Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 11 January, 2004
"Because thy lovingkindness is better
than life, my lips shall praise thee."
(Psalm 63:3)
Morning
Service - 11:00 AM
Christian Marriage & Singleness (4)
Let Them Not Divorce
I Corinthians 7:10-11
I. The Meaning
II. The Lessons
Psalms: 30:1-5; 90:13-17; 12:1-8; 50:16-18, 22-23
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
The Plague of the Heart
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 45, I Kings 8:38
I. The Meaning
II. The Calling
Psalms: 84:1-5; 91:1-6; 76:1-7; 132:10-17
For audio cassettes of the worship services, please contact Sean,
phone: (028) 25 641200 or e-mail: cprfbookstore@hotmail.com
CPRF Website: www.cprf.co.uk
Quote to Consider:
Andrew Cornes on I Corinthians 7:10-11: "Paul interprets Jesus as
saying that remarriage is never legitimate in the lifetime of a
divorced partner. In his quotation of the teaching of Jesus, he
highlights the two areas about which Jesus spoke: divorce and
remarriage. Jesus made clear that there was to be no divorce, and he
applied this both to men and women (10, 11b, cf especially Mark
10:11f). He also, however, allowed an exception. The exception that
Paul mentions (‘but if she does separate’: 11) must be the same as the
exception which Matthew records Jesus as giving (‘except for marital
unfaithfulness’: Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Any other interpretation of 11a
makes Paul interrupt Jesus’ teaching (when in fact he makes it clear
that he does not return to his own teaching until 12) and means that
he is saying: ‘But if she disobeys the teaching of Jesus ...’ In 11a
Paul quotes—or paraphrases—Jesus’ teaching on remarriage. It is
particularly helpful that he does so in the context of Jesus’
exception: he is telling us what Jesus taught should happen when there
has been divorce for adultery. Jesus taught that only two options were
open to the Christian in this case: either to remain single or to be
reconciled to his original partner" (Divorce & Remarriage, p.
257).
Announcements:
We are preparing a new CPRF address/telephone list. A
tentative copy is on the back table. Please check that the information
is correct.
There is a sign-up sheet on the back table for the congregational
dinner planned for Friday, 30 January, at the Ramble Inn at 7:30 PM.
On the back of the bulletin is our "paper pulpit" article on the
Apostolicity of the Church. On the back table are other sheets
containing the latest letters in the Ballymena Times on
Christ’s effectual atonement.
Catechism will be held Monday at the Crossetts and Thursday at the
Hamills.
The Steering Committee will meet this Tuesday at 8PM at the
manse.
Bible Study will be held on Wednesday at 8 PM at the manse.
5-a-side football is arranged for 8-9 PM on Friday at the Antrim
Forum.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 18 January,
(8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is "The Marks of God’s Children, Part
2" (Matt. 7:21-23).
Rev. Slopsema and Elder Jim Jansma, from Hudsonville PRC, will be
coming for the yearly PRC church visitation. They will be here from
Thursday, 29 January to the Monday, 9 February.
Last Week’s Offerings: £356. Donations: £50.
PRC News: Hudsonville PRC called Rev. Cammenga. Rev. Rodney
Miersma and his wife leave for Ghana this week Tuesday to take up
their labours there. Classis East meets this week Wednesday. The
agenda for Classis includes a request from the Wingham OCRC in
Ontario, Canada, to become affiliated with the PRC.