God the Son Is Himself the Sign [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 12:38–50]

What sign does Jesus give that we should believe Him? Matthew 12:38–50 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus’s resurrection proves His Word about Himself, and about everything else. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 12:38–50

Read Matthew 12:38–50

Questions from the Scripture text: Who ask for what in Matthew 12:38? What does Jesus say their request says about them (Matthew 12:39)? How many signs will they receive? Which one? How was Jonah himself a sign, and how will Jesus Himself be this sign (Matthew 12:40, cf. Romans 1:4)? What will the Ninevites do, when (Matthew 12:41)? What had they done? Who else will condemn them (Matthew 12:42)? How (cf. Matthew 12:6)? How do Matthew 12:43-45 condemn the Pharisaical idea that they could be free from the devil without being mastered by Christ? Who come, desiring what, in Matthew 12:46-47? Whom does Jesus identify as closer to Him than biological family ties (Matthew 12:48-50)? 

What sign does Jesus give that we should believe Him? Matthew 12:38–50 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus’s resurrection proves His Word about Himself, and about everything else.  

Either you recognize Jesus as God, and rest in Him as your only hope of being forgiven every sin and blasphemy (cf. Matthew 12:31), or you will be condemned for those sins (and, most of all, for rejecting Christ!) for all eternity (cf. Matthew 12:32). Rather than yield to Christ, and come to Him for rest (cf. Matthew 11:28), these scribes and Pharisees ask for a sign (Matthew 12:38). Rightly does the Lord Jesus, Who has given such invitations, now condemn these men as evil and adulterous! 

But, notice that it was not just the scribes and Pharisees but the generation more generally that Jesus condemns as “evil and adulterous” (Matthew 12:39). Although many are enthusiastic about Him, He knows what is in their hearts (cf. John 2:24–25).

It’s amazing that they would ask Jesus for a sign. How very many signs He had performed! In fact, it was their response to these signs that had instigated this particular conflict (cf. Matthew 12:22-24). But Jesus gave His apostles the ability to do such signs (cf. Matthew 10:1). The one thing that none of them could do was raise themselves from the dead—not just a resuscitation, but a transformed and glorious body. 

Jesus refers to this as the “sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 12:39), who had been three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish (Matthew 12:40), and was thus himself his own great sign to accompany his preaching in Nineveh (Matthew 12:41). How dreadful must be the noetic (upon the mind) effects of sin that, despite His historically sure resurrection, many do not repent. Truly, at the judgment, they will be condemned by comparison to Jonah’s Nineveh!

Indeed, we ought to come to Jesus to receive His Word not only about Himself, but about everything—much the same way the Queen of Sheba came to hear Solomon (Matthew 12:42). The idea that we could be liberated from bondage to the devil, without coming under the mastery of God in Christ, is a recipe for becoming more a slavery of sin than ever (Matthew 12:43-45)!

While He is still talking (Matthew 12:46), an illustration of the necessity of hearing and obeying Him presents itself. Who is closest to Jesus? The ones who spent the most years with Him? Whose womb carried him? Whose DNA He shared? No—those who have a new nature from Him, who obey His Father. This is how you know that you are close to Christ: when His own life and character are in you, and your relation to the Father participates in His.

Come to the Resurrected One, and receive His Word about both Himself and everything else!

What place does the resurrection have in your thoughts and mindset toward Christ? Whom do you believe Him to be? How do you receive His Word, and what do you do with it? How are you close to Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for declaring Yourself to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Grant that we would believe You to be God, Who became a Man to die for us. And grant that we would listen to You and obey You in all things, we ask in Your own Name, Lord Jesus, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP16B “I’ll Bless the LORD Who Counsels Me” or TPH16A “Preserve Me, O My God”

God's Faithfulness to the Next Generation [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 27:1–11]

How is the plight of the ladies Zelophehad central to the concerns of the book of Numbers? Numbers 27:1–11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is faithful to His promise to give the land to this generation.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 27:1–11

Read Numbers 27:1–11

Questions from the Scripture text: Who came in Numbers 27:1? Before whom (Numbers 27:2)? Where? What had happened (Numbers 27:3)? What didn’t their father have? What do they ask in Numbers 27:4? And what do they request? To Whom does Moses bring the case? Who spoke in Numbers 27:6? To whom? What does He say about the request of the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:7)? What is Moses to do? What is to pass to them? To whom is Moses to speak (Numbers 27:8)? Who receives inheritance if there are no sons? And who, if there are not even daughters (Numbers 27:9)? And who, if there are no brothers? And who if there are no uncles (Numbers 27:11)? How does verse 11 formalize this policy?

