2024.06.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 John 4:21–5:3

 Read 1 John 4:21–5:3

Questions from the Scripture text: What do we have from God (1 John 4:21)? What must one who loves God also do? What is true of the one who is in a condition of believing in Jesus as the Christ (1 John 5:1)? Whom does the born-of-God one love? What/whom are also loved by those who love Him Who begot? How can we know that we truly love the children of God—what/Whom else will we love, and what will we do (1 John 5:2)? What is the love of God (1 John 5:3)? What does someone who loves Him in this way think of His commandments?

How good are God’s commandments? 1 John 4:21–5:3 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s commandments are such blessings as are designed to foster assurance that we are His.

After considering how love for one another gives us boldness before God (1 John 4:17-20), the apostle turns back to the goodness of God’s commandments. Surely, the one who finds God’s commandments burdensome (1 John 5:3) knows neither the nature of our God nor the nature of His commandments. How good they are!

In this case, the apostle is referring again to that “new commandment” from John 13, which is the commandment that the church has had from its beginning—the commandment that arises from that glorious event in which our Lord Jesus culminated His ordination to His “Great High Priest”-hood and offered Himself for us, once for all. Do we love Him? Then we must keep His commandments. And His commandment is that we must love our brother. So the one who loves God must love his brother.

And, of course, this love is more than just keeping His commandment. It is also bearing His image, being His child, being part of the family. There is no other way to come into saving faith (1 John 5:1) than by a heavenly birth. But what does being begotten by God, spiritually fathered by God, necessarily produce? It produces love for this dear Father! And how can it produce love for Him, except that this love also extend to all who are fathered by Him? This love is not just God’s command, but the characteristic family trait.

Finally, for those who have this genuine love, coming organically from being fathered by Him, we want to know if our love is genuine. It is not enough for us that others think that we love them, or that we think that we love them. We want to know that we love them in truth. So, the Spirit directs the apostle’s hands to give us a proof: how can we know that we love God’s children? The only place from which that particular love comes is the same place from which love for God comes, and therefore from which keeping His commandments comes—from which comes a view of His commandments that considers them all blessing and no burden. What grace, that we would so come to know God’s law! 

It’s all or nothing. They all hang together, dear reader: being born of God, savingly believing in Christ, loving God, loving brother, keeping God’s commandments, and counting those commandments blessing. They all hang together; it’s all or nothing. The Lord grant that they would all hang together in you!

How do you think/feel about God’s commandments? Toward what brothers do you harbor ill feelings or even ill will? How have you been making use of God’s commandments to pursue assurance that you are His child?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for so loving us that You would give us commandment for the very things that enable us to be bold in the day of judgment. But forgive us for how we have treated Your commandments as if they are burdensome. And forgive us that we have at times thought or acted as if we could love You without loving those who are born of You. Grant unto us increased life and growth from our heavenly birth, that by Your Spirit, we might live like Christ and love like Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Married for Life [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 5:15–20]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that marriage is like water for our spiritual life and must be kept pure.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.06.05 Prayer Meeting Live Stream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

June 5 Midweek Prayer Meeting

Romans 15:17–22 Sermon Outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

Each week we LIVESTREAM the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster

The Dawning of the World of Light [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 60]

What does the coming of the Servant usher in? Isaiah 60 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these twenty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s coming has initiated a restoration of Israel that is of an international and spiritual Israel that ultimately belongs to an altogether new, glorious, and eternal creation. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.06.05 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 60

Read Isaiah 60

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Isaiah 60:1a command? Why (verse 1b–c)? What covers the earth (Isaiah 60:2a–b)? What light will Israel have (verse 2c–d)? Who will come to it (Isaiah 60:3)? What does Isaiah 60:4 call these nations? How will believing Israel respond to this (Isaiah 60:5a–b)? How big will this ingathering be (Isaiah 60:5-6)? What will it supply (Isaiah 60:7)? How will they seem to travel (Isaiah 60:8-9b)? What are they called again in Isaiah 60:9c? To what/(Whom!) will they come (verse 9e–f)? Why? Who will do what in Isaiah 60:10a–b? Why does this need to be done (verse 10c)? Why will it be done in this way (verse 10d)? What will have to be done (Isaiah 60:11a–b)? Why (verse 11c–d)? What will happen to those who do not serve the church (Isaiah 60:12)? Whose contribution is described in Isaiah 60:13? As being for what purpose? Who honor Israel in Isaiah 60:14a–c? Calling her what (verse 14d–e)? What will have happened to them (Isaiah 60:15a–b)? Then what will happen to them (verse 15c–d)? Whom will the Lord make to “nurse’ them (Isaiah 60:16a–b)? And what will Israel know in that day (verse 16c–d)? What upgrades will be made to their buildings (Isaiah 60:17a–d)? And what upgrades to their societal structures (verse 17e–f)? What won’t happen there anymore (Isaiah 60:18a–b)? And what will happen (verse 18c–d)? What won’t they have anymore (Isaiah 60:19a–b)? Why not (verse 19c–d)? Causing what changes in lighting (Isaiah 60:20)? What will the people be like in that day (Isaiah 60:21a)? With what resultant covenant blessing (verse 21b)? How, and to what end (verse 21c–e)? How will the Lord multiply them (Isaiah 60:22a–b)? When (verse 22c)?

