Weekly Bulletin (May 19, 2002)

Morning Service - 11:00 AM

The Unity of the Church (4):

Divisions in the Church

I Corinthians 1:10-13

I. The Meaning

II. The Report

III. The Admonition

Psalms: 122:1-9; 35:24-28; 139:1-6; 133:1-3

Evening Service - 6:00 PM

Christianity versus Idolatry

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 35; Deut. 4:7-29; Gal. 3:1-5

I. How God must not be portrayed

II. How God must be portrayed

Psalms: 115:1-9; 36:1-7; 119:11-16; 139:7-12

Quotes to Consider:

C. H. Spurgeon on church divisions: "Divisions in churches never begin with those full of love to the Saviour. Cold hearts, unholy lives, inconsistent actions, neglected closets; these are the seeds which sow schisms in the body; but he who lives near to Jesus, wears his likeness and copies his example, will be, wherever he goes, a sacred bond, a holy link to bind the Church more closely than ever together."

Thomas McCrie on church unity: "Do any ask, ‘How comes it about that those who are joined by so many sacred bonds, should be so broken and divided in judgment and affection?’ The answer is: ‘The anger of the Lord hath divided them.’ Yes, when they fall from their first love to the gospel, receive the grace of God in vain, do not bring forth unto holiness under his ordinances, become conformed to the world, and have little more than a name to live - when they become vain of their numbers and their strength, and convert a holy union into a criminal combination - he permits the Demon of discord to enter among them ..." (The Unity of the Church, p. 31).

R. C. H. Lenski on I Corinthians 1:10: "The apostle is not thinking in a special way about doctrinal unity as he does in Eph. 4:3, etc., although this, too, is included. He has in mind the various questions that have arisen in Corinth and the contradictory answers the Corinthians have given to these questions. The situations that had developed were not properly understood by some, and hence their judgments, too, had been warped. As a result some spoke in favour of a thing, others against it; or there was even a variety of opinions. Similar clashes occur in our congregations today. Paul would not have us believe that differences of this kind are immaterial as long as no doctrine is directly involved. If they are allowed to continue, the result must eventually be ... factions and rents in the congregation, which are not only disturbing but also destructive in their effect."

Announcements:

Bible Study will be held this Wednesday at 8:00 PM at Fountain Place. We will study Paul’s labours in Iconium (Acts 14:1ff.).

The barbecue (and volleyball) that was to be held this past Friday at the manse was postponed due to rain until this week Friday, D.V. Everyone is invited. We would like everyone to arrive between 6:00-6:30 or as soon thereafter as possible.

Last week’s offerings: General Fund - Ł457.00.

PRC News: Rev. Eriks (Loveland, CO) has the call to Trinity PRC. Rev. Haak (Bethel, IL) has the call to Grandville PRC. Rev. Koole (Faith) has the call to Covenant PRC (New Jersey).

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