Giving Him What He Loves [2026.04.19 Evening Sermon in Song of Songs 8:13–14]

The true friends of Christ long to hear the voice of His bride. The true bride of Christ gladly gives Him His desire: praise, prayer, and preaching with a voice that is shaped by His. And, the sum of her desire is that He would come quickly for His fruit.

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Delivered by Wrath [2026.04.19 Morning Sermon in Nahum 3:1–7]

The Lord will so completely answer the deceit and destruction of the wicked that there will be no wicked left at the last.

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How Sacraments Work [2026.04.19 Sabbath School lesson in WCF 27.3—Hopewell 101]

WCF 27.3 The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it: but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Strength of Wisdom [2026.04.15 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 24:3–12]

For the priorities the Lord gives us, the Lord Himself must be our strength.

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What God Does for the Elect in His Son [Children's Catechism 49—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 49—especially explaining how God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified His elect people in His Son.

Q49. What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace? To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The lesson explores the Father's role in the covenant of grace as revealed in Scripture, particularly through the theological framework of Romans 8, where the Father is portrayed as the sovereign architect of salvation—foreknowing, predestining, calling, justifying, and glorifying believers. Justification, the Father's declaration of righteousness through Christ's atoning work, establishes the believer's right to heaven, while sanctification, the ongoing process of being made fit for heaven, is accomplished through the Spirit's work in the believer's life. The passage underscores the Trinitarian nature of redemption, with the Father's decree, the Son's obedience and sacrifice, and the Spirit's indwelling—all converging in the believer's ultimate glorification. The catechism's answer—justifying and sanctifying those for whom Christ should die—captures this divine orchestration, revealing the Father's eternal purpose to redeem a people through Christ and conform them to His image.

Christ's True Friends and Bride [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 8:13–14]

What is the ultimate desire of Christ in the Song? Song of Songs 8:13–14 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s ultimate desire, in the Song, is to hear His bride’s desire for His coming. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional concludes the Song of Songs with a powerful call to spiritual longing, portraying the Church as the bride eagerly awaiting her Bridegroom’s return, echoing the final cry of Revelation: 'Come, Lord Jesus.' Central to this vision is the idea that the Church, no longer in the wilderness but dwelling in the gardens—plural, representing gathered congregations—is called to live in faithful anticipation, producing spiritual fragrance through worship, prayer, and proclamation. The bride’s voice, empowered by Christ’s Spirit, is not merely her own but His, and her worship, discipleship, and evangelism are acts that hasten His coming. The age between Christ’s first and second advent is not a time of despair but of divine purpose, where trials and labor are transformed into 'mountains of spices'—obstacles that yield fragrance as the Bride is sanctified and perfected. The true companions of Christ, those indwelt by His Spirit, are drawn to the assembly not for mere ritual but to hear the Bride’s voice, which is the voice of Christ Himself, and to join in the holy discontent that longs for His return, reflecting the heart of the Bride and the mind of the Spirit.

2026.04.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 8:13–14

Read Song of Songs 8:13–14

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Song of Songs 8:13a call the bride? Who are listening for what (verse 13b)? Who else wants to hear it (verse 13c)? What does she ask Him to do (Song of Songs 8:14a)? What does she call Him? What does she ask Him to be like (verse 14b–c)? Leaping upon what (verse 14d)?

What is the ultimate desire of Christ in the Song? Song of Songs 8:13–14 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s ultimate desire, in the Song, is to hear His bride’s desire for His coming. 

How far the bride has come. She was in the wilderness, but as she leaned upon her Beloved (Song of Songs 8:13b), He brought her out of the wilderness (verse 13a). Now, she dwells in the gardens. He got her here. He gave her the moisture of life, instead of dryness and death. He planted the good seed of the Word in her. He brought forth her shoots and buds and blossoms and fruit. Now she is a garden of life. She is a living Eden, not with creaturely life, but with life that is from the Lord Himself, in union with Him. 

Note, also, that “gardens” is plural. The bride of Christ is found in particular congregations. This is where the bride dwells. 

