The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2012

7/29/2019 The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2012

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MayMay--Jun2012Jun2012

Mayay-Jun 2012un 20121.501.50

Loyal Address to the Queenoyal Address to the Queenoyal Address to the Queen

Another Voice from the Pastnother Voice from the Pastnother Voice from the PastThe Worldly Churchhe Worldly Churchhe Worldly ChurchTowards 2027 ... Will the Future have a Church?owards 2027 ... Will the Future have a Church?owards 2027 ... Will the Future have a Church?

The

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Loyal AddressLoyal Addressto Her Majesty the Queento Her Majesty the QueenMadamWe, the Presbytery of the EvangelicalPresbyterian Church meeting in Belfast,sendourwarmestandheartiestcongratu-lationstoYourMajestyontheoccasionofyourDiamondJubilee.Duringyourreign,YourMajestyhasbeenaninspirationtothenationandtheCom-

monwealth,andyouaregreatlylovedandadmiredbyusall.There have, of course, been manychanges throughout society in the 60years of Your Majestys reign. We wel-come many of these which have clearlybeen for the common good, but we aresaddenedbywhatappearstobeourna-tions steady departure from its Biblical

foundations. Such departure cannot begood. TheWord of God reminds us thatrighteousnessexaltethanation:butsinisa reproach to any people (Proverbs14:34),andwewerethereforegreatlyen-couragedbyYourMajestysveryclearfo-cus on theChristian faith in your Christ-masaddresslastyearandinyourspeechatLambethPalaceinFebruarythisyear.

YourMajesty,asyoucelebrateyourDia-mondJubilee,weassureyouofourbestwishesinwhatwillbeademandingyear,andwewillcontinuetopraythatGodwillrichlyblessyouandalltheRoyalFamily,andournationthroughyou,notonlyinthisanniversaryyear,butintheyearstocome.GodSaveTheQueen!Weremain,Madam,YourMajestyshum-bleandobedientservants

21April2012

Cover Photographover PhotographA recent photograph of Her Maj-

esty,QueenElizabethII. Therefore

I exhort first of all that supplications,prayers, intercessions, and giving of

thanksbemade for allmen,for kingsandallwhoareinauthority..(1Tim2.1-2)

The Evangelical Presbyterianhe Evangelical Presbyterianhe Evangelical Presbyterianis published bi-monthly by thePresbytery of the EvangelicalPresbyterianChurch.

Please visit: www.epcni.org.ukFollow us on

FinanceinanceAnyone wishing to help theChurchsworkmay send theirgifttotheFinanceCommittee,C/o:

RevJSRoger16HuntingdaleBALLYCLAREBT399XB

The church can benefit from theGift Aid scheme from taxpayersdonations.Pleaseaskfordetails.

PolicyPolicyTheviewsexpressedarethoseofthe Editor and Contributors whichare understood to reflect thetheological position of theEvangelicalPresbyterianChurch

Copy Deadlineopy Deadline1stofmonthpriortopublication

EditorditorHaroldGibsonStockbridge2BarronstownCourtDROMOREBT251FB

[email protected]


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The EditorThe EditorThe Editor

Towards 2027.Towards 2027. Will the future have a Church?Will the future have a Church?

In just 15 years the Evangelical Presbyterian Church will be 100 years old.

Recentlyministersandeldersmettodiscussandconsiderthewayahead.Ourstrengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were outlined and furtherdiscussion in Sessions and Presbytery will continue over the comingmonths.Whenyouthinkofthechurchwhatisyourassessment?Hereisthethoughtofonepastchurchleader:

Theproblemweexperience,wheneverwethinkabout thechurch,concernsthetensionbetweentheidealandthereality.Theidealisbeautiful. The church is the chosen and beloved people of God, his own specialtreasure,thecovenantcommunitytowhomhehascommittedhimselfforever,engagedincontinuousworshipofGodandincompassionateoutreachto theworld,ahavenofloveandpeace,andapilgrimpeopleheadedfortheeternalcity.Butinrealitywewhoclaimtobethechurchareoftena rabbleofratherscruffy individuals,half-educated and half-saved, uninspired in our worship,constantly bickering with each other, concerned more for our maintenancethanourmission,strugglingandstumblingalongtheroad,needingconstantrebukeandexhortation,whicharereadilyavailablefrombothOldTestamentprophetsandNewTestamentapostles. In consequence of this distinction between the ideal and the reality,peoples opinions of the church vary enormously. On the one hand, P.T.ForsythcouldwritethatthechurchofChrististhegreatestandfinestproduct

ofhumanhistory, the greatest thing in theuniverse.On theother,ThomasArnoldwrote:Thechurchasitnowstandsnohumanpowercansave,whenIthink of the church, I could sit down and pine and die. John Stott, TheContemporaryChristian.

Whileweneedtofocusontheideal,wemustalsobeawareofthereality.Weareadenominationindecline,whilesomeofourcongregationsmaybeinreasonablehealthnumerically,mostofourcongregationsarebelow50membersandsomestrugglingtokeepinthe20s.Wearenotuniqueinexperiencingdecline;itisafeatureofthechurchintheUKasthefollowingstatisticsshow.

The General Scene: Overall Declinehe General Scene: Overall Decline 1In2010,intheUK,outofatotalpopulationof62million,forallofthoseclaimingthenameChristian,therewere:

48,000churches36,000ministers.5.5millionarechurchmembers(i.e.peoplewhosaytheyaredefinitelyattachedtoaChristianchurch,equivalentto9%ofthepopulation)3.6millionattendchurchonanaverageSunday(6%ofthepopulation).

Butwhenwecomparethiswithpopulationtrends,wediscoverthatinthelasttenyears,alongwithapopulationincreaseof2millionpeople(+3%),therearenow:

1TheBriefing,DoestheFuturehaveaChurch?TimThornborough,28August2011.

MarMar--Apr2012Apr2012


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400fewerchurches(-1%)950moreministers(+2%)400,000fewerchurchmembers(-6%)800,000fewerattendees(-18%).

The Way Ahead: Growth or Decline?he Way Ahead: Growth or Decline?Every church and congregation longs to see growth, not just numerically butspirituallyaswell.Butwhathinderssuchgrowth?TheStatusQuoTheStatusQuoThe danger for any church ordenomination is to remain inmaintenancemoderatherthaninmissionmode.AWPinksaid,Ifachurchdoesnotevangelizeitwillfossilize.WehaveagloriousmessagetoproclaimandGodexpectsustobefaithfulanddiligentintheworkoftheKingdom.

UseofResourcesUseofResources

Veryoftenthereasongivenforfailuretoevangelizeislackofresources,bothintermsofmanpowerandfinance.Whileweagreewhole-heartedlywiththeBiblicalprincipleofthestronghelpingtheweak,whendowedecidethattheweakisbeyondrecovery?Arewehinderingprogressinsomeareasattheexpenseofmaintainingawitnesswherethework,duetoanumberoffactors,haslargelyceased?

WhatsinaName?WhatsinaName?Howareweknown?Anamedefineswhowearebutnotalwayswhatweare!Somemayseeusasachurchthatsfullofoldpeople,orperhapsabickeringlotthatcanagreewithnobody,(sometimesnotevenwithourselves).Forotherswemaybeconsideredtobestuckinthedistantpastandperhapsbyafew(veryfew)astrendy!OthersknowthatwestandforthetruthoftheGospelandforthegreatdoctrinesoftheReformedfaith.Butwhatdoesournameconvey,doweneedafresh image? In1964ourchurch changed its name fromThe IrishEvangelicalChurchtoTheEvangelicalPresbyterianChurchtogiveidentitytoitstheologyandecclesiology. AnarticleinEvangelicalsNow,(Jan2012)onrebrandingachurchmadethefollowingcomment:

Wewanttomakeourselvesknowntotheworldforthesakeofthegospel;soif a name that has becomeprecious to usdoes not communicate anythingpositive to the community inwhichGod has placed us, itprobablyneedsarethink.Churchnamesareanissueofgospeleffectiveness,notabox-tickingaidforChristianstryingtofindthechurchtheylikemost.

