Living on Earth in Light of Heaven [Family Worship lesson in James 5:7–20]

If we are not living for wealth, how should we live? James 5:7–20 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live before the face of the Lord, in anticipation of His return and judgment.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ James 5:7–20

Read James 5:7–20

Questions from the Scripture text: How does the beginning of James 5:7 connect it to what comes before? What does the prophet call his readers? What is his command to them? For what are they to be patient? Who is an earthly example of this? For what sort of fruit is he waiting? Upon whose rain-work is he waiting? What are believers to establish in their patience (James 5:8)? What are they waiting for, that is at hand? What should they watch against, since it is near (James 5:9)? What is something that the Lord is doing when He comes? Whom does James 5:10 set forth as an example? Whose judgment was kept on their minds, by speaking in His Name? Whom do we count blessed from their days (James 5:11)? Who, especially, was an example of that? What was his perseverance designed to bring? What does this remind us about the Lord? To what sort of speech does patience not resort (James 5:12)? Into what does the perpetual oath-swearer fall? With what two types of experiences is this waiting-life filled (James 5:13)? What are we to do in each case? What else happens in this life (James 5:14)? Whom are they to call? How do they model godward orientation? With what physical action do they reinforce it? With what are they to pray (James 5:15)? What does this always do? What is sometimes the specific cause for a sickness? What are we to do with our sins (James 5:16)? In order to do what for one another? What does this praying do? Who was like us (James 5:17)? What did he do? With what effect? Then what did he do (James 5:18)? What can happen during this age of waiting (James 5:19)? And what can a brother seek to do at that point? In what two things does this brother participate, if he is successful (James 5:20)? 

If we are not living for wealth, how should we live? James 5:7–20 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live before the face of the Lord, in anticipation of His return and judgment.

James 4:13–5:6 had critiqued living for earthly riches—for this world rather than for the Lord. Now the word “therefore” at the beginning of James 5:7 indicates that this is teaching us how properly to live in this world as those who are waiting for the Lord and for the next world. The language of patient, praying waiting for fruit ties the passage together from James 5:7-18. And James 5:19-20 continue that theme. 

Waiting for the precious fruit from heaven, James 5:7-8. The prophet compares waiting for the coming of the Lord with the farmer waiting for the “precious” fruit of the earth. He’s patient because he has to wait upon the Lord to send the right rains at the right times. We can’t bring the Lord’s return or accelerate the precious fruit of heaven. Instead, we are instructed to establish (strengthen) our hearts. 

Remembering the judgment, James 5:9. Waiting doesn’t mean living as if the Lord is not returning, but rather continuously living in light of His return. In particular, it means remembering that we are always before our Judge. And He is returning to judge. All our deeds will be exposed (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). If we really lived mindfully of this, we wouldn’t even grumble against a brother. 

Perseverance encouraged by compassion, James 5:10-11. Patience also means enduring suffering (James 5:10). In the midst of it, we may falsely conclude that the sovereign Lord expects us just to grin and bear misery. But this is not the case at all. The prophets spoke in the Name of the Lord. They were keenly aware of His reality and His nearness. Job could not perceive that nearness, but persisted in righteousness anyway, convinced of what he could not see. And he was right. The Lord intended to bring him into doubly rich earthly blessings (cf. Job 42:12–17) and an even greater blessing, richer knowledge of God (cf. Job 42:5). So James 5:11 reminds us that the story of Job’s suffering was one of an exceedingly compassionate and merciful Lord. We are enabled to endure by knowing, from His Word, that the Lord is being exceedingly compassionate with us. Do you know that, dear reader, in your own case? 

Patience producing steadiness of speech, James 5:12. In God’s providence, we have just recently been through Matthew 5:34–37 together, so James 5:12 sounds familiar. But now we gain insight from the local context. The man who lives in light of eternity has a steadiness and steadfastness to him. He is not the sort of unstable fellow who is always taking oaths to try to make his words weighty with men. Rather, he lives in an awareness that he is before the face of God, and his words are measured and forthright accordingly.

Godward orientation and response of the heart, James 5:13-14. Living before the Lord means that our first reflex/recourse in every situation is unto Him. The first response to suffering is prayer. The first response to joy in the heart is to sing psalms. In the case of sickness, the elders of the church are called, since they have been called to a particular ministry of prayer (cf. Acts 6:4). The elders, in turn, anoint the believer—reminding him that he is not his own but has been set apart by God to the particular life and roles assigned to him. The suffering is assigned by the Lord, and if there is a recovery, the health and strength also belong to the Lord.

Praying for what the Word says, James 5:15-16a. The “prayer of faith” is not a prayer of someone who has great strength of believing. Rather, it is prayer that is in submission to the Word and to the Lord of the Word. As those who teach the Word (cf. Ephesians 4:11), elders are especially appointed to such praying, and believers learn also to pray with this Scripture-informed faith. All who believe in Christ will, indeed, be forgiven, saved, and raised! And if the specific illness was chastening for specific sin, being brought to confession and prayer will have fulfilled the purpose of that illness. In that case, the repenting, praying believer will be healed.

Praying for what God promises, James 5:16-18. If we did not see this connection of the Word and prayer in the phrase “prayer of faith,” we might be confused (as many have been) by James 5:17. 1Kings records Elijah prophesying that it would not rain, but it does not record his praying. So, many have theorized that James is “relying upon rabbinic tradition” for this. But that is not necessary, for this righteous man must have been expected to add praying to his prophesying. That is certainly what happened in the occasion referenced in James 5:18. The Lord told Elijah what would happen (cf. 1 Kings 18:1), and Elijah prayed for it (cf. 1 Kings 18:42). It is part of righteous character and conduct that we pray for what the Lord has promised. And it is part of the Lord’s great generosity to us that He gives us to participate in His work by this “effective praying.” 

Patience with one another and the urgency of perseverance, James 5:19-20. Finally, the fact of the Lord’s soon return reminds us that it necessary to continue in the grace of God (cf. Acts 13:43). The one who wanders from the truth and is not restored is exposed as not having made a true beginning in grace. His soul will die, and his sins will be punished. The reality of the Lord’s return and judgment presses upon us just how urgent it is that we persevere in the truth! 

But just as God appoints prayer as a means by which He works, so also He appoints the fellowship of believers as a means by which He works. A genuine believer who wanders from the truth will be turned back. His soul will be saved from death, and the multitude of his sins will be covered. And it is a great privilege to be used to turn a brother from the error of his way. 

