Covenant Protestant Reformed Fellowship
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 29 May, 2005
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of
the saints and to be had in reverence of all
that that are about him (Psalm 89:7)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (15)
A Bride for Isaac
Genesis 24
I. Abraham Sends His Servant
II. His Servant Finds Rebekah
III. Isaac & Rebekah Marry
Psalms: 25:1-7; 145:1-8; 33:8-14; 128:1-6
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (16)
Abraham’s Last Days
Genesis 25:1-10
I. His Marriage to Keturah
II. His Gathering to His People
Psalms: 24:1-6; 145:9-15; 105:6-12; 16:6-11
For audio cassettes of the worship services, contact the bookstore.
CPRF website: www.cprf.co.uk
Quotes to Consider:
Homer C. Hoeksema: "The home of Isaac and Rebekah is only a tent,
not a house or a palace, not a dwelling with foundations. The tent is
the symbol of the life of a pilgrim and stranger. Rebekah was not
accustomed to dwell in tents, but rather in the city and in a house. Now
she becomes, with Isaac, a stranger in a strange land, and a stranger in
the earth. That tent represents concretely the fact that Isaac and
Rebekah have here no continuing place, but that they seek one to come.
It is the representation of the fact that as pilgrims and strangers in
the earth they are seeking the heavenly city, the city that hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Though dwelling in tents,
Isaac and Rebekah enjoyed true marital happiness. We read that Isaac was
comforted. He had lost a covenant mother. His covenant wife more than
filled the place. He loved Rebekah in the Lord. He loved her not merely
with the love of a physical attraction, nor merely with the love of a
natural affinity and compatibility. Then we would read in the text that
he loved her and he took her. But instead we read ‘He took her, and he
loved her.’ He loved her with the love that is rooted in the fear of the
Lord, the love which unites two kindred souls in the bond of
perfectness. They were happy in the Lord and united in the purpose
prayerfully to serve the cause of God’s covenant. That covenant of grace
was their deepest motive. The covenant and kingdom of God was their
highest purpose and their chief joy! (Unfolding
Covenant History, vol.
2, p. 247).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Lily Reid’s father, Mr. Moore, has been in the hospital this past week
with endocarditis, an infection of the heart. Please remember the Reids
in prayer.
Thanks to all who helped and who prayed for the witness at the Ballymena
Agricultural Show this past Friday and Saturday. We distributed 49 CDs ,
31 tapes, and a good number of pamphlets, etc., despite the poor
weather.
On the back table is a new yellow brochure introducing the CPRF. Please
take some to read and pass on to friends and acquaintances.
The CPRF website now includes "The Scriptural Presentation of God’s
Hatred" by Herman Hoeksema, a book review of The Reading & Preaching of
Scripture, vol. 5, and an updated critique of the Free Presbyterian
Hymnal.
Monday, 7:30 PM: Steering Committee meeting at the manse.
Tuesday, 7:30 PM: membership class at the manse.
Wednesday, 7 PM: catechism at the Hamills.
This week Friday, 3 June, Rev. Stewart will speak in S. Wales on "Christ
Will Build His Church."
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 5 June (8:30-9:00 AM, on
Gospel 846MW) is entitled "Loving the Stranger, Loving the Brethren, and
Loving Our Children: An Introduction" (Hebrews 13:1-2) by Rev. Mahtani.
Last Week’s Offerings: £751.36.
PRC News: Hudsonville PRC called Rev. Eriks (Loveland, CO).