The Promise of Jesushe Promise of JesusAboveandbeyondallouraspirationswemustneverforgetthatJesussaid,Iwillbuildmychurch.Wetakeheartfromsuchastatementandwerejoicewhenwe

hear of the expansion of the church throughout theworld butwemustnot becomplacent.GodcallsusasapeopletobeworkerstogetherfortheadvancementofhisKingdom.AsSinclairFergusononcesaid:MenlookformethodsbutGodlooksformen,becausemenareGodsmethods.


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Some timeago Iwasasked thequestion What do you think is thegreatestproblem facing the church in theUK today?Myanswer to that question wasstraightforwardandconsistedofonlyoneword:Worldliness.Thereisabsolutelynodoubt that the linesofdemarcationbetween theworldandthe churchhavebecomeveryblurredinrecenttimes.Whilstourforefathersmayhavebeensome-whatrestrictiveintheirdescriptionofworldlinessandsomewhatlegalisticintheirapproachtothewholesubject,ourgenerationisatriskofslippingintotheworldandoflosingourdistinctivenessasthepeopleofGod.Thisisnotanewproblem.TheLordaddressesthechurchinPergamumand,asweshallsee,worldlyattitudes

andconducthadtakensomethingofagripuponthebelieversinthisnotablecity.The Cityhe CityPergamum,theprovincialcapitalofAsia,wassituatedaboutfiftyfivemilesnorth-eastofSmyrna.Thecityhadanumberofnotablebuildingsandtemplesandwasrenownedforitslibraryofsometwohundredthousandvolumes.Ithasbeende-scribedastheLourdesoftheancientworldbecauseoneofitstempleswasdedi-catedtoAsclepius,theserpent-godofhealing.ItwasalsoasignificantcentreasfarastheworshipoftheRomanEmperorwasconcernedbeingthefirstplaceinAsiatoerectatempletoAugustus(29BC).So,inthelightofallofthis, it isnot

surprisingthatwhenJesusisaddressingthiscongregationhereferstotheplaceinwhichtheyarelivingandwitnessingastheplacewhereSatansthroneis.(verse13) The Churchhe ChurchJesusassessmentofthechurchinPergamuminsomewaysreadsliketheendoftermreportofanaveragepupil.Therearepositive andencouragingmattersbuttherearealsoareasofconcernandmattersthatneedurgentlyaddressed.

TheThePPositivesositivesDespitefierceandfocussedpersecutionthathasculminatedinthedeathofoneoftheirnumber,Antipas,thechurchhasstoodfirmandremainedfaithful(verse13).Thisisnotsomethingtobetakenlightly.WhenyouconsiderhowslowwearetospeakupfortheSaviourwhenothersaroundusaremockingthethingsofGoditisatrulymightymatterthattheyhavestoodfirminthefaceofSatanicper-secutionandtrouble.Jesusencouragesthemtomaintaintheirfaithfulstandandpromisesthembothhelpnowandrichblessingsinthefutureiftheydonotcom-promiseandremainfaithfuluntodeath.Inverse17threeparticularwordsofen-couragementarebroughtbeforethePergamumbelievers.

Thehiddenmanna:ManyaretheviewscirculatingastothemeaningofthisexpressionbutIamdrawntotheviewthatjustasthemannawasGodsprovisionforhispeopleduringthedaysofthewildernessjourneysohewillcontinuetopro-videgrace,andespeciallystrength,tohispeopleastheyface theoppositionof

The 7 ChurchesThe 7 ChurchesJesus speaks to his church todayJesus speaks to his church todayRev 2.12Rev 2.12--1717The Worldly ChurchThe Worldly Church

Rev Gareth Burke, StranmillisRev Gareth Burke, StranmillisRev Gareth Burke, Stranmillis


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thepowersofdarknessduringtheirjourneytoheaven.ItshiddeninthesensethatitissomethingknowntoandreceivedbyGodspeoplebuthiddenfromthosewhoarestrangerstograceand toGod.God ispromisinghelp tohispeople tostandfirm.Dailystrength.

Awhitestone:JurorsinthecourtroomsofPergamumwouldvoteattheend

ofatrialbydrawingoutblackorwhitestonesfromabag.Theblackstonesignifiedthecondemnationofthepersonontrialwhilst thewhitestonesignifiedtheirac-quittal. Jesus issaying to thesestruggling,persecuted saints that although thepeopleofPergamumhaverejectedthemandtheirfaithheapprovesofthem.Heislookingandsmilingwithfavourupontheirwitnessandthatswhatmatters.LetthepagansofPergamumwavetheblackstoneofrejectioninthefaceoftheChristians whatdoesitmatter?ThegreatKingandHeadofthechurchwavesthewhitestoneofapprovalandacceptancebeforethem.Hisisthepraiseandapprovaltheyneed.

Anewname:thenewnamewhichisengraveduponthewhitestoneisonly

knowntotheonewhoreceivesit(verse17).ItseemsthatiftheyremainfaithfultotheLordandperseveretotheendthenwhentheyentergloryJesuswillgiveanewdistinctivenametoeachvictorioussaint.AsPhilipHugheshelpfullystates:Thenameknownonlytotherecipientindicatestheuniquenessofeachindividualbe-foreGodandthedistinctnessoftheinterpersonalrelationshipofeachwithhim.1

So,saystheSaviour,standfirm.StandfirmandIwilldailysustainyou,constantlyaffirmyouandultimatelybringyouhometoglory.

However,despitetheirapparentfaithfulnessanddespitetheserichpromisesforboththepresentandthefutureallisnotwell.

TheNegativesTheNegativesThenegativesareessentiallyfoundinverses14and15.HerereferenceismadetotheteachingofBalaamandtheteachingoftheNicolaitans.Whatever thiserrorisitisasingleerrorbeingdescribedbytwodifferentterms.TheallusionisundoubtedlytoBalaamwhomwemeetinNumbers22-24.Havingutterlyfailedtopronounce wordsof cursing upon the Israelites Balaamadvises Balak, king ofMoab,thatthebestwaytodestroyGodpeoplewouldbeforMoabitegirlstose-duce the Israelitemenby inviting them to takepart in idolatrous feasts.DerekThomassuggeststhattheteachingofBalaamisareferencetotheeasewith

whichsexualsinscandestroythechurch.2

ThePergamumbelieverswereattendingeventswhichnotonlywerecompro-misingtheirdistinctivenessasthepeopleofGodbutmeantthattheywereplacingthemselvesinthewayofserioussexualtemptations.Themodernapplicationofthisisnotdifficulttofind.WhilsttheclubbingsceneintheUKtodaymightnothaveanyconnectiontopaganidolatrytheprincipleremainsthesame.Dont,asachildofGod,placeyourselfinthewayoftemptation.DontcompromisethedistinctivenessoftheChristianfaith.Dontseektheapprovalandpraiseoftheworld.BettertoknowthewelldoneofJesusthanallthepraiseoftheworld.Bettertokeepawayfromthoseplaceswherewecaneasilyfallintosexualsins.Fromsuchsinsthereisspirit-ualrecoverybutoftentheymarkusdeeplyandhauntusfortherestofourlives. 1PhilipHughes;TheBookofRevelation:(IVP)2DerekThomasLetsStudyRevelation(Banner)


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Dr Neil Stewart,Dr Neil Stewart,Dr Neil Stewart, Kirk O' the Isles Presbyterian Church, SavannahKirkO' the Isles Presbyterian Church, SavannahKirk O' the Isles Presbyterian Church, Savannah

Why Bother with the Church?Why Bother with the Church?