Why is it so easy for you to be forgetful of the sure return of the Lord and the judgment to come? By what means has He appointed to keep you mindful of Him? In which of the areas touched upon in this passage, are you most forgetful? How will you employ His means to address this?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for not living as those who eagerly await Your appearing. Grant that we would endure patiently. Forgive us for how we have grumbled against our brothers before Your face. Forgive us for being forgetful of Your compassion and mercy, so that our hearts have been slow to pray in suffering and slow to sing psalms in cheerfulness. Forgive us also for not availing ourselves of the ministry of the elders and of the body. Grant unto us to grow in all of these areas, and keep us in the way of truth. Thus, save our souls from death, we pray, and cover the multitude of our sins, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP112 “O Praise the LORD” or TPH538 “Take My Life, and Let It Be”

2024.02.28 Midweek Prayer Meeting Live Stream (live at 6:30p)

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Romans 11:25–27 sermon outline

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The Courage of a Clear Conscience [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 28:1]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that justification clears the conscience of guilt and sanctification clears it of shame, so that the believer can live with courage.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Only Creator of Redemption [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 44:24–45:8]

How has God been pleased to make the greatest display of being the only God? Isaiah 44:24–45:8 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God displays Himself as God, most of all in announcing and accomplishing the redemption of His elect, through Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 44:24–45:8

Read Isaiah 44:24–45:8

Questions from the Scripture text: Who is speaking to Jacob and Israel (Isaiah 44:24a)? What is He to them? How does He describe this in verse 24b (cf. Isaiah 43:1)? What is He to everything else (Isaiah 44:24c)? Who has helped Him (verse 24d–e)? What men think they have knowledge (Isaiah 44:25)? But what does YHWH do to their prognostications? Whose word does He confirm instead (Isaiah 44:26a–b)? What is He prophesying about whom (verse 26c–e)? How has He showed the ability to do this (Isaiah 44:27)? Whom is He going to use to release and reinhabit Judah (Isaiah 44:28a)? What will Cyrus do (verse 28b)? What will Cyrus order to happen (verse 28c–d, cf. Ezra 1:1–4)? What does YHWH now call Cyrus in Isaiah 45:1a? What has He enabled Cyrus to do, and to what extent (Isaiah 45:1-2d)? What else will Cyrus get out of it (Isaiah 45:3a–b)? To show him what (verse 3c–e)? Why did this Persian arise to power (Isaiah 45:4)? How can it be that the blessing of God’s people controls what happens in all nations and the powerful men of history (Isaiah 45:5-6)? What sorts of historical events are brought about by this God for this reason (Isaiah 45:7)? What comes by the command of God (Isaiah 45:8a)? But what is this a shower/storm of (verse 8b)? And what sort of crop does it bring forth (verse 8c–d)? By Whose divine creation (verse 8e)? 

How has God been pleased to make the greatest display of being the only God? Isaiah 44:24–45:8 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God displays Himself as God, most of all in announcing and accomplishing the redemption of His elect, through Christ. 

True knowledge only from the true God, Isaiah 44:24-28. For several chapters, the Lord has been declaring that as the One Who created all things and determined the end from the beginning, He has shown Himself to be the only true God. That is still the theme, and in this passage He demonstrates it by telling the future (naming Cyrus by name, Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 45:1) in which He is going to miraculously save His people (Isaiah 44:26c–e) just as He has done in the past (Isaiah 44:27). 

The Word of the Redeemer (Isaiah 44:24a) is the great source of knowledge. By it He made all things (verse 24c–e). And those who seek or claim knowledge apart from Him, He humiliates (Isaiah 44:25). The Lord glorifies His saving Word in the mouths of His preachers (Isaiah 44:26a–b). 

The anointed deliverer-king, Isaiah 45:1-3. Here, Cyrus is a prototype of Christ, the “anointed” (Messiah, Isaiah 45:1). YHWH makes him a king over kings, destroying all obstacles in his way (Isaiah 45:2, cf. Isaiah 40:3–4), and giving him the treasures of the world (Isaiah 45:3a–b). The Lord, Who did this for and through a king of Persia, will much more certainly do so through His Son!

The purpose that drives all of history, Isaiah 45:4-7. The Babylonians, and the Persians, and the other nations of the world must have had many ideas about how and why Cyrus came to power. But the real reason is in Isaiah 45:4a–b. It was for Jacob’s sake, because he is God’s servant. It was for Israel’s sake, because He is God’s elect. Cyrus had no interest in the Lord (verse 4d), but the Lord worked personally in and through his life for the sake of His elect!

Truly, there is no God but YHWH, and He makes that known all over the whole earth (Isaiah 45:6). Sometimes, the Lord brings His salvation through light, but He is still bringing it in whatever darkness He ordains (Isaiah 45:7a). The Lord brings His salvation through peace, but He is still bringing it in whatever calamity He ordains (verse 7b). What a precious truth this is for us: that every moment is ordained by God, and that it is ordained for bringing salvation to His elect, through the Messiah, unto His glory!

The two great creation-works for which we will praise the Lord forever, Isaiah 45:8. The providence of God is what brings plant life through rain showers. But that’s an ordinary work that becomes a metaphor here for what He is doing in history as a whole. The rain is His righteousness (verse 8b), and it brings forth the life of salvation (verse 8c) and more righteousness (verse 8d). The specific word that means to create out of nothing appears three times in Isaiah 45:7-8. It is the first verb in the Bible, and God shows Himself to be God especially in that creation (cf. Revelation 4:11), as well as for this salvation/righteousness-creation that is His work of redemption (cf. Revelation 5:9–10). For this He will be praised, forever and ever, as the one true God! 

What darkness and calamity have you seen in your personal life, and in the broader world? Who has ordained it? Why? How will we respond to Him for accomplishing that? How can you make use of this knowledge for trusting Him and praising Him now?

Sample prayer:  Lord, please forgive us for all attempts at knowledge or power apart from You. Truly, anything that we rightly know or do depends upon You. And You have made Your Word the only source for knowledge of Your salvation. Forgive us for resting upon anything else. And forgive us for the wicked unbelief in which we have not been sure of Your salvation. Truly, You do all for the glory of Your Son, our Lord Jesus. Forgive us for when we have not done things for His glory. Truly, You do all for the sake of redeeming Your elect. Forgive us for when we have not done things for the sake of Your church. You are to be praised for all of Your works of creation and providence. Even darkness and calamity serve You for our salvation. Forgive us for when we have failed to praise You in the midst of that darkness or calamity. And grant unto us to trust You and worship You constantly, through Christ, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP138 “With All My Heart, My Thanks I’ll Bring” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

Only the God-Man Can Redeem [Westminster Shorter Catechism 21—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 21—especially explaining how only the God-Man can redeem.

Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect? The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Redeemed to Praise the Glory of Our Compassionate God [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 113]

What is the point of redemption? Psalm 113 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the point of the great God’s redeeming of lowly men is to be praised for it forever—especially by the redeemed. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 113

Read Psalm 113

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does this Psalm begin (Psalm 113:1a, cf. Psalm 111:1a, Psalm 112:1a) and conclude (Psalm 113:9c)? What does Psalm 113:1b call its recipients? What, specifically, are they to praise (verse 1c)? Why (Psalm 113:2a)? For how long (verse 2b)? How continually will His Name be praised (Psalm 113:3a–b)? Above whom is He (Psalm 113:4a)? How great is His glory (verse 4b)? What rhetorical question does Psalm 113:5a ask? With what implied answer? Where does He dwell (verse 5b)? What does He do from there (Psalm 113:6a)? Why (verse 6b)? What does He do for whom in Psalm 113:7? Why (Psalm 113:8)? What does He do for whom in Psalm 113:9a? Like whom (verse 9b)? 