How is the plight of the ladies of Zelophehad central to the concerns of the book of Numbers? Numbers 27:1–11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is faithful to His promise to give the land to this generation.

This passage gives an order of priority of claim for inheritance: sons first, but if no sons then daughters (Numbers 27:8), and if no daughters then brothers (Numbers 27:9), and if no brothers then uncles (Numbers 27:10), and if no uncles then the nearest flesh to them (Numbers 27:11). There is a high value placed upon preserving a man’s name and possession (Numbers 27:4, Numbers 27:7). This theme will be picked up again in chapter 36.

But Numbers 27:3 clues us in to another concern that is more essential to this overall section of Numbers. The people of the first census have fallen in the wilderness. As the five daughters say, “Our father died in the wilderness […] he died in his own sin” (verse 3). His generation was judged for their unbelief (cf. Hebrews 3:16–19). But the book of Numbers is about how God was yet faithful to His promises and gracious to His people: raising an entirely new generation in their place, to whom He would give the land (cf. Numbers 14:31).  The daughters of Zelophehad “speak what is right” (Numbers 27:7) because they have come, in Numbers 27:1, to lay claim to what the Lord had promised a generation ago. 

Even when the consequences of our sin fall upon us, there is still hope in God’s grace for loved ones and descendants. He is faithful to His promises and gracious to His people! Perhaps you are descended from those who rightly brought God’s punishment or chastening upon themselves. Take comfort, dear sinner (and descendant of sinners), in the Lord. He is faithful to His promises and gracious to His people.

What hope do you have that you will be spiritually better off than your parents? That your children will be than you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how our sin has squandered opportunities for blessing for us and our children. Keep Your promises, and be gracious to us and our children, over-against what we deserve, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP78 “O Come, My People” or TPH222 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Triune Doxology and Dependence [Family Worship lesson in Jude 24–25]

Why should we glorify God? Jude v24–25 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should glorify God because He is glorious, and because He has determined especially to glorify Himself by bringing us to glory.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jude 24–25

Read Jude 24–25

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things is God able to do (Jude 24)? “Where” is He able to present us faultless? With how much joy? What is this God to us (Jude 25)? And what is He like? So, what four things are do unto Him? When?

Why should we glorify God? Jude 24–25 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should glorify God because He is glorious, and because He has determined especially to glorify Himself by bringing us to glory.

Throughout the little book of Jude, we have been warned about keeping company with the ungodly Who threaten our own walk with the Lord. But the conclusion turns from instructing us to praising God. Indeed, it is one of the great doxologies in all of Scripture. In our lives, dependence is joined to doxology. Dependence: it is God, Whose ability brings us safe, holy, and happy to glory (Jude 24)! He has been pleased to glorify Himself most of all in glorifying us. Doxology: when He has done this, then it will be displayed that all glory and majesty and dominion and power is His forever (Jude 25, cf. Revelation 5:12). But these aren’t just due to Him forever; they are due to Him, already, now! Indeed, giving Him the praise that He is rightfully due will itself condition our hearts and minds to contend for this faith once-delivered. So glorify Him!

