People of Unfailing Promises [Family Worship lesson in 1Chronicles 4:24–43]

What might be happening, when it looks like all is lost for the church? 1Chronicles 4:24–43 looks forward to 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, even when we see nothing promising in the church, the Lord may yet be doing much gracious work. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2026.04.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Chronicles 4:24–43

Read 1 Chronicles 4:24–43

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose genealogy do 1 Chronicles 4:24-27 trace? What do 1 Chronicles 4:28-33 record about them? What types of people (1 Chronicles 4:38) do 1 Chronicles 4:34-37 list? What have they enjoyed (1 Chronicles 4:39-40)? How did they come into possession of it (1 Chronicles 4:41-43)? What does the end of 1 Chronicles 4:43 note about this?

What might be happening, when it looks like all is lost for the church? 1 Chronicles 4:24–43 looks forward to 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, even when we see nothing promising in the church, the Lord may yet be doing much gracious work.  

It didn’t take long for Simeon to dissolve into the tribe of Judah (not even mentioned in Deuteronomy 33). They had become an example of what might happen with unfaithful branches of the visible church (cf. Genesis 49:5–7). But now, all of Judah and Israel had been unfaithful, and they are returning from exile in great weakness. What hope is there for God’s people when the church has so declined? By recounting God’s mercy to Simeon, this passage encourages the church in all ages.

Genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4:24-27. The inclusion of Ishmaelites Mibsam and Mishma (1 Chronicles 4:25, vs. Numbers 26:12–14) is significant. Not only does Simeon still exist, but the Lord has used them to bring people from the nations into the people of God.

Geography in 1 Chronicles 4:28-33. These cities, from Joshua 15:26–32, had been lost to Judah. But their inclusion here means that the Lord may be restoring to Simeon their inheritance. He frequently reveals Himself as the God Who restores the years that the locus has eaten (cf. Joel 2:25). Who knows what the Lord might yet do in the reformation, revival, and restoration of parts of His church?

Leaders in 1 Chronicles 4:34-38. Even the forgotten tribe had leaders. This may be a significant encouragement for men in troubled times for the church. What the Lord might do for her in the future may bring future significance to what, otherwise, would seem like wasted generations of leadership. Making a lasting difference, ourselves, is an illusion. But, good leadership in the service of God, is never wasted in the economy of what He Himself is doing (cf. Ecclesiastes 11:1–6). 

Triumphs in 1 Chronicles 4:39-43 Although Simeon’s allotted cities had been absorbed into Judah, they had gone on to defeat some Amalekites (1 Chronicles 4:43) and Edomites (1 Chronicles 4:42) as late as the reign of Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 4:41). These lands had previously been cultivated by Hamites (1 Chronicles 4:40), making them ideal for their flocks (1 Chronicles 4:39-40). In God’s amazing mercy to Simeon, these particular families had not been subject to the exile. The conclusion to the section hints at this hidden blessing: “they have dwelt there to this day” (1 Chronicles 4:43). Do not underestimate the small triumphs that the Lord might give the “invisible” among His people. Small triumphs may come as a providence of great grace!

When things have gone ill with the visible church, we ought rightly to be grieved. Even the Lord Jesus was (cf. )! But, let us not be discouraged. Though parts of the church may be at a low ebb for generations, God’s gracious work is never interrupted.

How and why might you be tempted to be discouraged about what is happening in the church? What might the Lord yet do? How are you praying for this? How are you laboring unto this? How are you pursuing your calling, especially if it includes leadership, in a way that you hope God will employ in His great work in history? What seemingly small triumphs has His grace given you to enjoy?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have allowed grief over the church’s weakness or waywardness to turn to discouragement. We see how much you were still doing in Simeon, even when they seemed to have disappeared from the map of the visible church. Grant that we might joyfully fill the roles that you have given us in our homes and Christ’s church. And be pleased to use us in Your great work in the world, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP87 “The Lord’s Foundation” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation”

Too Weak and Too Wicked [2026.04.26 Evening Sermon in Nahum 3:8–13]

We cannot count on eluding or withstanding God's judgment, but must instead turn from our sin and trust in His grace.

