Our Fivefold Peace [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 2:14–18]

How do we have peace with one another? Ephesians 2:14–18 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ Himself is how we have peace with one another. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional exposits Ephesians 2:14-18, identifying Jesus as the source of a comprehensive peace that operates in multiple dimensions. It outlines how Christ abolishes the ceremonial law separating Jews and Gentiles, creates a new unified humanity, and removes the enmity between sinful humans and God. The message emphasizes that this reconciliation is applied personally to the conscience through faith, granting believers direct access to the Father via the Holy Spirit. This Trinitarian fellowship establishes a profound bond among believers, transcending ethnic and national divisions. Consequently, the congregation is called to live in harmony with one another, grounded in the reality of the peace Christ has secured.

2026.07.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 2:14–18

Read Ephesians 2:14–18

Questions from the Scripture text: What is the peace between the Jews and Gentiles (v14)? What has Jesus done to them? What has He broken down? What did He do to the enmity (v15)? How? What had sealed this enmity? What has Christ done to it? What has He created in Himself? To Whom has He reconciled them (v16)? How? What did this put to death? What did He come and preach (v17)? To whom? What do we both have (v18)? Through Whom? By Whom? To Whom?

How do we have peace with one another? Ephesians 2:14–18 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ Himself is how we have peace with one another. 

He has broken down the middle wall of separation (v14). The wall, in v14, refers to an actual wall that separated the court of the Gentiles from the consecrated part of the temple. A Gentile could be killed for going beyond it. The wall physically represented the law of commandments, in ordinances, that consecrated Israel unto God and separate from the nations. But Christ has come as the Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and where there is a new priesthood, there is a new ceremonial law (cf. Heb 7:11–12). Now, through the new way of drawing near to God that is in Jesus Christ Himself, one’s nationality does not make him an outsider or enemy. Jews and Gentiles may come equally near to God, in Christ.

He has created one new man (v15). There is one race that descended from Adam (cf. Ac 17:26). But that race had been divided into two, between Jew and Gentile. Over against this, Christ is the last Adam, the Head of a new humanity who have their unity in Him, each as much as the other.

He has reconciled us to God (v16). We needed peace, not only among ourselves, but especially with God. Jesus Christ has reconciled us—that wonderful exchange in which He gives us friendship and adoption in place of the enmity with God into which we had fallen by our sin in the first Adam. The only way for a Jew to be reconciled to God is in the body of Jesus Christ at the cross. The only way for a Gentile to be reconciled to God is in the body of Jesus Christ at the cross. We had made ourselves God’s enemies by our sin, and Jesus has killed that enmity for all who are in Him.

He applied that peace to our conscience (v17). Jesus came to Ephesus and preached! This is truly a wonder, for He never physically visited Ephesus. But He is the One Whom we hear through the preachers whom He sends (cf. Rom 10:14–16). He is the One Who address us from heaven (cf. Heb 12:24–26). Just as He did to the Ephesians, so He does to you, dear reader—especially in the preaching of the Word. Jesus has not just won peace with God for all who trust in Him, He brings us to trust in Him through His proclaiming that peace to us. The gospel addresses Gentiles as much as Jews, proclaiming the same peace to both. It proclaims to you peace with God, in Christ, regardless of how far from Him you might be.

He brings us into fellowship with the triune God (v18). Here is the greatest peace, the greatest unity that there can be: to have access to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. In Christ, we are brought into fellowship with the Triune God, and each of the Persons particularly (cf. Jn 17:20–23). There can be nothing so unifying as to come into this fellowship. 

When we fail to leave peacefully toward each other, we live in contradiction to some of the most important truths about Christ, and being in Him. Here is one of the greatest among the good works in which God has prepared believers to walk: to live at peace with one another.

