2026.03.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 22:1–9

Read Proverbs 22:1–9

Questions from the Scripture text: What is to be chosen above what (Proverbs 22:1a)? What else above what else (verse 1b)? Who have something in common (Proverbs 22:2a)? What do they have in common (verse 2b)? What does the prudent man foresee (Proverbs 22:3a)? What does he do? Who else does what else (verse 3b)? With what outcome? How do riches and honor and life come (Proverbs 22:4, cf. Proverbs 21:21)? What are in the way of the perverse (Proverbs 22:5a)? How does one avoid them (verse 5b)? Who else can be taught to guard his soul (Proverbs 22:6a)? How will someone who has been trained to do this end up (verse 6b)? Who rules over whom (Proverbs 22:7a)? Who else over whom (verse 7b)? What might a man sow (Proverbs 22:8a)? What does he reap? What, of his, fails (verse 8b)? Who will be blessed (Proverbs 22:9a)? Why—what does he do (verse 9b)?

What are true riches? Proverbs 22:1–9 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what is ultimately valuable to us is the fellowship and favor of God.  

Putting riches in their place. This section, on riches, begins by putting them in their place. A name and good grace are to be chosen above riches, silver, or gold (Proverbs 22:1). Material wealth is means to an end. Being known, particularly by God, and receiving His good grace—these are ends to be pursued by other means.

Putting the rich in their place. The reason that riches must be a means, and not an end, now appears in Proverbs 22:2. They didn’t make us (YHWH did), and they ultimately can’t help us (when we stand before YHWH). Whatever advantage the rich think that they have, they are ultimately in the same place as the poor: they must answer to YHWH, their Maker.

Attaining the true riches. So, whatever riches we are going to have are from YHWH; and, whatever true honor we are going to have, or true life we are going to have, is from YHWH (Proverbs 22:4b). The prudent man, then, is the one who realizes that the Lord is truly ultimate, and that all of life is to be lived before Him (humility), and as unto Him (fear/reverence, verse 4a). He recognizes that the great harm to come is not some avoidable physical or financial catastrophe, but appearing at the judgment without atonement; Proverbs 22:3 addresses ultimate harm, ultimate punishment, not just those that appear in this life.

Employing the “unrighteous mammon” (cf. Luke 16:9). The concluding unit of this section, Proverbs 22:7-9, then addresses what we do with earthly wealth. If we have put riches in their place, and the rich in their place, and this entire life in perspective, then what do we do with our “money”? There is the choice in Proverbs 22:7, where wealth is leveraged to master others; or, there is the choice in Proverbs 22:9, where wealth is leveraged in service of others. But the one who attempts the strategy in Proverbs 22:7 is sowing iniquity, and his leverage will fail him—whether in this life, or more catastrophically, when this life is over. He is not so fearsome as he (or those whom he oppresses) might think (Proverbs 22:8).

Bequeathing children with the greatest treasure. All of this centers (both literally and literarily) on Proverbs 22:5-6. Guarding one’s soul (Proverbs 22:5b) is infinitely more important than accumulating earthly wealth. One must learn to hide himself in the grace of God, and live unto the glory of God, as one who images the good God by doing good to others. This guarding of the soul is “the way” in which a child “should go” (Proverbs 22:6a). And, the reason why the child who has been put into such a way does not depart from it is that this is not a matter of mere training, but a function of divine, saving grace. And once the Lord has begun such a work, it will be brought to completion. 

Our children will find it quite natural to be mercenarily minded in their original nature—to find safety, security, pleasure, and purpose in material things. But if, by the grace of God, they come to find their safety and security in Him through Christ, their pleasure in Him through Christ, and their purpose in Him through Christ, then that grace will never let them depart out of this wonderful way. It is not only when he is old that he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6b); he will walk blessedly in this way, perfectly in this way, forever!

What other things are you tempted to feel safe by? What other things are you tempted to have as pleasures in themselves, apart from God? What other things are you tempted to have as your purpose? What are the competitors to God, in these areas, for your children? How are you warning them of their danger? How are you using His means, in dependence upon His grace, to see Him convert them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for warning us, in Your Word, about the thorns and snares that would bring us to destruction in the day of judgment. But, thank You all the more for showing us, in Your Word, how we may hide ourselves in Christ. Grant that we, and our children, would do so, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent Who Will Reside?” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

2026.03.01 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

To tune in for the Lord's Day streams, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

Is Jesus Enough for You? [2026.02.28 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – February 28, 2026

Dear Congregation,

Jesus says something shocking in Luke 14:26–27
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Obviously, He teaches us to honor our father and mother, and to love our wife and children and brothers and sisters. So, what does this mean? It gets close to say that one’s love for Christ must be comparatively greater than these other loves. But, for the believer, loving them is part of loving Him, so that doesn’t quite hit the mark of what it means.

