Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 13 June, 2010
"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee
more and more" (Ps. 71:14)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Ezekiel's Vision of the Future (1)
The Valley of Dry Bones [download] [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-28
Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14
I. The Content of the Vision
II. The Fulfilment of the Vision
III. The Application of the Vision
Psalms: 98:1-8; 68:19-24; 137:1-9; 79:8-13
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
The Eighth Commandment [download] [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Leviticus 19:9-37
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 42
I. What It Forbids
II. What It Requires
Psalms: 146:1-8; 68:25-30; 50:18-23; 15:1-5
Contact Stephen Murray for CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services.
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ballymena-United-Kingdom/Covenant-Protestant-Reformed-Church-N-Ireland/337347932331
Quotes to Consider:
William Greenhill: "How low, deplorable, or desperate soever the creature be, God can alter it, and that easily. These dry bones were almost dust, and come to nothing, their condition was very deplorable and desperate, the prophet himself could not tell what to think of them; and did not God alter their condition quickly and with ease? He bids the prophet prophesy and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, ye dry bones;’ and that being done, presently the bones shake, come together, are clothed with sinews, flesh, and skin, receive breath, live, and stand up. Here was a wonderful sudden change wrought with great facility. God can make the dry tree to flourish (Eze. 17:24), Aaron’s rod to bud and blossom, Sarah’s dead womb to conceive, rivers in high places, and springs of water in dry lands (Isa. 41:18). If God speak but the word, these things are done; Rom. 4:17, He quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not, as though they were: let God only give a call, and things without life have life, and things without being have a being (Jer. 31:15-17). Are we in bondage? He can easily set us at liberty, as He did Peter; are we sick unto death? He can easily cure us, as He did Hezekiah; are we poor and despicable? He can easily enrich us, and make us honourable, as He did Job when stripped of all; are we dead in sins and trespasses, that we cannot stir at all towards God? or, are we dead-hearted, that we stir poorly towards Him? He can quicken us in a moment, as He did these dry bones, so that we shall live, move, and act vigorously" (Ezekiel, p. 741).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Family visitation finishes today with Janet Napier after this evening’s service.
Martyn McGeown passed his synodical exam this past week. His graduation from the PRC Seminary will be held tomorrow evening. A full report on the PRC Synod is available on the back table.
Elder Brian Crossett participated in Mission Awareness Day in Grand Rapids, yesterday, will attend Martyn’s graduation tomorrow evening and plans to return home Wednesday morning.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us" (Rom. 8:35-37).
The Council will hold their monthly meeting Monday, 28 June, at 7 PM at the manse.
Upcoming Meeting: S. Wales, Friday, 2 July - "What About Israel?"
Offerings: General Fund: £400.99. Building Fund: £405.80. Donations: £25 (CR News), £10 (books).
Website Additions: 2 German, 1 Spanish (Prof. Gritters’ pamphlet on "The Antichrist") and 7 Chinese (catechism books) translations were added.
PRC News: Kalamazoo PRC called Rev. DeVries (Wingham, Ontario).
Report of Italy Trip (31 May - 4 June)
Our trip to Avellino, Southern Italy, was interesting and profitable. We met my parents in Avellino, the three saints (my mum, Marco and Gaetano) of the Italian Reformed Fellowship (IRF) who regularly meet every Lord’s Day since January to read a sermon by a Protestant Reformed minister or John Calvin or Rev. Stewart that I translate into Italian, and some friends from around the Naples area. We saw world-famous tourist attractions. We were able to give a couple of theological lectures and have informal theological discussions with several interested people whom we met at the lectures or went to visit at their homes. All in just four days!
Rev. Stewart, Mary and I were hosted at my parents’ house. It was good that Rev. and Mary encouraged my parents regarding my move to the US to attend seminary in August (DV) and that they got to know each other a little. Rev. and Mary soon learned that saying you really like what you are offered to eat at the table is one of the quickest ways to make enduring friends in Southern Italy! It was good for me to see my parents again. Now I’ll see them again in one year time (DV)!
Rev. and Mary found Southern Italy to be a beautiful
place! They soon found the culture to have "character," like for example
the heavy food, the reckless driving and the general friendliness of the
people. We saw the grand scenery of the Amalfi Coast, 
we
walked through the ancient, fascinating ruins of the Roman city of
Pompeii (covered by volcanic lava in 79AD!) and we were impressed by the
grandeur of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s
Basilica. All of them are World Heritage sites. We thought what we saw
in Rome peculiarly suits the label "World" site!
During our stay we had the pleasure of meeting and discussing with Giovanni, a policeman from Naples, and Gaetano, a member of the IRF. We had a nice walk and we managed to get a real pizza in Naples (the place where pizza was invented!). The day after we visited Marco’s mum and had a good chat with his brothers too. We were touched by their warm welcome and hospitality. The same afternoon we met Malita, an older lady who attends an evangelical church in Salerno, who, after our visit, also came with us to one of the lectures we held.
The two lectures (on "Predestination"
and "Assurance"),
held at my parents’ house, were attended by a few whom my Mum and Marco,
both part of the IRF, had invited. One of them was my aunt, Anna, a
Roman Catholic. My dad was there too. The others were Roman Catholics, a
Greek Orthodox, an atheist and one evangelical—10 in all. The lectures
were attended with
interest. There were questions and some debate after the lectures,
especially on the issue of predestination as it relates to the
significance of good works. It was a hard job for me doing all the
translating: with several people at one time and both ways! But it was
fun too!
We believe we might see some of these visitors back in the future. We left Avellino with some real hope for the IRF. What now is happening in Southern Italy is definitely a start, and it is very similar to what was happening a few years ago in Limerick! There a few saints met on the Lord’s Day for years, and for those first 4 years they were only three! The Lord then started to add some, and now they are ready to receive a missionary! So there is some real hope for us too, we believe! As much as is in our ability, we will continue to work for the IRF. We do need and covet the prayers of you all for these saints and for the others! In all things, we depend on and look to God, who only gives the increase!
Francesco De Lucia