The Perils of Pride [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:30–46]

Why was it impossible for the cup to pass from Jesus? Matthew 26:30–46 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it was impossible for Jesus not to drink the cup of wrath, because, in our sinfulness, we are exactly opposite His righteousness. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) This passage reveals the profound contrast between our pride and Christ's humility. Jesus, fully aware of His impending betrayal and crucifixion, submits completely to the Father’s will, praying with deep anguish yet unwavering obedience. In stark contrast, Peter’s pride leads him to deny his own weakness, contradict Scripture, despise his fellow disciples, and fail to depend on the Lord by prayer—exposing the fatal danger of self-reliance even among believers. The devotional underscores that pride distorts truth, breeds contempt for others, and blinds one to spiritual need, while Christ exemplifies the opposite: humble submission, selfless love, and dependence on God. Ultimately, Christ’s not only atones for our pride but also transforms us by His Spirit, conforming us to His image through grace, watchfulness, and prayer.

2026.01.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 26:30–46

Read Matthew 26:30–46

Questions from the Scripture text: What did they sing (Matthew 26:30)? Where did they go? What did Jesus say would happen to them (Matthew 26:31)? On what basis (cf. Zechariah 13:7)? What will happen to Jesus (Matthew 26:32)? Then where will He go? Who answers (Matthew 26:33)? What adjustment does he make to Jesus’s prophecy? How does Jesus respond—what does He say that Peter will do (Matthew 26:34)? When? How many times? How does Peter respond (Matthew 26:35a)? Who else say this (verse 35b)? Where do they arrive in Matthew 26:36? What does Jesus tell them to do? What is He going to do? Whom does He take with Him (Matthew 26:37)? What does He feel? What does He say to the three (Matthew 26:38)? What does He tell them to do? Now where does He go (Matthew 26:39)? What does He do there? For what does He ask? To what does He submit? To whom does He return in Matthew 26:40? Which one does He address? What does He ask? What two things does He tell them to do (Matthew 26:41)? Why is this needed? Where does He go a second time? What does He pray? What does He do in Matthew 26:43? What does He find them doing? Why? How does He respond this time (Matthew 26:44)? Then what does He do? What does He do after is third season of prayer (Matthew 26:45)? What does e ask them? What hour does He tell them has arrived? What does He tell them to do in Matthew 26:46? Why?

Why was it impossible for the cup to pass from Jesus? Matthew 26:30–46 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it was impossible for Jesus not to drink the cup of wrath, because, in our sinfulness, we are exactly opposite His righteousness.

In this passage, we have Peter as a representative of all of the disciples (which each disciple reading this, should take to heart personally about himself), in striking contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus makes this point to us by “all of you” in Matthew 26:31, and the Spirit highlights this to us with “all the disciples” in Matthew 26:35. We are reminded that Peter was, indeed, special among the disciples, as he is one of the three that Jesus brings furthest into the moment of His agony (Matthew 26:37-38). The distinction between Jesus as Shepherd, and His disciples as sheep, is highlighted by the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7, and its fulfillment here (Matthew 26:31).

One of the most offensive aspects of pride shows clearly, with Matthew 26:33 following so quickly upon Matthew 26:31: it directly contradicts the Lord Jesus. He has told us the truth about ourselves throughout His Word. He tells us the truth about ourselves in Matthew 26:31. But pride says “I am strong” into the face of Him Who has warned us that our flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Peter makes this all the more hideous by immediately doing it again in Matthew 26:35a. Praise be to Christ that He received every word of Scripture about what would come of Him. He would never contradict the smallest part of Scripture.

A second offensive aspect of Peter’s pride was that it led him to disdain the other disciples by comparison (Matthew 26:33). The Lord Jesus teaches him this lesson by making the prophecy of his stumbling very specific and public (cf. Matthew 26:34), then singling out Peter’s specific weakness in Matthew 26:40. This will be followed by the look that Jesus gives him upon the third denial, and the very public restoration in front of the other disciples (cf. John 21:15–23). Praise be to Christ that He is tender toward His little ones, esteeming them and looking out for their interests (cf. Philippians 2:3–4).

