upon their altar. One commentator says the word should not be upon but around. Let’s consider the leaping upon the altar. What did these priests want? They wanted fire to come from heaven and consume their sacrifice. What would be their fate should Baal decide to hear their cries while they were upon their altar? They would be burnt to a crisp! Such is their devotion to their idol. They are willing to die for Baal. Four hundred fifty of them would do just that at the end of the contest. Being God’s disciple brings everlasting life. Following false gods brings only death, physical and spiritual.
Jehovah answered with fire. One might expect the people to have wanted an answer in the form of water, since this is what they really wanted to end the drought. Water would solve their national disaster, not fire. Fire was thought to be more under the dominion of Baal, as he was the sun god. The sun and its heat, represented by fire, would seem to be to Baal’s advantage. Fire is God’s purging element, used to give purified silver and gold. We thank God for His purifying of us not by physical fire but by the purging power of His Son’s precious blood.