What is the point of redemption? Psalm 113 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the point of the great God’s redeeming of lowly men is to be praised for it forever—especially by the redeemed. 

Who praises, Psalm 113:1-2a. The Psalm is especially for God’s slaves, God’s servants. “Praise!” it commands, three times. The Lord’s Name is blessed in and of itself (Psalm 113:2a), and He will be praised by all His works. But this is the special place of the redeemed: to praise their redeeming God!

When, Psalm 113:2-3. The next section of the Psalm covers two “when” aspects of God’s praise: duration and persistence. He will be praised from this time, in the coming time, and forever. And this praise never takes a moment off: it is from the rising of the sun to its going down. Our view of things is short-sighted; we tend to be forgetful of eternity. And, it is narrow. We see some circumstances but forget that the God Who rules over all by grace is continually being praised in glory. This continual, forever praise is what we have been redeemed to participate in and lead!

How much, Psalm 113:4-5. Man is so impressed with himself, but YHWH is above all men taken together—indeed, high above them (Psalm 113:4a)! This is not surprising; man is a small creature when he views himself next to the heavens (cf. Psalm 8:3–4). 

For what, Psalm 113:6-9. YHWH has infinite greatness in Himself, but it is especially in helping lowly man that He most displays His glory. And all men are lowly. The Lord “has to stoop” way down (Psalm 113:6a) even to look at what’s in the heavens and in the earth (verse 6b). And upon whom does the Lord especially bend His redeeming eye? Upon the poor (Psalm 113:7a), the needy (Psalm 113:8a), and the barren (Psalm 113:9a). The poor is in the dust. The needy is in the ash heap. And the barren woman has no home—probably because she has been rejected by men, to whom she cannot bear offspring.

But the Lord’s people (Psalm 113:8b) do not have the same social structure as this world. YHWH, Whose glory is above the heavens, sets the poor and needy among the princes (verse 8) and gives the barren woman a home. A mother of children should have joy in the Lord, from Whom she receives her children, and Whom she serves in rearing them. But if the joy is in the Lord, then one doesn’t need children to have the joy; she only needs the Lord!

Dear reader, all creation will praise YHWH forever, but it is especially to lowly sinners such as yourself that He has given the chief place of praise. He stoops down to lift the lowly up to rejoicing in Himself. Find in Him your salvation, your purpose, your place, and your joy!

What place does praising God have in your schedule? What place does it have in your ordinary thinking and feeling? How big do people and nations seem in your thoughts? Who is bigger? How does He impress that greatness upon your heart? Upon whom does God look with mercy? What does He do for them? What do they have in Him? 

Sample prayer:  O Lord, blessed is Your Name, morning and night, forever and ever! You are high above all the nations, and Your glory above the heavens! But You have most displayed Your incomparable greatness in Your mercy to us who are lowly. There is no height greater than the height of rejoicing in You. Now, stoop down in Your mercy, we ask, and lift us to the height of rejoicing in You as Your princes, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP113 “O Praise the LORD” or TPH113B “Praise God, O Servants of the Lord”

2024.02.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Romans 11:25–27

Read Romans 11:25–27

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle call them in Romans 11:25? What does he not desire for them? Of what does he not want them to be ignorant? What would happen to them if they were ignorant? What is the mystery—what has happened to Israel? To what extent? Until what has come in of whom? What will happen in this way (Romans 11:26)? Where has this been indicated before (cf. Isaiah 59:20–21)? Who would come from where? What would He turn away? From whom? What is this (Romans 11:27a)? When (verse 27b)?

What truth should we be living by? Romans 11:25–27 prepares us for the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should be living by the truth that the Lord is saving His elect through the church that has His Word in their mouths. 

Our desire for our beloved: living by truth. The apostle affectionately calls them “brethren” and expresses his desire for his beloved: that they would not be unknowing. “Mystery” here means something that we wouldn’t know apart from God’s revelation. If God has told us, then we need to know it—not just for information, but for life. This should be our desire for those we love: that they would live by the truth.

The danger of ignorance: pride. The boasting against which we were warned in Romans 11:18-20 overtakes us when we live without knowledge. We become wise in our own eyes. Being reduced to learning from God should humble us. It doesn’t just give us more facts; it rewrites our narrative understanding of those facts.

The narrative of all history: God saving all Israel. If it is through the lens of pride that we look at the hardening of Israel and influx of gentile believers through the lens of pride, we see a people who just weren’t as soft-hearted or discerning as we are. But if we look at it through the lens of Scripture, we see God saving all His elect. We see a focus not upon ethnic Israel but upon a spiritual Israel that includes both the fullness of the elect gentiles and the fullness of the elect Jews. “In this way” (to be exact) all Israel will be saved. 

The New Testament church: the offspring of the Messiah. Romans 11:26-27b quotes from Isaiah 59:20–21. The Redeemer comes to His elect to redeem them from their sins. If we go back to the original context (Isaiah 59:21), we see the Lord’s promise to the coming Messiah that those who are His would have His Word in their mouth forever. His people are called His “seed,” His offspring. And benefit comes not just to them but to their offspring as well. This doesn’t remove the need for continuing in God’s goodness (Romans 11:22), but it does describe the new covenant church: those with Christ’s Word in their mouth and in their children’s mouths. This new covenant includes Gentiles and Jews together, and it is the mechanism on earth by which God is gathering the fullness of the elect to Himself!

Whom do you love that need to learn the truth and live by it? What is the truth about how they may be saved, or how you may be saved? How does this prevent being wise in your own eyes? Who are the church, now? What is God doing through them? How?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving us to live in Christ’s administration of Your church on earth. Grant that His Word would be in our mouths and our children’s mouths. And use Your church to gather in all of Your elect, until they all are saved, we as through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP130 “LORD, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

Mobilization Mandate for the Militant Church [2024.02.25 Evening Sermon in Numbers 2]

The Lord arranges His church with their mission in mind.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Truly Rewarding Christianity [2024.02.25 Morning Sermon in Matthew 6:1–4]

Jesus desires for believers to have the true reward that comes by a life lived in fellowship with the Father, through union with the Son (by the power of the Spirit)

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Upon What Saints' Perseverance Depends, WCF 17.2a [2024.02.25 Hopewell 101 Sabbath School lesson]

This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.25 Lord's Day Live Streams (live at 10:10a, 11a, 3p)

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February 25 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Sabbath School handout

Matthew 6:1–4 sermon outline

Song Selections & Numbers 2 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 a service by which the content can be kept up with.

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Living for Infinite, Eternal Reward [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 6:1–4]

What sorts of good works should Christians watch against doing? Matthew 6:1–4 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians should watch against “good” works that are done in order to be seen by men and get glory from men.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 6:1–4

Read Matthew 6:1–4

Questions from the Scripture text: With what two-word command does Matthew 6:1 begin? What were they not to do? What don’t they have, if they do works of mercy to be seen by men? What does Matthew 6:2 assume that we will do? What does it say not to do first? Who did this? Where? To have glory from whom? What does Jesus say they have? What does Matthew 6:3 assume that we will do? What shouldn’t we “let know” what? In order to keep our work of mercy of what character (Matthew 6:4)? Who sees there? What will He do?

