Lessons in Revival from One of the Greatest that the Lord Worked [Family Worship lesson in 2Kings 11]

How did the Lord bring revival in Judah? 2Kings 11 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord brought revival in Judah through the daring and determination of a few, the designation of covenant, and the destruction of wickedness.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.01.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Kings 11

Read 2 Kings 11

Questions from the Scripture text: Who saw what in 2 Kings 11:1? What did she hurry to do? But whom does 2 Kings 11:2 describe? What were her relations? What did she do? With what result? Where did she hide him and his nurse (2 Kings 11:3)? For how long? What was happening during that time? Who sends for whom when (2 Kings 11:4)? What does he do with them, where? What does he show them? Into how many groups does he divide them (2 Kings 11:5-6)? Where will each be keeping watch? What does this enable two-thirds to be doing at any one time (2 Kings 11:7)? To what purpose (2 Kings 11:8)? What does Jehoiada turn out to be (2 Kings 11:9)? What does this enable him to do (2 Kings 11:10)? With what result (2 Kings 11:11)? Then what does Jehoiada do (2 Kings 11:12)? And what do he and the army do? And what do he, the army, and all the people say? Who hears this (2 Kings 11:13)? Where does she come? What does she see (2 Kings 11:14)? What does she do? What does she say? Whom does Jehoiada command in 2 Kings 11:15? To do what? To whom? What did he say not to happen? Where did they take her, by what route (2 Kings 11:16)? What two covenants did Jehoiada cut in 2 Kings 11:17? Who went where in 2 Kings 11:18? What did they do to it? What did they do to whom? Whose officers are increased? Now who brings whom where in 2 Kings 11:19? What does Jehoash (Joash) do there? What do all the people do (2 Kings 11:20)? What is the condition of the city? Why? How old was Jehoash at this point (2 Kings 11:21)?

How did the Lord bring revival in Judah? 2 Kings 11 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord brought revival in Judah through the daring and determination of a few, the designation of covenant, and the destruction of wickedness.

The daring and determination of a few, 2 Kings 11:1–4, Athaliah doesn’t grieve the son she lost. She piles up the corpses to make sure that she herself gets to take his place. She’s a block off the old chips (Ahab and Jezebel). But a girl named Jehosheba has the daring to spare away Joash and his nurse. And the nurse and the priest Jehoiada have the determination to keep him hidden for seven years. That moment of daring by one and seven years of determination by two are used of God to bring us by the end of this chapter to the restoration of the nation of Judah from its intermixture with Ahab’s house.

The designation of covenant, 2 Kings 11:4, 2 Kings 11:17. First, in 2 Kings 11:4 with the captains of the hundreds, and then in 2 Kings 11:17 with all the people, Jehoiada leads covenanting ceremonies. The one in 2 Kings 11:17 is more explicitly a covenant with Yahweh, but that is probably implied in 2 Kings 11:4 as well. The language for “cutting” a covenant is used in both places, reminding us that it is only through atoning sacrifice that we can be in covenant with God. His redeeming us by blood is a purchasing by blood. It doesn’t just save us from penalty; it obligates us to fealty. They have been bound by blood to be Yahweh’s people. That means that they will worship only Yahweh alone, and they will have as king only Yahweh’s anointed. 

The destruction of wickedness, 2 Kings 11:5-21. Being in covenant with God requires action. Decisive, vigorous action. On the one hand, we rest from those things that are inconsistent with the covenant (such as obtaining or maintaining status by our own goodness or power!). But on the other hand, we must resume those things that are consistent with the covenant (such as, by God’s goodness and God’s power in us, vigorously doing all that He commands).

So the covenanting in 2 Kings 11:4 requires the slaying in 2 Kings 11:8 and 2 Kings 11:16. And the covenanting in 2 Kings 11:17 requires the slaying in 2 Kings 11:18. There’s killing to be done in the Christian life as well. Having Christ’s Spirit (cf. Romans 8:9) means putting to death the deeds of the body (cf. Romans 8:13). Having a new life that is bound to Christ (cf. Colossians 3:1–4) means ruthlessly executing whatever inconsistencies with heaven yet remain from your old life (cf. Colossians 3:5–10).

Proper revival doesn’t just stop worshiping at the temple of Baal in the south; it gives the southern satellite the Jehu treatment from the north (2 Kings 11:18, cf. 2 Kings 10:27). Often, people or congregations make the mistake of thinking that something that they have enjoyed in rebellion against Christ can be safely repurposed rather than ruthlessly expunged. But there are many former parts of life unto which being a covenantal purchase requires us to become pitiless killers. The Christian life is a vigorous thing. And to anything that isn’t a wholehearted glorifying and enjoying of God Himself, it ought to be a deadly thing.

