2025.05.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 19:16–30

Read Matthew 19:16–30

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does Matthew 19:16 begin? What are we to behold? What did the person who came call Him? How did he think one obtained eternal life? Whom did he think could tell him what good thing to do for that? What does Jesus ask in response (Matthew 19:17)? Whom does Jesus say is good? What does Jesus say to do in order to enter into the commandments? What does the man ask, in response to that (Matthew 19:18)? Which five of the Ten Commandments does Jesus list (Matthew 19:18-19)? What other commandment does Jesus name? What do we find out about the man at the beginning of Matthew 19:20? What does he claim to have done? Since when? What does he ask? What does this imply that he knows about his condition? What does Jesus presume that the young man wants (Matthew 19:21)? What does He say the man should do with his things? So that they can give to whom? How will he be compensated? Where must he then go? Who heard this (Matthew 19:22)? How did he respond? With what demeanor? Why? Who speaks to whom in Matthew 19:23? How does He emphasize the urgency of what He is saying? What does he say is difficult for whom? How does He re-emphasize what He is saying at the beginning of Matthew 19:24? What does He say is easier to happen than a rich man entering the kingdom? Who heard this (Matthew 19:25)? What effect did it have upon them? What did they say? What does Jesus do in Matthew 19:26 to show His aim? What does He say to them? Who answers Him in Matthew 19:27? What does he say they have done? What does he ask? Whom does Jesus answer (Matthew 19:28)? About what time does He answer? Who will be doing what in that time? Who else will be on thrones? Doing what? What things will His followers have left for His Name’s sake (Matthew 19:29)? How much will they receive? What will they inherit? What will many find to be the relationship between their status in this world and their status in the next?

What must we have to enter heaven, and what do we obtain in heaven? Matthew 19:16–30 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 Christ is both what we must have to enter heaven and the heavenliness that we obtain.  

No one good but God (and Jesus is God). The man comes to Jesus thinking that he and Jesus are basically similar. In his mind, he and Jesus are both good, and Jesus knows what particular good work is the trigger for the man to do to have eternal life (Matthew 19:16). When Jesus asks the question in Matthew 19:17, it isn’t because Jesus isn’t good, but because He is. The man intends to call Him good without calling Him God. This is a problem, because no man is good. 

And it is a problem because the man thinks that his eternal life is by something good that he himself does, when we can only have eternal life by something that Jesus Himself does. The man didn’t know who he himself was, because he thought that eternal life could be obtained by some good thing that he did. The man didn’t know who Jesus is, because he did not think that eternal life was obtained by some good thing that Jesus does.

What has to be done: obedience to the commandments. Jesus quotes to him the second table of the law, and then its summary in the second great commandment (Matthew 19:17-19). One thing can be said for the man: the legalist knows in his heart of hearts that he hasn’t done enough. You can never do enough. Despite all that this man thinks that he has done (Matthew 19:20a), he knows that he is lacking something (verse 20b). 

How this is done: coming to count Christ more than all. But what he is lacking is Jesus Himself. The first table of the law has priority, of course. Jesus even teaches this elsewhere (cf. Matthew 22:36–40). This is what the man ultimately lacks. He does not know, worship, reverence, or hallow God, because he does not know Him in Jesus, worship Him through Jesus, and hallow and reverence Him in hallowing and reverencing Jesus. He cannot possibly be complete (NKJ “perfect,” Matthew 19:21), because he does not have Jesus. 

This poor man (poor, because he does not have Jesus!) thinks that he is rich in two different ways, and both are a great hindrance to him. The first is the obvious one, the “great possessions” of Matthew 19:22 that he cannot imagine selling in order to give as charity to the poor (Matthew 19:21). Christian charity doesn’t just keep the second table of the law. It keeps the first table by counting Jesus Himself as abundant compensation for the loss of all material things.

But the second way in which he thought himself rich was in his own personal righteousness. This righteousness is illusory, rather than true—fools’ gold. But it is hard for him to give up. He would have to lose all illusions of being personally good in order to count Christ Himself as all his goodness. God Himself, in Christ Himself, is the treasure that we will have in heaven (Matthew 19:21, cf. Matthew 73:24–25). Giving up all, in order to have Jesus, gives us not only treasure in heaven but on earth. But those who feel that they have much without Him are the most obstructed from entering the kingdom (Matthew 19:23-24). The disciples don’t understand this (Matthew 19:25), but grace can give it (Matthew 19:26) and has even given it to them.

