Wisdom Under Rulers Under the Sun [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:4–7]

What should we do when rulers rise against us? Ecclesiastes 10:4–7 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should be faithful and gentle, not hoping in the ruler’s response, but in the living God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional calls believers to exercise wisdom and faithfulness in the face of unjust or hostile authority, emphasizing that remaining steadfast in one’s post—even when the ruler’s spirit rises against them—is a mark of godly discernment. While conciliation can pacify great offenses and sometimes lead to restored relationships, the preacher warns that earthly outcomes are not guaranteed, as wisdom is often not rewarded in this life. The book of Ecclesiastes exposes the reality that folly is frequently exalted while the wise and faithful are humbled, reflecting the brokenness of life under the sun. Yet Christians are called not to seek immediate vindication, but to live wisely for God’s glory, trusting in His ultimate justice and finding opportunity to reflect Christ’s character in suffering. This faithful endurance, especially under unjust treatment, becomes a powerful testimony of the gospel, as believers embody the humility and trust of Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father. Ultimately, the believer’s reward is not in earthly recognition, but in the sanctifying work of the Spirit and the eternal glory of Christ.

Royally Wise [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 20:2–8]

How does wise authority bless us? Proverbs 20:2–8 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wise authorities motivate us to be wise. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audiot: the devotional emphasizes that wise authority—whether civil, familial, or spiritual—functions as a divine instrument to turn people from folly to wisdom, exemplified by the certainty of a king’s judgment, which mirrors God’s perfect justice. Examples of this transformation are the rejection of quarrelsomeness, the cultivation of peacemaking, the avoidance of laziness, and the discernment of one’s own heart. Pastor underscores that true faithfulness and righteousness are rare, rooted in God’s grace, and that the ultimate model of wisdom is Christ, Who alone embodies perfect integrity, faithfulness, and authority. As a result, believers are called to live with humility, diligence, and peace, knowing that their lives are under the sovereign rule of the King of Kings.

Whose Image Is This? [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 22:15–22]

Whose glory and authority should we honor? Matthew 22:15–22 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should honor all glory and authority, and therefore especially Christ’s glory and authority as God Himself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional explores the Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, revealing a deeper theological challenge regarding allegiance and identity. Jesus, recognizing their hypocrisy, redirects the inquiry, asserting that while earthly authorities like Caesar deserve what is due them, ultimate devotion belongs to God, Who communicates Himself supremely in Jesus Christ. The message transcends a simple political answer, urging listeners to consider their own creation in God's image, to heed God's inscription through Scripture, and ultimately to worship and obey Jesus as the definitive revelation of God Himself.

Seeking and Finding the Fear of the Lord [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 8:12–21]

What does wisdom give? Proverbs 8:12–21 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom gives complete and everlasting wealth and blessedness. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Delivered by a Guilt-Bearing Husband [2024.12.22 Evening Sermon in Numbers 30]

The authority and protection of fathers and husbands should properly display the benefits of adoption by the Father and union with Christ.

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The Husband Who Delivers His Bride [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 30]

How much weight does God give to fatherhood and a husband’s authority in marriage? Numbers 30 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s statutes about vows and oaths display the great weightiness of the authority of fathers and husbands.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Sign of the King [2024.11.17 Morning Sermon in Matthew 28:16–20]

Baptism marks us as members of the visible church, commands us to be members of the invisible church, and points us to Christ as our sure hope for this.

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True Liberty Submits to Authority [2024.11.10 Sabbath School in WCF 20.4—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 20—considering Article 4's biblical doctrine that, since true liberty embraces Christ's rule over us, true liberty submits to the authority that Christ has set over us for our good.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Distorted, Deadly "Christianity" [Family Worship lesson in Jude v8–11]

What does dreamer-religion cause? Jude v8–11 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that religion that is not bounded by Scripture results in men running off into their own destruction. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Sign of the Mediator [2024.07.21 Evening Sermon in Numbers 17]

God puts a sign of the High Priest's mediation between Himself and His people, because for His sake, He spares them from death.

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The Power and Prayer of Humility Under Fire [2024.06.02 Evening Sermon in Numbers 12]

The Lord will vindicate His own, which liberates them from fear to pray for their enemies

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The Twin Tyrannies [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 28:2]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us how letting sin tyrannize our hearts leads to being tyrannized by others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The God Who Summons and Sends Us [2024.05.12 Evening Sermon in Numbers 10:1–10]

Divine authority summons us and sends us in the gladness of the Lord

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What Honoring Authorities Looks Like [Children's Catechism 92—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 92—especially explaining what difference honoring makes in our submitting to and obeying authorities.

Q92. What does the fifth commandment teach us? To love and obey our parents and teachers.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Why the 5th Commandment is 5th [Children's Catechism 91—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 91—especially explaining how honoring parents is the school in which we learn to love God, honor all authorities, and love our neighbors.

Q91. What is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Let Every Soul Be Subject to Christ [2024.04.10 Midweek Sermon in Romans 13:1–7]

God, Who rules in all authority, rules over and through each individual authority, demanding that we do good—both in authority and under it.

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Lessons Learned from Mustering God’s People in the Wilderness [2024.02.18 Evening Sermon in Numbers 1]

God teaches us much just by the way that He organizes His church.

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Authority, Love, and Christian Relationships [Family Worship lesson in Philemon vv8–25]

Why doesn’t Paul just command Philemon? Philemon vv8–25 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that out of love for one another, believers love to stir one another up to love.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Honoring Masters for God’s Sake [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 6:1–2]

Besides mature widow prayer-warriors and elders who rule well, whom else must believers honor? 1 Timothy 6:1–2 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers ought to honor whomever God’s providence sets over them. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Only Jesus, Only According to Scripture [Westminster Shorter Catechism 2—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 2—especially explaining how the Lord has generously given us the way of glorifying Him like Jesus glorifies Him and enjoying Him like Jesus enjoys Him.

Q2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him? The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)