Great Is God's Faithfulness to Us, through Us, for Us, and Especially in Christ (2021.09.05 Evening Sermon in 2Samuel 21:15–22)

God is faithful to us when we are weak, in His chosen One, through servants 'great' and small, and for the sake of His Name.(click title within audio player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Jesus Our Perfect Prophet, Priest, and Substitute. A Help for Stumbling Saints (2021.09.05 Morning Sermon in Luke 22:54–65)

The Lord Jesus shows Himself to have predicted exactly Peter's denial, for which our Lord's intervention was the perfect solution, because our Lord Himself is our perfect Substitute.

(click title within players for a page where you can download video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

"Of Repentance unto Life" part 13, WCF 15.6.3, The Duty of Confession to One Another

Those who are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ have the duty of glorifying His forgiveness by confessing sin to one another, and praying for one another upon that reconciliation.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.09.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Luke 22:54–65

Read Luke 22:54–65

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did they bring Jesus in Luke 22:54? Who followed at a distance? What had the mob done in Luke 22:55? Who sat down among them? Who saw him (Luke 22:56)? What did she do and say? What did Peter do and say in Luke 22:57? Who does what when in Luke 22:58a? What does Peter say (verse 58b)? About how long passes in Luke 22:59? Who does what with what words? What does Peter say in Luke 22:60? Then, what happens when? Who does what in Luke 22:61a? What does Peter remember (verse 61b)? What does Peter do in Luke 22:62? What four things do  the men do to Jesus in Luke 22:63-64? What do they say to Him to do? What does Luke 22:65 add?

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Prophet. In Luke 22:34, He had told Peter that this would happen, and it was exactly as He had said. The wicked guards cry “Prophesy!” in Luke 22:64, but the irony is that it comes in the context of one of His very specific prophecies coming exactly true. 

His Word is perfectly reliable! Never is this more important than in telling us about His own identity as the God-Man, His work in giving His life for us, and the certainty of the completion of our salvation in Him. Every proof of the reliability of His Word should stir up our confidence in these things.

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Intercessor. When the Lord looked at Peter (Luke 22:61a), you would think that look of love would send him running in, retracting his denials, eager to die with Christ. But, it was not time yet for Peter to be restored, and he instead goes outside and cries (Luke 22:62). Still, we know that this isn’t the end of Peter’s story, and that he will both return and then strengthen his brethren. How do we know? Christ has prayed for him (cf. Luke 22:32). Indeed, we can almost be certain that He is praying for him even with that look. We can even be certain, when we are failing Him, that He is at that moment praying for us (cf. Hebrews 7:25). 

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Substitute. It seems unfair that Peter isn’t the one in there getting mocked and beaten in Luke 22:63-65. He deserves all that and worse! But isn’t that just the point? Jesus, the One Who is remaining faithful (cf. 1 Timothy 6:13, 1 Peter 2:22–24), is the One receiving the just desserts of wickedness. He saves a sinful people first and foremost by receiving what they deserve as their Substitute. The next day, being our Substitute will require that He endure the assault of God Himself. Amazing love, amazing grace, amazing salvation!

In what situation do you most need to remember a particular promise of Christ? What promise of His is most relevant to it? How does the timing of a rooster’s crow help you here? When you are in the midst of failing Jesus, what is He doing for you? What do you deserve? Who has received it? What won’t you receive if you are His? What will you receive instead?

Sample prayer:  Our perfect Lord and Savior, You are worthy of all glory and honor and praise! Indeed, You deserve all blessing and blessedness. We deserve only wrath, and have often failed You and even mistreated You. But You have taken upon Yourself the wrath that we deserve, and You are praying for us on the basis of Your own worthiness for us. So, grant unto us to rest in You and rejoice over You, and finish that work of making us like Yourself so that we will then perfectly glorify You and fully enjoy You forever, which we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH274 “Jesus, My Great High Priest”

2021.09.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Luke 22:54–65

Read Luke 22:54–65

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did they bring Jesus in Luke 22:54? Who followed at a distance? What had the mob done in Luke 22:55? Who sat down among them? Who saw him (Luke 22:56)? What did she do and say? What did Peter do and say in Luke 22:57? Who does what when in Luke 22:58a? What does Peter say (verse 58b)? About how long passes in Luke 22:59? Who does what with what words? What does Peter say in Luke 22:60? Then, what happens when? Who does what in Luke 22:61a? What does Peter remember (verse 61b)? What does Peter do in Luke 22:62? What four things do  the men do to Jesus in Luke 22:63-64? What do they say to Him to do? What does Luke 22:65 add?

