Messenger The - Free Reformed Churches of North America

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Messenger
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How beautiful upon the mountains...
are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good,
that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth!
Isaiah 52:7
2008 INDEX INSIDE!
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 1
Inside
• 2 Church News • 3 Stability in An Unstable World • 5 The Best Portfolio For The Coming Year And Beyond
• 7 From Brethren To L’eglise Reformee Du Quebec • 9 2008 Index • 11 World-proof Your Kids?
• 12 Messenger of Grace (3) - The Importance Of Sermon Preparation• 13 Gleanings From The Churches
• 15 Music Notes • 16 Announcements
T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i on o f t h e Free R e f orme d C h u r c h es
Church News
New Treasurer Synodical
Refugee Committee
Mr. James Van Der Zwan,
26829-33B Ave, Aldergrove, V4W 3G8,
phone 604-818-3423,
e-mail [email protected]
is the new treasurer as of January 1, 2009.
Cheques should be made payable to: Emmanuel Free Reformed Church. The retiring treasurer
writes: “It has been a great privilege for me to
have been involved in the sponsorship of fellow Christians and I thank God for bringing so
many Christian fugitives to freedom in Canada,
even bringing them right to our doorsteps. Our
Lord thereby reminds us not to forget loving our
brothers and sisters in persecution, while we live
in peace and freedom… Let us remember in our
prayers the continued suffering of those who
have to stay behind in hostile countries and let
us act as intercessors on their behalf… During
the first 11 months of this year 7 of the 20 Free
Reformed churches have donated to the synodical Refugee Fund. Thank you.
Ben van der Woerd.
TENTATIVE MEETINGS SCHEDULE
Spring Synodical Committee Meetings:
March 24 - 27 (Brantford FRC hosting)
Spring Elders & Deacons Conference:
March 28 (London FRC hosting)
Fall Ministerial Retreat:
October 21 - 23 (Crieff-Puslinch)
Spring Elders & Deacons Conference
(FRC/HRC): October 24
Fall Synodical Committee Meetings:
October 26 - 28 (Hamilton FRC hosting)
Hans VanDoodewaard,
Synodical Committee Meeting Coordinator
YOU ARE INVITED TO A SPEAKER
EVENING
Pastor Joel Overduin plans to speak on
Wisdom For Young People
From The Book Of Proverbs
2 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
We welcome young people in the workforce,
college, and university to attend our meetings.
Rev. Joel Overduin is pastor of the
Mitchell Free Reformed Church
DATE: Friday, February 27, 2009
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Dundas Free Reformed Church
meeting room
Hosted by the Free Reformed Student Society
A collection to defray the costs of the
meeting will be taken.
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON
Worship services are held every Lord’s Day at
1.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. in the Pearson
Fellowship Hall of Grace Lutheran Church,
located at 9625 NE 8th Street, Bellevue,
Washington 98004. For Bible Study times or
further information, call 425-649-9676, or visit
our website: www.frcna.org/bellevue.
CALGARY, Alberta
Worship Services are held every Lord’s Day at
9.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. The Sunday school,
Catechism and Adult Sunday school classes are
held after the morning service. Location: 6167
6th Street SE, Calgary AB T2H 1L9 (northwest
corner of Blackfoot and Glenmore Trails).
Contact Information: Harold Slingerland, Clerk,
[email protected]; Tel. 403-254-6591.
LACOMBE, Alberta
The Free Reformed Church of Lacombe meets
in the Trinity Lutheran Church,
5227 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB. Worship
services are held at 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
With joy and thanksgiving to the Lord,
London Free Reformed Church
will be celebrating 50 years of worshipping and
serving God.
We are planning a special anniversary evening
during which time we will be reflecting on our
history, and enjoying some refreshments and
fellowship. All former and present members
and friends are heartily invited to give thanks to
God for His bountiful blessings.
The evening will be on
D.V. Friday, January 16, 2009 D.V. at 7.30 p.m.
London Free Reformed Church • 1274 Tote Rd.,
London, ON
For directions and if possible RSVP with how
many plan to attend, contact: (519) 264-1811
or [email protected]
ADMISSION TO MINISTERAL STUDIES
Is the Lord calling you to the ministry in the
Free Reformed Churches of North America?
If you believe He is, the committee wishes to
hear from you by March 1, 2009.
Please contact the secretary of the committee
for more information. Prospective students are
asked to consult the Handbook for Theological
Education prior to contacting the secretary of
the committee.
Rev. G.R. Procee, Secretary
Theological Education Committee of the
Free Reformed Churches
1120 Old Mohawk Road, Ancaster, ON
L9G 3K9 CANADA • Tel. (905) 648-7822;
Email: [email protected]
Messenger Meditation
The
EDITOR
Rev. C. Pronk
10 Highgate Place
Brantford, ON N3R 5V4
Tel/Fax: 519 751-4470
Email: [email protected]
The Editor reports to the
Synodical Publications Committee
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Dr. G. M. Bilkes
Email: [email protected]
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rev. G.R. Procee, Chairman
Rev. D. H. Kranendonk, Secretary
69 Albert Street
SS1, Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0
Tel/Fax: 519 348-0436
Email: [email protected]
Rev. C. Pronk
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Rev. J. Koopman
Mr. H. Vandermaarl
Rev. J. Overduin
Mr. H. VanDoodewaard
Rev. J. Lewis
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
Canada & U.S.A. - $25.00 Annually
The Messenger is published
11 times per year.
SUBSCRIPTIONS/REMITTANCES
Requests for subscriptions, all payments and
inquiries regarding rates, invoices, and all
remittances should be addressed to:
THE MESSENGER
c/o Marianne Overduin, Administrator
P.O. Box 1094
Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0
Tel./Fax: 519 348-0020
Email: [email protected]
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To comply with requests that The Messenger
reach its subscribers earlier in the month it
is necessary that all items for publication
reach the editorial office by the second
Tuesday of each month before the
publication date.
THE MESSENGER
10 Highgate Place
Brantford, ON N3R 5V4 CANADA
Telephone/Fax: 519 751-4470
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Free Reformed Website: www.frcna.org
Unstable World
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luke 21:33
By Rev. G.R. Procee
Everything Is Always Changing
We live in a world with many changes.
There seem to be less and less certainties.
As for moral values, what used to be the
norm is no longer the case today. Many
no longer seem to know the difference between right and wrong. People live according to their feelings and not according to
an objective standard of truth. Many are
like hikers walking through a swampy area
where the ground is soft and spongy, where
you have to feel your way to place your
foot, and you really don’t know where you
are going. That is how many people in our
society live: they do not know where to go
or to turn.
Things are changing so quickly in our
world that many people can hardly keep
up. Many throw up their hands and don’t
know what to do. The rush, the pressure,
the tension to produce and to sell is tremendous. The economy is volatile and
changes come suddenly. Also in families
there are changes. People pass away, children grow up and start having families of
their own, but shortly, they too will have
become old. Everything changes. People
become so weary that they wonder how
they can go on.
All Things Will Pass Away
In these first weeks of a new year in a rapidly changing world, we are also reminded of a lasting stability. Listen carefully to
Him who speaks: Heaven and earth shall
pass away: but my words shall not pass away
(Luke 21:33).
This means that everything in this world
will come to an end, but what God has
spoken shall stand. God’s Word will stand
and has true validity. What He has spoken
will come to pass. In the end, everything
we see--the world, the earth, clouds, the
skies, will pass away, but what the Lord has
spoken shall come to pass.
The verb used in Greek that is translated
“to pass away” means “to come,” “pass by,”
“disappear,” and then be gone. This means
all these things are no longer relevant or
valid. The same verb is used also in Luke
15:29, where it refers to transgressing commandments. You can pass by a commandment of God, whereby you declare that a
commandment is not valid for you. It is a
terrible sin to say that something God has
commanded is not valid for you and you
consider it to be obsolete, of no value. The
verb is also used in connection with people
passing by, and of time passing by. Suffering can pass by. James warns us in his epistle that the rich man shall also pass away
and be no more.
