2025.06.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 15:20–24

Read Proverbs 15:20–24

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of son does what for whom (Proverbs 15:20a)? But who does what to whom else (verse 20b)? What is joyous to whom in Proverbs 15:21a? Who is his counterpart, and what does he do (verse 21b)? What is there a risk of lacking, and what happens in that case (Proverbs 15:22a)? How are plans established (verse 22b)? What can give a man joy (Proverbs 15:23a)? What sort of answer, specifically (verse 23b)? Whose way goes where (Proverbs 15:24a)? Turning away from where (verse 24b)? 

Who have true joy? Proverbs 15:20–24 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who rejoice in the Lord have true joy.  

The previous section (Proverbs 15:13-19) drove home the principle that one is made happy not by changed circumstances but by a changed heart. Now, the Scripture focuses upon some of those circumstances that themselves change, when the heart is changed, and how joyful they are to the godly heart.

Proverbs 15:20 reminds us of the introduction to this extended section of “proverbs of Solomon” (cf. Proverbs 10:1). But it rings a little differently in the context of a section that is focused upon joy. Just as the Christian must hate to grieve Christ, so the son should hate to grieve his parents. Christ is not robbed of joy, but how dreadful to grieve the most joyful Man there has ever been! And a godly father and mother have continual joy in the Lord (cf. Philippians 4:4), which makes it even better to be part of the Lord’s good gifts to them (Proverbs 15:20a), and even worse to be a grief to them. In fact, a man cannot rightly claim to love his mother if he is a fool; the willingness to grieve her by his folly demonstrates that he truly has little regard for her (verse 20b). 

Proverbs 15:21-22 describe the joyous path. It’s not the fool’s gold of the fool’s joy. He loves folly. He enjoys just letting himself go—as if the Lord doesn’t exist, and as if life from God, through God, and to God is not a weighty thing. This shows that he is heartless (Proverbs 15:21a, literally)—not in the way of being cruel, but in the way of being senseless about what is truly good and joyous. His plans do not go straight (Proverbs 15:22a), according to what is right, like those of the man in Proverbs 15:21b. By contrast, that man, the upright man, has the heart not only to desire the right way, but to value input from those whom the Lord has given him to guide him in that way (Proverbs 15:22b). So the upright man has joy in the Lord that desires what is right, joy in the counsel that directs him in what is right, and joy in the actual doing of what is right! This, of course, begins with that first set of counselors that Proverbs 15:20 had in view: the godly father and mother.

Proverbs 15:23-24 build upon this idea of the joy of receiving and following good counsel—and of coming to be the one who gives it as well. To the one who has joy in the Lord, he delights not only to learn the Lord’s ways, but to be used by the Lord to teach others (Proverbs 15:23a). As the Lord graces him and gifts him, his delight isn’t so much in himself as it is in the Lord, in those moments of speaking the right word, in the right way, at the right time (verse 23b). He rejoices, in part, because this skill that the Lord is growing in him is just one part of the Lord’s bringing him steadily to glory (Proverbs 15:24a)—a reminder that the good God is giving him the opposite of what he deserves (Proverbs 15:25b).

So, dear reader, it is possible that you may need a “joy transplant,” where you learn to delight, more in more, in those things that those people delight in, who delight themselves in the Lord. There are so many who wish to have the desires of their heart; the Bible recipe for that is to begin by delighting oneself in the Lord (cf. Psalm 37:4). 

What are your joys in life? Which joys would be greater? How can they become your joys? How greatly would you enjoy them? What evidence, in your life, do you have that the Lord is taking you to glory? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to us Your own joy—delight in You Yourself. Grant unto us to enjoy desiring that delight, being directed into that delight, and doing that which You teach us to find delightful. So, give us that wonderful aspect of the fruit of Your Spirit that is the joy of Christ Himself, in Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”

2025.06.29 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, 3p)

Click below for the:

June 29 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Matthew 20:17–19 sermon outline

3p song selections & Deuteronomy 5:17 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

2025.06.25 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

June 25 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 15:13–18 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

2025.06.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 149

Read Psalm 149

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom shall we praise (Psalm 149:1)? What shall we sing? Where? In whom is Israel to rejoice (Psalm 149:2)? In whom must the children of Zion be joyful? What aspects of the worship led by Levitical priests are named in Psalm 149:3? In whom does the Lord take pleasure (Psalm 149:4)? With what does He beautify the humble (verse 4)? In what should saints be joyful (Psalm 149:5)? What should they do on their beds? What should be in their mouths (Psalm 149:6)? And what should be in their hands? For what purpose (Psalm 149:7-9a)? Which of the Lord’s saints have this honor?

