|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Covenant Reformed News - December 2023
- Published in Covenant PRC Ballymena, Northern Ireland
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Today, December 17, is the fiftieth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. ~ Jeremiah 33:14-16
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. A. Spriensma and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. M. Koerner (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. A. Spriensma in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Randolph PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
This past Friday was the seminary's final Friday lunch together of the semester, with wives and children invited.
PRC Seminary Notices:
Map of the Philippines (see note below on Rev. Ibe's labors this week)
REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
On Sale from the RFPA for December! Born for Our Salvation by Rev. M. McGeown - 50% off this month! Great gift idea!
"But this we know. The days were accomplished that she should be delivered — the days that God had determined, the moment that He had determined for this miracle, for this wonder. Each day, each hour, each minute had counted down when this wonder of wonders was to be performed. God’s only begotten Son, God of God, second person, the One before whom angels tremble with joy — He now is clothed in human flesh. And He is held in the arms of a virgin.
"Stop and think. Ever since Adam had sided with the devil and corrupted himself, every child born and every child born since the birth of Jesus Christ was born and is born as an enemy of God by nature. But not this child. In a world of men in whom there is absolutely no good thing of themselves, this child is now (Heb. 7:26) holy and undefiled and separate from sinners.
"But He is so much more. He is God (Heb. 1), who had created all things and who by His own hand upholds all things. He is Himself, as God, uncreated. He is God everlasting. He God infinite. He is God almighty. Is He cradled in the arms of His mother, Mary? Yes. But at the same time He holds her and all creatures in His hands. John 1: The Word, the eternal Word, who was with God and who was God, is now made flesh. God gave His only begotten Son. That is what happened.
"Never was there a giving like this giving. In that word “gave” is poured all the wonders of grace. We should read it this way: “God so loved the world that he gave over his only begotten Son.” He did not loan His Son. He did not dismiss His Son for a little while with no definite purpose. But He gave Him over, He gave Him up. He consigned Him to a specific place. He sent Him for a clearly chosen purpose. He gave Him over for us. He sent Him into our place, to assume the place of judgment for our sins.
"Let the Bible tell you. In Isaiah 53 we read, “God laid on him the iniquity of us all; surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” God gave His Son as the substitute for the sins of His people. God gave His Son over to the place that was ours, the place of judgment. Do you see the sentence of God hanging over you? You are a guilty sinner. You deserve eternal execution. God gave His Son over to the place. That is what happened. That night in the stable in Bethlehem God gave His Son over to the place in which we would otherwise stand before His justice, so that now this baby must answer to God for my sins."
"You say to me, “Pastor, it’s Christmas! Must we burden this Christmas joy, this story, with the baggage of theology—sin and guilt and punishment and God’s holiness and God’s justice?” I am not burdening the story. I am explaining to you the wonder of it. And if you want to know what happened in Bethlehem, yes, you need to know these things. If you are to truly be a happy person and to know the wonder of grace, you need to know these things personally. It is there. I am not bringing it in. God writes all over the birth of Jesus Christ. He wrote it all over the walls of the stable. He wrote it all over the manger, those wooden slats where hay was placed and licked smooth by camels’ tongues. He wrote it all over. He wrote the gospel of sin (my sin) and grace (His grace)."
~ Taken from the radio sermon "The Only Explanation for Christmas" by Rev. C. Haak
Classis East will next meet on Wednesday, Jan.10, 2024 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI.
The agenda prepared by Rev. C. Spronk (sttated clerk) is available to registered users on the bulletin page under Classis East.
To create an account, click on the "My Account" button (left column) and fill out the form.
Today, December 10, is the forty-ninth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. ~ Isaiah 60:1-4
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. M. Koerner (1st week) led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. B. Gritters in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Randolph PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Special Congregational Notices:
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Rev. W. Langerak leads chapel this past Wednesday, and will again this week.
PRC Seminary Notices:
REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
On Sale for December! Born for Our Salvation by Rev. M. McGeown
Luke 2 is the Bible’s most detailed account of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is very familiar to us. It is the chapter that is read perhaps more than any other chapter in the Bible. It illustrates that God’s Word never grows stale. It shows that God’s Word has a depth that cannot be plumbed. It is a straightforward, simple story of what simply cannot be comprehended in the human mind or heart. For it is the message of the wonder of the incarnation. Eternal God, second person of the Trinity, made flesh for us sinners.