What the companions do. So far, in the Song, the bride has referred to the members of the church as the “daughters of Jerusalem,” and the Bridegroom has referred to them as “friends and beloved” (cf. Song of Songs 5:1). Now, Song of Songs 8:13b calls them “the companions.” This gives us an opportunity to examine ourselves as companions. Do we listen for the bride’s voice? The Lord speaks through her. The Lord declares God’s Name to His brethren; in the midst of the assembly the Lord sings God’s praise (cf. Hebrews 2:12). It’s His voice that we are to hear in the church’s voice. True companions love the assemblies, the gardens, for the voice that they hear there. And the Lord uses that voice give them faith (cf. Romans 10:17), to save them (cf. James 1:21), to make them holy (cf. John 17:17), and to furnish them for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17). When Christ’s Spirit makes someone a true companion, they don’t forsake the assembling together; they desire to hear the bride’s Christ-given voice.

What the Companion desires. A true companion wants to hear the bride’s voice, but this is not the church’s highest motivation for preaching and prayer and reading and singing God’s Word in worship. The Bridegroom Himself desires to hear her voice (Song of Songs 8:13c). How glorious it is that we have opportunity to give Christ what He loves. We have seen, throughout the Song, that He loves the fruit that is produced upon believers in the church. And we have seen that, among that fruit, He loves what is on the lips of His bride and from the mouth of the bride. Now, we hear His loving request, His loving command: “Let me hear it!” Every opportunity that we have to participate in the corporate worship of the church is an opportunity to give the Lord Jesus what He desires.

What the bride desires. He loves to hear her voice, and she immediately gives Him what He wants: she speaks/prays/sings. The situation of the bride in Song of Songs 8:14 is the situation of the bride in this world, between the two comings of Christ: belonging to Him but with some distance between them for a time. The whole of Scripture ends with the bride praying for Him to come, and Him assuring her that He is already coming quickly (cf. Revelation 22:17–20). So, also the Song concludes with her pleading that He would come quickly.

The mountains are no longer mountains of separation (cf. Song of Songs 2:17). His coming quickly is upon mountains of spices, the fragrant fruit of His work in the church. Quickly, He saves all of His elect and prepares them for glory. He hastens His return. And the bride who longs for that return loves to participate in that work. She is zealous and diligent for evangelism and discipleship, which hasten (instrumentally speaking) the coming of the Lord Jesus. A congregation that doesn’t prioritize this, or a professing believer who doesn’t participate in it, is not reflecting the mind of the true bride.

How does it show, in your heart and your habits, that you love to hear the voice of the bride? How does it appear that you want to give Christ the congregational worship that He desires. How much do you desire Christ’s coming? How are you expressing this desire? How are you pursuing it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You that Your bride, in this world, dwells in the gardens that are congregations of the life of Christ, the beauty of Christ, and the fruit of Christ. Give us to be such a garden. Your companions gather to hear the bride’s voice, so give this congregation voice. Come, and declare God’s Name to Your brethren; in the midst of the assembly, sing God’s praise. And take pleasure, Lord Jesus, in the voice of Your bride as she worships You. Delight in her praying, reading, singing, and preaching Your Word. Even so, use her worship, discipleship, and evangelism to gather in all of those whom You have loved with saving love, from all eternity. And thus, come quickly, Lord Jesus, we ask in Your own Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord” 

Living in Light of the End [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 24:13–22]

What must we always remember? Proverbs 24:13–22 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must always remember our latter end. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This passage calls believers to live with eternal perspective, embracing God's good gifts—like honey and wisdom—in joyful stewardship, knowing that true fulfillment is found in Christ and leads to an unshakable hope. It warns against vengeful, fretting, or envious attitudes toward the wicked, reminding that God's justice will ultimately expose their fleeting prosperity and extinguish their lamp, while the righteous, though they may fall, will rise again through faith in Christ. The call to fear both God and Christ, the true King, underscores the importance of aligning one's life with unchanging divine authority rather than fleeting human alliances.

2026.04.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 24:13–22

Read Proverbs 24:13–22

Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 24:13 address the reader? What does it say to do? Why? What else should be good and sweet (Proverbs 24:14a)? To what? What does finding wisdom give you (verse 14b)? What will not happen, then (verse 14c)? Whom does Proverbs 24:15 address? What two things does it forbid doing to whom? Why—what will always happen to the righteous man (Proverbs 24:16a–b)? What will ultimately happen to the wicked (verse 16c)? What mustn’t we do, when (Proverbs 24:17)? Why—who will see it (Proverbs 24:18a)? And consider it what? And respond how (verse 18b)? What else mustn’t we do, when (Proverbs 24:19a)? And what else (verse 19b)? Why—what don’t they have (Proverbs 24:20a)? What will ultimately happen with them (verse 20b)? How does Proverbs 24:21a address the reader? Whom does it say to fear? But not to do what with whom (verse 21b)? Why—what will happen with them (Proverbs 24:22a)? What is the implied answer to the rhetorical question in verse 22b)? 

