Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 4 January, 2004
"Because thy lovingkindness is better
than life, my lips shall praise thee."
(Psalm 63:3)
Morning
Service - 11:00 AM
Christian Marriage & Singleness (2)
The Danger of Singleness
I Corinthians 7:2, 6-9
I. The Meaning
II. The Calling
Psalms: 144:1-8; 90:1-7; 119:9-16; 4:3-8
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Christian Marriage & Singleness (3)
The Duty of Sex in Marriage
I Corinthians 7:3-5
I. The Rule
II. The Exception
Psalms: 138:1-5; 90:8-12; 61:1-5; 45:9-12, 15
For audio cassettes of the worship services, please contact Sean,
phone: (028) 25 641200 or e-mail: cprfbookstore@hotmail.com
Quote to Consider:
Prof. Engelsma: "What does Christ say to [single] believers [who
wish to marry]? First, ‘let them marry’ (v. 9). Do they pray about
their need? Do they ask a husband or a wife from the Sovereign of the
universe? Are they being too choosy about a mate, even unbiblically
choosy? Is the main criterion for the man that the woman be beautiful
rather than that she fear the Lord? Does the young woman turn down and
turn away the young men of the church who are not handsome and dashing
suitors according to the standards of the romance magazines of the
world? Are both the young men and the young women waiting for the
feeling of falling madly in love, when they have every right to
proceed with marriage on the basis of their unity in Christ, their
suitability for each other, and their warm affection for each other?
It is the duty of the young men of the church to date and marry the
daughters of the church, and it is the calling of the young women to
accept the young men ... Still, God makes marriage impossible for
some. These Christians are to accept the single life submissively as
the will of God for them. They should learn to view their single life
not simply as a cross to bear but as the specific way of life in which
they are to glorify God. Are they called being single? Let them not
trouble themselves about these circumstances of their earthly life but
serve God in these circumstances. Let them seize singleness as the
opportunity to serve the Lord Christ more fully than would be possible
if they were married. They may trust that God’s grace will be
sufficient, particularly for sexual self-control. They are required to
abstain from sexual relationships, that is, from fornication. This is
possible. Jesus taught that some make themselves eunuchs for the
kingdom’s sake (Matt. 19:12). Not only is there the gift of sexual
self-control, but there is also the powerful grace of self-discipline
and chastity" (Better
to Marry, pp. 40-41).
Announcements:
The Standard Bearers are in.
We are
preparing a
new CPRF address/telephone list. A tentative copy is on the
back table. Please check that the information is correct.
There is a sign-up sheet on the back table for the congregational
dinner planned for Friday, 30 January, at the Ramble Inn at 7:30
PM.
Catechism will be held Monday at the Crossetts and Thursday at the
Hamills.
Bible Study will be held on Wednesday at 8 PM at the manse. We
will conclude our study of the end times in the Old Testament (DV).
5-a-side football is arranged for 8-9 PM on Friday at the Antrim
Forum.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 11 January,
(8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is "The Marks of God’s Children, Part
1" (Matt. 7:21-23).
Last Week’s Offerings: £737.10. Donations: £10 (CR News),
£10 (CR News).