When the Lord Jesus says that heaven
and earth shall pass away, He means that
this heaven and this earth have come into
existence and are with us for a while, but
one day they will pass away and be no
more.
Man Will Continue To Exist
The astounding truth is that you and I will
not pass away! We will die and our body
will be laid in a grave, but it will be raised
again at the glorious day of Jesus’ second
coming. In the meantime, you will continue to exist. Your real existence is in your
soul. Your body may die and be buried, but
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 3
All notices for family announcements, obituaries, anniversaries, and non-commercial
advertisements for the February 2009 issue
should reach the copy editor, Frederika
Pronk, no later than Tuesday, January 13,
and should be sent to:
Stability In An
you will still exist. You will still continue to
have joy or dismay, gladness or fear, happiness or sorrow. You will be either free from
pain or you will be in great torment. You
will either be in the light or in the darkness.
You will sing or you will wail. You will never
become irrelevant. Because you have been
made for eternity, you will never pass away.
You will be there when this heaven and this
earth will pass away and will be no more.
Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away
It is an astounding fact that heaven and
earth will pass away. We can’t imagine that.
But Scripture is full of such expressions. For
instance in Psalm 102 we read: the earth and
the heavens are the work of thy hands. They
shall perish, but thou shalt endure.
Heaven and earth shall pass away. That
is a very sobering statement. We do well to
pay attention to this truth. We are to do
our work and faithfully carry out our responsibilities, but we ought to realize this is
all just for a moment. It will all pass away.
We see how the year 2008 has passed
away. It is gone. Likewise, all the things
around us will eventually pass away. Your
home will pass away and will be no more.
Your furniture, your books, your bank account, your garden, your boat, our church
building, our country, the bridges, and the
buildings--everything will pass away. They
will be irrelevant and forgotten. No one
will think about them any more because
they will not have any more value at all.
It is as what happens to an airplane ticket.
You order the ticket and you carefully keep
it because you do not want to lose it. When
you are set to fly, you check several times if
you really have it with you. But when the
flight is done, what do you do with it? You
throw it out. The same ticket that you used
to care for so diligently, you now throw
out. It has become outdated and irrelevant.
Its validity passed away. That is how it will
one day be with everything in this life and
the world for us.
Another example is if you have a very old
car, full of rust, which barely runs and you
bring it to the auto wrecker, and it is gone.
You buy a new car and you never think about
the old car any more. It’s gone and it is out
of your thoughts; you have other things to
think about. Your new car has become relevant for you; not the old one. It has passed
away.
That is how we will view this world. It
will pass away; it will have no value to us
anymore because it will be gone. All the
things we are attached to will likewise be
gone. We will not think of them anymore.
We will have other things on our mind.
It will either be to glorify and enjoy God,
or to gnash your teeth and weep. In either
condition you will not think back on your
home on earth and your furniture, for it
will have all passed away. Heaven and earth
and all things we see will pass away.
Christ’s Words Will Not Pass Away
Christ says: My words shall not pass away.
That is an amazing statement. Who could
ever say something like that? No human
being can speak like that. Yet Jesus Christ
says this because He is divine. He is God
and He is eternal. He will never pass away
4 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
Lay not up
for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust
doth corrupt,
and where thieves
break through and steal:
Matthew 6:19
and He has authority to say: My words shall
not pass away.
In the original Greek there is a double
negative: My Word shall not, shall not pass
away. My words shall certainly not, no never pass away. They will always be valid and
will always be relevant. They shall always be
remembered
What joy this is for God’s people! All He
has spoken will come to pass. The day will
come when He will return. He will take all
His people with Him into glory, where they
will be with Him forever and ever.
This is a word of comfort for pilgrims,
who can be so weary and tired. Now they
still struggle with the weakness of their
faith. But He is their God and He will never
leave them or forsake them. His Word shall
not pass away. He will deliver all His people
and they will all be in glory with Him. Not
one of them will slip out of His hand.
But the final doom of all who resist Him
will take place also. The fire that made the
rich man cry, I suffer thirst in this flame, will
take place, because heaven and earth shall
pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
But the words of Christ’s offer of life and
mercy are also still valid today. He has spoken in Isaiah 45:22, Look unto me, and be ye
saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God,
and there is none else. There is still an offer of
grace for each and every one of us. That offer will last as long as heaven and earth continue. We are now in the time of grace, but
when Christ returns, the time of grace will
be passed. If you are still unconverted at the
beginning of the year of our Lord 2009, remember that there is still salvation for you
in Him. His blood is able to wash
and cleanse you, because His Word
tells us so. His Word tells us that He
is able to save even to the uttermost.
Are you perhaps wasting your
time? Are you wasting your energy,
trying to find that which can never satisfy your soul? What will you
choose: Diamonds or pebbles, rocks
or gold, life everlasting or a few years
of a troubled and anxious life on
earth? What are you living for? Let it
be for Christ and His future. He says
to all His people, Because I live, ye
shall live also (John 14:19). Christ’s
words shall not pass away.
M
Rev. Gerald Procee is the pastor of the
Free Reformed Church of Hamilton,
Ontario.
Editorial
The Best Portfolio
For The Coming Year And Beyond
S
tanding at the beginning of another year,
we ask the usual questions about the future. What is going to happen in 2009 in
politics, nationally and internationally? Will
terrorists strike again, also in North America?
What’s going to happen in Iraq and Afghanistan? But while questions like these come
up, I think that this year, most people are
primarily concerned about the economy.
The Best And Only Advisor
There is one Advisor, however, who does
know and who gives us the only reliable
counsel in this and all other matters. We
find this advice recorded in Matthew 6:1921, where Jesus says,
Actually, what Jesus says here is a command.
Do not lay up earthly treasures, He warns.
Not that these treasures as such are wrong.
Nor is it wrong to spend time and energy to
acquire them. Our treasure may be a bank
account or a home, or a person or a position
that we hold or to which we aspire. These
are all legitimate things in themselves. It is
perfectly all right to acquire personal possessions or even to hoard them, for that is the
meaning of “laying up.” The desire to possess
is a human trait; it is part of our creaturely
make up. However, the question is, what
should we be laying up for ourselves? The
key words here are “on earth” and “in heaven.” Hoarding treasures on earth is wrong.
Hoarding treasures in heaven is right.
Our Earthly Treasures
Treasures on earth are things that belong
to this world and to this life. They are the
tangible, material things that we use simply
because we are human beings and the Bible
nowhere says that we must abstain from
them. We need them for this life and we
may even enjoy them. But they should not
be the only things we enjoy.
We must not set our hearts on them and
certainly not to the exclusion of the other
treasures Jesus mentions here--the treasures
in heaven. To do so is to act as the world does.
As Jesus says in verse 32, For after all these
things the Gentiles seek. That is, the pagan, the
man of the world, who does not have God
in his thoughts, seeks after the things of the
earth and only after those things.
If ever there was a time when an entire
society and culture seeks earthly things it is
our western culture. Robert Louis Stevenson
once said in a poem: “The world is so full of
a number of things, I think we should all be
happy as kings.”
Why They Do Not Satisfy
The poet’s rhyme sums up the philosophy of
the world: things supposedly make people
happy. But do they? Jesus said, Man’s life does
not consist of the abundance of things which he
possesses (Luke 12:15). They do not bring us
happiness, the Saviour means. O sure, for a
while we get excited with our new house or
car, and especially young people love all the
latest gadgets, IPods, DVDs, Playstations,
video games and what have you, but the
novelty wears off fast.
Jesus tells us why. Earthly things are things
that moth and rust destroy and that thieves
break into and steal. He means that there is
an element of decay in these treasures. Moth
and rust tend to lodge themselves in them
and destroy them. They eat them up.