A third offensive aspect of Peter’s pride is that he does not feel his neediness of the Lord, nor does he cast himself upon the Lord by prayer. Praise be to Christ that He, though weak only through humanity and not weak through sinfulness, gave Himself to the exact praying and watching that He commended to them. Though their eyes were merely heavy (Matthew 26:43) from sorrow (cf. Luke 22:45), and He was exceedingly sorrowful to death (Matthew 26:38) and sweating like great drops of blood (cf. Luke 22:44), yet He watched and prayed.

This is exactly why Jesus’s prayer had to be answered not by the removal of the cup, but by submission to His Father’s will. Because it was not possible that we be saved in any other way but by Christ’s dying the accursed death of the cross. Indeed, the “cup” language indicates that it was the accursedness, the divine wrath, which so horrified Him (cf. Psalm 75:8, Revelation 14:10). Though He was properly horrified (it would have been wicked not to be) at the prospect of what He would endure, yet He was growing in submission and learning obedience (cf. Hebrews 5:8) with every “not as I will” (Matthew 26:39) and “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42, Matthew 26:44). And we see that submission immediately in Matthew 26:46. For, this rising and going is not to escape the cross, but to go to it.

In what ways are you proud? How are you thus contradicting God’s Word? Whom do you treat as less than you, or less important than you? How are you experiencing, expressing, and growing in submission to the Lord? By what means are you keeping watch? By what means are you praying?

Sample prayer:  Lord Jesus, please forgive us our pride. We praise You for Your humility, and we trust in You to be our righteousness. Remove our guilt by Your cross, and our ongoing sinfulness by Your resurrection, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP51A “God, Be Mercful to Me” or TPH270 “At the Name of Jesus”

The Glory of the Groom [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 3:7–11]

How does Christ glorify Himself? Song of Songs 3:7–11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ glorifies Himself most of all in His bride. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds Song of Songs 3:7–11, which portrays Christ as the glorified Bridegroom, Whose wedding procession glorifies His redemptive work in the Church’s ultimate destiny. Through progressive praise—from His secure comfort guarded by valiant servants, to His exalted conveyance adorned with divine materials, and finally to His crowned glory—the bride redirects all admiration from herself to Christ, recognizing that every good thing in the Church is His work. The passage emphasizes that Christ’s joy is fulfilled in the perfection and glorification of His bride, who is not merely beloved, but serves as His crowning glory, reflecting His wisdom, love, and faithfulness. The devotional calls the Church to a posture of humble adoration, where every expression of praise for the Church’s beauty ultimately glorifies Christ, the Source and Sustainer of all grace. This culminates in the vision of the final day—the day of the gladness of His heart—when the Church, fully sanctified, will be presented to Him in eternal joy.

2026.01.9 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 3:7–11

Read Song of Songs 3:7–11

Questions from the Scripture text: To what does the bride draw attention in Song of Songs 3:7a? Who are around it (verse 7b–c)? What are they like (Song of Songs 3:8)? Who made what, out of what (Song of Songs 3:9)? For whom? Of what did he make is various components (Song of Songs 3:10c)? For whom does verse 10d–e describe him as upholstering it, with what? Whom does the bride address in Song of Songs 3:11a? Telling them to do what (verse 11a–b)? Whom will they see? With what? Received from whom (verse 11c)? On what occasion (verse 11d)? With what affection (verse 11e)?

How does Christ glorify Himself? Song of Songs 3:7–11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ glorifies Himself most of all in His bride. 

Whenever the church receives praise, she redirects it to Christ. So, here with the Bride (Song of Songs 3:6) and the Bridegroom (Song of Songs 3:7-11). 

She praises His comforts and security (Song of Songs 3:7-8). Solomon is a special type of Christ (cf. Psalm 72): the King in His glory, having brought peace, justice, and joy to His subjects. His couch (Song of Songs 3:7a) hearkens back to their bed in Song of Songs 1:16, the place of greatest comfort and intimacy with the King. The emphasis, here, is on the number (Song of Songs 3:7b), strength (verse 7c), equipment (Song of Songs 3:8a), ability (verse 8b), and readiness (verse 8c) of His royal guard. In the poetry of the song, as the King is Christ, the guard are not only angels, but all of the divine attributes and actions by which He protects His bride. And He protects her especially from herself and the effects of her sin, as the night in verse 8d takes us back to Song of Songs 3:1a.

