Beware of False Prophets and Professions [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 7:15–29]

Of what must we beware? Matthew 7:15–29 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must beware of false prophets and false hope of salvation.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.05.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 7:15–29

Read Matthew 7:15–29

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does Matthew 7:15 begin? Of whom must they beware? To whom do these false prophets come? What do they look like on the outside? But what are they, actually, on the inside? How will we know them (Matthew 7:16)? What rhetorical question illustrates this? What does a good tree produce (Matthew 7:17)? And a bad tree? What can’t a good tree produce (Matthew 7:18)? And a bad tree? What happens to a tree that does not bear good fruit? What else happens in accord with their fruits (Matthew 7:20)? Who will say what to Whom (Matthew 7:21)? What won’t everyone who says that do? Which ones will enter? 

Of what must we beware? Matthew 7:15–29 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must beware of false prophets and false hope of salvation.

Two sorts of Prophets, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 7:28-29. False prophets are attractive. On the outside, they look (and sound!) gentle and friendly. Their words open a wide gate. Their words present a wide path. They might easily gather large churches. We might easily want to listen to them. But what is inside false prophets, and what comes out of their pleasant-sounding mouths, will actually destroy you—will actually lead you to the destruction of Matthew 7:13, the banishment of Matthew 7:23, and the disaster of Matthew 7:27.

The true prophet is not surprised or moved off of the narrow gate or confined/difficult way, when the whole world or church are against him. He bears the fruit of clinging to Christ, no matter what, and his words will proclaim that gate, and that way, to the few who are willing to hear him. He is a true prophet, not only because his words are true, but because his words are Christ’s (Matthew 7:24). He is genuinely sent. He is not his own, and he says things not because he wishes it but because his master says them.

The Lord Jesus was not like their scribes (Matthew 7:29b). He taught with the authority of the One Who gave the Scriptures (verse 29a), so that His hearers were astonished (Matthew 7:28). A true and false prophet may both seem to have this authority, so true prophets must be detected in another way: their fruit. Those who are called and ordained according to Scripture, and whose authoritative preaching comes from a submission to Christ’s authority in the Scripture—the Lord, Who gives the increase, will show what sort of tree they are by giving them fruit.

Two types of Produce, Matthew 7:16-20. A true prophet will be bearing the produce—the fruit—of the true path. He will have gotten there by entering by the true portal, the true gate. His own heart, and therefore his mouth, will be full of Christ’s glory, Christ’s exclusively divine claims, Christ’s exclusively atoning and justifying and saving claims. Because his own feet are on the path, his mouth also will be full of the path of genuine (not scribal/pharisaical/hypocritical) holiness. And this is the fruit that can be “gathered” from him (Matthew 7:16). Not only is the Word producing fruit in his own life, but as a preacher truly sent by Christ, Christ blesses that Word to bear the same fruit in those who are willing to hear him. We trust the God Who sends him, and the God Whose word he preaches, that this God will make his preaching bear good fruit (Matthew 7:18a).

On the other hand, the hearer must not be deceived by the best appearances, intentions, or feelings in hearing a false preacher. That bad tree cannot bear good fruit (Matthew 7:18b). He and those who hear him will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:19), so it is of the utmost importance to discern whether his life and ministry are bearing the fruit of holiness.

Two Plights, Matthew 7:21-27. Discerning the true nature of a preacher, or of yourself as a hearer, may be difficult, but it is extremely important that you do so now. For the Lord Jesus warns that many (Matthew 7:22) who are still saying “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7:21) “in that day” (Matthew 7:22) will be banished from the favorable presence of Christ the enjoyment of God in the kingdom (Matthew 7:23). It is especially those who know to say “in Your Name”—emphatic in the word order of the original all three (!) times—who must pay attention to this warning. If the house of their life is not built upon the foundation (Matthew 7:24) of being known (!) by Christ (Matthew 7:23a), then it will not be built up in holiness but in lawlessness (verse 23b). The false prophet and his hearers are joined by one last group in Matthew 7:26—those who hear a true prophet but do not enter the narrow gate or walk in the confined way. Like the others, these do not keep God’s law from the heart the way that Christ has taught (Matthew 7:23b, cf. Matthew 5:17–48). 

Dear reader, do not suffer eternal disaster. Beware false prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. Hope entirely in Christ’s knowing you (Matthew 5:1–16). And from Him, and by His means, bear the fruit of keeping His law from the heart (Matthew 5:17–48). Having Him as your reward (Matthew 6:1–24). Trusting Father to provide whatever you need (Matthew 6:25–7:12). He sends you preachers to teach you this, and using them, He produces His fruit in your life.

What are some examples of false prophets in our day? What are some things someone who is not growing in holiness might plead “in Your Name” to the Lord? What hope do you have of not ending up like them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving Yourself to be our righteousness, our forgiveness, our life, and our holiness. Grant that we would receive and heed only those whom You have sent, and use Your Word to build us upon Yourself and fit us for glory, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP6 “Be Gracious, LORD” or TPH459 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

God with Us to Lead Us and Keep Us [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 9:15–23]

Why does the Lord describe again, here, the cloud and its role? Numbers 9:15–23 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the promise-keeping Lord leads His people through their callings in this world.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.05.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 9:15–23

Read Numbers 9:15–23

Questions from the Scripture text: On what day does Numbers 9:15 take place (cf. Numbers 7:1; Exodus 40:33)? What happened to the tabernacle? What special name does Numbers 9:15 give to the tabernacle? What does the cloud look like, at what times (Numbers 9:15-16)? What would happen on occasion (Numbers 9:17)? What would the children of Israel do, when that happened? What else would happen? And what would the children of Israel do then? How does Numbers 9:18 interpret the lifting or settling of the cloud? What challenged their faith according to Numbers 9:19? And what did they do? What instance does Numbers 9:20 describe? And what did they do? And what instance does Numbers 9:21 describe? And what did they do? How do Numbers 9:22-23 summarize this? By whose hand had YHWH instructed them that this constituted commands.

Why does the Lord describe again, here, the cloud and its role? Numbers 9:15–23 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the promise-keeping Lord leads His people through their callings in this world.