With what believers do you have the most difficult time living at peace? How do you and they draw near to God? Of what humanity are you and they a part? How did you and they exchange enmity for adoption? How did you and they come to know peace with God? What fellowship do you and they enjoy with the triune God?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for making Christ Himself to be our peace, both with You and with one another. Grant that we would live in accordance with that peace, bringing glory and honor to Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP67 “O God, Give Us Your Blessing” or TPH2B “Why Do Heathen Nations Rage”

Viewing History in His Light [Family Worship lesson in Habakkuk 1:5–11]

How does the Lord answer Habakkuk’s concerns? Habakkuk 1:5–11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must remember God Himself, when we consider His providence. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional explores the theme of divine providence through Habakkuk's encounter with God regarding the rise of the Chaldeans. Pastor emphasizes that God's ways are beyond human scrutiny, requiring believers to cultivate humility rather than judgment. By examining the wickedness of the Babylonians, the text illustrates how God sovereignly uses even evil nations to accomplish His purposes for discipline and justice. The message encourages trusting in God's character and wisdom despite present hardships, pointing to the cross as the ultimate proof of His goodness. Ultimately, the devotional calls for a posture of faithful submission and confidence in God's control over all circumstances.

2026.07.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Habakkuk 1:5–11

Read Habakkuk 1:5–11

Questions from the Scripture text: With what double command does v5 begin? What will astound them? What cannot even enable them to believe? Whom is He about to raise up (v6)? What are they like, and what will they do (v6b–11)? 

How does the Lord answer Habakkuk’s concerns? Habakkuk 1:5–11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must remember God Himself, when we consider His providence.  

Behold what God is doing (v5a–b). The Lord answers in the plural: look (y’all) and watch (y’all); be utterly astounded (y’all). God’s people should consider, with wonder and astonishment, what the Lord is already doing among the nations. In this case, the Lord has already punished the northern kingdom. In addition to what we know from Scripture, there is plenty food for praise and thanks in what the Lord has already done in history. 

Remember Whose work it is (v5c–d). v5c–d literally says, “a working work in your days which you would not believe if told.” Providence is God’s work, not ours. God tells us that even if He were to tell us in advance how it all fits together, we wouldn’t believe it. One reason that we are discouraged is the fleshly desire to be on the throne ourselves, or to be able to see into God’s mind, and to give our own assessment of whether things are going well. The secret things belong to God, and the revealed things are for us and our children. Duty is ours; events are God’s.

Wait for what the Lord is yet to do (v6–11). God’s interest in His people, but His domain is everywhere. He will use the most powerful resources of the whole world to sanctify Judah. In comparatively few words, He gives twenty frightful descriptions of the Babylonians. What the Lord has yet to do may include much that is frightful (cf. 2Tim 3:1–9). But in all that He does, He does it for the gathering and perfecting of His church. World history is full of people and peoples like the Babylonians, and it will continue to be. But through it all, the Lord is building His church.

Know that the Lord is just. The Lord’s assessment of Babylon is that “he transgresses, he commits offense.” Though Babylon is used by the good God to do His good work, Babylon himself is evil and does evil things. God sees this; God assesses it; and, God will repay it. His sovereign employment of the wicked does not excuse them for their wickedness. 

What has God done in history that astounds you with His wisdom, power, and goodness? How are you humbling yourself before the fact that He is sovereignly at work in the world? What can you know about what God will do next? What wicked people and actions trouble you? What is God doing through them? What will God do about them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for reminding us that the secret things belong to You. We are so glad that they do, and we are content to entrust all unto You. Grant unto us to behold Your work with wonder and praise. We look forward to what You will do, and cry out for Your justice upon the wicked. Thank You for punishing our sin at the cross. Give us to receive all of Your providence as coming in the same love that gave us Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

The Heart Is the Problem [Family Worship lesson in Mark 8:11–21]

How much evidence is enough to resolve unbelief? Mark 8:11–21 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that unbelief is not resolved by more evidence, but by eliminating the unbelief itself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines Mark 8:11-21 to find that the root of spiritual blindness is a hardened heart rather than a lack of evidence. The Pharisees' demand for signs results in Jesus's warning against the leaven of unbelief and skepticism. Pastor emphasizes that believers also struggle with doubt, when they judge by external circumstances instead of God's Word, character, and work. True faith requires the Holy Spirit to soften the heart and enable perception. Ultimately, living by faith depends on continual reliance on God's grace to overcome remaining sin.

