Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 23 May, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM – Rev. M. McGeown
God Graciously Receiving His Wayward Children [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-32
Text: Luke 15:11-24
I. The Prodigal Son’s Waywardness
II. The Prodigal Son’s Conversion
III. The Prodigal Son’s Reception
Psalms: 103:1-4; 32:1-5
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Rev. M. McGeown
The Resentful Response of Self-Righteousness [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-32
Text: Luke 15:25-32
I. Its Expression
II. Its Root
III. Its Rebuke
Psalms: 66:1-5; 131:1-3
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
Quotes to Consider
R. C. H. Lenski on Luke 15: “But now all the blindness, perversity, and hardness of this selfish and self-righteous brother boil to the surface. As in the case of the younger son, we saw a secret alienation of the heart that did not come out at once, so we do also in the case of this older one, but his is an alienation that is of far longer standing. The occasion has come for him to reveal himself as he really is. He does not once say ‘father’ or ‘my brother’ in his outburst, but Jesus significantly says that he answered and said ‘to his father’—yes, to his own father he spoke thus. Hear the proud boast of self-righteousness. In this parable Jesus lets it speak out its real thoughts concerning itself: slaving for the father these many years, never transgressing his bidding during all this time! But see the spirit of this slaving which makes a boast to throw up to the father, to show him how he has never appreciated this wonderful son of his. Paul writes, ‘Not having mine own righteousness’ (Phil. 3:9). Never once transgressing—that is this son’s substitute for his confession of sin; ‘all these have I kept from my youth up.’ Yet in this very boast the greatest of God’s commandments is transgressed, that of love. This son knew nothing of such a commandment.”
John Calvin on Luke 15: “The parable charges those persons with cruelty, who would wickedly choose to set limits to the grace of God, as if they envied the salvation of wretched sinners. For we know that this is pointed at the haughtiness of the scribes, who did not think that they received the reward due to their merits, if Christ admitted publicans and the common people to the hope of the eternal inheritance. The substance of it therefore is, that, if we are desirous to be reckoned the children of God, we must forgive in a brotherly manner the faults of brethren, which He forgives with fatherly kindness … The discourse was occasioned by the murmuring of the scribes, who took offence at the kindness of Christ towards wretched persons who had led a wicked life. He therefore compares the scribes, who were swelled with presumption, to good and modest men, who had always lived with decency and sobriety, and had honourably supported their family; nay, even to obedient children, who throughout their whole life had patiently submitted to their father’s control. And though they were utterly unworthy of this commendation, yet Christ, speaking according to their belief, attributes to them, by way of concession, their pretended holiness, as if it had been virtue; as if he had said, Though I were to grant to you what you falsely boast of, that you have always been obedient children to God, still you ought not so haughtily and cruelly to reject your brethren, when they repent of their wicked life … On the one hand, it is no loss to us, if God graciously receives into favour those who had been at variance with him on account of their sins; and, on the other hand, it is wicked hardness of heart not to rejoice, when we see our brethren returned from death to life.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. & Larisa McGeown and Alfonso, Salome & Dale Mansona to our worship services today. Rev. McGeown will be preaching at both services.
Rev. McGeown has received notification of an appointment for the US I-130 immigrant visa on 24 June in Dublin. This is about a month earlier than the scheduled non-immigrant visa appointment of 27 July.
Catechism classes:
Monday, 5:00 PM: Jason & Sebastian (Juniors OT)
Monday, 5:45 PM: Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope & Somaya (Beginners OT)
Monday, 6:30 PM: Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors OT)
Monday, 7:15 PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet in the auditorium to discuss further the difficulty of faith.
Saturday night Bible study postponed from last week will meet this week at church and on-line to consider Hebrews 9:11-22.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled, “The Appointment of the Twelve” (Mark 3:13-19).
Offerings: General Fund: £703.
PRC News: Hudsonville PRC called Rev. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA) to be their next pastor.
