Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Bookmark and Share

Covenant Protestant Reformed Church

 

Ballymena

Rev. Angus Stewart

Lord’s Day, 2 August, 2009

 

"Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep

the testimony of thy mouth" (Ps. 119:88)

 

Morning Service - 11:00 AM

The Beneficiaries of Our Goodness   [download]

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16

Text: Psalm 16:2-3

I. The Lord?

II. The Saints?

Psalms: 122:1-9; 35:1-7; 119:57-64; 16:1-7

 

Evening Service - 6:00 PM

"I Have a Goodly Heritage"   [download]

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16; Acts 2:22-36

Text: Psalm 16:6

I. David’s Confession

II. Christ’s Confession

III. The Believer’s Confession

Psalms: 63:1-8; 35:8-14; 73:23-28; 16:7-11

 

Contact Sean Courtney (covenantreformedaudiostore@yahoo.co.uk) for CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services.

CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk

CPRC YouTube Site: www.youtube.com/cprcni

Quotes to Consider:

John Calvin on Psalm 16:2-3: "David begins by stating that he can bestow nothing upon God, not only because God stands in no need of any thing, but also because mortal man cannot merit the favour of God by any service which he can perform to him ... The import of his language is, I am, indeed, fully convinced in my heart, and know assuredly, that God can derive no profit or advantage from me; but notwithstanding this, I will join myself in fellowship with the saints, that with one accord we may worship him by the sacrifices of praise ... The only way of serving God aright is to endeavour to do good to his holy servants. And the truth is, that God, as our good deeds cannot extend to him, substitutes the saints in his place, towards whom we are to exercise our charity. When men, therefore, mutually exert themselves in doing good to one another, this is to yield to God right and acceptable service ... The faithful, therefore, bear his image, that, by their example, we may be stirred up to meditation upon the heavenly life. For the same reason the Psalmist calls them excellent, or honourable, because there is nothing which ought to be more precious to us than righteousness and holiness, in which the brightness of God’s Spirit shines forth; just as we are commanded in the preceding psalm to prize and honour those who fear God. We ought, therefore, highly to value and esteem the true and devoted servants of God, and to regard nothing as of greater importance than to connect ourselves with their society; and this we will actually do if we wisely reflect in what true excellence and dignity consist, and do not allow the vain splendour of the world and its deceitful pomps to dazzle our eyes."

Announcements (subject to God’s will):

We welcome Anganeta Dyck from Germany to our worship services today. She be with us for about 4 weeks (31 July-26 August).

The July issue of the Covenant Reformed News is on the back table.

Brian Crossett’s term as elder expires this month. The Council nominates Brian for an additional 3-year term. This will be voted upon at a congregational meeting after the evening service today (Church Order 22).

The Council will meet Thursday, 6 August, at 7:30 PM at the manse.

The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is entitled "Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Other Upcoming Lectures:

Limerick, Thursday, 24 September, 7:30 PM - Guidance

South Wales, Thursday, 15 October, 7:15 PM - Calvin on Justification

Portadown, Friday, 30 October, 7:30 PM - Calvin on Justification

Ballymena, Friday, 6 November, 7:30 PM - Calvin vs. Darwin

Offerings: General Fund - £457.12. Donations: £1,000 (building fund), £200 (DVDs).

PRC News: Holland and Lacombe both called Cand. Griess.


Disposition

disposed (dis-pozd’) inclined; having a certain tendency: as, he feels well-disposed toward you. Synonyms – bias, prejudice, favour, discrimination.

As a semi-amateur etymologist, my opinion is that "disposition" is one of the most powerful and, at the same time, most overlooked words in our language. That it is overlooked, I will let the reader decide (but be honest, how long has it been since you took time and really pondered this word?). But consider what influence (power) this frame of mind has on our lives.

First, let’s look at this politically. No matter what one particular candidate has to say, I will write it off as being wrong and invalid because I don’t like him and what he stands for. No matter what he says. I am not inclined towards him. I am not well-disposed towards him. On the other hand, another major political candidate could have said the same thing and I would think that what he stated was great. That might be only my own state of mind (and weakness), but think how the media treats certain candidates and their positions and experience one way and others differently, due to their own dispositions. Perhaps you can identify with this as well.

Secondly, do we realize how greatly this affects our relationships with each other? Restricting my comments to just the school situation here at Eastside, how do I respond to certain behaviours by certain students? Is it exactly the same for each student given the exact same circumstances? Probably not. When I grade, and it comes to judging an essay question as opposed to a straight-forward true/false problem, does my disposition according to a student enter into the outcome? I have to ask and answer these questions.

Thirdly, what about our relation to our Lord? Am I inclined to Him favourably? Are we ready to "live thankfully" as our theme for the year expresses. Is our first response to something negative in our lives one of complaint because we are inclined to our own self-centred perspective, or is our disposition one of trusting in Him and immediately rejoicing in His good will?

And now to the overwhelming significance to "disposition." What is the sovereign Lord’s disposition towards me? Yes, we would say right away that He is perfectly fair and just in all His ways and opinions. Correct. "... for He is no respecter of persons." But (praise His Name!) He can be and is well-disposed to His people because He desires and finds this favour towards them in ... Himself! He has freely willed to be gracious towards us, His people (Ephesians 1), and part of doing so is to give us a good disposition towards Him (see thirdly above). I am glad that He has this bias and prejudice towards me, otherwise, in His righteous judgment, I am condemned.

So then, as staff, parents, students, we must realize that we are not naturally fair in our judgments and must seek wisdom, understanding, and just decisions from above. We can do this and live in thankfulness because of His proper discrimination towards us through His righteous view of His people in Christ.

Mr. Pete Adams, teacher and administrator at Eastside Christian School


Rev. Stewart’s US Schedule

 

10 August, Monday Morning - Leave for the U.S.

 

11 August, Tuesday Morning - Meeting with the Contact Committee

 

12 August, Wednesday, 7:30 PM - "Calvin vs. Darwin: Anniversaries, Origins and Worldviews" (sponsored by Grandville PRC).

 

16 August, Sunday AM – Hudsonville PRC

PM – Peace PRC (plus slides on N. Ireland, etc.)

 

17-21 August, Monday-Friday – PR Young People’s Convention

 

23 August, Sunday AM – Loveland PRC

PM – Loveland PRC (plus slides on N. Ireland, etc.)

 

30 August, Sunday AM – Doon PRC

PM – Hull PRC (plus slides on N. Ireland, etc.)

 

31 August, Monday Barbecue with Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls

 

3-5 September, Thursday-Saturday – Calvin Conference in Grand Rapids

 

6 September, Sunday AM – Hope PRC

PM – Southwest PRC (plus slides on N. Ireland, etc.)

 

8 September, Tuesday Morning - Return to the UK