What sorts of good works should Christians watch against doing? Matthew 6:1–4 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians should watch against “good” works that are done in order to be seen by men and get glory from men.

The works that we should do. “charitable deeds” throughout this passage is translating a compound word built upon the word for “mercy.” The word itself seems to have been used most often with financial giving for/to the poor, but it extends to all works of mercy. We should remember that the chapter divisions are artificial. The Lord has just been instructing us in the sort of love that puts that of the scribes utterly to shame. How tempting it would be for us to want this to be seen by men! Nevertheless, we should love to do these works of mercy for brother, neighbor, and enemy. This passage does not discourage them, but rather assumes that we will do them. 

The reward we should want. Reading these verses, it may occur to us that there are many who actually wouldn’t find them motivating. They like to be seen by men (Matthew 6:1). They like to have glory from men (Matthew 6:2). They spend a fair amount of mental effort ignoring God and don’t care to be noticed by Him or rewarded by Him. That feels insane to type, but we know that it is true. And if we are honest, we know that it is still too frequently too true of ourselves.

But we have a Father in heaven. He is our Father, Who has loved us and given us spiritual birth by His Spirit, adopting us in His Son, and then indwelling us with the Spirit of adoption. And He is in heaven. He is holy (cf. Matthew 6:9). He is glorious. What reward could be better than one received from Him? What reward could compare? Even if we were not reward “openly” (Matthew 6:4), it is great reward to our souls just to know that Father sees, and that Father is pleased. Even His being pleased is of grace, putting away our sin in Christ, and receiving our good works as done in Him.

The place and manner that we should avoid. We are probably not so obnoxious to sound a trumpet, or have someone do so, to announce our works of mercy. But do we do them at times and places and ways that would get noticed? Many churches actually arrange “works of mercy” as a way of “getting the church name out there” or “getting seen by the community.” This is exactly contrary to Jesus’s commandment! 

The desire to be seen is so great that the Lord Jesus doesn’t just warn us against doing good to be seen; He positively commands us to try not to be seen or known. The right hand is not to have a publicity campaign, even to the extent of making its good works known to the left hand. 

Salt is something that we already are, and if we are what we are, where He put us, there will already be light shining before men (cf. Matthew 5:13–16). But, we must be careful not to be attempting to increase our exposure. Indeed, this passage teaches us positively to attempt to decrease it. 

What works of mercy do you do? What measures do you take to keep them from being noticed/known by others? How do you keep your mind/focus upon the Lord in doing them? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for Your great mercy to us, including the mercy in which You have given to us to be merciful like You are. Grant that we would do so only for Your eyes, and make it sweet to us to know that You are pleased with our good works in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP37C “Steps a Man Takes” or TPH464 “The Beatitudes”

Mobilized by God to Enter His Rest [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 2]

Who arranges the church and why? Numbers 2 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these thirty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord arranges His church with their mission in mind. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 2

Read Numbers 2

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom in Numbers 2:1? Who were to camp where (Numbers 2:2)? Distant from where? On what side does Judah camp (Numbers 2:3)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:7)? How many (Numbers 2:4, cf. Numbers 1:27)? Who next to them (Numbers 2:5)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:8)? How many (Numbers 2:6, cf. Numbers 1:29)? And who next to them (Numbers 2:7)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:9)? How many (Numbers 2:8, cf. Numbers 1:31)? How many, total, for these three tribes (Numbers 2:9)? When in the order would they break camp? On what side does Reuben camp (Numbers 2:10)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:5)? How many (Numbers 2:11, cf. Numbers 1:21)? Who next to them (Numbers 2:12)? And who next to them (Numbers 2:14)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:14)? How many (Numbers 2:15, cf. Numbers 1:25)? How many, total, for these three tribes (Numbers 2:16)? When in the order would they break camp? What moves out in Numbers 2:17? With whose camp? At what place in the order? On what side does Ephraim camp (Numbers 2:18)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:10)? How many (Numbers 2:19, cf. Numbers 1:33)? Who next to them (Numbers 2:20)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:10)? How many (Numbers 2:21, cf. Numbers 1:25)? And who next to them (Numbers 2:22)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:11)? How many (Numbers 2:23, cf. Numbers 1:37)? How many total for the three tribes from Rachel (Numbers 2:24)? When in the order would they break camp? On what side does Dan camp (Numbers 2:25)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:12)? How many (Numbers 2:26, cf. Numbers 1:39)? Who next to them (Numbers 2:27)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:13)? How many (Numbers 2:28, cf. Numbers 1:41)? And who next to them (Numbers 2:29)? Led by whom (cf. Numbers 1:15)? How many (Numbers 2:30 cf. Numbers 1:43)? How many total for these three tribes (Numbers 2:31)? When in the order would they break camp? How does Numbers 2:32 summarize this census? How many were numbered altogether? Who were not numbered (Numbers 2:33)? Why not? What did the children of Israel do (Numbers 2:34)? In what particular details? 

Who arranges the church and why? Numbers 2 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these thirty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord arranges His church with their mission in mind. 

God decides the order of His people. 1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us that “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” Our fellow-members, and our elders and deacons, in our particular congregation have been assigned to us by God according to an order that He has decided. No one in Israel had ground for complaining about where they were camped, or with whom, or what place they had in the order of march. The Lord had selected these things for them, and their following it was a matter of obedience (Numbers 2:34). Knowing this, we ought to take our part in the church with zeal and diligence.

God made them mobile. The Lord teaches Christians today to live with a pilgrim mindset (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31; Hebrews 11:10–16; 1 Peter 2:11), and this was something that He made plain to Israel in this chapter. They were to live as those who were ready to move at any moment. Not only does He refer to their districts as “camp,” but the five (including Levites) groups are listed in the order by which they would break camp. Again, knowing the order in which they would move would help limit chaos and conflict when that time came. And setting a leader in each tribe, and a leader-tribe in each group, would also help keep things orderly. 

Seeing that God arranged them to be a mobile people reminded them that they were not at their final destination. They were kept looking forward to a better and permanent home. This is true for you, too, dear Christian. No place on earth is ultimately your home. You can be at home anywhere in the world, for the world is your Father’s, your King’s, and yours. But nowhere in this world is your home!

God put Himself at the center and at a distance. Remember that this was no ordinary camp. They numbered in the millions. The tabernacle was at the center of a large, priestly district, which will be the subject of the next couple chapters. In each direction, there would be a significant distance (probably almost a mile, cf. Joshua 3:4) from the tabernacle to the main body of the Jews. This made the tabernacle and its precincts into a large “downtown” area, but it would be God Himself who dwelt there among those particular servants who were to attend to Him. The prominent focus upon the Levites reminds us from the previous chapter (cf. Numbers 1:51, Numbers 1:53) that the greatest danger to them was not outside the camp but in the middle.

