2025.04.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 142

Read Psalm 142

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of Psalm is this (superscript)? Whose Psalm is it? What was he doing, where? What does the psalmist do (Psalm 142:1)? To Whom? With what? What does he make? What is he doing with his complaint (Psalm 142:2)? What is he declaring? Before Whom? What was the condition of his spirit (Psalm 142:3a)? How did YHWH relate to him at that time (verse 3b–c)? What had his enemies done (verse 3d)? What does he ask YHWH to do in Psalm 142:4a? What won’t he see there (verse 4b–d)? To Whom did he look to fill that gap (Psalm 142:5)? In what manner (verse 5a)? What two things did he call him (verse 5b–c)? What does Psalm 142:6a ask the Lord to do? Why (verse 6b)? How does he ask the Lord to respond to his situation (verse 6c)? Why is he so needy of this (verse 6d)? What does he ask Him to do to his soul (Psalm 142:7a)? So that he may do what (verse 7b)? With whom (verse 7c)? As a result of the Lord’s doing what (verse 7d)?

How should we cry out to the Lord in distress and why? Psalm 142 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should cry out to the Lord honestly and openly in our distresses, with the purpose that His delivering us would be an occasion for giving Him great praise.  

David’s time in the cave was used of God to give us Scripture prayers (superscript, cf. Psalm 57 superscript) for times of great persecution and distress. 

Get emotional with God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David speaks very emotionally with the Lord. That is not to say that he speaks carelessly, and certainly not that we may ever do so. But he definitely speaks very intensely. He “cries out with his voice” (Psalm 142:1a). He “pours out his complaint” (Psalm 142:2a). He “declares his trouble” (verse 2b). His “spirit was overwhelmed” (Psalm 142:3a). He “cried out” (Psalm 142:5a). 

But it is not just that it is permissible to pour ourselves out to the Lord, but that we are encouraged that He responds to it: “attend to my cry, for I am brought very low.” The Lord God cares for His children’s cries of distress. Why would we hide our distress before the Lord? He sees and knows all. David highlights this by saying “before Him” twice in Psalm 142:2. We are already before Him. When your spirit is overwhelmed, the Lord already knows your path (Psalm 142:3b). Pour out your full, honest self to the Lord!

Find your refuge in Him. Whether we are surrounded by human helpers, or have no human helpers at all, the Lord Himself is still our refuge. Sometimes, He removes human helpers to remind us of this. The Lord had brought David to such a desperate circumstance that he had not a single help, not even a right-hand man (Psalm 142:4). Oh, dear reader, when you lack a right-hand man—and even when you do—how infinitely better it is to have a right-hand God! 

Purpose of praise. Psalm 142:7 takes a wonderful turn. David’s purpose in desiring deliverance is not merely that he may be free or comfortable. He is confident that the Lord will “deal bountifully” with him (verse 7d), and he is eager to bring Him praise (verse 7b) in the assembly of the righteous (verse 7c). Dear reader, may the Spirit grant to you so to desire the praise of God that it becomes your primary motivation, even in your most desperate situations and cries to Him!

In what situation might you ought to be more honestly and completely poured out to the Lord? In what situations are you resting upon others to the extent that you need to remember that God is actually the refuge at your right hand? In what situations are you so without helpers that you need the comfort of remembering that God is the refuge at your right hand? What motivations are competing in your heart against the motivation of God receiving praise?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we have cried out to You, knowing that You know our path and attend to our cry. You have been our refuge and our portion. And You have delivered our souls from prison so that we might praise Your Name in the assembly of the righteous. You have dealt bountifully with us all our life. Deal bountifully with us now, and receive our praise in Christ, we ask through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP142 “To You, O Lord, I Lift My Voice” or TPH142 “I Cry for Mercy to the Lord”

Explanation of What Hell Is [Children's Catechism 143—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 143—especially explaining how Hell is experiencing God’s glory against you as an enemy forever.

