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
Friday, January 31, 2025
Remedy for the Defilement of Murder [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 35]
2025.01.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 35
Read Numbers 35
Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom in Numbers 35:1? Where? Whom is he to command (Numbers 35:2)? To give what to whom? And what else? What are each of these for (Numbers 35:3)? How much common land (Numbers 35:4-5)? What special cities will be found among these cities (Numbers 35:6)? How many of each (Numbers 35:6-7)? How are the cities to be selected (Numbers 35:8)? For whom are the cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-11)? In order to keep what from happening (Numbers 35:12)? Until when? Where will they be located (Numbers 35:13-14)? What people will be eligible to use these cities (Numbers 35:15)? What are some cases in which the killing is murder (Numbers 35:16-18, Numbers 35:20-21a)? And another (Numbers 35:17)? And another (Numbers 35:18)? What penalty is required in each of these cases? Who is to administer it (Numbers 35:19, Numbers 35:21b)? When? What are some cases in which the killing is not murder (Numbers 35:22-23)? Who are to make the evaluation according to these standards (Numbers 35:24)? What are they to do if he is innocent of murder (Numbers 35:25)? Until when? And what if he leaves, what can who do (Numbers 35:26-28)? How many witnesses are necessary for determining a case (Numbers 35:29-30)? What can be paid to spare a murderer from death (Numbers 35:31)? Or a manslayer from restriction to a city of refuge (Numbers 35:32)? What is one primary reason that all of this is necessary (Numbers 35:33)? Why—who inhabit it (Numbers 35:34)? And Who dwells in the midst of it?
Why must murder be dealt with so carefully in Israel? Numbers 35 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel are a people among whom the Lord dwells, and must guard the holiness of His image in man.
Why this is necessary. As Israel possesses the land of their inheritance (Numbers 35:2), there is a matter of vital importance: that they do not pollute the land by failing to execute murderers (Numbers 35:33, cf. Genesis 9:6). We’ve just read that this is the land that the living God is bequeathing upon His heirs (cf. chapter 34), and when He brings them into it, He Himself will dwell in the midst of it, among the children of Israel (Numbers 35:34). Such a land cannot be permitted to be defiled with unavenged blood.
Whom God appoints as judges for murder cases. Nestled in this passage is the fact that the Levites are to receive forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:7), but this is included primarily for the sake of the six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6, Numbers 35:13). Each of the 48 Levitical cities includes a 2000 cubit by 2000 cubit (or slightly larger, to include the length of the city walls) square of pasture lands, with the city at its center (Numbers 35:4-5). The cities as a whole are spread evenly throughout the population of Israel (Numbers 35:8), but the disproportion in the distribution of the cities of refuge, with fully half of them on the other side of the Jordan with the two-and-half tribes. This implies that there is an emphasis upon geographical access, in the interest of justice. Ultimately, this means that the Lord has appointed the Levites as the administrators of the justice procedure in the case that someone has been killed. Furthermore, in cases of manslaughter, the death of the high priest releases him from the threat of vengeance.
What happens when a man is killed. When a man is killed, the nearest of kin has the responsibility of redressing the death. The word ‘avenger’ (Numbers 35:12) is the word that readers of Ruth will know as “kinsman redeemer.” Another of his responsibilities is to pursue the manslayer to a city of refuge, so that the congregation (of Levites) may render judgment before there is any execution.
The main duty of this assembly of Levites is to distinguish between murder and manslaughter. In order for a case to proceed at all, there must be multiple witnesses (Numbers 35:30). In cases where there is an intentional strike with a deadly weapon (Numbers 35:16-18), or if there was intent or premeditation (Numbers 35:20-21), the killing is a murder, and the murder must be put to death. The execution is to be done by the avenger (Numbers 35:19), but it is the Levitical assembly that hears from the manslayer and avenger of blood (Numbers 35:24) to render a verdict. If they conclude that there was no enmity, premeditation, or hand-to-hand attack (Numbers 35:22-23), it is manslaughter not murder, and the manslayer comes under the protection of that Levitical city (Numbers 35:25). If he leaves the place of protection, he forfeits that protection (Numbers 35:27-28).
Finally, in the case of death, there can be no alternative penalties. Not only is the penalty for murder non-negotiable (Numbers 35:31), so also is the penalty for manslaughter (Numbers 35:32). From this, we understand that man’s blood is sacred. How greatly we ought to regard the image of God upon men! And, how important it is that those who gather to a holy God maintain holy lives—not only individually, but especially as a community. This applies more than just to maintaining church discipline (cf. 1 Corinthians 5). It applies to the civil society in which that church is located; it must have regard for the holiness of the people who live there, and the LORD Who dwells among them. How much more this is the case, when the people themselves are adopted by the Father, united to the Son, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit!
In what ways might you need to be having more regard for the image of God in others? In what areas of your life do you need to be giving more consideration to the fact that you are consecrated to God?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are the infinitely glorious, only true God, and You have honored us above all other creatures by making us in Your own image. Forgive us for how we have disregarded that image in others, cleanse our conscience, and reform our character. And grant that our church and society would deal with murder in such a way that we would not be defiled before You or provoke You to wrath. By Your redemption, You have given us the even greater honor of being adopted by the Father, united to the Son, and indwelt by the Spirit. Grant that we would conduct ourselves in such holiness as befits a people whom You have thus consecrated. For, we ask it all through, and in, Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP8 “LORD, Our Lord” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”
Thursday, January 30, 2025
The Love that Restores Our Zeal [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 3:14–22]
2025.01.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 3:14–22
Read Revelation 3:14–22
Questions from the Scripture text: To the messenger/preacher (NKJ ‘angel’) of which church is this letter addressed (Revelation 3:14)? In what three ways does Jesus describe Himself? What does He know (Revelation 3:15, cf. Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:8)? What does He know that they are not? What could He wish? But what are they (Revelation 3:16)? And what will He do to them? What do they say (Revelation 3:17)? But what don’t they know? What does He counsel them to buy (Revelation 3:18)? From Whom? So that they may be what? And what else? So that they may be what? And what else? To do what? Why is He rebuking and chastening them (Revelation 3:19)? What should they do in response to this love? What does He command at the beginning of Revelation 3:20? Whom are they to behold? Where is He standing? How does He describe this repenting? What might one hear? What might one do? What will Jesus do? What does Revelation 3:21 now call this repenting and opening? What will Jesus grant to the one who does this? Who has previously done this? Whom does Revelation 3:22 address? What is such a person to do with this letter? Who is speaking this letter? To whom?
How harmful is spiritual pride? Revelation 3:14–22 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritual pride keeps one from fellowship with the glorious Savior.
Who Jesus reminds us that He is. He is the Amen (Revelation 3:14), the One Who Himself is as He ought to be, and in Whom all God’s promises are true (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20). And He is the Faithful and True Witness. He tells the truth about Himself, first of all, as well as about us. Finally, He is the beginning of the creation of God. The language does not imply that He is a creature, but that He indeed is the One Who is the first cause of God’s creation—i.e., that He is God, the Creator.
