Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 22 September, 2013
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Man of Sin (6)
The Restrainer of the Man of Sin’s Revelation [youtube]
Scripture Reading: II Timothy 3:1-4:5
Text: II Thessalonians 2:5-7
I. The Need for This Restraint
II. The Nature of This Restraint
Psalms: 54:1-7; 45:7-12; 119:49-56; 76:5-12
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
The Necessity of Christ’s Ascension [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 14:1-11; 16:1-16
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 18
I. His Earthly Work Was Finished
II. His Heavenly Work Had to Begin
Psalms: 47:1-9; 45:13-17; 68:16-20; 22:23-28
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
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Augustine: “He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near [i.e., imminent]. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope and fervent love.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This evening we will have a preparatory service with a view to celebrating the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning.
The September Covenant Reformed News is available on the back table, as is The Reformed Perspectives, which includes an article on “Living Chastely: Our Marriage to the Risen Lord.”
The Council would like to remind the congregation that exiting and entering the sanctuary during the services can be distracting to other worshippers. We ask that this be kept to a minimum.
Monday Catechism: Bradley, Samuel (Beginners NT) – 5:30PM
Alex, Nathan (Juniors OT) – 6:15PM
Jacob, Joseph (Seniors OT) – 7:00PM
Timothy (Essentials of Reformed Doctrine) – 7:45PM
Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to study the arguments Christ used in His sabbath controversies (handouts are on the back table).
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue with article 21b on foundational truths about our Saviour’s atonement.
Men’s Bible Study will meet this Saturday, 28 September, at 8 PM at the Kennedys using the Ezra study guide, chapter 2. (Please note: the reference in the study guide to Psalter #230 is Psalm 85.)
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) is entitled “Spiritual Lethargy” (Song 5:1-8).
Philip Hall’s installation has been postponed until Lord’s Day, 6 October, for logistical reasons.
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will speak on “Original Sin” on Thursday, 7 November, 7:15 PM, at a new venue, the Round Chapel, Margam, Port Talbot.
Offerings: General Fund – £699.13.
Website Additions: 1 Portuguese and 7 Chinese (consisting of 21 Covenant Reformed News articles) translations were added.
PRC News: Rev. Griess declined the call to Faith PRC. Doon PRC called Rev. R. Kleyn (Spokane, WA).
“Mystery” in the New Testament
(Matt. 13:11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
(Mark 4:11) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
(Luke 8:10) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
(Rom. 11:25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
(Rom. 16:25) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(I Cor. 2:7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(I Cor. 4:1) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(I Cor. 13:2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(I Cor. 14:2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
(I Cor. 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
(Eph. 1:9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
(Eph 3:3-4) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
(Eph. 3:9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
(Eph. 5:32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(Eph. 6:19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Col. 1:26-27) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(Col. 2:2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
(Col. 4:3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
(II Thess. 2:7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
(I Tim. 3:9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
(I Tim. 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
(Rev. 1:20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
(Rev. 10:7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
(Rev. 17:5) And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
(Rev. 17:7) And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
