Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 6 March, 2005
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye
of all his wondrous works”
(Psalm 105:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (6)
Abraham’s Vision of the Covenant
Genesis 15:7-21
I. The Nature of the Covenant Bond
II. The Future of the Covenant People
III. The Extent of the Covenant Land
Psalms: 97:1-8; 131:1-3; 105:34-44; 73:22-28
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Ten Commandments
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 34, Exodus 19:7-20:7, 18-21
I. The Importance of the Ten Commandments
II. The Foundation of the Ten Commandments
III. The First of the Ten Commandments
Psalms: 135:13-21; 132:1-9; 68:7-12; 78:1-6
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:
Donald Gray Barnhouse: “The covenants of God are not agreements between two parties … They are unilateral … divinely and blessedly one-sided.”
Rev. Ron Hanko: “The Word tells us in Acts 7:5 that God gave Abraham no inheritance in the land, not so much as to set his foot on. Yet as verse 5 says, God promised it not only to Abraham’s seed, but also to him. There cannot be, in our estimation, clearer proof that the land promise and all such promises in the Old Testament had a spiritual fulfillment. The promise of the land was always essentially the promise of a heavenly inheritance, and not really the promise of any earthly land or inheritance. Hebrews 11:8-16 confirms this. When Abraham, by faith, left Ur to go to the land God had promised him, he ‘looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God’ (v. 10). Isaac and Jacob too, always ‘confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth’ (v. 13) and declared that they were seeking ‘a better country, that is, an heavenly’ (v. 16). In fact, if they had been looking for an earthly inheritance, they might have had opportunity to go back to the land from which they first came (v. 15), but that was not their hope. Nor is it ours. Because the land promise to Abraham was really a promise of spiritual and heavenly things, all the true children of Abraham (Rom. 3:28, 29; Rom, 4:16, 17; Gal. 3:29), those who believe in Abraham’s God, both Jews and Gentiles, shall enjoy the fulfillment of that promise and of all the other promises of the covenant that God made to Abraham and his seed. Not one shall fail to obtain what was promised—not Abraham himself, not those believing Jews who were scattered after the captivity and never returned to Canaan, and not the Gentile believers who are also true children of Abraham by faith” (Doctrine According to Godliness, p. 172).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Catechism classes: Monday at the manse at 7 PM with the Campbells and Thursday at the Hamills at 7 PM.
Midweek Bible Study will be held on Wednesday at 8 PM at the manse.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 13 March (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is “Blessed Are the Pure in Heart” (Matthew 5:8).
On Friday, 8 April, Rev. Stewart will give a lecture, “The 1000 Years of Revelation 20,” in Ballymena Protestant Hall at 8 PM.
Last Week’s Offerings: £687.26. Donations: £28 (S. Wales), £50.
PRC News: Rev. Overway (New Jersey) has accepted the call from Doon PRC. Hudsonville PRC has a new trio consisting of Revs. A. Brummel (S. Holland, IL) D. Kleyn (Edgerton, MN) and Dick (Grace, MI).
Encouraging Quotes
“Please thank Sean Courtney for the very helpful books and tapes on eschatology which he sent me before Christmas. Please accept the enclosed gift cheque for your work in the bookshop or anything else.” – England
“Thank you for your article [on The Passion of the Christ Film]. It seems there are very few who see the truth as the film continues to reap great profits and will be re-released this March. It also seems to be that ‘Calvinists’ or ‘Reformed’ peoples are those that see the film for what it is. I am doctrines of grace or reformed in theology. Do you see any connection between the apparent Arminian acceptance of the film and the Calvinist rejection?” – by e-mail
“Many thanks for sending me the literature and tapes which will keep me thinking for some time. It was most kind of you to respond so promptly and it was appreciated. Although I would class myself as a Calvinist regarding doctrine, there are however some points I may not fully understand but still seeking answers. Once again thanks for your response.” – N. Ireland
“Thank you very much for delivering the books and pamphlets to my house. I’m sorry I missed you. I didn’t realise that my order would be such a bulk. I’m sorry to have caused you such a bother. Thank you very very much. Every month I’ve received your Covenant Reformed News which I appreciate very much …” – Wales
“I really enjoyed [the lecture in Limerick] Wednesday night. The lecture was excellent, praise God! It was nice meeting yourself and Mary again and also Pastor Kleyn and Mr. Boer. May God be pleased to continue to bless your ministry. Looking forward to your next visit God willing.” – Rep. of Ireland
“Really enjoyed the Romans 9 tapes. Absolutely fantastic.” – England
“Thank you very much for sending me the additional copy of Mysteries of the Kingdom which arrived safely today.” – N. Ireland
“Was listening to the New Birth series again this week. I think my favourites are 1) Jehoshaphat 2) Romans 9 and 3) The New Birth … There is, as you said, widespread unbelief concerning the New Birth in the professing Church. The sermons really cleared up the ‘born of water’ phrase for me.” – Rep. of Ireland
“Many thanks for the tape you sent me, very interesting. I have passed it on to neighbours of ours.” – England
“Dear CPRF, Thank you for putting together a very good website. I know this requires many sacrifices. I am a Reformed believer here in the US who has profited a lot from your work. It is encouraging to see the Lord raising up those who confess His whole truth in other parts of the world. I especially enjoyed reading your minister’s article on Jonathan Edwards. This was a real eye opener for me of the perils of embracing revivalism. As with every error there seems to be a perceived short term ‘benefit’ which is soon lost in the whirlwind of what follows. My wife and I finished reading Marsden’s book on Edwards and this assessment was confirmed. Coming from an independent Arminian church background I also sympathized with your minister’s church background and the struggles by God’s grace to come to the clear light of His whole counsel. My wife and I were also out this summer vacationing in the Washington area and visited the PR church there and me Rev. and Mrs. Hanko. They are indeed a wonderful family. Again many thanks and encouragement to keep up the fine work.” – USA
“I have been looking round for some resources to use for our little Bible Club on Sundays, and we have found it difficult to find resources which are suitable for older children just entering their teens, and none of us at the church have that much time to devote to preparation … we would like material which covers the same ground for both groups simultaneously. The other parents at the group have agreed to my suggestion of using the Show Me Thy Ways books alongside the Suffer Little Children series.” – England