What Jesus knows them to be. Sadly, Jesus knows that they neither boil with zeal for Him, nor are they cold and refreshing to Him—i.e., those who are glad to serve and please Him (Revelation 3:15). How did they get to be like this? They are satisfied with themselves (Revelation 3:17). They think that in themselves they are wealthy and need nothing, but the Faithful and True Witness says that they are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Laodicea was renowned in the earth for wealth, a medical school that specialized in the eye, and luxurious textiles for clothing. But the church there was now infamous with Christ for being exactly the opposite, spiritually.
What they need Jesus to be. They are on the verge of being rejected by Christ (Revelation 3:16). The language of being vomited is one of judicial wrath and covenantal judgment (cf. Leviticus 18:28). But it is this very same Christ Who is their only hope. His is the counsel by which they may remedy the situation (Revelation 3:18). And it is from Him that they may purchase true gold (refined in fire), white garments (Laodicea’s most famous cloth was black), and anointing salve. Jesus is all our riches, all our covering, and all our health and ability. He is the Beginning of the creation of God. In Him is all that we need.
What Jesus already is unto them. He loves them (Revelation 3:19). He is rebuking and chastening them in that love. This is the only letter of the seven that has no word of praise. But yet He loves them, and the letter is coming in that love. They may have grown cold to Him, but He has not grown cold to them. Dear believer, if you have grown cold to Jesus, know that His love to you urges love back to Him: “zealous” here is a word that means to boil unto Him (cf. being “fervent in spirit” in Romans 12:11). We do not stir up love to Him in order to get things from Him. We get the love itself from Him in the first place!
What thy must do unto Him. All that is required is to welcome Him. Though it can only be done by His own grace, which comes by the very Word that He now sends them, it is no great feat. There are two steps in Revelation 3:20: hear, and open. But it first takes humility. It would have been shocking to them to hear that Jesus was outside. For a backslider to have restored fellowship with Christ, he must admit that he has lost it.
What He does with them. Jesus promises to restore fellowship. In His earthly ministry, He was notorious for eating and drinking with repentant sinners. And for two thousand years, He has welcomed His saints to the Lord’s Supper for the communion of His body and communion of His blood. And here He promises to come in to where the believer is and restore fellowship. But He also promises something much greater: to welcome the believer to where He is—even on His throne, which is His Father’s throne (Revelation 3:21)! If He had not said it in holy Scripture, it would sound like a blasphemy, but the Lord marries the church to Himself, and she reigns with Him forever. Her members, He makes to be “kings and priests to our God” (cf. Revelation 5:10). What a reversal from “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”! How could we ever be contented with what we are in ourselves, when this is what He offers to us in Himself?!
When was the last time you felt your neediness of Jesus? In what ways are you boiling toward Him with zeal? In what ways are you cool and refreshing to Him? How can you come to be like this? Who is urging you to do so?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for considering ourselves wealthy and needing nothing. We confess that, in ourselves, we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. So have pity upon us, and make us wealthy, clothed, and whole, in Yourself. In love, You have rebuked and chastened us. In love, come and have fellowship with us, and bring us safely, at last, to live and reign with You forever, we ask in Your Name, Lord Jesus, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH508 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
2025.01.29 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)
Resurrected unto Prayer and Praise [Family Worship lesson in Jonah 1:17–2:10]
2025.01.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jonah 1:17–2:10
Read Jonah 1:17–2:10
Questions from the Scripture text: Who had prepared what (Jonah 1:17)?To do what to whom? Where was Jonah for how long? What remarkable thing happens after these three days and three nights (Jonah 2:1)? To Whom does he pray? What else is He called? From where does Jonah pray? What had he done to Whom (Jonah 2:2a)? Why? What did YHWH do (Jonah 2:2b)? From which belly had Jonah first prayed (Jonah 2:2c)? And what had God done (Jonah 2:2d)? Who had cast Jonah where (Jonah 2:3a–b)? With what effect (Jonah 2:3c–d)? What primary difficulty did Jonah have (Jonah 2:4a)? And what does he yet hope to do (Jonah 2:4b)? How had this judgment been expressed (Jonah 2:5)? What burial had Jonah received (Jonah 2:6a–b)? Yet, what (Jonah 2:6c) had Who (Jonah 2:6d) done? What two things does Jonah call Him? What had his soul done (Jonah 2:7a)? What did he remember (Jonah 2:7b)? With what action (Jonah 2:7c)? To where did his prayer go (Jonah 2:7c–d)? What people (Jonah 2:8a) do what to themselves (Jonah 2:8b)? So what will Jonah do (Jonah 2:9a)? In what manner (Jonah 2:9b)? To fulfill what (Jonah 2:9c)? Declaring what (Jonah 2:9d)? How does YHWH respond to this prayer (Jonah 2:10)? And what does the fish do to Jonah?
What does God’s mercy do for sinners that He is redeeming? Jonah 1:17–2:10 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God brings those sinners whom He is redeeming to an end of themselves, so that they cry to Him and receive resurrection from death.
One of the reasons that this is a very important chapter is because Jesus’s repeated statement that “no sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah; for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (cf. Mt 12:39–40, Mt 16:4). Jonah himself became a sign to the men of Nineveh (cf. Mt 12:41).
There are actually two prayers here. The one that is introduced in Jonah 2:1, when Jonah is revived within the fish, is the prayer of thanksgiving and praise that has its climax in Jonah 2:9. This prayer is in response to God’s answer to the first prayer: the cries of Jonah’s heart (and mouth) as he was dying in the sea (Jonah 2:2).
The judgment of death. Jonah had rightly understood that the sea was more to him than just water; it was the judgment of God. Before he ever entered the belly of the fish, he was in the belly of Sheol—a flood-judgment (Jonah 2:3) that was something of a personal version of the worldwide judgment of Gen 6–8 (cf. also Ps 42:7).
It may have been sailors’ hands, but it was the Lord Who had cast Jonah into the deep (Jonah 2:3a), because the Lord was casting him out of the favor of His sight (Jonah 2:4a). Jonah had attempted to flee from the presence of YHWH (cf. Jonah 1:3), and now he was being cast from presence of YHWH’s favor. Be careful what you wish for.
Even if Sheol and the pit here are not literal, and Jonah was merely near death, the feeling of resurrection is genuine (cf. Heb 11:19). This is a “resurrection” that every believer knows. Hasn’t this been your own experience, dear reader? Were you not under the death-judgment of God, Who heard your cry anyway, and raised you from the dead in Christ? If not, then it may be that you are still under death and need to cry out to Him like Jonah!