For us, our “tabernacle” is in glory, where Christ Himself is seated. But we are not kept at a distance. We are united to Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places. This is one great blessing of what is called “the priesthood of all believers” in Jesus’s administration of the covenant of grace. Were Israel taught that the Lord is the center of their lives? Then how much more you are taught so, dear Christian! Let us seek grace to live our lives with Him at the center, rejoicing that we are no longer “kept at a distance,” and living as those who are holy. 

How does this chapter remind you to embrace God’s own general order in the church, and His providentially chosen members and officers in your own specific church? What is your final home? How can you be “at home” here, and what does it look like to live as someone for whom this is not your ultimate “home”? What does having God at the center of your life mean for your schedule (e.g. mornings, evenings, Lord’s Days)? What does it mean for the “ordinary” times of life? What difference does it make to you that you are now seated with Christ?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You that You have set the order for Your church as it should be. Please help us to submit ourselves to You cheerfully. Give us to live in this world as pilgrims, focusing upon You and how our life revolves around You, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP116B “I Still Believed” or TPH61B “O Hear My Urgent Cry”

Beholding Our Good and Severe God [2024.02.21 Midweek Sermon in Romans 11:22–24]

When thinking about our current spiritual state, our future state, or that of others, the most important thing to keep in mind is the character of God, Who is abundantly good but by no means overlooks sin.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The Deceitfulness of Riches without True Wealth [Family Worship lesson in James 5:1–6]

Why is wealth so dangerous? James 5:1–6 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wealth poses the dangers of false security, hoarding, theft, fraud, self-indulgence, betrayal, and murder.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ James 5:1–6

Read James 5:1–6

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does James 5:1 address? What does it command them to do? Why? What is the true nature of their supposedly pretty riches (James 5:2)? And of their garments? And of their gold and silver (James 5:3)? What two things will this gold and silver do? What have they done? During what days? About what does James 5:4 now speak? Whose were these wages? What had the laborers done? But what happened to those wages? How were they kept back? What do the wages now do? Whose ears to those wages’ cries reach? What else reaches those ears? Where have these rich lived (James 5:5)? In what way? By this, what have they done, in what sort of day? What else have they done to whom for profit (James 5:6)? What does the righteous man not do?

Why is wealth so dangerous? James 5:1–6 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wealth poses the dangers of false security, hoarding, theft, fraud, self-indulgence, betrayal, and murder.

Just reading that list, we see that, the love of money truly is a root of all kinds of evil (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 1 Timothy 6:17–19). In the context in which I write, believers are more wealthy than nearly any other time or place in the history of the Christian church. How necessary for us to heed this passage!

Weeping over wealth? James 5:1. Most think that they would rejoice and laugh over being rich, but verse 1 says to weep and howl. If our rejoicing is from/in the Lord (cf. Philippians 4:4), then we may use riches rightly (cf. Philippians 4:12). But if riches are our joy, then we are on the brink of devastating misery!

False security, James 5:2-3. The imagery in this verse is of thinking that something is solid but having this hope shattered. They try to use their wealth, but it has been rotting and just crumbles in their hands. When they take it out for trade, it instead witnesses against them. 

They try to put on their fine clothing, but it’s so perforated with holes that they appear impoverished and naked. And that which they touch to their flesh, they find not silky and comfortable but burning like fire. False security is one of the great dangers of wealth. It sprouts wings and flies away (cf. Proverbs 23:5). 

Hoarding, end of James 5:3. All of our days are our last days. The Lord may not return for thousands of years, but He will very soon summon each one of us from this world. We must live as those who have pleasure and purpose in the Lord, and use the things of this world in that manner. 

What folly it is to accumulate for accumulation’s sake! Wealth is not a purpose; it has a purpose. By it, one may enjoy the Lord and His goodness. Using it, one may employ it for the Lord in His service. When we treat it as its own purpose, we let it make a mockery of us.

Theft and fraud, James 5:4. The fields that the laborers of verse 4 were contracted to work have been thoroughly harvested. But the wages that were promised them are still in the pocket of the rich landowner. And how did this happen? By fraud! Some cheating, some deception, some false technicality. 

This is so commonplace now, and apparently it was common then. For, the Spirit reminds them that the Lord of Hosts is listening to those wages and those reapers, who are now crying as Abel’s blood once did. Theft and cheating are brazen atheism: treating the God Who calls Himself “Lord of Armies” as if He does not see us or hear us or care about justice!  But wealth poses this danger; we fall in love with it, and we begin to be forgetful for God, when it will serve the purpose of increasing our wealth.

Self-indulgence, James 5:5. Here is a companion to the hoarding at the end of James 5:3. In this case, however, the wealth is being enjoyed. But it’s being enjoyed “on the earth,” which means something similar here to the “under the sun” of Ecclesiastes. It is being enjoyed as if this world is all there is. But if that is the sort of joy you have now, then it is the only joy that you will ever have. Very soon, the one whose pleasure has been in self-indulgence will come into the pains of hell forever. But how easy wealth makes it to indulge ourselves. The Lord spare us from so living!

Betrayal and murder, James 5:6. It’s amazing here that the just man is not hostile toward this rich person. This character (cf. Matthew 5:39) makes the betrayal in James 5:6 even worse. These rich condemn even such a man as this, simply because it suits their purposes. Not only do they serve their wealth, but their ability to wield power has brought them to a point that their consciences are seared like leather.

What dangers wealth can pose to the believer! The Lord grant to you, dear reader, to know how to be abased and how to abound, to be able to do in Christ Jesus all things that you do (cf. Philippians 4:12–13). 

How have you been tempted to find your security, pleasure, or even purpose in wealth? To what lying, stealing, or cheating has it tempted you? Whom have you been tempted to mistreat for it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have trusted in wealth and served wealth. Forgive us our self-indulgence and our mistreating others as if You, the Lord of Hosts, do not see and hear. Grant, instead, that we would rejoice always in the Lord Jesus, and that we would know how to abound in Him, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP112 “O Praise the LORD” or TPH538 “Take My Life, and Let It Be”

2024.02.21 Midweek Prayer Meeting Live Stream

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February 21 Prayer Meeting Folder

Romans 11:22–24 sermon outline

Only One Redeemer, Only One God [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 43:22–44:23]

From what do we most need to be redeemed? Isaiah 43:22–44:23 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is from our sin that we most need redemption. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 43:22–44:23

