How the Lord Trains Us to Find Pleasure in Him [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 58]

What peace does a true prophet proclaim? Isaiah 58 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a true prophet proclaims the peace of true religion, finding God in Christ to be the great good and the great delight, Who has given us a day to train us in delighting in Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Much Sanctification Is Enough? [2024.05.10 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – May 10, 2024

Dear Congregation,

How much sanctification is enough? Scripture’s answer is that we must be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect—holy as the Lord our God is holy. And the grace-transformed heart enthusiastically agrees. For, we long to see the Lord, and without holiness we cannot see Him.

But we can understand how such a question would come from our flesh, which is why Heb 12:1–13 urges so strongly that we press on in sanctification so long as we are in this life, strengthening the drooping hands and feeble knees, and making straight paths for our feet.

Until we are in glory itself, we must continue growing in holiness.

Analogously, how much reformation is enough? Suppose that the externals of worship were thoroughly reformed. Suppose that the actions of our worship were reformed to the point that we only did those actions that Scripture commands (which I hope is the case). Suppose that the content of those actions was only that scriptural content that the Lord has provided (which is more and more the case). Suppose that even the circumstances necessary to the worship actions were arranged so as most wisely to serve those actions and forms and the reality of the nature of spiritual, heavenly Christian worship (though there is nearly always room to improve in this area).

Even in such a mature state of external reformation, the worshipers ourselves would still only be partially sanctified. So long as we are in this world, we are continually fighting to kill the flesh and seeking grace by which to grow in offering ourselves unto God as slaves for righteousness. There is nowhere that this battle is more intense, or more necessary, than in worshiping God rightly from the heart.

This side of glory, we must not be satisfied with giving God anything less than the best in either the externals or internals of worship. This side of glory, we must not be satisfied with giving God anything less than the best in the whole of our life. How much holiness is enough? The holiness that Jesus died for; the holiness that Jesus lives for. And, praise God, He has both atoned for all of our falling short in worship and guaranteed that we shall be perfected at last.

Looking forward to worshiping in the beauty of holiness with you,

Pastor

A “Truly Reformed” Life [2024.03.13 Midweek Sermon in Romans 11:33–36]

Being truly Reformed means overflowing with praise about and unto God with the lip and the life.

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

The Church Walking in Fellowship or Enmity with God [2024.02.04 Evening Sermon in Leviticus 26]

God's church either walks in fellowship with God, or enmity against Him, especially revolving around worshiping the way that He says and keeping His calendar

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

Walking with God vs God Walking against Us [Family Worship lesson in Leviticus 26]

What implications do the favor and fellowship of God have for our obedience? Leviticus 26 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these forty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that obedience shows personal affection for the Lord, and disobedience shows personal rejection of the Lord. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Re-Creational Work [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 29:15–24]

What transformations will come, in the great work of the Lord? Isaiah 29:15–24 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in the great work of the Lord, His transformation of the creation will correspond to His transformation of His people. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Apostolic Recipe for Reformation: Christ's Called Men Teaching Christ's Word to Produce Christ's Love in Christ's People [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 1:3–7]

What did Paul leave Timothy behind in Ephesus to do? 1Timothy 1:3–7 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that churches urgently need called men to teach right doctrine that results in right living.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Our Participation in God's Purpose [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 102:12–17]

How does the eternal and glorious Lord respond to the low condition of His people? Psalm 102:12–17 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord invests the glory of His Name in rebuilding His church. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Focusing on the Elderly in Reformation [Family Worship lesson in Titus 2:1–2]

What should a minister speak? Titus 2:1–2 looks forward to the second serial reading of in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that ministers should speak not just sound doctrine, but application appropriate to the people, beginning with the elderly men. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Reformation in 1Timothy (1) : Restoring Holiness through Good Doctrine via Christ's Means [Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #44, 2023.07.30 Sabbath School]

As we prepare to handle 1Tim 3:8–13, we begin establishing the context, so that we may see how a properly restored diaconate fits into the whole work of reforming a church.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God Shows the Glory of His Grace in Covenant Patience [Family Worship lesson in Exodus 34:8–28]

What does the Lord do for His people in His forgiveness? Exodus 34:8–28 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in His forgiveness, the Lord restores His people as if they had never sinned. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Revival and Reformation Can Lead to More Revival and Reformation [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 22]

How can revival come, and what may it look like? 2Kings 22 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that revival may begin in smaller mercies, as the Lord brings the response of the life by the moving of the heart. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Prescription for Reformation from One Generation to the Next [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 78:1–8]

What is the Lord’s prescription for making one generation of His church better than the previous? Psalm 78:1–8 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 the Lord employs fathers as the teachers of their children; to show them God’s character, relations, and works; that the children might be doctrinally driven to faith, worship, and obedience. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Joash De-Templed the Temple: the Subtly Destructive Power of Spiritual Insincerity and Laziness [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 12]

What can a believer do when everything in his circumstances suggests that God has abandoned him? Psalm 77 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when circumstances seem to suggest that God has abandoned us, we can meditate upon the holy, great, powerful, saving character of our God, and how He has consistently demonstrated it in the history of His dealings with His people. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Spirit-Taught Pleading for When the Church Is Brought Very Low [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 74]

What can believers pray when their enemies are given such success that it appears that God is against them? Psalm 74 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when the church’s enemies are permitted to afflict the church, so that the chastening hand of God appears to be against her, the church can still plead the glory and character of God, and her own pitiable estate and relationship to Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Means by Which the Spirit Strengthened Churches in Faith and Increased Them in Number [Family Worship lesson in Acts 15:35–16:5]

How does the Lord strengthen His church? Acts 15:36–16:5 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord strengthens His church by His blessing upon follow-up ministry by partially sanctified men and the church’s unity in doctrine and practice. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Priority of Prayer in Producing Godliness [Family Worship lesson in 2Timothy 2:1–3]

Having driven home the importance of Timothy’s reformational work in Ephesus, what is the first part of that work that the apostle urges? 1Timothy 2:1–3 looks forward to the second 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 corporate prayer is the first part of participation in the work of God in our and others’ lives.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Reasons for the Urgency of Reformational Ministry [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 1:18–20]

Why is it so urgent that Timothy reestablish right preaching, conduct, and order in the church in Ephesus? 1Timothy 1:18–20 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Timothy (and other gospel ministers) must labor for right doctrine, practice, and order both to fulfill the will of God Who called them and to safeguard their own and others’ faith.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Apostolic Recipe for Reformation: Christ's Called Men Teaching Christ's Word to Produce Christ's Love in Christ's People [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 1:3–7]

What did Paul leave Timothy behind in Ephesus to do? 1Timothy 1:3–7 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that churches urgently need called men to teach right doctrine that results in right living.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Divine, Personal Foundation of Reformational Pastoral Ministry [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 1:1–2]

Who were Paul and Timothy to one another, and how does that factor into the reformational work needed at Ephesus? 1Timothy 1:1–2 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the apostolic foundation of reformational ministry takes us back to God Himself in Christ, because He is our God, He is our hope, He is our holiness, He is our help, and He is our happiness.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)