Everywherewelook,CreationglowswiththegloryofGod.TakeCharlie,ourde-

lightfulnewpuppy.AsIwrite,heismostdistressed,trottingbackand forthinmystudylookingforthechildren.Theyhavegoneoutwiththeirmother;hissearchwillbeinvain.Heseemstorealizethis,andisnowlyingdownfacingthedoorwithhisnoseagainstit!Wehavehadhimonly24hoursandalreadyhehates tobeawayfromtheClan.ThereareechoeshereofGodsheartinhislongingforothers. God hasnever beenalonealwaysone,alwaysthree,and alwaystogether:theFathereternallydelightinginfaceofhisbelovedSon,theSonthrilledtodwellinthewarmbosomofhisFatherandtheSpiritproceedingjoyfullyfromtheFatherandtheSon.Thisisultimatereality:aninfinite,eternal,andunchangeablyhappy

community united inmutually self-giving,others-serving,all-satisfying love.Un-derstandingthishelpsusunderstandourselves.Whydowehateloneliness?Whydowelongforlove?Theseoverwhelmingdesiresflowfromthefactofourcrea-tion:WeweremadetobelikeGod;weweremeanttolivetogether.Itwasthatwayfromtheverybeginning:ThenGodsaid,LetUsmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoOurlikenessSoGodcreatedmaninHisownimage;intheimageofGodHecreatedhim;maleandfemaleHecreatedthem.(Genesis1.2627) Doyousee?Itisnotas individualsthatwemostclearly imageGod,butasmaleandfemaletogetherincommunity.ImagingtheTriuneGodcanneverbea

solosport.ThusGodsresoundingNotgoodoverAdamsalonenessinthegar-den.Thisisastounding!HereisaperfectmaninaperfectplacewithaperfectrelationshipwithGodandyetthereissomethingnotgoodabouthim.Withoutsomeoneelselikehimtogivelovetoandreceivelovefrom,ParadisewillalwaysbeaLonely-heartsClubforAdam.ThisisoneofthereasonswhyChristiansmustnotneglecttheChurch.Godneverintendedustoknowhiminisolation.Hemeantforus to glorify andenjoyhim, to hear hisWord andSpirit, and to receivehisgraceamidst theholyfellowshipofHispeople.AndwhenChristiansforget this,whenwethinkwecanwalkwithGodasindividualsapartfromthechurch,therewillalwaysbesomethingnotgoodaboutourexperiencebeforetheLord. ThePsalmsdripwiththissenseofjoyouscommunitythatshouldalwaysmarkthegatheringsofGodspeople.Take,forexample,Psalm87.InitGoddescribeshispassionforIsrael,hisOldTestamentChurch.Wearetold:HelovesthegatesofZionmorethanallthedwellingsofJacob(v1).Whydoeshelovethesegates?Becausethesearetheportalsthroughwhichhispeoplestreamtomeethimforworship.Thinkofhowbeautifuladrabairportbecomesifyouaregoingtheretopick up a child you havent seen for several years. Doesnt the gate becomelovely by association? So it is with the doorways of theChurch building; God

lovesthembecausehelovesyou.Helovestoseeuscometogetherforworship. OneofthestaggeringthingsaboutthisPsalmistonoteGodsdelighted adop-tionofpagannations.RahabandBabylonwereoncethegreatoppressorsofGods


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people;thePhilistinesweretheirlocalenemies;TyrewasthecommercialcapitaloftheAncientNearEast,asymbolofworldlyexcess;andEthiopiarepresentstheveryendsoftheearth,asfarawayasfarcanbefromtheCityofGod.YettheseheathenwillonedayknowGodintimately(vv4-6).Onearththeywerebornfaraway,butwhentheyarebornagainfromabove,theybecome(super)natural-borncitizensofheaven(Ps87.6;Eph2.12ff).Godevidentlytakesgreatdelightinthis.

LikeadotingFatherheremembers,Thisonewasbornthere.Andthatonewasbornoverthere.Noneisforgotten;eachbirthischerished.Thisadoptionisfreelybestowed,butitcosttheFatherdearly.InGolgothasdarknessGodkepthismostexpensivepromise:throughthebrokenbodyofhisSon,theFathercutadoorforsinnerstoentertheChurch.HemeetsusthereatthecostoftheOnly-begottenOne. In response to this divine joy, thePsalmendswith thealmost unrestrainedexuberance of the gathered assembly. They are literally Singing like dancing(Hebrew)!V7.Listentotheirsong, Allmyspringsare inyou.AllofmybestseasonsofrefreshmentflowfromtheChurchandmyexperienceofGodamidst

hispeople.Neglectthechurch,doyousee,andyourobyourselfofthisjoy.Andyet this is preciselywhatmany in our dayandagearedoing. Are youoneofthem?Doyou prefer aprivatizedChristianity?Wouldyourather havea QuietTimethanattendPublicWorship? Dontyouseethatsuchindividualismisungodlybecauseitisungod -like,self-ish,lonely,evenhellish.Onceinhisearthlylife,theSonexperiencedlifeasanisolatedindividual.Itfeltlikehelltohimbecauseitwas.Dowereallywanttorec-reatethis loneliness for ourselves?Canweexpectto findGodbyavoidingtheplacehehaspromisedtobe(Matt28.18-20)?DarewemarginalizewhatGodhas

madecentral (Eph1.20-23)?Canwegrowwithout theChurchspreachingandfellowship(Eph4.1-16)?Canwebesafewithouthershepherdingleaders(1Pe-ter5.1ff)?CanwebefaithfultoChristwhocommandsustosubmittosuchlead-ershipwithjoy (Heb13.17)?CanwebewisewithouttheChurchsdoctrinethatleadstogodliness(Titus2)?HavewethetemeritytocastourselvesoutofthechurchintoSatanshands(1Cor5.5)?IfweleavetheChurch,weeffectivelyex-communicateourselvesfromthebodyofChrist,thefamilyofGod. AsIwritethesewords,IhearachorusofunspokenAmensriseupfromthesouls of the faithful. You have learned these lessons. There is nothing new inwhat Ihave said.But letmeaskyou, Whatabout thenextgeneration?Whataboutyourchildren?DotheyshareyourloveoftheChurchorhavetheybeeninfectedwiththeSpiritoftheAgethatsaysyoucanbespiritualbutnotreligious?Letmeexhortyou,mydearbrothersandsisters.Teachyourchildrentheimpor-tanceoftheChurch.RootyourinstructioninthecharacterofGod.Showthemtherelevance ofour theology.The character ofGod defines the character ofman.NeverletthemthethinkoftheChurchasmerelyaplacetheygotosayafewprayers,singafewhymns,andhearalongsermon.ItiswherewegotogethertomeetGodintheWord.AndwhilewedontgetabetterGodtherethanwedoat

home,wedogetGodbettertherethananywhereelseonearth.Whenthispennydropsintheheartsofourchildren,nothingwillkeepthemawayfromtheChurchon theLordsDay!Andwith theirFathers,LordsDayby LordsDay, theywillsing,WearemarchingupwardtoZion,thebeautifulCityofGod!


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A week of special outreach in AlmucarSaturday 21st

Monday 30th July, 2012

The Evangelical Reformed Church in Almuecar,Spain,haveinvitedateamofyoungChristiansfromtheEPCtoassistthemintherunningoftheirsummerout-reachprogramme.

The church in Almucar was established in 2002,whenManuelFrancowassentasapioneerworkertothetown,oneyearlaterhewasordainedastheirpas-tor.RevFrancohaswitnessedtheblessingofsummerteamsbefore,withgroupsfromHollandandUSA,but2012isourtimetoshine!Wehumblypray thatGodwillusethis team to glorifyJesus Christ, and that, by Gods grace, we will helpshed the glorious light of theGospel of Christ in thedarknessofEurope.Theprogrammeisplannedtorunquitesimilartoourown recent Summer Youth Outreach programmes.Eachmorningwillbeginwithteamdevotions,andthentimeforfinalpreparationsandforgoingoutwithinvita-tions. The team have already begun to learn a littleSpanish,solounpoco!

Then from11am to 2pmwe trust theprimary schoolagedchildrenwillcomealongtothefootballclubandcraftclub,andthentheHolidayBibleClubmeeting.

