Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 29 May, 2016
“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 – Rev. M. McGeown
Philemon: An Object Lesson in Forgiveness (5)
Paul’s Heartfelt Plea for Onesimus [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Philemon 1-25
Text: Philemon 10-12
I. What Onesimus Had Been
II. What Onesimus Had Become
III. What Onesimus Meant to Paul
Psalms: 31:1-6; 144:6-10; 131:1-3; 17:7-13
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Rev. M. McGeown
Philemon: An Object Lesson in Forgiveness (6)
Paul’s Consideration of Philemon’s Position [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Philemon 1-25
Text: Philemon 13-14
I. Paul’s Initial Purpose
II. Paul’s Self-Denial
III. Paul’s Sincere Compliment
Psalms: 149:1-6; 144:11-15; 24:1-6; 15:1-5
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: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
William Hendrickson: “Onesimus is being sent back, but by no means alone. Big-hearted Paul sees to it that, instead of forcing this slave to beg for mercy all by himself, he returns supported by: a. Tychicus, b. a letter from Paul addressed to the whole congregation of Colosse, in which love and the spirit of forgiveness are emphasized, and c. a letter dealing specifically with the case of Onesimus. Surely, never did a runaway slave return to his master in better company!”
R. C. H. Lenski: “Here Paul calls out all that is noblest and highest in Philemon’s heart. The very fact that he appeals only to the highest lifts Philemon up to that level and impels him to act on no lower level. Paul could do that because he himself lived altogether on that high level. This is why we fail, for often we try to move people to act on this high level when so much in our lives shows that we ourselves do not move on it. That makes our urging insincere, and no insincerity in this field has ever been successfully hidden: people detect it intuitively.”
J. Alexander: “If instead of so often asking what is agreeable, or tending to worldly happiness, we were constantly to ask what is duty—we would attain greater holiness, greater usefulness, and greater peace of mind. Our greatest glory is conformity to the will of God. As our ways are not our own, we must eventually bow to that will whether willingly or unwillingly. However, therefore, a temporary departure from duty may seem to promise good, we may rest upon it, as the immutable truth of God—that “wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. McGeown who will be preaching for us today, while Rev. Stewart takes the services in the Limerick Reformed Fellowship.
The Annual General Meeting will be held tomorrow night, 30 May, at 7:30 PM. All are welcome to join us. Reports will be given on the finances, the bookstore, audio-visual work, our mission work in Limerick, etc.
The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to discuss the NT teaching on the OT food laws.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, 2 June at 7 PM.
Men’s Bible study meets this Saturday at 8 PM at the Kennedys to look at James 2:5-11.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “The Final Judgment” (Rev. 20:11-15).
Offerings: General Fund: £743.80.
New translations: 1 Spanish.
PRC news: First Holland PRC called Rev. Eriks (Hudsonville, MI).