Q143. What is hell? A place of dreadful and endless torment. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Wise in Our Primary Callings [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 14:1–7]

What does true piety do? Proverbs 14:1–7 looks backward to the sermon in last week’s midweek meeting. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that true piety serves the Lord in the primary callings that He has given. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.04.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 14:1–7

Proverbs 14:1–7

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the wise woman do (Proverbs 14:1a)? What does the foolish woman do (verse 1b)? How does relation to the Lord show up in our walking (Proverbs 14:2)? What is in the mouth of the fool (Proverbs 14:3a)? What will preserve the wise (verse 3b)? How does one get a clean trough (Proverbs 14:4a)? Why is this a bad idea (verse 4b)? What causes a witness not to lie (Proverbs 14:5a)? And what causes one to utter lies (verse 5b)? Who produces no wisdom (Proverbs 14:6a)? Who provides it easily (verse 6b)? Whose company should we shun (Proverbs 14:7)?  

What does true piety do? Proverbs 14:1–7 looks backward to the sermon in last week’s midweek meeting. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that true piety serves the Lord in the primary callings that He has given.  

Since the beginning of chapter 10, we have heard the Spirit-borne writer addressing together the themes of wise words, wise work, and wise service of one’s household/generations. This little section at the beginning of chapter 14 continues to do the same. It has a chiastic structure. Many of the sections that we have considered do so, but we have only mentioned the inclusio of the outer verses, sometimes calling them “bookends.” In chiasm, each step in from the bookends has a similarity with its counterpart from the other bookend, until either the core idea or the pivot idea, is in the middle. So, in our passage, Proverbs 14:1-2 matches Proverbs 14:6-7, Proverbs 14:3 matches Proverbs 14:5, and Proverbs 14:4 is the pivot.

Proverbs 14:1-2, Proverbs 14:6-7. Embrace the wise; flee the fool. Nowhere is this more important than marriage. In Proverbs 9:1, wisdom was pictured as a woman who builds her house. A man who is looking for a wife, with whom to build a household, must look for a wise one, lest his co-laborer become sole destroyer (Proverbs 14:1). True piety, fearing the Lord, impacts the way one goes practically: either straight (Proverbs 14:2a), or crooked (verse 2b). So, we must flee the presence of a fool (Proverbs 14:7), who is unable to provide us with wisdom (Proverbs 14:6)—and all the more so, the foolish wife. How very important it is that we be intentional about our companions! And let us establish this skill well in advance of when it comes time to select a life-companion.

Proverbs 14:3, Proverbs 14:5. Destructive speech, or protective speech, overflows from one’s character. The fool deludedly thinks that his proud words build him up, but the very arrogance of his words is a rod to beat him (Proverbs 14:3a). It is the words of the wise that protect him (verse 3b). The wise one of verse 3b is the honest one of Proverbs 14:5a; his preservative truth is an expression of his honest character. But the fool of Proverbs 14:3a is the false one of Proverbs 14:5b; his destructive lies proceed from an ingrained falseness. If we are given to lying, let us beware not only the destruction that we inflict, but the corruption with which we are filled.

Proverbs 14:4. Productive wisdom prioritizes primary callings. Proverbs 14:4 has been a great encouragement to many a mother and housewife. There is something far more important than keeping a tidy home. Our primary task is not to be careful and sanitize but to be fruitful and multiply. Cleanliness may be good stewardship, but it is not an end in itself, and it is not a primary calling. This connects strongly to all three themes, which touch very closely upon our primary callings. God has made Himself known by His Word, and speaking with wisdom is a significant part of imaging Him. God has revealed Himself also in His works of creation and providence, and He makes our working a significant part of imaging Him—this is why we prioritize having an ox over having a pristine feed box. And God has called us to be fruitful and multiply, which urges upon us the necessity of prioritizing a godly wife. 

How intentional are you about your relationships/companions? What is the connection, in your life, between your interaction with the Lord, and the straightness of your way of living? What do your words show about your character? What are your words doing to yourself and others? What would be emphasized more, and less, in your life by prioritizing your primary calling?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for creating us to multiply, speak, and work in Your image. Have mercy upon us, for we see how we have been crooked in our ways in every area, and our sins go over our heads. But You are near to the broken hearted, and You not only forgive our sin, and cleanse from unrighteousness, but even work in us to will and to work according to Your good pleasure. Grant that Your Spirit would conform us to Christ to such an extent that He would be glorified by the godliness of those who are in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your  Ear” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”

2025.04.27 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, 3p)

Click below for the:

April 27 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Matthew 18:6–11 sermon outline

3p song selections & Matthew 28:16–20 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.