2026.07.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 8:11–21

Read Mark 8:11–21

Questions from the Scripture text: What are the Pharisees seeking from Jesus as they dispute with Him and test Him (Mark 8:11)? How does Jesus respond even before He talks (Mark 8:12a)? What does He say after He sighs like this (verse 12b)? Where does He go now? What had the disciples forgotten (Mark 8:14)? How many loaves did they have with them? If five loaves fed five thousand families, how many could Jesus feed with one loaf? What does Jesus warn them to watch out for in Mark 8:15? Why do the disciples think He said this (Mark 8:16)? What does this show Jesus about their understanding and their hearts (Mark 8:17-18)? What questions does He ask them, and how do they answer, in Mark 8:19-20? What question does He leave them with in Mark 8:21?

How much evidence is enough to resolve unbelief? Mark 8:11–21 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that unbelief is not resolved by more evidence, but by eliminating the unbelief itself. 

In this passage, everyone is disappointing Jesus.

First, the Pharisees exasperate Him (Mark 8:12) by asking for a sign (Mark 8:11). When someone says, “I don’t believe you; prove it,” the problem isn’t necessarily that there hasn’t been enough evidence. Jesus had shown plenty signs. The problem was in the Pharisees themselves. This is why Jesus calls this “an evil and adulterous generation” (cf. Matthew 12:39). 

We want to distance ourselves from the Pharisees, and say, “See! They hated Him so much that they still refused to believe in Him!” 

But, if we pay careful attention to Jesus’s response, we see that this is a problem with a much wider group than the Pharisees. 

Jesus says that this problem was one that belonged to their generation as a whole (Mark 8:12)! And the warning in Mark 8:15 is not just about the Pharisees; it’s about Herod as well.

Don’t we, sometimes, respond in unbelieving ways, when our experiences and emotions don’t line up with what we had expected from the Lord? Isn’t this a sort of “asking for a sign” from Him? We, too, must beware of evil unbelief in our hearts. We, too, must beware of picking this up from the leaders of the world, and perhaps even some leaders in the churches.

That brings us to Jesus’s disappointment with the disciples. A parallel passage tells us at the end that they later understood that He was warning them about the teaching of Pharisees (cf. Matthew 16:12). The Holy Spirit has Mark leave that part out so that their lack of understanding will be front and center.

It’s kind of humiliating actually: “Do you mean you guys still can’t count to 12 (Mark 8:19) or count to 7 (Mark 8:20)?” “Do you mean that you guys can’t remember all the way back to like… yesterday?” Obviously, they could. Jesus says that the problem with their perception and understanding is a hard heart (Mark 8:17).

But that’s just the point. No sign is necessary for the Pharisees or for the disciples or for Herod, because Jesus has given more than ample demonstration of Himself!

And this is true not only in Scripture but even in your own life, isn’t it dear Christian? 

How can you not count, and recognize, and remember how He continually spares you from the consequences of your sin? How He continually treats you, according to His own love, based upon what His own righteousness deserves? How is it that we do not understand? God graciously give us believing hearts!

What “signs” do you tend to seek from Jesus? In what ways is your heart hard and unbelieving?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for our hard hearts that still have so much unbelief in them. This hardness is the reason that we don’t perceive and understand. Forgive us for when we doubt about You, because You do not seem to meet our expectations. We see how backward this is. It is we who should be meeting Your expectations. Forgive us, cleanse us, and help us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The LORD’s My Shepherd” or TPH273 “Break, Thou, the Bread of Life”

2026.07.22 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

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The True King [Family Worship lesson in 1Chronicles 14]

What does God do for His people and His anointed? 1Chronicles 14 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God blesses His people, through His blessed anointed one. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional notes how 1Chronicles contrasts King David's faithfulness with Saul's unfaithfulness. It emphasizes that while David sinned by multiplying wives, God's mercy and the exaltation of his kingdom point toward the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The text serves to encourage believers to persevere in loyalty to the Davidic line, recognizing Jesus as the sinless King who intercedes for His people. This theological perspective moves us to live with greater courage and joy under God's sovereign purpose.

