• Neal Boerkoel hopes to celebrate his 89th birthday on Thursday. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Ps. 62:8.
• The consistory is looking for volunteers to clean ‘zones’ of the church facility on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Please contact Will Heikoop or John Boerkoel if you can volunteer.
• The Titus 2 Women’s Group invites all women and girls to an Afternoon Tea to celebrate Elizabeth Rozeboom’s birthday. The Tea is planned for Saturday, August 15, 2:00-3:30pm, outdoors at the Bazen’s.  (In case of rain or extreme heat we will use the “new” room in the church basement.)

“Come from the four winds, O breath; and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’. Ezekiel 37:9.

The third thing in the text and doctrine to be spoken to, is the sort of life that is effected and wrought in the souls of God’s elect by these influences and breathings of the Holy Spirit.

It is a life of faith. The apostle calls it so, Gal. 2:20, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me; and gave himself for me.” And the just is said to live by faith. The man is ever embracing a Redeemer, and the fullness of the Godhead in him; always deriving fresh supplies out of that full treasury and store-house.

It is a life of justification. The law pronounces a curse against every one that “doth not continue in all things written in the book of the law to do them.” The believer gets this sentence of death canceled: Rom. 8:1. “There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” And not only so, but he has the everlasting righteousness of Immanuel God-man imputed to him: so that with a holy boldness he may challenge justice, and challenge the law, what they have to say against him, as the apostle does, Rom. 8:33: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?”

It is a life of reconciliation with God; God and they are at friendship; which follows naturally on their justification: Rom. 5:1: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” God does not retain the least grudge in his heart against them; and he and they walk together, because they are agreed: that is, they have fellowship one with another, according to that, 1 John 1:3: “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

It is a life of holiness and sanctification: for the Spirit of the Lord is a cleansing, purifying, and renewing Spirit: he renews the soul after the image of God; makes the heart, that was a “cage of unclean birds,” a fit temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in; he garnishes the soul, and makes it like the King’s daughter, all glorious within. They that had lain among the pots, become “like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.”

It is a very lightsome and comfortable life: and no wonder; for his name is The Comforter. His consolations are so strong, that they furnish the soul with ground of joy in the blackest and cloudiest day: Hab. 3:17, 18: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” And the joy that he gives is deep: “Your heart shall rejoice.” And it is abiding: “Your joy shall no man take from you.” And it is such as cannot be made language of: “We rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.”

It is a life of liberty; for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” He brings us into “the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” Before the Spirit comes with his saving influences, the man is in bondage; in bondage to sin, to Satan, to the law, and to the curse and condemnation of God: but the Spirit of the Lord frees from all these. Christ, by his Spirit, sets the captives of the mighty at liberty, and “delivers the prey from the terrible.”

It is a heavenly life; they are made to live above the world: “Our conversation is in heaven,” says the apostle. They look on themselves as pilgrims and strangers on the earth, and, therefore, look not so much to the things that are seen, as to the things that are not seen. With Moses, they “have respect unto the recompense of the reward;” their eyes are set upon the land that is very far off, and the King in his beauty.

• Give thanks to the Lord for Mr. and Mrs. Donny Walma as they were blessed last Thursday with a well born son, Desmond Donald.
• The consistory is looking for volunteers to clean ‘zones’ of the church facility on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Please contact Will Heikoop or John Boerkoel if you can volunteer.
• The Titus 2 Women’s Group invites all women and girls to an Afternoon Tea to celebrate Elizabeth Rozeboom’s birthday The Tea is planned for Saturday, August 15, 2:00-3:30pm, outdoors at the Bazen’s.  (In case of rain or extreme heat we will use the “new” room in the church basement.)
• Collections for the month of July:

General $11,594.51

Building $  1,293.50

CEF $     553.00

Benevolent $     806.00

Faculte de Theologie Evangelique $ 5,618.02

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

How condescending is the Lord of heaven, thus to visit poor forlorn man. The queen has kindly visited the hospitals of our soldiers to cheer, by her royal words, her loyal defenders, by this she has done herself honor, and her soldiers love her for it. But when the God of the whole earth, the infinite Creator, stoops to become a servant to his own creatures, can you conceive the majestic condescension which bows itself in mercy over the miserable heart, and with loving finger closes the gaping wounds of the spirit. Oh, sin-sick sinner! the King of heaven will not despise thee, but thou too shalt find him thy Comforter, who healeth all thy diseases. Mark, moreover, how tenderly he does it. You remember that passage in the Psalms: “Loving kindness and tender mercies.” God’s mercies are “tender mercies;” when he undertakes to bind up the broken in heart, he always uses the softest liniment. He is not like your army surgeon, who hurries along and says “A leg off here, an arm off there;” but he comes gently and sympathizingly. He does not use roughness with us; but with downy fingers he puts the wound together, and lays the plaster on; yea, he doth it in such a soft and winning way, that we are full of wonder to think he could be so kind to such unworthy ones.

