2026.10.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 11:27–12:12

Thursday, October 15, 2026 ▫ Read Mark 11:27–12:12

Questions from the Scripture text: To where did they come again in v27? Where was Jesus walking? Who came to Him? What did they ask Him (v28)? What did Jesus tell them they would have to do if they wanted Him to answer them (v29)? What does He ask them (v30)? Why didn’t they want to say “from heaven” (v31)? Why didn’t they want to say “from men” (v32)? So, what do they answer (v33)? And what does Jesus say? In what did Jesus then begin to speak to them (12:1)? What is this parable about? Where does the owner of the vineyard go? What does he do at vintage-time, when there should be grapes ready (v2)? What do they do to the servant (v3)? What do they do with the second servant (v4)? And the third (v5)? How many sons did the owner have (v6)? What did the vinedressers say among themselves in v7? What do they do to the son (v8)? What does Jesus say that the owner will do in v9? What Scripture quote does He say in v10-11? About whom did the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders know that Jesus had spoken this parable?

Who is in control of the cross? Mark 11:27–12:12 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 Jesus is in total control, as He goes to the cross.

In this serial reading, we are starting to feel the buildup of pressure that leads to the cross. The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders have all joined forces now (Mk 11:27). The scribes and the elders were very hostile to Rome, while the chief priests were very friendly to Rome, who had permitted them to continue operating the temple. The others saw the priests as sellouts.

But, these enemies can finally agree on something: they hate Jesus and want to destroy Him. When they come and ask the question about authority (Mk 11:28), it is a catch-22 for Jesus.

If Jesus claims a divine authority to act against the temple order, as currently backed by Rome, the Romans would see it as a crime of rebellion against Rome, and punishable by death.

If Jesus somehow claimed Roman authority for his actions, then the scribe/elder party would consider His selling out to be on the level of blasphemy for desecrating the temple, and they would execute Jesus for that.

In the end, this was, indeed, the charge that they were trying to line up (false!) testimony to prove: that Jesus had spoken against the temple (cf. Mk 14:58). But Jesus confessed Himself to be the Son of God (cf. Mk 14:61–62), and so they based the blasphemy charges upon that instead (cf. Mk 14:63–64).

In the parable, Jesus exposes just how bad this really is. They know that He is from God (Mk 12:6–7). The very thing that they are trying to get Him to admit is that God has invested Him with His own authority to give God the fruit that God has always sought from Israel.

They know that He is from God, and they want to destroy Him anyway. But notice which one is afraid, and which One is in control here. They come to trap Jesus with a question, and He traps them with one instead (Mk 11:29–33). They are out to destroy Jesus, but Jesus is not the One who is afraid. Rather, twice it says that they are afraid of the people/multitude (Mk 11:32, 12:12).

Jesus is in control, and that’s super-important.

It means that the cross was not some tragic miscalculation or accident. The cross was not the Jews or the Romans or even the Devil overpowering Jesus.

The cross was Jesus, intentionally, in total control, laying down His life for His people.

It is so important, dear reader, that you see how powerful and in-control Jesus is, as He goes to the cross. Behold Him who laid down His life for sinners!

When have you felt out of control? Who is really in control of that? What else has He done for you, of which He was in complete control? What does this mean He is doing now?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how forgetful we are of how intentionally Jesus went to the cross. Give us to remember His authority and His intentionality as He laid down His life for us. Our loving too little is a result of failing to dwell upon how much He has loved us, and how much He has forgiven us. Grant that we would love Him because He first loved us. Grant that we would love much, because we have been forgiven much. And grant that we would trust Him as the One Who is sovereign over all things—even over His own death on the cross, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP118D “Now Open Wide the Gates” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation”

2026.10.14 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

To tune in for the Prayer Meeting, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

2026.10.11 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

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2026.10.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 4:14

Read Ephesians 4:14

Questions from the Scripture text: What is the ministry of our pastor-teacher given to us by Jesus to stop us from being? Otherwise, what would various ‘winds’ of doctrine do to us? What else would do this to us? What do some men practice to unsettle believers’ doctrine?