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

From Christ, to Christ, through Christ [2026.04.26 Morning Sermon in Ephesians 1:1–2]

The triune God has devised salvation for His glory in His Son, and the giving and receiving of Scripture are part of that divine operation.

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

Sacraments, New and Old [2026.04.26 Sabbath School lesson in WCF 27.4–5 — Hopewell 101]

There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained. The sacraments of the old testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the new. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Truly Getting Out of Trouble [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 28:3–6]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our greatest trouble is ourselves, and our true hope for deliverance is God Himself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the moral and spiritual imperative to uphold integrity, especially in times of hardship, drawing from Proverbs 28:3–6 to contrast the destructive path of the poor who exploit others with the enduring value of walking in God’s law. It warns that compromising righteousness—whether out of desperation or self-justification—aligns one with wickedness and blinds the heart to true justice, which is only understood through seeking YHWH. True integrity, is infinitely superior to wealth gained through deceit or rebellion, because it is the fruit of His transforming grace. Genuine righteousness is not self-achieved but is a gift from God, so those who walk in His ways, even in poverty, are blessed both now and eternally. Ultimately, believers must reject self-reliance and worldly solutions, trusting instead in Christ’s righteousness as the only foundation for lasting freedom and true prosperity.

Profile of an Upright Man [Family Worship lesson in Job 1:1–5

Who is Job? Job 1:1–5 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Job is a man whose life shows that God’s grace really works. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The opening verses of Job present a portrait of genuine faith rooted in reverence for God and a deep hatred of evil. Despite his prosperity, Job feared God, sanctifying his family after their feasts and offering regular burnt sacrifices, demonstrating awareness of sin’s danger. His actions reveal a profound understanding that joy and abundance are not inherently opposed to godliness, but they demand vigilant spiritual stewardship to prevent the heart from drifting from God. The passage underscores that authentic religion is not merely outward righteousness but an inward posture of worship through Christ.

2026.04.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 1:1–5

Read Job 1:1–5

Questions from the Scripture text: Who was where (Job 1:1)? What sort of man was he? What did he do with God? What did he do with evil? Whom did God give him (Job 1:2)? What did he possess (Job 1:3)? What did these possessions make him? What would his sons do (Job 1:4)? When? With whom? What would Job do (Job 1:5)? When? In what manner? Why?

Who is Job? Job 1:1–5 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Job is a man whose life shows that God’s grace really works.

As we begin the book of Job, we are reminded that the gospel has been present in the world since the garden, the promise that there would be a seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head (cf. Gen 3:15), and that we are all descended from the gospel family, not only from Adam, but also from the family of Noah at the time of the flood. Thus, there is the promise of the God who conquers Satan and death through a promised Redeemer. As we move through the book of Job, we will discover that this was Job's hope. Even in our passage today, as he offers the burnt offering, we see that he is hoping in the promised Redeemer.

An upright man. God’s grace has made Job a blameless man with unimpeachable conduct and upright character. This is genuine, both because God Himself is the One Who says it, and because it is joined to true religion. There are men who appear to others to be blameless and upright, but they are not worshipers of God from the heart. They do not fear the Lord in constant interaction with Him throughout their life, day by day. But Job feared God. He maintained a continual heart conversation of worship toward God throughout his entire life. Job 1:1 also tells us that he shunned evil. He hated evil, and thus his religion was genuine. It was genuine spiritual life, produced by God’s grace, which resulted in blamelessness and uprightness in him.

This is very important for us to remember. He will spend much of the book defending himself against those who accused his blamelessness and uprightness of being merely appearances, and who were certain that there must be some secret sin for which Job was being punished. Yet the Lord presents him, from the very beginning, as an example of what genuine heart religion looks like when expressed in life.