Rather, I think we get help from the expansion upon the idea in v27. The believer carries his cross throughout his life. At any moment, he may be called upon to halt, the hole will be dug, and he will be crucified upon it. Jesus must be enough for us. We must be so content to have Him, that we are ready to lose our life, so long as we might keep having Him. Indeed, in that case, we would have Him even better! But carrying your cross means always being ready for Him to come, by His providence, and say, “now die on it.”

That brings us back to v26. Is Jesus enough for you? If you lose father and mother, will He still be enough for you? If they turn against you, would Jesus still be enough for you? If you lose your wife, would Jesus still be enough for you? If you lose your children, would Jesus still be enough for you? If they turned against you, would Jesus be enough for you?

It is one thing to ask, “does Jesus mean everything to me?” But, it hits differently to put yourself in the place where your children turn against you, or die, or even are themselves lost (God, forbid it!); and, in that place, you say, “you know what? Jesus is still enough for me.”

Of course, one chief way that He drives into our hearts His all-surpassing worth and glory is by His public worship on the Lord’s Day. We gather to God through Him, Who is our God and Savior, and we behold His glory, and find that He is not only sufficient for us, but abundant. May His Spirit give us to perceive that worth and glory in His worship!

Looking forward to finding Him abundantly satisfying, with you,

Pastor

 

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC41, A Covenant That Can Only Kill 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC18, Guilty Sinners Who Sin
▪Song of Songs 5:9–16, “He Is Altogether Lovely”
▪Deuteronomy 30:11–20, “Grace to Love and Cling to God”
▪Ecclesiastes 12:8–14, “The Bible's Chief Message (Man's Chief End)”
▪Matthew 28:1–15, “The First Lord's Day”
▪Song of Songs 6:1–3, “Where Jesus Makes Himself Known”

The First Lord's Day [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 28:1–15]

What gives joy and banishes terror? Matthew 28:1–15 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we all must encounter the Lord, only belonging to Him can give us lasting joy and banish terror.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Matthew 28:1–15 presents the day of the resurrection of Jesus as the inauguration of a new Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, which fulfills and transforms the original creation Sabbath by centering on the living, glorified Christ rather than mere commemoration. The passage reveals that this day is not merely a memorial but a foretaste of eternal glory, where believers encounter the risen Lord with both reverent fear and profound joy, in contrast to unbelievers, like the guards, for whom encountering Christ is cause for terror. The central message is that the Lord’s Day is consecrated for worship, proclamation, and fellowship with Christ, just as the women are commissioned to announce the resurrection, affirming Christ’s fulfilled promises and His ongoing presence. This day is defined by the faithful proclamation of the crucified and risen Savior, a duty entrusted to the church, while those who suppress the truth—like the bribed guards—demonstrate the spiritual blindness that will one day lead to horror, in the face of final judgment. Ultimately, the resurrection transforms the first day of the week into a sacred anticipation of the final day, when believers will behold Christ in full glory and be welcomed by Him in eternal joy.

2026.02.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 28:1–15

Read Matthew 28:1–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What day was it after (Matthew 28:1)? But what day was it now? What time had already begun? Who came to see what? What occurred (Matthew 28:2)? Why–who had done what? What was he doing? What did he look like (Matthew 28:3)? What had happened to the guards (Matthew 28:4)? But what does he tell the women not to do (Matthew 28:5)? What does he know? Where does he say that Jesus isn’t (Matthew 28:6)? Why? What does he invite them to do? What does he tell them to do then (Matthew 28:7)? Where are they to tell the disciples that Jesus is going? And who will see Him there? How do the women respond (Matthew 28:8)? Who meets them, on the way to the disciples (Matthew 28:9)? What does He command them? How do they respond? What is His next command (Matthew 28:10)? And His third? What is happening at the same time (Matthew 28:11)? To whom do the guard go? With whom do the chief priests gather (Matthew 28:12)? What do they give to the soldiers? What story do they command (Matthew 28:13)? But what if the soldiers are in danger, on account of having failed (Matthew 28:14)? So what do the soldiers do (Matthew 28:15)? With what result?