The prayer for salvation answered. Brought to an end of himself, Jonah turns his heart and mind (eyes) to YHWH’s temple (Jonah 2:4b), and the Lord hears him from there (Jonah 2:7). It is from Sheol (Jonah 2:2), from the pit (Jonah 2:6), that YHWH has heard him and saved him. Though you be ever so low, you are never out of hearing distance of the infinitely exalted God! Idols are truly worthless (Jonah 2:8a). They are not at all exalted, but there is no level of nearness that can give them ears to hear you. They have no power. They can have no steadfast love (cf. Jonah 2:8b). How futile that dead men call upon dead gods! Jonah was not party to the worship service for YHWH that followed his plunge into death (cf. Jonah 1:16). He may not even know that the sea has been stilled (cf. Jonah 1:15). Their cries to their idols yet ring in his ears, perhaps even convicting him for not having evangelized those poor idolaters.
Salvation’s praise offered. This brings us full circle back to the prayer that began in Jonah 2:1, the one after Jonah finds himself, no longer dying in the belly of the sea, but resuscitated in the belly of the fish. This is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. We offer thanksgiving to Him as a spiritual (and vocal!) sacrifice (Jonah 2:9a–b). And we proclaim His praise to others as we declare, “salvation is of YHWH!” The Lord responds to this praise by telling the fish to vomit Jonah onto the land.
When have you felt yourself under a sentence of death from God? When have you cried to Him and found life from Him? With what thanksgiving to Him have you responded? With what proclamation of His praise to others have you responded?
Sample prayer: Lord, out of the belly of Sheol we cried to You, and You heard our voice. You were right and just to put us under a sentence of death, nd to bury us under the flood of Your wrath. And You have been powerful and merciful to raise us from death and to save us. We have cried to You in the past, and You have heard us from Your holy temple. We cry to You now, confident that You will hear us again. Salvation is of You, O YHWH, so be glorified in saving us we ask, through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH98A “O Sing a New Song to the Lord”
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Humble Souls Nourished by Hope [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 131]
2025.01.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 131
Read Psalm 131
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? Whose Psalm is it? Whom does it address (Psalm 131:1a)? What does the psalmist say about his heart (verse 1b)? What does he say about his eyes? With what two things does he not concern himself (verse 1c–d)? What has he definitively done (Psalm 131:2a)? Like whom (verse 2b–c)? Whom does the psalmist address in Psalm 131:3? What does he tell them to do? In Whom? Starting when? Until when?
How does true humility happen? Psalm 131 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that humility comes by hope.
When chased by Saul, or berated by Shimei, or several other incidents, Scripture recounts the gracious fruit of humility in David. This makes him a well-selected instrument for bringing us this Psalm.
Before Whom, and unto Whom, to address ourselves. Our flesh is virulently proud and ambitious. What can be done about this? Ultimately, obviously, only the Lord Himself can do anything about this. And, even as He works in us, our relating to Him is one of the primary things that He uses to deal with pride and ambition. When the mind is conscientiously set upon Him, the gracious heart must be humbled. So that is where the psalmist begins: “YHWH.” He addresses the one, true living God, his Creator and Redeemer.
From the heart to the eyes. How are proud, arrogant looks to be avoided? To do so genuinely, more is needed than merely restraining facial and ocular muscles. For the eyes to be brought low appropriately, it must begin with the heart. Again, addressing the Lord Himself is the key here: not only because of His greatness, but also because it is He alone Who can see our hearts. People have a tendency of trying to convince others of what their hearts are like. But there will be no persuading God. Indeed, the believer desires to know from God what is the condition of his own heart (cf. Psalm 139:24; 1 John 3:20).
Pride and ambition. Believers desire to present to God that which He loves. And God hates pride and ambition. Even men find pride immediately distasteful; how much more it must offend the infinitely exalted God. So, the psalmist vigorously disavows both before Him. He refuses to think highly of himself (his heart is not haughty) or to present himself as exalted (his eyes are not lofty). Even when our hearts are not well-conditioned in humility, let us do our best to discipline our manners.
Next to pride is ambition. Injecting ourselves into situations and issues that the Lord has not assigned to us (“great matters”), or that the Lord has not equipped us to be able to do (“too marvelous for me”). The vocabulary of Psalm 131:1d hints at a particular ambition. That which is translated “profound,” is actually a word for “wonderful works.” It is especially the domain of God Himself. Not only does fleshly man constantly pry into the “secret things that belong to YHWH” (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29), but he has a tendency even to give his own assessment of what God has sovereignly decreed (as many a conversation about “election” or “predestination” demonstrates). How wicked, indeed, our flesh must be, that it would presume even to criticize the living God!
Weaning the soul. Psalm 131:2 is more than just a poetic description of the calmed soul. It is an expert prescription for calming the soul. His soul within him (verse 2c) is as a weaned child with his mother (verse 2b), and it is he himself who has done this (verse 2a). How is a child weaned? By slowly, regularly introducing solid food. The same must be done with our soul. Rather than nursing it whenever it cries to have its pride and ambition satisfied, our soul must be regularly fed upon the glory and wisdom and goodness of God. When nourished upon hoping in Him, our soul will not be distressed at every “hunger” pang, but have the confidence to weather the ups and downs of life with steadiness and sweetness.
Corporate, eternal application of personal spiritual experience. Here is another place that the greatness of God overwhelms our personal smallness: when we realize Who He is, and what He is like, our own hoping in Him is not enough for us. We desire for Him to be hoped in by all of His Israel (Psalm 131:3a). And not just now, but forever and ever (verse 3b). Believers ought not be satisfied with private, personal faith. Every enjoyment of God should produce in us a desire that He be glorified by His corporate people for unending ages.
How are you fighting against pride in your heart? How are you fighting against acting proud toward others? What place has the Lord given you in your home? In the church? In the community/nation? How are you devoting your focus to fulfilling that place as well as grace will sustain you to do? What is your habit for feeding your soul upon a steady diet of the character, word, and work of the Lord? How is your desire for God’s corporate praise expressed in your heart? How is it borne out in your priorities and choices?
Sample prayer: Lord, how wondrously exalted You are! You created all things, and You uphold all things by the Word of Your power. The great matters belong to You. And Yours are the wonderful works that You have decreed, and that You now carry out. We thank You for Your worship, in which You set Yourself before us, that our souls may be nourished by a regular diet of hoping in You. Come, and meet us in that worship, and stir up our hope in You that we may rest upon You now and forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP131 “My Heart Is Not Exalted, LORD” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart”
Monday, January 27, 2025
Refusing to Kill Unless Required [Westminster Shorter Catechism 69 — Theology Simply Explained]
Q69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment? The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Why Infants Need to Be Baptized [Children's Catechism 130—Theology Simply Explained]
Q130. Why do infants need to be baptized? Because they have a sinful nature and need a Savior.