Did you ever see an old coat that’s been
hanging in the closet for years without a
cover to protect it? The moths have gotten to the material and reduced it to a rag.
Moth-eaten garments are worth nothing.
We throw them away. And I’m sure you
have seen those huge car cemeteries with
acres and acres of old automobiles, once
the pride and joy of their owners, but now
heaps of rust and corrosion.
The treasures of earth never fully satisfy.
There is always something that goes wrong
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 5
Fears About The Recession
We are in a deep recession, if not depression,
and we can’t help but wonder how the financial meltdown will affect our families and
ourselves. Many of us have already felt the
impact of the recession. Our RRSPs or IRAs
have gone down in value about 30% or more.
Ditto our homes. Some of us have been laid
off or are working fewer hours with less pay.
No wonder we feel apprehensive about the
future, especially those of us who are retired
or approaching our so-called golden years.
Almost every day brings us bad news, it
seems. Companies are going bankrupt while
their C.E.O.s retire with golden handshakes
of many millions of dollars. Crooks like Bernie Madoff swindle their trusting investors
out of more than 50 billion! Financial advisors give conflicting advice. Sell your stocks,
say some. Hang on to them, say others, or
switch to money market funds for now and
see what will happen. It’s all very confusing.
Who can you trust? Nobody seems to know
what to do.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt
and where thieves break through and
steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt and where thieves do not break
through nor steal. For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.
6 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
with them. They always lack something.
They all have the seed of destruction in
them. They don’t last.
The apostle Peter says that Christians are
people who have escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust (2 Pet. 1:4).
There is corruption in all earthly things. The
most beautiful flower begins to die the moment you pluck it. Within days you have to
throw it away. That is true of everything in
this life. It doesn’t matter what it is, but it is
all fading away.
Because of sin, everything that has life in
it is subject to this process. Moth and rust
corrupt. That’s true of our bodies too. The
most perfect physique will eventually break
down and die. The most beautiful face will
turn wrinkled and ugly, sometimes before it
decomposes in the grave. Moth and rust get
at everything sooner or later.
Jesus also mentions thieves who break
through and steal. What the moths and the
rust do not get, the thieves will take away,
and there is no protection against them.
We think we can make our treasures safe
by putting them in a safety deposit box or
some secret compartment in the house, but
that doesn’t keep them from thieves. Illness
strikes and our hoard is gone. Some financial loss occurs, some market collapse takes
it all away, inflation eats the value of it, a
strike occurs, we are out of a job, war comes,
and, of course, the greatest thief of all, death,
takes everything.
A minister picked up a young hitchhiker
and tried to witness to him. They were talking about wealth and various things, and
the young man said, “Oh, I wish I were like
my uncle. He died a millionaire.” “What
did you say,” the minister asked? “He died
a millionaire,” the hitchhiker repeated. “No
he didn’t,” the minister said. “Who has his
millions now?” “I see what you mean,” the
young man said.
We brought nothing into this world, Paul
says, and it is certain we can carry nothing out
(1 Tim. 6:7). This is the trouble with earthly
treasures. They all perish.
Heaven’s Treasures Endure
But, Jesus says, treasures in heaven are never
lost. That’s the positive part of His sermon.
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where
thieves do not break through nor steal.
What are some of these heavenly treasures?
Peter writes to his fellow Christians living in
exile about an inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved
in heaven for you, who are kept by the power
of God through faith for salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time (1 Pet. 1:4-5).
Heading the list of enduring treasures is
forgiveness of sins. What can be a greater
treasure than to know that your sins are
washed away in Jesus’ blood? How blest is
he whose trespass has freely been forgiven, David exclaims in Psalm 32, whose sin is wholly
covered before the sight of heaven. And what
about peace with God, the hope of eternal
life, and assurance of salvation? These are
treasures moth or rust can’t touch and which
thieves will never steal from you.
How They Are Acquired
But we must lay them up for ourselves, Jesus says. That is to say, we must appropriate them by faith, using the means God
Himself has appointed. Those means are
prayer, searching the Scriptures, coming to
the worship services regularly, etc. But these
heavenly and spiritual treasures also include
sanctification, living the Christian life, being
concerned about the church and the kingdom of God, contributing to its well being
and growth through supporting it financially
and with our time, energy and gifts.
True, we need money to buy the things
we need every day and support God’s church
and kingdom. But even now with the economy in a tailspin, we are not going hungry.
We still get our share of the daily bread that
we pray for. Most of us earn enough to buy
at least a few luxuries. We have enough left
over after meeting our basic needs to afford
some nice things such as (mini) vacations,
some new clothes, and other things. There’s
nothing wrong with that, provided we ask
Coram Deo, before the face of God, How
much of our discretionary income do we
spend on ourselves and how much is set
aside for church, for missions, Christian
schools, and other kingdom causes? These
are all treasures in heaven; that is to say,
whatever we spend on the Lord’s cause becomes part of those heavenly treasures. The
more we invest in the bank of heaven, the
more spiritual interest we accumulate.
Therefore, let us be sure to lay up for ourselves as many of these treasures as we can
as long as we can. Let this be a matter of
conscience. Only God and you know how
much or how little you can afford to give
to God and people in need. Think of the
people we are trying to help through Peace
Haven, the Refugee Fund, Word and Deed,
Come Over and Help, and other worthwhile
organizations.
Treasures As Spiritual Indicators
How you spend your money is a very clear
indication of where you are spiritually. That’s
what Jesus means when he says in verses 21
to 24 of Matthew 6, For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.
A treasure has a remarkable power over
us. It draws us like a magnet. This is true of
earthly and of heavenly treasures alike. They
seize our feelings and our affections holding
them in an iron grip.
Which of these two treasures have us in
their grip? Which of them do we serve? It is
one or the other. As our Saviour concludes:
No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot
serve God and mammon. So check your spiritual portfolio and see if you need to make
some adjustments.
Lay upon God’s altar,
good and loving deeds,
And in all things trust Him
to supply your needs.
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil.
4:19).
M
Book Review
From Brethren
To L’eglise
Reformee
Du Quebec
(The Reformed Church Of Quebec)
By Rev. J. Overduin
Jason Zuidema, The Life and Thought of David Craig:
1937-2001, Toronto: Clements Publishing, 2008. 225
pages; paperback. Available through www.amazon.ca
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 7
Everyone enjoys an exciting story, and an exciting story
is the recent publication of Dr. Jason Zuidema’s book, The
Life and Thought of David Craig: 1937-2001. Zuidema,
who grew up in the Free Reformed Church of Chatham,
now is a pastor in the E.R.Q. (L’Eglise Reformee du Quebec or the Reformed Church of Quebec) as well as a professor at that federation’s seminary, Institut Farel, where
he is working hard to serve and promote the Reformed
church in Quebec. This book, published simultaneously
in English and in French, is the account of one of the
leaders of the Reformed Church in the French-speaking
Canadian province of Quebec. Probably many of our
readers know relatively little about Quebec. Perhaps even
fewer know about the state and condition of the E.R.Q.
Zuidema’s book goes a long way to begin remedying that
ignorance. It is a must read for anyone interested to learn
about the work of the Reformed church and Reformed
Christians in Quebec.
In easy to read fashion, in the first part of the book the
author tells the story of David Craig’s life. Born in 1937,
he grew up in a Brethren church in Guelph, Ontario,
but through exposure to Reformed theology during his
university education, he embraced it and subsequently attached himself to The Presbyterian Church of Canada. In
1966, Craig became an ordained minister in that church.