Faith itself is not a work. Peter doesn’t understand that they already have everything because they have Christ. His question in Matthew 19:17 implies that he views giving up all and following Christ as meritorious. Jesus reminds them that all things will be remade (NKJ “regeneration,” Matthew 19:28). But, even then, having Him and being His will be their greatest glory. No one “loses” by giving up for Christ, but rather gains a hundredfold (Matthew 19:29). Faith is not a work that we do by which we earn something from God. It is a resting in which we receive God Himself, and all the good that He does for us, in Christ. This is why the last are first; they put comparatively little upon what they have in themselves, and comparatively much upon what they have in Christ. And for others, the sad opposite is true: because they put much upon what they think they have in themselves, they put rather little upon what they might have in Christ.

In what ways are you poor in yourself? What are some of the riches that are offered you in Christ? What is holding you back from counting Him as all your wealth? As all your righteousness?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are more than everything else unto us. Only You are good, and You have given us Your own goodness in Christ. And You have rewarded that goodness with You Yourself as our treasure in heaven. Whom do we have in heaven but You, and there is nothing on earth we desire beside You, in Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am With You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee”

Taking God Seriously [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 5:11]

What must we do with God’s Name? Deuteronomy 5:11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must carry God’s Name weightily upon our lives and upon our lips. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 5:11

Read Deuteronomy 5:11

Questions from the Scripture text: What shall we not carry (“take,” Deuteronomy 5:11) in the wrong way? Whose/which Name? What relation does He have to us? In what way shall we not carry that name? Who will punish the breaking of this commandment? What will He not do for them (cf. Matthew 12:31)?

What must we do with God’s Name? Deuteronomy 5:11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must carry God’s Name weightily upon our lives and upon our lips.  

As creatures made in God’s image (cf. Genesis 1:26), man has always had a special responsibility to display and apply Lordship of God in all the creation (cf. Genesis 1:28).  But rather than view subjection to God as a display of His Lordship, man attempted to be Lord over himself (cf. Genesis 3:5–6). Still, marvelously, even from among sinners, God has chosen to save some to be His own special people (cf. Deuteronomy 5:6). This amazing note rings out of each of the first five commandments: “before Me” (Deuteronomy 5:7), “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 5:9), “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 5:11), “YHWH  your God” (Deuteronomy 5:12), “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 5:14), “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 5:15, twice), “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 5:16).

So, while all humanity has a special duty among the creation for the honoring of God’s Name, those whom He has redeemed have a special duty even among humanity for the honoring of God’s Name. He gave man speech, so that we could call upon His Name, and the capacity for worship so that we would praise His Name. And He has redeemed sinners so that they will call upon His Name for salvation, and so that they will praise His Name for redeeming them (cf. Revelation 5:9). 

What a weighty thing is the speech of a Christian! It is on this basis that the Spirit warns us against any improper use of our mouths whatsoever (cf. James 3:9–10). But that which is true so intensely with respect to our mouths is also true of our lives as a whole. The people of God are always to be a reflection upon the God of the people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:6–8). 

If we are not careful and intentional about how we speak and how we live, then we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

If we come thoughtlessly or heartlessly to worship itself, then we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

If we use the gospel as an excuse for remaining the same, rather than as an assurance that the pursuit of holiness will ultimately succeed, then we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

If we treat empty pleasures as if they are joyous and the worship of God as if it is dreary, then we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

If we use the Name of God to add force to our empty words, rather than as a reminder that we are always before Him and dependent upon Him, then we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

If we use that which is foul or crass to add weight to our words, rather than carefully choosing what comes out of worship-lips, we treat the Name of God as an empty thing. 

If we treat worship as a superstitious magic by which we act in the spiritual realm, rather than an engaging of God Himself; or if we treat worship as a way to feel a certain way, rather than a felt interaction with God; then, we treat the Name of God as an empty thing.

But there is something greatly dangerous about treating the Name of God as an empty thing. By “the Name of God” we mean every part of how He communicates Himself to us. And if He is not divinely weighty unto us, there is no way that we can be saved. His divine weightiness is what makes us see the true guilt of our sin. His divine weightiness is what makes us see the true salvation that there is in the Savior.

