Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 14 August, 2016
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind ...” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM - Rev. M. DeVries
Building the House of God
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2
Text: Ephesians 2:20-22
I. The House
II. The Foundation
III. The Construction
Psalms: 102:13-18; 84:1-6; 132:7-14; 87:1-7
Evening Service - 6:00 PM - Rev. M. DeVries
Guided to Glory
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 73
Text: Psalm 73:24
I. Our Need for a Guide
II. The Identity of Our Guide
III. The Goal of This Guidance
Psalms: 113:1-9; 37:29-37; 73:23-28; 16:6-11
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.cprf.co.uk/live.html
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
Charles Hodge on Ephesians 2:21: “The words [‘all the building’], even without the article, which, because wanting in the oldest manuscripts, many critics omit, must here mean ‘the whole,’ and not ‘every building.’ It would destroy the whole consistency of the figure to represent ‘every congregation’ as a temple by itself, resting on Christ as the corner-stone. Christ has but one body, and there is but one temple, composed of Jews and Gentiles, in which God dwells by his Spirit.”
Prof. Engelsma: “Glory is the end of the children of God in the sense that it is the goal of all God’s guidance throughout our earthly lives. Certainly glory as our end is a future reward that will far outweigh all our present suffering and shame. ‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Rom. 8:18). But glory is also the destiny being worked out for us by means of the present suffering, the plaguing and chastening of Psalm 73:14. Our present chastisement is related to the future glory, as the present prosperity of the wicked is related to their coming destruction. As the slippery slide of prosperity plunges the wicked into hell, so the uphill climb of the troubles of the Christian’s life brings him, by God’s guidance, to heaven and its glory” (Prosperous Wicked and Plagued Saints, pp. 84-85).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. Michael & Dawn DeVries to our worship services today. Rev. DeVries is preaching for us while Rev. Stewart is in the LRF.
Mrs. Callender continues to recover at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. She has been moved out of the high dependency ward. Keep her and all those in the congregation who struggle with illness or long-term disabilities in your prayers.
The Tuesday Bible study meets this week at 11 AM to discuss Christ and leprosy.
Children’s Bible Club meets this week Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 AM at church. The theme this year is “The Armour of God” (Eph. 6:10-17). Contact Susan if you have any questions.
Men’s Bible Study meets this Saturday, 20 August, at 8 PM at the Kennedys to discuss James 2:25-3:2.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is “The Creation” (Gen. 1:1).
CPRC Reformation Day Lecture: Friday, 28 October, 7:30 PM on “John Owen and the Death of Christ.”
Offerings: General Fund: £734.74. Building Fund: £324.98. Donation: £591.33 (Hudsonville PRC).
New translations: 1 Spanish.
PRC news: Rev. Griess (Calvary, IA) declined the call to First Holland PRC.
Encouraging Quotes
“I’ve found [the biography of] Gottschalk very encouraging. How wonderful that the Lord kept him faithful, though standing alone and imprisoned, for nearly 20 years! Thank you so much for the C. R. News, the Sunday bulletins and Rev. Hanko’s very good ‘Some Further Objections to the Free Offer of the Gospel.’ I am really looking forward to listening to the sermons on Zephaniah.” - Yorkshire, England
“I’m reading a wonderful book I got from [the CPRC], Behold He Cometh, a commentary on Revelation. This has been a real help, although I only can work about 20 minutes a day on it [because of my serious health problems]. I have found it a great blessing.” - Co. Antrim
“As of yesterday, I listened to two debates where you were a guest and perused your website. Praise God for His ministry through you. My husband and I are recovering from Roman Catholicism, and our Lord Jesus Christ has led us to learn of Him through the teachings of Reformed theology and the covenant of grace. Our main source of grief is that there is not a Reformed church near us ... We feel as if we are in a wilderness, yet we have never doubted God’s care for us and abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. I was also involved with the Charismatic movement in the Roman Catholic church and your clear scriptural directives about cessationism have given joy and peace.” - Minnesota, USA
“Thanks so much for the prompt sending of the books I ordered and also for your sound words on the phone. I also look forward very much to receiving the monthly C. R. News and I am sure I will find them valuable in our Christian walk. May God continue to bless you and your church.” - Lancashire, England
“I enclose a cheque towards provision of the Covenant Reformed News, which I appreciate very much, especially the most recent issue. I agree with your interpretation of Scripture. Keep up the good work.” - Co. Antrim
“I am from Mumbai, India. I attend a Reformed church here. I have been reading Prof. Engelsma and other PRC pastors on church membership.” - India
“Sorry I was ‘late for church’ this morning. I am listening to the morning service right now and I really appreciated that beautiful opening prayer ... I spent most of Thursday listening to selected lectures from the devils and demons Belgic Confession series and learned a lot from it.” - USA
“The books arrived safely. Wonderful reading stuff.” - S. Africa
“What a joy it is becoming for me to watch/listen to your preaching. Last evening I was again filled with thankfulness at being privileged to hear such preaching of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. I am equally thankful to Rev. McGeown for his preaching ... the joy of having the sermons from the PRC in Northern Ireland is a lifeline for me when each day the evening draws in and I feel so alone. So I fill the hours of the evening, by the Lord’s grace, in reading and in playing music on my piano and/or organ, singing to the Lord, but also now in listening to the preaching from Ballymena and Limerick and in prayer of thanksgiving. Please be assured of my continuing prayer for you all in Ballymena as well as the Limerick Fellowship.” - New Zealand
“I truly enjoyed and was blessed by [Prof. Hanko’s] article on Solomon’s salvation and especially the proof with Scripture. This is a question that comes up frequently. This is a great answer and so biblically sound. I was browsing for some answers that were biblically oriented and yours was the best. Thanks again.” - Pennsylvania, USA
“Please find the cheque enclosed. Many thanks for everything you sent. Looking forward to reading the booklet and watching the DVD.” - Cornwall, England
“Thank you very much for your enlightening article about Horatio Spafford. The warnings in your biography of Spafford have been very helpful, and given me much food for thought.” - Zimbabwe
“Thanks for the website!! I think it is awesome. I am looking for an article regarding the nature of man after regeneration. I hate to bother you but I was hoping maybe you had a sermon or article on this subject. Most here believe man has two natures but some have gone to extremes saying they do not sin but their flesh does.” - USA
“A big thank you for the solid Reformed materials you kindly sent me. Doctrinal Reformed biblical truth is the bedrock of my faith in Christ alone. The CPRC is a great blessing to me. Wishing you God’s peace and blessing.” - Lincolnshire, England
“Just received the RFPA catalogue. The book, Christianizing the World, does not have a price. Do you have one? ... The Standard Bearer is great stuff.” - Co. Antrim