Together with his wife, Nancy, they then set off as missionaries to Nigeria. After about two hard but very adventuresome years in Nigeria (even a near death experience),
and then several years for doctoral studies and to sharpen
French language skills in Switzerland, in 1976 the Craigs
returned to Canada where David took up the pastorate in
the St. Marc Presbyterian Church of Ste.-Foy--a suburb
of Quebec City. Here he poured his heart and soul into
ministry and evangelism, targeting especially students
from the nearby Laval University. In addition to preaching, the pastor began teaching students theology in his
basement, which was the beginning of the seminary now
known today as Institut Farel. In 1984, after eight years
at St. Marc, the Craigs moved to Trois-Rivieres to build
8 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
up a small church there. Then in 1994,
they made their final move to Repentigny,
near Montreal. This would be David’s last
pastoral charge until his untimely death in
2001.
Throughout his ministry, David Craig
emphasized the importance of a personal
relationship to the Lord as well as the need
to foster unity and love in the local church.
He vigorously promoted Presbyterian and
Reformed doctrine and was enthusiastically committed to evangelism, not just by
himself but through the church. One of his
favourite phrases was “vital Christianity,” by
which he meant on the one hand a Christianity that stressed the need for true conversion and at the same time a Christianity that
promoted an active life of sanctification and
witness. Another special passion for Craig
was promoting the unity of the Reformed
and Presbyterian churches in Quebec, including the Christian Reformed Church
and the Presbyterian Church in America.
He believed this would really boost the witness of the church in the province. Through
his and others’ efforts, in 1988, the E.R.Q.
was born.
This development was not without many
struggles, and sadly for Craig, he was unable to rally the support of his own federation, The Presbyterian Church of Canada.
One reason for this was the more conservative views of the E.R.Q., especially relating to women in office. Many in The
Presbyterian Church of Canada did not
share this conservatism. Zuidema reviews
the conflict in detail, outlining the ecclesiastical and theological issues very well.
In part 2 of the book, Dr. Zuidema focuses especially on the thought or teaching
of this Reformed theologian. An introductory chapter reviews Craig’s full-orbed
biblical, Protestant and Reformed theology. He was thoroughly committed to the
authority of Scripture. While he was acquainted very well with the liberalism of
his day, he soundly rejected it. One particular issue on which he uncompromisingly stood his ground was the ordination
of women. Scripture simply does not allow
this, he argued, and even forbids it. Craig
possessed a thoroughgoing historical consciousness that informed his preaching and
pastoral work as well as his goals in ministry in Quebec. He knew that he was heir
to a solidly scriptural and long-standing
heritage, particularly with the European
Reformation, and this knowledge greatly
encouraged him to carry on in ministry,
also through challenging times. He had a
grand vision for the Reformed church in
Quebec.
In the remaining chapters of this section,
Zuidema gathers a handful of writings —
some papers, a speech, a sermon­--from
David. These documents help to show
that Craig was a committed Christian, a
faithful minister, a man of Scripture, thoroughly historically informed, driven to see
God glorified in the church, especially in
the province of Quebec.
The book is dedicated to “young
Word & Deed seeks to help people in need by
bringing aid in the name of Jesus Christ.
Christians throughout la belle
This is done through spiritual and physical help.
province.” Zuidema explains in
WORD & DEED PROJECTS EMPHASIZE: his preface that David Craig’s life
s!FOCUSONTHEGOSPELANDDISCIPLESHIP
and ministry not only serve as a
s!RELIANCEONINDIGENOUSPARTNERSHIPS
(they know the language and culture best)
model for Christian ministers,
s!GOALOFSELFSUFlCIENCYTEACHTHEMTOlSH
but for all Christians, especially
Word & Deed supports 5,500 orphans in Malawi,
CHILD SPONSORSHIP IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES PROVID young Christians. There is a great
ing a Christian education, basic medical care, a
need in Quebec for models like
warm meal and a uniform), agricultural projects,
AN()6!)$3HOSPICEVOCATIONALTRAININGAHOME David Craig, men (and women)
for recovering substance abusers, disaster relief,
to whom the rising generation
and much more.
can look, “whose faith follow”
There are opportunities to sponsor a child, or a
PROJECT!SWELLBUSINESSGROUPSAREBEINGSETUP (Heb. 13:7). We pray that will
to sponsor projects with representatives of those
be the result for everyone readgroups visiting the projects. Please call toll free
TOlNDOUTMORESEEBELOW7ITHYOURHELPWE ing this book, whether young or
can make a world of difference in thousands of
old, anglophone or francophone.
lives.
CANADA OFFICE: Toll Free 877.375.9673 May the Lord mightily build up
0/"OX3T4HOMAS/..0(
and bless the E.R.Q.
EMAILOFlCE WORDANDDEEDORG
U.S.A. OFFICE: Toll Free 866.391.5728
0/"OX(UDSONVILLE-)
EMAILUSOFlCE WORDANDDEEDORG
Website: www.wordanddeed.org
M
Rev. Joel Overduin is the pastor
of the Free Reformed Church of
Mitchell, Ontario.
TEACHERS NEEDED
JORDAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
is receiving applications for the coming
2009-2010 school year.
Situated in a rural setting near St. Catharines,
Jordan Christian School is a small school offering a Reformed academic K-12 education. As we
prepare for the coming season, we are looking for
dedicated, versatile teachers who desire to join our
teaching team.
Please send your application for our review to either the principal, or the secretary of the Education
Committee. Please include your resume, philosopy
of education, and statement of faith, along with a
cover letter.
Principal: Mark Fintelman
[email protected].
Education Committee Secretary: John Berman
[email protected].
Jordan Christian School
4171 15th St., Jordan Station
Ontario, Canada, L0R 1S0.
THE BOARD OF OXFORD REFORMED
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
invites applications for elementary and secondary
teaching positions for the 2009/2010 school year.
Oxford Reformed Christian School is currently located in a rural setting 20 minutes south of Woodstock in Springford, Ontario. We are a parent-run
school serving the needs of several local Reformed
communities and have been operating for four
years. Our present enrolment is 208 students and
we offer Kindergarten to grade 12.
We have a need for qualified, energetic elementary
and secondary teachers to join our staff team. All
applicants committed to the Reformed faith and to
Christian education are encouraged to apply.
Applications should include a resume, statement of
faith, philosophy of Christian education, and references. Send to:
Oxford Reformed Christian School
c/o Mr. J. Beeke (Board President)
308 Church St., P.O. Box 68
Springford, ON, N0J 1X0
[email protected]
THE CHRISTIAN
COUNSELLING CENTRE
Toll Free Telephone:
1-866-833-2741
Mailing Address: 7038 Longwoods Road
P.O. Box 503, Lambeth Station, London, ON N6P 1R1
Executive Director/Counsellor:
Henk C. Van Dooren,
MSW, Adv.Dip.SW, CSW
For an appointment to see a counsellor, please
call one of the following offices:
Burlington: Tel. (905) 632-2317
3425 Harvester Road, Units 20 & 21
Burlington, ON L7N 3N1
Lambeth (near London):
Tel. (519) 652-2770
7038 Longwoods Rd. (corner hwy. 2 & 4)
The Messenger -
Index 2008
volume 55
TITLE
AUTHOR
Articles
Church History
The Scottish Communion Season (1)
Dr D. Murray
The Scottish Communion Season (2)
Dr. D. Murray
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Messenger of
Grace (1)
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
A Testimony For All The Congregations Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Messenger of
Grace (2)
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Christian Living
God’s Design for Marriage
A Return to Family Worship (1)
A Biblical Case for Family Worship (2)
Family Worship, Duties, Parts,
Expectations (3)
A Call To Modesty In Dress
Basic Training for Our Children (1)
Basic Training for Our Children (2)
YEAR
Issue
page
08-06-11
08-07-12
08-08-07
08-08-10
08-09-08
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Rev. J. Lewis
Rev. J. Lewis
08-01-10
08-01-16
08-02-10
Rev. J. Lewis
Mrs. Joni Bouma,
Mrs. Corrie Neven
Rev. J. Lewis
Rev. J. Lewis
08-04-07
08-06-10
08-08-18
08-11-07
Mr. J. Musala
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
Education
Position on Christian Education
Youth & Ed. Committee 08-07-08
Ethical/Practical Issues
A Heart for Evangelism
Family Visitation
Christian Stewardship
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
08-03-14
08-04-12
08-06-16
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-02-08
Rev. G.R. Procee
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-03-08
08-04-10
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-06-14
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-07-16
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-08-16
Dr. D. Murray
08-01-12
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
08-02-12
08-04-14
08-05-09
Experiential Matters
Revivals: the Korean Revival of
Pyongyang (1)
Revivals: The Korean Revival of
Pyongyang (2)
Communion with God
Revivals in North America: The Great
Revival of 1857 in New York
Revivals in North America: the Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada Revival of 1857
Revivals in North America: Do We Need
Revival Today?