Keeping of the Lord's promise. The Lord had promised that He would go with the people (Exodus 33:14–17, Exodus 34:9–11). When Moses first erected the tabernacle in Exodus 40:33–34, the Scripture affirmed that this was in keeping with that promise (cf. Exodus 40:36–38). Now that the Lord’s instruction and action in the book of Leviticus has solved the problem of Exodus 40:35, Israel is ready to set out from Sinai. And this passage (Numbers 9:15-23) and the next (Numbers 10:1–10) are a reminder that the Lord is keeping His promise. He is going with His people. He keeps all His promises; they are all yes, and amen in the Lord Jesus (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20), Who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age (cf. Matthew 28:20). 

Communication of the Lord's presence. The tabernacle is given a wonderful name in Numbers 9:15, the “Tent of the Testimony.” This may indicate the particular part of the tabernacle where the glory cloud rests, highlighting to them that the Lord indeed makes the presence of His glory to dwell where the ark of the testimony is. And He communicates this presence day and night, changing its appearance to make it distinctly visible at all times. He Who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps, present to them and caring for them, day and night (cf. Psalm 121:4–6). 

Confidence in the Lord's power. This presence especially reminds Israel of the Lord’s power to protect them. When He first appeared to them this way, they had just left Egypt, and He led them day and night (cf. Exodus 13:21–22). Almost immediately, Pharaoh pursues them, but the Lord moves and places the display of Himself, as cloud and fire at the same time, between Egypt and Israel. He makes Himself darkness to Egypt and light to Israel (cf. Exodus 14:19–20). Now the same Power that confounded mighty Egypt goes with the in the wilderness and into the land. Is that power not with you, dear Christian. God the Son has tabernacled among us (cf. John 1:14). And believers are indwelt by God the Spirit (cf. John 14:16–18), by Whom the Father and the Son come and make their home with them (cf. John 14:23–27). 

Call for our perseverance. Numbers 9:19-23 emphasize how well Israel followed God’s lead, staying or moving for however long the cloud indicated to them. But that would not last. It is sobering to know what is coming in the rest of Numbers. Grumbling will overtake contentment. Subordination will overtake submission. Fear and rebellion will overtake faith and obedience. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:1–11)! By the grace of the One Who is present to us and powerful for us, look to Him to keep you in the faith.

How can you be sure that you will make it to where the Lord is sending you? In what ways does He make you to know His presence with you daily in the home and weekly in the assembly? What has He done in history to assure you that these things are perfectly reliable? What potential for unfaithfulness remains in you? What hope is there that you will not succumb to it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for coming and dwelling among us, first in Your Son, and then in Your Spirit. Grant that by Your grace, we would trust and obey you throughout this life, until You have brought us all the way home, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH159 “Abide with Me”

How God Shows Who Are His Children [Family Worship lesson in 1John 3:10–15]

How can we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil? 1John 3:10–15 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that one clear way to distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil is whether they love the brethren.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.05.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 John 3:10–15

Read 1 John 3:10–15

Questions from the Scripture text: Which two categories of men have been distinguished from one another (1 John 3:10)? How is this distinction revealed? What two things are always the case for someone who is a child of the devil? What have the apostle’s readers heard (1 John 3:11)? Since when? That we should do what? Who did not love (1 John 3:12)? Of whom was Cain? What did Cain do? Why? What does the apostle say not to do in 1 John 3:13? What does he call his readers? At what shouldn’t they marvel? What do he and his readers know (1 John 3:14)? Because they do what? But what is the condition of the one that does not love his brother? What is a man who hates his brother (1 John 3:15)? What does no murderer have abiding in him?

How can we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil? 1 John 3:10–15 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that one clear way to distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil is whether they love the brethren.

Children of God and children of the devil. All of humanity can be divided into two categories: children of God and children of the devil (1 John 3:10a), which are the same categories as the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent (cf. Genesis 3:15). In the previous passage, we heard about the seed of God being in the one born of God (1 John 3:9) and works of righteousness coming from those who are righteous with Christ’s righteousness (1 John 3:7). 

Children of God identified by the origin of their love. If someone does not work righteousness, then he is not of God (1 John 3:10b). There is no such thing as a believer in Jesus Christ who has not been created newly in Christ Jesus to walk in good works (cf. Ephesians 2:10). And central to this righteousness that he works, and these good works that he walks in, is love for his brother. The “new commandment” that was initiated by the crucifixion is that brethren must live self-sacrificially for one another by Christ’s own love for one another (1 John 3:11, cf. 1 John 2:6–11; John 13:34, John 15:12). Truly God has worked love in those whom He redeemed ever since Adam. But there is a “beginning” of Christ-imitating love, coming in conscious union with Him, at the founding of Christ’s church.

Children of the devil identified by the origin of their hatred. But hatred also has a beginning in the human race. Adam and his wife both believed, so the first seed of the serpent that the Bible tells us about is Cain. Cain offered sacrifices that were not of faith (cf. Genesis 4:4–5, Hebrews 11:4, Romans 14:23), and when his evil works from his evil nature were not received by God, his evil nature overflowed into the hatred and murder of his brother (1 John 3:12, cf. Genesis 4:8). 

Don’t be surprised by hate. There are two great applications to realizing where hatred and love come from. The first application is not to marvel at being hated by the world (1 John 3:13). The only way that anyone could genuinely love us is by union with Christ. Even unbelievers who (by common grace) have a natural affection for us do not love us with the same sort of love, the genuine love, that is in Christ and in Christians. So do not expect love from the world, and do not be surprised at hate from the world.

But rejoice at the opportunity, and the gift of the ability, to love. The second application is to love your brother not only for his sake, but as an enjoyment of the reality of having passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). What a privilege it is to be a child of God rather than a child of the devil! What a privilege it is, therefore, to love the brethren with Christ-derived divine love! Embrace the opportunities to love your brethren, and to foster that love in your heart. Enjoy and lay hold of the life of Christ in you!

And be very alarmed if you have and tolerate hate in your heart. And of course there is a great warning here. If we do not love the brethren, we have not passed from death to life. Such a person not only has some death remaining in him, but he himself abides/remains in death (1 John 3:14c). So watch against hatred in your heart, for it is of the same nature as murder (1 John 3:15a, cf. Matthew 5:21–26). And one who is consumed with hate, whose identity is still that of a murderer, is still a child of the devil; no eternal life dwells in him (1 John 3:15b). Dear reader, watch against hate in your heart! Identify it as your mortal enemy, the remnants of a devilish being that you no longer are. Do not tolerate it. Kill it!