When are you overwhelmed by God’s glory? How are you looking to? What is He doing? How are you responding?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for glorifying Yourself by leading us not into temptation, delivering us from evil, and displaying in us Your kingdom, power, and glory forever. Forgive us for taking sin lightly, and even taking Your glory lightly. As You have glorified Yourself in Your Son’s perfect righteousness and sacrifice, glorify Him by sanctifying us, in Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH381 “Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power” 

2024.11.20 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

November 20 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 5:15–23 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

Training to Repent in Our Pain [Family Worship lesson in Amos 5:1–17]

Why does the prophet lament? Amos 5:1–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the prophet laments over sin to teach sinners to lament over that sin, and to turn back to seeking the Lord and His good.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 5:1-17

Read Amos 5:1-17

Questions from the Scripture text: For the third chapter in a row, with what command does Amos 5:1 begin? Concerning whom? What sort of word is it this time? What has happened to her (Amos 5:2)? Who has determined this (Amos 5:3)? What has He said? What does He command them to do (Amos 5:4)? But where/how have they been doing this, that He now rebukes (Amos 5:5a–c)? What is He doing to this manmade worship (verse 5d–e)? By comparison, what does He say about divinely instituted worship (Amos 5:6a)? What might He do to their manmade worship (verse 6b–d, cf. Leviticus 10:1–2)? What had God offered them, and what did they do to it (Amos 5:7)? But what has God done (Amos 5:8-9)? Who is He (Amos 5:8f)? But how do Israel respond to the righteous (Amos 5:10, Amos 5:12c, Amos 5:13)? And to the poor (Amos 5:11a–b, Amos 5:12d)? What will God do to them (Amos 5:11c–f)? For what (Amos 5:12a–b)? What does the prophet urge them to do (Amos 5:14-15)? And what will God do? Who is speaking in Amos 5:16-17? Who will be lamenting, to what extent? Why (Amos 5:17b–c)?

Why does the prophet lament? Amos 5:1–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the prophet laments over sin to teach sinners to lament over that sin, and to turn back to seeking the Lord and His good.

Amos 5:1, Amos 5:16-17 bookend the passage with lament. The prophet calls for them to listen to his own lamentation (Amos 5:1); it’s a preview of lamentation that is going to come, because YHWH is going to judge them (Amos 5:16-17). He is literally going to decimate them (cut them down to a tenth, Amos 5:2-3). 

Why? They have sinned profoundly against the Lord (Amos 5:4-9) and against His people (Amos 5:10-13). They thought they were seeking the Lord by the manmade worship that they set up in Bethel and Gilgal (Amos 5:5), but the Lord’s command that they seek Him (Amos 5:4, Amos 5:6) makes it plain that He did not approve of or receive that worship. He threatens their worship with the same response as the manmade worship of Nadab and Abihu (Amos 5:6, cf. Leviticus 10:1–2). How can man come up with how to worship? It is YHWH Who created even the heavens (Amos 5:8a), Who rules in all providence (verse 8b–c), Who brought even the flood (verse 8d–e). 

But they have also sinned against His people—against the righteous, whom they rejected into silence (Amos 5:10, Amos 5:12c, Amos 5:13) and against the poor, whom they trampled for wealth (Amos 5:11a–b, Amos 5:12d). Just as God has commanded a repentance in which they truly seek Him, so also God has commanded a repentance in which they hate the evil that they have been seeking , and love good and seek it instead (Amos 5:14-15). Loving neighbor goes hand-in-hand with loving God and belonging to Him. 

The Lord announces this lament, with an offer of astounding grace to Israel: “So YHWH God of hosts will be with you […] YHWH God of hosts will be gracious.” Behold the grace of God to sinners! When we realize that manmade worship is evil, we must hate it. When we realize that refusing the correction of the just, or trampling upon the poor, is evil, we must hate it.  Behold the God Who is gracious to sinners, and seek Him and His good!

When have you lamented sin? What sin are you weakly resisting that you should be hating? What does God offer?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for all manmade worship, for all rejecting of righteous correction, and for all manipulating and taking advantage of others. Make us to hate it like You hate it, and make us to love You and what is good, in Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH440 “Come , Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched”

Baptized into Christ! [2024.11.17 Evening Sermon in Romans 6:1–11]

By His Spirit, Christ has baptized believers into Himself, so that they are dead to sin and death but alive unto God.

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