The Blessedness of a Wise Mouth [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:6–21]
2025.01.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 10:6–21
Read Proverbs 10:6–21
Questions from the Scripture text: What is on whose head (Proverbs 10:6a)? But what covers whose mouth (verse 6b)? What else is blessed about the righteous (Proverbs 10:7a)? How does this contrast the wicked (verse 7b)? What does the wise in heart do (Proverbs 10:8a)? But what happens to “a fool of lips” (verse 8b, more literal)? Who walks securely (Proverbs 10:9a)? What happens to the one who makes his ways crooked (verse 9b)? Who causes trouble (Proverbs 10:10a)? But what happens to “a fool of lips”(verse 10b)? Whose mouth is what (Proverbs 10:11a)? What covers whose mouth (verse 11b)? What does hatred do (Proverbs 10:12a)? But what does love do (verse 12b)? What is found on whose lips (Proverbs 10:13a)? But what happens to the opposite one (verse 13b)? What do wise people do (Proverbs 10:14a)? But what is near destruction (verse 14b)? What does the rich man trust to protect him (Proverbs 10:15a)? What does the poor consider his poverty to be (verse 15b)? Whose labor leads to what (Proverbs 10:16a)? Whose wages to what (verse 16b)? What does the one in the way of life keep (Proverbs 10:17a)? What happens to the one refusing correction (verse 17b)? How does someone hide hatred (Proverbs 10:18a)? What does the fool do (verse 18b)? What is present in a multitude of words (Proverbs 10:19a)? What do the wise do (verse 19b)? What is choice silver (Proverbs 10:20a)? But what is worth little (verse 20b)? What feed many (Proverbs 10:21a)? Who can’t even keep themselves alive, and why (verse 21b)?
What use is wisdom? Proverbs 10:6–21 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom produces either life-giving or life-destroying words.
In last week’s portion, we saw the Spirit applying the fifth (Proverbs 10:1) and eighth (Proverbs 10:4-5) commandments. This extended section is tied together by its application of the ninth commandment in the proper use of the tongue.
The first six verses are held together by the repeated theme: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:6b, Proverbs 10:11b). The blessedness of the righteous crowns him(Proverbs 10:6a), so that he is able to be a blessing to others as well (Proverbs 10:11a); but, the wicked is unable to use his mouth for good (Proverbs 10:6b, Proverbs 10:11b)—a defect which lingers, when he is gone (Proverbs 10:7).
Within the section as a whole, Proverbs 10:8-10 are tied together by another repeated refrain: “a fool of lips will fall” (Proverbs 10:8b, Proverbs 10:10b). One of the main reasons for receiving commands (Proverbs 10:8a) is that it affords the security of walking with integrity (Proverbs 10:9a). But if one’s lips are untrained, he will instead be crooked in his own ways (verse 9b) while attempting to corrupt others as well (Proverbs 10:10a). This fool of lips will, indeed, fall.
Wise lips go into motion (largely by not moving!) when someone has offended you (Proverbs 10:12). But, behind the lips is the inner condition of genuine understanding (Proverbs 10:13). That inner condition is reflected in an outward condition: one will have either wise words on his lips or a rod on his back. Wisdom and folly affect more than the individual. The wisdom on the lips of one, accumulates knowledge (i.e., for understanding) for others (Proverbs 10:14a), but the mouth of the foolish is attended by the destruction of others (verse 14b).
These theme of either destruction or blessing ties the rest of the section together. The rich and the poor of Proverbs 10:15 are both mistaken. Wealth does not protect (verse 15a) so much as righteousness (Proverbs 10:16a) and keeping of instruction (Proverbs 10:17a). Poverty does not destroy (Proverbs 10:15b) so much as wickedness (Proverbs 10:16b) and refusing correction (Proverbs 10:17b). How does this destruction occur? By lips that either lie to conceal the ticking time-bomb of a hateful heart (Proverbs 10:18a)or otherwise lips that “go off” and spread the destruction of slander (verse 18b). Even if there is no hatred, just the multiplication of words unleashes the destruction of sin (Proverbs 10:19a), so the wise restrain their lips (verse 19b). The righteous heart, carefully only letting the best bits out, forms a choice-silver-tongue (Proverbs 10:20a) and lips that nourish life for many (Proverbs 10:21a)! But, though the entire heart come gushing out of the wicked, the sum of it all is still little (Proverbs 10:20b), and he dies of a starved heart (Proverbs 10:21b)
Thinking about the way you use your tongue, why do you think others might be blessed to be around you? Or maybe cursed? How do you use your tongue when people offend you? What have you been storing up in your heart? How are you governing both the quantity of what comes from your lips? And, how, the quality?
Sample prayer: Lord, Your Word gives eternal life. Grant that we would be full of Your Word, so that our words would be few, but as choice silver that feels many. So, do with us according to Christ, making us like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15“Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
Sunday, January 26, 2025
2025. 01.26 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11a, 3p)
Saturday, January 25, 2025
God Came Near to Save Us [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 14:22–36]
2025.01.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 14:22–36
Read Matthew 14:22–36
Questions from the Scripture text: How do Matthew 14:22, Matthew 14:27, Matthew 14:31 draw attention to the action involved here? Who compelled whom to do what (Matthew 14:22)? To go where? While He did what? When He had done that, where did He go (Matthew 14:23)? To do what? What time came Who was with Him? Where was the boat (Matthew 14:24)? What was happening to it? Why? When does Jesus go to them (Matthew 14:25)? By what method? Who saw Him (Matthew 14:26)? Doing what? What effect did this have upon them? What did they say? What did they do? How did He respond (Matthew 14:27)? What two things did He command? Why can they? Who answered (Matthew 14:28)? What did he call Him? What did he ask Him to do? How does Jesus respond (Matthew 14:29)? What does Peter do? But what does he see (Matthew 14:30)? How does he respond? Then what does he begin to do? And how does he respond to that? What does Jesus stretch out (Matthew 14:31)? To do what? What does He call him? What does He ask him? What do they do in Matthew 14:32? With what result? Who come and do what in Matthew 14:33? What do they say to Him? What do they finish doing in Matthew 14:34? To where do they come? What do the men of the place do (Matthew 14:35)? How do they respond—whom do they bring? What do they beg of Christ (Matthew 14:36)? What happens?
How does Jesus show Himself to be our God and Savior? Matthew 14:22–36 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus displays and declares Himself as God in the flesh, Who joins Himself to us to us to save us.
Jesus is true Man: still grieving over John. This time, He sends His disciples in the boat without Him (Matthew 14:22), then dismisses the multitudes Himself (Matthew 14:23a), so that He may go up the mountain to pray alone (verse 23b). Though He arrives in the evening, He stays until the fourth watch of the night (3a.m.–6a.m.). How can He pray for so many hours? He has the entire Old Testament to meditate upon and make application of in prayer? How can He do so at the end of such a long day? Fellowship with God is more needful and restorative to Him than sleep. This is a model for us—the righteousness that stands for us with God in our justification, and to which we are being conformed in our sanctification.