What does the coming of the Servant usher in? Isaiah 60 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these twenty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s coming has initiated a restoration of Israel that is of an international  and spiritual Israel that ultimately belongs to an altogether new, glorious, and eternal creation. 

The arrival of the covenant Mediator (Isaiah 59:22) is now described as the rising of the light of Israel—YHWH Himself being not light not only for them (Isaiah 60:2), but for gathering the nations to them (Isaiah 60:3). Thus, the spiritual descendants of Israel from the nations will more than compensate for the Israelites who have been lost (Isaiah 60:4-5, cf. Isaiah 49:20–23). 

Note that the gathering of the nations and their wealth is unto the purpose of worship: “gold and incense” (Isaiah 60:6), “flocks ascending on My altar” (Isaiah 60:7), “house of My glory” (verse 7), “the place of My sanctuary” (Isaiah 60:13), “City of YHWH, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14; cf. Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 21). 

This is far more than just restoration from exile. Enemies who had been raised up for chastening (Isaiah 60:10c) are not merely removed but transformed into servants for the worship of God’s international assembly (Isaiah 60:10-12). And the transformation described in Isaiah 60:15-18 is otherworldly, as from a different creation altogether. 

Indeed, in this new creation, heaven and earth collide, and the Lord Himself is the light of the place (Isaiah 60:19-20, cf. Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5). In this new world, it is the godly and pleased people themselves (Isaiah 60:21a–b) who are especially the work of the Lord (verse 21c–f, Isaiah 60:22c)—each individual being as fruitful and impressive as a great nation (verse 22a–b).

This is the new and everlasting covenant, the final and forever administration of the covenant of grace, when the kingdom of grace becomes the kingdom of glory. Christ has come. This morning has dawned (cf. Romans 13:11–14). How much, then, ought we to live as those who belong to the kingdom!

What are your hopes in life? How do they align with the hope in this chapter? How does Jesus make Israel glorious? Who are gathered into this glorious Israel? How can/could this happen?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for we have been so consumed with smaller things that we have not rejoiced like we ought that Christ’s coming has brought glory to Israel and brought us into that glory. Forgive us for forgetting that worshiping You is the great reason that You have gathered us to Your people. And forgive us for being so satisfied with this creation that we are not sufficiently eager for the new creation. By Your grace and mercy, make us to be the branch of Your planting and the work of Your hands, that You may be glorified. Hasten it in its time, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP72C “May Waving Grain on Hilltops Thrive” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” 

Absolutely Avoiding the Way of the Wicked [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 4:14–19]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who belong to the light must be watchful against the least step toward the way of the wicked.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

A New Song for God's Ultimate Work [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 98]

Who is to praise YHWH, in what manner, in the last day? Psalm 98 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in Day of Judgment, believers from all nations will sing and shout joyfully over the Lord, together with a liberated creation. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.06.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 98

Read Psalm 98

Questions from the Scripture text: What does this Psalm call itself (superscript)? What does Psalm 98:1a command us to do? To Whom? What sort of song? Why (verse 1b)? What is the first of thee marvelous things, and how did He gain it (verse 1c)? What has He done about this salvation (Psalm 98:2a)? What did it show about Him (verse 2b)? In Whose sight has He revealed it? What two things has He remembered (Psalm 98:3a)? Unto whom? Who have seen this (verse 3b)? What does verse 3b call it? What new command does Psalm 98:4a give? What sort of shout? Unto Whom? By whom? What does the shouting burst into (verse 4b)? What two things are they to do in this singing? What command does Psalm 98:5a give? Unto Whom are they to Psalm? With what? With what four priestly instruments (Psalm 98:5-6a)? What command does verse 6b repeat? What sort of shout? Unto Whom? What office does He hold? What else is commanded to do what (Psalm 98:7a)? How much of it? What else (verse 7b)? And who else? What else is commanded to do what (Psalm 98:8a)? And what else to do what else (verse 8b)? Before Whom? Why, what is He doing (Psalm 98:9a)? Why is He coming? How will He judge whom in verse 9b? And how whom in verse 9c?