Read Isaiah 43:22–44:23

Questions from the Scripture text: Despite God having saved them so marvelously before (Isaiah 43:16–17), what hasn’t Jacob done (Isaiah 43:22a)? And how has Israel treated the Lord (verse 22b)? How have they not related to the Lord (Isaiah 43:23-24b)? How have they related to Him instead (Isaiah 43:24c–d)? But what does the Lord do for Israel (Isaiah 43:25)? What does He command them to do in Isaiah 43:26? Who did what in Isaiah 43:27a? And who else did what (verse 27b)? What will happen to which people in Isaiah 43:28a? And to what [corporate] people in verse 28b–c? To whom does YHWH now speak in Isaiah 44:1? What does He call them in verse 1a, Isaiah 44:2c? What has He done for them (Isaiah 44:1b, Isaiah 44:2d)? And what else (Isaiah 44:2a)? And how does He describe it in verse 2b? What will He do for them? What does He call them in verse 2c? What does He say that He will pour in Isaiah 44:3a–b? And what in verse 3c–d (cf. Ezekiel 36:24–28)? Upon whom, specifically? With what effect (Isaiah 44:4)? For what sort of life is this a metaphor (Isaiah 44:5)? What is YHWH to Israel in Isaiah 44:6a? And what in verse 6b? What does He display about Himself in this way (verse 6b–d, Isaiah 44:8d–f; cf. Isaiah 41:4; Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 22:13)? What can no one else do (Isaiah 44:7)? What must Israel not do (Isaiah 44:8a)? Because of what (verse 8b–c)? But what have some done instead (Isaiah 44:9-11)? To what effect? By what strength are idols made (Isaiah 44:12a–c)? What happens to that strength (verse 12d–e)? What does the craftsman have to do to it (Isaiah 44:13a–d)? To fit what pattern (verse 13e–f)? Where does he have to go to get the material (Isaiah 44:14a–c)? But even then what does it need (verse 14d)? But what will the rest of it be used for (Isaiah 44:15a)? To do what (verse 15b)? And what else (verse 15c)? So, what is some of it used for (verse 15d–e, Isaiah 44:17)? And how does the rest of the use in Isaiah 44:16 show the ridiculousness of this? How could they do something so foolish (Isaiah 44:18)? What can’t they even see or think (Isaiah 44:19-20)? What does the Lord command them in Isaiah 44:21a? Who are they (verse 21b)? What has He done for them (verse 21c)? What does He refuse to do (verse 21d)? What has He done (Isaiah 44:22a)? How many were there (verse 22a–b)? What does He now tell them to do (verse 22c)? Why? Now who receive commands in Isaiah 44:23a–d? What are they to do? Why? To what does all the creation respond in this way (verse 23e–f)? 

From what do we most need to be redeemed? Isaiah 43:22–44:23 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is from our sin that we most need redemption. 

In last week’s portion (Isaiah 42:18–43:21), the Lord declared Himself as Redeemer (next of kin who saves us because we have no hope in ourselves or otherwise) from Babylon (Isaiah 43:14), Who is doing a new and greater work (Isaiah 43:18–19) than He had done even in the Exodus (Isaiah 43:16–17). But now this section describes an even greater redemption: redemption from their sin!

Helpless religiosity, Isaiah 43:22–24. In the original of Isaiah 43:22-23b, the emphasis repeatedly lies upon “Me.” It wasn’t genuinely unto the Lord that they were offering all of their worship. They viewed His worship as slavery (Isaiah 43:23c, ironically, since He literally brought them out of slavery) and wearisome (verse 23d). But the reality is that they have treated the Lord as a slave (Isaiah 43:24c uses the same verb as Isaiah 43:23c). They heap their sins and iniquities upon Him, Who has attached Himself to them. 

Surprising, sure help, Isaiah 43:25–44:5. Isaiah 43:25 is very abrupt in the original. There is no logical connection given in the text. The Lord saves according to His own pleasure (“for My own sake”), and here He interrupts their continual stream of sin to blot it out. Their case (Isaiah 43:26) is dire. From their first father (Isaiah 43:27a), through everyone in between (verse 27b), they have been sinners. And even now, those who are in leadership among the holy people (Isaiah 43:28a) have brought themselves—and the nation, together with them (verse 28)—under guilt and curse. 

So, Israel needs to be able to trace a line of help and hope back to someone other than their ancestors or up to someone other than their leaders. That someone is the Lord! He brought Jacob into that greatest freedom: slavery to God (Isaiah 44:1a, Isaiah 44:2c). He chose Israel for Himself (Isaiah 44:1b, Isaiah 44:2d). He has given them a new ancestry, not fathering them in the way from Isaiah 43:27, but making and forming them as the people of His help (Isaiah 44:2a–b). 

Best of all is this name “Jeshurun” (Isaiah 44:2d), which means something like “beloved little righteous one.” They have received no righteousness from their human fathers, but the Lord has committed Himself to making them His righteous darlings! This He does by pouring Himself out, His Spirit giving them a nature that is directly contrary to their own (Isaiah 44:3a–b, cf. Ezekiel 36:24–28) and initiating a new covenant line of hope for the same pouring of the same Spirit (Isaiah 44:3c–d) like the pouring of the water in the metaphor in verse 3a–b.

The spring shoots and flowers that the poured-out Spirit produces (Isaiah 44:4) is a spiritual life and love unto God that is described here in rich, romantic poetry (Isaiah 44:5). May His Spirit cause such knowledge of belonging to Him and being loved by Him to bloom in your own heart, dear reader!

No other help, Isaiah 44:6-8. Our affection for the Lord should foster a jealous exclusivity for knowing Him alone as God, loving Him alone as God. The gushing affection of Isaiah 44:5 flows into His identifying Himself as our Redeemer in Isaiah 44:6, our kinsman who saves us because we have no hope in ourselves or otherwise. He shows Himself YHWH, the First and the Last, by saving us when no one else could. Idols cannot predict history (Isaiah 44:7), because history has been planned for the display of the Lord as this Redeemer. 

Therefore, one great object of His saving us is that we would testify (Isaiah 44:8c) to what He has declared to us (verse 8b) by saving us (verse 8e): that He alone is God (verse 8d, f). If we are going to testify to our hope (verse 8c, cf. 1 Peter 3:15), then that must begin by living in that hope (Isaiah 44:8a). Dear Christian, live in hope, not fear. Living in fear forgets that one of God’s great purposes in saving you has been that you would be able to testify that the reason for your hope is the Lord Who saved you to display Himself as the only true God!

The folly of any other help, Isaiah 44:9-20. Resting our hope upon anything other than the Lord isn’t just treachery against the Lord Who has so loved us (cf. Isaiah 44:1-8); it is folly that can do nothing to save us (Isaiah 44:9-10). Manmade hope is crippled by being limited to man’s own knowledge and ability (Isaiah 44:11-13). And manmade hope is further crippled by being limited to being made out of created things (Isaiah 44:14-17). The ridiculousness of resting our hope upon anything other than YHWH is brutally satirized here, climaxing with Isaiah 44:17: a man pleading for salvation from the leftovers of his cooking fuel and heating fuel! 

If we can come up with it or make it, we must not put our hope in it. If anything has increased by an “evolution” into modern man, it is this very idolatry. Never has man placed more of his confidence in what he thinks he knows or what he thinks he can do. This spurns the love of God from earlier in the chapter, and makes us into the worst butts yet of the Isaiah 44:9-17 joke.

Why can’t men see the folly of this (Isaiah 44:18a, Isaiah 44:19-20)? Because God has righteously given them over to a dysfunctional mind for disregarding their Creator (Isaiah 44:18b–c, cf. Romans 1:18–28). 

