Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 11 November, 2007
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them
whose heart is perfect toward him” (II Chron. 16:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Gideon, Mighty Man of Valour (10)
Infighting in the Midst of Victory
Judges 7:23-8:3
I. Israel’s Great Victory
II. Ephraim’s Arrogant Infighting
III. Gideon’s Wise Words
Psalms: 111:1-6; 106:1-7; 83:5-15; 133:1-3
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 17; John 2:19
I. The Remarkable Scene
II. The Jews’ Misunderstanding
III. The True Meaning
Psalms: 132:1-9; 106:8-16; 69:4-9; 16:6-11
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:
David J. Engelsma on Judges 8:1-3: “Ephraim’s attitude is abominable wickedness. Ephraim regards life and work in the covenant merely as an opportunity for self-aggrandizement. Ephraim works, if she works at all, for the praise of men. She does not view the struggle with Midian as warfare for the name of God, but as a contest that must exalt the name of Ephraim. Chiding with the God-appointed deliverer, she virtually rejects him as the chosen servant of God. Because she is not the hero, Ephraim cannot rejoice over a great deliverance of the people of God from a dreadful oppression, the misery of which she also endured” (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 5, p. 80).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
CDs of the Reformation Day lecture are available on the back table. It is also on-line (www.cprf.co.uk/audio.htm#special).
Catechism classes: Monday, 5:30 PM at the Murrays Monday, 7:00 PM with the Campbells at the manse Thursday, 7:00 PM at the Hamills
Women’s Bible Study meets week this week Tuesday, at 10:30 AM at the Murrays.
Membership Class: Tuesday, 8:30 PM, at the Hallidays.
Midweek Bible Study on Wednesday at 7:45 PM at the manse will continue with II Timothy 2:1-7 on lessons from soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
Prof. & Mrs. Hanko arrive this Friday, 16 November. The sign-up sheet is on the back table for those who would like to have them over.
Offerings: General Fund – £574, Building Fund – £476.10. Donations: £50 (Building Fund), £5 (pamphlets), £10 (DVD), £62.28 (lecture).
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is entitled “I Will Magnify Him With Thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30-32).
The PRC church visitors, Rev. Daniel Kleyn and Elder Jim Holstege, plan to arrive on 12 January, 2008. Sharon Kleyn plans to come as well. Please reserve Friday, 18 January, for our congregational dinner.
Website Additions: 1 Portuguese, 1 Italian (Rev. VanBaren on “The Sovereignty of God”), and 3 Russian translations were added to the website.
PRC News: Candidate Nathan Langerak accepted the call to South Holland PRC. The new trio for the Philippines is Revs. Den Hartog (Southwest, MI), D. Kleyn (Holland, MI), and W. Langerak (Southeast, MI).
Encouraging Quotes:
“I am a Protestant Italian student in the faculty of theology of Rome Waldensian. I want to thank you for having sent the brochures that I had requested. My understanding of the Bible and the Calvinist doctrine is much wider thanks to your biblical studies translated into Italian. God bless.” – Rome, Italy
“I just wanted to write to say how much I enjoyed watching the debate on charismatic gifts. I thought that completely destroyed all their arguments, and exposed their false doctrine of Arminianism … Thanks again for helping me to understand the true gospel, Calvinism. I have learned to believe the truth through your preaching and teaching tapes and literature, so a big thanks for all of that. There are no preachers … here, I am surrounded by Arminianism in every church I attend.” – Hampshire, England
“I have listened to hours and hours of Rev. Stewart of Northern Ireland. What a small world. I hope you listen to some of his audio sermons, and also Rev. Steven Key and Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma are very good preachers of the PRC.” – USA
“Thank you very much for sending the book [The Sixteenth Century Reformation of the Church] which I received today. Looks like good ‘meaty material’ which I thoroughly enjoy reading. By the way, the free Psalm CD you sent is beautiful …” – Devon, England
“I love the articles against common grace! … I just received a message from a pastor about the translation of your article on ‘common grace.’ Thank God! It is not common here in Brazil [to have] the Reformed people love the teaching of uncommon grace.” – Brasilia, Brazil
“Thank you for the DVD [of the charismaticism debate] with which we were very pleased. We watched it over the weekend … and also listened to your ministry on Sunday. It was a blessing to us all and we intend to listen more in the future.” – Lincolnshire, England
“I am very happy with the books. I am reading Knowing God and Man now. I learn a lot from it and it is a blessing for me. So in the future I hope to order more of [Herman Hoeksema’s] books.” – Netherlands
“Greetings … I daily visit your web site to meditate and study the Word of God through the Covenant Reformed News. I would like you to include me in your e-mail subscription.” – Philippines
“I received the pamphlets you’ve sent me and they all were an excellent read with good food for thought, conclusively proving the sham that is charismaticism … I will also probably be sending you and order form some time next week with a cheque for some books I’m interested in purchasing …” – Nottingham, England
“I just want to say that I thank the Lord God for using you as a blessing to me … every time I read and hear your materials. I heard your debate concerning the exclusive psalmody and I praise God for his giving wisdom to you … I just pray those who hear the debate will be enlightened and cling on to God’s word rather than their own understanding … Thank you again and God bless you and the brethren!” – Singapore
“Would you please forward to me a copy of the DVD containing your debate with Rev. Antwi … I am so pleased that this is available.” – N. Wales
“… You have helped me by way of the sermons which are a great place to start … You gave me a comforting word from the Lord as I listened to the sermon (I am going through the catechism sermons currently) on God’s providence and the fatherly way in which God deals with his children. I take comfort in knowing that this too is working for my good.” – California, USA
“Many thanks for your speech last Friday evening in Portadown Town Hall. I was greatly impressed with your presentation. What a pity practically none of those professing the Protestant faith know or even desire to know these things; as for the false shepherds I am not surprised, they seem to glory in their own shame.” – Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland
“I have just come from the post office with a huge bag of books. I don’t know how to thank you for this precious gift. I am like those who dream … [the books] were something that I needed too much. Thank you once more for the books. I promise to use them for God’s glory and His church.” – Portugal
“This is to acknowledge with very grateful thanks the receipt of the CD of Prof. Hanko’s Reformation Day Lecture. I couldn’t wait to listen to it, so did so as soon as I opened the envelope. Excellent matter put over in the power of the Spirit. O that some of your PRC men could be thrust back to this side of the Atlantic—the U.K. and Europe are in a desperate spiritual state and only the gospel of absolute sovereign grace as you folk constantly hear is the answer … From the barren desert of Gloucestershire, England, and one with a mighty spiritual thirst after the all-glorious Triune Jehovah …” – Gloucs., England