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk 08-01-08
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk 08-02-14
08-05-07
08-05-11
Bible Study
The Godly Woman – Proverbs 31
The Benefits and Blessings of Serious
Bible Study
The Parables of Christ (1) Introduction
The Parables of Christ (2) Introduction
Esther 1: When the Wrong Seems Oft
So Strong
Esther 2: When the Church is Captive
to the World
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
08-09-10
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
08-11-11
Book/Video/CD Reviews
The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker
Rev. C. Pronk
08-02-06
YEAR
Issue
page
The Law of Kindness by Mary Beeke
Mrs. F. Pronk
New Free Reformed Publications: Open
Windows, Psalmody Through the Ages,
Daily Devotional (youth), Daily Devotional
(adults), Handbook for Legal Matters,
Bible Lessons for Juniors (new edition),
A Guide forFamily Worship, Bible
Study-Obadiah and Micah
Insert: Free Reformed Publications
Children’s Bible Curriculum on CD
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
The Dort Study Bible (Volume IV)
Rev. G.R. Procee
And They Sing a New Song – About
Psalms and Hymns by C. Van der Waal Mr. Ted Postma
Notable books from our Heritage: No
Other Foundation, Concise Reformed
Dogmatics, The Church’s Book of
Comfort, 365 Days with Calvin, Their
Lives and Your Life
Various authors
08-03-11
Church Life
Gleanings from the Churches – Grand
Rapids; Rev. C.A. Schouls 30 years in
the Ministry
Rev. J. Overduin
Installation Rev. E. Moerdyk in Abbotsford,
BC, November 9, 2007
Mrs. Linda Howard
Gleanings from the Churches –
Chatham, London, St. Thomas (Micah
Pennings), Vineland
Rev. J. Overduin
Gleanings from the Churches – Pulpit
Supply, Speaker Evenings, Hosanna
Choir, Grand Rapids, London
Rev. J. Overduin
Celebrating Rev. Schouls’ 30 Years in
the Ministry
Mr. Rick Postma
Gleanings from the Churches Members in Military Service, Missions
Rev. J. Overduin
Gleanings from the Churches - Mexican
Migrant Ministry, Chilliwack, Langley,
Centenarians, Two Special Speeches,
One Special Presentation
Rev. J. Overduin
Gleanings from the Churches - Toronto
Mission, Update John Otten, Mrs.
Catherine Lewis, Fraser Valley Bible
Conference
Rev. J. Overduin
Gleanings from the Churches - Summer
Camps, Micah Pennings, “Live”
Worship Services
Rev. J. Overduin
Vineland: Celebrating 50 Years Focus on Youth: Youth Camp 2008
Colin Postma
Gleanings from the Churches
Rev. J. Overduin
Rev. Pronk – 40 Years in the Ministry
Dr. L.W. Bilkes
Gleanings from the Churches Abbotsford, Monarch, St. Thomas,
Church Day, Other Conferences
Rev. J. Overduin
Dedication of the New Church Building
of Bethel FRC, Monarch, AB
Mrs. Renita Timmerman
Gleanings from the Churches - Vineland,
Reformation Rallies, Ladies’ Event
Rev. J. Overduin
Celebrating 50 Years – London, ON
Conferences, Reports and Meetings
Opening of Peace Haven Home
Free Reformed Preaching Conference 2008Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
08-06-22
08-07
08-07-18
08-08-15
08-09-07
08-11-09
08-01-07
08-01-22
08-02-07
08-03-07
08-03-08
08-04-10
08-05-12
08-06-13
08-07-14
08-08-02
08-08-12
08-08-14
08-09-12
08-09-19
08-10-10
08-10-11
08-11-02
08-06-02
08-10-07
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 9
Current Issues
Testing All Things: The Standards
Testing All Things: The Method
How Most Middle Easterners View The
War In Iraq
Testing All Things: Grace
TITLE
AUTHOR
The Messenger volume 55
TITLE
AUTHOR
Editorials
Culture Wars: Should We Be Involved
In Them And If So, How? (2)
Quarrels Among Christians
The Christian’s Great Interest (1)
The Christian’s Great Interest (2)
Is It Possible To Be A Christian Without
The Holy Spirit? (1)
Is It Possible To Be A Christian Without
The Holy Spirit? (2)
Environmentalism: The Religion of the
Twenty-first Century
Handling Conflict With Grace
The Katrina That Hit Wall Street
The Two Witnesses And Their Disturbing
Message
Christ’s Two Appearances
Index 2008
Rev. C. Pronk
Rev. C. Pronk
Rev. C. Pronk
Rev. C. Pronk
08-01-05
08-02-05
08-03-05
08-04-05
Rev. C. Pronk
08-05-05
Rev. C. Pronk
08-06-05
Rev. C. Pronk
Dr. G.M. Bilkes
Rev. C. Pronk
08-07-05
08-08-05
08-09-05
Rev. C. Pronk
Rev. C. Pronk
08-10-05
08-11-05
Interchurch Relations
Herstelde Hervormde Kerk (Restored
Reformed Church)
Mr. Connor Keuning
Mr. David Zadok of CWI, CMI, Da Costa
Fonds permitted to preach in the FRC
Mr. Connor Keuning
Dr. Adriaan Neele, Associate Director
of the Jonathan Edwards Centre at Yale
University permitted to preach in the
FRC
Mr. Connor Keuning
10 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
Meditations
God Fills Empty Vessels,
2 Kings 4:1-7
One Thing that Shouldn’t Surprise Us,
John 3:6-7
A Captive Set Free,
Luke 8:26-39
The Lord’s Day or the Christian Sabbath,
Exodus 20:8a
The Lord’s Promise to His Weary People,
Isaiah 25:8-9
Christ in Life and Death,
Philippians 1:21
Where Art Thou?