When have you killed hate in your own heart? Whom are you tempted to hate? How can you see them, instead, as an opportunity to enjoy God’s giving to you to love them? By what means do you look to Him for the grace to do so? What are the evidences of your love for believers? How has the world hated you? What difference does it make for you not to be surprised at this? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for we have not loved our brother like You have loved us. Our love has fallen short in its greatness, because we do not sacrifice ourselves for one another. And our love has fallen short in its origin, because we are often seeking to love each other by virtue of our effort, rather than in dependence upon Your grace. Indeed, we are horrified to admit that we have often known hostility in our hearts for other believers—the very hostility that has its origin in the devil himself and that is the mark of the children of the devil. But You have given us to to have life abide in us by Jesus Christ. Grant that His love would abide in us, and that we would put to death all hatred that remains within us, we ask through Him, even Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP118A “Because He’s Good, O Thank the LORD” or TPH461 “Blessed Are the Sons of God”

A Welcome into Full Enjoyment of God [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 55]

Who are brought into the salvation of the Servant? Isaiah 55 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that all of the needy, who are given repentance by God’s Word, are brought into the glorious salvation of the Servant. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.05.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 55

Read Isaiah 55

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Isaiah 55:1a address? What does verse 1b invite them to do? Whom does verse 1c address? But what does verse 1d invite them to do? To buy what (verse 1e)? In what way (verse 1f)? What have they been spending on (Isaiah 55:2a–b)? What six commands do Isaiah 55:2-3b give? With what promised outcome (Isaiah 55:3b)? And response (verse 3c)? To what will the Lord pledge Himself to give them (verse 3d)? As what three things had He given “David” (Isaiah 55:4)? And what will this David accomplish (Isaiah 55:5a–b)? On account of Whom (verse 5c–d)? What will He have done (verse 5e)? So, what are they to do (Isaiah 55:6a)? When? And what else (verse 6b)? When? Who must do what in Isaiah 55:7a? And who forsake what in verse 7b? What must each of them do (verse 7c, e)? And what will YHWH do when they return (verse 7d, f)? What, about the Lord, explains how it can be that He would forgive (Isaiah 55:8)? What is the difference, and the extent of that difference, between His thoughts and ours (Isaiah 55:9)? What has He done in nature as a pattern (Isaiah 55:10)? What will He send out (Isaiah 55:11a) to give the repentance that He has urged in Isaiah 55:6-7? How successful will it be (Isaiah 55:11b–d)? Then what will their errands be like (Isaiah 55:12)? And what will their labors be like (Isaiah 55:13a–b, cp. Genesis 3:18)? Unto what end (Isaiah 55:13c–d)?

Who are brought into the salvation of the Servant? Isaiah 55 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that all of the needy, who are given repentance by God’s Word, are brought into the glorious salvation of the Servant. 

An invitation to needy Israel, Isaiah 55:1–3. Blessed are the poor in spirit. The threefold invitation to “come” is to everyone who thirsts and has no money. Those who are not needy, or who have resources of their own, are not invited. Jesus came to seek sinners, not the righteous; it is the ill who need a physician, not the well. But this is not a hand out of mere sustenance; “wine and milk” (Isaiah 55:1e) speak of richness and fatness. The Lord offers you the full delight of your soul in Him.

Everything else a man may seek cannot even satisfy (Isaiah 55:2a–b), but what the Lord Himself provides is abundance and delight for the soul (verse 2c–d). The threefold instruction to listen (verse 2c, Isaiah 55:3a, verse 3b) instructs us that we must learn from the Lord alone what true religion is, where true hope is. And that place of true hope is the everlasting covenant in which God binds Himself to steadfast love unto David’s house (verse 3c–d). The lavish generosity of God comes in and through Christ alone. Do not seek them anywhere else. Listen to Him!

Israel an invitation, in Christ, to a needy world, Isaiah 55:4-5. Not only will Christ be a redeeming King for the Israelite people (Isaiah 55:4) but also for nations that have thus far been strangers in darkness (Isaiah 55:5a–b). YHWH, Israel’s God (verse 5c–d), gives them the ultimate glory of being the nation of Christ, to Whom the world comes for salvation (cf. Romans 9:5). This glory is exalted in your own coming to Christ, dear reader.

A command to necessary, and urgent, repentance, Isaiah 55:6-7c. Coming, eating, drinking, and delighting all now find their object in YHWH Himself (Isaiah 55:6). He is the banquet. This means that all sin must be forsaken (Isaiah 55:7a–c), for one must choose between it and the Lord. Still, God’s giving Himself as a generous feast is not merited by this repentance; YHWH’s response is compassion (verse 7d) and pardon (verse 7e). Seek the Lord, forsake all sin, and enjoy the compassion of the lord!

A guarantee of forgiveness, Isaiah 55:8-9. After all that Israel has done, how can the Lord forgive them? More urgently for you: after all that you have done, how can the Lord forgive you? Because He’s not like you or I. These verses are often quoted generally of the wisdom of God, of which they most certainly are true. But it is especially of His forgiving sinners in Christ that He speaks when He announces how infinitely above our ways and thoughts are His ways and thoughts.

A guarantee even of repentance, Isaiah 55:10-11. So God will surely forgive the repentant sinner, but that brings up the question of how sinners will be made repentant. They have no spiritual life in themselves from which to produce this repentance. But just as God gives life to the earth by the rain (Isaiah 55:10), so also His own Word brings not just the command to repent but the life that we need in order to repent (Isaiah 55:11). To His elect, the Lord gives not just the Word, but His Spirit (cf. Ezekiel 36:24–27; Matthew 3:9–11), like the rain that He pours out. Dear reader, it is God Who gives repentance by means of His Word and Spirit. Look to His Spirit for it, by the use of His Word.

A restoration of paradise, to the glory of God, the Savior, Isaiah 55:12-13. The goal of all of this is a restoration not only of joy and peace of the Lord’s people (Isaiah 55:12a–b) but even of the creation itself, personified in verse 12c–e as singing and clapping its hands. Indeed, Isaiah 55:13a–b describe a direct reversal of the curse in Genesis 3:18. God, in Christ, will reverse all that Satan has accomplished (cf. 1 John 3:8), unto the everlasting glory of God’s Name. For unending ages, dear Christian reader, we will enjoy Him, unto His glory, in a joyous and peaceful new heavens and earth.

