A Good Eye for the Good God [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 20:1–16]

What is the nature of the rewards of the kingdom? Matthew 20:1–16 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rewards of the kingdom are given not by merit, but by grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Wisdom in Our Words and Work [2025.03.05 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 12:1–14]

The wisdom that YHWH blesses shows up especially in how we use words and how we work.

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Christ's Divine Provision [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 31:25–54]

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Christianity Worth the Cost [2024.08.18 Morning Sermon in Matthew 10:34–42]

Christ brings great cost into the Christian's life, but infinitely greater reward.

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Christ Worth the Cost [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 10:34–42]

What difference does Christ make? Matthew 10:34–42 looks forward to the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ brings great cost into the Christian’s life, but greater reward. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Fasting that God Hates [2024.03.17 Morning Sermon in Matthew 6:16]

The fasting that Jesus warned against was the same as the God-hating fasting of those who have not learned the principle of the Sabbath.

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Truly Rewarding Christianity [2024.02.25 Morning Sermon in Matthew 6:1–4]

Jesus desires for believers to have the true reward that comes by a life lived in fellowship with the Father, through union with the Son (by the power of the Spirit)

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Living for Infinite, Eternal Reward [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 6:1–4]

What sorts of good works should Christians watch against doing? Matthew 6:1–4 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians should watch against “good” works that are done in order to be seen by men and get glory from men.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad! [2023.12.24 Morning Sermon in Matthew 5:10–12]

When believers are pursuing righteousness, through union with Christ, and reflection of the Father—and persecution comes to them for it—let them be exceedingly glad.

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Seeing God's Mercy in Our Godliness, Despite Our Costly, Remaining Sin [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 20:12–21]

How does mercy overrule believers’ pride and folly? 2Kings 20:12–21 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in those whom He is growing in grace, God commends the goodness that comes from His gracious work, despite the harmfulness of their remaining sin, mercifully sparing much of the harm it might have cost. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The True Benefit of Covenant Membership and Sign [2022.08.17 Midweek Sermon in Romans 2:25–29]

The covenant sign and covenant membership were profitable, because they pointed to how a believer's salvation would come, would grow, and would finish. But for the one who never comes to faithGod's sign is still true, even as He rightly judges such a man as false.

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No Partiality with God: He Will Render unto Men in Accord with Their Deeds (2022.07.06 Midweek Sermon in Romans 2:6–11)

God is not partial but just and merciful; the human race is not split up into Jew and Greek, but rather good-working and evil-working.

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No Partiality with God: Rewards that Accord with Deeds, Not Ethnicity (Family Worship lesson in Romans 2:6–11)

What is the real distinction-maker that divides the human race? Romans 2:6–11 looks forward to the this week’s midweek sermon. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the human race is not split up into Jew and Greek, but rather good-working and evil-working. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Good Works Not Meritorious but Rewarded (2021.12.19 Sabbath School on WCF 16.5–6)

Good works cannot be meritorious, but they are done in Christ, and rewarded for His own worthiness. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Gracious Benefits of Good Works (Family Worship lesson in Genesis 22:1–19)

For what purpose is God “testing” Abraham? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Genesis 22:1–19 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nineteen verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God tests the faith that He has given us in order to show the fruit of it, in order to generously reward us for works His grace has given, and to use us and our works in His ongoing work.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Heroe̵s̵ of Israel (Family Worship lesson in 2Samuel 23:8–39)

What does the list of David’s mighty men tell us about Israel’s heroes? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 2Samuel 23:8–39 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Yahweh Himself is the only true Hero of Israel, that worshiping Him is the highest of our duties, that He is gracious to honor His servants, and that His mercy and forgiveness are our only hope.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How to Plead Our Righteousness before God in Prayer (2021.09.19 Evening Sermon in 2Samuel 22:21–28)

Through faith in Christ, we may plead our righteousness before God, because Christ’s obedience has been counted for us as if we had done it; because Christ Himself is our righteousness, and we can pray in union with Him; and, because whatever true righteousness has come out of our sanctification is the fruit of the same saving work, and rewarded by God not for its merit but by grace (for Christ’s merit).(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

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.