Pray for the team

Colin&HazelMoore(Teamleaders)DavidBurke

JenniCampbellIanHeaneyStephenKelly

BenjaminMcFallJohnRoger

Ephesians3:16(pray)thataccordingtothe

richesofhisgloryhemaygrantyoutobestrength-enedwithpowerthroughhisSpiritinyourinnerbeing

SpiritualreadinessPracticalpreparationsLearningsomeSpanishWorkinginthesun/heat

DrivinginSpain(Colin)TeamunityandfellowshipDependenceontheLord

2Thessalonians3:1

Finally,brothers,prayforus,thatthewordoftheLordmayspeedahead

andbehonored

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After lunch, the team will no doubt enjoy the well-earnedsiestabeforetheeveningprogrammebegins forthe teenagers.This runsuntil 9pmand then thedayconcludeswithatimeoffellowshipandprayer.Therewill be anOlympic theme running through the

whole programme, be it the football or the crafts oreven the talks from theBible. The team themselveswilldontheirsportingkit,whilegivingoutinvitationstothevariousclubsandmeetings.Please do pray that the chicos y chicas and youngpeople would respondwell to the invitation to come,bothtotheactivitiesandtoheartheGospel.

WealsorecognisethatitisvitaltohavewhatPaulinPhilippians1.5 calls partnership in the Gospelwiththe church family in Almucar. Please pray thatwewillquicklygeltogetherwiththemintheLord.RevFranco hasalreadybookedus in for paellawiththecongregation,andwelookforwardtosharingwithourSpanishbrothersandsisters!As you can imagine there is lot of work to be done

beforeweleaveforEspaasoleada.Prayforusasweworkon thedetailsof theprogramme.Thecrafts, thefootball, theHolidayBibleClubandtheTeenCluballrequire lots of preparation, and this will be slightlymorecomplicatedwiththelanguagebarrier.Please cutout theprayer bookmark,anduse it overthenextfewmonths.Prayforusasateam,andprayfortheoutreachitself.Praythatthenameof JesucristoelSalvadorwouldbeupliftedandglorified.

Pray for the outreach

Colossians4:3Atthesametime,

prayalsoforus,thatGodmayopentousadoorfortheword,todeclarethe

mysteryofChrist

Goodpartnershipwiththechurchfamilyin

AlmuecarRevManuelFrancoandhiswifeKrisztina

Thosewhowilltranslatevisualaids,andtalks

FortheyoungchildrenhearingtheGospelinthemorning

Fortheteenagershear-ingtheGospelintheevening

PraythatGodsHolySpiritwouldcomeandsave

Ephesians6:19(pray)alsoforme,thatwordsmaybegiventomein

openingmymouthboldlytoproclaimthemysteryof

thegospel

Pray


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All Lands to God!All Lands to God!

WerejoiceinanotheropportunitytovisitNigeria.Ourtimeof

familyreunionwassweet;toseethedevelopmentofGracieandmeetMusasboysagainwasgreat.PamelaandMusaarebothwellandbusyanditwasgoodtobeabletoencour-agetheminthework. Itwasatimeofrestforustoo,itsgoodforoldbonestoget amonth of 28-38c hot-hot, butmostly we had a nicebreezetomakeitfeelnottoooppressiveaheat.Becauseofthecivilunrestwedidntdomuchtravel,sowe

let threeotherRsoccupyourtime;reading,research,andreflection.ItwasgoodandprofitabletoreadtheearlySam-uelBillstoryandthosewhohelpedhiminestablishingthechurch in southern Qua-Iboe region. The growth of thechurchsinceisatestimonytothepoweroftheGospeltochangelives.

On our third Sunday in Nigeria, a bombwentoffattheCOCINheadquartersChurchinJos. Sadly there was loss of life and manyinjured. This is the church Dr Garland is at-

tachedtoo. Wewanttothankyouforyourprayersforusduringthevisit;Godindeedheardandan-swered them. We had a good family time,

learned much more about Nigeria, and the church there, we had no hassle intravel,andnohealthproblems.ToGodbeallthepraiseandglory.

DerekJohnstonDerek JohnstonDerekJohnston2012 Visit to Nigeria2012Visit toNigeria2012VisittoNigeria

Barnabas Weekly NewsletterBarnabas Weekly Newsletter

Turkeyurkey: As the fifth anniversary of themurders of threeChristians ata publish-inghouseinTurkeyismarkedthisweek,thoseresponsiblefortheirdeathsareyettobebroughttojustice.Vietnamietnam: A group of thugs stormed aChristianorphanageinalatenightraidinVietnam,beatthechildrenand,withhelpfromthepolice,destroyedthebuilding.Hungaryungary: Legislative reforms in Hungarythat restrict religious freedom have beendeemed excessive and discriminatorybytheCouncilofEuropesadvisorybodyonconstitutionalaffairs.

African Pastors ConferenceAfrican Pastors Conference Dumisani hosted the Conference 16-18April 2012 Itwaswell attendedand thebooksavailablewerehugelydiscounted.This is such a blessing formany of theMinisters and students who otherwisewouldnotbeabletoaffordthem.Thanksto all who have been praying. We arenow eagerly looking forward to the nextconference,Lordwilling,in2013!


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This is fun! squealed Connie as she slithered her way

over the muddy grass. She and Philip were stayingwith their grandparents and had gone for a walk along the farm lane

which led up the hill through Grandpas land. It had been Philips idea

to climb over the gate into the field so that they could see what was

going on in the woods.

That morning they had watched two Land Rovers drive past the

farmhouse window, with men with dogs and guns on board and Granny

had told them it was a shooting party. She laughed when Connie askedwhose birthday it was. Not that sort of a party, darling. This is a

group of men coming to shoot pheasants on our neighbours land, she

had explained. I expect well hear some shooting later. Connie

caught up with Philip and they paused, listening and

watching the woodland further up the hill. Suddenly

there was a flurry of wings and a shout as a pheasant

rose into the sky and flew above the trees.Bang! Bang! Bang! went the guns of the men,

invisible among the bushes. It was exciting thought Philip, but he was

glad that the hunters seemed to have missed their target.

The countryside grew quiet, with just the sound of heavy mizzle

falling on leaves and their boots squelching in mud. Lets shelter

under those trees while we eat our picnic, suggested Connie, leading

the way to the top of the field.

The noise of the men and guns sounded much louder as they

crouched under a hawthorn bush, munching the grapes and biscuits

which Granny had given them. Philip had a sudden sick feeling in his

stomach. What if a pheasant flew out of the trees just behind them?

What if the men didnt know they were there and started to shoot?

What if?

His thoughts were interrupted by Connie grabbing his arm and

pointing. Four men carrying shotguns had emerged from the bushes a

CONNIE and PHILIP ...


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short distance away, cut across the corner of the field

and disappeared again into the woodland.

Hurry up, Connie. Lets go back, he said, rather

sharply. He was feeling guilty now as well as scared. They

shouldnt even be in this field. If anything bad happened, it was his

fault. Connie heard the worry in his voice and held his arm more

tightly as the shooting started again.

Philip, Im scared, she whispered. If we walk down the hill, we

might get shot.At nine and a half, Philip was two years older than his

sister and he knew this was a situation where he needed to take

charge. Youre right, he told her. I think we should pray. He was a

little surprised to hear himself saying this. Of course, he prayed at

home with Mum and Dad, but this was the first time he had

suggested it himself. To his relief, Connie agreed immediately.

Together the children closed their eyes and Philip asked God to look

after them and help them get home safely.

A rustle of leaves startled them as a fifth man appeared from the

woods. His spaniel cocked its ears and waved its tail furiously as it

trotted towards the children. Well, hello! called a friendly voice.

You must be Toms kids. You look just like your father, young lad.

Are you visiting Granny? Walk across the field with me and Ill give

you a lift down the lane in the Land Rover. My knees had enough

walking today. He caught an anxious look pass between

Connie and Philip at the mention of crossing the field.

Oh, dont worry, he reassured them. Were well out

of range here.

Later that night and for the second time that day, Philip prayed

without anyone telling him to. Dear God, he breathed, thank you so

much for keeping us safe today. Thank you for listening to my prayer.Amen.

Read more about Connie and Philip next time.

