The Harm of Neglecting Church Discipline [Family Worship lesson in Jude v12–19]

What sorts of people should we be watching against in the church? Jude v12–19 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should not share our life with those who give evidence of not having the Spirit. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jude 12–19

Read Jude 12–19

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Jude 12 now call the ungodly (Jude 4) dreamers (Jude 8)? What don’t they do? Whom do they serve? What metaphors describe the falsehood and deadness of their appearance? What metaphors describe the results of their actions (Jude 13)? What illustration does he use for what happens to the ungodly (Jude 14-15)?  What two things does Jude 16 call them? How do they walk? How do they talk? But of Whose words does he now remind them (Jude 17)? Whom had He said there would be (Jude 18)? How would these walk? What do they cause, and what do they lack (Jude 19)? 

What sorts of people should we be watching against in the church? Jude 12–19 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should not share our life with those who give evidence of not having the Spirit.  

It is a great problem that the dreamers of Jude 8-11 “creep in unnoticed” to churches (cf. Jude 4). Though they appear to be Christians, they do not fear God and bring impurity into the worship and fellowship of the church (Jude 12). Since they do not serve God, then they cannot truly serve others. No one can keep the second great commandment if he is not a keeper of the first great commandment.

Jude uses several illustrations for what sort of death this causes. Imagine a land dying under drought, but when the clouds come there is no rain. Or people starving for the harvest, but when there should be ripe fruits, they find no fruit and only dead trees. Rather than a current that might carry a ship forward, their activity is only so much frothing of waves (Jude 13; how many churches are full of frothing, but no real engagement of the true God!). Christianity must come from His grace; the only thing that can come from us is shame. They may even seem like they are able to guide others (as stars did), but what they take people to is utter and eternal darkness.

Again, Jude uses an illustration from a book that is not Scripture. It may be that an oral tradition was preserved about Enoch, which the Spirit now authenticates as He carries Jude along. Or, it may be that Jude is again arguing from the lesser to the greater, using a book with which his readers were familiar, but understood was merely earthly (Jude 14-15)—and then affirming the reality of the situation by the higher authority of the apostles of Christ (Jude 17-18). In either case, the point is that his readers know that holiness is the true mark of fellowship with God. The true grace of God does not produce lewdness (cf. Jude 4). It has been producing holiness in believers since the very beginning (n.b. “seventh from Adam” in Jude 14), when there was a man who walked with God in such holiness that God took him (cf. Genesis 5:21–24).

So, it is important to recognize people who are throwing off the lordship of Christ, lest we stumble with them and end up in destruction. Jude gives some diagnostic help. Watch for grumblers and complainers (Jude 16). Watch for those who are always trying to enjoy whatever they want (verse 16) instead of serving others (Jude 12). Don’t be moved if their speech seems impressive, or flattering, because that is a common trait that they have (Jude 16). 

Most of all: watch against those who are unspiritual (a more literal translation than “sensual persons” in Jude 19), not having the Spirit. This allows us to import the lists in Galatians 5:19–21 and Galatians 5:22–25 to determine with whom we ought to share our lives. This explains one way in which they “cause divisions” (Jude 19). When there are those in the church who are full of worldliness or fleshliness, then others in the church who are genuinely called and consecrated (cf. Jude 1) simply find it difficult to share their lives together. But, stick to walking with the Lord and to those who are marked by doing the same. And let the elders of the church follow biblical instruction for church discipline, so that these stains (Jude 12), or leaven (cf. 1 Corinthians 5), are purged and do not threaten the spiritual life of the rest of the body.

If someone were applying the diagnostics of this passage, what is there in your life that would most discourage them from the fellowship of sharing their life with you? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for warning us against our own sinfulness and against false believers within the church. Forgive us for not being watchful enough against either. And grant unto us the ministry of Your Spirit, that He might bear such fruit in us as to mark us as Christ’s, we ask through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside?” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation” 

2024.10.16 Midweek Meeting Live Stream (live at 6:30p.m.)

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Proverbs 4:10–27 sermon outline

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God's Roaring in Calamity [Family Worship lesson in Amos 3]

How should we respond to calamity? Amos 3 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the Lord’s “roaring” in calamity by evaluating and acting according to His Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 3

Read Amos 3

Questions from the Scripture text: How does Amos 3:1 begin (cf. Amos 4:1, Amos 5:1)? What two things does the Lord call them? What does He point out about them in Amos 3:2a? What does this cause (verse 2b)? Why can’t they walk with Him (Amos 3:3)? What illustrations for this Word against them demand immediate action (Amos 3:4-5)? What response does calamity demand (Amos 3:6)? And through Whom does He dictate the response (Amos 3:7)? What must the people do (Amos 3:8a–b)? What must Amos do (verse 8c–d)? Whom does Amos 3:9a–b summon? To where (verse 9c)? To observe what about Samaria/Israel (Amos 3:9-10)? What sentence does God pronounce in Amos 3:11? How does Amos 3:12 describe the surviving remnant? What does He require of the witnesses in Amos 3:13? About what judgment that He will execute on her worship (Amos 3:14)? And what judgment on her pride (Amos 3:15)?

How should we respond to calamity? Amos 3 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the Lord’s “roaring” in calamity by evaluating and acting according to His Word.  

Other nations are accountable to God (cf. Amos 1:3-2:3), but Israel’s sin (not just the northern kingdom, though they are primarily in view here), is much worse because it is against the grace of having been brought into covenant fellowship with God (Amos 3:1-2). Believers, Christian families, and churches, take heed!

