Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 20 June, 2010
"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee
more and more" (Ps. 71:14)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Ezekiel's Vision of the Future (2)
The Union of the Two Sticks [download] [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hosea 1:1-11; 2:14-23
Text: Ezekiel 37:15-20
I. The Symbolic Act
II. The Scriptural Meaning
III. The Practical Application
Psalms: 122:1-9; 68:31-35; 60:1-5; 133:1-3
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Preparatory
Evil Communications [download] [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 15:1-19, 30-38, 51-58
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 43
I. What They Are
II. What They Do
III. Do Not Be Deceived!
Psalms: 119:41-48; 69:1-6; 41:5-11; 12:1-8
Contact Stephen Murray for CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services.
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ballymena-United-Kingdom/Covenant-Protestant-Reformed-Church-N-Ireland/337347932331
Quotes to Consider:
Oswald T. Allis: "A good illustration of the light which its use in the New Testament may throw upon the latent implications of an Old Testament text is Paul's use [in Romans 9:25-26] of Hosea 2:23 and 1:10. In their context the words of Hosea refer to disobedient Israel. Israel was 'my people' by virtue of God's choice and call. But Israel had become 'not my people' through disobedience to God and consequent rejection by him. Yet Hosea declares that Israel shall again be called 'my people.' So the prophecy might very naturally be regarded as referring exclusively to Israel. But Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in the light of gospel truth, sees a deeper meaning in these words of the ancient prophet. 'Not my people' may mean two things: 'no longer my people' and 'not yet my people.' In the one sense it would refer to the Jews, in the other to the Gentiles. just as James interprets Amos' prophecy regarding the tabernacle of David, considered in the light of prophecy as a whole, as referring to the conversion of the Gentiles in the Church age, so Paul declares that Hosea foretold the calling of 'vessels of mercy ... not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles.' So here, as elsewhere in these chapters (e.g., 9:33, 10:11f., 11:5), prophecy is appealed to as foretelling that very situation which is represented by the Church age" (Prophecy and the Church, p. 156).
Prof. Engelsma: "An especially destructive weakness is the introduction into our families of hatred, strife, and evil speaking, whether against the neighbour, or against some authority, or against the church. Walking in such ways, we cannot expect happiness in our families. We have, in these cases, given place to the devil, the destroyer of happiness. What is worse, God Himself will bring judgment upon our houses. He brought judgment upon David’s family: ‘the sword shall never depart from thine house’ (II Sam. 12:10). He will not spare our families, if we despise His ways."
J. Miller: "Few things are more important in a home than its conversation, and yet there are few things to which less thought is given. The power to communicate good which lies in the tongue is simply incalculable. It can impart knowledge, utter words that will shine like lamps in darkened hearts, speak kindly sentences that will comfort sorrow or cheer despondency, breathe out thoughts that will arouse and quicken heedless souls ... Why should so much power for blessing be wasted? Especially why should we ever pervert these gifts and use our tongues to do evil, to give pain, to scatter seeds of bitterness?"
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
A report on the last two days of the PRC Synod is available on the back table. Copies of Prof Engelsma’s new book, Bound to Join, are also on the back table. (Our thanks to Brian Crossett who brought these back from the US!) This important book on church membership is available at a special price of £8.
This evening we will have preparatory with the view to celebrating the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning.
Since Martyn McGeown has passed his synodical examination and graduated from the PR Seminary, the Council declares him eligible for a call and presents his name to the congregation to call him to be our missionary based in Limerick working with the Limerick Reformed Fellowship. A brief congregational meeting will be held after the evening service on 4 July to vote on this.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "Christ’s Inseparable Love" (Rom. 8:38-39).
Have you booked for the BRF Conference yet? Bookings are due by 1 July.
The Council will meet Monday, 28 June, at 7 PM at the manse.
Upcoming Meeting: S. Wales, Friday, 2 July - "What About Israel?"
Offerings: General Fund: £406.30.
Website Additions: 3 Italian videos are on-line (see www.cprf.co.uk/languages/italian.htm). 1 German and 2 Italian translations were also added.
PRC News: Rev. Marcus declined the call to Trinity PRC. Rev. Eriks declined the call to Edgerton PRC. Hope PRC’s trio is Revs. R. Hanko, W. Langerak and A. Lanning. Holland’s new trio is Revs. Eriks, Kuiper and Spronk.