Thank you forlistening

to my prayer

in DANGER


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Church NewsChurch NewsKnock Building Fund: Gift Day, Saturday 26 May, 2012Knock Building Fund: Gift Day, Saturday 26 May, 2012 Knockcongregationwas thefirstIrishEvangelicalChurch tobe formedback in1927.In1928theywerethefirsttoerectanewbuilding,andin1928itcostthegrandsumof1131. Itwasbuiltasa temporarystructure,andafteralmost85yearsofstandinginafallenworld,itsdecayhaspassedthepointofrepair. Some of the friends in Knock fondly remember the day several years agowhenRevGarethBurkewasgivingachildrensaddress,andwhilemakingthepointaboutsomethingbeingsoundand firm,his illustrationwas like thiswallandproceededtogiveitashove.Howeverthewallgaveoutaterriblecreakandshudderedgreatly,itstemporarynaturewasrevealedatjustthewrongmoment!

TheroofnowhasjoinedthelistofailmentsandKnocksessionhavethereforebeenmakingplansforanewpermanentstructure.Wehavestartedtobuildupourownbuildingfundbutrecognisethatwe will need substantial help from theEPCfamily.ItisthereforeourintenttoholdaGiftDayonSaturday26thMay,2012.Onthatdate,thechurchwillsim-ply be open for allwho desire to givetowards the project. Doors open from10am to 4pmand youll bemadewel-

comewithsomecoffeeandcake. Wehumblyaskforyoursupport,justastheIsraelitesbroughtgiftstoMosesforthebuildingoftheTabernacle,webelievethatGodspeoplewillonceagainbestirreduptogive,allthewhilerecognisingthatwebuildnotforourselvesorforourownglory,butforthegloryofJesusChrist,ourSaviourandourLord.

Exodus35.21Theneveryonecamewhoseheartwasstirred,andeveryonewhosespiritwaswilling,andtheybroughttheLORD'Sofferingfortheworkofthe

tabernacleofmeeting,forallitsservice,andfortheholygarments.

PREACH THE WORD

Thelasttwointheseriesofpreachingwork-shopswilltakeplaceon

Saturday 12 May and 9 June,9-30-12noonLisburn Road Hall

Designedtohelpmenwhoalreadyengageinpreachingandforthosewhodesireto

receivesometraininginthisimportantwork.

AttendanceNOTrestrictedtoEPCmembers

Fordetailsandbookingformtext

RevGarethBurke07803282489

Mr David Watson, Ballyclarehasbeenappointed

Moderator of Presbytery 2012-13

Wecongratulatehimandassurehimofourprayerfulgoodwishesandsupportashecopeswiththeheavydemands.

Mr Kenneth CondyhasbeenelectedtotheofficeofElder

intheOmaghcongregation.Wepraythathewillhavewisdom,

graceandfulfilmentindischargingthemanyresponsibilitiesofthisministry.


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May 2012: Pray forMay 2012: Pray forourChurchDevelopmentCommitteeopposite1ournewModerator,DavidWatson,Ballyclare2CatherineGrier,AIM,andherworkinChad3allthechildrenwithwhomourcongregationshavecontactthattheywillacceptedChrist

4thespiritualeffectivenessoftheMagazine5theGovernmentandallinauthority66WayneGratzandGregPhilipsthenewLec-turersinDumisani.Givethanksforthem

7thesafetyofChristians-ChurchesinNigeria8theChurches in India as theyseekways to

reachthemanydevoteesofotherfaiths9door-to-doorworkbyourcongregations10thePreachtheWordworkshoptomorrow11FinaghyandStranmilliscongregations12theChristianChurchthroughoutournation1313adesireamongusforreadingChristianbooks14

T15 theEMFcentresofworkinEuropeancountriesW16 thespreadoftheGospeltotheunreachedT17 ourdistinctivenessasthepeopleofGodF18 thosecomingthroughvarioustrialsS19 wisdom in appointing the new Manager for

TheEvangelicalBookShopseepage18

S2020 thepoweroftheWordgiveninCareHomesM21 theoutreachtoSpaininJulyseepages9-10T22 theCrumlincongregationinitsvacancyW23 ouryouthworksinceSeptemberasitbegins

todrawtoaclosearoundthistime

T24 theNorthBelfastandKnockcongregationsF25 theKnockGiftDaytomorrowseepage14S26 diligenceinusingMissionPrayerDairiesS2727 OurhearingtheWordwillkeepreformingusM28 thegracetolivetopleaseGod(1Thess4.1)T29 skilledstaffforACTSdatabase-websiteW30 GodtoequipandcallmentotheMinistryT31 LimaSeminary,movingtoUniversitystatus

Church DevelopmentChurch DevelopmentCommitteeCommittee

The future development of EPC isspecifiedasamatterforprayeratsev-eralpointsinthecurrentPrayerDiary.

ButtheCommitteerequeststhatallourpeopleprayparticularlyforthismatter,for the ongoing work of the ChurchDevelopmentCommittee itself and fortheongoingdiscussionsofPresbyteryfollowing itsspecial ChurchDevelop-mentmeetingon25February,2012.

Fasting and Prayer for theFasting and Prayer for the

Future of JerusalemFuture of Jerusalem

In 458BC Ezra led an expedition toJerusalemfollowingthatledbyZerub-babel, Jeshua and others about 80yearsearlier.Beforeleaving,Ezraas-sembledhiscompany:

Then Iproclaimed a fast there at theriver of Ahava, that we might humbleourselvesbeforeourGod,toseekfromHimthe rightway forusandour littleones and all our possessions. For I

wasashamedtorequestofthekinganescort of soldiers and horsemen tohelpusagainsttheenemyontheroad,because we had spoken to the king,saying,ThehandofourGodisuponall those for goodwho seekHim, butHispowerandHiswrathareagainstallthosewhoforsakeHim.SowefastedandentreatedourGodforthis,andHeansweredourprayer.(Ezra8.21-23)

John Calvin on Isaiah 4.3John Calvin on Isaiah 4.3...hewhoisleftinZionandremainsinJerusalemwillbecalledholy...

Wearewontalwaystodesireamulti-tude,andtoestimatebyittheprosper-ityoftheChurch.Onthecontrary,weshouldratherdesiretobefewinnum-ber, and that in all of us the glory ofGodmay shine brightly. But because

our own glory leads us in another di-rection, the consequence is, that weregard more a great number of menthantheexcellenceofafew.


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Jun 2012: Pray forJun 2012: Pray for

F1 the children and youth whomCSSM, CEF,BeachMissionsandotherswillreach.

S2 deliverance from worldliness through theworkingoftheHolySpiritinusS33 ourpreparationfortheLordsTable

M4 GaiyasandFitzsimmonsinJos,NigeriaT5 the Queen and the Royal Family as they

celebratetheirDiamondJubilee

W6 thepersecutedchurchinmanylandstodayT7 OmaghandBallyclarecongregationsF8 thefinalworkshopintheseriesofPreachthe

Wordtomorrow.

S9 oursociety,muchofitnowpost-ChristianS1010 diligenceinchurchattendancebyusallM11 familiescopingwithbusydailyschedulesT12 financialviabilityoftheschoolsinIndiaW13 All our children that they will form godly,

devotionalhabitsfromtheiryouth

T14 utilisationoftheMagazineinevangelismF15 thehealthandmotivationofouroffice-bearersS16 Presbyteryand ChurchDevelopmentCom-

mitteeastheyconsiderourfuture.Page14.

S1717 all who preach or teach the Word eachLordsDayandfortheSpiritsinfluence

M18 each ofus thatas individualswemaypro-gresscontinuouslyonthepathofholiness

T19 theFulanibelieversinNigeriafacinghostilityW20 theworkandwitnessofEPCEWT21 the final preparations for our summercamps.TheJuniorCampstarts30JuneF22 theGroomsportandRichhillcongregationsS23 increasingdiligenceinstudyingtheWordS2424 desiretospendthewholedayinworshipM25 ChristianworkinmanyofournationsprisonsT26 renewedmissionsawarenessamongusW27 theoutreachtoSpaininJulyseepages9-10T28 theeffectivenessoftheChristianInstituteF29 thewidewitnessofEveryHomeCrusadeS30 ourBookShopatatimeofstaffchange.

