Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 17 January, 2010
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM Prof. Dykstra
The Place of Good Works in the Covenant [download]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 24
I. Not a Prerequisite to the Covenant
II. A Blessing in the Covenant
III. A Sure Fruit of the Covenant
Psalms: 145:1-8; 19:7-11; 103:13-19; 112:1-6
Evening Service - 6:00 PM Prof. Dykstra
What Manner of People? [download]
Scripture Reading: II Peter 3
Text: II Peter 3:10-14
I. Expecting the Final Destruction
II. Expecting the New Creation
III. Expecting the Lord
Psalms: 50:1-6; 98:1-9; 102:23-28; 17:12-15
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:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones on II Peter 3: "There is nothing for the ungodly to look forward to except final, ultimate destruction. Apart from Christ there is no hope whatsoever; and what we are told everywhere in this Book is that those who do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have nothing to look forward to except a state of punishment and of destruction unrelieved and without end. It is a terrible and terrifying thought, and yet it is the plain, clear teaching of the Bible everywhere. But thank God there is another side, there is a hope held out for the people of God. ‘Nevertheless we,’ says the Apostle—here is the Christian hope already—’Nevertheless’—here is something different—we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Now this is undoubtedly the most glorious promise which is to be found in the entire Bible" (Expository Sermons on 2 Peter, pp. 196-197).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Everyone is welcome to stay for tea after this evening’s service as we say farewell to the church visitors. We thank them for their work among us and wish them the Lord’s blessing as they return to the US tomorrow.
Catechism:
Monday, 7 PM - Zoe, Amy & Lea Campbell at the manse
Tuesday, 7 PM - Jacob & Nathan at the Buchanans
Tuesday, 8 PM - Mark & Lauren at the Hamills
Wednesday, 1 PM - Beginners OT Class at the manse
Midweek Bible study meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM at the manse on I Peter 3:18ff.
Ladies Bible study meets this Thursday, 21 January, at 10:30 AM at the Murrays to study Lesson 3 of Keeping God’s Covenant.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "Hallowed Be Thy Name" (Luke 11:2) by Rev. R. Kleyn.
Upcoming Lectures in Limerick:
Friday, 12 February - "Preaching: The Voice of Christ"
Friday, 12 March - "The Real St. Patrick"
Offerings: General Fund: £564.00. Donations: £100 (building fund), £76.60 (books).
Website Additions: 1 German and 2 Italian translations were added.
PRC News: Rev. Eriks (Hudsonville) declined the call from Byron Center PRC. Cornerstone PRC called Rev. J. Laning (Hope). Rev. Koole (Grandville) is considering the call from Holland PRC. Trinity PRC has a trio of Rev. Haak (Georgetown), Rev. Key, and Rev. A. Lanning.
Encouraging Quotes:
"As always I have been enjoying the lectures and sermons from the website. I have really been learning a lot, and cannot thank you enough for your humble accurate preaching of the Word." - Montana, USA
"Thank you very much for the literature. I didn’t have the Five Points of Calvinism in my library and was pleased to see it in the packet. I have started reading ‘The Gift of Assurance’ and am really enjoying it." - England
"What a blessing to see and hear you on YouTube. May God use your biblical preaching to bring the elect to faith in Christ our great Saviour. You and your website and the books you send me have been such a blessing. Thank you."
- Co. Antrim"Yes, please add me to your monthly e-mail newsletter list ... I am new to Reformed theology ... A friend recently loaned me a Trinity Foundation book, The Clark-VanTil Controversy which first acquainted me with the writing of both Clark and Herman Hoeksema. Both authors had a gift for being clear, profound, and simple (perhaps that’s somehow related to speaking truth?) as do yourself and other PRC ministers. I work in a factory where I am able to listen to mp3 sermons as I work. I was listening to your sermons on Genesis yesterday—very edifying. I’ve begun reading Unfolding Covenant History series by HCH/Engelsma ..." - Tennessee, USA
"Last week I received the books ... Yesterday we had a sermon on the lost coin. It was nice to read after the sermon in the Mysteries of the Kingdom from Prof. Hanko ... once reading it’s hard to stop. You sent some older Standard Bearers. That’s nice. Thank you." - Netherlands
"What a huge and interesting article [‘Calvin vs. Darwin: Anniversaries, Origins and Worldviews’]! I am going to go through it when I have more time for it. I keep all of you in my prayers ... I am going to show your article to [a friend] and I pray that he will be able to see the good news ... the trip and visit to you showed him a great example and insight into a Christian family. I am more than thankful for your invitation!" - Limerick, ROI
"Watched the Calvinism debate on-line. It was awesome! Thanks for making your stuff available." - Glasgow, Scotland
"Thank you for sending the book Reformed Faith of John Calvin. I’ve started reading it ... Thanks, too for the Standard Bearers ... I’ve gone on-line and printed the second part of ‘Ideas Have Consequences’ and passed copies on to others."
- England"We have just finished all the DVDs of the Calvin conference and they are excellent. What a well-done event with all glory to God for His preserving such a remnant in the Reformed faith! ... I have given a set of these DVDs to a friend ... they are an effective tool for witnessing to the Truth and that is how at this point we plan on using them. They will be a present for all our children, for sure!"
- New Jersey, USA"We thought that last meeting [in S. Wales by Prof. Hanko in November, 2009] was very good indeed and look forward to seeing you again." - S. Wales
"I would like to thank you very much for all your sermons during the year. God bless your ministry in the coming year." - Co. Antrim
"I was searching on the Internet and I found your website. I noticed you have articles in several languages and I was very happy to find many materials in Portuguese ... I am sending this [translation of chapter 1 of Herman Hoeksema’s Wonder of Grace] to you." - Brazil
"We want to assure you that we remember you both and the congregation there in our prayers daily. What goes on there in N. Ireland and the work of the church remain of great interest to us. We certainly see the Lord working through your witness." - Michigan, USA
"Since coming upon your website over a year ago through your explanation of the Word on Revelation TV, your exposition of the Word has been food to my soul and mind. The way your pastoral love of the Word and your teaching of it to the flock of our Lord does really feed the hunger within all who read and listen to such wonderful beneficial preaching. I have found it extremely rare to find such opening up of the Word the way you bring forth our Lord’s holy teaching. You will never know what a blessing has come to us from hearing and reading from your site. At last we see no compromise of the Word." - England
"I should very much appreciate receiving your monthly CR News (in German if available or English). Your articles are a blessing to me. Thank you in advance."
- Germany