Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 4 March, 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
Zechariah’s Night Visions (4)
Joshua Standing Before the Angel of the Lord [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Zechariah 3
Text: Zechariah 3:1-5
I. The Main Parties in the Vision
II. The Devastating Rebuke From the Lord
III. The Wonderful Change of Garments
Psalms: 111:1-6; 119:161-168; 109:1-7; 32:1-5
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Zechariah’s Night Visions (5)
God’s Priestly Royal Servant [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11
Text: Zechariah 3:6-10
I. The Sign of Joshua and His Companions
II. The Prophecy of the Branch
III. The Picture of the Stone
Psalms: 101:1-6; 119:169-176; 71:1-8; 118:17-26
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
Quote to Consider:
John Calvin on Zechariah 3:1-2: “Let us then know that Christ never performs the work of the priesthood, but that Satan stands at his side, that is, devises all means by which he may remove and withdraw Christ from his office. It hence follows that they are much deceived, who think that they can live idly under the dominion of Christ: for we all have a warfare, for which each is to arm and equip himself. Therefore at this day, when we see the world seized with so much madness, that it assails us, and would wholly consume us, let not our thoughts be fixed on flesh and blood, for Satan is the chief warrior who assails us, and who employs all the rage of the world to destroy us, if possible, on every side … Let us therefore know, that God is not simply the enemy of Satan, but also one who has taken us under his protection, and who will preserve us safe to the end. Hence God, as our Redeemer and the eternal guardian of our salvation, is armed against Satan in order to restrain him. The warfare then is troublesome and difficult, but the victory is not doubtful, for God ever stands on our side.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Marco Barone to our worship services today.
A newsletter from Rev. Bruinsma in Pittsburgh is available on the back table.
Sunday Catechism: 10 AM – O.T. Juniors
Monday Catechism: 6 PM – O.T. Beginners (Alex & Nathan) 6:45 PM – O.T. Juniors (Jacob & Joseph) 7:30 PM – Heidelberg (Timothy, Zoe, Amy & Lea)
Our Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 11 AM on “Eschatology and Time.” We’ll continue out discussion on the “two ages.”
Belgic Confession Class meets Wednesday at 7:45 PM to study Article 13—”The Unspeakable Consolation of Providence”
The Council will meet this Thursday at 7 PM at the church.
The Ladies’ Discussion Group will continue their study of the book Lies Women Believe, meeting this Friday, 9 March, at 10 am to discuss chapter 8.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “A Blessed End to a Beautiful Book” (Ruth 4:13-22).
Lectures:
S. Wales, 12 April, Rev. Stewart, “God’s Sovereignty & Man’s Responsibility”
Ballymena, 20 April, Rev. Stewart, “God’s Sovereignty & Man’s Responsibility”
Offerings: General Fund: £474.80. Donation: £20 (DVDs).
PRC News: Rev. Spronk declined the call to Hope PRC. Edgerton called Rev. R. Kleyn (Spokane, WA).
Letter to Belfast Telegraph and Belfast Newsletter
Redefining Marriage
Sadly, the current UK civil government wants to redefine marriage so that it is no longer simply between a man and a woman, but also between a man and a man, and a woman and a woman. The new legislation would present the union between a man and a woman as only one of three options regarding “marriage.”
The God who created human beings male or female has defined marriage as a one-flesh union between one man and one woman, as the Lord Jesus teaches (Matt. 19:4-5). This reflects the great mystery of Christ’s unbreakable marriage with His beloved bride, the church, consisting of all His elect from the beginning to the end of the world (Eph. 5:32). Scripture’s declaration that marriage is a lifelong bond between one man and one woman (Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:39) is well summarised in the historic wedding form: “as long as you both shall live” and “till death us do part.”
Increased acceptance, approval and even encouragement of sins against the seventh commandment—fornication, adultery, pornography, divorce for many grounds (sexual infidelity is the only ground, according to Christ in Matthew 5:32), remarriage while one’s spouse is still living (Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3; I Cor. 7:10-11) and homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)—has paved the way for the state’s push for same-sex marriage.
The Almighty judges for sin and gives people over to their iniquity. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [down] the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). The way of deliverance from sexual lusts and, indeed, the guilt, pollution and bondage of other sins as well, is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, crucified, risen and exalted as Lord and Saviour.
Rev. Angus Stewart
Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
www.cprc.co.uk
Letter to Belfast Telegraph
Questions of faith respondent John Burns must be answered (BT Feb 28th)
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God commands mankind to love Him because when man was created he could and did. Since the fall man cannot love God because he will not. John 5:40. Love is an act of the will. God gives the command and the ability to His sheep. John 6:44.
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When Scripture says God creates evil it means calamities and adverse events not sin e.g. Job 2:10. God tempts no-one to sin. God decrees sin but Satan and men are wholly responsible for it e.g. the Cross of Christ.
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There are no real contradictions in Scripture as it is a unity as God is simple and a trinity in perfect unity. Scripture is 100% truth Psalm 119:160
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Our morality is grounded in God because He defines morality and punishes immorality and idolatry in heathen nations (Burns so-called genocide) and ultimately in hell (all the wicked)-all to the praise of His justice.
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Unbelief is damnable because it makes out God to be a liar by disbelieving what He has said in His word. 1 John 5:10.The evidence on which to base faith is compelling-creation, redemption and fulfilled prophecy but man loves his sin too much to repent unless God’s grace intervenes.
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God is good, so good and righteous that He has to punish unrepentant mankind who hate Him and by their lives spit in His face-mankind as a whole had become so corrupt in Noah’s day God had to destroy them in the flood and at the end of time will do likewise by fire.
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Morality is summed up in the ten commandments which reflect God’s holy character-God first, then revealed morals because He is the Supreme Judge. All morality based elsewhere e.g. in idolatry and false religions is wickedness and immorality-witness the golden calf.
Sincerely,
Dr Julian Kennedy
