The Contented, Generous Heart [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15]

What is at the heart of the tenth commandment? Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the heart is the heart of the tenth commandment. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: the devotional presents a comprehensive exposition of the Tenth Commandment’s call to contentment, gratitude, and justice, rooted in Israel’s identity as redeemed slaves and sustained by God’s covenant faithfulness. Central to this teaching is the recurring call to care for the vulnerable—strangers, widows, and fatherless—while maintaining integrity in justice, honesty, and personal conduct, all reflecting a heart that esteems others as made in God’s image. The law’s applications—from refusing to exploit laborers and maintaining honest weights to preserving dignity in punishment and honoring marital duty—reveal that true generosity flows from a transformed heart that trusts God’s provision and rejects covetousness. Gratitude and generosity are not mere duties but expressions of identity and worship, pointing forward to Christ’s self-emptying love. Ultimately, the law reveals that holiness is not fragmented but holistic, demanding a life of thankfulness that mirrors God’s character.

Humble Souls Nourished by Hope [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 131]

How does true humility happen? Psalm 131 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that humility comes by hope. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Consideration That Moves from Coveting to Contentment [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 23:1–8]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these eight verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us to guard against materialistic covetousness in ourselves and others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Don't Fear or Envy Wealthy Conglomerates [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 23]

How does the Lord judge those who trust in riches? Isaiah 23 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord judges those who trust in riches by drying up their wealth, by bringing disaster that wealth cannot escape, and even by allowing them to stockpile wealth that will serve the Lord’s own people. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

True Worship Reorients the Heart [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 73:23–28]

What does worship lead a believer to conclude about his life? Psalm 73:23–28 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when worship reminds the believer that God has all blessedness in Himself, the believer realizes that any good in him has already come from God, and that having God Himself means that the believer already has all blessedness in this life and the next.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Appreciating God's Worth, Wisdom, and Kindness [Westminster Shorter Catechism 81 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 81—especially explaining and applying how the tenth commandment forbids grumbling that despises God’s worth, wisdom, and kindness toward us and malice or envy that despise God’s kindness toward others.

Q81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Treasuring God Is the Foundation of Being Content and Charitable [Westminster Shorter Catechism 80 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 80—especially explaining and applying how treasuring God is the foundation of being content and charitable.

Q80. What is required in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Heart and the Law's Heart [Westminster Shorter Catechism 79 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 79—especially explaining and applying that the tenth commandment concludes the second table of the law by showing just how much the heart is involved in all of the commandments regarding our neighbor, and it concludes the law as a whole by showing how the second table is an application/extension of the first.

Q79. Which is the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Thou Shalt Not Covet: Loving God with All the Heart Is the Key to Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves (2022.07.10 Evening Sermon in Exodus 20:17)

God wants us to give our neighbor not only our behavior but love from a heart that is content to have God Himself.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Pastors and Elders Who are Spiritually Seasoned Examples (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 2:1–7)

How could the Thessalonians see in the apostle’s life that the apostle’s preaching was powerful? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 2:1–7 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritually seasoned teachers will be earnest, courageous, sincere, content, generous, and gentle.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How to Live with a Clear Eye (Family Worship lesson in Matthew 16:19–34)

How can we stop worrying? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Matthew 6:19–34 prepares us for the opening section of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that seeing the Lord’s goodness in everything solves not just the problem of worrying but also the sinful tendency to live for earthly things.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Prayer, Worship That Frees from Bondage to Earthly Desire (Jam 4:2–3, 2020.06.03 Prayer Meeting Devotional)

Being controlled by earthly desires disappoints us, debases us, and defiles us. But prayer as true worship satisfies us, strengthens us, and sanctifies us.