Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 30 October, 2022
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and
heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 15:8-16:9
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 49
I. Our Prayers and God’s Commands
II. Our Prayers and God’s Promises
III. Our Prayers and God’s Decree
Psalms: 103:17-22; 45:7-12; 119:17-24; 67:1-7
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Faith or Works? (8)
The Purpose of the Law in the History of Redemption [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:15-29
Text: Galatians 3:19-24
I. The History of Redemption
II. The Purpose of the Law
III. The Application to Our Day
Psalms: 100:1-5; 45:13-17; 81:3-9; 130:1-8
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
Prof. Hanko on Galatians 3:21: “If it were true that there is a law somewhere in God’s universe that can give life to a totally depraved sinner, then it would also be true that righteousness would come by the law. But because there is no law that can give life, righteousness, the very heart of the matter and the absolute ground for salvation, cannot be by the law. Righteousness is the work of justification through the perfect sacrifice of Christ who died in the place of sinners. The conclusion is obvious: No law can do what Christ did. No law can make a man righteous before God (Rom. 8:3-4). It is interesting to note that this fundamental truth sounds the death knell of all those who say that justification (and salvation) is conditioned upon obedience to the works of the law, but that God fulfills the condition. Let us remind ourselves once again that no law can give righteousness. No keeping of the law can bring salvation. No keeping of the law, in whole or in part, can accomplish what Christ does. There are no conditions to God’s work of justification” (Justified Unto Liberty, p. 247).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Standard Bearers are available on the back table for subscribers.
Monday catechism classes:
5:00PM: Corey, Jason, Katelyn, Maisie & Sebastian (Seniors OT)
5:45PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Hannah, Jorja, Keagan, Lucas, Sammy, Somaya,
Sophie & Yossef (Beginners NT)
6:30PM: Penelope & Xander (Juniors OT)
7:15PM: Angelica, Bradley, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Heidelberg, Book 2)
8:00PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Pre-confession)
Membership Class: Billy & Val McCaughern, Monday at 9 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to discuss a new topic: faith and reason.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:30 PM. We will continue our positive exposition of Daniel 9:24-27 (in connection with Article 37).
The Saturday night Bible study will be held this week, 5 November, at 8 PM at the Kennedys’ home and on-line to finish Malachi 3:13-18.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “God’s Promise Confirmed (1)” (Acts 2:39).
Offerings: £1,135.13.
Translation Additions: 1 Arabic (Canons of Dordt) and 2 Polish.
PRC News: Rev. Maatman received the call from Doon PRC. Hudsonville PRC called Rev. Kortus. Hosanna PRC called Rev. DeBoer from their trio that also included Revs. J. Holstege and Spronk.First PRC (GR) has a trio of Revs. J. Holstege, Smidstra and Spronk. Georgetown PRC has a new trio of Revs. Brummel, DeBoer and Spronk. Zion PRC has a trio for home missionary of Revs. J. Laning, Noorman and Spronk.
Jeroboam, King of Israel
Brian D. Dykstra
I Kings 12
This chapter records the decisive split between Judah and Israel. As Israel pictures the church, we will learn about schism. Jeroboam and Israel will be the focus in this lesson. Later, DV, we will return to this same history after following Israel’s history to her captivity, but then we will concentrate on Rehoboam and Judah.
Rehoboam went to Shechem because that is where Israel gathered to make him king. The fact that the coronation would take place in Shechem, and not in Jerusalem, is a sign of trouble. Jerusalem was the capital city, and the palace and temple were there. Jerusalem was the proper place for Rehoboam to be recognized as Israel’s king.
Shechem was the most important city in Ephraim, a tribe which had long felt they should have more power, and Jeroboam was from Ephraim. The name of the city refers to the place between the shoulder blades. Shechem was located between the ridges, similar to shoulder blades, of Mounts Ebal and Gerizim. It was a beautiful and fertile place. Had Rehoboam been crowned in Jerusalem, he would have been surrounded by those who were loyal to David’s house. Rehoboam will find that he is among people hostile to him. Jeroboam’s supporters are here and Jeroboam has his eyes on the throne. When the people declare Jeroboam to be their king, Rehoboam will be surrounded by those opposed to him. Jeroboam will operate from a position of strength.
Israel called for Jeroboam to come from Egypt where he had fled from Solomon. The people knew about Ahijah’s prophesy that Jeroboam would rule. Solomon knew about it and sought to kill him, but Egypt protected him. Jeroboam was a man of ambition and the people knew he was a hard worker. He, and others, had grown discontented with the rule of David’s house. Jeroboam sowed the seeds of rebellion throughout the tribes and the harvest of revolt was ripe.