What must we always remember? Proverbs 24:13–22 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must always remember our latter end.

These are the last five of the thirty sayings of the wise, beginning in Proverbs 22:20. And in the first section, we had been taught to especially remember that we are before the Lord, and to note before whom else we stand. Now in Proverbs 24:13–22, the thirty sayings close by teaching us always to remember the latter end. And so, in these last five sayings, we are told to enjoy and employ whatever God gives us in this life, remembering that He will call us into judgment (cf. Ecclesiastes 11:9). So Proverbs 24:13-14 (saying #26) teach us to use honey and wisdom in that way. God made honey good, made it to be enjoyed. The same is true with His wisdom. He has made knowledge of Him and of His Word good for you. And He has made learning from Him sweet to His saints and good for them, giving them an unfailing hope (Proverbs 24:14c) for their hereafter (verse 14b). So if you are hoping in God to be good to you forever, hope in God to be good to you now, and enjoy what He has given you now—especially His word. Because it is by His word that He gives you faith in Jesus, by Whom you have a hope that cannot be cut off. 

The second saying (Proverbs 24:15-16, #27) reminds us that the wicked should tremble to attack the righteous, but the righteous need not be afraid. The righteous man may fall seven times (implying “completely,” Proverbs 24:16a), but his latter end is one of rising (verse 16b). And however much the wicked seem to prevail, their latter end is one of calamitous falling (verse 16c). There is coming a day when they will sink deeper than the grave into hell itself. If the wicked could have wisdom, they would know that attacking the righteous is self-defeating. But the righteous can have that wisdom, and they should remember their latter ends.

But let not the righteous exult over the stumblings of the wicked (Proverbs 24:17-18, #28). God, Who is preparing the righteous for glory, will not suffer them to persist in an envious or vindictive heart. If it is necessary for the sanctification of the righteous, He will give the wicked a temporary reprieve. 

There are two more things (Proverbs 24:19-20, #29) that remembering the wicked’s end ought to keep the righteous from doing with them: fretting over them (Proverbs 24:19a) or envying them (verse 19b). Remember that they will have no hereafter (Proverbs 24:20a), that they will suffer the second death (verse 20b). There is no reason to fret, for they will not prevail. And there is no reason to envy them; you want your end, not theirs (cf. Psalm 73:17–24).

Finally, remember that at the last, you will stand before Him Who sits upon the throne (God) and the Lamb (the King of kings). Whoever your king is in your nation, he is a lesser magistrate in the chain of command up to Jesus (cf. cf. Romans 13:1–7; Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:2–3, Hebrews 1:13; Matthew 28:18; Psalm 2).  So, fear YHWH and the King, for they are forever (Proverbs 24:21-22, #30). Those given to change, and the changes to which they are subject, can both bring sudden ruin (Proverbs 24:22). So, cling to God and Christ tightly, serving them in this world and holding loosely to the things of it (Proverbs 24:21-22, #30, cf. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31). 

Put your hope in Christ, and throw your lot in with Him. The one who belongs to God in Christ will never be ruined, because he will be blessed in Christ, with Christ, by God, with God, forever. So live as someone who remembers your end; and, by faith in Christ, live as someone who has a joyful present now, because you are living in the certainty of your eternal life in Jesus Christ.

What is the latter end of the wicked? Why? What is the latter end of the righteous? Why? How does this change how the righteous live now? Which of these is your own end? Why? Who are the wicked, against the exulting over of whom, the fretting over of whom, and the envying of whom, you must watch? 

Sample prayer: Lord, You know how hard it is for us to be mindful of eternal things when we are so tied to the moments of time in the present. Grant the help of your Spirit, that we would always live in remembrance of our latter end, and of our being before You. So please help us, Lord, in the weakness of our minds and affections; strengthen us by Christ and by His truth, for we ask it in His Name, Amen!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”

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