Genesis 3:9
The God of Balaam’s Donkey,
Psalm 76:10
A Prayer For Thanksgiving Day and
Reformation Day, Nehemiah 13:31b
Habakkuk Clings and Sings,
Habakkuk 3:17-19
The Light of God Shines in the World,
Isaiah 9:2
YEAR
Issue
page
08-03-12
08-05-02
08-08-02
Rev. C. Pronk
08-01-02
Dr. L. W. Bilkes
08-02-03
Rev. K. Gangar
08-03-03
Rev. G. Hamstra
08-04-03
Rev. J. Koopman
08-05-03
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
08-06-03
Rev. J. Lewis
08-07-03
Rev. E. Moerdyk
08-08-03
Rev. H. Overduin
08-09-03
Rev. J. Overduin
08-10-03
Rev. G.R. Procee
08-11-03
Ministerial Calls and Biographies
Rev. D. Kranendonk of Bornholm, ON,
receives a call from Pompton Plains, NJ
Rev. H. Bergsma of London, ON,
underwent successful surgery
Interview With Pastor Wim Wullschleger Rev. H. Overduin
Th.M. Degrees: Rev. D. Kranendonk
and Rev. P. VanderMeyden
Rev. J. Overduin
Rev H. Overduin of Chilliwack, BC,
declinesthe calls extended by Chatham
and Fenwick
08-01-01
08-01-01
08-05-18
08-06-09
08-07-02
TITLE
AUTHOR
YEAR
Issue
page
Rev. E. Everts, missionary on loan serving
in Cubulco, Guatemala received and accepts
call to the CGK of Deventer, The Netherlands
08-08-02
Mission News/Evangelism
Plowing Match Report 2007
Mr. A. Warren
Christian Ministry to Israel (CMI)
Rev. D.H. Kranendonk
Mission News Insert, April 2008
From the Editor
Mr. R. Postma
Update from the Kattenbergs
Mr. N. Kattenberg
Update from the Herfsts
Rev. Ken & Jackie Herfst
Treasurer’s Report
Mr. P. Luth
Radio Broadcast Insert
New Stations and Responses, Messages
in Punjabi Language, Support
Rev. H. Overduin The Church In The Shadows: The
Reformed Church in Guatemala
Rev. E. Everts
Ken & Jennifer van Minnen commissioned
as Education Director to Guatemala
Initial Impressions of Guatemala
Mr. W. Bout
Commissioning Service for Ken van
Minnen
Mr. R. Postma
Punjabi Radio Broadcast
Rev. E. Moerdyk
Foreign Missions – Treasurer Report
Mr. P. Luth
08-09-15
08-10-09
08-10-10
News Notes & Comments
January
February
March
April
May
June
July/August
September
October
November
December
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
08-01-21
08-02-19
08-03-23
08-04-19
08-05-23
08-06-21
08-07-23
08-08-23
08-09-22
08-10-12
08-11-13
Poems
Safely Through Another Week
A Mighty Fortress
John Newton
Dr. Martin Luther
08-04-04
08-09-21
Refugee Committee
Why Sponsor Refugees? (1) Spiritual
Motivations
Why Sponsor Refugees? (2) Interview
The Crisis Behind Refugee Sponsorship
Rev. E. Moerdyk
Mr. Bert Bos
Rev. E. Moerdyk
08-01-14
08-03-16
08-05-16
08-01-24
08-03-18
08-04-01
08-04-02
08-04-03
08-04-04
08-05
08-05-14
08-06-02
08-09-14
Theological Education
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Mr. H. Kleyn
08-05-08
Youth Page
January
February
March
April
May
June
July/August
September
October
November
December
08-01-18
08-02-16
08-03-20
08-04-16
08-05-20
08-06-18
08-07-20
08-08-20
08-09-16
08-10-13
08-11-15
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Mrs. Doreen Tamminga
Book Review
Combatting the World’s
Influence on our Children
By Mr. Jack Westerink
World-Proof Your Kids: Raising Children Unstained by the World by Timothy A. Sisemore; published by Christian
Focus Publications Ltd., Geanies House,
Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire, IV20 1TW, Great
Britain, 2007; www.christianfocus.com;
paperback, 208 pages.
parents fight for the spiritual lives of their
children in a postmodern world. The
church plays a vital role in giving parents
biblical guidance on being more intentional in teaching and raising children in
the faith.
Although Sisemore does not endorse
frequent TV watching, movies, and video
games, in fact he warns of the dangers of
violence, bad language, and sexuality in the
media, the frequent references and lengthy
quotations that he takes from these sources makes one think that it is an unavoidable part of Christian living. We do have
choices to make for our family. He uncritically quotes from theologian N.T. Wright
(p.166) who promotes the New Perspective on Paul (NPP), and refers to Bishop
Desmond Tutu as an example of Christian
testimony, which is rather thin ice.
This book can be useful reading for parents of children at all age levels. There is
enough material for a complete season for
a Bible study group. Perhaps the leader
should prepare a list of discussion questions at the end of each chapter, because
these are not included. This book is recommended by Mark Johnston (Senior Pastor
of Grove Chapel, London, England) and
Sinclair B. Ferguson (Senior Pastor of 1st
Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South
Carolina, USA).
Mr. Jack Westerink is the principal of Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown, Ontario.
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 11
Dr. Timothy A. Sisemore is one of America’s leading child and adolescent Christian
psychologists. As he began his practice, he
quickly learned that most Christian families who came to him for help were fighting for the spiritual lives of their children.
The enemy of the Christian family is no
longer distant, visible, and out there, but
increasingly it is “like the fight against
terrorism” (p.6) with lines not so clearly
drawn, and the fight is within the borders
of our churches and homes.
The main thesis of this book is that
children from Christian homes are being
stained by the influences of the world.
Much of the book is spent looking at how
the stains of the world impact the lives of
our children. “The purpose of this book is
to help Christians who care for children,
be you parents, grandparents, teachers,
ministers, counsellors, or church leaders...
to consider the fruit of the Spirit as goals
for our children, and to examine the ways
of the world as they would hinder these
fruits.” (p.15)
Sisemore writes from a Reformed Presbyterian perspective, referring to the Westminster Confessions, holding to the doc-
trines of total depravity, the need for forgiveness, regeneration, and the sovereignty
of God. He describes various situations
that challenge Christian parents. Children
are born in sin and thus are affected by a
sinful nature. The grace of God is needed to overcome it through regeneration.
“The most troubling sign in our prodigals
is when there is a lack of conflict in their
souls, when they simply don’t care that
they are sinning.” (p.31)
He explains that many Christian parents
practice “reactive parenting,” which is the
tendency to let children be unless they do
something bad. It is like being a policeman, enforcing the rules, but not teaching
proper thinking and behaviour. We major
in don’ts and are weak on the do’s. Such
parenting denounces the lust of the flesh
without exalting the goal of bearing the
Spirit’s fruit. The most successful parents
exercise control over their children’s behaviour and they nurture their children
from the Word of God.
Each of the Christian fruits as we find
them in Galatians 5:22-23 are discussed in
a separate chapter: love (Ch.4), joy (Ch.5),
peace (Ch.6), patience (Ch.7), kindness
(Ch.8), goodness (Ch.9), faithfulness
(Ch.10), gentleness (Ch.11), and self-control (Ch.12). These chapters end with suggestions for application of the principles
learned to the lives of pre-school children,
elementary children, and teenagers.
In the conclusion of the book, Sisemore
considers ways that the church can help
Biography
DR. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES
Messenger of Grace (3)
12 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
The Importance Of Sermon Preparation
The Best Possible Preparation
In chapter 4, Iain Murray shows Dr. LloydJones at work preparing his sermons. He
was convinced that “the Spirit generally
uses a man’s best preparation.” Basic to his
sermon preparation were his outlines, or
“skeletons.” If in reading the Scriptures a
particular verse stood out, struck and arrested him, he would stop, listen, speak
to it, then in his mind work out a skeleton for a sermon and put it down on a
scribbling-pad. From there on his mind
would be constantly turning on this one
idea. While travelling by train, he would
work on the outline. If in the morning,
while shaving and dressing, thoughts occurred strongly to him, he would go to his
study and put these down. He regarded
a skeleton as the hardest part of sermon
preparation. Although “further meditation and writing would fill out the main
thoughts,” the skeleton contained “‘the
real substance of what he meant to say,
and what his hearers would carry away”
(p.87).
Next, he would read the Puritans, the
practical and experiential preachers, who
had great pastoral interest in and care for
the people. Reading them would not only
give him knowledge and information,
but affect him personally. “Don’t read to
get preaching material; reading is first to
feed the preacher, and to make him think
originally” (p.106). In his Preaching and
Preachers (pp.173-175), he refers to Richard Sibbes who was balm to his soul at a
period in his life when he was overworked
and subject to onslaughts of the devil. His
books, The Bruised Reed and The Soul’s
Conflict quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged and healed him.
