From Coveting to Contentment (2020.10.02 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald)

Hopewell Herald – October 2, 2020 

Dear Congregation, 

In the evening sermon this past week, we heard that one of the ways that we are transformed as the Holy Spirit and the devil battle over our hearts and lives is our attitude toward wealth and work. 

This transformation from covetous to contentment, from grabbing to giving, is on great display both in the apostle Paul and in the Philippian church in one of the most famous (and most abused) parts of his letter to them: 

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:10–13) 

Our family is a little ahead in the M'Cheyne plan, so we came across that a couple nights ago, having just been in Ephesians 4:28 both at home and at church. We talked about the abuse of this verse, and how it was about contentment in little and contentment in much—and the irony of who tends to use it and when they use it. 

Contentment is such an important Christian grace. We see the depth of our sin in how, even when we have much, we cannot find it in ourselves to be content. 

But grace is so great that it can give us contentment in any condition. Such is the life and goodness of Christ that in Him we find the ability to be content even when we have little. 

In Christ, you can be content with much. In Christ, you can be content with little. You can be content in any circumstance—can do all things—through Christ, who strengthens you! 

Even more: in Christ, we begin to see circumstances completely differently. When we have more, we say, "Aha! An opportunity for Christ to be glorified in others' contentment and my generosity to them!" And when we have little, we say, "Aha! An opportunity for Christ to be glorified in my contentment and in their generosity to me!" 

Circumstances become a marvelous diversity of the variety of ways that we have opportunity to participate in bringing glory to the Redeemer! Praise the Lord Jesus! 

Looking forward to glorifying Christ together for His marvelous goodness both to us and in us, 

Pastor

Bicentennial Anniversary Conference begins tonight! Hope to see you all there.

 

LORD'S DAY – October 2, 2020 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
This week, we will be having a Q&A Session with Dr. Willborn, our conference speaker.

 

11 a.m. Public Worship
▫Children’s Catechism for Oct 4
Q49. What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace? A. To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die. 

▫Shorter Catechism for Oct 4
Q57. Which is the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Psalms and Hymns
TPH408 “For All the Saints”   
ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” 
ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” 

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Hebrews 12:18–29 

Scripture Readings
1Samuel 18:17–30
Ephesians 4:31–5:2
Luke 8:40–56 

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing from 2Samuel 9 about the benefits of God’s covenant. 

12:45 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class 

1 p.m. Fellowship Lunch & Open Mic Time
Members are encouraged to bring way more than enough, so that there will be plenty for everyone, including any members or guests who are deciding last-minute whether or not to stay. 

At open mic time, we’ll begin with birthdays and anniversaries and recitations of the memory verse:
2Samuel 9:3, Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” 

2:30 p.m Psalm/hymn Sing

3:30 p.m. Evening Sermon from Ephesians 4:31–5:2, Bearing the Family Resemblance 

Hopewell this Month 

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for October
Camden ARP in Camden, AL 

October Psalm of the Month
ARP51B From My Sins, O Hide Thy Face

 

Upcoming Events

•October 7, Prayer Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
•October 16, HCCFS school campout
•October 17, Congregational (not just men’s) breakfast 

People from various groups who have ministered alongside the Reformed Personhood TN ministry on the sidewalk outside PP in Nashville are gathering to discuss the sidewalk ministry at Gateway Community Church in Franklin, Friday, October 9, 6:30p.m. Those praying for and interested in the ministry are invited.