Whenever we speak or live irreverently—and especially whenever we do this in worship—we expose the kind of thinking that demands us to ask, “will God really hold me guiltless?” Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain!

When are you most tempted to be silly or crass? What most hinders your reverence in worship?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how marvelous that You have put Your glorious Name upon our lips and upon us ourselves! Grant unto us to speak and live as those in whom You have invested Your glorious Name, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP8 “LORD, Our Lord, in All the Earth” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”

How Satan Attacks the Saints [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 13]

How does the dragon make war on the saints, and what are they to do about it? Revelation 13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the dragon makes war on the saints by strength of force and by subtlety of falsehood, so the saints must endure by patience and faith and by wisdom.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 13

Read Revelation 13

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did John stand (Revelation 13:1)? What did he see? Rising out of what? With how many heads? And how many horns? And how many of what on the horns? And what upon his heads? What was its body like (Revelation 13:2)? Its feet? Its mouth? Who gave what three things to it? What had happened to one of his heads (Revelation 13:3)? But then what happened to that? How did the world respond? Whom did they worship on account of this (Revelation 13:4)? What rhetorical question did they ask? What was the implied answer? What else were given to the beast in Revelation 13:5? For how long? What did he open his mouth to speak (Revelation 13:6)? Against which four objects? Against whom was he permitted to make war and overcome on the earth (Revelation 13:7)? Over how many of whom was he given authority? How many of whom would worship him (Revelation 13:8)? Only the ones whose names were not written where? Whom does Revelation 13:9 call to do what (cf. Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29; Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22)? What have some done (Revelation 13:10a)? What shall be done to them? What else have some done (verse 10b)? What shall be done to them? How does verse 10c summarize the application of this section? What does John see in Revelation 13:11? Coming from where? What features does he have, like what creature? But how does he speak? What does he exercise (Revelation 13:12)? What does he cause the dwellers of earth to do? What does he perform (Revelation 13:13)? What effect does this have (Revelation 13:14)? What does he give to the image of the beast in Revelation 13:15? What does the image of the beast do to whom? Whom does he cause to receive what (Revelation 13:16)? Upon what two types of places? What does this mark permit people to do? What does v18 say is the primary application of this section? What do they need wisdom to understand? 

How does the dragon make war on the saints, and what are they to do about it? Revelation 13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the dragon makes war on the saints by strength of force and by subtlety of falsehood, so the saints must endure by patience and faith and by wisdom.

The dragon that fell from heaven makes war on the saints on the earth, but he does so through others who arise from the earth. In this chapter, a beast arises from the sea, and another from the land. This is as much to say that from land and sea, from this whole world, Satan raises up those by whom he attacks the saints. The first beast (Revelation 13:1-10) attacks the saints by strength of force. The second beast (Revelation 13:11-18) attacks the saints by subtlety of falsehood.

The first beast is characterized by ten horns and seven heads, the same images that communicated the authority and power of the dragon himself (Revelation 13:1, cf. Revelation 12:3). He calls himself “Lord,” which the Roman emperors actually required of the citizens and subjects of the empire. This blasphemous name was a great trial for thousands of Christians, under multiple persecutions, who died for refusing to say “Caesar is Lord,” because they knew that it was meant in the way that only “Christ is Lord.” But the beast is not only the Roman empire. For two thousand years, great state/military/political powers have been ferocious (as pictured in Revelation 13:2). 

Additionally, the power of empires and rulers takes on a mythical character, when Satan counterfeits the displays of Christ’s power. The mortal wound that heals in Revelation 13:3 is a counterfeit of Christ and the resurrection; it has sometimes been the case that when it seemed that an empire or ruler was about to die, it has reasserted itself in such a way that causes people to say “Who is like them?” And of some empires or nations, multitudes have been brought to say “Who is able to make war with them?” (Revelation 13:4). All of this was true of the Roman empire at that time, and the saints who first received this book would have understood that this passage teaches us that such earthly empires are empowered and employed by the devil. When people think of them is inevitable and indomitable, they are worshiping not just the beast (the empire), but the dragon behind the beast, the devil himself (verse 4). 

