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)

Our Neighbor's Precious Name [Westminster Shorter Catechism 76—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 76—especially explaining how the our neighbor’s name isa valuable gift to him from God.

Q76. Which is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

T.H.I.N.K. Before You Speak [Children's Catechism 100—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 100—especially explaining how we must only speak what’s true… helpful, important, necessary, and kind.

Q100. What does the ninth commandment teach us? To tell the truth.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Value of Words and Names [Children's Catechism 99—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 99—especially explaining how names are valuable as our neighbor’s most precious earthly possession, and words are valuable as being created to worship God and image Him in serving others.

Q99. What is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

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)

Speaking with Christ as Witness [2024.02.04 Morning Sermon in Matthew 5:33–37]

Speech is for Christ, so Christians must always be truthful as speaking before God, and reserve oaths and vows only for solemn occasions like worship, covenanting, and judicial testimony.

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

Hearts That Love Truth and Honor [Westminster Shorter Catechism 78 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 78—especially explaining and applying that the ninth commandment forbids not only misusing our mouths but anything that inhibits truthful understanding or honorable names.

Q78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Theology Simply Explained — WSC77 "Imaging God as Witnesses Who Maintain and Promote Truth"

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 77—especially explaining and applying how, both as speakers and as hearers, we are to image the truth-telling, testifying God.

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)

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.

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

Created and Redeemed to Praise God and Bless Men with Our Speech (2022.07.03 Evening Sermon in Exodus 20:16)

The God Who designed us to be speaking creatures requires that we use that speech for the good of our neighbor.

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

Wisdom of Words of Wisdom (Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:11–14)

Pastor leads his family in a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a great part of righteousness and godliness is preparing and disseminating wisdom for our speaking.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Don't Speak in the Hearing of a Fool (Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 23:9)

Pastor leads his family in a verse from “the Proverb of the day.” In this Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that how our words are likely to be received is a factor in considering whether to speak them—particularly that if we are with or near a fool, it is better to keep our mouth shut.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Spirit's Prescription for When You're Falsely Accused (2021.08.11 Prayer Meeting lesson in Psalm 26)

When we are falsely accused, let us set before ourselves the LORD as all our confidence and all our desire, so that we will walk with integrity from the assemblies of the godly in this life to that great assembly of the godly in that to come.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Some Biblical Guidance for Avoiding Foolish Communication (Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:10)

Pastor leads his family in a verse from "the Proverb of the day." Main idea: It is foolish to use subtlety of communication as a weapon of social exclusion or to cover up sin, as well as to have no control over what is coming out of our mouth and how much. This last, the Lord is merciful to help us avoid by warning us that if we keep it up, He will knock us down.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Judgment through Wicked Conspirators and Weak Magistrates (Family Worship lesson in 2Samuel 14:1–22)

What are we to make of Joab and the cunning actress from Tekoa? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 2Samuel 14:1–22 prepares us for the first serial reading in the morning worship service on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-two verses of sacred Scripture, we learn that it was a grievous judgment on David to be surrounded by manipulators and to be given over to his own weakness to be manipulated by them. May the Lord spare us from the chastening of being under such authorities and especially of being such authorities ourselves!

Gladdening the Spirit and Fighting the Devil in Putting on and Putting Off (Family Worship in Ephesians 4:25–30)

Are you grieving the Spirit or gladdening Him? Fighting the devil or giving him opportunity? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” devotional. In these six verses, we learn that fighting alongside the Spirit in sanctification requires both putting off and putting on in every area.