When and how do you know your neediness? To Whom do you come with it? How? What does He give you to supply the need? How much? How sure can you be of this? How does He bring it about? What use do you make of the means that He has appointed for this? How have you responded to His restoring your joy?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for we have often been proud, as if we had something good to trade for riches from You. And, forgive us, for we have often thought of other things as the great gifts from You, rather than You Yourself being the feast and the gift. Forgive us, for we have sometimes acted as if we could seek You without having to forsake our wicked ways or unrighteous thoughts. Forgive us, for we have treated You as if Your ways and thoughts could be understood by us. Forgive us, for we have not trusted that Your Word has the power within it to give us life by Your Spirit. But by Your Word and Spirit, You do give repentance. So give us that repentance, we ask, and make us to have joy and peace of paradise with You unto Your own glory forever, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP72C “May Waving Grain on Hilltops Thrive” or TPH508 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”

Righteous and Rejoicing, on the Lord's Day, through Union with Christ [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 118:19–29]

How should we praise and pray? Psalm 118:19–29 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we ought to praise and pray as those who are united to Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 118:19–29

Read Psalm 118:19–29

Questions from the from the Scripture text: What does the psalmist now command/request (Psalm 118:19a)? What will he do with these gates (verse 19b)? And what will he do once on the inside (verse 19c)? What does he call the gate in Psalm 118:20a? Who will enter it (verse 20b)? To Whom does he repeat the intention from Psalm 118:19c (Psalm 118:21a)? For doing what will he praise Him (verse 21b, cf. Psalm 118:5b)? For being what will he praise Him (Psalm 118:21c, cf. Psalm 118:14b)? What has become what in Psalm 118:22? Who has done this (Psalm 118:23a)? Causing what response (verse 23b)? What does Psalm 118:24a say about this day of victory? What do the saved do in this day (verse 24b)? What else do they do in it (Psalm 118:25)? For what do they pray? What do they say/do to the King (Psalm 118:26)? What do they say about YHWH in Psalm 118:27a? What has He done (verse 27b)? With what worship do they respond (verse 27c)? How does each one, individually, respond (Psalm 118:28a)? How does verse 28b emphasize this? 

How should our praise reflect that which is heard in heaven? Psalm 118:19–29 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our praise should be filled with God’s glory and love in Christ’s victory through sacrifice.

Singular victory, shared reward. We have seen in Psalm 118:10-14 a singular victory, with a shared/plural rejoicing in Psalm 118:15-18. Now, each individual who has a share in the King’s victory is pictured as also having a share in the King’s righteousness, as he enters through the gates that only the righteous may enter (Psalm 118:19-20). Indeed, the Lord Jesus had brought many sons to glory in His ascension (cf. Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:6), which we experience by faith each week as He leads our worship from there (cf. Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 9:24).

Thy worship be done, in earth as it is in heaven. So, whenever He gathers us to glory in the assembly (cf. Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 12:22–24), we do from earth what they do beyond the gates, where He is: praise (Psalm 118:19c, Psalm 118:22-24; cf. Hebrews 2:12; Revelation 4:8–11, Revelation 5:8–14) and pray (Psalm 118:25, cf. Hebrews 2:13, Hebrews 4:14–16; Revelation 5:8, Revelation 6:9–11, Revelation 8:3–4). The answered prayer in Psalm 118:21b harkens back to Psalm 118:5b, and the Lord being his salvation in Psalm 118:21c harkens back to Psalm 118:14b. What the Lord has done for His people before, and what the Lord has done for us before, and especially what the Lord has done for Christ—all of these drive us both to praise Him and to call upon Him again in prayer.

Praising what God has done for Christ. It is this ultimate cause—what the Lord has done for Christ—that comes into sharp focus in Psalm 118:22-24. Shockingly, the builders (the men who seem to be something) in Israel reject the Stone, Who is Christ (Psalm 118:22, cf. Matthew 21:42, 1 Peter 2:4–7). As the victorious Champion enters the gates of glory (cf. Psalm 24:7–10), all of heaven rejoices over the reward He has earned through His humiliation (cf. Philippians 2:5–11). So, also, ought we to do on earth. I wonder, dear reader, whether your heart is often taken up with both praise for Christ in His victory, and praise for God in exalting the King Whom Israel had rejected.

The crowd, just days before Christ’s crucifixion, recognized that He is the King from Psalm 118. “Save now” in Psalm 118:25a is “Hosanna” (cf. Matthew 21:9). Little did they know that as they were blessing Jesus (Psalm 118:26), they were indeed preparing Him to be sacrificed in order to give life and light to His people (Psalm 118:27). The glorifying of Christ by the sacrifice of Christ is the greatest display of God’s glory (Psalm 118:28) and love (Psalm 118:29). And for this we ought to praise Him forever. Let the victory of Christ, through the sacrifice of Christ, ever whelm His people’s hearts with God’s love and fill His people’s mouths with God’s praise!

How often are you mindful of Christ’s having been rejected by His people? How often are you mindful of His sacrifice for your sin? How often are you mindful of His great victory and ascension? What does your union with Him mean has happened to you in His ascension? What time, and way, each week, do you participate in the corporate praise of heaven already? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, open wide unto us the gates of righteousness, for we come in the Lord Jesus Christ, the righteous One. Grant that we would have entrance through our union with Him, and grant that we would make our entrance by faith in Him. We will praise You, for You have answered us, and You have become our salvation. We come, as living stones, whom You have built up to be a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. Grant, now, that upon Him, the Chief Cornerstone, we would believe—and that we would offer up spiritual sacrifices, that are acceptable to God, through Him! Save and prosper us, and make us to give thanks to You, for You are good, and Your covenant love endures forever! We ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP118D “Now Open Wide the Gates” or TPH118A “O Thank the LORD for All His Goodness”

Two Gates, Ways, Destinations [Family Worship lesson in Mathew 7:13–14]

What is the great choice of our existence? Matthew 7:13–14 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that there are only two ways to live—one that leads to life, and one that leads to destruction.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 7:13–14

Read Matthew 7:13–14

Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does Matthew 7:13 begin? By what must they enter? What is the other gate like? What sort of way does it open? To what does the broad way lead? Who go in by it? But what sort of way does the narrow gate open (Matthew 7:14)? What does it lead to? Who find it? 

What is the great choice of our existence? Matthew 7:13–14 prepares us for the morning sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that there are only two ways to live—one that leads to life, and one that leads to destruction.