2026.07.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Chronicles 14

Read 1 Chronicles 14

Questions from the Scripture text: Who sent whom to whom (1 Chronicles 14:1)? With what gifts, for what purpose? Whom did David know to have done this (1 Chronicles 14:2)? What conclusion did he draw from this? But then what did David do (1 Chronicles 14:3)? Yet with what result? Which children to 1 Chronicles 14:4-7 list? How do the Philistines respond to the news of David being anointed king over all of the tribes (1 Chronicles 14:8)? And how does David respond to that? Then what do the Philistines do (1 Chronicles 14:9)? To whom does David address his response (1 Chronicles 14:10)? What does he ask? What does YHWH answer? Where do the Philistines go (1 Chronicles 14:11)? What happens there? How did it get its name? To Whom does David give the credit for this? What do the Philistines leave behind (1 Chronicles 14:12)? And what does David command to be done with them? What do the Philistines do in 1 Chronicles 14:13? What does David do again (1 Chronicles 14:14)? How is God’s response different than before (1 Chronicles 14:14-15)? What did David do (1 Chronicles 14:16)? With what immediate result? And what further result (1 Chronicles 14:17)?

What does God do for His people and His anointed? 1 Chronicles 14 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God blesses His people, through His blessed anointed one.  

The point of the passage is pretty clear. “His kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel” (1 Chronicles 14:2). “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand” (1 Chronicles 14:10). “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water” (1 Chronicles 14:11). “God has gone out before you” (1 Chronicles 14:15). “YHHW brought the fear of him upon all nations” (1 Chronicles 14:17). 

There is much here that distinguishes David from Saul. He is obviously YHWH’s choice. He inquires of God Himself (1 Chronicles 14:10, cf. 1 Chronicles 10:14). He is diligent in the destruction of all that is against God (1 Chronicles 14:12, cf. 1 Samuel 15:8–14). And the Lord builds his house (1 Chronicles 14:1) and expands his household (1 Chronicles 14:4-7), whereas He had destroyed both Saul and Saul’s household, in judgment (cf. 1 Chronicles 10:6). 

Even now, after the exile, the Chronicler is pressing the point that God has chosen David’s royal line. But it is not all positive. Although the Lord mercifully strengthens David in the multiplication of his children, David sins grievously in the multiplication of his wives. This violates Genesis 2:21–24, which Jesus authoritatively interprets in Matthew 19:4–6. And, more specifically for a king, it violates Deuteronomy 17:17. 

David’s line is the chosen line, so the people are to find their blessing in their loyalty to him and his line. David’s line is the chosen line, but God’s people are looking for a King Who is even better than David. 

We have great David’s greater Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for our King. He commits no sin. All of the blessing of God upon David was for His sake, and now that blessing falls upon Him and His people. He is building His church, and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. He is God’s chosen, and all of our loyalty and hope belong with Him. 

How does your allegiance to Christ as your King appear in your life? How does your sure hope in Christ for blessedness appear in your life?

Sample prayer: Lord, just as You established the kingdom of David, how much more sure is the greatness and success of the kingdom of Jesus! Forgive us for when we serve Him without hope or confidence and joy. Forgive us for when we fail to serve Him at all. And, often, as with David and the many wives through which You strengthened Him with many children, You have blessed us despite our own sin and folly. Forgive us for that sin and folly, and forgive us for downplaying its sinfulness on account of Your mercy to us. For the sake of King Jesus, forgive us and strengthen us against all of our sin, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH406 “Jesus, with Thy Church Abide”

Hopelessness of Legalism [Family Worship lesson in Job 11]

What hope can a sinner have before God? Job 11 prepares us for the opening part of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, though sinners may be tempted to find hope through their repenting, the only true hope that they can have is in God’s mercy. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional analyzes Zophar's speech in Job 11 to illustrate the danger of relying on theological knowledge without humility or self-awareness. Although Zophar speaks truths about God's sovereignty, his pride and misrepresentation of Job's condition reveal a lack of true understanding. Job contrasts this with the gospel, emphasizing that human righteousness is insufficient for standing before God. Instead, justification comes solely through faith in Christ, not through self-improved behavior or repentance efforts. The message calls believers to cling to Christ alone and seek humility from the Holy Spirit.