She praises His conveyance (Song of Songs 3:9-10). It is a royal chariot, giving the queen a share in the King’s goings forth. In the chariot, she is at His side, sharing in His royal dignity. He has furnished the very best of materials by which to carry her with Him, to their wedding. Here is a beautiful picture of the ongoing ministry of Christ: His Scriptures, His sacraments, His servants, but especially union with Him and its benefits—His own grace administered by His Spirit, and His ministry of intercession. This is how He brings the bride to their wedding. Christ made it Himself, even adding the mosaic of the love of the daughters of Jerusalem, indicating that believers’ love is also a work of grace, which He has furnished for carrying the church to the wedding day.

She praises His crown (Song of Songs 3:11). There is a progression from Solomon (Song of Songs 3:7), to Solomon the King (Song of Songs 3:9) to King Solomon with the crown (Song of Songs 3:11). In Song of Songs 3:7-9, she had commended beholding what the King had made. Now, she commends beholding the King Himself, indeed going forth to behold Him. And what do they see? They see that, of all the creatures, it is His mother that crowns Him. From the same passage (cf. Revelation 12:17) that helped us understand her mother as the church in Song of Songs 3:4d, we see that the church is also His mother (cf. Revelation 12:13). Christ’s glory is crowned most of all by the church on their wedding day (Song of Songs 3:11b–c; cf. Revelation 19:9, Revelation 21:9–11ff; Ephesians 5:25–27). She adds nothing to Him, but reflects His own glory. And His delight in His beloved bride is the display of that glory. His wedding to her is “the day of the gladness of His heart.”

When do you behold the glory of Christ’s grace to His church? What glory are you looking forward at His wedding?

Sample prayer:  Lord Jesus, we adore Your glory in comforting us, drawing us near to Yourself, and bringing us safely and certainly to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Give us to glorify You, and to behold that glory, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”

Wisdom Under Rulers Under the Sun [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:4–7]

What should we do when rulers rise against us? Ecclesiastes 10:4–7 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should be faithful and gentle, not hoping in the ruler’s response, but in the living God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional calls believers to exercise wisdom and faithfulness in the face of unjust or hostile authority, emphasizing that remaining steadfast in one’s post—even when the ruler’s spirit rises against them—is a mark of godly discernment. While conciliation can pacify great offenses and sometimes lead to restored relationships, the preacher warns that earthly outcomes are not guaranteed, as wisdom is often not rewarded in this life. The book of Ecclesiastes exposes the reality that folly is frequently exalted while the wise and faithful are humbled, reflecting the brokenness of life under the sun. Yet Christians are called not to seek immediate vindication, but to live wisely for God’s glory, trusting in His ultimate justice and finding opportunity to reflect Christ’s character in suffering. This faithful endurance, especially under unjust treatment, becomes a powerful testimony of the gospel, as believers embody the humility and trust of Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father. Ultimately, the believer’s reward is not in earthly recognition, but in the sanctifying work of the Spirit and the eternal glory of Christ.

2026.01.08 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 10:4–7

Read Ecclesiastes 10:4–7

Questions from the Scripture text: What may rise against you (Ecclesiastes 10:4a)? What mustn’t you the do (verse 4b)? What does a gentle response do (verse 4c)? What has the preacher seen (Ecclesiastes 10:5a)? Where? What sort of evil is it (verse 5b)? From where does it proceed? What is set where (Ecclesiastes 10:6a)? How is this illustrated (Ecclesiastes 10:7a)? And who sit where (Ecclesiastes 10:6b)? How is this illustrated?

What should we do when rulers rise against us? Ecclesiastes 10:4–7 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should be faithful and gentle, not hoping in the ruler’s response, but in the living God. 

