Truly Loving the True God [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 5:8–10]

What should worship seek? Deuteronomy 5:8–10 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that worship seeks the true God in the true way. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Truly Christian Marriage [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 19:1–12]

What should we think of divorce? Matthew 19:1–12 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should hate divorce, just as God does. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

OUR God's Law [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 5:1–5]

How are we to receive God’s law? Deuteronomy 5:1–5 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to receive the law from our covenant God, through our covenant Mediator. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Bearing Witness as Image Bearers [Westminster Shorter Catechism 77—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 77—especially explaining how God has given each of us an unique set of experiences that place us under obligation to T.H.I.N.K. before we speak.

Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness-bearing.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Don't Treat God as Common [Westminster Shorter Catechism 55—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 55—especially explaining how we must neither abuse nor treat as common any of God’s communication to us of Himself.

Q55. What is forbidden in the third commandment? The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Holy and Reverent Lips and Life [Westminster Shorter Catechism 54—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 54—especially explaining how we are to conduct ourselves in the holy fear of God in His worship, and in our lives.

Q54. What is required in the third commandment? The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Believers' Use of God's Law [2024.09.29 Sabbath School in WCF 19.6—Hopewell 101]

We learn from Scripture what WCF 19.6 teaches: doing what God's law commands, and refraining from what it forbids, is not an evidence of being under the law, but would be a right response to its great usefulness in believers' lives.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Contending for Christ's Lordship [Family Worship lesson in Jude v1–4]

What could be more important than enriching one another in our common salvation? Jude v1–4 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must contend earnestly for faith in a Jesus Who is our Master, both as our God and as our King. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Gospel-Strengthened Obligation to the Law [2024.09.22 Sabbath School in WCF 19.5—Hopewell 101]

We continue to study the Scriptures behind the sound and sweet doctrine of our church's Confession of Faith. This week, we learned, from WCF 19.5, about how the gospel makes us more obligated to the moral law, not less.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Moral and Ceremonial Law in the Covenant of Grace [2024.09.08 Sabbath School in WCF 19.2–3—Hopewell 101]

We continue to study the Scriptures behind the sound and sweet doctrine of our church's Confession of Faith. This week, we learned, from WCF 19.2–3, about how the moral law has a special place in the covenant of grace, and therefore the Christian life; but that the ceremonial law was given for other prophethood, priesthood, and kingship, and has been abrogated under Christ.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Law in the Covenant of Works [2024.09.01 Sabbath School in WCF19.1—Hopewell 101]

We continue to study the Scriptures behind the sound and sweet doctrine of our church's Confession of Faith. This week, we learned, from WCF 19.1, about how God gave the moral law in the covenant of works.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Setting the Stage for Keeping the Law [Westminster Shorter Catechism 43—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 43—especially explaining how God puts His own law into context for His people.

Q43. What is the preface to the ten commandments? The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Good, Useful Law [Children's Catechism 104—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 104—especially explaining how Jesus uses His law to teach us rightly about ourselves and Himself.

Q104. Of what use are the ten commandments to us? They teach us our duty, and show our need of a Savior.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Dead Men Keep No Commandments [Children's Catechism 103—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 103—especially explaining how the remaining of the dead, former self within the believer means that even he does not keep God’s commandments perfectly in this life.

Q103. Can any man keep these ten commandments perfectly? No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Loving God, Self, and Neighbor [Westminster Shorter Catechism 42—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 42—especially explaining how loving God with one’s whole being is the purpose of our existence, and the only true way to love oneself, which demands that we also desire the same for our neighbor.

Q42. What is the sum of the ten commandments? The sum of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

All Morality in Just Ten Words [Westminster Shorter Catechism 41—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 41—especially explaining how the Ten Commandments are a wondrous summary of all morality.

Q41. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Moral Law at the Beginning [Shorter Catechism 40—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 40—especially explaining how Adam was given the moral law from the beginning.

Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience? The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Learning What to Obey and How [Westminster Shorter Catechism 39—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 39—especially explaining how our duty includes not only obedience to God’s law but attendance upon Him in the means of His grace in order to keep His law.

Q39. What is the duty which God requireth of man? The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

True Love [2024.04.17 Midweek Sermon in Romans 13:8–10]

True love is unto God first, defined by God's law, and determined by God's providence.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Law Fulfilled and Love Defined [Family Worship lesson in Romans 13:8–10]

What debt may a Christian conscientiously leave outstanding? Romans 13:8–10 prepares us for the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the only debt that we should leave outstanding is the debt of love. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)