Who is to praise YHWH, in what manner, in the last day? Psalm 98 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in Day of Judgment, believers from all nations will sing and shout joyfully over the Lord, together with a liberated creation.  

A new song for a new day. Like Psalm 96, this Psalm commands a new song. And, like Psalm 96, all creation is singing it at the coming of YHWH to judge the earth. The Lord has given us instruction in Scripture about His coming to judge the earth, not only so that we will live soberly in light of eternity, and so that we will be confident about His vindicating and avenging us eventually, but so that we will sing His praise for it already, now! So that we will shout joyfully over Him, now!

Marvelous works of the marvelous God. The first reason given for singing is, “for He has done marvelous things” (Psalm 98:1b). God’s works aren’t just actions, they are revelations. Because it is “His right hand” that gains the victory and “His holy arm” that gains the victory (verse 1c), His victory is a “making known” (Psalm 98:2a) and a “revealing” (verse 2b). He doesn’t just do marvelous works; He displays that He is a marvelous God!

Covenantal redemption with cosmos-wide celebration. The fulfillment of the great commission (cf. Matthew 28:18–20) is behind this song. In His salvation, the Lord remembered (acted upon) His steadfast love and faithfulness toward the house of Israel (Psalm 98:3a). But the Israel that He has gathered is “in the sight of the nations” (Psalm 98:2c), so that “all the ends of the earth have seen” this salvation. Indeed, “all the earth” not only sees but shouts (Psalm 98:4a) and sings (verse 4b). And the whole creation joins in (Psalm 98:7-8). It is eager for the “great reveal” of the sons of God (cf. Romans 8:19), at which time it will be delivered to participate in their freedom (cf. Romans 8:21).

Noisy, joyous worship. Psalm 98:4-6 are bookended with a command to “shout joyfully” (Psalm 98:4a, Psalm 98:6b). The command to sing in Psalm 98:4b is technically a command to “burst out.” Song is the content of this bursting out. The whole creation joins, roaring (Psalm 98:7a) and clapping (Psalm 98:8a) and rejoicing (verse 8b). And dwellers of the whole world (Psalm 98:7b) round out the company. There is an amplitude commanded in this component of worship. 

But there is also an attitude commanded: “joyfully” (Psalm 98:4a), “rejoice” (verse 4b), “joyfully” (Psalm 98:6b). At the time of the temple, the Levitical priesthood would assist and accompany this joy by a bevy of instruments (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 25:6): harp, psaltry, trumpets, horn (Psalm 98:5-6a). The Great High Priest accompanies by the melody of His grace in the heart (cp. Ephesians 5:19b with Colossians 3:16c).  At the heart of all of this noisy, joyous, priest-assisted song is the ”Psalming” of God. Psalm 98:5a literally, begins, “Psalm YHWH!”

The great occasion of worship. What occasions this great worship? YHWH coming to judge (Psalm 98:9a–b). Ever since man fell, unrighteous and in crooked judgment has plagued mankind. But the world (verse 9b) is destined to be judged by the Lord. He will judge it with righteousness (verse 9b). He will judge all the peoples with uprightness (verse 9c). This would not be good news for a guilty or unatoned people, for it would mean their condemnation. But what we see here is a new creation earth full of a new creation people. They are in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17). As those redeemed by His blood, and righteous before God in Him, His judgment is a deliverance not a condemnation (cf. Romans 8:33–34). They are freed by His salvation to rejoice over His judgment.

Do you rejoice over the judgments of God? What would free you to do so? What place does looking forward to the Great Day of His judgment have in your thoughts and affections? How are you praying for and participating in the spread of the gospel?

Sample prayer:  Our Father in heaven, thank You for giving Your Son to be our great Prophet, Priest, and King. In Him, You have declared Yourself to us. In Him, You have consecrated us and led our worship. In Him, You have ruled over us and defended us, and will vindicate us in the last day. Now, grant the help of Your Spirit, so that we would always know You in Christ and come to You through Christ, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the LORD” or TPH98A “O Sing a New Song to the LORD”

The Key to a Life of Knowing God [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 3:1–8]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that living by God’s Word is more than memorization or even obedience; it is a life lived by knowing God.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Power and Prayer of Humility Under Fire [2024.06.02 Evening Sermon in Numbers 12]

The Lord will vindicate His own, which liberates them from fear to pray for their enemies

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