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Prophet. In Luke 22:34, He had told Peter that this would happen, and it was exactly as He had said. The wicked guards cry “Prophesy!” in Luke 22:64, but the irony is that it comes in the context of one of His very specific prophecies coming exactly true. 

His Word is perfectly reliable! Never is this more important than in telling us about His own identity as the God-Man, His work in giving His life for us, and the certainty of the completion of our salvation in Him. Every proof of the reliability of His Word should stir up our confidence in these things.

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Intercessor. When the Lord looked at Peter (Luke 22:61a), you would think that look of love would send him running in, retracting his denials, eager to die with Christ. But, it was not time yet for Peter to be restored, and he instead goes outside and cries (Luke 22:62). Still, we know that this isn’t the end of Peter’s story, and that he will both return and then strengthen his brethren. How do we know? Christ has prayed for him (cf. Luke 22:32). Indeed, we can almost be certain that He is praying for him even with that look. We can even be certain, when we are failing Him, that He is at that moment praying for us (cf. Hebrews 7:25). 

The Lord Jesus is our perfect Substitute. It seems unfair that Peter isn’t the one in there getting mocked and beaten in Luke 22:63-65. He deserves all that and worse! But isn’t that just the point? Jesus, the One Who is remaining faithful (cf. 1 Timothy 6:13, 1 Peter 2:22–24), is the One receiving the just desserts of wickedness. He saves a sinful people first and foremost by receiving what they deserve as their Substitute. The next day, being our Substitute will require that He endure the assault of God Himself. Amazing love, amazing grace, amazing salvation!

In what situation do you most need to remember a particular promise of Christ? What promise of His is most relevant to it? How does the timing of a rooster’s crow help you here? When you are in the midst of failing Jesus, what is He doing for you? What do you deserve? Who has received it? What won’t you receive if you are His? What will you receive instead?

Sample prayer:  Our perfect Lord and Savior, You are worthy of all glory and honor and praise! Indeed, You deserve all blessing and blessedness. We deserve only wrath, and have often failed You and even mistreated You. But You have taken upon Yourself the wrath that we deserve, and You are praying for us on the basis of Your own worthiness for us. So, grant unto us to rest in You and rejoice over You, and finish that work of making us like Yourself so that we will then perfectly glorify You and fully enjoy You forever, which we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH274 “Jesus, My Great High Priest”

2021.09.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Samuel 21:15–22

Read 2 Samuel 21:15–22

Questions from the Scripture text: Who were at war with Israel (2 Samuel 21:15)? Who went and fought against them? What happened to David at this point? Who thought he could do what (2 Samuel 21:16)? What details does this verse emphasize about him? Who comes to David’s aid (2 Samuel 21:17)? What do David’s men say now? Why? What had happened again in 2 Samuel 21:18? Who killed whom? And what had happened in 2 Samuel 21:19? And who killed whom then? What do they note about him? And what had happened in 2 Samuel 21:20? What description is given of the man in this verse? What happens to him in 2 Samuel 21:21? How does 2 Samuel 21:22 summarize all of this?

The Lord had promised to save His people from the Philistines by the hand of David (cf. 2 Samuel 3:18), and the summary of this passage in 2 Samuel 21:22 tells us that’s exactly what He did. The Lord is faithful to His promises!

The Lord is faithful to His promises even when His servants aren’t up to it. 2 Samuel 21:15 tells us that David was out of gas, and 2 Samuel 21:16 tells us that the best-equipped Philistine giant noticed and was about to take advantage. Even David wasn’t up to it. You aren’t either. But the Lord is still faithful. A big part of that is those other servants of His, with whom He has surrounded you: Abishai in this case, but the others as summarized at the end of 2 Samuel 21:22, and of course whomever He has placed you among (cf. Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Corinthians 12:15–21).

The Lord is faithful to His promises through His chosen one. In the second half of 2 Samuel 21:17, David’s men saw how vital (relatively speaking) God had made him to His work in Israel. Now, this is true sometimes of those whom God uses in a very unique way in various seasons of His church’s life. But, it is true in an ultimate sense of Christ. Ultimately, all hangs upon Him alone. Unlike David, He has no need of us at all. Rather, in union with Him, we receive all of the privileges of His unique righteousness, victory, life, inheritance, etc.