What gives joy and banishes terror? Matthew 28:1–15 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we all must encounter the Lord, only belonging to Him can give us lasting joy and banish terror.

It’s a new Sabbath; the Sabbath has passed, but the first Sabbath has dawned (Matthew 28:1). 

Everyone is going to have to encounter Jesus and His glory. We have a microcosm of that in our passage, and the parties couldn’t be more opposite.

First, we have the women: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1). They were among the “many women” of Matthew 27:55, and they had been among those who observed the burial in Matthew 27:59–61. 

Over-against the women, we have the guards. Men. Strong enough to be soldiers for a living. Trained. With the authority of the government behind them.

But their experiences couldn’t have been more different. The guards shake for fear and are paralyzed (Matthew 28:4). They have to report their failure to their bosses (Matthew 28:11), but then they take a large sum of money to tell a lie (Matthew 28:12-13) that puts them into potential danger with the governor (Matthew 28:14). 

The women, however, have an opposite experience of the angel. The angel’s power (Matthew 28:2) and glory (Matthew 28:3) are marshaled to their comfort: “do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:5). His message is one of gladness for them, “He is not here, for He is risen” (Matthew 28:6). And His assignment is for them to tell others the wonderful truth (Matthew 28:7). All of this  leaves them not with the terror of the guards, but with reverential fear that is accompanied by great joy (Matthew 28:8)!

If the guards couldn’t withstand their encounter with the angel, how would they do with the second encounter that the women had: Jesus Himself.

He gives them a cheery greeting (Matthew 28:9; it’s the same as “greetings” in Matthew 26:49 and “hail” in Matthew 27:29), and they hurry to worship Him. Again, He tells them not to fear (Matthew 28:10). 

It begs the question, for you, dear reader, “What will it be like for you to encounter the glories of heaven? What will it be like for you to encounter Jesus Himself?”

The women’s two encounters lead us to an assignment that brings our own experience of Christ to the forefront. 

It is not as if a second interview, with Jesus Himself, was necessary for them to fulfill the assignment of telling the disciples that Jesus is risen, and that they are to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:7). They were already going quickly, with great joy, and running (Matthew 28:8).

But, they do get a second interview, with Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:9-10). In this interview, Jesus gives the same exact message that they were already eagerly carrying. In doing so, He refers to the disciples as “My brethren.” Here is the key to joy and the banishing of fear: being Christ’s own dear ones, Christ’s own brethren.

And that’s what Jesus is preparing us for. That’s what He’s going to commission His apostles to do, when they see Him in Galilee: to make disciples. And, the Spirit urgently calls our attention to that by the double setup for that interview in our current passage. 

The Lord give you to love Him, to believe in Him, to take comfort from His death, and confidence from His resurrection. The Lord give you to anticipate seeing Him with joy and not with terror.

What will it be like for you to encounter the glories of heaven? What will it be like for you to encounter Jesus Himself?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to women, then to apostles, then to others, and eventually to us, the good news of Your death on account of our sins, and Your resurrection on account of our justification. Give us to look forward with joy to seeing You and having You greet us. And give us to tell others, and to be used in Your making them into disciples too, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH259 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”

Conquering Grace [2026.02.25 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 21:30–31]

Conviction of the incomparable greatness of YHWH produces a life of obedience to Him, but also an invincible confidence in Him.

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

Where Jesus Makes Himself Known [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 6:1–3]

Where can we find Christ? Song of Songs 6:1–3 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is Christ Who finds us, in His church, by His ordained means of grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Song of Songs 6:1–3 emphasizes that the church—described as the bride and the garden of spices—is both the place and the means by which Christ is sought, known, and enjoyed. The church is where He feeds His flock and gathers His lilies. This vision calls the church to prioritize Christ-centered teaching and mutual edification as marks of true spiritual vitality.

2026.02.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 6:1–3

Read Song of Songs 6:1–3

Questions from the Scripture text: What do the Daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride (Song of Songs 6:1a, c)? What do they call her (verse 1b)? Why do they ask (verse 1d)? Where does the bride say that He has gone (Song of Songs 6:2a)? What is there (verse 2b)? What does He intend to do there (verse 2c–d)? What does she conclude about herself (Song of Songs 6:3a)? And about Him (verse 3b)? What does she ultimately conclude that He is doing, where (verse 3c)? 

