Sanctity of Life [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 19:1–22:12]

How must Israel apply the sixth commandment to their life in the land? Deuteronomy 19:1–22:12 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventy-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel were to honor God’s holiness by treating His image in man as sacred. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional presents a comprehensive legal and ethical framework centered on the sanctity of human life, rooted in the Sixth Commandment’s prohibition of murder. It establishes systems of justice that distinguish between intentional murder, accidental manslaughter, and just war, emphasizing divine protection for the innocent through cities of refuge, impartial judicial procedures, and the condemnation of false testimony. The text underscores corporate responsibility for bloodshed, illustrated by the ritual of the heifer in a valley of flowing water, and enforces equitable justice through proportional penalties and safeguards against abuse. It also extends the principle of life’s value to include care for property, the environment, and vulnerable individuals—such as widows and orphans—while regulating warfare, inheritance, and holiness codes to preserve Israel’s distinct identity as a people set apart for God. Ultimately, the law reflects God’s holiness and the sacredness of human life, pointing forward to Christ, who alone fully embodies the divine regard for humanity and bears the curse of sin on behalf of His people.

The Problem of Oppression [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 4:1–3]

What do the powerful do? Ecclesiastes 4:1–3 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, under the sun, the powerful oppress. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional grapples with the painful reality of oppression and injustice observed under the sun, acknowledging the seemingly unanswered suffering of the oppressed and the power wielded by their oppressors. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and Psalm 73, it emphasizes that true comfort and resolution to this difficulty are found not in earthly circumstances, but in a relationship with God through worship. The speaker ultimately offers hope, asserting that while oppression is a grievous evil, it is not the final word because God is a comforter and redeemer, offering a solution that transcends the limitations of this world and urging listeners to hate oppression without despairing, knowing that God reigns and will ultimately destroy wickedness.

Living as Those Who Will Die [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 3:16–22]

How should we make application of the reality of our death? Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live as those who will be judged by God, and as those who receive our life as a portion from God. This family worship devotional grapples with the apparent injustices of the world, particularly the presence of wickedness in positions of authority, and explores the comfort found in God's ultimate judgment and sovereignty. Drawing from Ecclesiastes and Psalm 11, it asserts that while earthly suffering and death may seem to level humanity with animals, they ultimately serve to humble individuals and remind them of their dependence on God. The central message emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in one’s work as a divinely appointed portion, finding joy not in the lasting impact of actions but in the knowledge of God’s purpose and the promise of eternal union with Him, ultimately offering solace and direction in a world marked by suffering and impermanence.
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Speaking Up for Justice [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 31:8–9]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians should speak up for those who can’t do so, both as citizens and as magistrates.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Beholding Our Good and Severe God [2024.02.21 Midweek Sermon in Romans 11:22–24]

When thinking about our current spiritual state, our future state, or that of others, the most important thing to keep in mind is the character of God, Who is abundantly good but by no means overlooks sin.

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Is Predestination Right? [2023.11.22 Midweek Sermon in Romans 9:14–18]

God is both righteous and merciful and compassionate to save from among sinners who all deserve to be hardened.

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Remembering that God, Not Myself, Is the Ultimate Reality [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 94:1–15]

What is the solution to agony over the wicked and their wickedness? Psalm 94:1–15 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who learn from the Lord can be sure that the day of the godly’s rest and wicked’s judgment is coming. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God Himself, Officers under God, and the God-Man [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 82]

What comfort is there for those who are oppressed by those in authority? Psalm 82 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 although earthly authorities may oppress us, they must answer to God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Injustice Is Abominable to God [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 17:15]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the greatest danger of injustice isn’t hostility among men but provoking the enmity of God.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

A Lesson in Responding Well to Wondrous Works [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 75]

How are God’s wondrous works related to His righteous judgment? Psalm 75 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 God’s wondrous works teach us to thank Him, be humble before Him, trust Him, and praise Him as the great and sure Judge of all. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Just Society of a Just God: Just Witnesses, Just Neighbors, and Just Judges [2022.09.18 Evening Sermon in Exodus 23:1–9]

Because God is just, His society must be just.

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The Just God's Society Should Be Careful to Witness, Neighbor, and Judge Justly [Family Worship lesson in Exodus 23:1–9]

How must God’s society resist the temptation to treat others unjustly? Exodus 23:1–9 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in situations where there is extra pressure to act unjustly, God’s people must be all the more resolved and consistent to act justly. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Opposite Characters and Destinies of the Wicked and the Righteous (2022.01.26 Prayer Meeting sermon in Psalm 37:12–26)

The contrast in character between the wicked and the righteous genuinely corresponds to the contrast in destiny between the wicked and the righteous. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The Faithful, Personal God Who Sees All in Justice and Mercy (2021.10.20 Prayer Meeting lesson in Psalm 33:13–22)

In inescapable justice, the LORD sees all the wicked, and in inescapable mercy, the LORD sees all those hoping in Him.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The LORD Exalts His Power and Justness over Egypt and His Grace in Moses (Family Worship lesson in Exodus 7:14–25)

What is the LORD showing about Himself in the plague of turning water to blood? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Exodus 7:14–25 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the LORD was exalting Himself over the idols of Egypt, judging Pharaoh with perfect justness, and displaying the effectiveness of His grace in Moses.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

A Prayer of Praise that Comforts and Convicts Us (Prayer Meeting Lesson in Psalm 10)

In all of this praise, we enjoy the wisdom of His patience and timing toward the wicked. And in all of this praise, we are reminded of the truths about Him that would restrain our sin if we weren't so forgetful about them in our remaining fleshliness. What a blessing to us it is to pray praise unto our God!

The Divinely Judicial and Divinely Organic Causes of Christian Love

Christians love one another because it is right, and because the love of Christ Himself is growing in them.

Nahum 1:1–8 ▫ Have We Finally Found a Really Minor Prophet?: Minor Prophet, Major God

God is just: the vengeance of God. God is impressive: the majesty of God. God is near: the goodness of God.

The Lord Is on His Own Side. Are You? (Family Worship in 1Samuel 26)

Is Yahweh on David’s side or Saul’s? Pastor leads his family in tomorrow’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. In these twenty-five verses, we learn that since the Lord is on His own side, we need to obey His instructions rather than try to accomplish His plans, trust His justice rather than provoke His discipline, and look to please Him who rewards us rather than hoping that men will be pleased enough to reward us.