How does your calendar reflect that you have been purchased by blood? How does your spending reflect it? What is there in your life that you might be trying to tolerate or repurpose that really just needs to be ruthlessly expunged? 

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for cutting a covenant in which You have purchased us by the blood of Jesus Christ. Forgive us for how tolerant we are of fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lying—when for these things Your wrath is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Give us the courage, zeal, and ruthlessness that you once gave Jehoiada, whom You used to give that zeal to the rest of Your people. Indeed, give us not from a merely human priest, but from Christ, Who is our life, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119W “Lord, Let My Cry Before You Come” or TPH539 “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”

Responding Rightly to God When Man Displays His Wrath [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 76]

What does God show when devastating arrogant rulers? Psalm 76 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God devastates arrogant rulers in time to remind us that He will cataclysmically do so at the judgment. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.01.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 76

Read Psalm 76

Questions from the Scripture text: Into whose hands was this Psalm committed (superscript)? With what instructions? Who penned it? What sort of Psalm is it? Where is God known (Psalm 76:1)? What does verse 1 say about His Name? Where is His dwelling (Psalm 76:2)? What is the dwelling called? By what two names is the city called? What has He done there (Psalm 76:3)? What comparison does Psalm 76:4 make? What has happened to whom in Psalm 76:5a? In verse 5b? Who have been unable to do what? How did this happen (Psalm 76:6a)? What else did this rebuke cause to happen (verse 6b)? What is to be done with the Lord (Psalm 76:7a)? What does verse 7b–c ask? What do Psalm 76:8-9 speak about in the past tense? What does God do at the judgment? What will praise God (Psalm 76:10a)? What will God do with it (verse 10b)? What does Psalm 76:11a say to do? Who should do what to Whom (verse 11b)? What will God do to whom (Psalm 76:12)?

What does God show when devastating arrogant rulers? Psalm 76 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God devastates arrogant rulers in time to remind us that He will cataclysmically do so at the judgment. 

God is known among His people, Psalm 76:1-3. Almost certainly, the event behind this Psalm is Sennacherib’s siege of Jerusalem in 2 Kings 19. By his spokesman, the Assyrian king had mocked Yahweh as being like other gods whose people he had defeated. But the Lord declares and executes the death of his army, and 185,000 corpses appear in the morning. Adding injury to insult, it is while worshiping in the temple of his own impotent god that he is murdered by his own sons. 

Thus, it was at Jerusalem and among His people that God distinguished Himself from the idols of men. Salvation is from the Jews. And it would be at Jerusalem that God Himself made Himself known in Jesus Christ, supremely so in the death and resurrection of Christ!

Psalm 76:1, Psalm 76:4-6. The Assyrian army was fearsome, and there have been others like it throughout history. But how instantly and completely the Lord defeated them! He Who will at last destroy all of His enemies with one stroke of the sword of His mouth has given glimpses of this in history. One little word shall fell all of His enemies.

Judgment at the end of time, Psalm 76:7-12. Kiss the Son lest you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little (Psalm 76:7c, cf. Psalm 2:10–12)! Those who fear the Lord (Psalm 76:7a), who commit their cause to Him, are the only ones who will be left standing (verse 7b). Here, the cataclysmic judgment is so sure as to be spoken of already in the past tense (Psalm 76:8-9). 

If it is not a day of deliverance for us in Christ (Psalm 76:9), then it shall be a day of doom (Psalm 76:12). Which is it for you, dear reader? How would it be with you if Christ appeared in the sky this moment, and the day about which this Psalm speaks has come?

Our God shall be greatly praised in the last day. Men who are rightly indignant against the wicked and tyrannical will find their indignation against the wicked turning into the praise of the God Who judges them (Psalm 76:10a). Our wrath is not great enough, however. We do not know or hate sin enough. This is one reason why we are not to attempt to repay evil ourselves. Vengeance belongs to God, and it is part of the glory with which He girds Himself to be full and complete in His wrath (verse 10b). 

Therefore, whether we are responding to moments of deliverance now, or to that great day of deliverance to come, shall we not commit ourselves to the praise and service of our God? We ought to vow unto Him every good and right service and gift (Psalm 76:11). In view of His mercies, let us offer our very bodies continually as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is only being reasonable in our response to Him (cf. Romans 12:1).