Where can we find Christ? Song of Songs 6:1–3 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is Christ Who finds us, in His church, by His ordained means of grace. 

One of the great things that believers can do for the church is ask her to tell them about Christ Himself (cf. Song of Songs 5:9). Now, in these three verses, we see a second: ask the church where/how Christ is to be found. True church members desire to find Him themselves (“that we may seek Him with you,” Song of Songs 6:1d). And true church members desire for the church, corporately, to find Him. So, one of their great services to themselves and to her is to ask, “Where has your Beloved gone?” (verse 1a) or “Where has your Beloved turned aside?” (verse 1c). In answering these questions, the church herself finds her beloved.

It turns out to be vital that these church members continue to have this view of the bride: “fairest among women” (Song of Songs 6:1b). For, when the church answers the question of where Christ is to be found, the answer is… the church! “My Beloved has gone to His garden.” Now, not everything that is called the church is automatically a place where Christ is found. Rather, when the church is producing Christlikeness (“beds of spices”), and devoted to the means of His grace by which He feeds them (“feeding [His flock]”), that the congregations (“gardens”) as His church (“His garden.”) 

When the church has not been well or done well, the answer is not to turn to something else. The parachurch inclination is opposite the way of the Lord. The solution is not to work outside the church, but the reformation and revival of the church itself. This is where Christ will be found.

And what is He doing there? Gathering lilies. This language of gathering (Song of Songs 6:2d) is used of Christ’s collecting believers to Himself (cf. Matthew 23:37, John 11:52). What does Jesus do in His garden? He eats, He enjoys, He invites current friends/beloved to do the same (cf. Song of Songs 5:1); and, He gathers lilies. Notice that this is done not just in “His garden” (singular, Song of Songs 6:2a), but “in the gardens” (plural, verse 2c). The church is not merely some nebulous association of all believers in the world; it is found especially in particular congregations. Jesus walks among the lampstands. If this was true of the church at the time of the Song, how much more in the age of the gospel!

What a wonderful cure this was for the bride, in this Song! In the four short lines of Song of Songs 6:2, as she answered the daughters, she becomes the means of her own rediscovery of her Beloved. What a blessed ministry the church has, where, in order to do good to her members, she is the means of her own revival.

And this is her conclusion: “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved’s is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3a–b). Her “veil” (cf. Song of Songs 5:7) is restored. She has recovered her confidence in their marriage bond, her certainty in His love. She knows Him, again, as she has before: as the One Who feeds His flock among the lilies. Among those whom He is gathering to Himself.

Dear Christian, dear church, this is where Christ gives you to know Him with confidence: as the One Who has betrothed you to Himself, the One Who feeds His flock in His church—the One Who gathers His elect to Himself, by His means, in His church. Let us come to Him, in His church, in His means, where we will find this altogether lovely One! Or rather… it is there that He has ordained to find us.

How have you sought, from your own congregation, to know where Christ can be found? How have you sought to be provided with those things in which He can be found? How have you availed yourself of the means of His grace in your congregation? What has been your experience of Christ in those means?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are our Beloved. Give to our congregation to teach us where to find You. And give to our congregation to look for You in the means of grace, so that we may seek You together. Make us to know that we are Yours. Make us to know that You are ours. Feed Your flock here, and gather Your elect to Yourself. Make us to know and see You, again, our altogether lovely One, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP34B “I Will at All Times Bless the LORD” or TPH87A “Zion, Founded on the Mountains”

The Bible's Chief Message (Man's Chief End) [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 12:8–14]

What is the chief end of man? Ecclesiastes 12:8–14 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional draws together the profound truth of Ecclesiastes, revealing that life under the sun is fleeting and transient—like vapor—yet not meaningless, because its true substance lies in one's relationship with God. Far from advocating despair, it calls believers to live with eternal perspective, grounded in the fear of God and obedience to His commandments, which constitute humanity's ultimate purpose. The Word of God is both a goad, to awaken and redirect the soul, and a well-driven nail to anchor life amid life’s storms, offering enduring stability and truth. Scripture, as the inspired, unified message of one Shepherd, is the sole authority for faith and practice. Ultimately, the conclusion is both a call to joyful reverence and righteous living, inviting believers to find lasting joy in God and to live with the certainty of future judgment and eternal glory.