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Isaiah 44:21-23. So, how does the Lord’s Spirit deliver us from this treachery and folly? By making us to “remember” (Isaiah 44:21). The way that He addresses them again, in verse 21, directs their remembrance back to Isaiah 44:1-5. And the language of Isaiah 44:22 directs their remembrance back to Isaiah 43:25 (and Isaiah 43:18–28 as a whole). The Lord is His people’s Redeemer! So, let them turn to Him as Redeemer (Isaiah 44:22c), for the time is coming when the whole creation will praise the Redeemer of Jacob and Israel (Isaiah 44:23). Remember your Redeemer, and return to Him with rejoicing!

How do you seek to avoid worshiping God thoughtlessly or heartlessly? But what is your hope for this? In what situations are you tempted to fear? How does remembering how and why you were saved combat the fear? When do you have opportunity to bear witness of your Hope?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how often we have been in the middle of worship actions, but we have not been mindful of You. Truly, You have loved us and saved us in sovereign grace. But we have been forgetful of how we belong to You and are beloved by You. In Your mercy, forgive our treacherous hearts. We often find ourselves resting our hope upon things that we have come up or that we have done. At those times, we are fools like those who ask their remaining heating fuel to deliver them. In Your mercy, forgive our foolish hearts. Grant that Your Spirit, Whom You have poured like water on thirsty ground, would make our hearts to blossom with love and praise that remembers You, our Redeemer in Jesus Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH190 “Thus Saith the Mercy of the Lord”

Godly Man of a Gracious God [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 112]

What is a godly man like? Psalm 112 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a godly man is ultimately like his God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 112

Read Psalm 112

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Psalm 112:1a command? What is the condition of the man who does what in verse 1b? In what does he delight (verse 1c)? How much? What will his offspring be (Psalm 112:2a)? Where? What does verse 2b say about them as a whole? What are in the house of the YHWH-fearing man (Psalm 112:3a)? But what possession of his stands forever (verse 3b, cf. Psalm 112:9c)? What do the upright have, in what condition (Psalm 112:4a)? What three qualities characterize the upright (verse 4b)? What does the good man do (Psalm 112:5a) with the wealth from Psalm 112:3a? What upholds his interactions (Psalm 112:5b)? What will not happen to him (Psalm 112:6a)? What will be done, to whom, for how long (verse 6b)? What will the righteous not do (Psalm 112:7a)? What is the condition of his heart (verse 7b)? How? Until when (Psalm 112:8)? What has the righteous done (Psalm 112:9a–b)? As an example of what (verse 9c, cf. Psalm 112:3b)? With what result (Psalm 112:9d)? Who else see this (Psalm 112:10a)? With what response? What happens to the wicked (verse 10b)? And what else of his (verse 10c)?

What is a godly man like? Psalm 112 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a godly man is ultimately like his God. 

God and the godly. This is the second in a pair of acrostic Psalms. Psalm 111 gave us the A to Z (alpeh to tav) of God; now, Psalm 112 gives us the A to Z of the godly man. There is intentional overlap here. God’s righteousness endures forever (Psalm 111:3b), and so the righteousness of the man who fears the Lord endures forever (Psalm 112:3b, Psalm 112:9c), because God is his righteousness! Thus, God is praised (Psalm 111:10c), and the godly are honored (Psalm 112:9d). 

Pleasure, not burden. For the godly, godliness is a delight, because God is a delight. The same word for pleasure in studying His works (Psalm 111:2b) is now used of the delight in His commandments (Psalm 112:1c). “Greatly” shows an even greater delight in the commandments! As the Spirit says, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). 

Relations, riches, righteousness, and remembrance. “Relations” here refers to descendants and generation in Psalm 112:2. The godly man is blessed in his family (cf. Psalm 128:3) through generations (cf. Psalm 128:6). 

Riches may come in a temporary way to the wicked, but they come in a truly rich way to that happy/blessed man who fears YHWH. They are in his house(hold) in Psalm 112:3a; they are enjoyed and employed to God’s glory in the covenantal context of his family. These riches also benefit all around him, due to his godliness (Psalm 112:5, Psalm 112:9). 

Righteousness is not only a manner of conduct but a conduit of blessing—blessing to himself as light in dark times (Psalm 112:4a), and blessing to others who enjoy the godly man’s kindness and compassion (verse 4b). The description in verse 4b is so similar to Psalm 111:4b that we must conclude that this is the life and character of YHWH being worked out in the one who fears Him. 

Remembrance. God’s wonderful works are done to be remembered (Psalm 111:4a), and God is ever remembering His covenant (Psalm 111:5b). Man is so fleeting! But a godly man is remembered by the Lord. Truly, though the whole cosmos be against him, he cannot be shaken (Psalm 112:6a, cf. Psalm 46:5). The godly are steadfast and unafraid because they remember that they are remembered (Psalm 112:7-8, cf. Psalm 46:1–2). 

On the outside looking in. Psalm 112:10 is sobering. The wicked are not the point of this Psalm, or indeed of history or reality. Just as the godly looks upon his enemies (Psalm 112:8c), the wicked appear at the end of the Psalm (almost as a footnote), seeing the honor of the righteous (Psalm 112:10a). They who hate God and suffer continual destruction from His presence and glory (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9) shall suffer, as part of that torment, the continual awareness that the godly (whom they also hate) are blessed. 

The ever blessed God glorifies His goodness by redeeming for Himself those whom He makes to be godly and ever-blessed! Indeed, as the Psalm begins by commanding, “praise YHWH”! Hallelujah!

How ought you feel about God and His commandments? How are you enjoying His own priority upon generations? How are you a blessing to those around you? In what circumstances might you be shaken or fear? What hope of steadfastness does this Psalm give you instead?

Sample prayer:  We praise You, YHWH, Who make Your people happy and blessed in You. Your works are a delight to us, and Your commandments are a great delight to us. Grant unto us to be Your wealthy household, who are righteous with Your own righteousness. Be compassionate to us, and make us compassionate with others. Gather us to Yourself that we might remember how You are always remembering us. Give us that courage and confidence in You that will endure forever, even as we praise You forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP112 “O Praise the LORD” or TPH112 “O Praise the LORD! The Man Is Blest”

Lessons Learned from Mustering God’s People in the Wilderness [2024.02.18 Evening Sermon in Numbers 1]

God teaches us much just by the way that He organizes His church.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Loving Our Enemies Like Our Heavenly Father Does [2024.02.18 Morning Sermon in Matthew 5:43–48]

Christians ought to love their enemies and do good to them, trusting that many to whom they do good will end up brothers.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

WCF 17.1 Triune Certainty of the Perseverance of the Saints [2024.02.18 Hopewell 101 Sabbath School lesson]

They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The God Who Is Pleased to Save [Westminster Shorter Catechism 20—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 20—especially explaining how salvation in Christ is God’s pleasure from all eternity.

Q20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? God having, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Seeing God's Saving Goodness to Us and Hoping in It for Others [Family Worship lesson in Romans 11:22–24]

In what way are we to think about unbelieving Jews? Romans 11:22–24 prepares us for the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to think of unbelieving Jews with an eye toward the goodness of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.02.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ Romans 11:22–24

Read Romans 11:22–24

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does Romans 11:22 begin? What two things are we to consider? Of Whom? What are we to consider from Him on those who fell? What are we to consider from Him on us who have believed? In what will we continue, if we have truly believed? But what will happen if we do not continue in that goodness? In what might those who fell not continue (Romans 11:23)? What will happen to them if they don’t continue in unbelief? By Whose ability would this happen? Out of what sort of tree were Gentile “branches” cut out (Romans 11:24)? Contrary to what were they grafted into what? But what sort of branches are those who fell? Into what would they be grafted if they believe?

