Our Defeated, Soon-to-Be-Destroyed, Enemy [2026.03.07 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – March 6, 2026

Dear Congregation,

We have had a death in the church family this week, and while we rejoice with those who rejoice (Susan), we mourn with those who mourn (the whole congregation, and especially Tom, and Russ & Meredeth, and their family).

It seems an appropriate time for us to remember, again, what the Bible teaches about death—so that we will neither think well of it, nor be overcome by it.

Death is an enemy. It is not part of the original design. It entered the world through sin (“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned”—Rom 5:12). It is not natural. And, although God is always good to us in all things, and especially in the deaths of believers, death itself is not good. 1Cor 15:26 calls it an “enemy.” Do not think well of it. When you desire to depart, for what is better by fair (Php 1:23), desire the departing, not the death. We must not seek to be unclothed of our bodies, but rather further clothed by Christ (2Cor 5:4).

Death is defeated. It is swallowed up in the victory of Christ and the Christian (1Cor 15:53). It is a stingless, victory-less enemy (1Cor 15:55). Christ has subdued it as a humiliated servant that ushers us into His presence (2Cor 5:6–8), at which point we are finally perfected in holiness (Heb 12:14), so that this enemy is bent under Christ’s power unto our gain (Php 1:21), unto Christ’s glory in our body (Php 1:20).

Death will be destroyed. Although Christ has crushed death, defeating him who had the power of death through fear (Heb 2:14–15), He is not done with it yet. “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”—1Cor 15:25–26. Out of love for Christ, we should long for this final fulfillment of Ps 110:1.

So, let us despise death as our enemy and Christ’s enemy, but let us not be intimidated by it. Rather, let us take it as an occasion to mourn with those who mourn, while exulting in Christ’s having vanquished it, and coming destruction of it.

Looking forward to exulting in Christ with you in the public worship,

Pastor

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

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC42, The Covenant that Only Condemns Us 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC19, Personal, Painful, Perpetual Misery
▪Song of Songs 6:1–3, “Where to Find Jesus”
▪Deuteronomy 31:1–8, “Leading in Believing”
▪Nahum 1:1, “A Heavy Message of Comfort”
▪Matthew 28:16–20, “Jesus, Almighty Disciple-Maker”
▪Song of Songs 6:4–13, “Blessed REassurance”

LORD'S DAY – March 8, 2026 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
We are preparing our minds and hearts for public worship by studying our Confession of Faith from Scripture, affirming that Scripture is our only ultimate authority, but also discovering that what we confess is thoroughly Scriptural.

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for March 8. Q42 Why can none be saved through the covenant of works? Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it. [CC 42 Simply Explained: “The Covenant that Only Condemns Us”]

▫Shorter Catechism for March 8. 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 public worship on March 8: TPH87A [mp3], ARP108A [mp3], TPH424 [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 6:1–3

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 31:1–8
Nahum 1:1

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 28:16–20 about “Almighty Disciple-Making”

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 March 8, Matthew 28:17–18, When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

3:00 p.m. Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Song of Songs 6:4–13 about “Blessed RE-Assurance”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for March
New Days ARP in Duluth, GA

March Psalm of the Month
ARP108A God, My Heart Is Steadfast

 

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, March 11, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 22:10–16 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 14, Shower for Lowry and Abby, 10:30a in the Fellowship Hall
• Wednesday, March 18, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study
• Saturday, March 21, Memorial Service for Susan Dobbins, 4p in the Chapel
• Saturday, March 28, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Saturday, March 28, Church Workday, 8:30a
• Thursday, April 2, Diaconate Meeting, 8 p.m.