Submitting to the Righteousness of God [2023.12.20 Midweek Sermon in Romans 10:1–4]

We must submit to what the Bible says is the only righteousness that can save a sinner: the righteousness of God in Christ.

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

Why and How Trials Are All Joy for Believers [Family Worship lesson in James 1:1–18]

How should Christians respond to trials? James 1:1–18 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers should respond to varying trials with all joy, because of the invariable goodness of God, in Whose providence those trials come.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.12.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ James 1:1–18

Read James 1:1–18

Questions from the Scripture text: Who wrote this (James 1:1)? Of Whom is he a slave? To whom is it written? What is their current condition? What does he call them in James 1:2? What should they count joy? How much of it should they count joy? What do these trials produce (James 1:3)? What does patience work (James 1:4)? What will they end up lacking? What might they currently lack (James 1:5)? What should they do about that? What is God like? What will His response be to their request for work-perfecting patience? How mustn’t they ask (James 1:6)? What is the person like, who is unsure that he actually wants God’s work to be perfected (James 1:6-8)? What must a lowly brother glory in (James 1:9)? What must the rich glory in (James 1:10)? Why (James 1:10-11)? Who is blessed (James 1:12a, cf. James 1:2)? What will happen to him at the end of these trials (James 1:12b)? What will he receive (verse 12c)? To whom has the Lord promised it? What mustn’t one say in trials (James 1:13)? What can’t happen to God? What doesn’t He do? How do we experience temptation to sin—by what are we drawn away and enticed (James 1:14)? To what does desire give birth (James 1:15)? What does sin bring forth? What are they in danger of (James 1:16)? Rather than enticement to sin, what is actually coming from God (James 1:17)? What does this verse call Him? What, in His character, makes it certain that this goodness will never be interrupted by an enticement to sin? What has He done to believers, in this invariable goodness (James 1:18)? What role do they have in the display of His goodness?

How should Christians respond to trials? James 1:1–18 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers should respond to varying trials with all joy, because of the invariable goodness of God, in Whose providence those trials come.

All joy. James, the half-brother (in Mary) and brother (through union by the Spirit) of Jesus, writes this letter (James 1:1a). The church is described as the “12 tribes scattered”—the church is in exile, not yet gathered to her Home (verse 1b). But the Lord, Who brings them through “various trials” (many different kinds of trials, James 1:2), does so only, always, continually—invariably(!)—for their good (James 1:17).

The type of trial varies (James 1:2), but the perfect goodness of the Fatherly goodness of God toward them never does (James 1:17). He made a statement about Himself, and how He rules from the heavens, by the lights that He put there in Genesis 1:14–19. There would be no time at which a light, which He has given in His goodness, would not shine in the exactly appropriate amount upon His creatures. But it is in the perfection of His working, as He brings many sons home to glory, that He makes steady (but spectacular) display of His invariable goodness.

God’s sovereign work, even as He sanctifies us, is the key to “all joy.” It is all from God and all for good. 

Perfecting faith. This is only true for believers. This is only true for believers. Only believers can say, “this trial is for good, in order to bring out perseverance (James 1:3), wisdom (James 1:5), and more faith (James 1:6).” It is the believer who, having had these things brought out by the trials (same word as “temptation” in James 1:12), has proved himself and is approved before all. These are all proofs of being in the same condition as that in which we find the man in Romans 8:28—loving God (end of James 1:12). Those who are “called according to His purpose” must surely “receive the crown of life.”

But there is no crown without crosses. Thankfully, while God is invariably good, believers are not static. They are dynamic. They grow. God works on them. We will not grow in patience/perseverance without pain (James 1:2-3). We will not grow in wisdom without going through those challenges that make us to cry out for more of it (James 1:4-5). God gave us the faith in the first place. He knows precisely what to bring us through, in order to perfect that faith.

Purifying priorities. There is a foolish way of reading James 1:6-7, as if there is some sort of power of self-assuredness that guarantees that we can name whatever we wish and obtain it from God. Ironically, this is almost exactly the double-mindedness that this passage warns us against.

James 1:8-10 helps us understand what the “doubting” is in James 1:6. The word in verse 6 refers to a divided mind, which James 1:8 also calls a “double” mind. This is referring to the one whose prayer in trial is not for things like patience, faith, wisdom, and love, but rather to be exalted and rich in this world. 

What does the single-minded man pray for? He learns from Scripture what those good things are that the good God has designed for those who love him. And those are the things that the single-minded man prays for. He must not pray with a divided heart, hoping to have those things that are prioritized by the flesh, rather than faith. 

But we also find other things coming out of us, when we go through trials: evil. This is because much of the flesh (and its desires) remains in us. It is exceedingly evil to blame God, when He sends us a trial in His goodness to sanctify us, and we respond not in the Spirit but in the flesh. When we say something like “that situation made me  _______________” (fill in the blank with any sinful response), then we are the fool in James 1:13 who says, “I am tempted by God.” But God and evil are diametrically opposed. If any evil comes out of us, we have responded to the goodness of God with the evil that comes from within. 

So, trials advance sanctification in at least four ways. First, trials bring out what virtue the Lord has already produced in us, encouraging us about His work in us. Second, trials give us opportunity to identify what is lacking and ask God for it. Third, trials bring out what remains from our former nature, so that we can target it. Fourth, trials remind us that we are not yet at that glorious destination to which the Lord is taking us. He brought us forth according to His will, so that our wills might be more conformed to His, as we align ourselves with the world to come (James 1:18).

What different sorts of trials are you going through now? How has your certainty about the unchangeable goodness of God to you helped you put the trial(s) in the correct perspective? How is your praying, within those trials, reflecting the priorities that we learn in this passage? What good have you seen the Lord produce in you? What sin has been exposed? How are you targeting it? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your unchangeable, invariably perfect, goodness toward us! Forgive us for how we have chafed against various trials that You have sent in that goodness. Rather than seeking that sanctification that You lovingly give us, we are often double-minded, aiming at comfort and glory in this world. We have even blamed circumstances for sin, not realizing that this is really blaming You Yourself for our sin. O, forgive us such dreadful wickedness! Thank You for giving to us Your own Son, our Lord Jesus, to be all of our righteousness before You. Grant that Your Spirit, by Whom You have brought us forth, would keep conforming us to Christ’s image, that we might prove to be the firstfruits of the new creation, we ask through Christ Himself, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH509 “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me” 

2023.12.20 Midweek Prayer Meeting Live Stream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

December 20 Prayer Meeting Folder

Midweek Sermon in Romans 10:1–4

Pride and Prayer Before the One True God [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 36–37]

What should we do when the opponents of true religion try to intimidate believers by mocking it? Isaiah 36–37 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these sixty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who mock true religion are provoking God against themselves, and believers must learn to provoke God’s deliverance by repentance and prayer. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.12.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 36–37

Read Isaiah 36–37

Questions from the Scripture text: To what sort of writing does Isaiah now (from prophetic prophecy) transition (Isaiah 36:1)? To what date does he refer? Who came up? Against whom? And did what? Then whom did he send (Isaiah 36:2)? With what/whom? From where? To whom/where? Where did the Rabshekah stand? Who came out to him (Isaiah 36:3)? With what question does the Rabshekah begin (Isaiah 36:4-5)? What hope does he attack first (Isaiah 36:6)? And what hope in Isaiah 36:7? What does he suggest has offended YHWH? What does he urge in Isaiah 36:8? What does he say is the only deterrent from Assyria arming them? What would this condition do to the “Egypt” plan (Isaiah 36:9)? What has he heard, and does he now repeat, about why the rest of Judah has fallen (Isaiah 36:10)? What do Eliakim,Shebna, and Joah request in Isaiah 36:11? Why? But why does the Rabshekah say that the people need to understand what is being said (Isaiah 36:12)? In Whom does he tell the people not to let Hezekiah get them to trust (Isaiah 36:13-15)? In whom does he urge them to trust instead (Isaiah 36:16-17)? To whom does he compare YHWH (Isaiah 36:18-20)? How do the three men answer (Isaiah 36:21)? Why? What do they do instead (Isaiah 36:22)? How does Hezekiah respond in Isaiah 37:1? Where does he go? Whom does he send to whom (Isaiah 37:2)? How do they introduce the king’s message (Isaiah 37:3)? What does he hope YHWH has heard (Isaiah 37:4)? What does he ask Isaiah to do? When they arrive (Isaiah 37:5), what does Isaiah already have to say (Isaiah 37:6)? How, specifically, will this happen (Isaiah 37:7, cf. Isaiah 31:8–9, Isaiah 37:36–38)? When the Rabshekah returns, what does he find (Isaiah 37:8-9)? As he runs to deal with this, what challenge does he attempt to re-make (Isaiah 37:10-13)? But why would this renewed threat sound weak and hollow (cf. Isaiah 37:7)? What does Hezekiah do with this most recent threat/message (Isaiah 37:14)? How does he praise (Isaiah 37:15-16), in contradiction to what (Isaiah 37:12-13)? How does He pray that the Lord would respond—in order to show what (Isaiah 37:17-20)? How does the answer to the prayer come (Isaiah 37:21)? Whom does YHWH choose to scorn Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:22)? For, against Whom has he blasphemed (Isaiah 37:23)? With what great prospective works has Sennacherib flattered himself through the Rabshekah (Isaiah 37:24-25)? Of what greater works is he ignorant (Isaiah 37:26a–c)? What should he have actually known/believed (Isaiah 37:26-27, cf. Isaiah 36:10)? How will YHWH not only defeat but humiliate him (Isaiah 37:28-29)? After the invasion, what are they currently able to eat (Isaiah 37:30a–c)? But how much peace and safety is the Lord now promising them (verse 30d–e)? What will those who currently remain even be permitted to do (Isaiah 37:31)? What else will the Lord do in the future (Isaiah 37:32)? What does the Lord say that He will not permit (Isaiah 37:33-35)? How does He end up doing this (Isaiah 37:36-38)? 

What should we do when the opponents of true religion try to intimidate believers by mocking it? Isaiah 36–37 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these sixty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who mock true religion are provoking God against themselves, and believers must learn to provoke God’s deliverance by repentance and prayer. 

Hope in man fails. Ahaz’s reign has come and gone. In the 14th year of Hezekiah, the futility of hoping in man comes crashing down upon Judah. Long gone is the favor of Tiglath-Pileser, which Ahaz thought he bought with tribute that he plundered from the temple. The nations all around have fallen. A last ditch effort to send envoys to Egypt has not found them able to help at all (cf. Isaiah 30:1–7). And now Sennacherib’s lackey, the Rabshekah, comes and makes this point to Judah (Isaiah 36:5–6, Isaiah 36:8-9).

Hope in the Lord requires faith. Manmade religion is a cruel hoax. Just ask the people of Hamath, Arpad, and Sepharvaim (Isaiah 36:20). Only a fool would believe that Nisroch (Isaiah 37:38) is any better. But there is one God Who is different than all the rest. YHWH, the one, true, and living God. Unbelievers can’t be expected to understand this anymore than the Rabshekah understood that the removal of the high places actually pleased the Lord (Isaiah 36:7). 

Faith isn’t just to believe in the one true God; faith is to take Him at His Word, not our “spiritual” ideas. Faith refuses to multiply worship (Isaiah 36:7) by the designs and doings of men (Isaiah 37:19). And faith must stand firm before a world that can’t tell the difference between the religions of men and the religion of the one true God. They will constantly dissuade us from hoping in Him (Isaiah 36:15, Isaiah 36:18). 

Sometimes, a believer’s remaining fleshliness will even give rise in his heart to the idea that his hope is no different than the false hope of idolaters. The Lord forgive us such foolish (literally) thoughts, and the Lord protect us from listening to them. And the Lord act in such a way as to show all the kingdoms of the earth that He alone is God (Isaiah 37:20).

Unbelief provokes the Lord. Hezekiah knows this; even before he hopes that the Lord will hear Isaiah’s prayer (end of Isaiah 37:4), he hopes that the living God has heard the reproaches of Assyria (verse 37:4). And Isaiah doesn’t even need to pray, because he already has the message ready, when Eliakim, Shebna, and the elders arrive: YHWH has heard the words that blasphemed Him (Isaiah 37:5). When the Lord has already begun to deliver Israel (Isaiah 37:8-9), the Rabshekah tries again to dissuade him from hoping in God (Isaiah 37:10). But this becomes fodder for more prayer that the one, true God (Isaiah 37:16) would hear and respond to the reproaches of the Assyrians (Isaiah 37:17). 

Faith also provokes the Lord. Whereas the Lord’s first response through Isaiah was a response to the words of the king of Assyria (Isaiah 37:6-7), the Lord’s second response is a response to the words of Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:21). He hears when they pray. It is not mighty believers who prevail, but believers in a mighty God. The young girls of Zion (Isaiah 37:22) far outclass the arrogant (Isaiah 37:24-25) of the world. Believers know that those who seem to be something are entirely dependent upon our own Lord for their very existence (Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 37:26-27). 

The Lord is merciful and faithful. After all that Jerusalem has done, the Lord gives them not a momentary deliverance but an extended reprieve. The Assyrians had wiped out all the rest of Judah (Isaiah 36:1), such that there was no plowing or sowing. But the Lord would give them two years’ food from volunteer plants (Isaiah 37:30a–c) as a sign that it was He indeed Who had judged Assyria (Isaiah 37:28-29). Indeed, the Lord would give them enough that they would have plenty for sowing the next year’s harvest (Isaiah 37:30d), not to mention enough years that they may start vineyards and enjoy their fruit (verse 30e). Indeed, the sign would point forward, so that when exile did come, they would know that the Lord is yet saving a remnant out of zeal for Himself (Isaiah 37:31-32). What the Lord said of Assyria (Isaiah 37:33-35) came true (Isaiah 37:36-38)—as did His promise of a remnant emerging from the exile. But even that remnant was a reminder that in what the Lord did in those moments of history, He was displaying what He is doing in history as a whole (cf. Romans 9:23–27).

Dear reader, hope in the God of the Bible. Know that He is as He describes Himself. Worship Him in the way that He says to do. Trust that He saves for His own glory, and that He hears both the reproaches of others and the prayers of His people. He is merciful and faithful, and hope that is placed in Him will not be put to shame.

Who currently reproach the Lord? How do they lump believing in Him with the false religions of the world? What manmade worship or religious ideas even enter the church? To Whom will you bring all of these things? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are the one, true, and living God. As the world challenges You, like Assyria did, forgive us for whenever our faith wavers. Grant unto us to remember that a young girl who believes in You ranks above the greatest ones in the world, who don’t believe. Forgive us for being intimidated by those to whom the Lord has given a little power for a little while. Grant that we would be sure of Your faithfulness to complete Your plan of redemption in Christ, through Whom we ask it, Amen!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH243 “How Firm a Foundation”

Wonders of Love-Driven Providence [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 107:23–43]

What does the Lord display in times of great terror and deliverance? Psalm 107:23–43 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is the Redeemer and Deliverer, Who is always acting according to His covenanted love in every moment of history. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.12.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 107:23–43

Read Psalm 107:23–43

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom does Psalm 107:23 refer? What do they see (Psalm 107:24)? How do wind and waves happen (Psalm 107:25)? How impressive are these (Psalm 107:26a–b)? With what effects upon mere men (Psalm 107:26-27)? To Whom do they cry (Psalm 107:28a)? What does He do (verse 28b)? What new command (cf. Psalm 107:25) does He give (Psalm 107:29, cf. Matthew 8:26; Luke 8:24)? What effect does this now have upon those men (Psalm 107:30a)? How do they see their trip home (verse 30b)? How should men respond to His goodness (Psalm 107:31a)? To His wonderful works to the sons of men (verse 31b)? Where should they give Him this thanks (Psalm 107:32a)? Among whom (verse 32b)? What are the wonderful works in Psalm 107:33-34a? Why does He do this (Psalm 107:34b)? What kind and tender wonderful works does He do (Psalm 107:35-38)? Especially for whom (Psalm 107:39)? What does He do with their oppressors (Psalm 107:40)? What does He do with the oppressed (Psalm 107:41)? How do the righteous respond (Psalm 107:42a)? What must iniquity do (verse 42b)? Who observe the personal working of God in the events of providence (Psalm 107:43a)? What does this enable them to understand (verse 43b)?

What does the Lord display in times of great terror and deliverance? Psalm 107:23–43 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, God is the Redeemer and Deliverer, Who is always acting according to His covenanted love in every moment of history. 

The first half of the Psalm had focused upon God’s wonderful works to the children of men in the context of His delivering Israel. The wisdom of His providence can be seen in how helpless and sinful a people they were. And yet, He powerfully and mercifully delivered them over and over again. God’s wonderful works are seen in all His creation, and all His providence, but particularly in that most special of all providence: His redemption.

The Lord Who commands the storm. Now, in the second half of the Psalm, He turns to another instance that displays His wondrous works in His general providence, and especially in His providential acts of deliverance. On the sea (Psalm 107:23), men see (Psalm 107:24) a hint of His almighty power. And this is especially so when He commands a storm. Notice that the language of command is here in Psalm 107:25, but not in Psalm 107:29. 

The men see not just wind (Psalm 107:25a) and waves (verse 25b) but YHWH’s works (Psalm 107:24a) YHWH’s wonders (verse 24b). As much as the wind and waves dwarf us, they themselves are dwarfed by the God Who commands them. Truly, if we thought plainly and clearly enough to see His divine nature and power behind every part of creation and every moment of providence, our souls would always “melt” (Psalm 107:26c), and we would always cry out as those undone (Psalm 107:27-28a). When Isaiah was given, by faith and vision, to understand that it is not just the heavens but particularly whole earth (!) that is full of God’s glory (cf. Isaiah 6:3c), he too responded by the realization that he is undone and always before YHWH of hosts (cf. Isaiah 6:5).

The Lord Who is continually in command. So when the Lord gives us to see the greatness that is behind all of His providence in a specific providence like a storm at sea, He opens our eyes to bring us to an end of ourselves. This is why the disciples were more terrified after the calm (cf. Mark 4:41) than they had been in the storm. Christ is YHWH the Creator, the God of providence. He commands not only the stillness (Psalm 107:29) but the storm (Psalm 107:25).  And it is the Creator Himself Who has given Himself to be our righteousness and our atonement!

Providence as a call to worship. All men should give thanks to God for all of His goodness. Israel were not generally a sea-faring people. Even Solomon’s sea trade required a joint effort with a nation who had that expertise. But it is God Who is being good to all men, all the time. The Great Commission is not just a duty upon the church, seeking to make disciples from all nations. The Great Commission is a duty on every last man, woman, and child on earth. They have been shown goodness by God. Let them come into His assembly and praise Him in the company of His elders (Psalm 107:32).

Let men learn to take providence personally. And when they come into events like Psalm 107:33-34, let them at least ask whether such troubles have been occasioned by specific wickedness. Let us take all painful providence as an opportunity to humiliate ourselves before God in repentance. But let us also see all pleasant occurrences, such as in Psalm 107:35-38, as personal (!) and merciful providence from our God.

History as a whole as a call to worship. Those who domineer over others forget that they are before the face of the God Who will pour contempt upon them (Psalm 107:39-40). Let not those who are afflicted forget the final mercy and full mercy that comes upon all who are righteous in Christ (Psalm 107:41-42). This is what wisdom observes in the occurrences of history (Psalm 107:43a): continual expressions (“lovingkindness” is plural in the original) of the covenant, steadfast love of YHWH!

The Lord give you such wisdom, dear reader. The Lord give you to see His personal acts in all of history. The Lord give you to see His covenanted love, continually doing everything to secure its object. And the Lord give you to respond with thanks for His goodness and praise for His wonderful works to the children of Adam (singular in the original, throughout the Psalm)!

What difficulties has the Lord brought you through that were so great that you couldn’t see any hope or help and were made to cry out to Him most urgently and most completely? What was He displaying about all His providence? What was He displaying about every deliverance and every providence? How will you respond to more impressive providence, in order to condition your heart to respond this way to every providence?

Sample prayer:  We praise You, O God of storms and of calm, for displaying to us Your works and Your wonders—and, most of all, for displaying Yourself to us in Your Son, our Lord Jesus. We have cried out to You in the distress of our soul, and You have delivered us, and brought us into the quiet of gladness toward You. You are guiding us home to Yourself. We give thanks to You, Lord, for Your goodness, and for Your wonderful works to the children of men! We come now to exalt You in the assembly of the people, and to praise You in the company of the elders. Truly, we see Your justice and rejoice. Let all sinfulness stop its mouth. Give us the wisdom to observe and understand Your covenant love in Christ, we ask through Him, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP107DE “To Those Who Sail the Sea” and “He Changes Streams” or TPH107A “O Thank the Lord for He Is Good”

Sanctity of the Church: Guarding the Holiness of the Holy People [2023.12.17 Evening Sermon in Leviticus 20]

Congregations of sinful saints must maintain church discipline, so that sin is never tolerated in the Lord's holy church.

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

The Revealing of the Sons of God [2023.12.17 Morning Sermon in Matthew 5:9]

Believers are blessed already to be the sons of God, and blessed all the more in anticipating coming into the fullness of their adoption.

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