Two Doors. Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13). You can’t enter some other way and merge into the path that leads to life. You have to begin with Him. You have to begin with nothing but Him. You have to give up everything else to follow Him (cf. Luke 9:23–24). You don’t get to keep either what good or meritorious works you once thought that you had (Philippians 3:7–9; Hebrews 6:1, Hebrews 9:14), or your former identity, allegiances, or sinful desires (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:3–7). 

The wide way is literally anything but “Christ alone” (even a wide assortment of “Christ-plus”-type hopes). It is wide indeed. We may never comfort ourselves with the idea that we must be ok because so many people believe like we do. Wide is the gate that leads to destruction.

Two Directions. The Lord has been describing to the few in front of Him the transformed life that God gives to those who will be entering the kingdom. This transformed life is the narrow path of Matthew 7:14 (cf. Matthew 5:20). Jesus is the only way into it, and it is the only path that leads from Him. If you are not on the narrow path—if you do not have a new life in pursuit of holiness—you need to go back to the gate. 

In pursuing holiness, the believer must not desire approval of men because then you would “have your reward.” And he also must not expect approval of men because there are comparatively few with you in the confined path. Jesus gives us a wide invitation to Himself and speaks of the rest in Him and the lightness of His yoke (cf. Matthew 11:28–30; John 6:35–37; John 7:37–38). But at the same time, He warns us that we have to count the cost of giving up everything and of offering ourselves as a living sacrifice (cf. Romans 12:1). 

Two Destinations. Those on the broad path do not think much about their destination. They are too busy living their best life now. When they do think of their destination, it is mostly to assure themselves the opposite of the reality, to tell themselves that the destination will be like what they enjoy now, but even better. Truly, they have their reward, and they are destroying themselves already. 

But how great is the destruction to which they go! Thus far, God spares them in kindness and mercy which are meant to lead them to repentance (cf. Romans 2:2–4). But they assure themselves that this means their path is fine, and their destination is good. They refuse to consider that they are storing up wrath against the day of wrath (cf. Romans 2:5), when they will arrive at their destruction—everlasting destruction in flaming fire that comes continually from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8–10). 

Those on the narrow path have entered through a glorious door and are enjoying an increasingly glorious (though confined) path, but they think much about the destination: life. Here, “life” is a synonym to “the kingdom” in the sermon (cf. Matthew 5:20). “Life” is the comfort that ends their current mourning (cf. Matthew 5:4), the inheritance enjoyed as co-heirs with Christ (cf. Matthew 5:5), the filling with righteous character and conduct (cf. Matthew 5:6), the final/full/forever enjoyment of mercy (cf. Matthew 5:7), the full enjoyment of God Himself (cf. Matthew 5:8), and the unimaginable honor of being displayed as His children forever (cf. Matthew 5:9). 

The text refers to it all under the one word: “life.” Life as we were created to have it. Life for which we were redeemed. Life as Christ Himself has had from all eternity as the Son of God. Life as Christ Himself perfectly and increasingly enjoyed in all of His humanity. Life! When others scoff at the exclusivity of the door, we heed them not; our destination is life! When others frown or scold as the confinement of the way, we rejoice that the confinement compels us forward to our destination—life!

What is your worthiness before God? From where does any strength and goodness in you come? What else are you tempted to trust in? What else are you tempted to live for? What is your heaven? How often do you think about it/Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving Your own Son as our gate to enter the way. Grant the ministry of Your Spirit to grow is in the holiness we must have in order to see the Lord. Give us to know you now, and bring us to glorify You and fully enjoy You forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP6 “Be Gracious, LORD” or TPH459 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

The Lord's Covenant Meal [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 9:1–14]

Why does God remind them about the Passover? Numbers 9:1–14 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the God of the first Passover is the God of the second, and He requires that it be kept, and that it be kept correctly, by all of His church and only His church.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 9:1–14

Read Numbers 9:1–14

Questions from the Scripture text:  Who spoke to whom in Numbers 9:1? Where? When? After what? What did He command for whom (Numbers 9:2)? On what day (Numbers 9:3)? At what time? According to what? What did Moses do (Numbers 9:4)? What did the children of Israel do (Numbers 9:5)? On what day? At what time? Where? According to what? What had happened to whom (Numbers 9:6)? What couldn’t they do? What did they do on that day? What did they say about themselves (Numbers 9:7)? What did they ask? What does Moses tell them to do (Numbers 9:8)? To wait for what? Who spoke to whom in Numbers 9:9? To whom was he to speak (Numbers 9:10)? What conditions would not prevent keeping Passover? What is the “make-up day” for such cases (Numbers 9:11)? At what time must it be kept? In what manner (Numbers 9:11-12)? Who cannot participate in this make-up day (Numbers 9:13)? What must happen to him instead? Why, what hasn’t he done? What must he bear? Whose case does Numbers 9:14 address? What does this sojourning stranger wish to do? How must he then do it (cf. Exodus 12:43–49)? 

Why does God remind them about the Passover? Numbers 9:1–14 prepares us for the evening sermon on the Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the God of the first Passover is the God of the second, and He requires that it be kept, and that it be kept correctly, by all of His church and only His church.

The Lord (Jesus!) is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The date in Numbers 9:1 places this event at the time of the raising of the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 40:17), a month before the censuses that begin in Numbers 1:1. It is connected to the setting up of the tabernacle (cf. Numbers 7:1) and Israel’s preparedness to depart. In two weeks, it will be exactly a year since the tenth plague and the first Passover. The Lord had commanded that this be kept annually, as the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (cf. Exodus 12:14, Exodus 12:17–18), but now He comes in His kindness and gives a reminder in Numbers 9:1-4. He is the One Who has commanded the observance and the manner of keeping it.

As with all of the commanded worship of God, He reminds us in the midst of the worship that He is the same as He was when He commanded it, and that He is the same as He will be when that to which the worship looks forward is finally fulfilled. Passover is reminding them that the God of the plagues and the God of promised land is the One Who has set up His tent in their midst in the wilderness. 

Passover also reminds them that they owe their existence to the lamb that was slain to redeem them from death. This is why Hebrews 13:8 takes this truth about YHWH, held forth in the Passover, and declares it about Jesus Christ, in the context of His own sacrifice, His own altar, and His own Supper (cf. Hebrews 13:8–10). All the bringings-near that we have seen from Leviticus to this point find their fulfillment in Christ, but this is perhaps the most poignant one of all, as the last of the prophets declares Him to be “the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world” (cf. John 1:29), and the book of life is called “the Book of Life of the Lamb Slain” from the foundation of the world (cf. Revelation 13:8). 