What judgments has the Lord executed in history? Perhaps even in your own lifetime or your own life? What does this remind you about the day that is coming? How have you been responding to Him?

Sample prayer:  Our gracious God, come now and be known among Your people in the Lord Jesus Christ. Display Your all-surpassing glory and excellence and make us to taste of Your deliverance. We look forward to the day that You gird Yourself with wrath, and the cry goes out, “Who can stand before the wrath of the Lamb?!” Grant unto us to kiss the Son now, that we may be among those blessed who put their trust in Him, we ask in His great Name, JESUS, Amen!

Suggested songs: ARP76 “God Is Truly Known in Judah” or TPH76 “God, the Lord, Is Known in Judah” 

Clothing that Instructs Us about the Great High Priest [2023.01.01 Evening Sermon in Exodus 28]

The priestly garments indicated representation before God, return to paradise, and reversal of punishment, showing that God is restoring sinners to fellowship with God.

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

Proclaiming a Singular Christ to Pluralistic Sinners [2023.01.01 Morning Sermon in Acts 17:19–34]

The Living God, Who created us for Himself, has made Himself known in the Risen Jesus—before Whom we all must stand, and to Whom we are all commanded to turn.

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

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate (17): Care for the Poor Among Brothers in Grace [2023.01.01 Sabbath School]

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate (17): among those who are brothers in being purchased by grace, we receive one another's poverty as a providential assignment to be instruments and images of that grace.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Theology Simply Explained—WSC68, The Principle of—and Priorities for—Preserving Life

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 68—especially explaining and applying how God’s plan to adopt renewed image bearers establishes the value of that image and demands that we preserve our life and others’ both eternally and temporally.

WSC68: What is required in the sixth commandment? The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Justified into a Condition of Peace and Servitude [Family Worship lesson in Romans 5:1]

What is the condition of being justified like? Romans 5:1–2 looks forward to the devotional in this week’s midweek meeting. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the condition of being justified is not just a legal standing but a condition of peace, service, strength, joy, and hope.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.01.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Romans 5:1

Read Romans 5:1

What is the condition of the people the apostle is talking about (Romans 5:1)? Through what have they been justified? Who has peace? With Whom? Through Whom? By what title is He called here? What does this mean that we are unto Him?

What is the condition of being justified like? Romans 5:1 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the condition of being justified is not just a legal standing and a condition of peace, but also a condition of servitude.

Believers can develop the habit of thinking of salvation entirely in terms of being forgiven of sin and given a righteous standing with God. And most of Romans to this point has focused on standing of righteousness before God (over-against being under wrath). But now the letter shifts to the believer’s strengthening for righteousness from God (over-against enslavement to sin).

In the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith and for faith; both the standing and the strengthening come only from Jesus, and both come through the mechanism of faith. So, into what condition has this righteousness by faith brought us? Last week, we considered how it brings us into a condition of peace. Now, we focus on how that peace comes through our Lord.

We have peace with God “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Since Jesus alone is righteous (cf. Romans 3:10–22), and Jesus alone can propitiate for sin that is against God’s glory (cf. Romans 3:23, Romans 1:22–25), peace with God can be had only through Jesus.

But Who is Jesus? In some cultures, it is common to name men Jesus. None of them can get you peace with God. And certainly true and real peace can come only in the true and real Jesus. Not Jesus as we like to think of Him or Jesus as we wish He were, but only Jesus as He actually is.

So the Spirit adds the title “Lord” here. He is Lord (Master), and we are servants (slaves). He is Christ (Anointed, i.e., King), and we are subjects. This is the only Jesus through Whom we can have peace with God.

If we are not ransomed, redeemed subjects of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we do not have peace with God. If we have peace with God, it is as subjects of the Lord Jesus.

Justification has brought the believer into a status of ransomed, redeemed, purchased servitude— joyous servitude, as we will see in a moment, but still servitude! A Christian is a servant. He must live entirely to fulfill the will of his Master. Someone who is a servant of an earthly master is keenly aware of this, all day, every day. Shall we be less so, when our Master is seated on the throne of heaven?

What would a log of your time and spending suggest about whether you are a servant of Christ?

Sample prayer: Lord God, thank You for this righteous standing into which You have brought us in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant unto us to know also the glorious condition into which You have brought us. Give us Your own strength, joy, and hope in Christ, in Whose Name, we ask it AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP117B “What Blessedness” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”