Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 5 March, 2006
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the
bond of perfectness” (Col. 3:14)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Miracles and the End of the World
II Thessalonians 2:9
I. The Biblical Teaching
II. The Necessary Implication
III. The Vital Calling
Psalms: 48:4-11; 36:8-12; 105:26-37; 119:161-168
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Christian Love (14)
I Corinthians 13:13
I. The Three Graces
II. The Abiding Graces
III. The Greatest of the Graces
Psalms: 103:1-2, 19-22; 37:1-7; 27:4-6; 23:1-6
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:
John Calvin on miracles:
“Faith does not depend on miracles, or any extraordinary sign, but is the peculiar gift of the Spirit, and is produced by means of the word … There is nothing to which the flesh is more inclined than to listen to vain revelations …
Impostors in their working of miracles are the ministers of God’s vengeance, in order that the reprobate may be taken in their snares …
Any miracles … which seek to glorify the creature and not God, and which bolster up untruths and not the Word of God, are manifestly of the devil.”
R. C. H. Lenski on I Corinthians 13:13: “What John says regarding our love while we are in this earthly state may surely be used to cast a light upon our state above where it will be love that brings us into the fullest union and communion with God. It is faith’s nature to receive, but love gives; and giving is greater than receiving. God’s fullest purpose is attained in us when we are filled with love. Hope also looks forward to receiving, but love is full possession and completed joy. And for every new joy which hope receives in heaven love will be the response on our part. When we come to rest on the bosom of God, it will be by love.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
There are a number of free sermon videos available in the back for those who are interested. A letter from Rev. Spriensma in the Philippines is on the back table.
The second offering this morning is for the building fund.
Catechism: Monday at 7 PM at the manse with the Campbells Tuesday at 5:30 PM at the Murrays Thursday at 7 PM at the Hamills
Bible Study will be held this week Wednesday at 7:45 PM at the manse on the nature of church authority.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 12 March (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled “The Last of the Vinegar” (Mark 15:35-37).
Upcoming Lectures: “Miracles & the End of the World,” Limerick, Wednesday, 29 March “The Synod of Dordt,” Ballymena Protestant Hall, 8 PM, Friday, 7 April
Last Week’s Offerings: General Fund – £6,631.10. Donations: £10 (C. R. News), £23.20 (Bookstore), £35 (S. Wales).
PRC News: Rev. R. Kleyn (Trinity, MI) declined the call to Faith PRC. Rev. Key (Hull, IA) declined Kalamazoo. Covenant PRC (New Jersey) called Rev. Slopsema (First, MI). Classis West met, examined, and approved Candidate Dennis Lee. He will be ordained and installed in Edgerton PRC on 7 April.
John Calvin on miracles:
In demanding miracles from us, they [Roman Catholic apologists] act dishonestly, for we have not coined some new gospel, but retain the very one the truth of which is confirmed by all the miracles which Christ and the apostles ever wrought. But they have a peculiarity which we have not—they can confirm their faith by constant miracles down to the present day! Nay rather, they allege miracles which might produce wavering in minds otherwise well disposed; they are so frivolous and ridiculous, so vain and false. But were they even exceedingly wonderful, they could have no effect against the truth of God, whose name ought to be hallowed always, and everywhere, whether by miracles, or by the natural course of events. The deception would perhaps be more specious if Scripture did not admonish us of the legitimate end and use of miracles. Mark tells us that the signs which followed the preaching of the apostles are wrought in confirmation of it (Mark 16:20); so Luke also relates that the Lord “gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done” by the hands of the apostles (Acts 14:3). Very much to the same effect are those words of the apostle, that salvation by a preached gospel was confirmed, “the Lord bearing witness with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles” (Heb. 2:4). Those things which we are told are seals of the gospel, shall we pervert to the subversion of the gospel? What was destined only to confirm the truths shall we misapply to the confirmation of lies? The proper course, therefore, is, in the first instance, to ascertain and examine the doctrine which is said by the Evangelist to precede; then after it has been proved, but not till then, it may receive confirmation from miracles. But the mark of sound doctrine given by our Saviour himself is its tendency to promote the glory not of men but of God (John 7:18; 8:50). Our Saviour having declared this to be the test of doctrine, we are in error if we regard as miraculous works which are used for any other purpose than to magnify the name of God. And it becomes us to remember that Satan has his miracles, which, although they are tricks rather than true wonders, are still such as to delude the ignorant and unwary. Magicians and enchanters have always been famous for miracles, and miracles of an astonishing description have given support to idolatry: these, however, do not make us converts to the superstitions either of magicians or idolaters. In old times, too, the Donatists used their power of working miracles as a battering ram, with which they shook the simplicity of the common people. We now give to our opponents the answer which Augustine then gave to the Donatists: “The Lord put us on our guard against those wonder-workers when he foretold that false prophets would arise, who, by lying signs and divers wonders would, if it were possible deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24; Joan. Tract. 23). Paul, too, gave warning that the reign of antichrist would be “with all power, and signs, and lying wonders” (II Thess. 2:9).
But our opponents tell us that their miracles are wrought not by idols, not by sorcerers, not by false prophets, but by saints: as if we did not know it to be one of Satan’s wiles to transform himself “into an angel of light” (II Cor. 11:14). The Egyptians, in whose neighbourhood Jeremiah was buried, anciently sacrificed and paid other divine honours to him (Hieron. in Praef. Jeremy). Did they not make an idolatrous abuse of the holy prophet of God? And yet, in recompense for so venerating his tomb, they thought that they were cured of the bite of serpents. What, then, shall we say but that it has been, and always will be, a most just punishment of God, to send on those who do not receive the truth in the love of it, “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (II Thess. 2:11)?
(from the “Prefatory Address to King Francis I” in Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion)