Jesus is also true God. He walks on the sea (Matthew 14:25). This is as human as it is divine, since God does not have a body and does not walk. It is as amazing that God would walk at all as it is that a man would walk on water. The disciples are understandably afraid (Matthew 14:26). We can understand how they come to their conclusion, in the midst of the commotion of the storm, and after laboring all night against a contrary wind (Matthew 14:24). But it is not the walking on the water, so much as the calming of the wind, that identified Him to them as God. He doesn’t even rebuke the wind this time (cf. Matthew 8:26). It just recognizes Him, thus further answering the question in Matthew 8:27. They have grown up singing of the One Who stills the raging sea (cf. Psalm 65:7, Psalm 89:9, Psalm 107:29), and reading about how this was one way YHWH proved Himself to be the one true God (cf. John 1:15–16). Now He is standing in their boat (Matthew 14:32).
Jesus is their/our God. He gives wonderful commands like “be of good cheer” and “do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). How sweet it would be to be obedient on these points! And He gives us the best possible grounds upon which to obey: He is Himself—literally, “I AM.” Peter rightly understands that, such is His authority, that one of the most Jesus-like things that He does is to give commands. So, Peter asks Him to command him (Matthew 14:28).
He also hears and receives prayers. Psalm 65 combines the stilling of the waves (Psalm 65:7) with the hearing of prayers (Psalm 65:2) as evidences of YHWH being the one, true God. Here, Jesus hears the prayer of Peter (“Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30) and the prayers of the men of Genesaret, who begged in behalf of the sick that they might touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 14:34-36). So, He is God in that He hears prayer, but He is God Who has come near. Near enough to stretch out His hand and catch Peter (Matthew 14:31). Near enough for others to touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 14:36).
Jesus is God Who has come near enough to be touched, in order that we might be saved (Matthew 14:30) and brought savingly through (more literal than NKJ’s “were made perfectly well” in Matthew 14:36). May He grant to us that our little faith (Matthew 14:31) might be increased, such that we would take Him entirely at His Word—that He is YHWH!
How does your own habit/manner of praying to Jesus reflect your conviction of His true divinity? How does your own habit/discipline of obeying Him do so? In what circumstances do you most need to obey the commands “be of good cheer” and “do not be afraid”? How will you remind yourself that He is “I AM” on an ongoing basis? How will you do so, especially in times of crisis? At what particular times, and in which particular ordinances, has Jesus ordained to bring you near by faith? What use are you making of those times and ordinances?
Sample prayer: Lord Jesus, we believe; help our unbelief. Grant that we would be of good cheer and not be afraid, because You are, indeed, YHWH! Grant that we would take advantage of those times and ordinances that You have provided, by which we may especially come near to You. And bring us, savingly, all the way through, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP65A “Praise Awaits You, God” or TPH552 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
Friday, January 24, 2025
Israel's Land Inheritance [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 33:50–34:29]
2025.01.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 33:50–34:29
Read Numbers 33:50–34:29
Questions from the Scripture text: Who speaks to whom in Numbers 33:50? Where? To whom is Moses to speak (Numbers 33:51)? Concerning when? What must they do to whom (Numbers 33:52)? What must they do to each of which three things? Then what must they do with the land (Numbers 33:53)? How will the land be assigned (v54Numbers 33:54)? What will the inhabitants do, if Israel does not drive the out (Numbers 33:55)? And what will YHWH do (Numbers 33:56)? Who speaks to whom in Numbers 34:1? Whom is Moses to command (Numbers 34:2)? Concerning what time? How does the land fall to them? What is it called? What is the southern border (Numbers 34:3)? Southwestern (Numbers 34:4-5)? Western (Numbers 34:6)? Northern (Numbers 34:7-9)? Eastern (Numbers 34:10-12)? Who commands whom in Numbers 34:13? Whose inheritance does he define/command? By what method? What about the other two and half (Numbers 34:14-15)? Who speaks to whom in Numbers 34:16? Whose names does He give him (Numbers 34:17)? Who are to oversee this? Whom else are they to enlist (Numbers 34:18)? Which men, from which tribes (Numbers 34:19-28)? Which tribe is listed first? How does Numbers 34:29 summarize all of this?
What instruction does the Lord give for when they come into Canaan? Numbers 33:50–34:29 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord teaches them the part that He has assigned to them in His gracious giving of Canaan to them as an inheritance.
The Lord Who faithfully preserved them in the wilderness now gives instruction for their coming into the land. Numbers 33:51, Numbers 34:2, and Numbers 34:29 tie this entire section together as the “Canaan” conclusion to the journey detailed in Numbers 33:1-49. What are they to inherit?
A cleansed land (Numbers 33:51-56). It must be cleansed both of the wicked and of their wickedness. The inhabitants must be driven out (Numbers 33:52a), or else they will be “irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides” (Numbers 33:55). Additionally, God’s people must not tolerate even the presence of the remnants of idolatry (Numbers 33:52). But if the wicked, or the remnants of their wickedness, are permitted to remain, then Israel will be in the same position with God that the Canaanites had been (indeed, worse, since they would sin against more grace and more knowledge). And the Lord will expel Israel, in wrath, instead (Numbers 33:56).
An inherited land (Numbers 33:54; Numbers 34:2, Numbers 34:13-17, Numbers 34:29). The repeated language of “inheritance” in these verses emphasizes that this land is a gift from God, according to His promise. For, these lands did not previously belong to Israel, as if they are coming into what had been their birthright. Rather, the implication is that the whole world belongs to God, and He gives whatever He wishes to whomever He wishes. In particular, in an earth filled with idolatry, the Lord has separated a people unto Himself, and designated a particular land in which they shall be holy and set apart.
A defined land (Numbers 34:1-12). The Lord, to Whom the whole earth belongs, has selected a place for His redemptive plan to advance among His consecrated people. He very specifically defines the borders of this land by geographical features. This, of course, is a small tract of land for a temporary period. It is not as though the Lord will permit the rest of the earth to be filled with idolatry forever. One day, there will be a new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (cf. 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:1), in which the knowledge of YHWH covers the earth as the waters cover the sea (cf. Habakkuk 2:14). And this whole world will be inherited by His people (cf. Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13). Believers, still today, are heirs to a land promise.
A providentially customized land (Numbers 33:34, Numbers 34:13-29). The wisdom and kindness of the Lord is emphasized in His directing them to assign the correct size land for each tribe (Numbers 13:54). But then He blends an emphasis upon their responsibility and His sovereign providence. Their responsibility is emphasized in that the tribes must be assigned a region according to size, but then also that specific, named leaders (Numbers 34:19–28) are to divide each tribe’s land. Still, it is plain that the Lord is the One making the ultimate decision and giving each family its particular portion, because the division is done by lot. This is one reason why it is so important that the inheritance never pass out of their family. For, it is the Lord Who has selected each family’s portion. So also, in many things in which the Lord is sovereignly working and sovereignly giving, He yet gives us a responsibility by means of which He will do that working and giving.