A Five Step Strategy forA Five Step Strategy forGod Centred PrayerGod Centred Prayer

Derek Thomas1 REMIND YOURSELF that there isonly one God in the universe, andthatyouarenothim.

2 ADORATION COMES FIRST, be-fore confession, thanksgiving, orsupplication. Worship the Lord inyourpraying.

3 READ A PSALM before you pray,and attempt to emulate what youfind;apreoccupationwithGodinall

hismultifacetednature.FindPsalmsofjoyorgrief,praiseorlament,andnote how the psalmist spends timewithGod,makinghimthecentreofhisthoughtsanddesires.

4 LEARN TO LOVE GOD'S NAMESso that saying and repeating thamfillsyouwithaninexpressiblejoy,areminderofwhoheisandhiscove-

nantfaithfulnesstoyouintheGos-pelofhisgrace.5 LEARN TO "WAIT" upon the Lord.Watchhowthepsalmist,'fainting'ashe thinksofhis own troubles, findsreliefbydeliberatelyfocusingonthegreatthingsGodhasdone:

IwillrememberthedeedsoftheLord;yes I will remember your wonders of

old, I will ponder all your work, andmeditateonyourmightydeeds.(Psalm77.11-12).

Jacob at PenielJacob at PenielThetermsusedtodescribetheprayerindicate a struggle of the entire man,bodyandsoul,astheydointhecaseoftheLordJesusinGethsemane.Thestrugglewasnotimaginary;itwasnot

a vision, nor was it purely spiritual.Hoseas use of it [12.2-4] puts it intotherealmofpracticalexperience.

WrestlingwithGod,JDMacMillan,p19


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EP Word SearchEP Word SearchWords associated with the NT ChurchWords associated with the NT ChurchWords associated with the NT Church

Part 1art 1List all the words you can identifythere

are48ofthemintotal.

(You will find it helpful to draw a line

through the letters of each word as you

identify it.Letters are oftenused in more

thanoneword).

Part 2art 2ListasmanyBiblenounsasyoucanfrom

theunusedlettersofPart1.

Eachwordmustbeofatleastfourletters

All the unused letters are available for

eachnewword.

Markingarking1pointforeachcorrectPart1word

1 point for each correctPart 2 word of 4letters,2foreachwordof5letters,3for6,

andsoon.

PleasepostyourPart1andPart2liststo

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June(notbefore).

PleasemarkyourenvelopeWordSearch

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AD U N

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I R T A N M E

W H I T E D A E A

B O H N D L E D M G D

L O R D K E D O Y E E A O

K O C U W E V H D

S X J F K I T E S

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J A O E R A E P R

T A R T R H U T I O Y G

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Ballyclare:Open

H

ouse,

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ouse,

2012

2012

Saturdayevening,24March,sawBallyclare

churchhallfulltocapacitywiththefamiliesofchildrenandyoungpeoplewhoattendthe

weeklyMums&Tots,SundaySchoolandweek-nightactivities.

ThisannualOpen Houseisagreatopportu-nitytobefriendparentsandgrandparentsoveramealandtopresentaGospelmessage;Rev

AndrewLucasspokeaboutsalvation,using

thestoryoftheTitanicdisaster.

WepraythatthiseffortwillbeusedbyGodtobringpeopleintohisKingdom.


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The Evangelical Book Shop15 College Square East BELFAST BT1 6DD028 9032 0529

[email protected] www.evangelicalbookshop.co.uk

TheEvangelicalBookShopisaCharitableTrust.ItisheldintrustbyaBoardofTrusteesfortheEvangelicalPresbyterianChurch.WeareretailBooksellersofBiblesandnewandsecond-handChristianbooks,

operatingtodayinahighlycompetitivemarket.

TheTrusteeswishtoappointanewManager

tosucceedMrJohnGrierwhohasannouncedhisretirementasManagertotakeeffectduringthesummerof2012.

InkeepingwiththetermsofourTrustwerequireaManagerwhosecommitmentisthatTheEvangelicalBookShop,throughitsliteratureandwitness,willpro-motetheReformedFaithinagreementwiththeTrustandinharmonywith

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The Culture of our own Soulshe Culture of our own Souls

IrememberapreachersomeyearsagotellingusastoryaboutWilliamWilberforce.I

entirely disagreed with the pointmade then and still do.WilliamWilberforce at the

heightoftheanti-slaverycampaignwasapproachedbyaverypiouslady,whowentto

him and said: MrWilberforce,what about the soul?Wilberforce repliedwith great

forceMadam,IhadalmostforgottenthatIhadasoul.Thepreacherseemedtothinkthatthiswasmarvellous!Inthegreatcampaignforthefreedomoftheslaves,Wilber-

forcehadforgottenhisownsoul.Butsuchaconditionwasquitewrong!Itisaterrible

thingthat,howevergoodtheworkyouaredoing,youshouldforgetyourownsoul.The

endofthatcourseisoftenutteraridity.Ihavesometimeshadtodealwiththosewho

havebeenactiveChristianworkersalltheirlivesandhaveseentheminhospitalorat

theirdeathbed.Theyhaveawakenedsuddenlytothefactthattheyhavebeenliving

ontheiractivities,andthattheirsoulshavebeenempty.Theyhadfailedtomaintain

thecultureoftheirownsouls.Noworkissoimportantthatitmustbedoneattheex-

penseofyourownsoul.KeepyourrelationshipwithGodrightwhateverelsehappens.

Ifyoukeepthatcentral,thenIsuggesttoyouthatmanyofyourproblems,ifnotmost

ofthem,willcertainlynotbreakyou.Theywillnotevenworryyou.

TheDoctorHimselfandtheHumanCondition,DMartynLloyd-Jones,CMF,1982,77-78


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Themain thrust of this Psalm is that, even in the face of mounting adversity,DavidrejoicesintheLord,recountingtheblessingsoffollowinghimandtheglorythatawaitshiminHeaven.ThepuritanThomasBrooksaptlysaidofthisPsalm,HopecanseeHeaventhroughthethickestclouds.Davids Prayer (1avids Prayer (1-2))Preserveme,OGod,forinYouIputmytrust.Davidshowsusallhowtocomebefore the Lord and seek him regardless of our circumstances. Life can oftenthrowusofftrackwithoutevenamomentsnoticeandbeforeweknowweareinaspinandgraspingforhelp.

Wheredoweturnintimesofcrisisandtrouble?DavidknowsthathishelpcomesfromhisLordhisverysoulknowsitandheexclaims:YouaremyLord,mygood-ness isnothingapart fromYou.ForDavid theLordwasthesourceofall thatmadelifegoodandenjoyable.ToDavidGodwaseverything,hisallandall,hissecurityandsatisfaction,hisoneandonlygoodthing.Whataboutus?Towhomarewelookingtoforleadinganddirectionforhelpandencouragementinourlives?Davids Perplexity (3avids Perplexity (3-4))Davidtakesgreatcomfortanddelightfromotherbelieverswhomhereferstoas

thesaintswhoareontheearth.Instarkcontrasttothis,however,hereferstootherswhoworshipothergods.Davidwantsnothingtodowiththesepeopleandtheirevilpractices.Davids Pledge (5avids Pledge (5-6))TheworshipofothergodswasnotemptationtoDavidbecausehehadfoundtotalsecurityandsatisfactioninGodalone.TrulyDavidcouldexclaim:OLord,Youaretheportionofmyinheritanceandmycup;Youmaintainmylot.DavidreliedonGodto lookafterhim.Davidsboundarylineswereexpansive,allowingforafullprovisionofdivineblessing.His inheritancewastheLordhimselfandallhisoverflowinggoodnessandprovision.Davids Praise (7avids Praise (7-11)1)DavidgivespraiseuntoGodspecificallyfortheguidanceandcounselwhichGodhadgivenhim.EvenatnightGodsadviceremainedlodgedinhisheartanden-abledhimtohavepeaceandnottobemoved.HowdidDavidachievethiscom-fortofsoul?v8givesustheclue:IhavesettheLordalwaysbeforeme;BecauseHeisatmyrighthandIshallnotbemoved.