Making Much of Jesus Together [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 18:6–11]

What does treating Jesus as great look like in the church? Matthew 18:6–11 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that treating Jesus as great means refusing to encourage others’ sin and declaring war on our own. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.04.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 18:6–11

Read Matthew 18:6–11

Questions from the Scripture text: What might someone do to one of Jesus’s little ones (Matthew 18:6)? Little ones who do what? What would be better for the one who does this? Upon what does Matthew 18:7 pronounce woe? Because of what? What must come? Upon whom else does verse 7 pronounce woe? What does v8 imagine causing you to stumble? What should you do to that hand or foot? Why? What does Matthew 18:9 imagine causing you to stumble? What should you do to that eye? Why? To the consideration of whom does Matthew 18:10 return? What must they see to it that they do not do to them? Whom do they have where? And what do those angels always see? Who has come to save little ones (Matthew 18:11)? What sort, specifically?

What does treating Jesus as great look like in the church? Matthew 18:6–11 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that treating Jesus as great means refusing to encourage others’ sin and declaring war on our own.  

Help other little ones treat Jesus as great, Matthew 18:6-7. Rather than focus upon being greater than others, we ought to be focused upon helping one another treat Jesus as great. Prideful jockeying for status in the church is exactly the opposite, and is  way of causing one another to stumble. Jesus denounces this in shocking terms in Matthew 18:6 and pronounces a solemn woe upon it in Matthew 18:7. The world, by which verse 7 means that which is hostile to Christ, would like nothing more than to cause believers to stumble. Jesus pronounces  woe upon it. But, if we cause one another to stumble, then we become just like the world in that regard, and Jesus pronounces a woe upon us when that is the case.

Cut out anything that keeps you from treating Jesus as great, Matthew 18:8-9. Whatever diminishes Christ to us threatens our very soul. We know that it is not the hand or foot or eye that actually causes us to stumble. But there are certainly activities that we do with our hands, and places that we go with our feet, and things that we look upon with our eyes, that should be ruthlessly expunged from out lives. Choosing sin over Christ, and not caring to correct it, is a reliable indicator that we are not in Him at all.

Treat His salvation as great by greatly regarding those whom He is saving, Matthew 18:10-11. Just who do we think that we are, looking down upon Christ’s little ones. Angels do not look down on them! Indeed, each little one has mighty ministering spirits, sent out to serve them (Matthew 18:10, cf. Hebrews 1:14). They know true greatness; they are familiar with God’s own glory in the highest heaven; and, they still don’t despise these little ones. What’s more, infinitely more, is that the Son of Man has regarded them. This Glorious One has so regarded them that, when they were lost, He Himself came to save them. He humbled Himself to come save them! Just who do we think that we are to look down upon them? Let us regard them out of regard for Him, and in imitation of Him!

What are situations in which you are in danger of encouraging others’ sin? What are some circumstances, occasions, or people who influence you to treat sin as ok? How can you keep in mind that, in such situations, you are allied either with hell or with heaven?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for exposing the hatefulness of sin by the greatness of Christ. Grant that we would truly hate it, and truly love Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH280 “Wondrous King, All Glorious”

Either Heaven or Hell [Children's Catechism 142–Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 142—especially explaining how there are only two things that can happen to you at the judgment: heaven or hell.

Q142. What will become of the wicked in the day of judgment? They shall be cast into hell.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

The Christian Church [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 28:16–20]

For what does the Lord institute baptism? Matthew 28:16–20 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord institutes baptism as a sign of Christ’s authority and power in His gathering church. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.04.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 28:16–20

Read Matthew 28:16–20

Questions from the Scripture text: Who go to Galilee (Matthew 28:16)? Which mountain do they go to? Whom do they see (Matthew 28:17)? What do they all do to Him? What do some of them do? Who came and spoke to them (Matthew 28:18)? How much authority has been given to Him? Which authority has been given to Him? What are they to make, therefore (Matthew 28:19)? By what two actions are disciples made (verse 19b, Matthew 28:20)? Into what single name are they baptized? What are they taught to do with Jesus’s commands? How many of them? Who is with them always, as they make disciples? Even until when?

For what does the Lord institute baptism? Matthew 28:16–20 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 Lord institutes baptism as a sign of Christ’s authority and power in His gathering church.  

When Jesus’s disciples are brokenhearted at the Passover, the Lord Jesus instituted the Supper to direct their hearts and minds unto Him, to feed spiritually upon Him repeatedly for the rest of the age. 

