Born Again and Nourished by the Imperishable Seed of the Word (2020.11.28 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald)

Hopewell Herald – November 28, 2020

Dear Congregation,

In this past week’s morning sermon, we heard that one of the ways that God is merciful to such sinners as we are is by giving us covenant children as His holy seed, and especially by bringing Christ into the world as the seed of the woman.

This theme of undeserved begetting and undeserved birth runs from Genesis 3 through John 3, holding out to us how merciful God is to dead and guilty sinners—and a great part of that mercy now stands before us in the form of His day and His worship tomorrow.

This week in the M’Cheyne plan, we were reading 1Peter 1, where we find this glorious passage:

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ²⁴ because

“All flesh is as grass,

And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

The grass withers,

And its flower falls away,

²⁵       But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1Peter 1:22–25

When we hear the Scripture read, and especially when we hear it preached (v25), there is something eternal and powerful going on, something that outlasts this world.

God’s living and active and powerful Word is what the Spirit used to give us spiritual birth (v23). It will not and cannot fail in us, and it is the means by which also He sanctifies us (cf. Jn 17:17), working in us that fervent love for one another from pure hearts that v22 commands:

² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1Peter 2:2–3

And where, especially are we nourished by this “pure milk of the Word” that gives the growing and maturing that we need as those who have been given spiritual birth? It happens where we come to the Lord as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, who offer spiritual sacrifices. It happens in public worship!

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1Peter 2:4–5

Looking forward to growing together, by the pure milk of the Word, in this indestructible and glorious life that God has given us,

Pastor

LORD'S DAY – November 29, 2020 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
This week, we will continue to work through Ryan McGraw’s The Day of Worship, learning about the goodness of God in this good commandment.

 

11 a.m. Public Worship
▫Children’s Catechism for Nov 29
Q57. What is it to believe or have faith in Christ? A. To trust in Christ alone for salvation.

▫Shorter Catechism for Nov 29
Q65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.

Psalms and Hymns
TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”   
ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” 
TPH243 “How Firm a Foundation”

 

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Matthew 22:1–14

Scripture Readings
1Samuel 24
Ephesians 6:4
Luke 10:1–24

Sermon Scripture text and topic

We will be hearing from Genesis 39 about What It’s Like When Yahweh Is with You

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:
Genesis 39:23, The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper

2:30 p.m Psalm/hymn Sing

3:30 p.m. Evening Sermon from
Ephesians 6:4, Nourishing the Lord’s Children

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for November
Fayetteville ARP in Fayetteville, TN

November Psalm of the Month
ARP96A O Sing a New Song to the Lord

Upcoming Events

•Wednesday, December 2, Prayer Meeting. 6:30p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We pray for a solid hour, splitting into groups to balance praying corporately with giving everyone an opportunity to pray out loud as much as possible.
•December 14, Elders’ Meeting, 6 p.m.
•December 19, Leadership (men’s and boys’) breakfast, 6:30 a.m.