Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 11 September, 2022
“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will
I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 89:1)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Cross and the Wisdom of the World [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 1:10-31
Text: I Corinthians 1:18-25
I. The Great Temptation
II. The Rejected Compromise
III. The Ecclesiastical Implications
Psalms: 113:1-9; 39:1-6; 1:1-6; 49:10-15
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Faith or Works? (2)
Faith or Works: Four Penetrating Questions [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:1-14
Text: Galatians 3:2-5
I. The Spirit’s Reception
II. The Believers’ Perfection
III. The Galatians’ Suffering
IV. The Apostle’s Ministry
Psalms: 86:9-14; 39:7-13; 143:1-7a; 28:4-9
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
Quote to Consider
John Calvin: “In demanding miracles from us, they act dishonestly; for we have not coined some new gospel, but retain the very one the truth of which is confirmed by all the miracles which Christ and the apostles ever wrought. But they have a peculiarity which we have not—they can confirm their faith by constant miracles down to the present day! Nay rather, they allege miracles which might produce wavering in minds otherwise well disposed; they are so frivolous and ridiculous, so vain and false. But were they even exceedingly wonderful, they could have no effect against the truth of God, whose name ought to be hallowed always, and everywhere, whether by miracles, or by the natural course of events. The deception would perhaps be more specious if Scripture did not admonish us of the legitimate end and use of miracles. Mark tells us (Mark 16:20) that the signs which followed the preaching of the apostles were wrought in confirmation of it; so Luke also relates that the Lord ‘gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done’ by the hands of the apostles (Acts 14:3). Very much to the same effect are those words of the apostle, that salvation by a preached gospel was confirmed, ‘The Lord bearing witness with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles’ (Heb. 2:4). Those things which we are told are seals of the gospel, shall we pervert to the subversion of the gospel? What was destined only to confirm the truth, shall we misapply to the confirmation of lies? The proper course, therefore, is, in the first instance, to ascertain and examine the doctrine which is said by the Evangelist to precede; then after it has been proved, but not till then, it may receive confirmation from miracles. But the mark of sound doctrine given by our Saviour himself is its tendency to promote the glory not of men, but of God (John 7:18; 8:50). Our Saviour having declared this to be test of doctrine, we are in error if we regard as miraculous, works which are used for any other purpose than to magnify the name of God. And it becomes us to remember that Satan has his miracles, which, although they are tricks rather than true wonders, are still such as to delude the ignorant and unwary. Magicians and enchanters have always been famous for miracles, and miracles of an astonishing description have given support to idolatry: these, however, do not make us converts to the superstitions either of magicians or idolaters. In old times, too, the Donatists used their power of working miracles as a battering-ram, with which they shook the simplicity of the common people. We now give to our opponents the answer which Augustine then gave to the Donatists (in Joan. Tract. 23), ‘The Lord put us on our guard against those wonder-workers, when he foretold that false prophets would arise, who, by lying signs and divers wonders, would, if it were possible, deceive the very elect’ (Matt. 24:24). Paul, too, gave warning that the reign of antichrist would be ‘withall power, and signs, and lying wonders’ (II Thess. 2:9). But our opponents tell us that their miracles are wrought not by idols, not by sorcerers, not by false prophets, but by saints: as if we did not know it to be one of Satan’s wiles to transform himself ‘into an angel of light’ (II Cor. 11:14). The Egyptians, in whose neighbourhood Jeremiah was buried, anciently sacrificed and paid other divine honours to him (Hieron. in Praef. Jerem). Did they not make an idolatrous abuse of the holy prophet of God? and yet, in recompense for so venerating his tomb, they thought that they were cured of the bite of serpents. What, then, shall we say but that it has been, and always will be, a most just punishment of God, to send on those who do not receive the truth in the love of it, ‘strong delusion, that they should believe a lie’ (II Thess. 2:11)? We, then, have no lack of miracles, sure miracles, that cannot be gainsaid; but those to which our opponents lay claim are mere delusions of Satan, inasmuch as they draw off the people from the true worship of God to vanity” (Prefatory Address to Francis, King of the French, in the Institutes of the Christian Religion).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Beacon Lights are available on the back table for subscribers.
Brian Crossett has been nominated for another 3-year term as elder. A vote by male confessing members to approve/disapprove of this will be held after the evening service next Lord’s day, 18 September.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to discuss Roman Catholicism on faith.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled, “The Need for the Recovery of the Biblical Gospel (I)” (Rom. 1:16).
Catechism classes begin Monday, 19 September. Pick up your respective books on the back table.
5:00PM: Jason, Maisie & Sebastian (Seniors OT)
5:45PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Hannah, Jorja, 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, 19 September, 9 PM.
Belgic Confession Class begins again on Wednesday, 21 September, at 7:45 PM.
Offerings: £1,313.50. Donations: £146.50 (Belfast), £100 (Co. Down), £10,187.92 (USA).
Translation Additions: 4 Hungarian, 1 Polish and 1 Russian.
Dedicating the Temple
Brian D. Dykstra
I Kings 8
Before considering the dedication of the temple, let’s look at just one detail concerning its construction, the pillars which stood before the temple. These pillars did not support the roof of the temple. They stood alone. They were made of brass, so they must have shone brilliantly in the sunshine. Commentators disagree about the pillars’ measurements, but an estimate of a height of forty feet and a diameter of six feet is typical.