What remnants of false worship need to be eliminated from your life and worship? What has the Lord designated to give you by gift/inheritance? What is the significance of the fact that it is by inheritance? How can you know that whatever you receive in this life and the next will be perfectly suited to you?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for giving to us the sure hope of an inheritance that is being kept for us in heaven. Grant unto us to ruthlessly expunge all remnants of false worship from our lives. And, give us to rejoice in the hope of Your glory, and the expectation of all of our inheritance—including the new earth. So, grant unto us to continue to serve You by Your own grace in this life. And give us to be diligent in all of the responsibilities that You have assigned to us as means by which You bring us to that glory, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”
Thursday, January 23, 2025
What Shall Be Done for Him Whom Jesus Favors [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 3:7–13]
2025.01.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 3:7–13
Read Revelation 3:7–13
Questions from the Scripture text: To the messenger/preacher (NKJ ‘angel’) of which church is this letter addressed (Rev 3:7)? In what four ways does Jesus describe Himself? What does He know (Rev 3:8, cf. Rev 2:2, Rev 2:9, Rev 2:13, Rev 2:19, Rev 3:1)? What has He set before them? What can no one do? Of what does this church have only a little? But what have they kept? And what haven’t they denied? What does He call the people to whom He refers in Rev 3:9? What do they call themselves? What does Jesus call this statement? What will He make them to do? What will He make them to know? Which command have the Philadelphians kept (Rev 3:10)? From what will He keep them? Upon whom will it come? To do what? What is Jesus doing (Rev 3:11)? At what pace (cf. Rev 1:1)? To what are they to hold fast? Why? What does Rev 3:12 call this “holding fast”? What will Jesus make such a person? Where? What will not happen to him? What three names will He write upon Him? For whose benefit, especially, is this letter written (Rev 3:13)? What are they to do with it? Who is speaking this letter, and its subsequent preaching in Philadelphia?
What does Jesus do for faithful believers? Revelation 3:7–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus rewards faithful believers, not on a principle of merit, but on a principle of grace upon grace.
In this letter, the Lord gives just the one command: “Hold fast what you have” (Rev 3:11). The letter is full of promises.
Jesus has the right to give what He promises because He is holy (Rev 3:7). He can be relied upon to give what He promises because He is true (Rev 3:7). And He is able to give what He promises because He is the almighty, forever King Who had been promised from the line of David (Rev 3:7, cf. 2Sam 7:12–16).
He promises an open door (Rev 3:8)—New Testament language for fruitful evangelism (cf. Ac 14:27, 1Co 16:9, 2Co 2:12–13, Col 4:2–3). He promises to give it through the littleness of their strength. Open doors don’t come through great strength but through Christ’s Word (which we are to keep) and Christ’s Name (to which we are to maintain our allegiance). Faithfulness, conviction, and devotion are how evangelism bears fruit, because it is the Lord Himself Who gives that fruit.
He promises vindication in the present (Rev 3:9). Jesus’s assessment of the Jewish church is that it was no longer God’s Israel (cp. Gal 6:16) but a synagogue of Satan. Now, the Lord promises to put them on their faces before the Philadelphian Christians. This, too, is an evangelistic promise, as 1Cor 14:25 bears out. Their great conclusion is that the best there can be is to be loved by Jesus, as these Christians are.
He promises vindication in the future (Rev 3:10–11). They have kept the word of His patience, and He will keep them. Here is a promise to do what He has taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” He has given His Word for that purpose, and they have kept it, and now He Himself will keep them. It is impossible that they would stumble so as to fall. They are commanded to “hold fast,” and this holding fast is guaranteed to succeed. No one will take their crown.
He promises to welcome them and to identify with them (Rev 3:12). He Himself has guaranteed their overcoming, and now He promises to reward the overcoming that He has guaranteed. How great is the generosity of our Savior! Specifically, He promises that they will be as a pillar in the temple (i.e. Himself, and His church). What has happened to the Jews will not happen to them; they will “go out no more.” Instead, the Lord will identify Himself with them, as He indicates by these three names that He puts upon them: the Name of His God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and His own Name. The Lord Jesus identifies those elect believers, who overcome, as those who belong to God as God’s own city in Jesus Christ.
Finally, we have the same application in Rev 3:13 as has ended the other letters. In each one of these letters, those who have Spirit-given ears are to take the letter personally. Yes, it is written to a church, and to all churches. But, it has specific application to each of our lives. Jesus knows our works, and He delights to reward to grace-given faithfulness with an avalanche of additional, glorious gifts. So, be humble about your little strength, keep His Word, stick to His Name, and hold fast to what you have! Thus must each church do corporately, but thus also must each believer do personally.
With whom are you seeking an open door for evangelism? What have you learned from this passage are some things to which the Lord responds by giving such an open door?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for Your grace, which grants unto us to keep Your Word and not deny Your Name. Forgive us for when, instead of depending upon Your grace, we relied upon our own strength, as if it were not little. Grant that our hope would be in Your keeping us, and not in our keeping ourselves. Thus, make us to hold fast what we have so that we would not lose our crown, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH435 “Not What My Hands Have Done”
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
2025.01.22 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p central)
The Accidental Evangelist [Family Worship lesson in Jonah 1:1–16]
2025.01.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jonah 1:1–16
Read Jonah 1:1–16
Questions from the Scripture text: What came to whom in Jonah 1:1? Where did He tell him to go (Jonah 1:2)? To do what? Why? But where did Jonah intend to do instead (Jonah 1:3)? From where? How did he begin to make his way there? To flee from what/where? Who did what in Jonah 1:4? To what effect? Who responded how (Jonah 1:5)? To whom did each man cry? What measures did they take? But what was Jonah doing? Who confronts him (Jonah 1:6)? What does he tell him to do? What idea do the sailors come up with in Jonah 1:7? To whom does the lot fall? What do thy ask him (Jonah 1:8)? How does he answer (Jonah 1:9)? What effect does hearing about the nature of YHWH have upon them (Jonah 1:10)? What had he previously told them? What do they now want to know (Jonah 1:11)? Why? What does he say (Jonah 1:12)? What does he know? What do the men try to do instead (Jonah 1:13)? To whom do they now cry (Jonah 1:14)? For what do thy ask forgiveness? What do they do (Jonah 1:15)? With what result? How do the men now respond (Jonah 1:16)?
Who is the book of Jonah about? Jonah 1:1–16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the book of Jonah is about the sovereign Savior of sinners from all nations.
The atheistic evangelist, Jonah 1:1-4. The Lord is taking two (innumerably more than that, actually) birds with one stone here. He is going to confront the capital city of Assyria directly with His Word. But He also exposes His prophet’s foolish atheism with that same Word. It is not that Jonah thinks that God does not exist. Rather, he is treating God as if He is not God. “from the presence of YHWH” is emphasized in Jonah 1:3 by its repetition. But Jonah 1:4 makes it clear that Jonah is not making any progress in his plan. He is no farther from YHWH’s presence than when he started!
The accidental evangelist, Jonah 1:5-16. It is difficult to imagine, although true (Jonah 1:10b), that Jonah had told the sailors that he was running from YHWH. Then, when the storm is raging, Jonah is so at peace that he can sleep in the bottom of the ship (Jonah 1:4b). Let no one ever think that they are righteous in their choices because “they have a peace about their decision”!! The sailors must have thought rather little of Jonah’s God at that point—must be one of the lesser gods, if he can be run away from.