In what way are we to think about unbelieving Jews? Romans 11:22–24 prepares us for the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to think of unbelieving Jews with an eye toward the goodness of God. 

Behold your God, Romans 11:22a. “Consider” is more literally “look” or “behold.” We often focus in upon what will happen with men, but this verse directs our attention back to God Himself. This is a good habit to maintain for good interpretation of Scripture and life. It is best to keep our eyes upon Him. In this case, there are two things to see: goodness and severity. Goodness is provision over-against what the recipient needs. Severity is cutting precisely according to the way things are. The Lord is both generous and just, and He highlights both of these, as we direct our attention to Him.

Continue in the goodness, Romans 11:22b. There is a warning at the end of this verse. Those who are in the visible church are not out of danger of being cut off. There is a way of proceeding that exposes a “branch” as not having been grafted in. That way is if they proceed according to themselves instead of according to God. If they proceed to please themselves, instead of to please God, they have not begun in His goodness. If they proceed in their own power, instead of in God’s power, they have not begun in His goodness. Only those who continue in God’s goodness have begun in His goodness. And only these will not be cut off. The Christian life is one of God-given dependence and devotion. Continue in His goodness!

Expect more goodness, Romans 11:23-24. Many of us have dear ones, acquaintances, or enemies who are in bondage to unbelief. When we look at them, what we see is spiritual impossibility. But, if we consider them with our attention upon God, we see not only the current justice of His severity, but we see His ability. “God is able” says Romans 11:23! The apostle doesn’t see Israel as permanently stuck in unbelief; they may be unable to believe, but God is able to graft them in again.

We are encouraged to hope for others to come to faith even and especially by the Lord having brought ourselves to faith. This is especially the case with those who began within Bible-believing families and churches. Yes, they have been cut off due to unbelief, but their life in this world began under the cultivation of God. They heard His Word, participated in His worship, and were part of His people. If God has grafted in people who did not begin this way, how much more we should expect Him to recover and graft in those whom He brought into this world as “natural” branches!

Many abuse Proverbs 22:6, as if it applies to the covenant child that has gone wayward, rather than the one that has been trained in the way and stays in the way. But here, in Romans 11:23–24, we are on more solid scriptural ground for that wayward covenant child. He was a natural branch. He has been cut off. But God is grafting in even those branches that began outside of the advantages of the cultivation that God gives in His church. Surely, we may hope in the God, Who is able and willing to show such goodness, that He will graft wayward covenant children back in. Behold, hope in, and expect the goodness of God!

How did you come to faith? What did you deserve instead? What does this remind you about God? How, then must you continue in the faith? Whom do you know that is currently stuck in unbelief? Upon Whom must you remember to focus, when you think about their spiritual situation? What reason do you have to hope that they will be saved?

Sample prayer:  Our gracious God, we thank You that You are good to sinners and save them by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ. Keep us walking in Your goodness! And grant that even those who have been cut off may be grafted in by Your power and goodness, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH517 “I Know Whom I Have Believed”

2024.02.18 Lord's Day Live streams (live at 10:15a, 11a, 3p)

Click below for the:

February 18 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Sabbath School outline

Matthew 5:43–48 sermon outline

p.m. Songs & Numbers 1 sermon

Using Our Confession to Hold Fast the Confession of Our Faith [2024.02.17 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – February 17, 2024

Dear Congregation,

We are blessed with good doctrinal standards in the Westminster Confession, Larger Catechism, and Shorter Catechism. They are such good and sound and pastoral documents! And, if one uses them as a structure for systematically studying through Scripture, he will cover all of his doctrinal and applicational bases.

After a more than 2 year hiatus, we finally return to our Hopewell 101 course for the next three weeks of the Sabbath School. Tomorrow morning, we will be considering the Perseverance of the Saints (WCF 17). I hope to see many of you there, as we warm our hearts for worship through instruction in good doctrine from Scripture.

Then, there is the catechism class, currently taught by CG. We keep up with the Shorter Catechism memory for the week, but he also refers us to parallel teaching from the WCF and WLC. I encourage all to attend this. Especially those parents whose children have not learned the catechism should have their children attend. And I strongly recommend that if your children are attending, then one of the parents or a mature older sibling attend with them. It would be a delight if we had to move this class to a larger space for the number of people attending.

Also, for the next several weeks, I’ll be reading through the Confession and Catechisms with our diaconate nominees at 4:30 p.m. on the Lord’s Day. We read the first six chapters last Lord’s Day and will begin with chapter seven tomorrow, Lord-willing. To make room for others to listen in, we’re moving it out of my study and either into the main room of the Fellowship Hall or the auxiliary room in the back of it. In our brief reading last week, we corrected so many common errors that currently plague “Reformed” and “Presbyterian” churches.

Finally, there is an excellent website, “Daily Westminster,” which offers an email subscription option that will bring selections to your inbox each day, systematically taking you through all of the material.

Watching out for your souls with joy (Heb 13:17),

Pastor

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC19, Personal, Painful, Perpetual Misery 
▪Psalm 111:6–10, “How the Lord Presents Himself for Praise”
▪Isaiah 42:18–43:21, “Saved by the Lord to Testify to the Lord as the Only Savior”
▪James 4:13–17, “The Arrogance of Living for Our Profit Plans”
▪Matthew 5:43–48, “Loving Enemies Like Father Does”
▪Numbers 1, “Census Lessons in the Wilderness”

LORD'S DAY – February 18, 2024 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
Hopewell 101: WCF 17 Of the Perseverance of the Saints

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for February 18
Q80. What is the first commandment? The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

▫Shorter Catechism for February 18
Q19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
[WSC 19 Simply Explained: “Personal, Painful, Perpetual Misery”]

Songs for February 18 morning service: 
▫ARP111B “The Mighty Power of His Works” [mp3]
▫ARP26 “Lord, Vindicate Me” [mp3]
▫ARP109A “God of My Praise” [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Psalm 111:6–10

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Isaiah 42:18–43:21
James 4:13–17

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 5:43–48 on “Loving Our Enemies Like Father Does”

Lord’s Supper! (Please see the section at the end of the Worship Booklet on how rightly to prepare for and take it).

1 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:30 p.m. Fellowship Lunch
▫Memory Verse for February 18, Matthew 5:44–45, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

3:00 p.m Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Numbers 1 on “Mustering God’s People in the Wilderness”

 

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for February
Pressly Memorial ARP in Red Level, AL

February Psalm of the Month
ARP26 Lord, Vindicate Me

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, February 21, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Romans 11:22–24 then pray until just before 8 p.m.
• Saturday, February 24, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Saturday, February 24, Church work day, 8:30a
• Thursday, March 21, Session Meeting, 6p.m. in the Fellowship Hall