What do believers need if they are going to be united, Christ-like, and Christ-filled? Ephesians 4:14 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers need theological stability. 

This week’s text is one little verse, but it is a hugely important and overlooked point. 

We desperately need theological stability.

We want to be united! We want to know Christ! We want to be filled with Christ! 

These are the praiseworthy goals of Ephesians 4:13, at which each of us aim in our ministry to all the others (Ephesians 4:12b).

And, for this, we need the constant mending by the ministry of faithful shepherd-teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12a).

But why do we need this constant mending?

Because without it, we are like unstable toddlers. 

We’ve all seen a wobbly little one, just learning to walk. But the wobbler in this picture has an additional problem: he’s in a boat, on a wavy sea, during a storm!

This is how the apostle likened the doctrinal instability of believers who did not avail themselves of the ministry of faithful shepherd-teachers.

And things have certainly not improved in the 21st century!

Biblically genuine Christian unity comes by way of theologically stability. Christ-like Christians are theologically stable. Christ-filled Christians are theologically stable. That’s how Ephesians 4:14 is explaining the Ephesians 4:13 fruit of a Ephesians 4:11-12 ministry.

Theological stability is a priority of the Holy Spirit, in the New Testament, that is rejected and contradicted by many in the church today. But, when the Holy Spirit, and many in the church today, are at odds, a believer knows with whom to agree.

What are some ways in which you have been theologically unstable in the past? What has the Lord provided, in order to remedy that? How are you making use of His provision? How have you seen unity, Christ-likeness, or Christ-filledness come from this theological stability? How would you like to?

Sample prayer:  Lord, keep us from being unstable children in doctrine. Don’t let us be tossed to and fro, or carried about. Make us those who prize theological stability, and give us that stability by Your Spirit’s use of the means that You have provided, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP78B “O Come, My People” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” 

2026.10.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 2:1–13

Read Jeremiah 2:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What came to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:1)? To whom was he to go speak (Jeremiah 2:2)? What did YHWH remember? What was Israel at that time (Jeremiah 2:3)? Whom does YHWH condemn? But now whom does YHWH summon to listen (Jeremiah 2:4)? What have who done (Jeremiah 2:5)? What haven’t they done (Jeremiah 2:6)? What had the Lord done for them (Jeremiah 2:7)? Who failed to inquire of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:8a)? What didn’t the handlers of the law do (verse 8b)? Who else sinned in what way (verse 8c)? And who else, in what other way (verse 8d–e)? What, then, is YHWH doing against whom (Jeremiah 2:9)? What have other nations not done with whom (Jeremiah 2:10-11b)? But who have done so with Whom (Jeremiah 2:11c–d)? Who are called to witness with astonishment (Jeremiah 2:12)? Whom/what have the people evilly forsaken (Jeremiah 2:13a–b)? And what have the people evilly done for themselves (verse 13c)? 

What should we think of idolatry? Jeremiah 2:1–13 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry is offensive, ungrateful, and irrational.  

What YHWH remembers, Jeremiah 2:1-3. The Lord does all things out of love for His people. He remembers His covenant with them, and His consecrating them as holy to Himself. Anyone who gets in the way of this is doomed.

The offense of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:4-6. The offense isn’t just that they followed idols. It’s that they did not seek YHWH to follow Him. They did not treat Him as God. And as their God. 

The ingratitude of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:7. After what the Lord had brought them out of (Jeremiah 2:6), and into (Jeremiah 2:7), it is irrational and ungrateful that they would fail to continue seeking Him. Now, consider out of what He has brought you, and into what He has brought you.

The responsibility of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:8. There are four groups (three, if the second is a subcategory of the priests) whose responsibility it was to lead the people in seeking the Lord: the priests, teachers of the law (literally those who lay hold of it), the rulers, and the prophets. The most important thing for any one of these is that he himself seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him. What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? The most important think is to seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him.

