Transforming Our Own Culture [2026.04.25 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – April 25, 2026

Dear Congregation,

Some of you noticed that, this week, the modern state of Israel was proudly promoting its celebration of pride over the most abominable perversions. Others, immediately noted that our own nation does this. Both nations commit these abominations against much grace. What can we, as Christian citizens of our own nation, do about such things?

First, we ought to care about the Jewish people. But this is very much NOT the same thing as supporting the modern state of Israel. It is infuriating that those who hold to the Dispensationalist error confuses the contemporary Israeli State with that remnant of Israel for whom we are to be praying in the second petition (WLC 191; cf. Rom 11:11–36).

Also, there is nothing wrong with having Genesis 19 concerns for other nations, or our own. Abraham understood that part of being God’s people in this world (cf. Gen 18:19) means desiring to be a blessing to all nations (cf. Gen 12:3, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14; Mt 28:19). We should care about the spiritual state of each nation, and especially of our own. We should love our neighbor, and be civically active, in that love.

But, Lot himself is a reminder that cultural transformation does not come by our civic participation (cf. Gen 19:9, 2Pet 2:6–8). Worse, Judges 19 reminds us that, apart from genuine spiritual life in her by God’s grace, the church is capable of the same wickedness as Sodom.

The book of Judges, as a whole, strains forward for Christ. The refrain of that part of the book of Judges is “in those days, there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (cf. Jdg 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25). This was not solved by the reign of Saul, David, Solomon, or any of the other kings of Israel or Judah.

It is only the reign of King Jesus that resolves the perversions of the nations. But man’s means do not extend His kingdom. This is done by the almighty blessing of His Spirit upon Word, sacrament, and prayer. If the church is going to be transformed, her members must be transformed personally and spiritually. And if the nation is going to be transformed, then her citizens must be transformed personally and spiritually.

So that brings us back to the question of what you can do. What good can any of us do in either the church or the nation, except that we ourselves be transformed personally and spiritually? You don’t have to bear the burden of the church or the nation. But, by grace, you must walk with the Lord—drawing near to Him personally and as a household, evening and morning daily; and, in the congregation, Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day, in that worship that He has commanded and the means that He has provided. Apart from radical, drastic Christianity—in the ordinary aspects of our days and weeks!—we cannot expect to see cultural change.

Looking forward to an ordinary, glorious, Lord’s Day with you tomorrow,

Pastor

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

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC49, What God Does for the Elect in His Son 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC26, Our Comprehensive King
▪Song of Songs 8:13–14, “Giving Him What He Loves”
▪1Chronicles 2:3–4:23, “From Whom the Ruler Will Come”
▪Mark 3:7–19, “Humble, Almighty Kingdom”
▪Ephesians 1:1–2, “It's All About Christ”
▪Nahum 3:8–13, “Too Weak, and Too Wicked, to Escape”

LORD'S DAY – April 26, 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

▫Songs for public worship on April 26: TPH405 [mp3], ARP49A [mp3], TPH448 [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 8:13–14

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
1Chronicles 2:3–4:23
Mark 3:7–19

Sermon Scripture text and topic

We will be hearing the sermon from Ephesians 1:1–2 about “Too Weak and Too Wicked”

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

▫Children’s Catechism for April 26. Q49 What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace? To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die. [CC 49 Simply Explained: “What God Does for the Elect in His Son”]

▫Shorter Catechism for April 26. Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. [WSC 26 Simply Explained: “Our Comprehensive King”]

▫Memory Verse for April 26, Nahum 3:12, All your strongholds are fig trees with ripened figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

3:00 p.m. Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Nahum 3:8–13 about “Too Weak and Too Wicked”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for April
Peachtree Corners ARP in Peachtree Corners, GA

April Psalm of the Month
ARP49A Hear This, All Earth’s Nations

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, April 29, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 24:23–25 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 7, Diaconate Meeting, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 13, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study
• Saturday, May 23, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall