Hopewell ARP Church is a Biblical, Reformed, Presbyterian church, serving the Lord in Culleoka, TN, since 1820. Lord's Day Morning, set your gps to arrive by 11a.m. at 3886 Hopewell Road, Culleoka, TN 38451
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Enjoying God by Enjoying His Word [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 119:137–144]
How can we have joy forever? Psalm 119:137–144 looks forward to 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 eternal joy comes from the righteous Lord and His communication of Himself by His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
2024.09.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 119:137–144
Read Psalm 119:137–144
Questions from the Scripture text: What does the psalmist say to YHWH, about YHWH (Psalm 119:137a)? In what does this character come out (verse 137b, Psalm 119:138, Psalm 119:140a)? What is the psalmist’s biggest problem with his enemies (Psalm 119:139b)? With what result in/for him (verse 139a)? Of what is this jealousy/zeal a consequence (Psalm 119:140b)? What is the psalmist’s stature (Psalm 119:141a)? What does he do (verse 141b)? What is the stature of God’s righteousness (Psalm 119:142a, Psalm 119:144a)? What does this mean for the character of God’s Word (Psalm 119:142b)? In what condition does this small-statured psalmist find himself (Psalm 119:143a)? But what does he still do (Psalm 119:143b)? How will he be delivered (Psalm 119:144b)?
How can we have joy forever? Psalm 119:137–144 looks forward to 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 eternal joy comes from the righteous Lord and His communication of Himself by His Word.
The praise in Psalm 119:137 is personal, addressing YHWH in the second person, addressing Him by Name. The psalmist loves the righteous Lord. Therefore, he loves (Psalm 119:140b) the Lord’s upright (Psalm 119:137b), righteous and faithful (Psalm 119:138), and pure (Psalm 119:140a) Word. Genuine love will be jealous, when there is opposition or threat to that love and its object. This is why the Lord is properly jealous for His own glory (cf. Exodus 20:5) and why genuine love for God’s Word will be jealous (Psalm 119:139, same word) when others disregard His Word. Would that we loved God’s Word so much that this were the primary thing that disturbed us about our enemies!
It is such a wonderful thing to belong to God and to have Him communicate Himself to us by His word that even though we are small and despised (Psalm 119:141a) or are overtaken by trouble and anguish (Psalm 119:143a), we may still have delight (verse 143b) and life (Psalm 119:144b) by God’s own eternal righteousness (Psalm 119:142a, Psalm 119:144a), if by His grace, we do not forget His Word (Psalm 119:141b, cp. Psalm 119:139b).
From where do you draw life and joy? How does your zeal for the Word show your love for it and Him?
Sample prayer: Righteous Lord, we love You and Your righteous Word. Keep us from forgetting it, so that we will have life and delight in You and Your Word forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119S “O, LORD, You Are the Righteous One” or TPH119R “O LORD, You Are the Righteous One”
Monday, September 16, 2024
Praising God’s Gracious, Historical Work [2024.09.15 Evening Sermon in Numbers 21:10–20]
We should sing God’s glorious grace that is necessary even for ordinary faithfulness
The Civil Law and Christ's Kingship [2024.09.15 Sabbath School in WCF 19.4—Hopewell 101]
We continue to study the Scriptures behind the sound and sweet doctrine of our church's Confession of Faith. This week, we learned, from WCF 19.4, about how the civil law no longer obligates any nation, but is rich with applications of God’s moral law that applies to all nations, over all of which Christ Himself is now King.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
Children of the Heavenly Father [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 3:1–12]
Why does God address believers as children? Proverbs 3:1–12 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God addresses believers as His children, because that is what He is making them, in Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
Drawing Near to God in the Fear of God [Westminster Shorter Catechism 50—Theology Simply Explained]
Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 50—especially explaining how treating God as God means drawing near to Him only in the way that He says to.
Q50. What is required in the second commandment? The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
Q50. What is required in the second commandment? The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word.
Knowing and Loving the God Who Communicates Himself [Children's Catechism 111—Theology Simply Explained]
Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 111—especially explaining how hallowing God’s Name means receiving His communication of Himself to us and loving and honoring Him.
Q111. What do we pray for in the first petition? That God's Name may be honored by us and all men.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)
Q111. What do we pray for in the first petition? That God's Name may be honored by us and all men.
2024.09.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 3:1–12
Read Proverbs 3:1–12
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 3:1 address the reader? What does verse 1a set over-against verse 1b? What will this father’s commands add to him in Proverbs 3:2? What (and Whose!) attributes do they keep close (Proverbs 3:3a)? How close (verse 3b–c)? What is their relation to his identity (verse 3b)? To his intellect/affections/will (verse 3c)? With whom do they bring him into favor (Proverbs 3:4)? Whom is he trusting, if the commands control the heart (Proverbs 3:5a, cf. Proverbs 3:1b)? How much? What mustn’t he be relying upon (Proverbs 3:5b, cf. Proverbs 3:7a)? What (Whom!) must he know (Proverbs 3:6a, cf. Proverbs 3:7b)? In how many of his paths? Who will straighten whose ways (Proverbs 3:6b)? From what will this straight, safe path of knowing and fearing the Lord depart (Proverbs 3:7b)? What blessing comes this way (Proverbs 3:8)? In what other area of life is knowing/fearing/honoring the Lord the way (Proverbs 3:9a)? By what action (verse 9b)? And with what result (Proverbs 3:10)? But, possibly, what short-term result (Proverbs 3:11)? And why would a believer experience this short-term result (Proverbs 3:12)?
Why does God address believers as children? Proverbs 3:1–12 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God addresses believers as His children, because that is what He is making them, in Christ.
Children Directed and Disciplined by Their Heavenly Father. Again, we hear the now-familiar refrain, “My son” (Proverbs 3:1, Proverbs 3:11). And we finally have it confirmed that this isn’t just because the book is from a father to a son. It is divine Scripture that addresses us as sons (Proverbs 3:11-12; cf. Hebrews 12:5–6). In fatherly love and delight in them, God gives His sons discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) and instruction (Proverbs 3:1) to give them a long (eternal!) and blessed life (Proverbs 3:2; cf. Deuteronomy 5:16, Ephesians 6:1–4).
Children Developing into the Image of Their Heavenly Father. When God addresses us as children, it is in part because He is intent upon making us to be like Himself (cf. Hebrews 12:10, Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 3:2–3; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4–5). This is the point when Proverbs 3:3 tells us that His Word adorns us (verse 3b) with mercy and truth (verse 3a) and conforms us to mercy and truth (verse 3c). This “mercy and truth” are covenant love and covenant faithfulness, the same words used to describe that in which God abounds (end of Exodus 34:6). These were how Jesus Himself was identified as God the Son (cf. John 1:14). As they marked Him as a baby, then a toddler, then a little child, then a youth, mercy and truth gained Him favor with God and with men (cf. Luke 2:52). It is thus with all His children (Proverbs 3:4). It will be thus with you, if by His discipline and instruction, He conforms you to the image of His Son!
Children Depending upon Their Heavenly Father. Trusting in YHWH with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5a) doesn’t just mean trusting Him intensely; it means trusting in nothing else. Not even our own understanding (verse 5b). Especially not our own understanding! We must indulge only that understanding that is from Him, that is according to His Word, and never that which is merely our own. v6a is a command to know Him in all our ways. There must be nothing in our lives that is apart from knowing Him. Everything according to His Word. Everything in dependence upon Him. Everything before His face, in fellowship with Him. Everything unto His glory.
This is the method by which YHWH straightens our paths (Proverbs 3:6b), the way by which He makes our paths upright, the way by which He takes us straight to everlasting blessedness. The long days of Proverbs 3:2a are not just in this world; they are everlasting life. The peace of verse 2b isn’t just shalom in every way in this life and this world; it is the blessedness of God Himself. The physical health and strength of Proverbs 3:8 isn’t just in this life, but genuine, physical health and strength in the resurrection forever—and spiritual health and strength of a glorified soul animating, and expressing itself through—our glorified body forever and ever.
So, we must be especially wary of being wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7a). If we lean on our own understanding, then we will walk in evil (verse 7b). Instead, we must fear Him and depart from it. Depending entirely upon Him doesn’t mean merely trusting Him to do what is right. It means trusting Him that what He says for us to do is right.
Children Devoted to, and Delighted in, Their Heavenly Father. Proverbs 3:9 teaches us to be good children of the LORD, Who has given us everything. Honoring Him as Father (Proverbs 3:9a, cf. Deuteronomy 5:16) means recognizing that all that we are and all that we have is a gift from Him (Proverbs 3:9b). “Firstfruits” is not just chronological (the initial produce) or qualitative (the best produce). It is recognition that we belong entirely to Him; we are indebted entirely to Him. So, we are to honor Him even, and especially, with our wealth (verse 9, cf. Mark 7:10–12). We must handle wealth, including all money and property, as belonging to the Lord.
The promise of Proverbs 3:10 is real, for this life and the next. Our literal barns and vats will have exactly as much as is best for us, and the discipling of our Father will give us contentment with whatever He provides for us. If you are not content with what you have, you will not be content with ten times as much. But, if you see the purpose of your wealth as to enjoy His goodness and serve His glory, you will be content with it in this life. And, you will inherit more riches than you can imagine in a new heavens and new earth that you can’t imagine. And it will still be less wealth than the wealth that you have in God Himself (cf. Psalm 73:25–28; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 9:6–14; Philippians 4:19–20).
In what ways does God give you instruction? What uses do you make of them? How has He disciplined you? How are you responding? How are you pursuing the resemblance of Christ in yourself? In what ways are you fighting against being wise in your own eyes? What does your level of contentment tell you about your view of wealth and providence? How does your devotion to Him show up in how you use your wealth?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for taking us to be Your own dear children in Christ. Conform us, by Your Spirit, to Your Son, Who is full of mercy and truth, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH257 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
Sunday, September 15, 2024
2024.09.15 Lord's Day Livestreams [live at 10:10a, 11a, 3p]
Click below for the:
September 15 Lord's Day Worship Booklet
WCF 19.4–5 for Sabbath School
Matthew 11:25–27 Sermon Outline
Numbers 21:10–20 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)