The irrationality of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:9-13. It is a testimony to the insanity of wickedness (Jeremiah 2:10) that men cling zealously to idols that they create (Jeremiah 2:11a–b), but easily part with the living God Himself (verse 11c–d). It is like trying to slake one’s thirst with the slime on the bottom of a cistern that cannot actually hold the water (Jeremiah 2:13c), when one has access to a fountain of water that is better than one could imagine (verse 13a–b). But this is what we do, when we find our identity, our strength, our purpose, or our joy, in anything apart from the Lord Himself. God save us from idolatry!

How are you seeking the Lord, to follow after Him? From out of what has the Lord brought you? And into what has the Lord brought you? What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? In what do you find your identity, your strength, your purpose, your joy?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how offensive, ungrateful, and irrational our idolatry is! Have mercy upon us. Forgive us for it, and turn us from it, and make us to see the greatness of Your love for us, and the goodness of Your life for us. Make us to come to You as the fountain of living waters in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the LORD Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

2026.10.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 2:1–13

Read Jeremiah 2:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What came to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:1)? To whom was he to go speak (Jeremiah 2:2)? What did YHWH remember? What was Israel at that time (Jeremiah 2:3)? Whom does YHWH condemn? But now whom does YHWH summon to listen (Jeremiah 2:4)? What have who done (Jeremiah 2:5)? What haven’t they done (Jeremiah 2:6)? What had the Lord done for them (Jeremiah 2:7)? Who failed to inquire of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:8a)? What didn’t the handlers of the law do (verse 8b)? Who else sinned in what way (verse 8c)? And who else, in what other way (verse 8d–e)? What, then, is YHWH doing against whom (Jeremiah 2:9)? What have other nations not done with whom (Jeremiah 2:10-11b)? But who have done so with Whom (Jeremiah 2:11c–d)? Who are called to witness with astonishment (Jeremiah 2:12)? Whom/what have the people evilly forsaken (Jeremiah 2:13a–b)? And what have the people evilly done for themselves (verse 13c)? 

What should we think of idolatry? Jeremiah 2:1–13 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry is offensive, ungrateful, and irrational.  

What YHWH remembers, Jeremiah 2:1-3. The Lord does all things out of love for His people. He remembers His covenant with them, and His consecrating them as holy to Himself. Anyone who gets in the way of this is doomed.

The offense of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:4-6. The offense isn’t just that they followed idols. It’s that they did not seek YHWH to follow Him. They did not treat Him as God. And as their God. 

The ingratitude of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:7. After what the Lord had brought them out of (Jeremiah 2:6), and into (Jeremiah 2:7), it is irrational and ungrateful that they would fail to continue seeking Him. Now, consider out of what He has brought you, and into what He has brought you.

The responsibility of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:8. There are four groups (three, if the second is a subcategory of the priests) whose responsibility it was to lead the people in seeking the Lord: the priests, teachers of the law (literally those who lay hold of it), the rulers, and the prophets. The most important thing for any one of these is that he himself seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him. What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? The most important think is to seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him.

The irrationality of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:9-13. It is a testimony to the insanity of wickedness (Jeremiah 2:10) that men cling zealously to idols that they create (Jeremiah 2:11–b), but easily part with the living God Himself (verse 11c–d). It is like trying to slake one’s thirst with the slime on the bottom of a cistern that cannot actually hold the water (Jeremiah 2:13c), when one has access to a fountain of water that is better than one could imagine (verse 13a–b). But this is what we do, when we find our identity, our strength, our purpose, or our joy, in anything apart from the Lord Himself. God save us from idolatry!