Mary and Joseph were brought by the providence of God to the city of Bethlehem, where, in a stable, the eternal Son of God was born in our flesh in order that He might open for us the door of heaven. Really the whole Bible is written to explain what happened as it is recorded in Luke 2. The whole Bible tells us what happened there, why it happened, and the result of it happening. Apart from the explanation of the Bible, you could never understand what happened in the birth of Jesus Christ. You would have to be like those in Luke 2:18 who, when they heard these things, wondered at what was told them by the shepherds and passed on, never understanding in their heart.
The Bible tells us that what happened was the wonder of God’s grace. What better verse of Scripture to tell us what the birth of Jesus Christ really was than John 3:16. That is probably the most familiar verse in the whole Bible. If Luke 2 is the most familiar chapter, John 3:16 is the most familiar verse. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
What I would like to do today is to place John 3:16 over the top of Luke 2 and hear God’s explanation for the birth of our Lord — hear the only explanation for Christmas.
I know that much controversy has swirled around John 3:16. This verse is one that has been terribly distorted in the false assumption that the word “world” means “all men head for head,” and it is used to teach that there is a universal love of God for all men. But that is not the Bible. Nor is it the verse itself. For the world that is referred to in John 3:16 is the world that believeth in Him. And the Bible tells us that those who believe in Him do so because God has elected them and given them that faith.
But my purpose is not only to tell you what John 3:16 does not mean, and to defend it over against those who would distort it. My purpose is to demonstrate that John 3:16 shows God’s great love for the world; for the church of all ages; for His church out of every race, nation, and time; for you and for me and for every one who by His grace is come to believe in Jesus Christ. Never did the love of God shine so brightly as when the baby Jesus lay in the manger.
Let us listen to the only explanation for Christmas.
~ Taken from the radio sermon "The Only Explanation for Christmas" by Rev. C. Haak
News from the Reformed Witness Hour
December 2023
Help Us Get the Word Out!
This month we have five Christ-centered, Gospel-themed messages to share!
In December, we will hear five new messages from Rev. Bruinsma, Pastor at Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Church in Pittsburgh, PA.
December 3
God’s Promise to His Church Confirmed (1)
Acts 2:39
December 10
God’s Promise to His Church Confirmed (2)
Acts 2:39
December 17
The Song of Angels
Luke 2:13-14
December 24
God’s Faithfulness
1 Thessalonians 5:24
December 31
The Lord Revealed from Heaven
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
The Voice of All Creation
If you missed it, take time to listen to The Voice of All Creation. This message was the most downloaded message of October, with 360 downloads during the month. Rev Bruinsma expounds on Hebrews 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” This message is a wonderful reminder of the rich truths found in creation.
The creation of this world stands as evidence to us of certain truths that are invisible to the eye… God’s Word in creation is a testimony of the hidden wisdom of God that He has ordained before the world unto our glory. It reveals hidden truths that God reveals only to those who have been given the eyes of faith… The six-day creation is a matter of faith versus unbelief... we learn of a truth that has always been accepted by the church of Jesus Christ… Belief in the creation account is a true test of one’s… faith.
Are we convicted in our hearts of the blessed truth of creation? Listen to the full message at reformedwitnesshour.org, search for key words: Voice of all Creation.
Radio Station Update
This year was a busy year for RWH! We started broadcasting on three new stations including Greenville, South Carolina, Detroit, Michigan and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Two of these stations were chosen in partnership with the Domestic Mission Committee with a long-term goal of possible mission work in areas where we broadcast. In God’s providence, the South Carolina station has since closed so we have begun the work of seeking another station. We are currently also working on contracts with several stations in Washington state for more blanket coverage in that area.
We covet your support and prayers as we look ahead to how we can continue to utilize radio and internet ministry to proclaim the truth of God’s sovereign grace in the new year.
Digital Media Update
We are grateful for technology that allows us to bring our messages beyond the geographical reach of our radio broadcasting. Throughout 2023 we have seen more and more listeners engage with our content digitally. So far this year, RWH has reached 98 countries (ten more than in 2022) and all fifty states via internet and podcasts.
Cambodia has been our second highest country in digital downloads consistently for all of 2022 and 2023; second only to the United States. The number of downloads from Cambodia increased from 1,794 downloads in 2022 to 3,010 downloads in 2023!
In 2020, we began broadcasting our messages via podcast. Since then, this medium has become more and more popular. This year, 40% of our digital downloads have been via podcast apps. In 2021 and 2022, podcasts accounted for 30% and 34% of downloads respectively.
