Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 6 February, 2005
"Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye
of all his wondrous works"
(Psalm 105:2)
Morning
Service - 11:00 AM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (3)
Abraham & Lot Separate
Genesis 13
I. The Strife Between their Herdsmen
II. The Parting of Their Ways
III. The Renewal of the Promise
Psalms: 147:1-7; 125:1-5; 72:7-11; 16:1-8
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
A Snapshot of Jesus’ Childhood
Luke 2:40-52
I. His Humility
II. His Interest
III. His Obedience
Psalms: 34:1-4, 8-13; 126:1-6; 40:1-2, 6-10; 119:9-16
For audio cassettes of the worship services, contact the bookstore.
CPRF website: www.cprf.co.uk
Quotes to Consider:
Matthew Henry: "Those who in choosing relations, callings, dwellings,
or settlements are guided and governed by the lusts of the flesh, the
lusts of the eye, or the pride of life, and consult not the interests of
their souls and their religion, cannot expect God’s presence with them,
nor his blessing upon them, but are commonly disappointed even in that
which they principally aimed at, and miss of that which they promised
themselves satisfaction in. In all our choices this principle should
overrule us, That that is best for us which is best for our souls."
James Montgomery Boice: "You may think that you are different from
Lot. But if you have put your job ahead of your family’s spiritual life,
if you have put your social advancement ahead of a proper association with
God’s people, if you have let your choice of a home keep you from a church
in which you can grow in faith and worship—you have moved from the
highlands to the plain of the Jordan. I know you will say that you can
serve God there as well as at Bethel. Lot would have said, ‘I am as eager
as you to serve the Lord. After all, the cities of the plain need
witnesses too.’ That was true; they did. But Lot’s heart was not in
witnessing. He was doing nothing for God. His heart was set on his
possessions, sophistication, and glamour, and for that he lost
everything."
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
We welcome Rev. Rodney Kleyn of Trinity PRC and Elder Henry Boer of
Hudsonville PRC to our worship services.
The January Covenant Reformed News is on the back table. We have an
extra Protestant Reformed Theological Journal on the table also.
Catechism classes: Monday at the manse at 7 PM with the Campbells
and Thursday at the Hamills at 7 PM.
Midweek Bible Study will be held this week TUESDAY at 8 PM at the
manse. Rev. Kleyn will lead a discussion on I Corinthians 12.
The congregational dinner is this week Friday at The Ramble Inn at
7:30 PM. A sign-up sheet is on the back table. If you haven’t already done
so, please sign up today.
Upcoming Lectures: This week Wednesday, February 9, Limerick, The
Lord’s Day. Friday, 18 January, Ballymena, Does God Desire to Save the
Reprobate? Friday, 4 March, South Wales, The Lord’s Day
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 6 February (8:30-9:00
AM, on Gospel 846MW) is "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit" (Matthew 5:3).
Last Week’s Offerings: £589.68.
PRC News: Rev. DenHartog (Singapore) accepted the call to Southwest
PRC. Edmonton PRC has a new trio consisting of Revs. Bruinsma (Kalamazoo,
MI), Houck (Peace, IL), and Mahtani (Pittsburgh, PA).
Encouraging Quotes:
"Thank you very much for the [Psalm] CD set, which we really enjoy. I am
going to order a set on-line for a friend of ours ..." - Scotland
"I would be very grateful if you would send me the following pamphlets ...
I enclose a donation to help with expenses ... We continue to pray for
God’s blessing on the CPRF." - N. Ireland
"I still enjoy your preaching cassettes and literature. Regards to Sean
Courtney when you see him next." - England
"I write to thank you most kindly for sending literature to me over the
past few years. This has been much appreciated." - Scotland
"Many thanks indeed for posting on to me your CR News which I find
very helpful indeed." - Wales
"... Also very good letter in the Ballymena Guardian. I was astonished to
learn that Ian Paisley did not see that the Tsunami in Southeast Asia as
the judgment of God. I don’t know where Paisley’s Calvinism was when he
made his statement to the Belfast Telegraph." -
N. Ireland
"I am sending herewith a cheque as a donation to the work of CPRF. All
best wishes for 2005." - England
"Just a few lines to say that the [Psalm] CD arrived a few days ago and we
are thoroughly enjoying listening to it. Please can you pass on our thanks
to those who have made this CD freely available." - Scotland
"I have finished listening to the series on "Jehoshaphat the Ecumenical
King." I have really appreciated the unfolding story, the appropriate
application to certain modern day ministers. I sent a set of the tapes to
a friend." - Wales
"I would be glad to receive the News. It is good to read the
letters from the Ballymena Times and your defence of the gospel. So many
in this sinful world delight in the Creator subject to the creature. Oh,
if the Holy Spirit would work faith and repentance so they could see this
terrible heresy. Arminianism and popery are terrible twins, and popery
will never cease whilst one Arminian lives." - N. Ireland
"Thank you for the [tapes]. I make a big effort to [lend] your tapes for
other believers and students here in South Africa to listen to." -
South Africa
"I listened to the debate again yesterday. Even better the second time
around." - Republic of Ireland
Many thanks for your excellent presentation on worship in the singing of
psalms. Without being over critical I don’t think Mr. Foster addressed the
subject scripturally at all ..." - N. Ireland
"I heard the debate, and I cam convinced you won hands down. Heard little
or no Bible whatsoever from Foster. Enjoyed hearing the debate. I hold to
the regulative principle of worship also ..." - USA
"Enjoyed listening to your debate on exclusive psalmody with Rev. Ivan
Foster. I felt you came out on top. Indeed I’ve been looking very closely
at which Church to attend in recent times. Originally C of S. I moved out
as I grew in the Lord and with his help. The ‘psalms vs. hymns’ obviously
related to this decision in today’s society when we consider correct
worship. My town in Scotland like many, has predominantly liberal churches
making it a difficult but necessary decision to make. Keep up the good
fight and may the Lord’s blessings come to you." -
Scotland
"Enclosed is a cheque for
Upon This Rock. I received from Sean the tapes of the debate. It
certainly must have been an ordeal for you, but the Lord brought you
through it. In a way, the case for exclusive psalmody was proven before
even a word was spoken in the two earlier tapes of Rev. Greer and Douglas
with the ‘music’ that was sung before their lectures. Hope all went well
in S. Wales and I look forward to hearing the tape. May the Lord bless you
both." - England
"I just listened to the debate on-line and thought you did a more than
adequate job. I am interested in any reaction, feedback, after debate
discussions, etc. that you may have received" - USA
"I enjoyed the debate last night on exclusive psalmody. Throughout the
entire discussion Rev. Foster never addressed the issue of exclusive psalm
singing only from the Scriptures in any serious manner, nor [did he]
appear to understand the concept of the "public worship of God" and what
God commands regarding the public worship of God ... Remarkably a very
foolish interpretation from the Westminster Confession was given by Rev.
Foster which again church history will refute such a rendering. Notably
too, was there no defense in the Rev. Foster’s rebuttals regarding
testimonies or soloists incorporated in the public worship of God either.
I rejoice that the truth of God was made manifest in this debate ..." -
N. Ireland