What’s more important are the names given to the pillars. One would enter the temple from the east. The pillar on the right, to the north, was named Jachin and the other on the left was called Boaz. These pillars served as valuable reminders and lessons to the people. Jachin means, “He will establish.” God establishes His church. When God establishes something, one knows it is steadfast and sure. Boaz means, “In Him is strength.” The strength of the church is not in political or military power, especially in the New Testament age. The church is strong, and can be confident of final victory no matter how bleak her future may seem from an earthly point of view, because her strength is not found in her members but in her covenant God.
Solomon held the temple’s dedication in the seventh month, the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. The dedication lasted for seven days and then the feast for seven days. The Feast of Tabernacles was the most joyous of the year. The people had gathered their crops and the fall rains would soon come, so there was a reduction in the amount of work there was to do. People from all around Israel would come to Jerusalem. One can imagine the friendships established or renewed during this time of fellowship.
The feast was a look back, a commemoration of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness. The people would gather tree branches and palm fronds to make booths, temporary dwellings. As they wandered in the wilderness, the people did not build permanent homes. This feast was also a look to the future. These temporary dwellings reminded Israelites that their true, lasting home was not here on earth, where God’s people are pilgrims and strangers, but in heaven, our everlasting home.
The tabernacle, God’s house made of curtains, could be taken down and set up again as the Israelites moved from place to place. This pictures God leading His church here on earth as the church militant, engaged in spiritual battle against God’s enemies. The temple, a permanent structure, pictured God’s church in heaven, a triumphant church which would never have to move anywhere ever again because there is perfect peace.
The priests set the ark in its place as innumerable sacrifices were offered. The fact that the sacrifices could not be numbered is remarkable, especially when one reads of the number of sacrifices recorded at the end of this chapter. God’s glory then filled the temple so brilliantly that the priests “could not stand to minister because of the cloud.” Solomon addresses the people, thanks God and speaks of the history of David wanting to build the temple, but God told him that the building of the temple was not a task for him but for his son.
Solomon confesses that all the heavens cannot contain God. How could this house contain all the glory of God? When one considers the great beauty and cost of this temple, that is quite a statement. Beautiful, aromatic cedar comprised the building materials. Plain cedar panels would be nice enough but this cedar was wonderfully carved! Then all the beautiful wood on the floor, walls and ceiling was overlaid with the finest gold! How it must have sparkled under the lights of the flickering candlesticks! Scholars propose various estimates of the cost to build a copy of Solomon’s temple today. Estimates range from hundreds of millions to just over a billion pounds. We modern citizens of earth, who have seen very impressive buildings, would be awed by God’s house. How much greater will be our dwelling with Him in perfect fellowship in His heavenly home?
Then Solomon prays. Solomon enumerates many scenarios in which people would look to this temple and pray to God. This prayer does not express God’s love and willingness to hear each and every man as some claim. Verse 38 says, “What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel …” Translators supplied the words in italics. The “or” should not be there. Therefore, the “any man” does not refer to all individuals, but “any man” is equated with “all thy people Israel.” God’s people, and only His people, will turn to this house in true, acceptable prayer.
Also Solomon prays about “every man” who knows “the plague of his own heart.” This plague of his heart is not a man’s outward, questionable behaviour. It is far deeper. It is the heart, where are the issues of life. This heart suffers from a plague. The depraved heart is not sound nor upright in the sight of the holy God. The plague is the corruption of death, for “plague” is often used to refer to leprosy, a terrible picture of the stink and disgusting quality of sin. Only God’s people have been made to see the true condition of the depraved heart. The reprobate are “either altogether regardless of these spiritual gifts, and satisfied with his own condition; or is in no apprehension of danger, and vainly boasts the possession of that which he has not.” (Canons III/IV:15) Solomon knows not all men’s prayers are acceptable to God. God’s ears are open only to His elect.
Solomon refers to praying to God’s house. This temple pictures God dwelling with His people. The central element of the temple was the ark of the covenant. On the ark was the mercy seat on which the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a lamb. The holy God can only dwell with His people because He is merciful. Dwelling with a holy God who is unmerciful would not be a blessed experience. God can only dwell with us in peace because of the shed blood of the Lamb of God.
Of special note to us as New Testament Gentile believers are verses 41-43. Solomon has a broad and long-range view of the church. He knows strangers, Gentiles, would hear of God’s great name. God would stretch out His arm, quicken their plagued hearts and bring them to faith. Although in verse 38 Solomon referred to Israel, God’s peculiar people, not Gentiles, he knew God would call Gentiles to faith. We have God’s word in Romans 2:29, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Also Romans 9:24-25: “Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also is Osee [i.e., Hosea], I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.” Even we have been made part of the Israel of God.
These fourteen days must have been among the happiest is Israel’s history. They were at peace. The enemies around them not only were not threatening Israel but they paid tribute to her. Israel experienced such wealth that silver was hardly regarded as anything special and cedar was as common as sycamore. If one had the opportunity to travel in time and select a period in which to live in Old Testament Israel, this would be the time.
However, believers should look ahead. We anticipate not a restoration to the glorious days of Solomon or even to the Garden of Eden before the fall. The joy of Christ’s heavenly kingdom will be far greater, with no threat of another fall into sin. We will live in perfect peace under the countenance of Him whose hands, feet and side were pierced in payment for our sins.