Murray supplies three reasons for the
importance of the practice of skeleton
preparation. (1) This preparation can be
done at any time and in any place. (2)
A clear skeleton is easily memorized and
becomes a helpful outline for a sermon
which the preacher knows by heart. (3)
A logical outline enhances the simplicity
of preaching. The whole sermon is to be
shaped and structured according to a few
leading ideas which are logically connected and then carried to a very clear conclusion. Murray gives various examples of
M. Lloyd-Jones’ sermon skeletons (pp.9092).
latians, who hath bewitched you, that ye
should not obey the truth, before whose
eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set
forth, crucified among you?” The minister spoke much about “bewitching,” and
focused on things that could and did
side-track the congregation. But he left
out the highlight of the text--Jesus Christ
evidently set forth and crucified among
us. That is what he should have focused
on. There is no hope of attracting outsiders while those inside the church are as
they are (pp.101, 102).
Sermons That Inspire
Chapter 5 contains Murray’s notes of a
memorable address given by Dr. LloydJones as chairman of the Westminster Fellowship of Ministers on October 9, 1968.
Due to illness (from which he had recovered following surgery), Dr. Lloyd-Jones
had not preached at all for six months
but instead had been a listener for four
months. As a listener, his general impression was that for people, church services
tended to be terribly depressing. To him,
the general feeling of those who did go to
church was that they went out of habit and
that the minister, sensing this, thought
that he must be short. Thus people came
together in order to depart.
Dr. M. Lloyd-Jones considered it a
privilege to be a listener, desiring for his
soul to sense the presence God and to
worship Him. As a listener he regarded
the greatest danger to be that of professionalism which is characterized by a
well-prepared, properly structured, and
professionally delivered sermon, but
without any fire. Consequently, listeners were not set on fire either. He heard a
sermon on Galatians 3:1, “O foolish Ga-
Labouring to Have a Message
“What is wrong with us?” he asked. He
answered: “Our approach is wrong.” The
liberals “start with what people are interested in.” For us the “danger is to forget
people altogether. Our ideas, and the results of our preaching, suggest we have
not thought about the people at all. We
are too objective.” At one time evangelical
preaching was too subjective; now it has
become too objective. This constitutes “a
mechanical approach.”
While in favour of expository preaching and presenting a series of sermons,
Lloyd-Jones recognized that it could be
done inappropriately, i.e. not taking into
account the condition of the hearers. As
a result, ministers may treat a passage excellently, but fail to present a message to
his listeners. When expository preaching
becomes a running commentary, it is no
longer a sermon. What is the difference?
In addition to its form, a sermon should
also have an application. The concern of a
preacher should be firstly to have a message and secondly to put it into the best
possible form for delivery. This was the
glory of the preaching of Charles Haddon
Spurgeon. It had form, thrust, and impact
of message (p.103). It was the glory of the
preaching of Robert M‘Cheyne. He had
the burden of his people on his soul. He
came from God with a message (p.104).
M
Dr. Lawrence Bilkes is pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Richard Sibbes.
The Psalter With Guitar Chords: Large Print Version
All the Psalters, numbers 1 through 450, including the Genevan tunes, with guitar chord illustrations are available in a large spiral-bound booklet (8-1/2 x 11 inches). Some arrangements have the
melody indicated by the numerical position of the note in the scale of the chord that is played.
The cost is $35.00 (including tax), plus shipping and handling.
Order from Hans Deboer (member Vineland Free Reformed Church) at 905 957 8645 or
e-mail: [email protected]
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 13
Fire in the Pulpit
Assessing the whole situation, Lloyd-Jones
emphasized that the ministers of the Word
are to preach what is most profitable for
the people. If they preach without moving
the people, they fail. They must not merely present “excellent lectures on doctrine.”
Neither may they take it for granted that
those sitting under their preaching are already enjoying the Christian life and are
able to convict others. Ministers of the
Word must start with themselves. Do they
know anything of this fire, and, if not,
what are they doing in the pulpit?
Looking back over his own preaching,
Lloyd-Jones stated that one defect in his
own preaching was that at times it had
been too demanding in terms of content.
The danger lay in preaching that addresses
the mind but not the whole person. “We
are to be like a mother feeding her child:
she studies both the food and the amount.
There is nobody hopeless; all can grasp
doctrines. But we have to cook it well, and
make it as attractive as we can.” We are to
“use history and anecdotes as illustrations”
(p.105).
The burden of the sermon also has to
involve the minister’s entire personality. A
medical specialist once said to Dr. LloydJones that he was puzzled that unconverted
people could evidently enjoy his preaching. Lloyd-Jones himself was not puzzled:
“They are attracted by the presentation,
and that should be attractive (as Whitefield’s preaching was to Benjamin Franklin). Let us present the sermon the best we
can--the best language, the best of everything. We have … the curious notion, It’s
the doctrine that matters, and ignore this.
With the message we have, we may not be
cold, lifeless, and dull” (p.106).
Dr. Lloyd-Jones also said: “I am also
troubled about our praying, and what passes as prayer. Prayer should not be a confession of faith--a recital of doctrine; that is
spiritual poverty. No, in prayer, we are to
assume all this doctrine” (p.105).
For what is grace
but the beams
of Christ,
the Sun
of Righteousness.
Gleanings from the Churches
14 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
Vineland, Ontario
The following words--a brief reflection of
Rev. Vander Meyden, pastor of Vineland
Free Reformed church--appeared in
Vineland’s November 9 bulletin. No doubt
the questions raised here are questions for
all our churches and church members as we
seek to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ
in the 21st century. Perhaps reading them
will spark healthy consistorial and congregational conversations as well as together
painstaking searching of the Scriptures and
above all earnest prayers to the Lord that
we may be (afresh and more and more) a
federation with a great vision for the glory
of God in the earth and the promotion
of the Name and grace and praise of the
Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. VanderMeyden writes, “Thinking of the future,
I just want to mention something about
‘church vision.’ We read in Proverbs 29:18,
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This word “vision” is not referring to
some human ideas, dreams or goals. But
it describes a God-given oracle, a revelation by which the Lord’s covenant people
are guided. Do we have a biblical “vision”
for being a church? Why are we a church
and what is our mission? Are we as a congregation sharing the same vision for our
church life and its ministry? What does our
church membership mean for our daily life?
Are we living, contributing members shining as lights in the community? Or are we
formalistic spectators in the pews? What is
a church? What does Christ want us to be
and do? As a consistory we want to reflect
together on this question of vision in the
next couple of months. We would welcome
the prayerful support and thoughtful involvement of the congregation in this process of self-examination and reflection.”
Evangelism in the (far) West
Here are some notes about the work of
evangelism as it is happening through the
efforts of our churches in British Columbia.
They are collated here for us all to learn
and also to pray for the blessing of God to
crown the gospel seeds that are sown in
so many ways and among so many people. The congregation of Langley, noting
the usefulness of the Internet to advertise
and inform, is at work to set up a church
website. In addition, the congregation has
purchased 500 copies of the evangelistic brochure, Ultimate Questions by John
Blanchard. The aim is to distribute these
in the area surrounding their church building. While we encourage visitors to attend
any one of our services, and Langley does
too, starting December 2008, for the last
service of every month, the congregation
is especially encouraged to bring visitors
and neighbours, as current interim pastor,
Tom Aicken, will preach a very simple evangelistic message. Finally, the Langley congregation takes responsibility for manning
the Banner of Truth radio broadcast booth
at the yearly MissionsFest occurring every
January in Vancouver. This year, that booth
will also promote the new Punjabi broadcast of Rev. Gangar.
A recent note in the Abbotsford bulletin
advertises an “Outreach to the Seafarers.” The congregation is collecting items
like new gloves, scarves, toques, toiletries,
as well as suitable reading material. Long
days on open seas may give plenty of opportunities for reading. And if we can put in
the hands of sailors good reading and even
the Scriptures, who knows how God may
bless the gospel seed! Also in December,
a number of the congregation organized a
day to locate and reach out with food and
blankets and the Scriptures to homeless
people in the area.