But God will not settle for a covenant fellowship that is a paper fiction, or empty rituals for an hour or so each week. Unless we are coming through faith in Christ, so that we are reconciled; and, unless we are living a life of repentance and faith, so that we walk as those who are reconciled; we will not be “agreed” (Amos 3:3). 

Then, instead of enjoying His fellowship, we must receive painful correction. Nations may find themselves destroyed, houses may fall, churches may lose their lampstand. Alas! So many do not take such warnings seriously, which is what the series of questions in Amos 3:4-6 is about. God has filled creation and providence with the evidence of cause and effect. But we must understand the Lord Himself as the ultimate cause of calamity (Amos 3:6b, cf. Isaiah 31:2, Isaiah 45:7). 

But what do we do with the calamities in our life? Or our nation’s life? Are we to interpret them by feel? Or some sort of superstition? No, we must interpret them by the Word of God (Amos 3:7). When we examine ourselves for repentance, it must be by the Word. When we conclude how to respond and what to do, we must reason from the Word. One thing is certain: respond we must (Amos 3:8)!

This chapter as a whole (like each of the next two) begins with a command to “Hear.” It is the language of a lawsuit, a trial. With Amos 3:1-8 as an introduction to the seriousness of this trial, the Lord now summons the Philistines and Egyptians as witnesses to see how great the violence has become in Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom (Amos 3:9-10). He pronounces a sentence of siege and conquering (Amos 3:11), with only a tiny remnant even being exiled (Amos 3:12). His final word to the witnesses (Amos 3:13) is to observe the two great causes for this judgment: the false worship that goes back to the beginning of the northern kingdom (Amos 3:14, cf. 1 Kings 12) and the pride and fleshliness in which they were satisfied with earthly riches in the midst of spiritual poverty (Amos 3:15). 

God takes very seriously whether we are worshiping Him according to His Word and whether we are as serious about our spiritual condition as we are about our earthly prosperity. The Lion has roared! Let us take heed.

What, if anything, in your worship might have originated with man? What is the condition of your walking with the Lord? How much time/effort/care do you give to your spiritual condition, by comparison to your earthly wealth and welfare?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how lightly we have taken both the calamities in our life and the warnings in Your Word. Forgive us for being content with heartless, inconsistent walking with You—and even with disobedience. Grant unto us to heed this Word, to turn from our sins, and to walk with You by faith in Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH467 “Cast Down, O God, the Idols”

Kiss the Son [2024.10.13 Evening Sermon in Numbers 22:36–24:25]

You are either with Christ, or against Him; this is the choice between eternal life and eternal death.

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

Gentle, Humble, Almighty Savior [2024.10.13 Morning Sermon in Matthew 12:9–21]

Christ, the almighty Victor, distinguishes Himself by gentleness and humility that gives life and joy to His people.

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

Christians' Great Liberty [2024.10.13 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession 20—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we come to Westminster Confession chapter 20—Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience. We began Article 1, considering from what Christ has liberated believers.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Seek Your Servant! [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 119:169–176]

What does trouble provide an opportunity for? Psalm 119:169–176 looks forward to opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that trouble provides, among other things, an opportunity to praise the Word and faithfulness of the God Who saves us out of it. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 119:169–176

Read Psalm 119:169–176

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the psalmist request about prayer (Psalm 119:169a, Psalm 119:170a)? And what does the psalmist request about the Word (Psalm 119:169b)? What does he need (Psalm 119:170b)? How will the psalmist respond (Psalm 119:171-172)? For him to praise God’s Word for salvation, what needs to happen (Psalm 119:173-175)? Why does he need to be saved (Psalm 119:176a)? How (verse 176b)? Why—what has God already done for him (verse 176c)?

What does trouble provide an opportunity for? Psalm 119:169–176 looks forward to opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that trouble provides, among other things, an opportunity to praise the Word and faithfulness of the God Who saves us out of it.  

As the Psalm comes to a conclusion in its final stanza, the psalmist strongly desires to praise the Lord and His perfect and glorious Word. “My lips shall utter praise” (Psalm 119:171a). “My tongue shall speak of Your Word” (Psalm 119:172a). “Your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:174b). “My soul […] shall praise You” (Psalm 119:175a). 

But our praise of God is not a falsehood, or even based merely upon feelings. It is a real and right response to Who He is and what He has done. We always have reason to praise Him. He is Who He is, and that never changes. He has done so many wonderful things: creation, all of providence, and especially the glorious providence of His Son’s redemptive work. 

But when we need deliverance (Psalm 119:170b), or when we have gone astray (Psalm 119:176a), there is opportunity for new displays of God’s glory and grace. There is opportunity for new reasons of praise. And, we are to long to praise God, and to view each providence in which we find ourselves as a new opportunity to do so. So, when we come into difficulty, let us ask God to help us by His means. Let us ask Him to use His Word (Psalm 119:169b). Let us ask Him to respond to prayer (verse 169a, Psalm 119:170a). Let us ask Him to seek us (Psalm 119:176b), for it is not our seeking Him, but His seeking us that will save. Even our love for His commandments is evidence of work begun in saving love.

To what have you responded with praise in the past? What difficulty are you in now? How do you go astray? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your perfect wisdom and almighty power. Your Word is true, and perfectly faithful. We go astray like lost sheep, but You always know and do what is right. We need deliverance, but You are almighty in power. Hear our prayers, and give us understanding, and put Your praise on our lips, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119V “Though Princes Hunt Me Without Cause” or TPH119U “Though Princes Hound Me for No Cause”