Keeper or Destroyer at Home? [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 21:9, 19]

What robs a house of peace and flourishing? Proverbs 21:9–19 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a contentious wife robs a house of peace and flourishing. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: the devotional presents a meditation on the moral and spiritual dynamics of family life, centered on the critical role of a wife’s character in shaping the household’s peace and flourishing. The Drawing from 1 Peter 3 and Titus 2, the devotional emphasizes that a gentle, quiet, and submissive spirit, rooted in a heart devoted to God, is essential for a wife to become a true keeper of the home and a source of peace and flourishing for her husband. It calls both young men and women to examine their hearts: men are warned against poor choice in a wife, or harsh or neglectful leadership that provokes resistance, while women are urged to cultivate a spirit of gratitude, service, and humility, beginning in their relationship with God . Ultimately, the passage reveals that the health of a household rests not only on the husband’s headship but on the wife’s willing, Spirit-led submission and love, making her a vital instrument of God’s grace in the home..Summary of the transcript of the audio: the devotional presents a meditation on the moral and spiritual dynamics of family life, centered on the critical role of a wife’s character in shaping the household’s peace and flourishing. The Drawing from 1 Peter 3 and Titus 2, the devotional emphasizes that a gentle, quiet, and submissive spirit, rooted in a heart devoted to God, is essential for a wife to become a true keeper of the home and a source of peace and flourishing for her husband. It calls both young men and women to examine their hearts: men are warned against poor choice in a wife, or harsh or neglectful leadership that provokes resistance, while women are urged to cultivate a spirit of gratitude, service, and humility, beginning in their relationship with God . Ultimately, the passage reveals that the health of a household rests not only on the husband’s headship but on the wife’s willing, Spirit-led submission and love, making her a vital instrument of God’s grace in the home..

2026.02.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 21:9 and Proverbs 21:19

Read Proverbs 21:9 and Proverbs 21:19

Questions from the Scripture text: Where is better to dwell (Proverbs 21:9)? Than where? With whom? Where is it better to dwell (Proverbs 21:19)? Than with whom?

What robs a house of peace and flourishing? Proverbs 21:9–19 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a contentious wife robs a house of peace and flourishing.  

Proverbs 21 contains four main lessons that make up the body of this chapter: Proverbs 21:4-8, which we discussed last time; Proverbs 21:10–18; and Proverbs 21:20–29. The hinges between these three sections are the fourth section: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 21:19. The middle section, especially addresses those who are harsh, stingy, and selfish. With that as the center of the chapter, the hinges then deal with a special case of these: the contentious wife. In Proverbs 21:9, the corner of the housetop is better, implying that she has made it impossible to have peace in the home. In Proverbs 21:19, the wilderness is better, implying that she has made it impossible to flourish in the home. 

This is the opposite of what Scripture teaches about wives in other places, such as 1 Peter 3, about the gentle and quiet spirit that is very precious in the sight of the Lord—the sort of heart from which biblical submission to the husband comes. Or Titus 2, where it states that the wife is to be a keeper at home, a lover of her husband and her children. A wife ought to strive to make the home a place of peace and flourishing for her husband. 

In contrast to this, the contentious woman robs the home of peace and flourishing. She is combative (Proverbs 21:9). Her heart is always against her husband, her speech is always against her husband, and her actions are always against her husband. And Proverbs 21:19 emphasizes that this proceeds from a heart that is angry and hostile. 

So there are several lessons here for the young man who is especially the object of the Book of Proverbs. One is wife selection: that you observe. If a lady is always arguing, always resisting, always grumbling, always opposing anyone, that indicates her heart. And, if you are the sort of husband, against whom Proverbs 21:10–18 warns, you may provoke or exacerbate contentiousness in your wife. 

These verses, of course, also have much to say to the young ladies. There are many things that you want to work on and develop as you prepare to be a wife someday, not only training to do tasks well, but also training to do them spiritually well, with diligence that proceeds from love and joy in the Lord. These verses establish a vital component of your training: eliminating contentiousness from your heart. The place to begin is with the Lord. He is always doing you good. If you remember Him in everything you do, you can operate with peace, gentleness, and generosity that guard against murmuring, grumbling, anger, resistance, and stubbornness. Then, operating with the Lord in this way, you can mortify contentiousness against parents or others, training to be a wife who fosters peace in the whole house, not just in a corner of a rooftop—helping him to flourish, not just by the way you do your tasks as a wife, but by the attitude of your heart towards him and your gentleness and submissiveness of interacting with him. 

Much rests upon a wife being the gentle and quiet spirit, the lover of husband and children, the keeper at home, that 1 Peter 3 and Titus 2 talk about. The husband is the head, and he ministers the Word, and he leads the family before God, and he establishes the spiritual tone of the household. Much rests on him. But much also rests on the wife. She has power to undo much of that. Her hope for reinforcing and helping the good is that the Lord would graciously have her heart in His hand, turning it upon what pleases Him. 

When do you find your heart being contentious? How are you fighting that? What place does gentle, submissive, service have in your idea of the ideal wife?

Sample prayer:  Lord, turn our hearts toward that which pleases You. And help each of us in the particular role that we have. Make us depend upon You, delight in You, and be devoted to You. Use us to do good to those with whom You have made us to dwell. Grant that our children would neither marry, nor be, a contentious wife.