Then he does it securely, so that the wound can not open again. If he puts on his plaster, it is heaven’s court-plaster, and it never fails. If he heals, he heals effectually. No man who is once saved of God shall ever be lost. If we receive mercy by faith, we shall never lose it. When God heals once, he heals forever. Although some who teach false doctrine do assert that children of God may be lost, they have no warrant in Scripture, nor in experience, for we know that he keeps the saints. He who is once forgiven, can not be punished. He who is once regenerated, can not perish. He who is once healed, shall never find his soul sick unto death. Blessings on his name, some of us have felt his skill, and known his mighty power; and were our hearts broken now, we would not stop a moment, but go at once to his feet, and we would cry, “O thou that bindest the broken in heart, bind ours; thou that healest wounds, heal ours, we beseech thee.”

It may be my words are now sounding in the ear of my weary wounded fellow-countrymen. You have been long time tossing on the bed of languishing, and the time for thought had been blessed to your soul by God. You are now feeling the guilt of your life, and are lamenting the sins of your conduct. You fear there is no hope of pardon, no prospect of forgiveness, and you tremble lest death should lead your guilty soul unforgiven before its Maker. Hear, then, the word of God. Thy pains for sins are God’s work in thy soul. He wounds thee that thou mayest seek him. He would not have showed thee thy sin if he did not intend to pardon. Thou art now a sinner, and Jesus came to save sinners, therefore he came to save thee; yea, he is saving thee now. These strivings of soul are the work of his mercy; there is love in every blow, and grace in every stripe. Believe, O troubled one, that he is able to save thee unto the uttermost, and thou shalt not believe in vain. Now, in the silence of your agony, look unto him who by his stripes heals thee. Jesus Christ has suffered the penalty of thy sins, and has endured the wrath of God on thy behalf. See you, yonder crucified Man on Calvary, and mark thee that those drops of blood are falling for thee, those nailed hands are pierced for thee, and that opened side contains a heart within it, full of love to thee.

“None but Jesus! none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good!”

C H Spurgeon

Service Information Sunday AM, 9:15am: student Chris Engelsma

Sermon: Not-Guilty in God’s Courtroom
Text: Romans 3:21-end

Psalter 429
Psalter 91
Psalter 362
Psalter 389

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Service Information Sunday PM, 6pm: student Chris Engelsma

Sermon: The Return of the Law
Text: Gal. 5:13-end; Q&A 86-7 Heidelberg Catechism

Psalter 336
Psalter 1
Psalter 428 vs6-9
Psalter 42

Announcements

• Please remember in pray Mr. Neal Boerkoel as he received a discouraging test result. The tests show that he has a degenerative neurological disorder and will need continued therapy.
• John Rademaker hopes to celebrate his 92^nd birthday on Wednesday. “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” Ps. 71:9.
• Please pray for protection and edification as we gather at the Family Camp on Tuesday and Wednesday at Cranhill Ranch in Rodney, MI. Student C. Engelsma and Student B. Hicks will present topics in the mornings and Mr. Arnie Blok will present a program about the William Cary Foundation on Tuesday evening.
• The mission collection this week is for Faculte de Theologie Evangelique(Montreal). This seminary is French speaking and is focused on bringing reformed seminary training to the French speaking world. Many countries have primarily French speaking populations. Rev. Dr. Meine Veldman is administrative dean and a systematic theology professor at the seminary.
• The consistory has decided to change the evening doxology to Psalter 195:3,4. We plan to change every six months or so that we can memorize a variety of Psalters over time.

 

AM Worship – 9:15am Dr. Mark Kelderman

Scripture Reading Matt. 23:1-13,23-29
Psalter 318:1,4,6,7
Psalter 332
Psalter 84
Psalter 71:1,3,5

 

PM Worship – 6pm Dr. Stephen Myers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Title: Free Riches for the Helpless
Psalter: 268
Psalter: 261
Psalter: 308
Psalter: 53

• Give thanks that Mrs. Jane Mast was able to return to Rest Haven Homes. She will be cared for in the ‘Love Wing’ until next week so they can be sure that it is safe for her to return to her own apartment.
• The installation of Don Vander Boon as elder, and John Boerkoel as deacon is scheduled during this evenings service.
• The mission collection next week is for Faculte de Theologie Evangelique(Montreal). This seminary is French speaking and is focused on bringing reformed seminary training to the French speaking world. Many countries have primarily French speaking populations. Rev. Dr. Meine Veldman is administrative dean and a systematic theology professor at the seminary.
• Plymouth Christian School in need of a part-time bus driver for the coming school year. Please consider this urgent need, so we can continue to provide transportation for the families.  Pleas contact Cindy Bazen at 616-862-5988 for more information.
• The Family Camp is scheduled next week Tuesday and Wednesday at Cranhill Ranch in Rodney, MI. Student C. Engelsma and Student B. Hicks will present topics in the mornings and Mr. Arnie Blok will present a program about the William Cary Foundation on Tuesday evening.
• The consistory asks that you please continue to follow our guidelines since Covid-19 is still a concern and is affecting our community.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

1. The Patients and their Sickness.

There is a special brokenness of heart to which Christ gives the very earliest and tenderest attention. He heals those whose hearts are broken for sin. Christ heals the heart that is broken because of its sin; so that it grieves, laments, regrets, and bemoans itself, saying, “Woe is me that I have done this exceeding great evil, and brought ruin upon myself! Woe is me that I have dishonored God, that I have cast myself away from his presence, that I have made myself liable to his everlasting wrath, and that even now his wrath abideth upon me!” If there is a man here whose heart is broken about his past life, he is the man to whom my text refers. Are you heart-broken because you have wasted forty, fifty, sixty years? Are you heart-broken at the remembrance that you have cursed the God who has blessed you, that you have denied the existence of him without whom you never would have been in existence yourself, that you have lived to train your family without godliness, without any respect to the Most High God at all? Has the Lord brought this home to you? Has he made you feel what a hideous thing it is to be blind to Christ, to refuse his love, to reject his blood, to live an enemy to your best Friend? Have you felt this? O my friend, I cannot reach across the gallery to give you my hand; but will you think that I am doing it, for I wish to do it? If there is a heart here broken on account of sin, I thank God for it, and praise the Lord that there is such a text as this: “He healeth the broken in heart”

Christ also heals hearts that are broken from sin. When you and sin have quarreled, never let the quarrel be made up again. You and sin were friends at one time; but now you hate sin, and you would be wholly rid of it if you could. You wish never to sin. You are anxious to be clear of the most darling sin that you ever indulged in, and you desire to be made as pure as God is pure. Your heart is broken away from its old moorings. That which you once loved you now hate. That which you once hated you now at least desire to love. It is well. I am glad that you are here, for to you is the text sent, “He healeth the broken in heart.”

If there is a broken-hearted person anywhere about, many people despise him. “Oh,” they say, “he is melancholy, he is mad, he is out of his mind through religion!” Yes, men despise the broken in heart, but such, O God, thou wilt not despise! The Lord looks after such, and heals them. C H Spurgeon

• Please pray for Mrs. Jane Mast. She suffered a fall and broke her femur bone. Surgery was performed on Wednesday and she was transferred to Mary Free Bed on Friday for rehabilitation.
• The installation of Don Vander Boon as elder, and John Boerkoel as deacon is scheduled during the Sunday evening service on July 19.
• The consistory has added an extra row of chairs on the main level to accommodate more people in the main sanctuary.
• Titus 2Womens Group plans to begin meetings again on August 19.
• Save the date for a Sumba fundraiser at the Meeuwse farm on Saturday, September 12.
• The offerings for June 2020 are as follows:

General $12,462.00

Benevolent $  1,281.00

CEF $     444.00

Building $  2,280.00

Family Camp $     200.00

William Carey Fdn $  4,802.00

• Family Camp is scheduled for July 28 and 29. Please make time for this opportunity for learning, fellowship, and activities. The absolute deadline for registration is tomorrow. Register online at providencereformed.org or by emailing Coral Hoffmann. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the location has been changed to Cranhill Ranch.