But as the Lord ruled over wind and sea (Jonah 1:4), and even overruled the superstitions of men (Jonah 1:7), He Himself began to declare Himself to the sailors. Then, when they ask for more info about all of this (Jonah 1:8), Jonah divulges that YHWH is God of heaven, who made not only the dry land, but even the sea (Jonah 1:9). The sailors draw the right conclusion: anyone who knew that about God, and still fled from Him, must be out of his mind (Jonah 1:10)!
Jonah mistakenly thinks that his death is now what YHWH desires (though YHWH has other plans, cf. Jonah 1:17–2:10), and explains so. The sailors try to avoid this by rowing hard to land (Jonah 1:13a), but the Lord does not permit this (verse 13b). They are forced to ask Him to hold them innocent in their action (Jonah 1:14a), and instead receive it as a committing of Jonah’s case into the Lord’s own hand (verse 14b). The Lord promptly answers by ending the storm (Jonah 1:15b), and these men, who had just been zealous worshipers of false gods from all sorts of nations (Jonah 1:5a), come to be intense worshipers of YHWH, Who has both forgiven and saved them (Jonah 1:16).
What an amazing result! The Hebrew versification rightly ends the chapter here. Before the Lord ever brought Jonah to Nineveh, He had used him to bring a ship full of sailors to “fear YHWH exceedingly, and offer a sacrifice to YHWH, taking vows to Him” (Jonah 1:16). Truly, He is the Lord of creation and providence, but even more so, the Lord Who saves sinners at His sovereign pleasure. How sad that Jonah had to be an unwilling, resistant participant in this. Indeed, he knew that the Lord is like this (cf. Jonah 3:10–4:2), but so rebelled in his heart as to be this accidental evangelist. God keep it from being so with you, dear reader.
When have you acted as if you could flee from the Lord’s presence? How are you living in the awareness that the Lord is the God Who is pleased to save sinners in sovereign power? Whom are you intentionally praying and laboring to see saved? Or, if the Lord is using you and your life to save someone, will it certainly be an accident?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have acted as if we could actually flee from Your presence. And forgive us for being so nonchalant about You, and even about disobeying You, that unbelievers would conclude that our God must not be so glorious and great after all. Forgive us, and make us those whose actions display that our God is, indeed, the Lord of heaven, the Creator of the seas and dry land, and the hearer and forgiver of sinners who call upon Him through faith in His Word. Indeed, be that God unto us, in Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH98A “O Sing a New Song to the Lord”
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Lifted to the LORD, Our Lord [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 130]
2025.01.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 130
Read Psalm 130
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? Where has the psalmist been (Psalm 130:1)? To Whom did he cry? What was his first, great request (Psalm 130:2)? What circumstance makes it so urgent that he be heard (Psalm 130:3)? What hope does he have in this guilt (Psalm 130:4a)? Unto what end (verse 4b)? So, for What (Whom!) does he wait (Psalm 130:5), and how intensely? How can he be sure of the outcome, despite the delay (verse 5b)? Whom else does he tell to do this (Psalm 130:7a)? Why—what does YHWH have/offer (verse 7b)? How much of it (verse 7c)? And what will He do (Psalm 130:8a)? How much (verse 8b)?
Who is the Lord? Psalm 130 looks forward to the 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 the Lord is the merciful God Who hears and forgives us.
The Hearer of prayer. There is no height greater than God’s glory, and therefore there is no depth lower (Psalm 130:1) than knowing one’s guilt against God and His glory. But, even from such a low depth, the Scripture has taught the believer that he may hope (Psalm 130:5b) to have his cries heard by the living God (Psalm 130:2). What a generous gift and privilege is “heard prayer”! And the believer knows that God is glorified as the Hearer of prayer (cf. Psalm 65:1–2), and Forgiver of iniquities (Psalm 130:3-4).
The Forgiver of sin. The great test of this faith is when relief does not immediately come. Are we so sure that God is this Forgiver that He says He is—that He has given His Son to be our atonement and our righteousness—that, even when our conscience is not finding this comfort (cf. 1 John 3:20), we continue to wait for Him as our only hope (Psalm 130:5-6)? We must wait only upon Him for this relief, for however long He takes.
The Receiver of praise. Once we have this relief, however, we are renewed in our desire that everyone would bring Him glory for the marvelous blessing of forgiveness. We cannot wait to come into the public worship, where we are gathered as “Israel” (Psalm 130:7), stirring up one another’s faith in the Lord for redemption, and praise to Him for that redemption. It is abundant; there is more than enough for all of His Israel to be redeemed from all of His iniquities (Psalm 130:8)! How great is the glory of this Hearer of our prayer, Forgiver of our iniquities, and Receiver of our worship!
When have you felt your guilt to the point that it brought you into the depths? When have you had to wait upon the Lord for His forgiveness to come home to your conscience? What should you do with your voice and your heart in this waiting? How does personal redemption fuel your desire for corporate worship?
Sample prayer: Lord, we praise You for glorifying Yourself by hearing us and forgiving us. Truly, with You there is steadfast love and abundant redemption! Be glorified by Your Israel, who wait upon You for this mercy, through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths”
Monday, January 20, 2025
A History of Faithfulness [2025.01.19 Evening Sermon in Numbers 33:1–49]
The church's story is the story of her Lord's faithfulness
Our Curse-Conqueror [2025.01.19 Morning Sermon in Matthew 14:13–21]
Jesus is the Lord over creation, Who conquers the curse and gives Himself to His covenant people
Sacraments as Corporate Worship [2025.01.19 Sabbath School Lesson in WCF 21.5—Hopewell 101]
From Scoffer to Saint by the Work of the Word [2024.01.15 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 9]
The wisdom that created all things is the wisdom that redeems
Discerning Whom to Baptize [Children's Catechism 129—Theology Simply Explained]
Q129. Who are to be baptized? Believers and their children.
Wisdom's Pleasure and Treasure [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:1–5]
2025.01.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 10:1–5
Read Proverbs 10:1–5
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 10:1a introduce this part of the book? Whom is he especially addressing (verse 1b–c)? How does he incentivize him to wisdom? What profits, how much (Proverbs 10:2a)? What does righteousness do for you (verse 2b)? What won’t YHWH allow (Proverbs 10:3a)? What else (verse 3b)? How, instrumentally, does the Lord provide wealth (Proverbs 10:4)? How does Proverbs 10:5 tie Proverbs 10:4 to Proverbs 10:1?
What should an image-bearer desire? Proverbs 10:1–5 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that an image-bearer should desire whatever God desires.
Proverbs 10:1 gives a new introduction, and indeed we are coming into a new phase of the book. These five verses are a unit, bookended by the blessing of a wise son contrasted with the curse of a foolish one.
