Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 4 May, 2008
"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the Lord his God" (Ps. 146:5)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 34; Romans 7
I. The Holy Law
II. The Hated Law
Psalms: 149:1-6; 119:145-152; 143:5-11; 1:1-6
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 34; Romans 7
I. The Spiritual Law
II. The Delightful Law
Psalms: 146:1-8; 119:153-160; 25:4-10; 19:7-14
For audio cassettes of the worship services or CDs of the sermons, contact Sean Courtney (cprcaudiostore@yahoo.co.uk)
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
Quotes to Consider:
Daniel Cawdray: "As a looking-glass doth neither wash nor make him fair, that looketh therein, but giveth him occasion either to seek for water or else for some other thing that may make him fair and clean: even so the law showeth unto us our sins, and maketh known unto us our miserable estate and wretchedness, and how that there is nothing good in us, and that we are far off from all manner of righteousness, and so driveth us of necessity to seek righteousness in Christ."
Charles Spurgeon: "The law stirs the mud at the bottom of the pool and proves how foul the waters are. The law compels the man to see that sin dwells in him, and that it is a powerful tyrant over his nature. All this is with a view to his cure. God be thanked when the law so works as to take off the sinner from all confidence in himself! To make the leper confess that he is incurable is going a great way toward compelling him to go to that divine Saviour, who alone is able to heal him. This is the whole end of the law toward men whom God will save."
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
We welcome Mr. & Mrs. Henry DeVries from Randolph PRC and Mr. Nathan Houck from Peace PRC. There will be tea after the evening service today.
The second offering this morning is for the building fund.
The Council will hold their monthly meeting this Wednesday, 7:30 PM at the manse.
Rev. & Mary Stewart travel to S. Wales this Friday, 9 May, where Rev. Stewart will give a lecture on "The Antichrist."
Francesco De Lucia moved into a flat this week. His address is 19 Lough View Close Apartments, Stiles Farm, Antrim, BT41 1LE. His mobile number is 07842396514 and his e-mail address is deluciaf@yahoo.co.uk
Offering: General Fund - £550.22. Donations: £8 (books), £3 (tapes), £100 (CR News), £20 (CR News).
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is entitled "The Daughter of Sarah" (I Peter 3:3-4).
Upcoming Lectures: Friday, 6 June, in Ballymena, on "The Antichrist." Friday, 20 June, in Limerick, on "Prayer & the Sovereignty of God"
Website Additions: A new Italian version of the Canons of Dordt was added. Rev. Stewart’s article on "The Sunday Evening ‘Gospel Service’" has been improved and enlarged.
PRC News: Calvary PRC (Hull, IA) has called Rev. D. Kuiper (Randolph, WI).
Encouraging Quotes:
"Very glad to hear about your work and ministry. We were blessed ourselves by listening to your sermons and even to the debate with the Charismatic leader. In fact, we want to make a few copies of it for our friends." - Lincolnshire
"I am being blessed in so many ways by your ministry. Thank you so much for your friendship. I was listening to your preaching on Isaiah 6 and verses 9-13 and I am delighted. It is wonderful to see truth and Scripture revealed. Thank you for your faithfulness." - Portugal
"Thanks very much for all the information you sent me in the post. I’m sure I’ll benefit greatly from it. It’s encouraging to see the letters from your church members published in the press and all the good stuff available on your website ... Your efficiency and attention in sending out material when requested is much appreciated—most people wouldn’t and don’t bother. Keep up the good work." - Co. Down
"Not having a Reformed church in my area, I have started this year to go through the Heidelberg Catechism by the following method: First I read the Lord’s Day in Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism by Dr. Zacharias Ursinus, followed by Guilt, Grace and Gratitude by George W. Bethune, then I listen to your message for the Lord’s Day from your website. I started this practice this year and completed Lord’s Day 8 last Sunday. It has been the source of much confidence and blessing in the Lord. I thank my Saviour daily for your website that ministers to one that must worship outside the camp as I am surrounded by churches that worship a god of their vain imaginations. May our Lord continue to bless and raise more faithful servants of the Lord." - Ohio, USA
"I have followed with interest the ongoing debate about women office-bearers. How sad that the church can get itself into such a mess. This questioning of Scripture is the old lie of the devil ‘hath God said.’ While men and women listen they will only continue to get it wrong and be filled with doubt and unbelief. Praise God there are still some who believe and are willing to stand for the truth ... the tapes each week are truly a blessing. The series on Isaiah is excellent. I’m looking forward to the rest." - Yorkshire
"Thank you for constantly sending us your weekly bulletins and CR News ... I’m personally challenged because you are so active and so hard-working that one PRC pastor with only one church in Northern Ireland is able to shake the British Isles and witness to the truth in any way possible. Please be assured that I’m still pursuing the translation of PRC articles." - Philippines
"I would like to get a few copies of the sermon series on Isaiah 6 on tape. Would it be possible to get 5 copies of the series ... The two sermons on Isaiah 6:9-10 are especially relevant for a couple of people that we have in mind." - Limerick
"It was with a great deal of pleasure that we received the copies of the book Keeping God’s Covenant today ... I have several already in mind to give to friends and neighbours, so hopefully the Lord will use these to touch hearts ..." - New Zealand
"Thought I’d write and say hello ... You’re always in my thoughts probably because I’ve recently begun listening to your series on Malachi, which I’m enjoying very much. I travel 30 minutes to work each day so the two journeys are a nice length to listen to a message each day in the car." - Co. Antrim
"Thanks so much for your website. I was blessed and encouraged so much. I’m hungry for this teaching and its a great blessing to have your website." - Philippines
"I have been encouraged as I’ve been reading Prof. Hanko’s book When You Pray ... Could you send [a copy] to my son ..." - Scotland
"Thanks for all your letters. It is nice to hear that you put some of my materials on the web. I will try to send other materials soon ... I always read your articles in the PR Theological Journal and the Standard Bearer. I was delighted to read [your article] on the rise and fall of congregational theology, because the first missionary to our country was a Congregationalist, later changed to Baptist, Rev. Adonirum Judson. His theology always was very shallow and I was wondering why it was like that? Now I have the answer through your articles: even before that missionary came to our country, their congregational theology already died out. Thanks for the articles." - Myanmar
"I have often been caused to liken our spiritual isolation to that of Elijah beside the brook Cherith with the ravens carrying vital supplies of bread and meat. Such has been the Lord’s way in sending your ministry via tapes through the postal system (the ravens) and the tape machine causing the rippling waters of the brook to be heard, conveying ‘the water of life’ to thirsty souls ... Ever yours in Christ Jesus, and with uplifted hearts and hands to Him for multiplied blessings on you and the beloved cause of the CPRC." - Gloucestershire
"I love the links from the bulletin to the sermons on-line ... It is so nice to be able to just click on-line and get one of those sermons. I just keep the bulletins in my inbox and press on the link to listen when I have opportunity. Thanks again for all you do for the Kingdom!" - Michigan, USA
"I would appreciate any pamphlets of Prof. Engelsma or Prof. Hanko. We get no or little gospel truth. I think I’m greedy. I can’t seem to get enough ... The pastor of the church I go to has stopped me from giving [out the CR News]. One Sunday morning he shouted at me in front of the other members, claiming this was women’s ministry! ... I have also given the banned News to another lot of friends so all is not lost." - S. Wales