Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena
BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 7 April, 2013
"But thou, O Lord, art a God
full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in
mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Christ Jesus, Our Mediator (I)
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Timothy 2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s
Day 6
I. Our Human Mediator
II. Our Divine Mediator
III. Our Only Mediator
Psalms: 116:9-19; 31:7-12; 2:1-8;
89:19-20, 24-28
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Christ Jesus, Our Mediator (II)
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 14
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s
Day 6
I. The Mediator of God’s Saving Will
II. The Mediator in His Threefold Office
III. The Mediator of Covenant Fellowship
Psalms: 147:1-8; 31:13-18; 24:3-8; 22:26-31
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of
the worship services, contact
Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook:
www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Zacharias Ursinus on Heidelberg
Catechism, Lord’s Day 6: "There is but one
Mediator between God and man. The reason of this is, because
no one but the Son of God can perform the office of
Mediator; and as there is only one natural Son of God, there
cannot be more than one Mediator.
Objection 1. But the saints
also make intercession for us. Therefore, they are also
mediators. Answer. There is a great difference between the
intercession of Christ, and that of the saints who live in
the world, and make intercession both for themselves, and
others, even their persecutors and enemies: for the saints
depend upon the merits of Christ in order that their
intercessions may avail, whilst Christ depends upon His own
merits. And still more, Christ alone offered himself a
surety, and satisfier, sanctifying Himself for us, that is,
presenting Himself in our stead before the judgment seat of
God, which cannot be said of the saints.
Objection 2. Where there are
many means, there must be more than one Mediator. But there
are many means of our salvation. Therefore, there are more
mediators than one. Answer. We deny the major proposition;
for the means, and Mediator of salvation, are not one and
the same thing" (Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism,
p. 96).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Philip and Susan Hall have requested baptism for their son, Lucas Joshua. The council has gladly granted this request and baptism is scheduled for next Lord's Day morning.
Monday Catechism:
6 PM -
O.T. Beginners (Bradley & Alex)
6:45 PM - N.T. Juniors
(Nathan, Jacob & Joseph)
7:30 PM - Heidelberg (Timothy)
The Council meets tomorrow evening at 8:15 PM at church.
The Tuesday morning Bible study will be held this week at 11 AM. We will continue with our study of eschatology and time by looking at preterism.
The Belgic Confession Class will meet this Wednesday, at 7:45 PM, to begin our study of article 21.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) is entitled "When It Seems That Everything Is Against You" (Genesis 42:26-43:14) by Rev. R. Kleyn.
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will speak on "The Spirit of the Age and the Church" in Porthcawl at 7:15 PM on Thursday, 18 April.
Offerings: General Fund - £709.32. Donation: £10 (CR News).
Website Additions: 1 Italian, 1 Hungarian and 1 Spanish translations were added.
PRC News: Rev. R. Kleyn declined the call to Faith PRC. Randolph PRC will call from a trio of Revs. Bruinsma, Bleyenberg and Van Overloop.
Belgic Confession, Article 26
Of Christ’s Intercession
We believe that we have no access unto God but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine Majesty, which access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father hath appointed between Him and us, ought in no wise to affright us by His majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our fancy. For there is no creature either in heaven or on earth who loveth us more than Jesus Christ; who, though He was in the form of God, yet made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a man and of a servant for us, and was made like unto His brethren in all things. If, then, we should seek for another mediator, who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find who loved us more than He who laid down his life for us, even when we were His enemies? And if we seek for one who hath power and majesty, who is there that has so much of both as He who sits at the right hand of his Father, and who hath all power in heaven and on earth? And who will sooner be heard than the own well-beloved Son of God?
Therefore it was only through distrust that this practice of dishonouring, instead of honouring, the saints was introduced, doing that which they never have done nor required, but have on the contrary, steadfastly rejected, according to their bounden duty, as appears by their writings. Neither must we plead here our unworthiness; for the meaning is not that we should offer our prayers to God on the ground of our own worthiness, but only on the ground of the excellency and worthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is become ours by faith.
Therefore the apostle, to remove this foolish fear, or rather mistrust, from us, justly saith, that Jesus Christ was made like unto His brethren in all things, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. And further to encourage us, he adds: Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The same apostle saith: Having boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc. Likewise, Christ hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
What more can be required, since Christ himself saith: I am the way and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me? To what purpose should we then seek another advocate, since it has pleased God to give us His own Son as an advocate? Let us not forsake Him to take another, or rather to seek after another, without ever being able to find him; for God well knew, when He gave Him to us, that we were sinners.
Therefore according to the command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our only Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord’s Prayer; being assured that whatever we ask of the Father in His name will be granted us.