What a wise son desires. There is such a thing as a parent that guilts his child, insinuating that his own feelings should be the child’s primary motivation. This is wicked, putting the parent in a place that belongs only to God. But, as Proverbs 10:1 teaches us, it is a true part of biblical wisdom for a child to wish to be a blessing to his parents. With God’s glory in its correct place as our chief motivation, we remember that it is He Who has given us a particular father and mother, and set them over us, and instructed us to honor (not merely obey) them. So, it is perfectly appropriate for a parent to teach this to a child. A wise son doesn’t just make his parents glad. By setting this before him, Proverbs 10:1 implies that that his parents’ gladness is also his desire.
What a wise son acquires. Wickedness doesn’t desire to make a father glad or to spare a mother of grief. It does treasure many things, but they do not ultimately do the wicked one any good (Proverbs 10:2a). Righteousness doesn’t just obtain the gladness of the parents, but eternal life itself (verse 2b). This is true of both righteous standing with God (which is only through faith in Jesus Christ) and genuine righteous character (which can only occur in those with righteous standing, and is worked into them by the Holy Spirit to fit them for glory). Truly, righteousness delivers from death!
Ultimately, YHWH will give the righteous one everything that He knows the righteous to need (Proverbs 10:3a). This must be true, since He is giving to Him eternal life, in the blessed knowledge and enjoyment of God Himself (cf. Romans 8:32). The wicked, on the other hand, will come to utter ruin in which he has not a single good or desirable thing (Proverbs 10:3b).
To what a wise son aspires. Thus, the wise son does not operate out of fear, anxiety, discontentment, or greed. He does not so much aim at improving his circumstances (which, ultimately, belong to God). Rather, he aims at doing as well as he possibly can (by grace) in every circumstance. His hand is not slack, but diligent (Proverbs 10:4); he has learned to always be looking to do as well as possible. If there are crops ready to harvest, he will do so, even if it is still summer (Proverbs 10:5a). Sadly, the foolish/wicked son, who does not view himself as God’s image-bearer in his work, doesn’t really care to harvest, even when it is the right time. Verse 5b finds him sleeping. And his parents, who were hoping to be fruitful and multiply image-bearers, have their own desires dashed, as they are put to shame (verse 5b).
Every one of us is the child of an image-bearer. If we are going to fulfill that great identity, we must have the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and be those who are conformed to His conduct and character, and will surely come into His inheritance.
What are you aiming at in life, on a daily basis? How might you need to grow, as a renewed image-bearer in Christ?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving Your own Son for us, Who did all things for the pleasure and honor of His Father in heaven. Grant that, whether with our parents, or our work, or anything else in life, our desire would always be to honor You in every part of our life. And, give us every good and perfect gift, especially the gift of Yourself in Christ, which we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH508 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
Sunday, January 19, 2025
2025.01.19 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11a, 3p)
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Knowing Jesus in His Grief [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 14:13–21]
2025.01.18 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 14:13–21
Read Matthew 14:13–21
Questions
from the Scripture text: What did
Jesus hear (Mt 14:13, cf. Mt 14:11–12)? Where did He go? With
whom? But who followed Him? How? What did Jesus see (Mt 14:14)? How did His heart respond?
What did He do? For how long (Mt 14:15)? Who come to Him at this point? What do they
say to Him? What do they want Him to do? Why? What alternative does Jesus give
(Mt 14:16)? How do they respond to Him—what do they have (Mt 14:17)? What does He say to do
with the loaves and fish (Mt 14:18)? What did He tell the multitudes to do (Mt 14:19)? To where does He look when
He blesses the food? Then what does He do to the loves? To whom does He give
them? What do the disciples do with them? What do all of them do (Mt 14:20)? With what effect? What do
they take up afterward? How much? How many of whom had eaten (Mt 14:21)? Besides whom?
How does Jesus grieve? Matthew
14:13–21 prepares us
for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these
nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus
grieves in fellowship with His Father, but also by compassionately overcoming
the Fall for His people.
This passage gives us an opportunity to see how
Jesus Himself responds to grief. We saw the response of His and John’s
disciples: they “took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Mt 14:12). Now we
get to observe what happened “when Jesus heard it” (Mt 14:13). “He
departed from there” (i.e. Nazareth, cf. Mt 13:58). What is He like in grief?
Jesus pious in grief. Mt
14:13 tells us that Jesus
“departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.” But we know that He is not entirely by
Himself. Just as He has taught us to carry out all of our religion before our
Father, Who sees in secret (cf. Mt 6:4,
6, 18), it is to that Father that
He now withdraws.
Jesus selfless in grief. Jesus has left Nazareth, where “He did not do many
mighty works” (cf. Mt 12:58). But the multitudes, who had seen Him do many
mighty works, hear that He has left Nazareth and seek Him out. In the midst of
His grief, Jesus goes out in the morning and sees the multitude. And,
marvelously, He does not withdraw.
For Jesus, the piety of His fellowship with the
Father is not in tension with the piety of His service to others. He has come
into the world because His Father loves sinners. And now, with that same love,
when He sees a multitude of those desperate to be delivered from the effects of
the fall. And He is “moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Mt 14:14). And He
does this from “when He went out” (almost certainly the early morning, Mt 14:14) until
“evening” when “the hour is already late” (Mt 14:15).
Jesus is not just relieving some symptoms of the
Fall. He’s continuing to attest to Himself as the great Solution to the Fall.
He addresses earthly/temporal need, but especially spiritually/eternal need. This
perfect human reflection of divine love is expressed in the midst of Jesus’s
own grief and agony. It is a whisper of what will soon be shouted at the cross.
Jesus almighty over grief. Death and disease are not the only effects of the
Fall featured in this short passage. Hunger and weariness are also effects.
“Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days
of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you
shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread”
(cf. Gen 3:17–19). So, here the multitude is weary and hungry, and
the disciples’ solution is to send them into the villages to buy food (Mt 14:15).
The disciples don’t lack compassion; they lack the
ability to rule creation and reverse the Fall. Our Lord Jesus does not lack
this ability! Jesus actually emphasizes this to them by saying, “You give
them…” (Mt
14:16). When they present their
resources as proof of impossibility, He emphasizes the difference about Himself
by saying, “Bring them here to Me” (Mt 14:18).
Jesus indicates both His true humanity, and His
divine personhood, from whence His power comes, by “looking up to heaven,” when
He blesses the bread in Mt
14:19. He is not merely able to
address the needs of maybe twenty thousand people (five thousand is just the
men, Mt 14:21). He provides a super abundance with more leftover
than there had been at the beginning. And He brings this abundance as the
covenant Lord of His people, as implied by the number “12” and that they are
numbered by household.
We toil under the curse of the fall. Let us come to
this Jesus, and find our rest from it!
Of death, disease, hunger, and
weariness, from which effects of the Fall are you most suffering? How are you
resting upon the Lord Jesus for that? But for what do you most need the Lord to
reverse the effects of the Fall? How are you resting upon the Lord Jesus for
that?
Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH299 “Joy to the World!”