Dear reader, the same Lord and the same Jesus as at the creation, at the Exodus, in the wilderness, at the crucifixion, at the time of Hebrews, and the time of Revelation… this same Lord and Christ is the One to Whom (and in Whom!) you draw near day by day in your secret and household worship, and Lord’s Day by Lord’s Day in the public worship!

Defiling the Passover or skipping it are cause for excommunication on earth and from heaven. The exactness of the day becomes a difficulty for some who were defiled by a dead body (Numbers 9:6). Shall they be prevented from drawing near to God (Numbers 9:7, “presenting the offering” is literally “bringing near the brought-near thing”)? Touching the worship of God, and particularly the Passover, Moses wisely does not decide this himself but waits for special revelation (Numbers 9:8). The Lord’s answer is not just for this situation but for their generations (Numbers 9:10) and includes not just those who are put outside the camp by the providence of uncleanness, but after they have come into the land, those who happened to be traveling beyond its borders at the time of the Passover. 

God still permits (requires!) that these keep the Passover (Numbers 9:10-12), warning that the “make-up date” of the fourteenth day of the second month does NOT leave the day up to preference. Someone who is not prevented by providence from observing on the original date is to be excommunicated (Numbers 9:13). 

This has significant implications for the importance of assembling as a church now, under Christ’s high-priesthood. God forbids the forsaking of the assembling of ourselves together (cf. Hebrews 10:25), even as He refers to Christian worship and the assemblies of the church as the fulfillment of the observation of Passover. “Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed,” and now we must keep the feast by keeping ourselves clean of the leaven of sin, living unleavened lives of sincerity and truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6–8). There, too, in 1 Corinthians 5, those who defile the feast are to be excommunicated (cf. Exodus 12:15). 

Taking Exodus 12:15 with Numbers 9:13, we see that those who absent themselves from the commanded worship are to be subject to excommunication, just as much as those who are present but defiled. The passive “shall be cut off” reminds us that what the church does on earth reflects something that God Himself does from heaven. And, in fact, the Lord was doing this at the time, in Corinth, even though (because?) they had been failing to exercise church discipline in connection with the Supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:29–32). 

Church membership is required for taking the Passover. Finally, the Lord reminds them that “church-membership” is required for Passover participation. By concluding with Numbers 9:14, He reminds them of how He had concluded Exodus 12, enabling a stranger to participate if he fully converted, and his household came into Israel under one of the tribes (cf. Exodus 12:43–49). One was not admitted to the Passover simply by desiring to keep it to YHWH (cf. Exodus 12:48). He had to join the congregation and receive the covenant sign (cf. Exodus 12:44, Exodus 12:47, Exodus 12:48). 

How are you keeping yourself clean from the leaven of sin? When are you tempted to skip church, even when you’re not really providentially prevented? Of what church are you a member?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for granting unto us to come near to You in Christ. Please grant that by Your Spirit’s work, we would keep a clean conscience before You, and that we would not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Please grant to Your church to take the purity of Your congregations seriously, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH196 “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”

Joining Our Savior's War against Our Sin [Family Worship lesson in 1John 3:4–10]

What’s the big deal about sin? 1John 3:4–10 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that sin is a big deal because it is opposed to God, opposed to Christ, and opposed to the new life and identity of the believer.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 John 3:4–10

Read 1 John 3:4–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the one committing sin also commit (1 John 3:4)? Why is this true? Why was Jesus revealed (1 John 3:5)? Who knows this? What isn’t there any of in Him? What doesn’t the one abiding in Him do (1 John 3:6)? What two things hasn’t the sinning one done? How does the apostle address his readers in 1 John 3:7? What does he urge them not to let anyone do? What is the relation between one’s works and one’s status? From where do both come? Of whom is the one who sins (1 John 3:8)? How do the devil and sin relate to one another? Who has been manifested? For what purpose—to destroy what? Of Whom are some people now born (1 John 3:9)? What does such a man not do? Why—what abides (remains) in him? What can’t he do? Why—of Whom has he been born? Which two categories of men have been distinguished from one another (1 John 3:10)? How is this distinction revealed? What two things are always the case for someone who is a child of God?

What’s the big deal about sin? 1 John 3:4–10 prepares us for the second serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that sin is a big deal because it is opposed to God, opposed to Christ, and opposed to the new life and identity of the believer.

The nature of sin: lawlessness, 1 John 3:4. Sin is utterly heinous, because it is against God. It is against His existence, His deity, His glory, His claims upon us. And this glorious God has given us His Fatherly instruction, His law. This law is an expression of the applications to our lives of the implications of His character for us as His image-bearers. So sin is an utter rejection of the glorious God, and an utter rejection of His self-revelation to us. It clamps its hands over its ears, as it were, and refuses to receive God’s good and kind communication of Himself.

Christ as solution to sin (1): taking away our sins, 1 John 3:5-6. Jesus was manifested to take away our sins (1 John 3:5a) in the two ways that we heard about in 1 John 1:9. In our justification, Jesus Himself is counted as our righteousness, with His keeping the commandments of the law counted in our behalf, and with His offering Himself as an atoning sacrifice wiping away the guilt and penalty of our sin. So, He was manifested to forgive us our sins. But He was also manifested to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Not only does He instantly take away the penalty of our sin; He instantly takes away its power over us and progressively takes away its power within us and presence within us. Indeed, sin still feels powerful, but it is no longer our master. And He weakens it more and more, even as He makes us more and more holy. 

Jesus’s great work is to take away sins. It is the height of wickedness to tolerate sin or to teach that a Christian may do so. Since in Jesus there is no sin (end of 1 John 3:5), and since a Christian may aptly be described as one who abides in Jesus, how can a Christian go on in sin? Sinning never comes from seeing Him; sinning never comes from knowing Him (1 John 3:6). Though since the time that this book was written, false teachers have been telling saints that seeing and knowing Jesus permits them to go on sinning comfortably, the truth is exactly the opposite. Abiding in Christ makes sin most uncomfortable!

Christ as solution to sin (2): destroying the works of the devil, 1 John 3:7-8. The word for “practices” in 1 John 3:7 (and 1 John 3:10) is actually “works.” There were teachers at the time saying that those who were righteous with God in Jesus Christ could just go on working unrighteousness. But this was a lie, so the apostle says, “let no one deceive you.” If Jesus is righteous, then He produces a telltale sign in those whom He makes righteous: they work righteousness (1 John 3:7). 

