Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 31 March, 2019
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering ...”
(Col. 3:12)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Gospel Living (20)
Overcoming or Being Overcome?
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Samuel 25:14-35
Text: Romans 12:21
I. Examples
II. Perspectives
III. Ways
Psalms: 122:1-9; 103:16-22; 38:12-20; 119:57-64
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
God’s Covenant With Christ’s Seed’s Seed
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 59
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 27
I. Who Is the Author of the Covenant?
II. With Whom Does He Establish His Covenant?
III. What Are the Blessings of His Covenant?
Psalms: 111:3-9; 104:1-7; 103:13-19; 105:5-10
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
Quote to Consider
Martin Luther on Romans 12:21: “... see to it that he who hurts you does not cause you to become like him, namely, a wicked person, nor let his wickedness defeat your goodness. For a man who changes another man by causing him to become like him, while he himself remains unchanged, is a victor over that man. No, by doing good to him, you must make him into a good person who resembles you. Thus your goodness will overcome his wickedness and change him into you.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Monday catechism classes:
5:00 PM - Josh & Taylor (Juniors OT)
5:45 PM - Corey & Katelyn (Beginners OT, Book 2)
6:30 PM - Bradley & Samuel (Seniors OT)
7:15 PM - Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
The Council meets on Monday at 8 PM at the church.
Rev. McGeown (via phone link) will be interviewed about his book, Grace and Assurance: the Message of the Canons of Dordt, on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio, a station based in Pennsylvania, USA, on Monday from 4-6 PM EST (US) or 9-11 PM (GMT) (www.ironsharpensironradio.com).
Tuesday Bible Study at 11 AM will discuss the Mosaic covenant. Was it conditional?
Belgic Confession Class meets Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue its thorough refutation of the Council of Trent on the sacrifice of the mass.
Ladies’ Bible Study meets this Friday at 10:30 AM at church to continue the discussion on chapter 5 of Saved By Grace on “Irresistible Grace.”
Rev. Stewart (via phone link) will discuss his upcoming speech on “The Canons as the Original ‘Five Points of Calvinism’” and the PRC conference later this month on “Dordt 400–Safe-Guarding the Reformed Tradition” on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio on Friday from 4-6 PM EST (US) or 9-11 PM (GMT) (www.ironsharpensironradio.com).
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “In What Love Rejoices” (I Cor. 13:6).
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will speak on “The Development of God’s Covenant (5): Jacob” in Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 25 April.
Offerings: General Fund: £884.08.
Translation Additions: 3 Chinese.
PRC News: Immanuel (Lacombe, Canada) called Rev. Guichelaar. Rev. W. Langerak accepted the call to Trinity PRC. Rev. Spronk (Faith, MI) received the call to be missionary-on-loan to the CERC (Singapore).
John Calvin on Romans 12:21: “This sentence is laid down as a confirmation; for in this case our contest is altogether with perverseness, if we try to retaliate it, we confess that we are overcome by it; if, on the contrary, we return good for evil, by that very deed we show the invincible firmness of our mind. This is truly a most glorious kind of victory, the fruit of which is not only apprehended by the mind, but really perceived, while the Lord is giving success to their patience, than which they can wish nothing better. On the other hand, he who attempts to overcome evil with evil, may perhaps surpass his enemy in doing injury, but it is to his own ruin; for by acting thus he carries on war for the devil.”
Robert Haldane on Romans 12:21: “Christians are here exhorted not to suffer themselves to indulge a spirit of wrath or resentment from the provocations of their enemies. In the world they will experience evil on the part of others, but they ought never to allow themselves to be drawn into the commission of evil and to be overcome by it. To yield to anger is to be conquered by an enemy. Men in general suppose that to resent an injury is only to show a proper spirit. But in the estimation of God it is the opposite, and manifests defeat. He acts as the Christian, who yields not to anger, but remains without wrath under insult and ill-treatment. When the Lord commanded the disciples to forgive their offending brethren, perceiving the difficulty of acting in this manner, they immediately prayer, ‘Lord, increase our faith.’ No prayer could be more suitable, and nothing more necessary for the performance of this duty.
Overcome evil with good implies that the injurious person may, by repeated acts of kindness, be won over from his enmity. This, indeed, frequently happens and there is hardly a case in which it will not have some effect. But whatever may be the success, we ought always to make the trial. If our efforts shall be lost on our enemy, they will not be lost with respect to ourselves. Our Christian character will be more perfected, our happiness will be increased, our ways will be pleasing to the Lord, and our reward will be sure. Persons who cannot be overcome with good must be in the most awful state of hardened wickedness, and their punishment will be dreadful.
In [Romans 12], we learn the true tendency of the doctrine of salvation wholly by grace, established in a manner so powerful in [Romans 1-11], by which men are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. How beautiful is it, and how sublime when displayed in all its practical effects in the duties which flow from it, as here described! We may search all the works by the most admired writers, and, so far as they have not borrowed from the fountain of inspired truth, we shall find in them nothing comparable to the elevated maxims contained in this chapter. Especially we shall not discover the faintest shadow of resemblance to the motives by which these duties are here inculcated. If the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth forth His handiworks,—if the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that the heathen are without excuse,—how much more clearly do the Scriptures proclaim their Divine origin, and the majesty of their Author! God hath magnified His word above all His name, Ps. cxxxviii. 2.” (Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, p. 575).
8 Charges Against the Mass
John Calvin
If in Paul’s times an ordinary abuse of the Supper could kindle the wrath of God against the Corinthians, so that he punished them thus severely, what ought we to think as to the state of matters at the present day? We see, throughout the whole extent of Popery, not merely horrid profanations of the Supper, but even a sacrilegious abomination set up in its room.
In the first place, it is prostituted to filthy lucre (I Timothy 3:8) and merchandise.
Secondly, it is maimed, by taking away the use of the cup.
Thirdly, it is changed into another aspect, by its having become customary for one to partake of his own feast separately, participation being done away.
Fourthly, there is there no explanation of the meaning of the sacrament, but a mumbling that would accord better with a magical incantation, or the detestable sacrifices of the Gentiles, than with our Lord’s institution.
Fifthly, there is an endless number of ceremonies, abounding partly with trifles, partly with superstition, and consequently manifest pollutions.
Sixthly, there is the diabolical invention of sacrifice, which contains an impious blasphemy against the death of Christ.
Seventhly, it is fitted to intoxicate miserable men with carnal confidence, while they present it to God as if it were an expiation, and think that by this charm they drive off everything hurtful, and that without faith and repentance. Nay more, while they trust that they are armed against the devil and death, and are fortified against God by a sure defence, they venture to sin with much more freedom, and become more obstinate.
Eighthly, an idol is there adored in the room of Christ.
In short, it is filled with all kinds of abomination.
(John Calvin, Commentary on I Cor. 11:30)