A Covenant That Can Only Kill [Children's Catechism 41—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 41—especially explaining how the Covenant of Works can only kill us; for salvation, we need Christ, and His Covenant of Grace.

Q41. Can any one be saved through the covenant of works? None can be saved through the covenant of works. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The lesson affirms that no one can be saved through the covenant of works, as all humanity has already failed it through Adam’s disobedience, resulting in universal sin and death. It emphasizes that salvation cannot be earned by human effort, even when the Holy Spirit produces good works, because justification is only through a second covenant head—Jesus Christ—in Whom God establishes the covenant of grace. Scripture, particularly Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 15, and Genesis 3, underscores that redemption cannot come through the Covenant of Works.

Incomparable Glory, Invincible Grace [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 21:30–31]

From where does the salvation of the righteous come? Proverbs 21:30–31 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the salvation of the righteous comes from their incomparable, invincible God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the sovereign supremacy of YHWH, emphasizing that no wisdom, understanding, or counsel can prevail against His will. Pastor underscores that the righteous find unshakable confidence not in their own strength, but in the God, Who works all things according to the counsel of His will (cf. Eph 1:11). This truth establishes the certainty of both the demise of the wicked and the deliverance of the righteous.

2026.02.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 21:30–31

Read Proverbs 21:30–31

Questions from the Scripture text: What three things cannot stand (Proverbs 21:30)? Against Whom? What is prepared for the day of battle (Proverbs 21:31a)? But from where does deliverance come (verse 31b)?  

From where does the salvation of the righteous come? Proverbs 21:30–31 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the salvation of the righteous comes from their incomparable, invincible God.  

These verses bring chapter 21 to a conclusion, mirroring the opening bookend (cf. Proverbs 21:1-3).  The entire chapter has been about the difference that living before the face of YHWH, and having to answer to YHWH, makes between the righteous and the wicked. But it is at the bookends that YHWH Himself is named. And, that is the emphasis in Proverbs 21:30.

In the original, the poetry is very staccato, back and forth. No! Wisdom! No! Understanding! No! Counsel! If you’ve ever been at a rally, and heard the leader and the crowd going back and forth antiphonally, you get a sense of the rhythm here. So, when you get to the fourth “No!,” but are surprised with “for against” (i.e., “can be” against), it sets up a dramatic climax, which is filled by the divine “name YHWH!” So, there is a crescendo to a climax to His incomparable glory, in His unassailable invincibility.

Then, Proverbs 21:31 provides us with something of a dénouement: the place where this climactically great God makes His greatness to have its impact: in saving His people. Any king—especially Solomon, who accumulated them, and established a trade in them between east and west—who had “horse superiority” could assure himself of victory against another kingdom. But, here is a superiority that guarantees victory not just to kingdoms, but in everything: to have this glorious YHWH (Proverbs 21:30) as your preparation for life, death, and eternity (Proverbs 21:31).

The more you adore, Christian reader, the more confident and hope you will have in the face of anything and everything. The greater you know the Lord’s glory to be, the greater an asset you will know His grace to be in your life. So adore, and honor, and serve, and obey… and rejoice with confident hope!

What place does adoration of God have in your heart and life? How do you know that you have Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for teaching us about Your incomparable glory. We praise You, our great and glorious God! And, thank You for giving Yourself to be ours, and for teaching us that this is so. Make us confident that deliverance is from You, for us, in life and death and eternity, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH148B “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” 

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Sovereign Providence in Salvation [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:55–66]

Whom does the Lord use to prepare and assure of His resurrection? Matthew 27:55–66 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord uses faithful but unheralded servants, and even the most earnest efforts of His enemies, to prepare His resurrection and assure us of it.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This passage reveals God’s sovereign providence in orchestrating even the most unlikely individuals and adversarial actions to confirm the resurrection of Christ. Though overlooked by society—such as the faithful women who ministered to Jesus and the otherwise unknown Joseph of Arimathea—God uses them to fulfill His redemptive purposes, demonstrating that true significance lies not in public recognition but in faithful service. Even the chief priests and Pharisees, seeking to prevent claims of resurrection by securing the tomb with a guard and seal, inadvertently strengthen historical confidence about its reality, leaving only one possible explanation of the empty tomb. The passage calls believers to humility, diligence, and contentment, trusting God to glorify His Name.

2026.02.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:55–66

Read Matthew 27:55–66

Questions from the Scripture text: How many women were there (Matthew 27:55)? How did they get there? What had they been doing all that time? What were they doing now? Which ones were specifically mentioned (Matthew 27:56)? Who came at what time (Matthew 27:57)? What had he become? To whom did he go (Matthew 27:58)? For what did he ask? What did Pilate command? What did Joseph first do with the body? Where did he lay it (Matthew 27:60)? What did he do to the tomb? Who was there, doing what (Matthew 27:61)? Who came, on what day, to whom (Matthew 27:62)? What did they remember He had said (Matthew 27:63)? What did they ask Pilate to do (Matthew 27:64)? Lets what should occur? How did Pilate respond (Matthew 27:65)? And what did the chief priests and Pharisees do (Matthew 27:66)? 

Whom does the Lord use to prepare and assure of His resurrection? Matthew 27:55–66 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord uses faithful but unheralded servants, and even the most earnest efforts of His enemies, to prepare His resurrection and assure us of it.