Eveninthefaceof life-threateningordeals,Davidremainedglad,andrejoiced.Heknewhisbodywouldalsorestsecure,evenindeathheknewGodwouldfor-everbehisportion.Finally,inverse11,Davidremindshimselfofhisultimatedes-tinyHeavenandeternityspentinthejoyfulpresenceofAlmightyGod.

Psalm 16Psalm 16Drawing Close to GodDrawing Close to God

Colin Moore, StranmillisColin Moore, StranmillisColin Moore, StranmillisRejoicingintheLord,eveninthefaceofmountingadversity.


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What is worship?hat is worship?The root words for worship in Greek and Hebrew convey the dual ideas ofprostration before the objectofworship,and service to the oneworshipped. InIsaiah6.1-8,Ezekiel1.28bandRevelation1.12-17amanisgivenavisionofGod.IneachheacknowledgeshissmallnessandmoraldeficiencyprostratinghimselfbeforeaholyGodand thenoffering himhis service. Soworship is theproperresponseofamantohisGod.Wedonothavetobebrazentosininworshipping:The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that areunworthyofHim.(AWTozer)RightworshiprequiresarightknowledgeofGodandarightacknowledgementofourplaceinrelationtohimascreaturetoCreator,assinnertoSaviour.

InReflectionsonthePsalms,CSLewisnotesthatpraiseistheappropriateresponsetobeautyandespeciallysoin thecaseofourGod:Admirationis thecorrect,adequateorappropriate response...wedelight topraisewhatweenjoybecausethepraisenotmerelyexpressesbutcompletestheenjoyment.Whatisthechiefendofman?ToglorifyGodandenjoyhimforever.(ShorterCatechism) TheendgoalofworshipissummarizedinPhilippians2.10-11atthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow,inheavenandonearthandundertheearth,andeverytongueconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather.How should we worship?ow should we worship?Jesus told thewomanat thewell: trueworshippers will worship theFather inspiritandtruth,fortheFatherisseekingsuchpeopletoworshiphim.Godisspirit,andthosewhoworshiphimmustworshipinspiritandtruth(John4.23 -24).Thewordspirithasasmalls,andcommentators,suchasJCRyletakeittomeantheintellectualpartofman.Thatis,worshipisfromwithin,fromtheheart.ThePsalmsshowthoughtfuladoration(8),joyfulthanks(100),exuberantpraise(150).How do we worship?ow do we worship?Whilstworshipisnotessentiallyamatterofformitmusttakesomeshape.KentHughes,inDisciplinesofaGodlyMan,notestheelementsofpersonaldevotion:meditation,confession,adorationandsubmission.Whateverthechurchliturgyorpractice we will find the same elements in our corporate worship: a call toworship, confession, creed or statement of belief,hymns, prayers, the readingandpreachingoftheWord,thanksgiving,offeringandbenediction.Butagain,thatisnotallthatisourworship.Worshipmustcontinuebeyondthechapelwalls.OurwholelivesaretobelivedtothegloryofGod.(Rom12.1-2;Col3.16-17,23)In conclusionn conclusionWorshiprequiresustohavetherightknowledgeofGodandanawarenessofour

relationshiptohim.Inresponseweundertakeactsofworshipprayer,praiseanddevotion.WecanworshipasindividualsbutcorporateworshipallowsustocometogethertofocusonGodandshareourjoyaswepraisehim.ButthisawarenessofGodshouldbecarriedoversothatourwholelifeislivedtohisglory.

Spiritual DisciplinesSpiritual DisciplinesWorshipWorship

Michael Trimble, StranmillisMichael Trimble, StranmillisMichael Trimble, Stranmillis


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PastastTheFinaghycongregationwasfoundedin1946throughthevisionoftheLisburnRoad congregationwho recognised theneed to reach out to the newhousingestatesintheFinaghyarea.Erectionofabuildingwasnosmallmatterpost-warrestrictionswerestillverymuchinforceandcrucialitemssuchasrooftrussesandinternaldoorshadtobesecuredsecondhandfromtheRAFbaseatAldergrove. Theworkprospered,akeyelementbeingtheSundaySchool,whichattractedmany from thenew families locating from theSandyRowandDonegallRoadareasofBelfast.AvibrantWomensMeetingalsoemerged.Primefiguresinthecongregation from the early days includedRevCEHunterand elders Samuel

ShanksandSamuelMcGurkwhogaveyeomanserviceformanyyears.MrsMil-larledtheWomensMeetingandMissLottieMcWilliamserveddiligentlyasMis-sionsSecretary.TheCampaignermovementfiguredprominentlywithMrWilliamBacon,MrGeorgeCarlisle andMissAnnTolerton to thefore.Youthworkwasgreatlyaidedbytheextensionandrefurbishmentofthepremisesfromthe1960s. RevNormanReidsucceededMrHunterin1970and,followingMrReidscalltoDublinin1977,RevSidneyGarlandbecamepastoruntilhisdeparturetomis-sionaryserviceinNigeriain1987.RevSamuelWatson,tookuppostin1987.

PresentresentThehousingestateswhichledtotheestablishmentofthecongregationremain.Sadly,thegodlyethosofthosewholivedtheredoesnot,andto-day,asinmanysuburban areas, there is little interest in the Gospel. The SundaySchool andWomensMeetingcontinue,smallerthaninyearsgoneby,butstillsupportedbyafaithfulfewandupheldbycommittedworkers.ThesameistrueofasmallYouthClub.ThecongregationnowincludesthosewhoremainfromtheLisburnRoadchurchwhichclosedanumberofyearsagoafittingarrangementgiventherela-tionship traced back to Finaghys beginning. Sunday morning attendances arearound55,butthoseatnighthavefallento25givingcauseforconcern.FutureutureThe immediate future isboundupwithRevWatsons retirement inJune2012.After25years faithfulanddiligentservicehewillbemuchmissed,andthis isafittingmomentforthecongregationtomarkitsgratitudetobothRevWatsonandtotheLordforallthathehasbeenenabledtodo.Wewishhimwellasheentersthisnewphaseofservice.Please Pray For:lease Pray For:

1 ThecongregationasitentersaperiodofvacancyinJune20122 RevSamuelWatsonandhisministryduringretirement3 Greaterresponsefromthedistrictandforthegrowthoftheeveningservice4 ThedevelopmentofalltheFinaghyorganisations.

Congregations: FinaghyCongregations: FinaghyMervyn LangtryMervyn LangtryMervyn Langtry


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A Voice from the PastA Voice from the PastFrancis MakemieFrancis MakemieThe EditorThe EditorThe Editoron The Donegal Father of American Presbyterianismon The Donegal Father of American Presbyterianismon The Donegal Father of American Presbyterianism

InthebiographicalintroductiontoArchibaldAlexandersThoughtson ReligiousExperience,RevW JGrier gives a brief sketch ofFrancisMakemieslife.HewasbornnearRameltoninCoDonegalin 1658, studied for theministry at GlasgowUniversity andwaslicensedbytheLagganPresbyteryin1681.SoonafterwardsheleftforAmericawhereheexercisedapowerfulandinfluentialministry.

Thereason forhismoveacrosstheAtlantic isunclearbutthediligenceandzealhedisplayedfortheadvanceoftheGospelintheNewWorldisbeyonddoubt.ThenewsettlementsthatwerespringingupintheBritishcolonieswith many families from Scotland and Ireland seeking a better life in the new

worldpresentedgreatopportunitiesfortheplantinganddevelopmentofPresbyte-rianchurches.Hefunctionedlargelyasanitinerantmissionaryandby1684hadhelpedorganizeaPresbyteriancongregationinSnowHill,Maryland.HepreachedthroughoutVirginiaandwithoccasional tripstopreach togroupsofbelievers intheCarolinasthedemandsuponhimmadehimawarethatheneededhelpinthework.HesoughthelpfromministersinBostonandLondonaskingforministersandyoungmentocomeandpreachtheWordandshepherdtheflock.