But all believers began dead in sin (cf. Ephesians 2:1), walking according to the devil himself (cf. Ephesians 2:2), as children of wrath (cf. Ephesians 2:3). And even after we have that new seed within us, that new birth, that new nature, it is possible for us to live according to that which is passing away, that which remains from our former nature. Is it ok to go on sinning then? By no means! “He who sins is of the devil” (1 John 3:8)! Whenever a believer sins, he acts according to that satanic nature with which he came into the world. He must not do so! Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (end of verse 8), to go on in is to fight against the cosmic mission of our God and Savior. 

God’s children opposed to sin, 1 John 3:9-10. Furthermore, going on in sin sets us against our new nature (1 John 3:9; cf. Galatians 5:16–17). We came into this new nature by being born of God. We cannot be born of God, then unborn of God. The new nature must persist and must win out until that which is from our former nature is defeated and eliminated. When we sin, we may know that it is coming not from our new and lasting nature in God, in Christ, but from our former and condemned nature whose days are numbered. So for every thought, we must determine: does that thought come from the spirit or from the flesh? For every word, we must determine: does that word come from my former nature or from my new nature from God? For every action, we must determine: does that action come from me as a child of God, or rather as I used to be, a child of the devil?

This is vitally important for us to distinguish, and if we find that we do not care to work righteousness, then this is very serious indeed. All of humanity are divided into two categories in 1 John 3:10: the children of God and the children of the devil. That song of old liberalism tells a diabolical lie when it says, “with God as our father, brothers all are we.” No, there are two fathers: the devil is the father of those who are still in the first Adam, and God is the Father of those who are in the second Adam. God is the Father of those who are in Christ. And verse 10 gives us the telltale sign of the one who is a child of the devil: he doesn’t work righteousness, and he doesn’t love his brother. Such a person cannot be a child of God. In the Son of God, there is no sin (1 John 3:5), so the children of God, who abide in the Son of God, also do not sin. Do they commit sins? Yes (cf. 1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:10), but only from what remains of their former, vanishing nature. It is not of their new nature, and they are at war with it.

How is it evident that you are at war with your sin? If you had to evaluate by whose side you seem to be on, do you seem to be a child of God or a child of the devil? What has Jesus done about the penalty of your sin? What is He doing about the power and presence of your sin? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for breaking Your holy law. Not only is our sin against You Yourself, but also against Your good and kind teaching to us of Your law. Forgive us for how we have been willing to think and say and do that which Christ came to destroy. Forgive us for having tolerated thoughts, emotions, and actions that belong to the children of the devil, rather than the children of God. Truly, our sin is a dreadful thing. But we thank You that if we are in Christ, it is because we have been born of You, and Your seed remains in us. Make us to work righteousness, and to love our brother, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP118A “Because He’s Good, O Thank the LORD” or TPH461 “Blessed Are the Sons of God”

What the Servant Secured for His Bride and Offspring [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 54]

What does the Servant secure for the church? Isaiah 54 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Servant secures for the church an age in which He Himself is her Head, and the Lord deals with her accordingly. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 54

Read Isaiah 54

Questions from the Scripture text: Who is commanded to sing (Isaiah 54:1a)? Even though she hasn’t done what (verse 1b)? What sort of singing (verse 1c)? Even though she hasn’t done what (verse 1d)? How do her offspring and joy compare to whose? Who says this? What will she have to do for her growing family (Isaiah 54:2-3)? What will they inherit (Isaiah 54:3b)? What two things is she told not to do (Isaiah 54:4a–b)? Why, what will be taken away (verse 4c–d)? Whom does she have now for a Husband (Isaiah 54:5a)? What is His Name (verse 5b)? Whom does she have for nearest of kin/Redeemer (verse 5c)? What else is He called (verse 5d)? Who has called her (Isaiah 54:6a, d, Isaiah 54:8c)? From out of what condition (Isaiah 54:6b–c)? How long was she in that condition (Isaiah 54:7a)? How will the mercy into which we brings her compare (Isaiah 54:7b, Isaiah 54:8b)? How sure is His promise to do this (Isaiah 54:9-10)? What is her condition now (Isaiah 54:11a–b)? But how does the Lord describe His adorning her (Isaiah 54:11-12c)? What blessings will her children have, in addition to being many (Isaiah 54:13)? How secure will she be in her new, righteous condition (Isaiah 54:14)? What will the enemies still do, but what will happen to them (Isaiah 54:15)? Why won’t any weapons succeed against His people (Isaiah 54:16-17c)? To whom does this heritage belong (Isaiah 54:17d)? How will they come into it (verse 17e)? How can we be sure (verse 17f)?

What does the Servant secure for the church? Isaiah 54 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Servant secures for the church an age in which He Himself is her Head, and the Lord deals with her accordingly. 

Flourishing joy for the currently barren, Isaiah 54:1-3. Israel, in the time of her exile, is forsaken. But the seed that the Servant (Christ!) secures by His labor (cf. Isaiah 53:10d), now produce a multitude of children for her that she did not even bear (cf. Isaiah 49:18–23). This historical metaphor is often lived out by particular church members. That which is true for Israel as a church is true for barren (cf. Psalm 113:7–9) and eunuchs (cf. Isaiah 56:3–5) among God’s people, who receive church-family as a super-natural blessing that they enjoy especially on the Lord’s Day, with a view toward eternity. We get a taste of the family-forming power of Christ when we are more than compensated at church for the emptiness that barrenness, singleness, or bereavement have brought to the home. This is the proper way for converted Jews to feel in the largely gentile church: sing (Isaiah 54:1a)! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud (verse 1c)! You are the seed who are inheriting the nations (Isaiah 54:3b)!

Affectionate love for the currently forsaken, Isaiah 54:4-8. As conveyed so poignantly in the contemporary book of Hosea, Israel are desolate and alone because she has forsaken her Husband. But the Servant who has atoned for her sins (cf. chapter 53) has brought her back into her marriage to YHWH of hosts, her Husband (Isaiah 54:5a) and closest of kin (e.g., “Redeemer,” Isaiah 54:5c, Isaiah 54:8c). His chastening her has been momentary (Isaiah 54:7a) and measured (Isaiah 54:8a) in order to bring her into immeasurable compassions (Isaiah 54:7b) and eternal covenant love (Isaiah 54:8b).

