Half Right and All Wrong [Family Worship lesson in Job 4–5]

What is the danger in being half right? Job 4–5 prepares us for the opening part of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we may be half right, yet all wrong. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional explores Eliphaz’s flawed response to Job’s suffering, highlighting how even well-intentioned theological truths can lead to harmful conclusions when divorced from grace and empathy. Though Eliphaz correctly affirms God’s sovereignty, justice, and the reality of human frailty, he misapplies these truths by assuming Job’s suffering is due to hidden sin and moral failure, ignoring Job’s genuine righteousness and the depth of his anguish. Pastor underscores the danger of spiritual pride, the limits of human understanding, and the necessity of humility in both suffering and comforting others. Ultimately, the message calls for trust in God’s incomprehensible wisdom, rejecting simplistic explanations of suffering while embracing the grace that sustains the righteous even in affliction.

2026.06.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 4–5

Read Job 4–5

Questions from the Scripture text: Who speaks in these two chapters (Job 4:1)? What does he accuse Job of trusting in (Job 4:5-6)? What does he conclude to be the truth about Job (Job 4:7-8)? Based upon what, in Job’s circumstances (Job 4:9)? What is he calling Job in Job 4:10-11? What does he claim as the source of his knowledge (Job 4:12-16)? How does he accuse Job of thinking (Job 4:17)? What is his point about the deservedness of what has happened to Job (Job 4:18-21)? What does he say that Job should not expect (Job 5:1)? What sort of man does he say Job must be (Job 5:2-3)? On what basis (Job 5:4-5)? By what reasoning (Job 5:6)? About whom does he assert this to be true (Job 5:7)? What does he assume that Job hasn’t done, and now give him counsel to do (Job 5:8)? What does he suggest that Job can expect if he changes (Job 5:9-11, Job 5:15-26)? What does he suggest that Job can expect if he does not change (Job 5:12-14)?

What is the danger in being half right? Job 4–5 prepares us for the opening part of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we may be half right, yet all wrong. 

In reply to Job, Eliphaz tells many truths. God is marvelous. And He does raise up the lowly and humble the proud. Eliphaz is half right. But he’s all wrong about Job. 

He accuses Job of trusting in his own godliness (Job 4:6), when Job’s trust is in the Lord, and His provided sacrifice (cf. Job 1:5). He concludes against Job’s innocence, based upon what he has suffered (Job 4:7), accusing him of being a fierce lion (Job 4:10). 

We must watch against the idea that we are privy to special knowledge about others (Job 4:11-16). It sounds spiritual, especially when combined with some truth (Job 4:17-21). 

But Job has not at all thought in the manner accused in Job 4:17; he has humbled himself below God (cf. Job 1:21, Job 2:10). 

Furthermore, Eliphaz accuses Job of being a fool (Job 5:2–3), cruelly claiming to line up Job’s specific calamities (Job 5:4, Job 5:5) with those specifically reserved for fools. He allows for no fruit of grace in Job’s life, on the basis of the (true, but misapplied, here) doctrine of total depravity (Job 5:6-7). 

Having given a wrong explanation, he now offers an incorrect solution: if you just repent, everything will get better (Job 5:8-27). 

Again, there are many truths here: the Lord chastens those whom He loves, and we should be thankful for it when He does (Job 5:17-19); and the Lord does ultimately bless the repentant. But Job has not been unrepentant, and it is not ultimate conditions, but present conditions, that are crushing the man. 

Eliphaz shows us the danger of jumping to conclusions and applying right doctrine in a wrong way. Thankfully, the One Who fully knows us has been kind and compassionate, giving Himself for us and to us.

What painful situation are others in? What conclusion should you resist drawing about them from it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You alone know our hearts. Don’t let us come to you like Eliphaz, jumping to conclusions from our limited information. Give us to trust in Your marvelous greatness and Your kind compassion. We come to You, confident of mercy, and looking for the help of Your Spirit to uphold us in godliness. Make us to hope in You, like Job, even when others accuse us of exactly the opposite. Glorify Yourself in our lives, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH231 “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right”

2026.06.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 25:11–15

Read Proverbs 25:11–15

Questions from the Scripture text: How is the word in Proverbs 25:11 spoken? How is the word in Proverbs 25:12 received? What sort of messenger does Proverbs 25:13 describe? Whom does he refresh? What other sort of messenger does Proverbs 25:14 describe? What is he like? What two characteristics does the speaker in Proverbs 25:15 have? How does verse 15 describe his power?

What must our speech be like? Proverbs 25:11–15 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our speech should be fitting, faithful, and forbearing.

Fitting speech. It is a truly beautiful thing when someone says the right thing, at the right time, with the right words, in the right way (Proverbs 25:11). We should not be satisfied merely with speech that is accurate. We ought to strive, by grace for speech that is fitting. And we ought to listen in a fitting manner as well—even (especially!) to rebuke. If we receive it as a kindness from God, we will find it to be truly beautiful.

Faithful speech. It is also a great blessing to the sender, when he knows that he doesn’t have to worry at all about the message being delivered, and with the sort of speech from Proverbs 25:11. When there is a message to be sent, there may be some stress about whether it will get there, or get across. But, in the hands of a faithful messenger, the message will be sure, and the sender’s soul will be refreshed (Proverbs 25:13). We wish to be faithful in speech as those sent, ultimately, by the Lord Himself, so that our speech will be always with grace (cf. Colossians 4:5–6). The fool, on the other hand, is all talk; when the substance and follow-through are absent, the situation is worse for his having spoken at all (Proverbs 25:14). 

Forbearing speech. Finally, godly speech will be forbearing. It should be careful, thought-through, and humbly spoken. This is the sort of speech that persuades even rulers. It is much stronger, as with bone-breaking power, than gruff or hasty speech.

How are you working on speaking in a fitting, faithful, and forbearing manner? How do you receive wise rebukes?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for making us to be speaking creatures, and for interacting with us as a speaking God. Thank You that Christ is the eternal Word, as well as our ultimate Prophet. Grant that, in our speech, we would image You as creatures and imitate You as children, by the grace of Christ, through Whom we pray, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside?” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”

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All for Christ [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:9–10]

What drives predestination? Ephesians 1:9–10 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s own, internal pleasure drives predestination. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The central message of the devotional is that God’s eternal purpose, revealed in the mystery of His will, is the glorification of Jesus Christ in all things—both in heaven and on earth. Rooted in divine sovereignty and eternal pleasure, this purpose was established not for human benefit alone, but for the exaltation of Christ as the unifying center of all creation. The sermon emphasizes that predestination and election are not about individual favoritism, but about Christ’s supremacy, in Whom all things are gathered together and through whom every aspect of reality finds its ultimate meaning and fulfillment. This cosmic vision of redemption includes not only redeemed humanity, but also the entire created order, which will be liberated from decay and restored to glory. Pastor calls for his family to align their hearts with God’s eternal design by glorifying Christ in all things, recognizing their own salvation as a special expression of His glory.

2026.05.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:9–10

Read Ephesians 1:9–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What has God made known to us (Ephesians 1:9a)? According to what had He decided this? What had He done “in Himself”? When would He carry out His plan (Ephesians 1:10a)? What would He gather into one? In Whom would He gather all things? What things would be included in these “all things” (verse 10b)?

What drives predestination? Ephesians 1:9–10 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s own, internal pleasure drives predestination. 

We tend to focus upon ourselves when we think about God’s eternal purposes. And that is understandable, not because it is right, but because we are fleshly, and it is understandable that we would so sinfully think about things. The Lord, however, thinks upon us with amazing love and goodness and generosity, precisely by putting us in our proper place: under Christ and in Christ. 

