Getting to the Heart [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 23:12–21]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the heart is the main thing that we must treat by the Word of the Lord, and from which we must live in the fear of the Lord. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the transformation of the heart, through divine instruction, into the fear of the Lord, as revealed in Proverbs 23:12–21. It emphasizes that true wisdom begins with applying one’s heart to God’s instruction, where discipline is driven by a loving desire to preserve the child’s soul and guide them toward eternal life. The passage calls for intentional self-examination, warning against envy and worldly indulgence—particularly in alcohol and gluttony—while affirming that a life lived in reverence for God ensures lasting hope and joy. The ultimate goal of parenting and personal discipleship is not mere behavioral compliance but the cultivation of a heart that delights in God, finds its joy in His presence, and passes on godly wisdom to future generations. Through the renewing of the mind and the daily practice of fearing the Lord, believers are equipped to resist temptation, guard their affections, and walk in the way of wisdom, knowing that their hope is secure in Christ.

The End of Affliction [Family Worship lesson in Nahum 1:12–2:2]

What determines the course of history? Nahum 1:12–2:2 prepares us for the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the course of history is determined by God’s decree to save unto His glory. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds a divine dual message through Nahum’s prophecy: to Judah, a promise of deliverance and restoration (affirming that God’s decree ends both foreign oppression and personal affliction), while to Nineveh, a pronouncement of complete and irreversible judgment, erasing its name and idols as a testament to the supremacy of YHWH. The ultimate aim of God’s redemptive plan is the glory of His Israel. The passage culminates in a vision of God’s eternal purpose: to gather a people who, having been emptied, are filled with His glory and live in faithful obedience and worship. This is the end of enemies and the end of affliction.

The Chief End of Children [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 13:20–25]

To what end should we aim our parenting? Proverbs 13:20–25 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live and parent as those who wish to be satisfied upon the Lord, forever. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Covenantally Chastened Churches [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 9:1–10:2]

How did God respond to Israel’s sin? Hosea 9:1–10:2 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God responded to Israel’s sin by removing from him all the blessings of the covenant. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Roaring in Calamity [Family Worship lesson in Amos 3]

How should we respond to calamity? Amos 3 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the Lord’s “roaring” in calamity by evaluating and acting according to His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Living as God’s Child [2024.09.18 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 3:1–12]

God's wisdom brings sinners into the fullness of their sonship to Him

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Children of the Heavenly Father [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 3:1–12]

Why does God address believers as children? Proverbs 3:1–12 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God addresses believers as His children, because that is what He is making them, in Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Grace Overcoming Grumbling [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 21:4–9]

How can entrenched sinners be forgiven and saved? Numbers 21:4–9 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God shows great grace to great sinners by giving them to look to His Son for salvation. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Led by God for the Glory of His Love [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 63:7–14]

With what does prayer for help and revival begin? Isaiah 63:7–14 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that prayer for help and revival begins with the Lord’s own character and commitment. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Church Walking in Fellowship or Enmity with God [2024.02.04 Evening Sermon in Leviticus 26]

God's church either walks in fellowship with God, or enmity against Him, especially revolving around worshiping the way that He says and keeping His calendar

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Spiritual Pride and Foolish "Evangelism" [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 39]

What do we see in God’s response to Hezekiah’s spiritual pride? Isaiah 39 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s power is such that we do not advance His interests at all by our own impressiveness, and God’s mercy is such that we may have hope for temporal mercy even when we are being chastened for wicked pride before Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Severe Mercy, Subduing Mercy, Superlative Mercy [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 30]

How does the Lord show mercy to those who prefer human wisdom to God’s authoritative Word? Isaiah 30 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that if men prefer their own wisdom to God’s Word, it is a mercy when God visits their plans with devastating failure. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God Humbles the Proud [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 29:1–14]

How is pride dangerous? Isaiah 29:1–14 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that pride puts us in danger of stumbling over the Cornerstone, inventing our own theology, and devising our own worship. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

What We Should See in the Valley of Vision [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 22]

What do individuals learn from God’s judgment on proud nations and churches? Isaiah 22 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that even in the midst of judgment for national/church pride, a believer is called to serve humbly and faithfully. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Covenant Home: a Life of Formative and Corrective Training and Instruction [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 6:4]

How can fathers help their children fight their sin? Ephesians 6:4 looks forward to another part of the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that since a child’s obedience must be in the Lord, fathers must use the Lord’s means, in dependence upon the Lord, to help their children fight against their sin. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

A Sad End and a Strong Hope [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 25]

With what lessons does the Spirit conclude the history of the kingdom of Israel? 2Kings 25 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us our need for Jesus and the hope that we have. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Recognizing and Responding to God's Faithful Chastening [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 8:7–15]

How does God carry out His historical judgments of His people? 2Kings 8:7–15 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God carries out His judgment according to His Word, with weeping, and often by the hand of the wicked.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Living by Faith Instead of Sight through Faith's Sight of God's Holiness [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 73:1–24]

What is happening when the wicked seem to prosper? Psalm 73:1–24 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when the wicked seem to prosper, the Lord is actually preparing them for the sudden and more horrible disaster that they deserve, while trying the righteous so that they may repent of being like beasts toward Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Considering Sin's Consequences in Light of Sovereign Grace (Family Worship lesson in 1Kings 11:14–40)

How should we respond to the fact that it is God Who raises up adversaries in this passage? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Kings 11:14–40 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that sin has real consequences, but that whenever enemies arise we can take comfort that it is our sovereign Lord Who raises them up, and that if we belong to God through repentance and faith in Christ then our chastenings will always be restrained in their immediacy, intensity, and duration.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Prompted by Chastening to Hope in God Alone (2022.02.09 Prayer Meeting sermon in Psalm 38)

Rebuking/chastising providence prompts us: to consider our wickedness and weakness and to cry out to God for forgiveness and help.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this sermon)