Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 19 October, 2025
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Greatest Song Ever (3)
The Kisses of Christ’s Mouth [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Song 1
Text: Song 1:2
I. The Believer’s Desire
II. The Spiritual Reason
Psalms: 2:6-12; 145:8-15 (AOS); 85:5-13; 63:1-8
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Praying for the Coming of the Kingdom [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I John 3
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 48
I. Praying for God’s Rule
II. Praying for God’s Church
III. Praying Against God’s Enemies
Psalms: 99:1-7; 145:16-21 (AOS); 22:26-31; 20:1-9
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
James Durham on Song 1:2: “They are kisses, in the plural number, partly to shew how many ways Christ hath to manifest his love, partly to shew the continuance and frequency of these manifestations, which she would be at. The thing which she here desires, is not love simply, but the sense of love; for she questioned not his love, but desired to have sensible expressions of it, and therefore compares it not only to looks, that she might see him, but to kisses; which is also clear from the reason annexed, while she compares his love to wine” (Clavis Cantici, p. 43).
Richard Sibbes on Song 1:2: “… though Christ give his spouse a taste of his love in his word, by sending his ambassadors, his ministers with his love-letters, the gospel of peace, giving therein a taste of his love, as also by his Spirit, by his sacraments, by his graces; yet all this will not satisfy her soul, but Christ having once manifested his love unto her, there is a continual desire to have a further taste and assurance of it.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Ivan Reid was able to return home from the hospital on Wednesday. Please continue to pray that the Lord will grant him recovery and strength.
Anga Watterson’s father passed away yesterday morning. She has travelled to Germany where the funeral is to be held on Friday. May the Lord comfort and uphold the Wattersons during this difficult time.
Monday night catechism classes:
5:00 PM: Felicity & Sophie (Juniors NT)
5:45 PM: Grace, Jonas, Liam & Sammy (Beginners NT)
6:30 PM: Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope & Xander (Seniors NT)
7:15 PM: Jason, Maisie & Sebastian (Heidelberg Catechism – Book 2)
8:00 PM: Abbie, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Essentials)
Tuesday Bible study will meet this week at 11 AM to treat the use of the prophecy of Isaiah 53 in Paul’s sermon in Acts 13, etc.
The Belgic Confession class on Wednesday at 7:30 PM will consider more elements of the amazing return of Jesus Christ.
Ladies Bible study meets Friday at 10 AM at church to discuss lesson 2 of the study guide on Titus.
Men’s Bible study is this Saturday (25 October) at 7:30 PM on-line, treating Psalm 57, using A 30 Day Walk With God Through the Psalms.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled “The Reformation and Returning to the Gospel of Grace” (Gal. 1:6-9).
Offerings: £1,770.00.
Translation Additions: 1 Polish and 2 Urdu.
Right and Wrong Methods in Seeking the Office of Elder or Deacon (2)
The second article in a series written in 2021 by Rev. Angus Stewart for the Salt Shakers
The third would-be usurper of David’s crown also saw his opportunity in the weakness of Israel’s second king (I Kings 1). The son of Jesse was now elderly and frail (v. 1), and largely ineffectual (v. 6). Prince Adonijah copied aspects of his older half-brother’s template for rebellion: he paraded with chariots, horses and 50 footmen (v. 5), and he enlisted the support of leading figures in the kingdom (vv. 7, 9). Unlike Absalom, however, he did not raise an army to fight for the throne; he simply proceeded to his public coronation with a large feast (vv. 9, 19, 25).
A significant part of the explanation for the numerous attacks upon, and attempted usurpations of, David’s royal office, both before and after his coronation, lies in the fact that this man after God’s own heart (I Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22) was an illustrious type of King Jesus, our crucified and risen Saviour, whom some, even in the professing church, do not want “to reign over” them (Luke 19:14, 27; Acts 4:25-27). Instead, they and all the ungodly prefer to follow the Antichrist (John 5:43; Rev. 13:8; 17:17), who sets himself up as if he were the rightful ruler of the world.
Wrong Methods Used in Our Day
Even a brief reflection on the many scriptural examples referred to above will suggest sinful schemes used in our day in order to obtain church office. Some of the ways included in the above instances or other scriptural passages may well be too crude for anyone to get away with in a fairly solid or well instructed church. Other methods are peculiar to Old Testament days and institutions and/or to biblical periods when God was giving direct revelation.
One ploy is to cultivate or “suck up” to existing office-bearers in order to get nominated. This may involve wining and dining the elders and/or minister and/or the deacons. Shame on those who try this and shame on those who allow themselves to be flattered and manipulated!
Second, a would-be elder or deacon may claim that God told him that he would become an office-bearer or that He gave him a dream to this effect. Such is not only foolish self-seeking but also contrary to the sufficiency of the 66 books of the Bible for Jehovah no longer communicates directly with anyone on earth (Heb. 1:1-2; Rev. 22:18).
Third, some will perform tasks that are often done by elders or deacons merely to be seen of men in order to gain church office.
A fourth tactic is to criticise existing office-bearers or the other men on the duo or trio for elder or deacon.
Fifth, a man may even descend to electioneering, so as to get the male confessing members not to vote for his “opponent(s)” but to vote for him. He may even enlist his wife or children or parents or friends to canvas for him. This is to treat the church like a political institution and is far from fitting behaviour “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15).
Sometimes one sees bad signs in a man who starts visiting or attending the church. He wants to “feel out” the church: “If I became a member, would they let me preach or ‘bring a word’? How soon could I get to be a deacon or an elder?” Such people often talk about their gifts and achievements, what they have to offer the church. In reality, they do not so much want membership but leadership in the church. The former is a means to the latter. Such people, with the wrong motivation, indicate that they would be likely to use wrong methods in seeking church office.
Right Way to Seek Church Office
The right way to seek to become a deacon or an elder fits perfectly with, and flows from, the proper motivation: honouring the Triune God in Jesus Christ by serving His body, the church. People who have a good spiritual attitude do not have to manipulate or take things into their own hands because they are confident that “promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Ps. 75:6-7).
Faithful men walk in the fear of the Lord. They are content with the biblical principles and ecclesiastical steps outlined in Belgic Confession 30-32, Church Order 22 and 24, and the “Form for Ordination of Elders and Deacons.” Here is the opening section of Belgic Confession 31:
We believe that the ministers of God’s Word, and the elders and deacons, ought to be chosen to their respective offices by a lawful election by the church, with calling upon the name of the Lord, and in that order which the Word of God teacheth. Therefore every one must take heed not to intrude himself by indecent means, but is bound to wait till it shall please God to call him, that he may have testimony of his calling and be certain and assured that it is of the Lord.
Notice the very practical argument in the second sentence against using unlawful methods to obtain church office. He who is patient and truly believes in the sovereignty of God will not resort to using “indecent means” to become an elder or deacon. Instead, if it pleases “God to call him” to church office through “a lawful election by the church,” such a man will possess a good conscience, having the “testimony of his calling and [so being] certain and assured that it is of the Lord”—something that ecclesiastical schemers and intruders never enjoy.