Faithful covenant blessing for the currently sinful, Isaiah 54:9-10. When God promises that the waters shall never again cover the earth (cf. Genesis 9:15), it is in the context of noting that even with Noah’s household as the only remaining humanity, it was still true that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (cf. Genesis 8:21). Now in the wake of the Servant’s work, the steadfast love (Isaiah 54:10c), covenant of peace (verse 10d), and compassion (verse 10e) of YHWH are secured to His church forever. We know that particular congregations may be disciplined (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:30–32) and even forsaken of God (cf. Revelation 2:5), but when the church comes into the age of the Servant, she comes into an age in which corporately, as a whole, she is always being built and always under the shining of God’s love like the sun rising until it is at full strength (cf. Matthew 16:18; Proverbs 4:18; 2 Samuel 23:1–5). With Christ as our Head, even those who live in times and places of apostasy and dreadful chastening of the local churches may cling to the Servant and know they are part of a broader church that is still being built under the smile of God.

Fearless peace for the currently attacked, Isaiah 54:11-17. In this final section, Zion is more than just built up; she is beautified. The word picture of the gems, sapphires, rubies, (Isaiah 54:11) crystal, and precious stones (Isaiah 54:12) takes our minds right to Revelation 21:18–21. The greatest beauty, however, is the character of the bride (cf. Revelation 21:2), presented here as the children obtained by the Servant for His church. They are not just plentiful, as we saw in Isaiah 54:1-3, but peaceful. As those taught by YHWH (Isaiah 54:13a, cf. 1 John 2:27), they have the peace (Isaiah 54:13b) of those who don’t fear (Isaiah 54:14) even when enemies are gathered against them (Isaiah 54:15). The God Who so affectionately loves them (Isaiah 54:4-8) is the Creator of swords and tongues and everything in between (Isaiah 54:16-17b). The Lord is their portion (Isaiah 54:17d), because from Him is their righteousness (verse 17e), even as He has said (verse 17f). 

Who is the Head of the church? What has He secured from God for the church on earth? What will she be like when He is done with her? How do you experience the life, love, and mercy personally that He has earned for the church corporately? Who has been attacking you? Why don’t you have to be afraid of them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we are those barren who are ashamed of our inability and our sin, knowing that You have been right in all of Your chastening us. But You have made us to flourish much; forgive us for not seeing how great this mercy has been! When we look at ourselves, we are ashamed, but we have failed to see how You have removed this shame as our Husband, our Warrior, our Redeemer, our Holy One, our Sovereign God. Grant that we would be quick in repentance, turning from ourselves to You. We know that You will build Your church; give us to live in joy and hope and devotion to You, as part of Your whole church in the earth—even when we sometimes must grieve and be humiliated over what happens locally. 

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation” 

The Rejoicing of Righteous Homes and Hearts [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 118:15–18]

What does a righteous home sound like? Psalm 118:15–18 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a righteous home is loud with the sound of rejoicing over Jesus.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.04.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 118:15–18

Read Psalm 118:15–18

Questions from the from the Scripture text: What “voice” does Psalm 118:15a describe? Where is it heard (verse 15b)? What does it rejoice over (verse 15c, Psalm 118:16a, verse 16b)? What has this right hand of YHWH done? What else does this right hand ensure will not happen (Psalm 118:17a)? What will happen instead? Why will the righteous one live (verse 17b)? What has YHWH done to the righteous one (Psalm 118:18a)? But what hasn’t He done?

What does a righteous home sound like? Psalm 118:15–18 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a righteous home is loud with the sound of rejoicing over Jesus.

Recognizing the righteous tent. How do you know if you are in one of the tents of the righteous (Psalm 118:15b)? There is one piece of furniture that you will always find there: the voice of loud rejoicing and salvation (verse 15a; the word for salvation here, is the word from which we get “Jesus”!). The word for “rejoicing” is ‘loud’ enough that it can well be translated “crying out.” The victory of the King in Psalm 118:10-14 spills over into the tents of the righteous, who are given a share in His victory. Can people tell if your house is a tent of the righteous? How about your heart? Is there jubilation over Jesus there?

What the righteous rejoice over. Three times (Psalm 118:15c, Psalm 118:16a, verse 16b) we hear what this jubilant voice is rejoicing over: “the right hand of YHWH.” This great King, Who destroys the swarm of enemies, is Himself the right hand of YHWH—the strength (Psalm 118:15, Psalm 118:16b) and glory (verse 16a) of God, which delivers His people. 

Why the righteous are delivered. We deserve death. It is a turn of events when we do not die, but instead we live (Psalm 118:17a). For what purpose are we given this life? “To declare the works of YHWH” (verse 17b)! This is not miserly, on the Lord’s part, but generous. If we had desired all creation, instead of desiring to know Him and His glory, we would desire too little. And it is the great privilege and purpose of our creation and our redemption to declare His glory!

How the righteous are brought into their portion. Notice that being saved by YHWH’s almighty right hand does not mean that we experience nothing but comfort and ease. Psalm 118:188a might look like it doesn’t fit in this section, but it is the standard experience of all whom the Lord saves, all who are true children (cf. Hebrews 12:8). They partake in chastening, in discipline, sometimes quite painfully (the word is intensified by a doubling in the original, cf. Hebrews 12:11). But this is not because the Lord is against them, but rather because He is saving them from the death that they deserve (Psalm 118:18b), the death to which they would plunge themselves without His deliverance and His chastening. 

So, with our thoughts resting upon the victory of the King, let us rejoice over His salvation, and even His faithfulness and wisdom and goodness in chastening us!

Who is your King? Whom has He defeated, and whom/what will He have finished defeating at the last? What painful thing does He do in your life to bring you into the full enjoyment of what He has gained for you? What is an example of His chastening that you have experienced? How often/much do you find your heart full of the affection of rejoicing at all of this? How often/much do you find your home full of the sound of rejoicing at all of this? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, grant that loud shouts of joy would be filling our houses throughout the week, and grant that loud shouts of joy would fill the assembly of Your household on the Lord’s Day. You have saved us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. He has been for us Your valiant and exalted right hand. Even when You have severely chastened us, it has been to deliver us from death so that we may live and declare Your works. So, grant unto us the ministry of Your Spirit, that He would apply Christ to us, and give us to declare Your works in praise, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP118C “Loud Shouts of Joy” or TPH118A “O Thank the LORD for All His Goodness”