In this passage, we learn, in an offhand comment, of a cohort of women who have been serving Christ (Matthew 27:55). And, we hear of Joseph of Arimathea for the first and last time. Both are courageous and steady and faithful. His service is very straightforward: take the body, wrap it, inter it, secure it, leave. Such humble, unheralded service may be used much by the Lord. Also, the collaboration of Pilate and the Jewish leaders is used by God. They thought that resurrection was impossible, and labored to prevent the claim of it. But, they made it so that only genuine resurrection could succeed, thus assuring that this is what happened. Behold the sovereignty of your God in all things, but especially in preparing for, and assuring us of, the historicity of Christ’s resurrection!

What unheralded service has the Lord given you to do? How are you doing it with steady courage and faithfulness?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for how You use courages, steady faithfulness of unheralded saints. And thank You for assuring us of Christ’s resurrection. Give us to be courageous and faithful, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP30 “O LORD, I Will Exalt You” or TPH16A “Preserve Me, O My God” 

Seeking the Lord, Finding Life [2026.02.18 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 21:20–29]

The spiritual life of the righteous, and deadness of the wicked anticipate their opposite ends

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

The Altogether Loveliness of Christ [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 5:9–16]

Why does the bride desire Christ? Song of Songs 5:9–16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the bride desires Christ because He is altogether lovely. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional presents a rich portrait of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine beauty, purity, and relational intimacy as the Beloved and Friend of the church. Central to the message is the call for believers—especially those in spiritual slumber—to rediscover and deeply cherish Christ’s full glory, not merely as a doctrinal truth but as a living, personal reality. Through vivid imagery—His white and ruddy complexion, golden head, dove-like eyes, fragrant countenance, and majestic works—the passage reveals Christ as supremely pure, vigorous, gentle, and majestic, worthy of wholehearted devotion. The church’s revival is portrayed as a return to this intimate knowledge of Christ, fueled by the Spirit and nourished by Scripture. Ultimately, the devotional affirms that Christ is not only the object of our affection but also the source of our transformation, and that knowing Him as 'altogether lovely' is the essence of eternal life.

2026.02.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 5:9–16

Read Song of Songs 5:9–16

Questions from the Scripture text: What do the Daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride (Song of Songs 5:9a–c)? How do they clarify the question (verse 9d–e)? In response to what (verse 9f)? What does she say about His appearance (Song of Songs 5:10a)? And His uniqueness (verse 10b)? What does she say about His head (Song of Songs 5:11a)? And His hair (verse 11b–c)? And His eyes (Song of Songs 5:12)? And His cheeks (Song of Songs 5:13a–b)? And His lips (verse 13c–d)? And His hands (Song of Songs 5:14a–b)? And His body (verse 14c–d)? And His legs (Song of Songs 5:15a–b)? And His face (verse 15c–d)? And His mouth (Song of Songs 5:16a)? In what three ways does she summarize (verse 16b–d)? Unto whom (verse 16e)?

Why does the bride desire Christ? Song of Songs 5:9–16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the bride desires Christ because He is altogether lovely. 

The bride has asked the daughters of Jerusalem to pray for her (Song of Songs 5:8), but they serve her in an additional way: they ask her about the Bridegroom. She has failed to enjoy Him, because she was consumed with herself, rather than with Him (cf. Song of Songs 5:3). But now, she is put to it to describe Him. It will always do much good to the church, when she focuses upon the glories of her Lord Jesus Christ. It is especially when the believer has learned from Christ to take His view of the church (Song of Songs 5:9, cf. Song of Songs 1:8), that he is prepared to learn from the church a proper view of Christ. The rest of the passage has the flavor of Psalm 45:1–9, “overflowing with a good theme.” He is pure (“white,” Song of Songs 5:10a) and full of life (“ruddy,” Song of Songs 5:10a). As the greatest head there is (verse 10b), His authority exceeds all others in value (“gold,” Song of Songs 5:11a) and vigor that does not decline (full, dark hair, verse 11b–c). His eyes (Song of Songs 5:12), themselves being doves, indicate the gentleness of Christ, which is ever fresh (“by rivers of waters,” verse 12b), comforting (“washed with milk,” verse 12c), and properly dignified (“fitly set,” verse 12d). The fellowship of His face is so delightful that just a fragment of it (“cheeks”) is like beds and banks of spices and flowers (Song of Songs 5:13a–b). It is especially His lips, by which the bride hears His Words and knows His kisses, that flow with abundance of myrrh (verse 13c–d). There is no end to the sweetness of His anointing that flows to her from His lips. His works (“hands,” Song of Songs 5:14a–b), strength and beauty (“body,” verse 14c–d), and ways (“legs,” Song of Songs 5:15a–b) exceed all men in dignity and royalty.  Finally, the fellowship enjoyed now in His full face (“countenance,” verse 15c, not just cheeks) and mouth (Song of Songs 5:16a) take all that He is and bring them near to His bride in incomparably sweet, intimate fellowship. To conclude, every aspect of His is lovely (verse 16b), but even above this is that He has made Himself her Beloved Husband (verse 16c) and Companion (verse 16d). Let all believers learn from the church to make their soul’s great boast in the glory of the Lord Jesus!

What glory of Christ has meant the most to you? What glory should mean more? Whom do you tell of His glory?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are the chief of ten thousand, the fairest of all, and altogether lovely. Forgive us for when we have lost the sense of the greatness of Your glory. Restore to us a true perception of Christ, and make us those who tell His praise to others, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45A “My Heart Is Greatly Stirred” or TPH282 “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”

Living in the Knowledge of God [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 19:2–3]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us to walk straight in the knowledge of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Living in the knowledge of God is the foundation of true understanding and righteous living, as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we forget God, our path becomes twisted. Without continual remembrance of Him, the heart loses the joy, strength, and direction that come from walking in dependence, delight, and devotion to Him.