In the previous verses, we read that He bent “all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8) upon redeeming us by Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7). Now in this passage, we read the heart and goal of that wisdom and prudence: to gather all of creation (signified by the “bookends” of “heaven and earth,” Ephesians 1:10) together, in one—in Christ.

This was that “mystery of His will” to which Ephesians 1:9 refers. In the New Testament, the word “mystery” generally means something that God has revealed in Christ and the gospel, that we would not have known in any other way. And what has God now revealed: that Christ redeeming us (and all creation with us) has always been at the center of God purposes.

These, of course, are eternal purposes. It is in Himself that He purposed them. And, this plan was “according to His good pleasure.” That is to say that in these purposes, God was not responding to hypothetical futures at all. His own, internal pleasure is what drives this. Pleasure to glorify Himself. Pleasure for that glory to be in His Son. Pleasure for His Son’s great display of glory to be as Redeemer. And now, God has sent as a Redeemer that Son unto His glory! These riches that He has poured out in love to purchase us are all, entirely, only because it pleased Him!

This is the true and biblical way to think about election and predestination. And it is a source of great wonder and worship, and love back to God, and peace and security in His redemption. What a doctrine! What a Redeemer! What a God! Hallelujah!

In what manner have you talked and thought about election and predestination? In what manner should we all?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how marvelous You are, in the glory of Your grace! How marvelous the display of that glory in Your Son! We rejoice to hear and think about Your pleasure. Please make it our pleasure to delight in what pleases You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”

Full Salvation or None At All [Children's Catechism 55—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 55—especially explaining how only those to whom God genuinely gives salvation will be saved.

Q54. Who will be saved? Only those who repent of sin, believe in Christ, and lead holy lives. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Salvation is a complete work of God that begins with repentance and faith in Christ, resulting in justification and adoption into His family, and culminates in full glorification and eternal fellowship with Him. The process of salvation is not partial but holistic, involving the ongoing production of holiness through divine discipline, as seen in Hebrews 12, where believers are called to pursue peace and holiness, for without holiness no one will see the Lord. Though believers are already children of God, as affirmed in 1 John 3, the full realization of their salvation—being made like Christ—remains future, and this hope compels them to purify themselves as Christ is pure. Thus, true salvation is evidenced by a life marked by repentance, faith, and holy living, not merely by religious activity or heritage. The final state of salvation is not merely forgiveness but transformation into Christ’s likeness, which only those who walk in obedience and holiness will attain.

The Great Day of YHWH [Family Worship lesson in Zephaniah 1:14–18]

What is the day of YHWH like? Zephaniah 1:14–18 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 the day of YHWH is coming fast, covenantally faithful, crushingly furious, and completely final. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The passage from Zephaniah 1:14–18 presents the Day of Yahweh as a sudden, covenantally faithful, and utterly final judgment, marked by divine fury, cosmic terror, and complete destruction. Though the people of Judah, even amid Josiah’s reforms, presumed the day was distant, the text warns that God’s wrath comes swiftly and without mercy, rendering wealth, strength, and human pride powerless. The imagery of darkness, trumpets, and blind men echoes Sinai and other covenants, underscoring God’s unwavering commitment to holiness, even when humanity fails. Yet this terrifying day is also transformed into a wonder through Christ, who bore the full fury of God’s wrath on the cross, making salvation final and complete for all who believe. The passage thus serves as both a sobering warning of impending judgment and a profound declaration of the gospel’s triumph, where Christ’s sacrifice fulfills divine justice and secures eternal redemption.

2026.05.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Zephaniah 1:14–18

Read Zephaniah 1:14–18

Questions from the Scripture text: What do Zephaniah 1:14a, verse 14b emphasize about the day of YHWH? What does the day sound like (verse 14c–d)? What is repeated at the beginning of each of the next six lines? What sort of day is it (Zephaniah 1:15-16)? What will the Lord do to men (Zephaniah 1:17a–b, d–e)? Why (verse 17c)? What cannot get you out of it (Zephaniah 1:18a–c)? Who will escape it (verse 18d–g)? 