Onedramaticeventwastooccurinhislifethatwouldseehimemergeasthefather figure and leader of American Presbyterianism. With the spread of the

ChurchofEnglandastheestablishedreligioninsomeofthecoloniesPresbyte-rianpreacherswereforbiddentopreachincertainpulpits.InNewYorkMakemiewasbannedfrompreachinginaDutchReformedChurchandsoheledservicesinaprivatehomeinthecity.Thisledtolegalproceedingsthatlastedfor5monthsandMakemieremainedinjailforthistime.Eventuallyhewastriedbeforeajuryand acquitted ofall chargeshaving stated thathe couldnot refusetopreach ifaskedbyanypeoplenomatterwhatthelaworthegovernmentsaid.

UndertheleadershipofFrancisMakemiethechurchcontinuedtodevelopandgrowinNewJersey,DelawareandPennsylvaniawithPhiladelphiabecomingthe

informal capital of American Presbyterianism. In 1706 the first meeting of thePresbyteryofPhiladelphiamet and this laid thefoundations for churchgovern-ment,orderandunityinshapingandgivingidentitytoapeoplewhoworshippedtogetherasPresbyterians.

DGHartwrites:Andyet,thankstothisIrishPresbyteriansindefatigableef-forts,bothonbehalfofsmall,impoverishedcongregationsandasapublicspokes-manonbehalfofalargerPresbyterianbody,AmericanPresbyterianismdides-

tablish a secure, even if modest, foundation during the lateseventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. (SeekingABetterCountry, 300Years of AmericanPresbyterianism, D.G. Hart& John R.Muether,P&R,2007.

TheRepublicofIrelandissuedacommemorativestampin1982.


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My God is True!y God is True!LessonsLearnedAlongCancersDarkRoad 6.25 5.00Paul D Wolfe,BannerofTruth,Paperback,150pages.Wolfewasmarriedon23May1998andelevenmonths laterwasdiagnosedwithcancer.Thisbookreflectstheexperienceofhisal-mostyear-longbattle.Thereisatwintrackapproach.First,WolfedoesnotblameorreproachGodforhisexperience.Insteadhe in-troducesandconcludesthebookwithreferencetothewordsofanoldhymnwhereeachversebeginswith thewords: WhateermyGodordainsisright(thehymnitselfisworthreading!).Secondly,hepoignantlydetailsallhisexperiencesfromdiagnosisthroughtohislasttreatment. Wolfedoesnot inanywayminimise thesufferinghissurgeryandtreatmentincurred,hecataloguesthepain,thedebility,histreatments,thelossoftasteand

hishairand theongoingtestsbutalongsideallof thesedifficultieshepointstotheglory,faithfulnessandgraceofGod.HisfaithinGodisneverdiminishedandhisaccountofhisexperiencesisunderpinnedbyrelevantScripturereferences. Thebookhashelpfullessonsforusall.Itprovideshelpfulinsightsintohowwemaybestsupport thosewhoaresuffering from cancerandothersituations. Insummarythisisamosthelpfulbook.Thereisnodiminutionofthepainfulfactssurroundingthediseaseandcoupledwiththisthereishisoverwhelmingcommit-menttohisGodandSaviourandhisWord. Patricia GibsonThe Intolerance of Tolerancehe Intolerance of Tolerance 12:99 8.99D A Carson,IVP,Paperback,186pages.We are all too familiar with media reports about actions againstChristiansbecauseoftheirbeliefs.IndeedsocietysometimesseemstotoleratealmostanyviewpointexceptconservativeChristianmo-rality. Howhas this come topass? This bookconsiders how thecommonmeaning of tolerance has changed from accepting theexistenceofdifferentviewstoacceptanceofdifferentviews. Car-sonnotesthattheeffectofthischangeissubstantial.Toaccept thatanopposingview-pointexistsanddeservesthatrightisonething;tobeobligedtoacceptthatpositionasvalidandtrueexcludesthepossibilityofanymeaningfuldifferenceofopinion.SowhilstChristiansmaysupportfreedomtopractiseotherfaiths (old style tolerance), since theywillnot accept those beliefs asof equalvaliditywithChristianity(newstyletolerance)theyareperceivedtobeintolerant. ThecruxofCarsonsthesisisthatnewstyletolerancehasbecomeadefeaterbeliefabelief that trumpsall opposingbeliefs.So,whilstaChristianmayputforwardavalidargumentfortheuniquenessofJesus,hisinabilitytoacceptotherfaithsasequallyvalidshowshimtobeintolerant,andthereforedefeatedalready.Asallbeliefsareheldtobeequallyvalid,intolerancebecomestheonlysin. This isnotanacademicanalysisandCarsondirectsreaders tohisprevious

worksChristandCultureRevisited,andTheGaggingofGod:ChristianityCon-frontsPluralismfordeeperstudy.RemindingusthatChristiansshouldnotbesur-prisedthattheGospelcausesoffense,theauthorconcludeswithtensuggestionsforlivingwiselyinanincreasingly(in)tolerantculture. Michael Trimble

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Titanic, The Ship of Dreams Robert Plant 5.99 4.50Introducechildrentothesplendouroftheshipandthetragedywhichunfolded,seenthroughtheeyesofevangelistJohnHarper.Thisisastorynotonlyoftragedybutalsooffaith,courageandeternalhope.The Titanics Last Hero Moody Adams 9.99 7.99TheinspirationalstoryofJohnHarper,whosethisonlychildinalifeboatbeforeset-tinghissightsonthesalvationofthelostsoulsaroundhim.AtruestoryofGodatworkinthatdarkdisaster.

Silent Voices Clive Anderson & Ann Sloane 6.00 4.50LearningfromtheTitanic.Apowerfulandeasilyreadableaccountofthismomentoustragedy,givingusthe factsweneed toknowalongside challengingspiritualapplica-tion.PastorIanCooper,SurreyWhat the Bible Means to Me Ed Catherine MacKenzie 7.99 5.99TestimoniesofHowGod'sWord impactsLives.44verydifferent peoplesummarisewhattheBiblemeanstothemintheireverydaylives-thebusdriverandthetheolo-gian,themissionaryandthemidwife,thearmychaplainandtheartist,andmanymore.The Cross Andrew Sach & Steve Jeffery 2.99 1.50Littlebook,bigsubject:theauthorsbrieflyandreadablyexplorethemanyfacetsofthemeaningoftheCross.TheyearlierdidPiercedforourTransgressionsmaster-work.The Freedom of SelfForgetfulness Tim Keller 2.99 1.50ThePathtoTrueChristianJoy.Anothershortreadwiththepotentialtotransformyourlife:"Atrulygospelhumblepersonisnotaselfhatingpersonoraselflovingperson,butaselfforgetfulperson.Thisfreedomcanbeyours."Pastoring the Pastor Tim Cooper & Kelvin Gardiner 7.99 5.99"Ican'tputthisdown!Everychurchmembershouldreadit!It'sintheformofacollec-tionofemails,mainlybetweenanewyoungpastorandhisolderandwiseruncleyes,

doubtlessScrewtape-inspired.Soreadable,andhelpsyouseeyourministerandyourchurchthroughadifferentlens."JuliaGrierMatthew Henry Allan Harman 8.99 6.75HisLifeAnd Influence This newbiographygivesawealthof informationabout thisgodlyman."Toanyonewhocanreadthisbrilliantbiographywithoutbeinghumbled,challenged,inspiredandmotivatedto'pressontowardthegoal',Ihaveonlyonethingtosayreaditagain.Iamstrugglingtothinkofanybiographythathasspokensoclearlytomeanditwouldbeimpossibleformetocommendittoohighly."JohnBlanchardThe Gospel as Center Ed D A Carson & Tim Keller 13.999.99RenewingOurFaithandReformingOurMinistryPractices Essaysbyinfluentialleaders,egDonCarson,TimKeller,KevinDeYoungandBryanChapellwhodefendtheGospelandstrengthenthechurch,reclaimingourbeliefsfromthedangersofrelativism.Origi-

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Transcript of The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2012