Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 9 August, 2009
"Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep
the testimony of thy mouth" (Ps. 119:88)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Office of Elder [download]
Scripture Reading: I Timothy 3
Text: I Timothy 3:1
I. How It Is Described
II. What It Involves
Psalms: 103:1-7; 35:15-20; 97:1-8; 101:3-8
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Desiring the Office of Elder [download]
Scripture Reading: Titus 1
Text: I Timothy 3:1
I. The Wrong Motivation
II. The Right Motivation
III. The Implied Calling
Psalms: 122:1-9; 35:21-28; 99:1-7; 75:2-8
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:
John Calvin on I Timothy 3:1: "[The office of overseer] is a laborious and difficult charge; and that they who aim at it should carefully consider with themselves, whether or not they [are] able to bear so heavy a burden. Ignorance is always rash; and a mature knowledge of things makes a man modest. How comes it that they who have neither ability nor wisdom often aspire so confidently to hold the reins of government, but because they rush forward with their eyes shut? On his subject Quintilian remarked, that the ignorant speak boldly, while the greatest orators tremble. For the purpose of restraining such rashness in desiring the office of a bishop, Paul states, first, that this is not an indolent rank, but a work; and next, that it is not any kind of work, but excellent, and therefore toilsome and full of difficulty, as it actually is. It is no light matter to be a representative of the Son of God, in discharging an office of such magnitude, the object of which is to erect and extend the kingdom of God, to procure the salvation of souls which the Lord himself hath purchased with his own blood, and to govern the Church, which is God’s inheritance."
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
The August issue of the Covenant Reformed News is on the back table, along with a brochure for the Calvin Conference in Grand Rapids.
This evening is the installation of Brian Crossett as elder. Give thanks to God for this provision and pray for the office-bearers in the congregation.
Rev. & Mary Stewart leave for the US tomorrow morning. There will be no bulletins for the next 4 Lord’s Days. Rev. VanBaren arrives on Thursday, 20 August. "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another" (Gen. 31:49).
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is entitled "In Praise of Sovereign Grace #1: And This is Eternal Life!" (John 17:3).
Other Upcoming Lectures:
Limerick, Thursday, 24 September, 7:30 PM - Guidance: How Do I Know God's Will for My Life?
South Wales, Thursday, 15 October, 7:15 PM - Calvin on Justification: Considering the Judgment Day with Singular Delight
Portadown, Friday, 30 October, 7:30 PM - Calvin on Justification: Considering the Judgment Day with Singular Delight
Ballymena, Friday, 6 November, 7:30 PM - Calvin vs. Darwin: Anniversaries, Origins and Worldviews
Offerings: General Fund - £547.66. Building Fund - £543.40. Donations: £25.
CPRC Website: 5 Italian translations were added this week.
CPRC You-Tube: We now have 159 videos, each up to 10 minutes long, including the recent lectures on "Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation" (both parts) and "The Four Horsemen of Revelation 6." There is also a short piece shown on Portuguese TV on the Calvin Conference in Portugal.
PRC News: Calvary PRC (Hull, IA) called Cand. Griess. Trinity PRC
(Hudsonville, MI) called Rev. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA).