Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 6 November, 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
The Life of Jacob (15)
Jacob’s Responses to Esau’s Approach [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1-21
Text: Genesis 32:1-21
I. He Divides His Company
II. He Makes His Prayer
III. He Sends His Presents
Psalms: 121:1-8; 18:8-13; 34:1-10; 37:3-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Christ Our Surety [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:20-8:13
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 6
I. A Human Surety
II. A Divine Surety
III. A Covenant Surety
Psalms: 130:1-8; 18:14-19; 110:1-6; 40:6-10
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
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 6: “When one considers these early attacks on the truth concerning the Savior’s person and natures and is aware that all or most of these heresies repeatedly arise in the church on earth and attempt to destroy the true Christian doctrine concerning Christ and salvation, he will be able to appreciate properly the efforts put forth by the Heidelberg Catechism to demonstrate the necessity of the two natures and of the unity of the person of Christ. By so doing, it emphasizes the importance and preciousness of the truth, and it impresses upon believers the urgency of the calling to maintain the defend the true faith in all its purity of doctrine. The Catechism shows that there is an inseparable relation between salvation and true doctrine …” (God’s Way Out, p. 36).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
“Thank you for all of the love, prayers, care and concern you have shown over the past week. ‘The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him’ (Nahum 1:7).” – Marie Kennedy
Monday evening’s Catechism classes:
5:45 PM – Taylor, Josh, Corey & Katelyn (Beginners NT)
6:30 PM – Bradley & Samuel (Juniors OT)
7:15 PM – Jacob, Joseph, Alex & Nathan (Heidelberg Catechism, book 2)
The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to continue our study of the OT ceremonial law (Num. 19) regarding uncleanness through death by looking at NT Scripture.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue our discussion of Article 29 on the second and third marks of a true church.
Portadown Reformation Day Lecture on “John Owen and the Death of Christ” is Friday, 11 November, 7:30 PM at Portadown Town Hall. There are 2 seats available in the Stewarts’ car, if anyone is interested in a lift to the lecture.
Men’s Bible Study meets this Saturday at 8 PM at the Kennedys to discuss James 4:7-12.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is “Living with an Unbelieving Spouse” (I Cor. 7:13-16).
The Council meets on Monday, 14 November, at 8 PM.
The next S. Wales Lecture in The Round Chapel, Margam, is on Thursday, 8 December, at 7:15 PM, by Rev. Stewart on “John Owen and the Death of Christ.”
Offerings: General Fund: £796.50. Donation: £200 (England).
PRC news: The new trio for the Philippines is Revs. Brummel (Sioux Falls, SD), Huizinga (Redlands, CA) and R. Kleyn (Spokane, WA).
Be Thankful for This Burden
Brian D. Dykstra
Psalm 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Signs that the school year is still young are all around us. As yet archeologists would find no layers of sediment at the bottoms of junior high lockers through which to sift for artefacts. The cleaned carpets have not yet been redecorated by young impressionist artists with their favourite media of spilled chocolate milk and orange drink. The OD-AB remains securely sealed in classroom closets. Not only do pencils and crayons still have points but most students believe their assignments do also.
Soon, however, lockers will become an archeological dig, spilled liquids will decorate carpets, stomachs will become upset, and pencil points and interest will become dull. We know January is coming. It’s the month when spring vacation is distant and exams have drained a touch of vigour from some students. “Blowing and drifting snow” becomes an eagerly anticipated phrase.
May follows. Students are convinced that homework takes away all opportunity for fun. Parents will wonder whether it really is possible that there is another Bible test for which they must help their student to prepare. Another cheque needs to be written. Another school function requires our attendance when we would rather relax at home. Teachers will look at another pile of papers to be graded, certain they are some strange strain of bacteria which multiplies before their very eyes. The amount of work related to school can become a burden.
This is when we must be careful. Recognizing there are burdens in life is not sinful but how we respond to them can be. What enemy might be near, tuned to the thoughts of our hearts and ready to sow seeds of discontent? Would Satan jump at the opportunity to cause us to envy those who have a few hundred dollars of additional “discretionary income” available each month because they have no baptismal vows to honour or do not see covenant instruction as part of the keeping of that vow?
Our first Song of the Week for this school year comes from Psalm 55 which instructs us about burdens. I had quite a surprise when I started to read about this verse. John Calvin makes the point that the word “burden” would better have been translated as “gift.” He would translate verse twenty-two this way: “Cast thy giving upon Jehovah, and he shall feed thee: he shall not suffer the righteous always to stagger.” Sure enough, my concordance supports Calvin by saying that the word translated as “burden” comes from a Hebrew word which means “to give.”
Calvin instructs us to view this giving or gift “as meaning all the benefits which we desire God to give us.” We are to rely upon His providence to provide us those gifts for which we ask. “There is no other method of relieving our anxious souls, but by reposing ourselves upon the providence of the Lord.”
Do we view our Christian schools as gifts from God to supply our need for covenant instruction? I am thankful that the impression I have from those involved with our schools is that we do. Yet it is possible to take our covenant schools for granted, especially now that we have had them for many years. They do require sacrifices of time, effort, money and frequent prayers.
Schools can seem to be a burden. Yet they are gifts given to us by God in His providential care. We are to be diligent in our efforts in supporting our schools in the coming year, yet trusting our Lord not to suffer us to be moved. He will give us His gifts. Is the cost of our schools a burden which is too high? What would it cost to be without them?