Such empires, over the whole earth, have often persecuted and even slaughtered believers (Revelation 13:7). Such nations speak blasphemously, as if they are the great power in the universe (Revelation 13:5-6). Your own government may be such a nation! And, when it rises to such power, truly it is only the life and light that the Spirit gives to the elect that keeps them from falling into blasphemous reverence for earthly authority and power (Revelation 13:8). 

But the Spirit DOES give the elect ears to hear (Revelation 13:9). Christians should know that sovereign providence shortens such empires for the sake of the elect, as indicated by the forty-two months of Revelation 13:5 (or, sometimes, by “1260 days”; and, other times, by “a time, times, and half a time”). Christians should know that sovereign justice will fully repay the enslaving and murdering empires of this world (Revelation 13:10). The primary application of responding to the first beast is at the end of verse 10: patience and faith. We know who is sovereign even over the most powerful and wicked empires. We overcome them by the blood of Lamb; our names are written in His book, and He rules over all now, and He will set all things right.

The dragon’s second strategy isn’t the strength of force but the subtlety of false religion. This beast is dressed as a lamb (Revelation 13:11). Jesus had warned His disciples about this (cf. Matthew 7:15). And the apostle warned that satanic religion often appears at first as if it were angelic (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13–15). False prophets and churches always seek to be influential and powerful with earthly power (Revelation 13:12a, Revelation 13:14b). As such, they are always in cahoots with national powers (Revelation 13:12b). The Papist church is the greatest example of this, particularly as the pope is that man of sin of 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, setting himself up in the place in the church that belongs only to Jesus. But it’s not just the pope. All whom the dragon employs in this way appeal to fleshly authority and employ fleshly authority. They do not have the blood of the Lamb or the word of the testimony of the saints. The counterfeit authority of the dragon and the first beast are all that they have.

Just as God alone has all true authority and power, but permits the dragon and those civil authorities empowered by the dragon, to have some measure or semblance of political and military authority, the same is true in spiritual things. God actually permits false teachers and churches to perform sins (Revelation 13:13-14a) and to make impressive spiritual displays (Revelation 13:15). Again, only the elect are spared (Revelation 13:16, cf. Matthew 24:24–25). And they make disciples for themselves that are marked off by signs, both those that are upon the head (an indication of identity, just as Christian baptism is upon the head) and those behaviors that are done with the hand (as Christians are also marked by particular ways of behaving). When false religion is winning the day, those who are most excluded from society are true believers (Revelation 13:17). The mark of the beast, the name of the beast, is likened to a number here. Not 777, a divine number, but a corruption of it, 666. Always short in at least one way, always a corruption of the truth. Like Satan coming to the woman with language that sounds like the law of the garden and the purpose of being in the image of God, or Satan coming to the Lord Jesus quoting messianic Scripture, or false/satanic teachers laying just one thing alongside the gospel to the Galatians, false religion is often entirely wrong by way of being almost right. A legalistic false religion will have much accurate theology and correct morality, but be entirely missing actual adoration of Christ and affection toward men. An antinomian false religion will have much that feels like it might be grace but with none of the love for truth or morality that true grace always produces. A ritualistic false religion will be full of spiritual exercises and symbols, but not narrowed strictly to those things that the Spirit Himself has given, and by which the Spirit Himself actually applies to us union with Christ and communion with Christ. 

A satanic false religion is often so close to the genuine article, in its appearance and feel, that it takes wisdom. To be sure, it will find ways to be in league with the earthly powers-that-be, and it can be recognized that way as well. But it especially takes wisdom to recognize how it is a counterfeit of the true religion, with the true Christ, and His true teaching. This is the primary application for us with regard to the second beast: wisdom (Revelation 13:18). We must have wisdom; the elect receive understanding from the Spirit to test the prophets and discern biblical truth from satanic error. 

Patience and faith (Revelation 13:11) and wisdom to identify and keep professing only the true religion (Revelation 13:18). This is the way of the persecuted church during the time between the comings of Christ. Or, as Revelation 12:11 has already put it: we overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony, loving not our lives even unto death! The dragon is a defeated dragon, but his beastly attacks are both strong and subtle. By patience and faith, we must endure his strength through the blood of the Lamb. And by wisdom we must, we must escape his subtlety through the word of our testimony. 