What does the assembly of praising saints enjoy? Psalm 149 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the assembly of praising saints enjoys the pleasure of the Lord and the power of the Lord.  

This is a Psalm about corporate worship—the praise of the Lord in the assembly of the saints. 

Yes, it’s a praise that continues to resound in their hearts and mouths even when they are at home on their beds (Psalm 149:5). 

But it is something that distinctly belongs to the assembly (Psalm 149:1), as evidenced by the reference to the specifically Levite-led activities of Psalm 149:3.

We, of course, are no longer led by Levites in a temple on earth, but we ourselves are the temple, and we are led by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Great High Priest over the congregation in glory! Therefore, the joy of the song is not diminished, but rather increased—as the saints are joyful in glory. 

In particular, we now know how it can even be that YHWH Himself takes pleasure in us in Psalm 149:4 (!!). 

It is because we come to Him through His beloved Son, with Whom He is well pleased. 

He delights in His Son, and He delights in us who are in His Son!

But not only do we have the privilege of a great reception on High, week by week in this life. We also have the privilege of a great power on earth.

Which of the Lord’s saints wield this great sword to which Psalm 149:6-9 refer? 

All His saints. Psalm 149:9 says, “This honor have ALL His saints.” 

Now, we know that not all His saints carry physical swords by which they subjugate rulers. 

But, just as our worship must come from God and not be merely the worship of men, so also our weapons are the weapons of God.

As we believe the Scripture together, and confess it in worship, and admonish one another with it, and teach it to our children, we are participating in the subjugation of all the nations, which shall surely be accomplished by God’s mighty Word. 

And, we have the privilege, as we depart worship each week, of carrying His high praise in our mouths, and His sword in our hands. Hallelujah!

How do you know that God takes pleasure in You in the public worship? What power do you have?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You, Who have made us. We rejoice in You, our King. We marvel that You take pleasure in us, as in Your beloved Son, with Whom You are well pleased. Grant that we would take Your praise into the rest of our lives, especially as You give us to conquer the world through ordinary, faithful Christianity. Thank You for giving this honor to all of Your saints. Grant it to us, we ask, through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP149B “O Praise the Lord, O Sing Aloud” or TPH149B “O Praise Ye the Lord”

2025.06.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 15:13–19

Read Proverbs 15:13–19

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of heart has what effect in Proverbs 15:13a? But what sort of heart has what other effect in verse 13b? Whose heart seeks what in Proverbs 15:14a? But what do fools employ instead of the heart (verse 14b)? Upon what does it feed? How many of the afflicted’s days are evil (Proverbs 15:15a)? What is the condition of the heart in verse 15b? How often does it feast? What are the two combinations in Proverbs 15:16? Which is better? What are the wo combinations in Proverbs 15:17? Which is better? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:18 describe? What differing effects do they produce? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:19 describe? How does their character determine their experiences? 

What can make someone happy in his circumstances? Proverbs 15:13–19 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that happiness is gained not by improved circumstances but by godliness with contentment, the fear of the Lord.  

The thread that ties this section together is how one’s character actually shapes his circumstances or his experience of them.

In Proverbs 15:13-15, it’s not differing circumstances, but different dispositions of the heart that make someone either glad or miserable. The merry heart is the understanding heart. It has a continual fest in the knowledge that it seeks, and it is glad in every circumstance. The sorrowful/afflicted heart lets its mouth run out ahead of it. Because it feeds on foolishness, it does not enjoy the sumptuous fare of a feast. Instead, its spirit is broken, and it finds every day evil.

In Proverbs 15:16, the fear of the Lord makes what little one might have into a blessing. But is absence makes any amount that one might have into a problem. The more that the godless has, the worse. What is true vertically, with the first table of the law and the first great commandment in verse 16, has its counterpart horizontally, with the second table of the law and the second great commandment in Proverbs 15:17. This verse is not praising vegetarianism; it says that when there is love in the place, even being vegetarian can be overcome! But there is no quality or quantity of food that can be a blessing in the midst of hating and being hated.

In Proverbs 15:18, strife does not come from the circumstances but from the type of man that is involved—either wrathful or slow to anger. And in Proverbs 15:19, one finds his path painful, or safe and secure, not because of the features in the path itself but due to his own constitution: whether he is lazy or upright.

In all of these ways, we see the difference that the fear of the Lord makes in one’s life. It is more of a blessing than if one’s circumstances could be dramatically altered. For, the chief thing in every situation is to know Him and to receive the good from His hand, in whatever particulars His love and wisdom agree together to give to us. 

This is not only the effect of a right attitude, but also because of differences that the fear of the Lord make in one’s character, such as his seeking knowledge, being slow to anger, and being diligent. Such character qualities change the actual circumstances, which is a blessing compounded by the contentment of the heart that fears the Lord.