How are you seeking the Lord, to follow after Him? From out of what has the Lord brought you? And into what has the Lord brought you? What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? In what do you find your identity, your strength, your purpose, your joy?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how offensive, ungrateful, and irrational our idolatry is! Have mercy upon us. Forgive us for it, and turn us from it, and make us to see the greatness of Your love for us, and the goodness of Your life for us. Make us to come to You as the fountain of living waters in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the LORD Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

That We May See the King [Family Worship lesson in Mark 10:46–11:11]

Who is Jesus? Mark 10:46–11:11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is the Son of Man, the forever-King, the Son of David. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional explores the dual narrative of Mark 10:46-11:11, contrasting the spiritual sight of blind Bartimaeus with the physical sight but spiritual blindness of the surrounding crowd. The central message emphasizes that true faith involves recognizing Jesus as the Son of David and the eternal King, rather than merely participating in a frenzy of praise without understanding. By drawing parallels to Job’s insistence upon beholding Christ, Pastor illustrates genuine repentance and trust in Christ’s power and mercy. The passage culminates in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where He is presented not just as a political figure, but as the King, Who is the ultimate Temple and Ransom for many. The sermon concludes with a pastoral exhortation to seek the sight and life that only Christ provides, urging believers to see Him, and follow Him, as their Savior and King.

2026.10.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:46–11:11

Read Mark 10:46–11:11

Questions from the Scripture text: Where had they come, and from where were they now leaving (Mark 10:46)? Who was with Him? What was blind Bartimaeus doing? Whom did he hear was going by (Mark 10:47)? What did he call Jesus? What did he ask Jesus to do? What did people warn him to do (Mark 10:48)? How did he respond? What did Jesus do when He heard Bartimaeus (Mark 10:49)? What did Jesus ask him in Mark 10:51? What did Bartimaeus say? What does Jesus say made him well? Where had Jesus commanded him to go? Where does he go instead? When they reach the Mount of Olives, what does He send two disciples to get (Mark 11:1-6)? What do the disciples do to the colt for Jesus to sit on (Mark 11:7)? What do the people do with their clothes and the branches for Jesus to ride on (Mark 11:8)? What did the people cry out in Mark 11:9-10? What does Jesus do at the temple in Mark 11:11? Where does He then go and why?

Who is Jesus? Mark 10:46–11:11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Son of David, the forever-King.

In this week’s passage, if we pay careful attention, we will notice the way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ as the promised forever-King. Last week’s passage had ended with “The Son of Man… came to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Now, in Mark 10:52, Jesus literally says, “Your faith has saved you,” and then in Mark 11:9-10 the people are crying “Hosanna!,” which literally means “O, save!”

But it is not just the truth of salvation that draws these passages together. They are also held together by the truth about how that salvation comes.

The son of Timaeus is interested in someone else’s parentage. He doesn’t refer to Jesus as Teacher or even Lord, but as “Son of David” (Mark 10:47, Mark 10:48). He recognizes that Jesus is that forever-King promised to David in 2 Samuel 7. When Jesus heals him and tells him to go his own way (Mark 10:52a), there is only one way that Bartimaeus wishes to go: whichever way Jesus, his forever-King, leads (verse 52b).

Then, in chapter 11, it is obvious that the people are treating Jesus as a King. The implication in the colt hunt is that there are people who now recognize that everything in the kingdom ought to be at the King’s disposal (Mark 11:3). The disciples consider Jesus too royal to ride bare upon an animal’s back (Mark 11:7). The people consider Jesus too royal for His steed’s hooves to touch the bare ground (Mark 11:8).

Why all this kingly treatment? Mark 11:10 explains, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!” Here again is the recognition that this is the forever-King of 2 Samuel 7, Psalm 72, Psalm 2, etc.

I wonder, dear reader, if you are responding to Jesus as King? Surely, the first step is to believe in Him with similar faith to that which saved Bartimaeus. But are we going wherever He leads? Is His wish our command? Do we treat Him as royalty, offering that honor and homage and worship that is due unto Him? Is He our KING?!

Have you believed in Jesus as God, Savior, and King? How are you following in His path? How are you treating Him as royalty?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving Your Son to be the Son of Man, the King from the line of David to Whom all glory belongs. Give us to trust in Him, follow Him, and praise Him as our King, with the whole of our lives, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP72C “May Waving Grain on Hilltops Thrive” or TPH374 “All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’s Name”

2026.09.30 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

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2026.09.27 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

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