Welcome to Hopewell!
Hopewell ARP Church is a Biblical, Reformed, Presbyterian church, serving the Lord in Culleoka, TN, since 1820. Lord's Day Morning, set your gps to arrive by 11a.m. at 3886 Hopewell Road, Culleoka, TN 38451
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Willing to Suffer for the God We Know [Family Worship lesson in 3John v9–12]
What do believers need if they are to be godly? 3John v9–12 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers need awareness of who is a spiritual or theological threat, and of who is properly qualified and ordained, as part of God’s means in making them godly. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
2024.09.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ 3 John 9–12
Read 3 John 9–12
Questions from the Scripture text: To whom else has John written about hosting the missionary brethren (3 John 9)? But who has the preeminence among them? And what is his attitude about that? How did he respond to the request for hospitality? Where might John go (3 John 10)? What will he do if he goes there? How does John describe Dioterphes’s deeds? How does he describe his speech? What does he do to the brethren? What does he do to church members who do differently? What is Gaius in danger of imitating (3 John 11)? What do Diotrophes’s actions show about him? Who has what (3 John 12)? From whom? And from what? And also from whom? What does Gaius know about this last testimony?
What do believers need if they are to be godly? 3 John 9–12 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers need awareness of who is a spiritual or theological threat, and of who is properly qualified and ordained, as part of God’s means in making them godly.
Naming names. As John continues urging Gaius to be hospitable to the missionaries that he is sending, he now gives Gaius counsel about how to think and act with respect to his local church. Here, the apostle does something politically incorrect. He names names. He names Diotrephes, the “lead” elder whose love for preeminence has gone hand-in-hand with refusing to welcome John or the missionaries (3 John 9) and with gossiping nonsense against them (3 John 10).
As those who love first place often do, Diotrephes engaged in identity politics in the church. Not only did he refuse hospitality to John, but also to anyone associated with him, and excommunicating anyone who did give them hospitality! It is important, for the theological and spiritual safety of God’s people, to name the names of those who are theologically and spiritually dangerous.
Whom not to imitate. John now calls Gaius “beloved” again (3 John 11), warning him that there is much more at stake than who will “win” in church politics. Diotrephes “has not seen God.” He doesn’t do good, because he has no birth from God. Charismatic leaders may be inspiring, but their selfishness exposes their true character and serves as a warning not to follow them, not to imitate them.
Whom to imitate (doctrine of ordination). Rather, the Lord gives us those whom we should imitate. Demetrius (3 John 12) is actually qualified to be an elder. He has a good testimony “from all” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:7). He also has a good testimony “from the truth itself,” meaning that his doctrine is sound according to Scripture, and his character is godly according to Scripture.
Finally, John and the other elders have borne witness to Demetrius; they have attested to his qualification and his selection by God in the laying on of hands of ordination. Here is one more important reason for us to follow the biblical doctrine of ordination: that we may have elders worthy of imitating.
The Lord protect His church from those who would be closed-hearted toward others and full of gossip and “identity politics.” And the Lord give His church elders who are hospitable, generous, and full of truth and love, so that by their ministry and example, He might sanctify for Himself a people who are hospitable, generous, and full of truth and love.
How are you resisting the desire to have the first place among others? In what ways are elders sometimes selected in the churches? Whom do you know that are qualified and ordained according to 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9? What are you doing to be hospitable to them and imitate them?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for those ministers who are careful enough of souls to name names about those who are spiritually and theologically dangerous. Forgive us for not being so careful of our own souls. And forgive us for when we like to have the first place, and when we gossip nonsense against others. Thank You for those elders who are properly qualified and ordained. Forgive us for not receiving Your testimony about them or imitating them in their godliness. Grant that our conduct would show that we are born of God, we ask through Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent Who Will Reside?” or TPH406 “Jesus, with Thy Church Abide”
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
2024.09.11 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)
Click below for the:
September 11 Prayer Meeting
Proverbs 2:10–22 Sermon Outline
We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.
Turn Away from Yourself to Christ for Life! [2024.09.08 Evening Sermon in Numbers 21:4–9]
Because there is nothing good in ourselves, we must be born again, and God has raised up His Son so that those dying of their own wickedness may turn away from themselves, to look to Him instead, and live!
Fatal Playing at Religion [2024.09.15 Morning Sermon in Matthew 11:16–14]
Playing at "Christianity" is childish, arrogant, and wicked unbelief. But grace can make us humble, submissive children.