What is the day of YHWH like? Zephaniah 1:14–18 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 the day of YHWH is coming fast, covenantally faithful, crushingly furious, and completely final.  

The day of YHWH is coming fast (Zephaniah 1:14a–b). Things seem to be getting better during the day of Josiah. And Judah has thus far escaped the fate of the northern kingdom. It did not seem like they were about to be destroyed. But they were! Jesus warns us that His return will come like a thief in the night. You need to be ready for it now, as you read this devotional. You must not put it off a moment longer. Just as with His judgment of Judah, the ultimate day of YHWH comes fast.

The day of YHWH is covenantally faithful (Zephaniah 1:15-16). We have already noted the allusion to the flood in Zephaniah 1:2, which established the covenant with Noah. And, YHWH making a sacrifice in Zephaniah 1:7 reminds us of the covenant with Abraham, via the prepared sacrifices, in Genesis 15:9–21. Now, the distress, darkness, gloominess, clouds, thick darkness, trumpet, and fire (Zephaniah 1:18e) all recall Sinai, and God’s covenanting with Israel under Moses (cf. Hebrews 12:18–21). The point is that, when the Lord comes in wrath, it is because He is faithful to Himself, to His character, to His glory, and to the covenant that He has declared and established with men. We may not be faithful, but He always will be (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12–13). 

The day of YHWH is crushingly furious (Zephaniah 1:17). Distress, in verse 17a, is at least the eighth synonym from this word family in the passage. And, the giving of blindness in verse 17 (cf. Deuteronomy 28:29) recalls the whole of the curses of that chapter. The blindness would come particularly true in 2 Kings 25:7. Do not take lightly the wrath of God. The furiousness of the punishment corresponds to the greatness of the sin—and the sin is against the glory of YHWH Himself (Zephaniah 1:17c, cf. Romans 1:18–23, Romans 3:23). Do not take lightly the fierceness of the day of YHWH, dear reader—whether as a warning against faking your way through spiritual things, or as a comfort about the vindicating of His justice and avenging of all wrong.

The day of YHWH is completely final (Zephaniah 1:18). Lastly, we see that neither is there any way of escape (verse 18a–c), nor is there any one who will escape (verse 18d–g). The language of devouring fire (cf. Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29), and of speedy riddance, conveys the utter finality of the day. This is especially true of the ultimate day of YHWH, to which the imminent destruction of Jerusalem was pointing. Do not let yourself think that you would be able to endure that wrath.

How have you dealt with the reality of YHWH’s coming wrath? Which of the lies, answered in this passage, do you most subtly tell yourself? In what ways does this passage comfort you? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You for Your faithfulness to Yourself. Truly, Your wrath is awesome—awful, in the fullest sense of that Word. How we thank You for pouring it out upon Christ for all Who believe in Him. Please give us to keep hating our sin, and keep trusting in Him, until we shall see Him in His great day, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH177 “Before Thee, God, Who Knowest All”

Power and Love to Tell About [Family Worship lesson in Mark 5:1–20]

Where does Jesus want us to go, and what does He want us to say? Mark 5:1–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus sends us to our home, and to our friends, to tell them what the Lord has done for us. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This passage reveals the absolute authority of Christ over demonic forces, as demonstrated by His power to cast out a legion of demons from a tormented man in the Gentile region of the Decapolis. Unlike His actions in Jewish territory, where He silenced demons and restricted public proclamation, here Jesus engages the demons directly, allows them to speak, and permits their expulsion into a herd of swine, resulting in their destruction—highlighting both their fear of Christ and His sovereign control. The healed man, now clothed and in his right mind, is commissioned to proclaim the gospel in his homeland, illustrating the universal scope of Christ’s redemptive mission and the call for believers to share their personal testimony of divine compassion and deliverance. The narrative underscores the dual reality of Christ’s power and grace, calling the church to live in confidence, gratitude, and bold witness, knowing that His salvation extends to all nations.