Delighted, Dependent Diligence [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 11:1–6]

What should we do? Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 prepares us for the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we cannot comprehend all of the work of God, we should be diligent and active, entrusting the outcome to Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Drawing from Ecclesiastes 11:1–6, the devotional presents a call to faithful, joyful diligence in all aspects of life, grounded in the recognition that God’s purposes are beyond human comprehension. It emphasizes that, just as the wind and the growth of a child in the womb are mysteries beyond our control, so too are the outcomes of our labor and generosity. Therefore, believers are urged to act with wisdom and generosity—sowing seed in the morning and not withholding effort in the evening—without waiting for perfect conditions or guaranteed results. The passage teaches that true faithfulness lies not in understanding or controlling outcomes, but in trusting God’s sovereign work, even when the results are uncertain. Ultimately, the devotional calls for a life of consistent, humble diligence, rooted in the assurance that God is working all things according to His will, and that our faithful labor, though unseen, is part of His greater design.

Worship-Shaped Work [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 4:4–6]

What else makes godless life vain? Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fallen labor makes godless life vain. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional lesson explores the futility of labor and achievement apart from a relationship with God, drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and Psalm 73. It highlights how striving and skillful work often lead to envy and ultimately prove unsatisfying, while neglecting work results in a destructive laziness. The central message emphasizes that true contentment and peace—a “handful with quietness”—are found not in worldly pursuits but in knowing and worshipping God, allowing His grace to shape our work, and provide lasting fulfillment rather than grasping for fleeting, ultimately unattainable goals.

Fruitful Words and Fruitful Work [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 13:1–6]

How does a man image God? Proverbs 13:1–6 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that one way a man images God is by fruitfulness in words and work. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Discrete Words and Diligent Work [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 12:15–28]

What does walking with God involve? Proverbs 12:15–28 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture. the Holy Spirit teaches us that walking with God involves godly speech, and diligence, in the path that leads to eternal life. (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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Wise in Words and Work [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 12:1–14]

What good is good sense? Proverbs 12:1–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that good sense causes a man to use his mouth and his hands in a fruitful and blessed way. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Wisdom's Pleasure and Treasure [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 10:1–5]

What should an image-bearer desire? Proverbs 10:1–5 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that an image-bearer should desire whatever God desires. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Holy Happiness! [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 128]

What happiness does the Lord give? Psalm 128 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, Who is our happiness, makes us happy in His blessing us in our work and families, and especially in His church.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The LORD Who Builds His House and Yours [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 127]

How can we be happy and secure? Psalm 127 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that only the Lord gives happiness and security. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Great Greetings and Greater Grace! [Family Worship lesson in Romans 16:21–24]

How can Christians be more encouraged? Romans 16:21–24 prepares us for the midweek sermon in the prayer meeting. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians can gain encouragement by honoring those who encourage them, and especially by receiving Christ’s own grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Ways for Us to Get Goods [Children's Catechism 98—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 98—especially explaining how material things are a good gift from God, when obtained (and employed) in the good ways that God has given us to do so.

Q98. What does the eighth commandment teach us? To be honest and industrious.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Greatness of the Priestly Work [2024.03.10 Evening Sermon in Numbers 4]

The Levites had a great priestly work to do, which points us to the greater-ness of Christ's priestly work, and even a greater-ness in our own priesthood.

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Honoring Masters for God’s Sake [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 6:1–2]

Besides mature widow prayer-warriors and elders who rule well, whom else must believers honor? 1 Timothy 6:1–2 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers ought to honor whomever God’s providence sets over them. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Lowly Saints' High Callings [Family Worship lesson in Titus 2:9–10]

How can lowly Christians glorify Christ? Titus 2:9–10 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 lowly Christians glorify Christ by being otherwise inexplicably godly by the grace of their Savior. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Living in a Way That Is Ready to Worship [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 101]

How does a king prepare for worship? Psalm 101 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 one way that kings (and all of us) must prepare for worship is by godly conduct in our ordinary callings. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Living in God's World as Those Who Belong to God [2023.08.13 Morning Sermon in Acts 27:1–28:10]

Those who belong to and worship God live as those who are protected by God, heard by God, and employed by God.

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The Lord's Generous Provision for His People's Eagerly Providing for Public Worship [2023.05.21 Evening Sermon in Exodus 35:1–36:7]

The Lord provides all that is necessary for His people to participate in His giving the gift of His favorable presence in our worship. The greater story is the generosity of God, not that of the people

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Imaging God in Work and Worship [Family Worship lesson in Exodus 31]

What is the tabernacle, and its construction process, accomplishing? Exodus 31 looks forward to the evening devotional on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the tabernacle and its construction process communicated a restoration of imaging God and fellowshipping with Him.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Honoring Masters for God’s Sake [Family Worship lesson in 1Timothy 6:1–2]

Besides mature widow prayer-warriors and elders who rule well, whom else must believers honor? 1 Timothy 6:1–2 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers ought to honor whomever God’s providence sets over them. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Theology Simply Explained — WSC74 “Enjoying and Participating in God’s Goodness to Us and Others in Earthly Things”

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 74—especially explaining and applying the duty to delight in and display the goodness of God by making use of the means and materials that He has provided to prosper ourselves and others.

WSC74: What is required in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)