2026.02.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 12:8–14

Read Ecclesiastes 12:8–14

Questions from the Scripture text: How does Ecclesiastes 12:8 summarize the preacher’s (assembler’s) conclusion about the length and significance of life in this world, on its own terms? What had the concluding teaching been, rather than to live life on its own terms (cf. Ecclesiastes 11:10–12:1)? So, what did the preacher still do to the people (Ecclesiastes 12:9)? And what did he seek out and set in order? What sorts of words, specifically (Ecclesiastes 12:10)? What two things does verse 10 say about the words that were written? What are the words of the wise like (Ecclesiastes 12:11)? What are the words of masters-of-collections like? By Whom are these goads and well-driven nails given? To whom is Ecclesiastes 12:12 addressed? What does the preacher tell him to do with those words? What does he say about other books and other study, by comparison? What is the concluding command (Ecclesiastes 12:13)? As what, must he do those two things? What truth/reality drives home that this must be how we live?

What is the chief end of man? Ecclesiastes 12:8–14 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. 

Here, we come to the conclusion of the whole book, indeed the conclusion of all of life. In and of itself, our life in this world—indeed the life of this entire world—is a vapor of vapors (Ecclesiastes 12:8). The most fleeting blink of a moment.

So what do we do? That’s what the project of Ecclesiastes (and Proverbs) has been all about. Solomon, by the Holy Spirit, has been writing as the caller of assemblies (NKJ “Preacher,” Ecclesiastes 12:9). The fleeting nature of life in this world makes it all the more crucial that people learn to fear God, and what that looks like in the details of life. 

The main thing is to rejoice and live righteously, as we have already seen (cf. Ecclesiastes 11:7–10), and this is the book of Ecclesiastes. More details are fleshed out in the book of Proverbs. 

Together, Ecclesiastes and Proverbs are the “many proverbs” (Ecclesiastes 12:9) and “delightful/pleasant words” (Ecclesiastes 12:10, more literally). These are the righteous and true words that we have in these two books of Scripture. In Ecclesiastes 12:11, the word “wise” is plural, indicating that Solomon understands that he is writing as just one of many, who give the words of the “one Shepherd.” Here is a biblical doctrine of Scripture: one Shepherd, using many wise men (carried along by the Holy Spirit) to set down the very words of God!

What do these words do? They move and stabilize. Goads move us to do what God says when we are stationary, or back into God’s path, when we are wayward. The well-driven nail, stabilizes the tent against the storm, and this is the other way that the Scriptures help us: giving the stability, strength, gladness, purpose, in God Himself. God uses the Bible to move the believer and to establish the believer.

This is why the Bible is the single book for your admonishment (Ecclesiastes 12:12a). Men will pile up other books, and men will wear themselves out trying to know more (verse 12b), but God has made full provision for our instruction and warning in the Bible. Just as no other words are on par of it (the words of the one Shepherd), so also no other words are to be added it as a rule of faith (nails) and practice (goads). 

So, what does the Bible teach? Fear God (nails), and keep His commandments (goads), “for this is the mannishness of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, more literally). And, what man gets out of being a proper man is God Himself! Being a true man begins by being not-God, by fearing God alone as God. A true man images God, worships God, obeys God, enjoys God. This is the mannishness of man.

The truth, and certain expectation, of God’s judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14) is a gift from Him to drive us back to our chief end. The fact that we are sure to appear before the judgment seat of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10), together with the fleetingness of this life and this world, drives us to this one great aim: to be well pleasing to Him, so long as we are present in the body (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9), while we look forward to this mortality being swallowed up in the life and pleasure of enjoying Him forever (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:1–8). 

Why is the only chief end that makes sense, the chief end of glorifying God and enjoying God? Who can teach you how to glorify and enjoy Him? What has He given us, by which He teaches us to glorify and enjoy Him? What use are you making of what He has given us? And how is this helping you live life in this world, like someone who expects to enjoy God forever in the next world? What sort of life does this give you to live now?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for the Bible. Please forgive us for when Your words would have goaded us into action, but we have not moved. Forgive us for when Your words would have goaded us back into Your own paths for us, but we have continued in our incorrect ways. Forgive us for when Your words would have stabilized us in You as our great purpose, but we have lived as if we had other, competing purposes. Forgive us for when Your words would have stabilized us in You as our great pleasure, but we have lived as if we had other, competing pleasures. Grant that Your Spirit would use Your Word to remind us that we are coming to the judgment, so that we will live always by Your Word, we ask in Christ’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH116A “I Love the LORD, for He Has Heard My Voice”