Giving Him What He Loves [2026.04.19 Evening Sermon in Song of Songs 8:13–14]

The true friends of Christ long to hear the voice of His bride. The true bride of Christ gladly gives Him His desire: praise, prayer, and preaching with a voice that is shaped by His. And, the sum of her desire is that He would come quickly for His fruit.

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Giving Her Love to the Beloved [2026.03.22 Evening Sermon in Song of Songs 7:9b–13]

The church delights to give Christ that which delights Him: new and old fruit in believers' lives.

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Divinely Mandated Actions, Attitude, and Even Amplitude in Public Worship [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 95]

What does God command for public worship? Psalm 95 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord commands that public worship be joyous, reverent, and submissive. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Worship That Truly Fears God [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 5:1–7]

How should we worship? Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should worship with obedient actions, humble attitude, and life-application. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of transcript: Pastor's devotional emphasizes the importance of approaching worship with reverence and intentionality, highlighting that true worship involves not only the right actions and attitudes but also a commitment to follow through on vows and promises made to God. Drawing from Ecclesiastes, the message cautions against rash words and hasty commitments, asserting that genuine worship involves mindful engagement with God's Word, a reserved and receptive heart, and a willingness to apply spiritual truths to daily life, ultimately fearing God and recognizing that His works endure while fleeting pursuits prove vain.

Split-Screen of Encouragement [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 7]

What comfort do believers have in this age of tribulation? Revelation 7 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers in this world are sealed unto salvation, and go to the blessedness of this salvation when they pass from this world.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Saved from Popular Worship [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 4:11–19]

How does grace respond to the stubborn sinners whom it is redeeming? Hosea 4:11–19 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that grace constrains those whom it is redeeming by making them ashamed of the very sin that they once loved and were proud of.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

When God Calls Us to Worship [2025.02.26 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.6—Hopewell 101]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—finishing Article 6 with how God calls us to public worship times both by His Word and His providence.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Greatness of Public Worship [2025.02.16 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession 21.6]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—continuing with Article 6 and how God especially emphasizes public worship over even family worship and private worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Climax of Blessedness in Christ [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 134]

How does the worship of the church climax? Psalm 134 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 the worship of the church climaxes in the evening worship, in heaven itself, and especially in the Lord Jesus Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Place of Gospel Worship [2025.02.09 Sabbath School lesson in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.6—Hopewell 101]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—continuing with Article 6 and the place of worship under the gospel.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Sacraments as Corporate Worship [2025.01.19 Sabbath School Lesson in WCF 21.5—Hopewell 101]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. We continued Westminster Confession chapter 21, Article 5 this week with what Scripture says about the sacraments as covenantal signs and seals in the public worship (corporate worship) of Christ’s visible church.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Singing with Grace in the Heart [2025.01.12 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.5—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—continuing in Article 5 with what Scripture says about congregational singing and the manner in which we should do it.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Experimental Hearing [2025.01.05 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.5—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the first part of Article 5, and the type of reading, preaching, and hearing that the Lord commands in the public worship of His people.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Worship through Christ Alone [2024.12.01 Sabbath School in WCF 21.2—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the second half of Article 2, and the doctrine that worship must not be given to any creature whatsoever.We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the second half of Article 2, and the doctrine that worship must not be given to any creature or through anyone but Christ.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Training to Repent in Our Pain [Family Worship lesson in Amos 5:1–17]

Why does the prophet lament? Amos 5:1–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the prophet laments over sin to teach sinners to lament over that sin, and to turn back to seeking the Lord and His good.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Holy and Reverent Lips and Life [Westminster Shorter Catechism 54—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 54—especially explaining how we are to conduct ourselves in the holy fear of God in His worship, and in our lives.

Q54. What is required in the third commandment? The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Engaging God with Our Soul in Worship [2024.10.05 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – October 5, 2024

Dear Congregation,

When we worship together, are you offering yourself unto the Lord, body and soul? If you have children, would they know by experience that this is what you are doing, and are they thus learning from you that this is what they should be doing?

I have intended that, at some point, I would do a little series in these pastoral letters on “how to get the most out of biblical worship.” Many are not accustomed to offering themselves, body and soul, unto God in every part of the worship.

So much of the “worship” in the churches is consumed as a spectator or participated in primarily outwardly through ritualistic forms. So, there’s a learning curve when it comes to offering oneself body and soul in those worship actions that God Himself has commanded, and which Christ Himself leads from glory.

Perhaps we will begin that series next week, but yesterday Reformation Scotland posted a selection from a Hugh Binning sermon that will help you begin thinking in that stream. Mr. Binning was a faithful covenanter preacher who died young. His preaching was full of the greatness of God’s love to us and how we ought to be full of love to Him Who has so loved us. This was what animated his views on worship, following the Lord Himself, Who defines man-devised worship as hating Him and God-devised worship as loving Him (Ex 20:5–6).

The entire excerpt is worth your consideration. But, here’s a shorter excerpt to whet your appetite and stir you up unto the Lord in our worship tomorrow:

“O consider, my beloved, what a one you have to do with! It is not other people, but the Father of spirits, who will not be pleased with what pleases others of your own flesh, but who must have a spirit to serve Him!

 

Alas! what are we doing with such empty names and shows in religion? Busied in the outside of worship only, as if we had no one to do with but others who have eyes of flesh, all that we do in this way is lost labour, and will never be reckoned as true worship!”

Looking forward to offering ourselves wholeheartedly to Him together, soul and body,

Pastor

Recovering Biblical Faith and Fellowship [2024 Reformation Conference Session #5 in Hebrews 10:19–25]

Christ gives us to hold onto Him together by holding onto His truth together, especially in the public worship that strengthens our faith and stirs up our love.

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Recovering Biblical Fear of God [2024 Reformation Conference #4 in Hebrews 1:14–2:18]

After centuries of drifting from drawing near to God in a way that actually honors God, the Reformed churches must return to coming to God genuinely through Christ Himself in those things which He has not only commanded but actually leads from glory.

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How to Walk by the Word [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 119:105–112]

What is the role of the Word in the believer’s life? Psalm 119:105–112 looks forward to opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Word of God is not just a tool for the believer but a means by which God Himself is our guide, God Himself is our companion, and God Himself is our treasure and joy. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)