The Lord is faithful to His promises, but also recognizes His servants. It’s ultimately the Lord Who is faithful, and to Whom all glory belongs. But He names Abishai, Sibbechai, Elhanan, and Jonathan in this passage. Sure, you may think that this is only for giant-killers. But the Lord also names Zeruiah, Hushath, Jaare-Oregim, and Shimea. In our God’s estimation, fathering or bearing children and bringing them up is also worthy of recognition. Again, it’s His faithful work by His grace, but He models for us that it’s entirely appropriate to recognize the servants whom He uses. We have all benefited from many of them, and it’s biblical to acknowledge it about them and to them.

The Lord is faithful to vindicate His people. The nameless 24-digit giant in 2 Samuel 21:20 made the mistake of defying Israel in 2 Samuel 21:21. Our Lord will not allow attacks upon His people to go unanswered. In fact, whatever retribution there is in this life, there will be eternal vengeance in the next (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10). 

Was this the end of the giants? God had promised to displace the Rephaiim (cf. Genesis 15:20), and these are the children of Rapha (2 Samuel 21:22a). This is the last we hear of them, but whether or not this was their actual end, we can clearly see one of the purposes they served: to show us and remind us that our Lord is faithful.

What role has the Lord currently given you in your home and in His church? How is it dependent upon Christ? How does it serve Him? Whom else has He used for your good? How have you recognized this before God or before men? What currently dangerous or impossible situation is an opportunity for your Lord’s displaying Himself faithful?

Sample prayer:  Lord, indeed You are perfectly faithful. All hinged upon Your Son, and He became a man to be our own perfect faithfulness in our behalf. Forgive us for when we doubt You, or exalt ourselves, or don’t recognize Your servants. Truly, our sin is a greater enemy than anything or anyone we face. But You are faithful! And we commit ourselves to Your perfect care in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH245 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

2021.09.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Colossians 1:1–2

Read Colossians 1:1–2

Questions from the Scripture text: Who wrote this book (Colossians 1:1)? What is his title/office? How did he become this? Who is with him? Whose brother is he? To whom is this book addressed—what two things does he call them (Colossians 1:2, cf. Colossians 3:20)? Where are they? What two things does he pronounce upon them in blessing? From Whom?

The opening, like the rest of the letter, is saturated with Christ. Paul identifies himself with reference to Christ, identifies his readers with reference to Christ, and even gives a greeting that is a blessing from Christ. 

First, Paul identifies himself with reference to Christ. He is not writing in his own behalf. He is writing as an apostle. An apostle is more than a representative. When he writes as an apostle, every word is as completely from Christ’s personal authority and relationship to them as if He Himself held the pen. And Paul reminds them that this apostleship was God’s idea and God’s action.

Even when Paul refers to Timothy, there is a reference to Christ. Timothy may be his brother in the ministry, but how is he the Colossian Christians’ brother? By their being in the same family of the same God by union with the only-begotten Son. 

Second, Paul identifies his readers with reference to Christ. They are saints, holy ones. In Christ, they are set-apart and precious to Paul for his Lord’s sake. And they are faithful brethren. In Christ, they are family, and Christ has made them faithful. This letter is of vital importance not only because it is from Christ, but because it is for those precious ones who are Christ’s.

Finally, Paul gives a greeting that is a blessing from Christ. We have no righteousness or strength of our own, so there is nothing we need more than grace. And we are wholly deserving for God to be our enemy, so there is nothing we need more than peace. But this letter’s opening greeting is to pronounce both of these from God. He is not only almighty and therefore able to give grace and peace, but also our Father and eagerly willing to give grace and peace. 

Marvelously, even with grace and peace from God our Father, these are also pronounced from our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not only the One Who became man to save us, but the One Who is very God of very God, so that grace and peace come from Him every bit as much as from the Father.

Are you Christ’s? Then this letter is from your Lord, for you because you are your Lord’s, by the grace of your Lord!

What is your most fundamental identity? What is the ultimate guide for embracing and enjoying it? What is your greatest need for enjoying and fulfilling your identity?

Sample prayer: Our Triune God, we bless Your Name, for You alone are worthy of all worship. How marvelous is Your grace that You have not only created us in Your image but also redeemed us into Your family. Grant that Your Spirit would make us to know You as Father, even as we are conformed to the Son. Forgive us for how easily we become thoughtless of Christ, and write upon our hearts this portion of Your Word, so that we may be ever-mindful of Him, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP45A “My Heart Is Greatly Stirred” or TPH374 “All Hail the Power of Jesus’s Name”

God's Glorious Strength and Holiness for His Holy People (2021.09.01 Prayer Meeting lesson in Psalm 29)

When believers praise their glorious God, they praise Him and the power of His Word, by which they themselves also are strengthened and blessed! (click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