Moral and Ceremonial Law in the Covenant of Grace [2024.09.08 Sabbath School in WCF 19.2–3—Hopewell 101]
We continue to study the Scriptures behind the sound and sweet doctrine of our church's Confession of Faith. This week, we learned, from WCF 19.2–3, about how the moral law has a special place in the covenant of grace, and therefore the Christian life; but that the ceremonial law was given for other prophethood, priesthood, and kingship, and has been abrogated under Christ.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
Comfort and Joy for Tremblers at God's Word [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 66:5–13]
How important is the church? Isaiah 66:5–13 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 the church is God’s beloved, to which and through which He gives life, joy, and comfort. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
2024.09.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 66:5–13
Read Isaiah 66:5–13
Questions from the Scripture text: What is the command in Isaiah 66:5a? To whom (verse 5b)? About whom (verse 5c)? What had they done (verse 5d)? Whom had they claimed to serve? What had they said (verse 5e–g)? How would these respond to the suffering of those who fear Him (Isaiah 66:6)? But what is this accomplishing, and how quickly (Isaiah 66:7-8)? Why is this so assured and powerful (Isaiah 66:9)? What group is now addressed in Isaiah 66:10 (cp. Isaiah 66:5)? What do they receive in Isaiah 66:11a? In verse 11b? In verse 11c? What provides this nourishment, comfort, and joy (verse 11d)? Who does this (Isaiah 66:12a–b)? How much shalom and glory does He give her (verse 12b–c)? To do what for those who love her (verse 12d–f)? Who comforts Zion’s children (Isaiah 66:53)?
How important is the church? Isaiah 66:5–13 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 the church (Isaiah 66:5) is God’s beloved, to which and through which He gives life, joy, and comfort.
God’s true people—the tremblers at His Word (Isaiah 66:5)—will always have their haters from within the visible church (Isaiah 66:5c). ). These scoff at believers’ joy (verse 5d, e). But the scoffers shall be put to shame (verse 5f), when the Word at which they refused to tremble comes and destroys them (Isaiah 66:6). True and lasting joy belongs to those who love Zion. They are not only her supporters, but her children by God’s glorious power (Isaiah 66:7-9). They love Zion (Isaiah 66:10b), rejoice in her joys (verse 10a, b, c), and mourn in her griefs (verse 10d). They are not only born of Zion but nourished by her (Isaiah 66:11a). God, Who brings life from within His church by His own almighty glory, also gives comfort Isaiah 66:11b) and joy (verse 11c) to Zion’s nursing infants by that same glory (verse 11d). The shalom (blessedness and wholeness in every way, Isaiah 66:12b) and glory (verse 12c) of Zion does not come as from a jar or even a cistern, but as from a river. God gives her children to be cared by her and with her (verse 12c–e), but it is God Himself Who gives her triple comfort (Isaiah 66:13).
God loves His church, and He loves those who love her. And He gives them life, joy, and comfort within her. This is what the King, the Servant, the Christ brings about.
How does trembling at God's Word appear in your own life? How does love for the church appear in how you spend your time? Your affections? Efforts? Wealth?
Sample prayer: O Lord, forgive us for how we have failed to tremble at Your Word. Truly, we have been in danger of being destroyed by it in the last day. And forgive us for how unmoved (and even self-righteous) we have been about the troubles of Your church. And forgive us for when, during the low-times of Your church, we have been forgetful of Your loving, saving intentions toward us. Forgive us. And grant that we would rejoice in Christ’s reign over His church, intercession for her, and ultimate nourishing, gladdening, and comforting of her, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP87 “The LORD’s Foundation, O Hide Your Face” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Joy (and Grief) Enlightened by God's Word [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 119:129–136]
What does a life of worship look like? Psalm 119:129–136 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 a life of worship sees the truth about God, and about ourselves, forming longing for Him by His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
2024.09.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 119:129–136
Read Psalm 119:129–136
Questions from the Scripture text: What are wonderful (Psalm 119:129a)? What is the right response to this (verse 129b)? What does the opening/declaration of God’s words give (Psalm 119:130a)? What does it give to whom (verse 130b)? What did the psalmist desire (Psalm 119:131)? How much? What did he ask God to do to him with relationship to Him (Psalm 119:132)? With relationship to sin (Psalm 119:133)? With relationship to oppressive men (Psalm 119:134)? So that the psalmist would be able to do what? For what joy did the psalmist ask? (Psalm 119:135)? And what grief did he express (Psalm 119:136)?
What does a life of worship look like? Psalm 119:129–136 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 a life of worship sees the truth about God, and about ourselves, forming longing for Him by His Word.
It is against the backdrop of the wonderful God and His wonderful testimonies (Psalm 119:129a) that we understand ourselves as being in darkness, being simple (Psalm 119:130). But this God declares His Words to us and solves our darkness and naiveté. Our soul must long for His commandments (Psalm 119:131) to keep them (Psalm 119:129b). Are your longings characterized by this desire? Ultimately, it is a desire not just for His Words, but for His grace. Mercy that directs our steps and frees us from sin (Psalm 119:132-133) and arranges providence to enable our obedience (Psalm 119:134). The shining face of favor that teaches us such love for His Word (Psalm 119:135) that one of our most intense griefs is for it not being kept (Psalm 119:136).
How does your longing for God and His Word appear in the habits of your life? In your emotions?
Sample prayer: Lord, Your testimonies are wonderful, and the declarations of Your Word give light. We pant with longing for You in Your Word. Shine Your face upon us, teaching us, Yourself, through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119R “Your Testimonies I Have Kept” or TPH119Q “Wonderful Are Your Statutes, LORD”
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