The Heart Is the Problem [Family Worship lesson in Mark 8:11–21]

How much evidence is enough to resolve unbelief? Mark 8:11–21 prepares us for 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 unbelief is not resolved by more evidence, but by eliminating the unbelief itself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines Mark 8:11-21 to find that the root of spiritual blindness is a hardened heart rather than a lack of evidence. The Pharisees' demand for signs results in Jesus's warning against the leaven of unbelief and skepticism. Pastor emphasizes that believers also struggle with doubt, when they judge by external circumstances instead of God's Word, character, and work. True faith requires the Holy Spirit to soften the heart and enable perception. Ultimately, living by faith depends on continual reliance on God's grace to overcome remaining sin.

The Great Sign [2025.02.16 Morning Sermon in Matthew 16:1–4]

Jesus Himself is the great sign of His Lordship and Christhood.

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Wicked, Adulterous Skepticism [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 16:1–4]

Why is it wicked to seek a sign from God? Matthew 16:1–4 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God has already given His Son’s resurrection as a sign, so seeking for another one is evil and adulterous. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Too Familiar with Jesus? [2025.01.05 Morning Sermon in Matthew 13:54–58]

We must never let our familiarity with Jesus rob us of our wonder. Thus, let us not question Him, but take Him at His Word in all of His answers to our questions, receiving Him Himself as our God and Savior.

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The Wickedness of Skepticism [Family Worship lesson in Matthew13:54–58]

What is doubting Christ? Matthew 13:54–58 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that doubting Christ is wicked unbelief. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Sign of the King [2024.11.17 Morning Sermon in Matthew 28:16–20]

Baptism marks us as members of the visible church, commands us to be members of the invisible church, and points us to Christ as our sure hope for this.

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Childish Arrogance and Wicked Resistance of Unbelief [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 11:16–24]

What should we say about an unbelieving generation? Matthew 11:16–24 looks forward to the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who hear the gospel but don’t repent are childishly arrogant and wickedly resistant. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Christ’s Power in Preaching [2024.08.25 Morning Sermon in Matthew 11:1–6]

Christ, our Prophet, preaches Himself to us to save and sanctify us.

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What Jesus Does by His Preaching [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 11:1–6]

How can faith in Christ be strengthened in hard circumstances? Matthew 11:1–6 looks forward to the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ strengthens us in hard circumstances through the preaching of His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The God-Man's Glory in Our Greatest Need [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 9:1–8]

What deliverance did Jesus come to give us? Matthew 9:1–8 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus came to give us the deliverance of the forgiveness of sins.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Sovereign Mercy that Overrules the Greatness of Our Folly and the Weakness of Our Faith [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 4:38–44]

What is God showing in these two “feeding” miracles? 2Kings 4:38–44 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s mercy overrules both His servants’ folly and lack of faith.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Jesus Affirms His Salvation by Resurrection and Applies It by Preaching and Faith [Family Worship lesson in Acts 13:13–41]

What was apostolic preaching like? Acts 13:13–41 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that apostolic preaching of the gospel announces that the Old Testament promises of salvation have been fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus, Who was shown to be the God-Man by the resurrection, and through Whom we can have forgiveness of sin and the righteousness of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Jesus Cures Our Unbelief (2021.11.28 Morning Sermon in Luke 24:36–43)

Christ gives us peace by assuring us of His resurrection

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God's Grace Conquers His Enemies and Our Unbelief (Family Worship lesson in Exodus 7:8–13)

Why are Pharaoh’s sorcerers able to turn their rods into snakes as well? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Exodus 7:8–13 prepares us for the first serial reading in Morning Public Worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is displaying His conquering grace not only by swallowing up Egypt and all of its counterfeit glory, but also by overcoming Moses’s unbelief.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Gracious Reminders to a Doubting Saint (Family Worship lesson in Exodus 4:1–9)

How did God respond when Moses doubted His Word? Pastor leads his family in today's "Hopewell @Home" passage. Exodus 4:1–9 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these nine verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is patient and gracious, and when we doubt Him we need to be reminded that we deserve Hell, that the most dangerous thing is to disobey Him, that true safety comes not from any place or circumstance but from the Lord Himself, and that He is the Giver of all life and goodness.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)