Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
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Covenant Protestant Reformed Church

83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 17 August, 2014

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done
whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3)

Morning Service - 11:00 AM

The Seven Churches in Asia (11)
Observations on the Letters to the Seven Churches  [download]  [youtube]

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2
Text: Revelation 2-3

I. Especially One Person Is Addressed
II. Especially One Enemy Is Identified
III. Especially One Calling Is Issued
Psalms: 96:8-13; 77:14-20; 119:33-40; 1:1-6

Evening Service - 6:00 PM

The Seven Churches in Asia (12)
The Dangers Facing the Churches  [download]  [youtube]

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3
Text: Revelation 2-3

I. Persecution
II. Heresy
III. Apostasy
Psalms: 84:1-6; 78:1-6; 83:1-8; 83:9-18

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

Herman Hoeksema: “Christ, Who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, the Head of His ideal church, given Him by the Father, also is in the midst of His church in the world ... He comes to her ... as her righteous Judge, commending whatever good there is found in her, rebuking and admonishing her for her sins and weaknesses, calling her to repentance and threatening her with his wrath and judgments. It is because Christ is in the midst of His church in the world as her Judge that the church must ever reform, even though separation from a certain manifestation of her is the result ... Behold Him, and be assured that the church can never perish; she is safe though all hell come raving against her!” (Behold He Cometh, pp. 43-44).

Announcements (subject to God’s will)

We welcome Fred & Ruth Hanko (Faith PRC) to our worship services today.

The PRC Acts of Synod for 2014 are available free on the back table.

Elder Ivan Reid’s and Deacon William Graham’s terms in office are up this month. The Council presents the following for the vote of male confessing members: 1) approval for Ivan Reid for another 3-year term as elder, 2) vote for either Julian Kennedy or David Crossett for a 3-year term as deacon. A brief meeting to vote on this will be held after the evening worship service on 31 August. Any lawful objections to these nominees should be put in writing and given to one of the elders.

The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to begin Christ’s controversies on the kingdom of God.

Daniel, Eunice and Lisa Ong from the CERC in Singapore arrive this Saturday. They plan to worship with us next Lord’s Day and stay in N. Ireland until Thursday, 28 August. Lisa is to study at the University of Limerick this term.

The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) is entitled “Conviction for Christian Education” (Ephesians 6:4).

Children’s Bible Club meets for the last time this summer on Tuesday, 26 August at 11 AM.

Everyone is invited to the manse for a barbecue on Wednesday, 27 August, while the Ongs are here. Please come at 6:30 PM or as soon as you can thereafter. If you are able to come, let Pastor or Mary know so that they know how much food will be needed.

Offerings: General Fund - £1,088.35 (20 July), £292.28 (27 July), £644.41 (3 August), £739.54 (10 August). Building Fund - £169.40.

Website Additions: 4 Italian translations were added as were 4 Chinese pages consisting of 13 Covenant Reformed News articles.

PRC News: Rev. Key declined the call to be missionary to the Philippines. Doon PRC, Faith PRC and First PRC have all extended calls to Candidate Engelsma


Chastening

Brian D. Dykstra

 

Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

One of the responsibilities of fathers, and teachers who stand in the place of parents, is the chastening of children. Chastening is not something we eagerly anticipate doing. It is not pleasant. Whenever chastisement is given, we cannot help but wonder whether or not the chastening is given in the best way possible, or whether or not the child sees our love and godly concern for him. We are always walking a fine line of either chastening too much or too little. However, this being a covenant school, and standing in the place of covenant parents, chastening students is something we must do.

It is important to notice that the father here refers to this chastening as having its origin in the Lord. This covenant father is pointing out to his son that the chastening the son experiences does not originate in him, but in the Lord. Here we are not to view God as a Master who rules over servants. Neither are we to have in our minds the fact that God is also the Judge from whom nothing can be hidden. We must note that this chastening is of the Lord, Jehovah, the name of our covenant Father who is merciful and loving, and who delights in the fellowship of His people.

Anybody who has any experience in teaching or parenting knows there are times when children are annoying. The origin of chastening must be God’s law, not what annoys us. This is a temptation, especially when we are tired, run down or overburdened. Sometimes, we chasten for our convenience. Chastening must have its origin in God. This happens only when we have as our standard God’s law.

There are two attitudes towards God’s chastisement which we are instructed to avoid. First, we are not to despise the Lord’s chastening. To despise means to loath something because it is viewed as being worthless. Such despising could be expressed, “Let God do His worst to me for what He perceives to be my shortcomings. I am man enough to endure it and continue on my chosen way. Evidently, God disapproves of what I am doing, and therefore has brought something unpleasant into my life. So be it! My chosen way gives me pleasure. I don’t care about His correction. My way is right! As long as I may do as I please and get what I want, I don’t care about what the consequences of my sins may be.” We witness this attitude in various ways in our society. It is obvious that this response to the Lord’s chastening is not the response of faith.

The second attitude toward chastening is that we grow weary of His correction. This response does not appear to be as bad as the first, yet it is still not the response of faith. Sometimes, we are weary of experiencing a guilty conscience for our sins. After all, the wicked actually perform sin, and many times it seems they suffer no consequences for their sins. Not only do their consciences not seem to be afflicted, some even boast of their evil-doings. We, on the other hand, must implore God’s mercy and humble ourselves simply because we have sinful desires in our hearts! It doesn’t seem right. Why must we be chastened when there certainly are those who are much worse than we are. Such an attitude fails to recognize that God chastens us because He deals with us in His love. We should not be jealous of the wicked because their consciences have been seared or they seem to get away with sin. God allows them to go their own way because He has no pleasure in them. The Lord does not desire fellowship with those who are not redeemed. God will not correct them so He can walk with them and delight in their fellowship. He doesn’t love them.

God does not chasten because He sadistically enjoys seeing us squirm. God chastens those whom He loves and regards as His children. We have evidence that we are legitimate children of God when He chastens us. Our Father says He delights in us! God chastens in order to bring His children to repentance and obedient living. He will not allow us to walk in sin and assume the character or appearance of Satan, whose we were by nature. God will have us walk in His ways and will use His chastening rod to mould us into His image because He has purchased us with His Son’s blood. He will see to it that we resemble our new Master. Our Lord has not redeemed us so we can continue in the old paths of sin.

We must be quietly confident under our Father’s chastisement. We do not know His purpose with us or what our final place in His kingdom will be. God chastens so that we shun the way of evil and walk in fellowship with Him. Jehovah delights in us and would have us keep company with Him on the path He has marked out for us by His law. The Lord’s chastening maintains us in the way of fellowship with Him and the rest of His children.