Join us by subscribing to RWH on one of these podcast apps: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, PlayerFM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, the Podcast App, and Himalaya.
In addition to podcasts, listeners can access RWH messages via our RWH website (www.ReformedWitnessHour.org) and Sermon Audio (www.sermonaudio.com/rwh).
Top countries reached so far in 2023 |
Downloads |
Top states reached so far in 2023 |
Downloads |
United States |
11,332 |
Michigan |
2,656 |
Cambodia |
3,010 |
Colorado |
911 |
Singapore |
809 |
South Carolina |
863 |
United Kingdom |
638 |
Ohio |
627 |
Canada |
376 |
North Carolina |
524 |
Today, December 3, is the forty-eighth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. ~ Isaiah 7:10-16
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. K. Koole in Georgetown PRC; Elder led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Laning in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Randolph PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Special Congregational Notices:
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
PRC Seminary Notices:
REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Are you a Standard Bearer reader? This fall marks the beginning of volume 100 for the semi-monthly Reformed magazine, and if you are not yet a subscriber or if you used to be but stopped, now is the time to become a subscriber again. Each issue is packed with instructional and edifying articles on a wide variety of biblical and Reformed subjects.
The prayer of Nehemiah 2:4 is clearly ejaculatory. First, it is spontaneous. After Artaxerxes asks, “For what dost thou make request?” Nehemiah tells us, “So I prayed to the God of heaven” (4). Second, it is silent. The Medo-Persian emperor did not hear Nehemiah say anything out loud to God (for that would have been weird). Nor did he see any movement of his cupbearer’s lips, unlike Eli who saw Hannah’s lips move in silent prayer (I Sam. 1:12-13). Third, Nehemiah’s prayer was short. Evidently King Artaxerxes did not even notice any pause before Nehemiah responded to his question.
I take it that you, beloved, are not strangers to ejaculatory prayer, that you too speed off brief darts of prayers to your heavenly Father amidst your many daily activities and that you do it often!
Let us consider some very basic points regarding this ejaculatory prayer of Nehemiah, including, first, when he made it. Nehemiah was working, engaged in his gainful employment as an imperial cupbearer.
Second, where was Nehemiah when he offered this ejaculatory prayer? In an imperial palace! If he can dart a prayer to Jehovah from there, so can we, by God’s grace, whether we are at school, in a hospital, at the office, in an aeroplane or at home.
Third, before whom did Nehemiah make this ejaculatory prayer? In the presence of an idolater who was probably the most powerful man on the planet! Yet, even then, who was this earthly monarch compared to the sovereign ruler over all! “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven” (Neh. 2:4). We too can shoot our prayers to our covenant God in Jesus Christ our Redeemer before our bank manager, teacher, mother-in-law, employer or persecutor.
~ Taken from the newest Covenant Reformed News, "Nehemiah's Ejaculatory Prayer in the Palace" by Rev. A. Stewart (read all of this fine article at the link provided here)
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Today, November 26, is the forty-eighth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. ...Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. ~ Psalm 120:1,2, 5-7
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Elder led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Laning in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. K. Koole in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Special Congregational Notices:
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
PRC Seminary Notices:
REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Are you a Standard Bearer reader? This year marks the beginning of volume 100 for the semi-monthly Reformed magazine, and if you are not yet a subscriber or if you used to be but stopped, now is the time to become a subscriber again. Each issue is packed with instructional and edifying articles on a wide variety of biblical and Reformed subjects.
Nehemiah is seeking the Lord for the welfare of His church deliberately, and with resolution and perseverance, for a period of about 120 days. These are the actions of a man who sought the welfare of Israel for a long time even before he oversaw the laying of a single stone on Jerusalem’s defensive walls. The genuine and deep distress that he manifests for the people of God over 2,400 years ago puts us to shame and stirs us up to pray for the body of Christ in our day!
Nehemiah 1:5-11 contains a summary of his covenantal praying for four months in Mesopotamia. It begins with the covenant address: “I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments” (5). Here, as elsewhere, the Lord’s “covenant and mercy” refer not to two separate things but to His one covenant mercy.
If we approach Jehovah as the God of the covenant in Jesus Christ, we have access to Him and confidence that He will answer our prayers for His people: “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants” (6).
~ Taken from the newest Covenant Reformed News, "Nehemiah's Covenant Prayer" by Rev. A. Stewart (read all of this fine article at the link provided here)
Classis East
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Classis West
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.