Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 23 March, 2025
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Assyrian Crisis (3)
Precept Upon Precept; Line Upon Line [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 28:1-18
Text: Isaiah 28:9-13
I. Whom Does God Teach?
II. How Does God Teach?
III. Why Does God Teach?
Psalms: 72:1-8; 119:97-104; 8:1-9; 131:1-3
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
The New Testament Sacraments [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Romans 4
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 25
I. The Antithetical Idea of the Sacraments
II. The Human Anatomy and the Sacraments
III. The Central Purpose of the Sacraments
Psalms: 71:1-8; 119:105-112; 37:3-9; 27:1-5
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
Quote to Consider
John Calvin on Isaiah 28:12: “… no man who has heard heavenly doctrine can go astray except knowingly and willingly. We learn from it how lovely in our eyes heavenly doctrine ought to be, for it brings to us the invaluable blessing of enjoying peace of conscience and true happiness. All confess loudly that there is nothing better than to find a place of security; and yet, when rest is offered, many despise it, and the greater part of men even refuse it, as if all men expressly desired to have wretched perplexity and continual trembling: and yet no man has a right to complain that he errs through ignorance; for nothing is clearer or plainer than the doctrine of God, so that it is vain for men to plead any excuse. In short, nothing can be more unreasonable than to throw the blame on God, as if he spoke obscurely, or taught in a confused manner. Now, as God testifies in this passage that he points out to us in his word assured rest, so, on the other hand, he warns all unbelievers that they suffer the just reward of their wickedness when they are harassed by continual uneasiness.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This evening will be a preparatory service with a view to the administration of the Lord’s Supper next Lord’s day morning, 30 March.
Monday catechism classes:
5:00 PM: Hannah, Penelope & Xander (Seniors OT)
5:45 PM: Grace, Jonas, Liam & Sammy (Beginners OT – Book 2)
6:30 PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Jorja & Sophie (Juniors OT)
7:15 PM: Jason, Kyan, Maisie & Sebastian (Heidelberg Catechism – Book 1)
8:00 PM: Bradley, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Essentials)
Tuesday Bible study will meet this week at 11 AM: Paul is in Paphos on the island of Cyprus with Sergius Paulus and Elymas.
The Belgic Confession class will meet on Wednesday at 7:30 PM to consider the question: What is the relationship between the political and the ecclesiastical in Antichrist and his kingdom?
Ladies Bible Study meets this Friday morning at 10 AM (note time change). We will be discussing Psalm 116 using the book A 30-Day Walk with God in the Psalms.
Men’s Bible study plans to meet this Saturday, 29 March, at 7:30 PM on-line, starting with Psalm 1, using A 30 Day Walk With God Through the Psalms.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “Freedom” (Rom. 8:2).
Offerings: £2,255.29.
Translation Additions: 1 Polish, 1 Russian and 2 Spanish.
Love Waxing Cold
Rev. Cornelius Hanko in the Standard Bearer, vol. 75, issue 17
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12).
It is significant that in the twentieth century remarkable changes have taken place, inventions and discoveries have been made, which stagger the imagination.
… Automation has already brought about phenomenal changes in our homes, churches, and business places. Our grandparents never knew the conveniences we now take for granted, such as running water, the refrigerator, gas and electric stoves, and air conditioning. Today we wonder how they managed without them.
We begin only in a small way to understand why the Lord waited until this twentieth century to give man the ability to discover and invent that which we now take for granted.
One thing is certain, all this development, along with our present affluence, has brought about an extremely rapid development of sin. Today there are many more means and opportunities to sin than ever before. This is evident from the evils that have resulted from the automobile, the radio, the television, and now the computer. Sin has also come far more out in the open. Evils that were committed in secret, because they were still looked upon with disapproval, are now openly committed and condoned by the general public. God is not in all their thoughts. His commandments are transgressed in the slums, but also among those in positions of authority; among adults, but also among young people and teenagers.
The Word of our Lord that “iniquity shall abound” is being fulfilled. Literally we read that lawlessness shall abound. Lawlessness certainly characterizes the times in which we live. God’s law is deliberately trodden underfoot. That law is no longer the standard of right and wrong, righteousness or unrighteousness. Those in authority, as well as judges, jurors, and lawyers, are swayed by public sentiment, the consensus of the majority of the people. They are men-pleasers, rather than servants of God.
… All this is a clear sign that the Man of Sin (literally, the man of lawlessness) is coming to his full power.
Jesus warns us that the result of this abounding wickedness is that the love of many waxes cold.
Our first reaction might very well be to think that this is not true today. For the fact is that there is more emphasis on love today than ever before, not only in the world, but also in the church. Much of the preaching and teaching is centred in love, loving one another in the home and in the church, loving our neighbour, loving all men. It is even emphasized that God loves all mankind with an earnest desire to save all. And all this is stressed at the expense of God’s justice, righteousness, and holiness.
The love that Jesus is speaking of here is not a mere outward expression of affection, but the love of God. It is the love that fills the heart of God and is spread abroad into the hearts of His people. Thereby we love God, and we love the neighbour for God’s sake. That is much richer than the mere human affection which is so strongly advocated in our day.
Our Lord speaks of the love of many waxing cold. Literally the text says that the love of many is being blown cold. Breezes of chilling false doctrines sweep into the church. Drafts of worldly-mindedness waft through the congregation. The increasing lawlessness in the environment has its evil effect upon the members of the flock.
These gentle, almost unnoticed breezes grow stronger as Satan and his followers increase their attack upon the church in order to wipe out God’s cause from the face of the earth. They appeal strongly to the flesh, and therefore they appeal especially to the carnal element. As these pleasing breezes increase, they become more appealing and more commonly accepted.
Sound doctrinal preaching is sorely lacking. All the emphasis is no longer placed upon God, but upon man, upon public appeal, and upon external growth. The sacraments are offered to all who care to partake. Christian discipline is no longer exercised. All sorts of compromise are made to make the preaching appealing to all who can be drawn into the church.
The love of many waxes cold. Since they lack knowledge, they object to sound doctrine from the pulpit because it does not appeal to them. Sunday services are not worship services to glorify our God, but places of entertainment. People come to enjoy themselves, be aroused to enthusiasm, excited not edified. Therefore many attend church only once on the Sabbath, and complain that they must listen to a long, dry discourse from the minister. Being ignorant of the truth of Scripture they also become lax in their daily life. Scripture no longer has a prominent place in their homes. There is no time for family worship. More time is spent enjoying the sports and other entertainment of the world.
Complacency turns into apathy, apathy becomes hostility. Even though at one time many faithfully attended the public worship, and even made confession of their faith, they now turn against all that is holy. They are cold, lifeless, enemies of God and His Christ.
Paul warns us in his second epistle to Timothy: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (II Tim. 3:1-5).
No, there will be no hypocrites in the church in those last days in which Antichrist reigns. Everyone will speak of “love” more than ever before. Everyone will “love” one another as together they enjoy the luxuries and bounties offered to them by the Beast, since together they bow in deep devotion and worship before him. The faithful believers will be despised, hated, put in prison, and killed. God and His cause must be wiped out from the face of the earth.
It does not take long for a church that falls into error to become an apostatizing church, and soon apostate, ready for the final judgment. Jesus warns us: Beware, be alert, be on your guard. Hold that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown!
At the same time He comforts and encourages His church with the assurance that the white horse and its rider are going forth conquering. The gospel is being spread to the ends of the earth, especially now, it seems, in the Orient. God’s church is being gathered from the ends of the earth, His kingdom is coming, His name is glorified.
The crown awaits us! The Lord is coming speedily!