Israel requested that Rehoboam lighten the burden of taxation. We must note Israel’s complaint, high taxes. The people’s greatest concern was money. Israel was prosperous during Solomon’s reign. Though the taxes were high and the people resented it, the burden might not have been excessive. However, Israel did have a legitimate complaint against Solomon. Solomon had turned from God and allowed the worship of idols. Had the people demanded an end to idolatry and the destruction of the temples built for idols, we could appreciate that. However, the proper worship of God was not their concern. Keeping their money was.
Solomon, as king, was head of the true church as pictured by Jerusalem. He had failed because of idolatry. This is an aspect of church schism. The true church is not perfect. When we read about the holy catholic church in Lord’s Day 21, we do not confess that God’s church on earth is perfect. The Belgic Confession address the church in articles 27–29. We read there of a true church, not a perfect church, on earth. Those who want schism will always find some fault with the church, sometimes legitimately. In the Apostle’s Creed, we confess “an holy catholic church; the communion of saints.” Immediately following is our confession that we believe in the forgiveness of sins. That is not an accident. If we are to be members of a church, we will have to be forgiving of one another. We sin against each other. If we aren’t forgiving, when there are problems in the church, and there always are, then when the office-bearers make a decision and apply a remedy, if we are not forgiving, the bitterness and envy will be overwhelming. Schism will be the result.
Rehoboam answered the people roughly. Not only would he not lower taxes; he would raise them. Israel quickly anoints Jeroboam king. He has an immediate problem. The people were to observe several feasts throughout the year. Jerusalem was the centre of these activities. Jeroboam knew if the people “go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.”
For Jeroboam, ambition and power are more important than proper worship. He set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel and declares them to be the gods which brought Israel out of Egypt. It was too far to go to Jerusalem. Dan and Bethel were more convenient. Jeroboam claims to worship the true God. He is simply serving Him in a new way. Jeroboam asserts this is acceptable worship to God. Article 29 of the Belgic Confession reminds us, “all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the church.”
“And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.” A minor note is that the calf in Bethel, which was very near Jerusalem, was the more popular. The idea is that the people “even unto Dan” went “before the one,” which one was in Bethel. The major point is that this is described as “sin.” God did not look from heaven and say, “At least this is a step in the right direction. The people had turned with Solomon to serve the idols of the neighbouring nations, but at least they are now serving me. If I am patient, they might even return to proper worship.” No, God in His word calls this “sin.” There will be consequences.
Jeroboam “made priests of the lowest of the people.” The spiritual issue is that they “were not of the sons of Levi.” God chose Levi to lead the worship of His name. Jeroboam opened the priesthood to whoever desired it. Nearly anyone, no matter how unqualified, will suffice as a priest when the Truth is no longer important. Leaders of megachurches are charismatic and great fund raisers, but their knowledge of true doctrine is grossly lacking.
Jeroboam also changed the date of the Feast of Tabernacles. Israel would observe the feast one month later. Some claim this could be because Israel, being located farther north, would have its harvest a little later in the year. Jeroboam has developed a pattern, a very sinful pattern. He assumes the right to change the law, while still claiming to serve God. Israel will worship God not as He wills but as Jeroboam wills. This is what is meant by the term “will worship.” Man wills (wants) to worship God not according to His sovereign will but according to man’s corrupt will.
Sadly, the people of Israel, many of them anyway, go along with Jeroboam. This is their choice. Sinful man prefers sin and lies. The effects of depravity upon the heart of man are dreadful (Belgic Confession 14). The people know better and have no excuse. However, their envy and disgust with Solomon became so great that they were willing to follow Jeroboam. He was the excuse they needed. Jeroboam would do all he could to cut off Israel from Jerusalem. That is how schism works. The sinful leader cannot allow his followers to have anything to do with their old life. Friendships and family bonds must be broken on the pretence that those people are just awful and associating with them would have devastating consequences on one’s soul. Actually, the real danger in continuing fellowship is that some might discern what they have abandoned and are now missing in their lives.
Verse 24 of this chapter tells us that “this thing is from me.” God is sovereign in this schism. Jeroboam and Israel sinned. This is evil. Yet it is God’s will. How can this be good for the cause of God’s church? We are not called to figure out God’s will, nor are we to curiously inquire into what He has hidden. God’s ways are past finding out (Job 9:10). We must simply trust Him.
