Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 11 October, 2020
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Holding Fast the Form of Sound Words (9)
Those Who Turned Away From the Apostle [youtube]
Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1
Text: II Timothy 1:15
I. Whence?
II. Who?
III. Why?
Psalms: 116:1-8; 119:161-168
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Communion of the Church [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:16-47
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 21
I. In Its Official Capacity
II. In Its Rich Salvation
III. In Its Personal Fellowship
Psalms: 122:1-9; 133:1-3
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
Quote to Consider
John Calvin: “Whatever ability a faithful Christian may possess, he ought to possess it for his fellow believers, and he ought to make his interests subservient to the well-being of the church in all sincerity.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Ivan Ortu who arrived safely last night from Sardinia.
Rev. McGeown’s latest letter to the PRC regarding Limerick is available.
Pray for one another. Remember those who are unable to come to church due to the pandemic or other physical ailments—Eunice, George, Aaysha. Pray for those who care for family members with long-term illnesses or disabilities. Remember the elderly among us who may struggle with the effects of old age. Pray for those who have moved here recently as they settle in and become part of our congregation.
Monday catechism classes:
5:45 PM Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja & Somaya (Beginners OT) – Bible study room
6:30 PM Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors OT) – upstairs open area
7:15 PM Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials) – catechism room
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet at church to consider the effectual call of the elect from the Triune God and by the Holy Spirit, and its connection with our assurance of salvation.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to consider Article 36 and discuss the question, Do Acts 2, 4 and 5 teach a community of goods in the early church?
The Kuhs family will be arriving this Thursday and moving into a house on Galgorm Road on Friday.
Saturday Night Bible Study meets for a discussion on Hebrews 1 this Saturday, 17 October, at 8 PM in church and by video link.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Perfectly Joined Together” (I Cor. 1:10-13).
We are planning to hold our Annual General Meeting in the main auditorium on Wednesday, 28 October, at 7:45 PM with financial and audio-visual reports, plus a presentation by Rev. Stewart.
Offerings: General Fund: £1,543,24. Building Fund: £55. Donations: £50 (Malaysia), £200 (England).
Translation Addition: 2 Spanish.
PRC News: Rev. R. Kleyn declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC.
John Calvin’s Commentary on II Timothy 1:15:
“Thou knowest that all that are in Asia have forsaken me Those apostasies which he mentions might have shaken the hearts of many, and given rise, at the same time, to many suspicions; as we commonly look at everything in the worst light. Paul meets scandals of this kind with courage and heroism, that all good men may learn to abhor the treachery of those who had thus deserted the servant of Christ, when he alone, at the peril of his life, was upholding the common cause; and that they may not on that account give way, when they learn that Paul is not left destitute of divine assistance.
Of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes He names two of them, who were probably more celebrated than the rest, that he may shut the door against their slanders; for it is customary with revolters and deserters from the Christian warfare, in order to excuse their own baseness, to forge as many accusations as they can against the good and faithful ministers of the gospel. ‘Phygellus and Hermogenes,’ knowing that their cowardice was justly reckoned infamous by believers, and that they were even condemned as guilty of base treachery, would not have hesitated to load Paul with false accusations, and impudently to attack his innocence. Paul, therefore, in order to take away all credit from their lies, brands them with the mark which they deserve.
Thus also, in the present day, there are many who, because they are not here admitted into the ministry, or are stripped of the honor on account of their wickedness, or because we do not choose to support them while they do nothing, or because they have committed theft or fornication, are compelled to fly, and forthwith wander through France and other countries, and, by throwing upon us all the accusations that they can, borrow from them an attestation of their innocence. And some brethren are so silly as to accuse us of cruelty, if any of us paints such persons in their true colors. But it were to be wished that all of them had their forehead marked with a hot iron, that they might be recognized at first sight.”
John Calvin’s Sermon on II Timothy 1:15: “… we see this is Saint Paul’s meaning, to fence [i.e. preserve] the faithful, to the end they be not cast down out of measure, when they hear say that the Gospel which was in Asia, is (as it were) come to naught: but know we, that if all the world should forsake it, yet must we continue in God’s doctrine, and never change. And this warning is very necessary for us in these days … the devil hath full sway now a days, many fall away from the Gospel, and we may not marvel at it, as it hath been said this morning. For where is the lively root of faith and charity, to keep us in pure doctrine? Howsoever the world go, we see rebels daily, they that were in great credit, and such as men looked for great things at their hands, forsake the Gospel, yea, and become open enemies, or at the least are profane men, and have neither salt nor savour in them. What must we do then, but arm ourselves with this which St. Paul sheweth us here, to wit, that if we see all the world turn, yet we must stand fast, and continue in that which is everlasting, and can never be changed? For God can not be shaken though all men change their minds, but will always remain safe and sound, still at one. And hath it pleased him to edify us in his holy word, which can in no wise be changed, let us then stand fast in the faith, though we see all the world do change. This may be well enough understood in few words, but it is not easy to practice it: and therefore we must repeat this lesson so much the more. Therefore if we see men bow and bend now a days, and other forsake the Gospel, know we, that ye we have not such occasion to be frightened and amazed as St. Paul had, and they of this time, when they see the country of Asia fall away. This is one point. Moreover, if the enemies of the Gospel allege this to us, as to shame us withal, let us be of good courage in this behalf. Truth it is, that Satan will go about as much as he can to bring the Gospel into discredit, and to turn their faith upside down, which never took fast root in it, nor were firmly grounded. But howsoever the world go, Jesus Christ must not lose his right, for men’s honour … For it is not without cause that he nameth here these two men, Phygellus and Hermogenes. And beside that also, Saint Paul sheweth us, that we must not spare men, but disgrace them, when we see they go about to hurt the Gospel, to make any disquiet or trouble. Some will say, we may blame no man: it is true. But when we see pestilent plagues, that go about to empoison the Church of God, when we see ravening wolves who seek nothing, but to breed dissension in the flock, when we see robbers and thieves, that would rob Jesus Christ of that which belongeth to him, when we see Church robbers, that labour to mar the doctrine of salvation, must we bear with them and cover their filthiness? … And such fellows would be glad to be named, if it were for nothing but for their shame and villainy … And therefore let us not be wiser than the Holy Ghost. This we have to mark besides upon this sentence of Saint Paul. Now beside this, he setteth another against them: when he has spoken of all them of Asia, and hath plainly pointed out two, which were the most famous backsliders amongst them” (John Calvin’s Sermons on Timothy and Titus, pp. 731, 732, 735, 736, spelling modernized).
G. I. Williamson: “There is no legitimate place for individualism in the life of the believer. This is one of the great problems today. Too many ‘members’ think of the church only in terms of what it gives them, rather than in terms of what they can give others. But the Bible says that we are all members of one another, that we all need the gifts that others have, and that we have something that we ought to give to others. What this means is that if we are not faithfully participating in the life of a faithful local church, we are not really living as Christians. Let us say, for instance, that you do not bother to come to church on Sunday evening. You say, ‘Well, I just don’t feel that I need it!’ Your problem is that you are thinking of the church only in terms of what you get from it. You ought to think as well of what you can give to others. The truth is that when you are not there, the body—as a whole—is weakened. This is true because the holy catholic church is a holy communion of believers.”