And now, when some of them are still doubting after having seen Him multiple times (as we learn from John 21), the Lord Jesus institutes baptism to affirm to them His authority and glory (Matthew 28:18), obligate them to His service (Matthew 28:19), and assure them of His presence and power  unto the end of the age. These are exactly the things to which every single one whom Jesus adds to His church needs to commit. 

In the first century, baptisms were already used as initiations/identifications by set-apart groups. The same had been true of circumcision. Now, Jesus initiates baptism as the mark of the church of His disciples. And what does this mark teach us?

That all authority has been given to Him in heaven and earth. He is God from all eternity. But He became a Man, lived a perfectly obedient life, died an atoning death, and rose again from the dead. His saving work as the Christ is done. His time of humiliation is over. Even in His human nature, He is now exalted. Not only over the earth. But even over heaven! He is, in His divinity, “He who sits upon the throne.” But He is also, in His humanity, the risen and ascended and exalted “Lamb who sits upon the throne.” We must trust in Him and worship Him. Faith.

Christian baptism also teaches us that we are obligated to be disciples who make disciples. If our risen Lord is in authority generally, how much more over His disciples specifically! And what does He want them (and us) to do? Well, there is a great and primary duty: make disciples. But, there is also something else that He wants disciples to do “observe all thing that Jesus has commanded.” If the church does not teach the whole counsel of God, it is guilty of the lives of its members (Acts 20:26–27). Not all may be teachers, but all must learn. We have a duty to study in order to believe all of Jesus’s doctrine and obey all of Jesus’s commands. Obedience.

And the last big thing that Christian baptism teaches is that this faith and obedience can come only through the grace of ongoing, continual delight in and dependence upon Jesus’s fellowship. “and lo, I am with you always.”

The Lord Jesus had said that He Himself would build His church and that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it (cf. Matthew 16:18). But now the Lord Jesus is leaving, and this group before Him is not very promising. 

There are only eleven of them because one who was numbered among the disciples turned out to be the betrayer. That might dampen your confidence about the new disciples in Matthew 28:19—especially when you consider that even from among the eleven that remain, there are still some who are doubting.

But it is exactly into our consideration of these disciples, and the disciples that they are to be making, that Jesus announces that it is about His authority and power, not ours, and His faithfulness, not ours.

Jesus announces that He has authority in heaven and on earth, and a church that is in heaven and on earth. The resurrected Man before them has authority even in Heaven to pour out the Holy Spirit, for He is a divine Person. They have known since Matthew 3:11 that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

Baptisms were already used as initiations into groups, and now Jesus notifies them that as He is the Second Person of the Trinity, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the church of the Triune God. He commands that the one Name (singular—one God) into which they be baptized be Triune (three Persons, whose one name is “Father and Son and Holy Spirit”). And so, our baptisms remind us that Jesus has this authority both with reference to His eternal godhood, and with reference to His finished and perfect work as the Redeemer.

When He marks of His holy assembly with this particular sign in this particular Name, we can see that He is saying: “it depends upon My power.” And when He follows by saying, “and lo, I am with you always,” we can hear that it depends upon His faithfulness. That is wonderful news for those whose weakness and unfaithfulness would lead to ultimate failure!

Jesus answers our weakness by His strength in His gospel signs and words.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we need not do anything. It rather means the exact opposite: that we must do everything. He has marked us as His own, and as those to whom He has committed His power. We ought to obey all His commands merely because we are His creatures, and then again because He has bought us by His blood, and now again because He has marked us off as holy and set apart to Him! Therefore, disciples must be taught to “observe all things I have commanded you.”

Thus, we realize that baptism is not a statement by the new disciple, but by the Lord of the disciples, through those whom He has commanded to mark and teach them. It is a mark that is displayed anew to the holy assembly, whenever it is being applied to a new addition to that assembly. In it, our Lord presents Himself and His Spirit for the worship of His people!

Who is “saying something” in baptism? What is He saying? How are you responding?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving us baptism as a sign of Your authority and power to make us into disciples, and to make those whom we teach and baptize into disciples. Forgive us for whenever we are self-reliant in evangelistic work, or when we are neglectful of evangelistic work. Grant that we would keep teaching, keep baptizing, and keep trusting that You will be with us to use these for making disciples of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP111A “O Praise the Lord” or TPH424 “All Authority and Power”