Just as wisdom often goes forgotten in this world, so also it is not always sufficiently rewarded in this world. Solomon proceeds to give an example of this. He gives us wise instruction in Ecclesiastes 10:4: respond to a ruler’s wrath (verse 4a) with faithfulness (verse 4b) and gentleness (verse 4c). Generally speaking, this will cause peace/rest to a contentious situation.

But rulers are a special case. Under the sun, there is something about a man feeling as if he is in ultimate authority that results in evil error (Ecclesiastes 10:5). Rather than give places of honor to those to whom it belongs (Ecclesiastes 10:6b, Ecclesiastes 10:7b), the man who feels his power is absolute is prone to elevating fools instead (Ecclesiastes 10:6a, Ecclesiastes 10:7a).

This helps us to remember that we exercise our wisdom not primarily to obtain our desired outcome (conciliation and elevation that never come), but to honor Him Who is above the sun, and Whose judgment sets all things right. He will not commit error, or do us ill; and, even when rulers are doing so, God is still working all things according to the counsel of His will. So, we exercise wisdom as those who are managing our expectations in the short term, but looking forward, with happy longing, to the perfect reign of Christ.

What are you trying to do or gain by exercising wisdom? Unto Whom are you offering it? Why must you be prepared for affliction, instead, in the short-term? On what basis can you expect perfect blessedness in the long term?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for when we are unsubmissive, unfaithful, and contentious in response to rulers whose spirits rise against us. Grant that we would be faithful and gentle, trusting You as Christ did. Count Him as our righteousness, we pray, and make us to be like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart” 

2026.01.07 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

To tune in for the Prayer Meeting, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

A Covenanted, Consecrated People [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 27:1–10]

How are God’s people to know it and show it? Deuteronomy 27:1–10 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God gives us His worship, and especially His Word, to reaffirm to us that we are His, and renew us in our consecration to live by His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: the devotional centers on Deuteronomy 27:1–10, highlighting God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel by delivering them into the land flowing with milk and honey, and calling them to respond with covenantal obedience. It emphasizes that God’s people are both covenanted and holy, marked by the written law inscribed on stones as a permanent monument, and by worship conducted through unworked, whole stones, indicating divine initiation and purity. In the New Testament, Christ fulfills the role of prophet, king, and priest, and the Holy Spirit writes God’s Word on believers’ hearts, making them a living monument of covenant faithfulness. Worship, now conducted through Christ’s ascension and sacrifice, is not humanly devised but divinely ordained, enabling believers to ascend to God and partake in intimate fellowship, joyfully rejoicing before Him. This covenantal relationship and holy consecration—rooted in God’s faithfulness and mediated through Christ—ought to produce joyful, obedient lives, as the people of God are called to live in continual remembrance of His promises and presence.

2026.01.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 27:1–10

Read Deuteronomy 27:1–10

Questions from the Scripture text: Who join whom in commanding whom (Deuteronomy 27:1)? How do they begin? To what day do they refer (Deuteronomy 27:2)? What do they call the land? What are they to set up for themselves? And what are they to do to them? Then write what on them (Deuteronomy 27:3)? At what point in time? In order to do what, in the proper way? What do they, again, call the land? And what description do they add? What point do they make about YHWH? What do they call Him? When are they to set up the stones, where (Deuteronomy 27:4)? What else are they to build there (Deuteronomy 27:5)? What mustn’t they use upon them? What will this preserve, with respect to the stones (Deuteronomy 27:6)? Whose altar will it then be? In order to do what with it (“offer burnt offerings,” translates a single verb that means “ascend”)? Unto Whom? What other sort of offering are they to offer there (Deuteronomy 27:7)? So that they can do what else there? With what feelings? Before Whom? And what are they to do on the other stones (Deuteronomy 27:8)? In what manner? With how much of the law? Who now speak with Moses in Deuteronomy 27:9? Whom do they address? What do they emphasize to Israel about themselves? What must they therefore do with Him (Deuteronomy 27:10)? What does this mean they must observe?  

