Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 3 May, 2015
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Listen and Wake Up! (5)
Fearing Man and Forgetting God [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 51:1-16
Text: Isaiah 51:12-15
I. The One Whom We Must Not Fear
II. The One Whom We Must Not Forget
Psalms: 148:1-10; 104:22-29; 46:1-7; 118:1-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Listen and Wake Up! (6)
The Prophetic Church and the New Creation [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25 and Revelation 21:1-14
Text: Isaiah 51:16
I. The Equipped Prophet
II. The Gracious Protection
III. The Creative Purpose
Psalms: 122:1-9; 104:30-35; 149:4-9; 102:19-28 (AOS)
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
Quote to Consider
Matthew Henry on Isaiah 51:12: “Our inordinate fear of man is a tacit forgetfulness of God. When we disquiet ourselves with the fear of man we forget that there is a God above him, and that the greatest of men have no power but what is given them from above; we forget the providence of God, by which He orders and overrules all events according to the counsel of His own will; we forget the promises He has made to protect His people, and the experiences we have had of His care concerning us, and His seasonable interposition for our relief many a time, when we thought the oppressor ready to destroy; we forget our Jehovah-jirehs, monuments of mercy in the mount of the Lord. Did we remember to make God our fear and our dread, we should not be so much afraid as we are of the frowns of men …”
John Calvin on Isaiah 51:13: “Thus, if we remember our creation and adoption, these beginnings may encourage us to hope for continued progress, that we may not be ungrateful to God, when He has proved His veracity by undoubted experience. To the special kindness which God had exercised towards His people He likewise adds His boundless power, which He contrasts with the weakness of men, whom He formerly compared to withered grass (Isa. 40:7). He demonstrates that power by His works, so that they who do not perceive it must be exceedingly stupid; for we cannot turn our eyes in any direction without perceiving very abundant testimonies of divine goodness and power, which, however, are briefly described by a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, when He says that it is ‘He who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth.’ It is therefore the greatest folly and indolence to forget Him, for so numerous are the signs and testimonies which recall him to the remembrance of men.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The Standard Bearer is available on the back table for subscribers.
David & Kristin Crossett’s new address is 94 Rashee Road, Ballyclare, BT39 9HT.
The Council meets tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM.
The Tuesday Bible study will meet at 11 AM to study harlotry in Hosea (3).
The Belgic Confession Class on Wednesday at 7:45 PM will continue Article 25 on the abolishing of the ceremonial law according to the NT epistles (excepting Hebrews).
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “Our Ever-Living Intercessor” (Hebrews 7:25).
Upcoming Lectures: Friday, 26 June, Rev. Stewart will speak on “What Is a Protestant?” in Portadown Town Hall at 7:30 PM.
Offerings: General Fund – £756.69. Donations: £25 (pamphlets).
Website Additions: 2 Hungarian and 4 Indonesian translations.
PRC News: Rev. Decker (Trinity, MI) declined the call to the Philippines and received the call to Peace PRC.
Can I Interest You in a Cup of Coffee?
Brian D. Dykstra
The Civil War summer of 1862 had been a very dry one in Kentucky. A Union soldier from Illinois wrote that, after the summer-long drought, creeks and even rivers were “either totally dry or shrunken into little, heated, tired-looking threads of water, brackish and disagreeable to taste and smell.” There was, however, water near the Kentucky town of Perryville.
The Union army of the Ohio had endured four months of hard marching. They wanted water and heard that it was available in Perryville. Of course, there were plenty of Confederate soldiers in Perryville as well. Nevertheless, it was time for the Army of the Ohio to obtain the water they needed and exact some revenge on the army which was the source of much of its troubles. After engaging the enemy on the battlefield, Union soldiers held much of a creek which still contained some pools of water. A soldier of the 50th Ohio Volunteer Infantry wrote in a letter he sent home, “The boys got some water out of a dark pond one night and used it to make their coffee.”
After a long dusty march and an afternoon and evening of fighting, that water must have been a very welcome sight to the Union soldiers. It was hardship enough to be without water, but then to endure a dusty march and fight half a day with a parched throat would have made a drink of almost any sort look most welcome.
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The offerings of Hollywood might appear to be similar to a refreshing drink of coffee at times. We have had a hard day’s work at home, school or on the job. It is appealing to relax for a time and take a coffee break. Hollywood with its movies and television might seem to be a place to stop for a quick cup. We need a moment’s peace. Some time with the tube or VCR might be relaxing. It certainly is much easier for the mind than to settle down with a book.
The stories being told by Hollywood can be dramatic, interesting or filled with comedy. Interesting phrases can be turned and the program’s characters can be placed in rather ridiculous situations. These actors and actresses are paid well for their services. They are presented as being the “beautiful people” whose style of dress and appearance ought to be emulated if one seeks to avoid looking as some sort of social misfit. Actors and actresses are celebrated by our society as being very talented and creative.
I can remember when there were discussions in our circles about acting. Is acting an art form open to participation by Christians? Are these television programs harmless and do they merely serve to instruct in various social lessons? Do actors and actresses sin when portraying their characters living in or committing sins?
Dramatic entertainment has certainly changed over the years. Hollywood is constantly “pushing the envelope” with what it presents to its audience. Putting aside those questions from the debate from years gone by for the moment, I have asked students what would happen if television viewing in our homes were regulated by one rule. You may watch whatever you want for as long as you want, but as soon as God’s name is taken in vain, the television is turned off. I have recently heard the longest period of time the TV would remain on is three minutes.
These programs have an effect on us and our children. When sin is constantly presented as something common or funny, we begin to fail to see the devastating effects sin has on lives. Adultery, in its various forms, is a common dramatic and comedic theme. Has adultery had a dreadful effect in the lives of some people for whom you care deeply? Is adultery really all that funny? One begins to wonder why the world continues to entertain itself with adultery, when it is considered what the dreadful consequences of adultery have been on our nation.
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Now, let us return to Perryville, Kentucky, in October of 1862 where our friends from the 50th Ohio are moving out for another day’s march. They have finished their coffee and have rinsed out their cups. One of the boys points out the pond where he had gotten the water the previous evening. The second letter we quoted at the top of this article continues, “What was their disgust the next morning to find a dead mule or two in the pond. I imagine the coffee had a rich flavour.”
That’s Hollywood. It looks refreshing and relaxing, but at the heart of it are stinking and rotting asses.
Now, can I interest you in a cup of coffee?
