Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 22 March, 2020
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Coronavirus and the Fourth Horseman [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6
Text: Revelation 6:7-8
I. The Idea of the Fourth Horseman
II. The Sender of the Fourth Horseman
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Six Seals and the Coronavirus [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6
Text: Revelation 6
I. The Six Seals Collectively Considered
II. The Six Seals Individually Considered
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
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Now that we are unable to “diligently frequent the church of God” physically because of the coronavirus, we can be thankful for the good gift of God to us (or at least many of us) of the internet. We will be livestreaming from church today at the usual time: 11AM and 6PM. Go to https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/ to watch. There may well be extra pressure on the internet itself and in your area, so you may encounter “buffering” (times when the video stops). If this is the case, you can just listen to the audio (click the button that says “AUDIO” on that webpage), which, of course, requires much less bandwidth. If there are still problems, you could watch a video of your choice on our YouTube page or go to the AUDIO pages on https://cprc.co.uk/ to listen to a sermon.
Tibor’s confession of faith and the Lord’s Supper, which were scheduled for this morning and next Sunday morning respectively, have been postponed.
Monday catechism classes, Tuesday Bible Study and Wednesday’s Belgic Confession classes are cancelled indefinitely.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled, “Certainty in Prayer” (Matt. 6:13b).
Sadly, the CPRC Council has decided to close our mission work, the Limerick Reformed Fellowship (LRF). After almost 10 years of having a missionary there and 6 years before that of the LRF meeting without a missionary, there has been insufficient growth. Rev. Martyn McGeown of the LRF is eligible for a call by the Protestant Reformed churches. Upon receipt and acceptance of a call, God willing, it would take some months for him to gain legal permission to work and reside in the US or Canada. This would enable him to preach and pastor the members of the LRF before they move to join the CPRC (for several of them need a similar amount of time to tidy up their affairs in Limerick before relocating), and it will provide ministry longer for those who, for various reasons, are not able to move.
Pray for one another: Pray for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses who are especially endangered by the coronavirus. Pray for those who are health care workers or full-time carers, that they may be given strength for their calling. Pray that the Lord will give all of us patience and hope, and use our witness during this calamity for the furtherance of the gospel and the gathering of His church.
Offerings: General Fund: £473.40. Donation: £200 (England).
Translation Additions: 2 Portuguese, 4 Hungarian and 4 French.
PRC News: Grandville PRC has formed a new trio for missionary-on-loan to Singapore consisting of Revs. Eriks, Guichelaar and R. Kleyn. Providence PRC (MI) has formed a trio of Revs. Bruinsma, Eriks and McGeown, and will call today. Edmonton PRC has formed a trio of Revs. J. Engelsma, J. Laning and M. Vanderwal. Unity PRC (MI) has a new trio of Revs. Guichelaar, Mahtani and Spronk. Rev and Deb Bleyenberg were denied entrance into Canada because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They had hoped to travel to Lacombe, Alberta, to take up their work. They will remain in Michigan until further notice.
Time
Ishu Mahtani
(member of our sister church, the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
I believe that the passage itself speaks about the times we are in right now. It is a season of trials for many and perhaps sadness as well. Some are going through sicknesses, be it through the current coronavirus or through any other forms of sickness. Some may be going through psychological trials as well. Some may be going through personal trials in their lives in other forms as well.
Are you going through a personal struggle or trial in your life? Be ye comforted. The Word of God speaks to each one of us and reminds us that it is all according to His divine plan. Each one of us has to go through some forms of trial in this present life. But during these trials or times of sickness or persecution, God is always present with His people. In the Old Testament, God’s people were led through the desert in the same manner.
We read in Exodus 13:21, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”
Will the same God who led the people in the OT lead us now? Yes, by His mercy and grace, our holy and righteous One will lead us in the same manner. We only need to put our faith and trust in Him alone. Not in any other person, money or material possessions. We must put our faith and trust in Jehovah alone.
During these times of uncertainty, as far as the spread of the coronavirus is concerned, we may face friends or relatives who are heavily burdened by its spread. News reports daily speak about the harm which the spread of the virus can cause to others. The news reports may have perhaps spread more rapidly than the virus itself. These reports can have both good and bad effects on the people. Good, in the sense that they keep the public update about the spread, and help advise the people to remain vigilant and maintain high hygiene standards to help contain the spread of the virus. On the other hand, the news can have demoralizing effect on those who are easily affected by such negative publicity. In any case, it is good for us to be kept updated by recognized authorities, instead of listening to wild rumours and false news out there.
More importantly, I believe the Lord has given us this time to bring the good news to others. As we hear of how the general public is becoming more and more afraid of its spread and of the deaths it has caused, it may also be a good time for the people of God to share the good news. God speaks to us through such times to bring us closer to Him. Those who are His people will open their ears and have the desire to hear the good news of salvation. We need to bring this good news to our neighbours, friends and relatives, in good times and in bad.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
We must do His work now and not fret or wait. We do not have to become discouraged or disheartened if our sharing does not bear immediate fruit. For, according to His good timing and purpose, will His people come to the true knowledge of His word. According to His divine plan, will His people confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. By His grace will His elect be saved.
Finally, may the good Lord give us the grace and strength to do His good work, to bear a shining light for Him during these times. What time is this? Read Ecclesiastes 3.
