Divinely Mandated Actions, Attitude, and Even Amplitude in Public Worship [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 95]

What does God command for public worship? Psalm 95 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord commands that public worship be joyous, reverent, and submissive. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Generosity of God-Given Worship [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 12:1–31]

What is true worship? Deuteronomy 12:1–31 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that only God chooses what is true worship. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary from the audio's transcript. This passage establishes that worship must be conducted exclusively according to God’s sovereign choice, not according to the church's preference or the practices of the surrounding culture. It emphasizes that true worship involves the destruction of pagan altars and idols, and the exclusive offering of only what God has provided, and only in the way that God has commanded and in the place God designates, where His name dwells. The people are called to rejoice before God in gratitude for His generous provision. This reflects the broader theological truth that God alone determines how humanity may approach Him, culminating in the ultimate provision of Jesus Christ, the true dwelling place of God’s Name. Therefore, worship must always be offered in the way God has commanded, not according to human desire or cultural imitation, but in joyful obedience to His revealed will. When this is followed, the worship comes through Christ.

Worship That Truly Fears God [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 5:1–7]

How should we worship? Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 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 worship with obedient actions, humble attitude, and life-application. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of transcript: Pastor's devotional emphasizes the importance of approaching worship with reverence and intentionality, highlighting that true worship involves not only the right actions and attitudes but also a commitment to follow through on vows and promises made to God. Drawing from Ecclesiastes, the message cautions against rash words and hasty commitments, asserting that genuine worship involves mindful engagement with God's Word, a reserved and receptive heart, and a willingness to apply spiritual truths to daily life, ultimately fearing God and recognizing that His works endure while fleeting pursuits prove vain.

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)

Saved from Popular Worship [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 4:11–19]

How does grace respond to the stubborn sinners whom it is redeeming? Hosea 4:11–19 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that grace constrains those whom it is redeeming by making them ashamed of the very sin that they once loved and were proud of.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

When God Calls Us to Worship [2025.02.26 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.6—Hopewell 101]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—finishing Article 6 with how God calls us to public worship times both by His Word and His providence.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Place of Gospel Worship [2025.02.09 Sabbath School lesson in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.6—Hopewell 101]

We continued studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—continuing with Article 6 and the place of worship under the gospel.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Defiled to the Core [2025.02.02 Morning Sermon in Matthew 15:1–20]

What comes from us is unclean, so we must have Christ, and what comes from Him, by His Spirit.

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

What Defiles a Man [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 15:1–20]

How can a man be clean before God? Matthew 15:1–20 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a man must have his heart changed and purified, which only Christ can do. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Singing with Grace in the Heart [2025.01.12 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.5—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—continuing in Article 5 with what Scripture says about congregational singing and the manner in which we should do it.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Experimental Hearing [2025.01.05 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession of Faith 21.5—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the first part of Article 5, and the type of reading, preaching, and hearing that the Lord commands in the public worship of His people.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How to Pray the Right Way [2024.12.22 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession 21.3b—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the second half of Article 3, and the manner in which we must pray, since prayer is worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Creational Church Calendar [2024.12.08 Evening Sermon in Numbers 28:1–10]

We were created and redeemed to come to God through Christ, which we are to do especially morning and evening, day by day, and week by week on the Lord's Day

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

Deadly Religion of Deluded Believers [Family Worship lesson in Amos 5:18–27]

What will the day of the Lord be like for those who think God loves whatever worship they decide for Him? Amos 5:18–6:14 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the day of the Lord will be death and darkness for those who think they are coming to God, but are doing so apart from Christ.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Worshiping the God Who Communicates Himself [2024.11.24 Sabbath School in WCF 21.2—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the first half of Article 2, and the doctrine that worship must be given only to the true God... and that it is given to Christ!(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Training to Repent in Our Pain [Family Worship lesson in Amos 5:1–17]

Why does the prophet lament? Amos 5:1–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the prophet laments over sin to teach sinners to lament over that sin, and to turn back to seeking the Lord and His good.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Why, and How, to Worship [2024.11.17 Sabbath School in WCF 21.1—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we began Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering Article 1, and the doctrine that God must be worshiped and must only be worshiped as He has commanded, commonly known as the Regulative Principle of Worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

A Climax of Sin, Wrath, and Grace [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 25]

What provokes and stops God’s wrath? Numbers 25 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that sin provokes God’s wrath, but Christ turns it away.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Engaging God with Our Soul in Worship [2024.10.05 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – October 5, 2024

Dear Congregation,

When we worship together, are you offering yourself unto the Lord, body and soul? If you have children, would they know by experience that this is what you are doing, and are they thus learning from you that this is what they should be doing?

I have intended that, at some point, I would do a little series in these pastoral letters on “how to get the most out of biblical worship.” Many are not accustomed to offering themselves, body and soul, unto God in every part of the worship.

So much of the “worship” in the churches is consumed as a spectator or participated in primarily outwardly through ritualistic forms. So, there’s a learning curve when it comes to offering oneself body and soul in those worship actions that God Himself has commanded, and which Christ Himself leads from glory.

Perhaps we will begin that series next week, but yesterday Reformation Scotland posted a selection from a Hugh Binning sermon that will help you begin thinking in that stream. Mr. Binning was a faithful covenanter preacher who died young. His preaching was full of the greatness of God’s love to us and how we ought to be full of love to Him Who has so loved us. This was what animated his views on worship, following the Lord Himself, Who defines man-devised worship as hating Him and God-devised worship as loving Him (Ex 20:5–6).

The entire excerpt is worth your consideration. But, here’s a shorter excerpt to whet your appetite and stir you up unto the Lord in our worship tomorrow:

“O consider, my beloved, what a one you have to do with! It is not other people, but the Father of spirits, who will not be pleased with what pleases others of your own flesh, but who must have a spirit to serve Him!

 

Alas! what are we doing with such empty names and shows in religion? Busied in the outside of worship only, as if we had no one to do with but others who have eyes of flesh, all that we do in this way is lost labour, and will never be reckoned as true worship!”

Looking forward to offering ourselves wholeheartedly to Him together, soul and body,

Pastor

Loving God—His Way [Westminster Shorter Catechism 52—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 52—especially explaining how the God presents worshiping Him only in His way as the litmus test for genuinely loving Him.

Q52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment? The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)