Dear reader, you may be tempted to think that if this or that thing in your circumstances changed, you would be happier. But the truth is that if you, yourself, were changed, to fear the Lord more, then you would be happier.

What changes to your circumstances are you tempted to think would make you happier? But what are some specific things, mentioned in this passage, that actually need to change, for you to be happier?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to us to fear You and to know Your goodness to us. Grant that we would be content with You, and that as You conform us by Your Spirit to the character of Christ, You would make us to find ourselves filled with the joy of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”

2025.06.22 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

Click below for the:

June 22 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Matthew 20:1–16 sermon outline

3p song selections & Deuteronomy 5:16 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

A Good Eye for the Good God [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 20:1–16]

What is the nature of the rewards of the kingdom? Matthew 20:1–16 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rewards of the kingdom are given not by merit, but by grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.06.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 20:1–16

Read Matthew 20:1–16

Questions from the Scripture text: With what word does v1 begin? What is this passage explaining (cf. 19:30)? What is being compared? To whom? Where did this landowner go? When? To do what? What agreement did he reach (v2)? Where did he send them? When did he go out in v3? What did he see? What did he tell them to do (v4)? What does he say that he will give them? What do they do? At what other times does he do this (v5)? And even at what time (v6)? What does he find at that time? What does he ask him? What do they answer (v7)? What does he tell them to do? Again, what does he promise to give them? What comes in v8? Who tells whom to do what? With whom does he say to begin? Who come in v9? What do they receive? Who come in v10? What do they expect? What do they receive? What do they do, when they have received it (v11)? What do they complain about the other men (v12)? What do they complain about their own service? What does the landowner call one of them (v13)? What does he say that he has not done them? According to what standard? What does he tell them to take (v14)? Where does he tell them to go? What does he say about himself? What two rhetorical questions does he ask in v15? What is the implied answer to each? Who knew themselves to have the least to offer (“the last,” v16)? What do they end up receiving, in their understanding of the landowner himself? Who thought they had the most to offer (the “first”)? What do they end up receiving, in their understanding and rejection of him?

What is the nature of the rewards of the kingdom? Matthew 20:1–16 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rewards of the kingdom are given not by merit, but by grace.  

The workers who were first invited had the most information. They knew exactly what they were promised. But they responded to the agreement that was offered them by presuming that they were earning what they were being given. Those who went out later had a less precise knowledge of what was agreed upon, but they go out trusting Him to do what is right (v4). They are encouraged to do so by the character of the landowner, who had sought them in compassion, to give them a reward. They are glad to work for Him, but they do not think they are worthy of what they receive. They expect that it will be of grace.

None of them are receiving what they deserve. By implication, not even the first group that works the twelve hours. The pattern of the rest of the day makes it plain that even they are receiving, not upon the basis of what they deserve, but upon the basis of what he generously wishes to give. The theme in the passage as a whole comes in v15: that all of the giving is coming based upon the goodness of God (“because I am good”). 

When it comes time to pay them, starting with the last is not a “gotcha.” It’s a lesson in how to perceive/understand the reward that is given. As they see men being paid obviously more than they deserve, it should become apparent that this is always the case. Reward is not merited but dispensed from the good pleasure of the landowner’s generosity. 

As they see that reward is not of merit, but of grace, they ought to be more grateful to be participating in such a wonderful thing, rather than less grateful because the quantity that they receive is the same as others. The proper response is to rejoice to be called to do this work, in this place, because it belongs to this person. The person himself is the best gift in the situation.

There are two complaints that legalists make, which are communicated in v12. The first complaint is that they are not treated better than the others to whom they consider themselves superior. The second complaint is that they are mistreated by God, by being rewarded less than they deserve. 

Many are offered this gospel of grace. This is the external call of the gospel. But only those who conclude that it is all of grace, with reward infinitely greater than could ever be earned, are those who had been chosen by grace.

To what service have you been called in the Lord’s kingdom? What is your greatest reward in the kingdom? What other reward might you receive? Upon what principle (merit or grace) do you receive these rewards? How should this impact your view of the giver and of your rewards?

Sample prayer:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for coming to us in compassion and calling us into Your household to labor and be rewarded. We are worthy of no good thing, but we praise the generosity of Your grace that You reward us anyway. Give us humble, thankful hearts always, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am With You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee” 

How God Uses the Word to Save Us [Westminster Shorter Catechism 89—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 89—especially explaining how God uses His Word in every part of saving us.

Q89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation? The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Created and Redeemed to Glorify God [Children's Catechism 5—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 5—especially explaining how glorifying God is the purpose of both our creation and our redemption.

Q5. Why ought you to glorify God? Because He made me and takes care of me. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)