How are God’s people to know it and show it? Deuteronomy 27:1–10 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God gives us His worship, and especially His Word, to reaffirm to us that we are His, and renew us in our consecration to live by His Word.  

Monumental Obedience (Deuteronomy 27:1-4, Deuteronomy 27:8). When Israel cross into the land, they are to set up a monument on the first mountain there (Deuteronomy 27:2b)—not just a monument to the law, but a monument of the law. The stones must be large enough to write, very plainly, all of the words (Deuteronomy 27:3a, Deuteronomy 27:8) of Deuteronomy 4:44–26:15. These stones are to be plastered white (Deuteronomy 27:2c, Deuteronomy 27:4c), so that the text stands out upon them very clearly (Deuteronomy 27:8). He is giving them the land (Deuteronomy 27:2a, Deuteronomy 27:3b), and it is a rich land (verse 3c), concerning which He is faithfully fulfilling His promises (verse 3d). 

Christ never gave us such monuments to make. Instead, He has given His Holy Spirit, Who both carried the apostles to inscribe (inscripturate) the completed Bible, and also helps us understand, remember, and apply what the Bible says. It is good for us, as Christians, to carry with us throughout our lives, His words, written upon our hearts, as a monument.

Memorial Sacrifice (Deuteronomy 27:5-7). In the place that they set up the worked-stone monument, they are also to build up an unworked-stone altar (Deuteronomy 27:5). They must not work it, because it is a means by which they draw near to YHWH through the ascension (Deuteronomy 27:6) and the peace (Deuteronomy 27:7a). They must resist the temptation to think that they can add to this provision or improve it, by using their own ideas or tools to beautify it. We must continue to resist this temptation, especially with the simpler and more heavenly worship that He has now provided to us.

By this form of worship that He has commanded, the Lord emphasizes to them that they are His, and He is theirs. In the first, they ascend to Him, and in the second, they have joyful table-fellowship with Him (Deuteronomy 27:7b). Worship should compel us to obedience, because He has provided it, and designed it, to affirm that blessed reality that we are His, and He is ours.

Mute Allegiance (Deuteronomy 27:9-10). The Levites, whose job it is to teach the people what it means to be holy, and to guard holiness, now join Moses (v9a) in commanding Israel “take heed” (Deuteronomy 27:9b)—literally, “be silent!” The first part of responding to such divine generosity is to be quiet! He has given us the greatest thing possible: Himself. “This day, you have become the people of YHWH, Your God” (verse 9c). Of course, they were already His people. But now, on this particular day, He had reaffirmed and renewed that identity to them. The Lord does this for us, in His worship. 

One of the ways that we realize (or display) that we belong to the speaking God is by being a listening people! We listen to His declaration that we are His (verse 9c), and we listen to His voice, as He commands us from His Word (v10a). Of course, this listening isn’t done just with the ears, but with the life (Deuteronomy 27:10b, cf. James 1:21–27).

How aware are you of God’s words on your heart, as you live? What use are you making of ascending to God in the public worship, and of having joyful fellowship with Him there? How does this worship drive your obedience? When you come to any worship of God, are you quicker to speak or to listen?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have forgotten that we belong to You, and for how we have tried to shape Your worship, and how we have lived forgetfully of Your Word, and thus failed to keep it. Thank You that Christ has done all of these things perfectly, but died for our sins. For His sake, forgive us and make us like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119W “LORD, Let My Cry before You Come” or TPH119E “Teach Me, O LORD, Your Way of Truth”  

You Sinned and Died in Adam [Children's Catechism 34 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 34—especially explaining how Adam was acting for us in the Covenant of Works.

Q34. Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of works? No; he represented all his posterity.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The lesson centers on the biblical doctrine of federal representation, emphasizing that Adam did not act solely for himself in the covenant of works but served as a representative head for all humanity, including his wife and all who would come from him, after him. Drawing from Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:22, it underscores that sin and death entered the world through Adam’s disobedience and spread to all people because all sinned in him. Christ, the new Adam, born of a virgin, stands outside of Adam’s lineage and thus offers a new federal headship of a new race. The unity of humanity in Adam anticipates the hope of redemption in Christ.