What are some examples in the world, right now, of the power of the state being used to crush genuine Christians? What are some examples in the world, right now, of the deceptiveness of false religion attempting to seduce Christians?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for teaching us about Satan’s devices. Forgive us for being ignorant of them. Forgive us when we are more impacted by how apparently powerful the government is than we are by how truly powerful You are. Forgive us for when we lack the wisdom to detect and avoid “almost”-Christianity. Give us patience and faith and wisdom by Your Spirit, and make us to overcome in Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

2025.05.28 Midweek Meeting Livestream

Click below for the:

May 28 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 14:25–32 sermon 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 this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

God Made All Things [Children's Catechism 2—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 2—especially explaining how God alone is Creator, and everything else is His creation.

Q1. What else did God make? God made all things.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Judgment Begins in the Household of God [Family Worship lesson in Micah 1:2–9]

What is it like to meet God? Micah 1:2–9 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that meeting God, apart from Christ, is dreadful and grievous prospect.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.05.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Micah 1:2–9

Read Micah 1:2–9

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom do Micah 1:2a–b command to do what? Who is going to do what against them (verse 2c)? From where (verse 2d)? Who is coming from where (Micah 1:3a)? To where (verse 3b)? To do what (verse 3c)? With what effect (Micah 1:4)? On account of what (Micah 1:5a–b)? Who are their transgressions and idolatries (verse 5c–f)? What will the Lord do to Samaria (Micah 1:6)? And to their religion (Micah 1:7)? How will Micah respond (Micah 1:8)? Why—what has happened (Micah 1:9a–b) to whom (verse 9c–d)?

What is it like to meet God? Micah 1:2–9 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that meeting God, apart from Christ, is dreadful and grievous prospect.

Micah 1:2-7 find us in a courtroom in which YHWH is Witness (Micah 1:2), Prosecution (Micah 1:3-4), Judge (Micah 1:5), and Executioner (Micah 1:6-7). When all the peoples are summoned to hear God’s testimony (Micah 1:2), and God Himself comes down both to witness and judge (Micah 1:3) things take a terrifying turn. When the creature comes into contact with the Creator, the creature is overwhelmed and undone (Micah 1:4); the mountains melt and run down into a puddle! God is not safe, and man must not take Him so lightly as to consider meeting Him in any other way than in union with Christ.

What brings the Lord down in this way? His focus is especially upon the sins of His people (Micah 1:5). The church tends to think of the judgment of God as something that will fall upon everyone else, but judgment begins at the household of God (cf. 1 Peter 4:17) as a warning to all (cf. 1 Peter 4:18). 

Israel and Judah have rebelled against God to the extent that their capital cities are not only centers of their nations but centers of sin. “What” in Micah 1:5 is literally “who.” The problem is not merely that they have committed many sins, but that transgression and idolatry have even become their national identity. 

Therefore, the judgment on the northern kingdom also centers upon the capital city of Samaria (Micah 1:6). This literally took place at the hands of the Assyrians at first, and as completed by the Babylonians. They had committed spiritual harlotry with false gods, but the city and all its religion will be destroyed. All that they have will end up in the pockets of immoral invaders who spend it on actual harlots (Micah 1:7).

Micah’s mourning over this is more intense than most in our culture have ever experienced or observed (Micah 1:8). The judgment is not only against the capital of the north, but against Jerusalem as well (Micah 1:9). And this prophet weeps over her judgment, even as the Great Prophet would weep one day (cf. Matthew 23:37–39; Luke 19:41–44). 

How seriously do you take the coming visitation of God in judgment? How urgently do you feel the necessity of meeting Him only in union with Christ and clothed in His righteousness? How intensely do you grieve over the sins of the churches?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how lightly we have taken You, how lightly we have taken our sin against You, and how lightly we have taken Your judgment against our sin. Forgive us for neglecting how the sins of Your church are more provoking than the sins of the world. Forgive us for failing to grieve over the sins of the churches, as Micah did, and as Christ did after him. Blot out our sin by the sacrifice of Christ, and count us righteous in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP51A “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH79A “God, the Nations Have Invaded”

Our Purpose Is Praise [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 146]

Why do we exist? Psalm 146 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we exist to praise God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)