Delighted, Dependent Diligence [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 11:1–6]

What should we do? Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 prepares us for the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we cannot comprehend all of the work of God, we should be diligent and active, entrusting the outcome to Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Drawing from Ecclesiastes 11:1–6, the devotional presents a call to faithful, joyful diligence in all aspects of life, grounded in the recognition that God’s purposes are beyond human comprehension. It emphasizes that, just as the wind and the growth of a child in the womb are mysteries beyond our control, so too are the outcomes of our labor and generosity. Therefore, believers are urged to act with wisdom and generosity—sowing seed in the morning and not withholding effort in the evening—without waiting for perfect conditions or guaranteed results. The passage teaches that true faithfulness lies not in understanding or controlling outcomes, but in trusting God’s sovereign work, even when the results are uncertain. Ultimately, the devotional calls for a life of consistent, humble diligence, rooted in the assurance that God is working all things according to His will, and that our faithful labor, though unseen, is part of His greater design.

God’s Generosity in Christ [2025.01.05 Evening Sermon in Numbers 31:25–54]

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, Who supplies all our needs (namely Himself!) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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Christ's Divine Provision [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 31:25–54]

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Ways for Us to Get Goods [Children's Catechism 98—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 98—especially explaining how material things are a good gift from God, when obtained (and employed) in the good ways that God has given us to do so.

Q98. What does the eighth commandment teach us? To be honest and industrious.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Christ's Fruit in His Church [Family Worship lesson in Romans 15:23–28]

Why does Paul want to come to Rome? Romans 15:23–28 is an important passage for our current cultural moment. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Paul wants to go to Rome in order to bear spiritual fruit. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Entrusting Our Dignity to Christ [2024.02.11 Morning Sermon in Matthew 5:38–42]

Christians ought to be like Christ in entrusting their own interests entirely unto the Lord.

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Entrusting Dignity, Rights, Liberty, and Prosperity to Christ [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 5:38–42]

How does a Christian respond to mistreatment? Matthew 5:38–42 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians respond to mistreatment not in the fleshly resentment of the scribe but in the strength and freedom of resting upon Christ.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Opportunities for Fruit and Fellowship [Family Worship lesson in Titus 3:12–15]

What goes into believers’ plans and greetings? Titus 3:12–15 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers humbly see their neediness and seek/accept help, but also rejoice at opportunities to be used by Christ to meet others’ needs. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Lord's Generous Provision for His People's Eagerly Providing for Public Worship [2023.05.21 Evening Sermon in Exodus 35:1–36:7]

The Lord provides all that is necessary for His people to participate in His giving the gift of His favorable presence in our worship. The greater story is the generosity of God, not that of the people

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How to Have Wealth Without Sorrow [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:22]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us how to have wealth without sorrow.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Generous Christians Are a Sign and Wonder [2023.05.07 Sabbath School; Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #33]

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #33: Believers know God's overarching plan to destroy all opposition to God and His Christ, but first to redeem those who will kiss the Son and trust in Him. They rejoice when the effect of the Lord's redemption is seen in turning back not only sin but also misery as a consequence of His gracious work in the saints.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Jesus's Teaching on Treasure [2023.04.16 Sabbath School; Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #30]

We traced through the Sermon on the Mount to find that those who have God as their treasure allow neither wealth nor worry to control their lives.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Theology Simply Explained — WSC74 “Enjoying and Participating in God’s Goodness to Us and Others in Earthly Things”

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 74—especially explaining and applying the duty to delight in and display the goodness of God by making use of the means and materials that He has provided to prosper ourselves and others.

WSC74: What is required in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate (20): Slavery that Valued Marriage and Family More Than Our Contemporary Context [2023.01.22 Sabbath School]

The Lord has established a principle for His people that situations of financial lack are opportunities to show generosity in a way that prioritizes marriage and family the way that God does.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate (11): Spiritual Needs Shown by Diaconal Needs in the Birth of Israel [2022.11.20 Sabbath School]

At the birth of Israel as a nation/church, spiritual need was exposed by diaconal need. And diaconal blessing was promised to spiritual faithfulness so that the goodness of the gracious God might be reflected and displayed in His gracious nation.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate (8): Diaconal Aspects of the Church in the Patriarchs [2022.10.23 Sabbath School]

As the Lord begins to separate His church from the world, one of their distinguishing characteristics is knowing God’s goodness in earthly provision and showing God’s goodness in stewarding that provision.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

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)

What Repentance Reorients (Family Worship lesson in Acts 2:40–47)

What is so significant about the conduct of this first congregation of the gospel church? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Acts 2:40–47 prepares us for the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the though the first congregation of the gospel church was composed so largely of those who had murdered Christ, the repentance that Christ gave them by His Spirit reordered their life priorities, financial priorities, time priorities, and heart priorities. Thus may all who come to Christ rest upon Him to do to them and in them!(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Learning Ways to Love Jesus (2021.10.27 Morning Sermon in Luke 23:49–56)

From the women who had loved and followed Jesus all the way from Galilee, we learn that a life that is an honoring response to the crucified Christ will exhibit, among other things, perseverance, diligence, generosity, and obedience.

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The Glorious, Gracious Fruit of Christian Generosity (2021.08.22 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:18–20)

True Christian generosity bears the fruit of plenty for God's saints, praise unto God, pleasing God, provision from God for the giver, and parental and perpetual glory unto God.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)