God's Deadly Seriousness about Our Giving His Sign and His Means to His Covenant Children (Family Worship lesson in Exodus 4:18–26)

Why is God about to kill Moses (or Gershom)? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Exodus 4:18–26 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is deadly earnest that those upon whom He has laid a special, covenantal claim must receive His mark and the means of His grace. Christians must have their children baptized, hoping in God for the realities which that baptism displays, and employing the means (including baptism!) by which He produces that reality.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.09.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Exodus 4:18–26

Read Exodus 4:18–26

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom did Moses go in Exodus 4:18? What did he ask to do? What does Jethro say? What does Yahweh say to Moses in Exodus 4:19 (cf. Matthew 2:20)? Whom does Moses take, how (Exodus 4:20)? Where do they go? What does Moses take in his hand? What does Yahweh remind him to do in Exodus 4:21? What does He remind Moses that Pharaoh will do? What is Moses to say then (Exodus 4:22)? What does He claim about Israel? What does He threaten against Pharaoh if he withholds the Yahweh’s son (Exodus 4:23)? But what does Yahweh do in Exodus 4:24? Who saves the day in Exodus 4:25? How? What does she now call Moses (Exodus 4:25-26)?

Moses takes his leave from his father-in-law and takes his wife and his sons with him. The Spirit reminds us at the end of Exodus 4:20 not only of God’s power, but of what occurred with the rod earlier in the chapter.

It’s not until now that the Lord adds the message of Exodus 4:22-23 to His earlier instructions, summarized in Exodus 4:21. It seems that the Lord waits until now to call Israel, “My son, My firstborn” to highlight how serious of an offense it was for Moses to “withhold” his own son from the Lord by failing to put the covenant sign upon him. The penalty for Pharaoh doing this with respect to Israel is the death of his firstborn son (end of Exodus 4:23), and it may well be that the same is imminent for Moses in Exodus 4:24.

There is some uncertainty in the text about who the “him” is that Yahweh sought to kill. Despite some translations’ insertions, Moses’s name does not actually appear in our passage after Exodus 4:21, and the word translated “husband” in Exodus 4:25-26 refers to any covenant relation. After the threat against Pharaoh’s firstborn son, it may well be that it is Gershom, Moses’s firstborn, who is nearly executed at this point, who is circumcised, and who has the bloody foreskin touched to his feet.

If it is Moses who nearly dies, this would heighten the seriousness of the action taken, since the Lord has made such an emphatic point of specifically requiring Moses to be the one who confronts Pharaoh.

What is very clear is that the Lord takes the sign of circumcision very seriously. He was about to publicly own every member of Israel as “His firstborn son.” And He was about to demand that Pharaoh recognize this fact. But Moses and Zipporah had not properly recognized this fact about their own child. And God is deadly serious about His requirement that His sign be put upon the children of His people (cf. also Genesis 17:14). 

Now, this has an obvious application for those who recognize that baptism is a covenant sign—with water now, not blood, since the blood of Christ has been shed once for all. The Lord takes His signs seriously not only because they are indicators that point to Christ and His now-finished work, but also because they are seals by which His covenantal ownership of us is acknowledged. Our children are not merely biological relations or legal relations to us. They are covenantal relations to us.

When Zipporah yields to the Lord’s mechanism for acknowledging this—that the blood of the covenant is a stronger bond even than her own blood—the Lord lets him go. Gershom is not thus eternally saved; he still must come to faith in the promised Savior. But, his circumcision is a necessary means by which God’s special propriety in him is acknowledged and responded to.

Now, if we understand that the same is required of us with God, that we receive His sign upon ourselves and upon our children, it must not stop with the sign. For, those who are His owe Him worship, obedience, and service. And we must submit to His means and His ways for all of these, and for the spiritual life and holiness required to walk with Him in it. Our own baptism, or our child’s baptism, is not the end of our covenant responsibility but its beginning. And we look to Him to make all of it effectual by His grace from start to finish.

How does the covenant ownership of God shown in your baptism also show up in your daily and weekly activities? How can it comfort you, when you’re about to face the opposition of the world?

Sample prayer:  Lord, for whatever You send us to do, You Yourself are our only hope. You are all our strength, and Your covenant faithfulness is perfect. Thank You for setting us apart to Yourself in Christ and for giving us a sign and seal of that in baptism. By the grace that You have promised, give us the love and obedience and service that we owe to You, which we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP50A “God, Most Supreme in Might” or TPH190 “Thus Saith the Mercy of the Lord”