Finally, the Chilliwack congregation’s
“College and Career” group occasionally
travels to Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
This is a part of the city well known for its
large number of “down-and-out” people.
Chilliwack’s young adults go there to hand
out clothes, blankets and winter apparel,
as well as sandwiches. They also distribute
Christian tracts with the hope of making
an impact with the gospel of Jesus in the
lives of the people they meet. In addition
to ministry in Vancouver, the congregation is involved in the Ruth & Naomi center to help the needy of Chilliwack. Once
a month, members of the congregation
spend an evening preparing and serving
food, cleaning up afterwards, and interacting with the people who come in for
a meal. These seemingly mundane acts of
By Rev. J. Overduin
service may nevertheless be concrete ways
to show the love of the Lord Jesus for very
poor and needy people. Another interesting
work during the Christmas season is the
organization of a one-day Vacation Bible
school. Following the format of the more
commonly known summer VBS, the focus
is, however, on the true message of Christmas.
Of course, the most important ministry,
and that to which all our “deed” ministry
ought to lead, is “word” ministry, or the
ministry of the Word. In that connection,
not only do we have our worship services
that we attend and during which we hear
the Word of the Lord, but in addition to
that, through technology, and specifically
the Internet, we are able to broadcast the
Word all over the world. This is well known
and has been mentioned here before. But
one note from a recent Chilliwack bulletin
is worth sharing. Entitled “Sermonaudio
Report” it reads as follows: “There have
been nearly 10,000 downloads of the 188
sermons we have listed on Sermonaudio. In
October alone we had 198 downloads from
individuals in China. Also while we were
worshipping in Church we had listeners in
eleven countries listening along with us.
Do you have family members, neighbours
or friends who are currently not attending a church or unable to do so because of
health or other reasons? Why not encourage them to listen! To retrieve our sermons
or to listen live go to www.sermonaudio.
com/chilliwackfrc. May God bless this internet ministry.”
These are astounding numbers--10 000
downloads of 188 sermons! And to think
that while the congregation is in worship,
believers from around the world--in Chilliwack’s case, eleven countries--are together
with you in worship. Others of our congregations broadcasting via sermonaudio
are able to report similarly. One additional
interesting and rather staggering but nevertheless true detail gleaned from a more
recent St. George, Ontario bulletin (with a
similar report as Chilliwack) is that people
from 65 different countries have accessed
their sermons since they were posted on
the Internet. When we hear these numbers,
don’t we have to say: What tremendous
Music Notes
Children Singing Psalms and Joyful
Songs
opportunities to proclaim the everlasting
gospel! And again, who knows how the
Lord may be blessing His Word through
precisely this means, also in lands and nations where the gospel is not able so freely
to sound perhaps, but where people can
access it still and hear it over the Internet.
Let us continue to pray for God’s blessing
on this relatively new outreach. “O God, to
us show mercy and bless us in Thy grace;
Cause Thou to shine upon us the brightness
of Thy face; That so Thy way most holy on
earth may soon be known, and unto ev’ry
people thy saving grace be shown” (Psalter
176:1).
Evangelism Seminar
The Zion Free Reformed Church of Fenwick,
Ontario is hosting a four-part seminar
run by Vineland’s pastor VanderMeyden.
The seminar is called, “The Message and
Methods of God Centered Witnessing,”
and it follows Will Metzger’s study guide
entitled, Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel
to the Whole Person by Whole People. The
seminar promises to be very challenging
May God bless it so much that all who
attend are better equipped, enabled and
encouraged to bear witness to Him--our
Lord Jesus Christ--through whom alone is
everlasting life.
We are used to having various kinds of music CDs, but it is rather unusual to have
an all-music DVD that shows the choir members as they sing, and the accompanists
and the conductor. It is even more unusual that children sing the Psalms, all in Genevan tunes, with the words in English. And the tunes are not all well-known ones,
such as Psalms 25 or 68, but there are many that are unfamiliar. This is what you
can see and hear on the first DVD of the 2-part set. Instrumental accompaniment is
mostly by an impressive pipe organ, but also includes a violin, viola, and cello. Solos
by a mellow baritone and a sweet soprano voice add variety.
The second DVD shows the “Children of Asaph” choir singing a variety of folk
songs. This singing is accompanied with beautiful pictures of scenery along the Athabasca River in Alberta. With the visual treat for your eyes are fun songs such as
“Christopher Columbus” and the well-known “This Land is Your Land,” but also
English translations from popular Dutch folk songs such as “In’t Groene Dal,” as
well as the Dutch national anthem, “William of Nassau” (Wilhelmus van Nassouwe). Variety is achieved with some solo voices and instrumental music.
The DVDs are accompanied with CDs. The songs, whether Genevan Psalms or
folk songs, are sung in a harmonious but sprightly fashion. We commend the initiators and performers for their accomplishment in passing on this Dutch Reformed
musical heritage, while at the same time creatively assimilating it with the AngloCanadian culture. Well done--will be enjoyed by young and old.
Frederika Pronk
Hope Centre
Covenant Christian Church Mission Outreach (Hope Centre) formerly known as the Toronto Mission or Hope Centre invites applications for the position of volunteer mission worker starting on or about July 1st. 2009. The mission, under the supervision of
Covenant Christian Church (URC) of Wyoming Ontario, seeks to bring the Gospel to the
South East Asians residing in the Etobicoke area of Toronto.
The position has been a valuable learning experience for pre-seminary and seminary
students.The volunteer would be asked to serve a term of up to six months. The worker
would assist Rev. Tony Zekveld and Peter Nathaniel by developing relations with SA
youth groups, tutoring SA children, door to door distribution of fliers, one on one Bible
instruction, and general administrative duties around the Hope Center.
Qualified young men who seek to serve in the field of Reformed Christian Missions, who
submit to Scripture as summarized by the Reformed Confessions, and who are interested in a short term mission experience, are invited to submit a resume, a statement of
faith, and letters of reference (including one from your church consistory) to:
Covenant Christian Church • PO Box 774, Wyoming, ON N0N 1T0
ATTN: Toronto Mission Committee
Church e-mail [email protected]
For more information and detailed job description contact the Church at (519) 845-0758
or Pastor Tony Zekveld at (416) 740 0172 or [email protected].
The MESSENGER • January 2009 • 15
London, Ontario
This month, the London congregation is
planning a special celebration to commemorate their 50th anniversary. The date
is Friday, January 16, beginning at 7:30
p.m., to which all current members, as well
as former members and friends are invited.
Congratulations, congregation of London!
We wish you the Lord’s abundant blessings
for another 50 years to come.
London’s celebration marks an end, for
a while at least, before any other of our
congregations may celebrate 50 years. The
next congregation in line to mark 50 years
is Langley, B.C. But that celebration won’t
be held, until, the Lord willing, and if the
Lord has not yet returned, the year 2030! In
the meantime, “except the LORD build the
house, they labour in vain that build it..”
(Ps. 127:1). Yet, He has promised, “I will
build my church...” (Matt. 16:18).
DVD+CD – With Joyful Psalm and Song –
The Children of Asaph Sing Anglo-Genevan Psalms.
DVD+CD – Along the Athabasca River - The Children of
Asaph Sing Folksongs from round the World.
Each DVD is available separately from Inheritance Publications, Box 154,
Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0 Canada; email [email protected];
cost is $29.95 each.
Family Ads
birth l
With humble adoration
to the Lord,
Adrian and Leanne vanDrongelen
give thanks for the birth of
another covenant child,
SETH
on November 24, 2008,
weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz.
A new brother to love for
Jacob, Leah, Anna and Josiah.
“O give thanks to the Lord for
He is good.” Ps. 136:1
Home Address:
2065 Hwy #5
Troy,ON L0R 2B0
Email:
[email protected]
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16 The MESSENGER • January 2009 •
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