A wealthy man. He was a very wealthy man, not only because of the possessions and servants mentioned in Job 1:3, but especially because of his children—seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2). And these children were also godly. Their feasting was of the sort to which they could invite their sisters (Job 1:4), and so upright that the stated purpose of the sacrifice was just in case something in their heart life was inconsistent with their outward, godly conduct (Job 1:5).

A spiritually wise man. Job knew—and we too should know, if we wish to fear God and shun evil as this blameless and upright man did—that there is a particular danger of forgetting God precisely when we are wealthy, when we are feasting, and when we are celebrating. It is not that feasting is wrong, but that feasting can become an occasion for indulging in worldliness and neglecting the Lord.

Job waited for each son’s feast to end. Apparently, they followed a regular sequence, with each son hosting in turn. First, Job would send and sanctify them. He was a man who had trained his extended family well in spiritual matters, ensuring they did not approach the worship of God without thought or preparation—by meditating on what God has revealed of Himself, by putting their affairs in order so that they might not be distracted during worship, by reflection: on what they need to repent of, on God’s grace, on the promised salvation, and on how love, obedience, and service to God should appear in their lives. We did not grow up in Job’s house, but we would do well to learn from him to sanctify ourselves for worship.

With the family consecrated, he would rise early in the morning and offer the ascension (“burnt offering”) according to the number of them all. He would lead them all in worship to God, teaching them that whenever we come to God through sacrifice, and especially we who come not through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the promised sacrifice of the serpent-crusher (what would be the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!). This sobering reality reminds us of the seriousness of sin and reveals God’s goodness, kindness, and grace. His goodness to us in Christ is the great incentive to love, obedience, and righteousness in our lives. Genuine worship, coming through Christ, is the best means of helping us live in the fear of the Lord.

This spiritual provision was much more of an inheritance and a heritage for his children than 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, and so on. The children are about to lose all of these things, and their very lives, but they will still have the Redeemer.

Job himself is a testimony that God's grace to sinful man has been effective and successful. This will be the great theme, not just of the contest with Satan that we are going to hear about in the following passages, but of the whole book as Job agonizes. Is God's grace real? Am I really forgiven? Am I really redeemed? Or is God treating me as an enemy? And what we discover in the book as a whole is that this is how God treats His friends in this world—with a view to the next.

How do you watch against the spiritual dangers of prosperity? How do you consecrate yourself for worship?

Sample prayer: Lord, we see here how great Your grace was to this very rich man, and we ask that You would be gracious to us too. Make us spiritually genuine, fearing You and hating evil. Make us spiritually wise, aware of those occasions and circumstances that are a danger to our soul. And make us quick to come to You through Christ, preparing ourselves for Your worship and worshiping You through Him, we ask in His name. Amen!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord”

Safely Content and Diligent in Our Place [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 27:8]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the best place to be is to be content and diligent in the place God has assigned to us. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the biblical warning from Proverbs 27:8 that a person who wanders from their appointed place is like a bird forsaking its nest—endangered by his misalignment with divine design. Departing from God-given assignments through discontentment, pride, or covetousness leads to spiritual peril. Rather than viewing these roles as burdens, the message calls for contentment and joy in faithful service, recognizing that true safety and fulfillment are found not in shifting roles but in abiding in God Himself. The ultimate 'place' is not a location, but a relationship with God, Who is our refuge and dwelling. The devotional concludes with a prayer for grace to remain steadfast in the life and calling God has provided, rejecting all temptations to wander.

Right with God through Christ's Redemption [Children's Catechism 50—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 50—especially explaining how God makes sinners right with Himself.

Q50. What is justification? It is God's forgiving sinners, and treating them as if they had never sinned. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Justification is God's act of declaring sinners righteous solely by His grace, through faith in Christ, not by any works of the law. It arises from the recognition that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, making a divine payment necessary for the offense against His infinite worth. Christ, as the propitiation through His blood, fully bore God's wrath and satisfied divine justice, enabling God to forgive sins and treat believers not merely as if they had never sinned, but according to the perfect righteousness of Christ. Even in final glorification, believers remain justified not by their own righteousness, but solely by Christ's, Who is their own by faith.