Suggested songs: ARP119I “According to Your Word, O LORD” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me” 

2026.02.01 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

To tune in for the Lord's Day streams, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

"Church Family" [2026.01.31 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – January 31, 2026

Special Notice: due to postponement for weather the called meeting to approve a budget and elect a treasurer is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, directly after the prayer meeting (~8p.m.). A draft budget is attached, as approved by the Diaconate and commended by the Session.

Dear Congregation,

We’ve been learning much, from Song of Songs, about the desires and delights of Christ. In Mark 3:34–35, Jesus says, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

Sometimes, we speak of one another as “church family,” but the truth and reality is much better: that Jesus has made us to be His own family.

It truly is a wonderful thing that we are about to do—entering heaven with Him, Who presents us there, saying, “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me” (Heb 2:13).

Looking forward to going to heaven with you, Christ’s family,

Pastor

 

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC37, What Every Sin Deserves 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC14, Understanding Sin, before God, since the Garden
▪Song of Songs 4:8–15, “His Love of Her Love”
▪Deuteronomy 28:15–29.1, “Learning from Covenant Curses”
▪Ecclesiastes 10:16–20, “The Harm of Fools in Authority”
▪Matthew 27:1–25, “The One Who Can Bear Our Guilt”
▪Song of Songs 4:1–7, “The Desires of the Delightful Bride”

LORD'S DAY – February 1, 2026 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
We are preparing our minds and hearts for public worship by studying our Confession of Faith from Scripture, affirming that Scripture is our only ultimate authority, but also discovering that what we confess is thoroughly Scriptural.

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for February 1. Q37 What does every sin deserve? The wrath and curse of God. [CC 37 Simply Explained: “What Every Sin Deserves”]
▫Shorter Catechism for February 1. Q14. What is sin? Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. [WSC 14 Simply Explained: “Understanding Sin, before God, since the Garden”]

▫Songs for public worship on February 1: ARP45B [mp3], ARP22A [mp3], ARP51B [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 4:8–15

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1
Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 27:1–25 about “His Blood Be Upon Us”

Lord’s Supper! (Please see the section at the end of the Worship Booklet on how rightly to prepare for and take it).

1 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:30 p.m. Fellowship Lunch
▫Memory Verse for February 1, Matthew 27:18, For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

3:00 p.m Evening Praise and Preaching

We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Song of Songs 4:16 about “The Bride’s Great Desire”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for February
Madison-Monrovia ARP in Harvest, AL

February Psalm of the Month
ARP22A My God, My God

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, February 4, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 21:9, 19 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 4, Congregational Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Chapel
• Wednesday, February 11, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study
• Saturday, February 28, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall

The One Who Can Bear Our Guilt [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:1–25]

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)Summary of the transcript of the audio: While merely human priests, prophets, and authorities fail, Jesus stands as the perfect Priest, Prophet, and King; and, He is the only able Bearer of human guilt. The tragic outcome for Judas, consumed by ungodly sorrow and self-destruction, underscores the necessity of turning to Christ alone for forgiveness, while the crowd’s cry, 'His blood be on us and on our children,' is answered in Acts 2 with a promise unto them and their children, that Christ’s blood cleanses, rather than condemns, those who repent and believe. Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit gives life for repentance and faith in Christ, through Whom there is forgiveness even for the sin of crucifying the Lord. Ultimately, the passage calls us to embrace Christ as the sole guilt-bearer.

2026.01.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:1–25

Read Matthew 27:1–25

Questions from the Scripture text: What came in Matthew 27:1? Who plotted to do what? What did they do to Him (Matthew 27:2)? Where did they lead Him? Who saw what in Matthew 27:3? How did he feel? What did he do? What did he say (Matthew 27:4)? How did they respond? How did Judas respond to this (Matthew 27:5)? What did the chief priests say about the money (Matthew 27:6)? What did they do with it (Matthew 27:7)? With what result (Matthew 27:8)? To fulfill what (Matthew 27:9-10)? Where did Jesus stand in Matthew 27:11? What did the governor ask? How does Jesus respond? Who was doing what to Him in Matthew 27:12? What did He answer? What does Pilate ask in Matthew 27:13 (cf. Matthew 26:62)? How does Jesus answer him (Matthew 27:14)? With what effect? What was the governor accustomed to doing at the feast (Matthew 27:15)? What prisoner did they have (Matthew 27:16)? So what does Pilate propose (Matthew 27:17)? Why (Matthew 27:18)? Where was Pilate in Matthew 27:19? Who sent to him? To say what? But who persuaded the multitudes to do what (Matthew 27:20)? What does Pilate repeat in Matthew 27:21? For whom do the people ask? What does Pilate then ask (Matthew 27:22a)? How do they answer (verse 22b)? What does the governor ask in Matthew 27:23a? How do they respond (verse 23b)? What does Pilate see (Matthew 27:24)? What does he do? What does he say? And what do the people say (Matthew 27:25)?

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.

The passage presents to us several glimpses of Christ by contrast with others.

Jesus the chief priest and elder. These are wicked, seeking to murder Him (Matthew 27:1). They even admit that it is murder by their consideration of what is “lawful” to do with the “blood money” (Matthew 27:6). And they care nothing for the spiritual care of those entrusted to them, as startlingly displayed in their callous “what is that to us?” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus is the Chief Priest Who atones for sin, Who cares for our souls, Who genuinely and perfectly keeps the law. 

Jesus the King. Pilate is a powerless, spineless governor. He knows what is happening (Matthew 27:18). He knows that Jesus is righteous (Matthew 27:23a, Matthew 27:24). But he’s afraid of the people that he’s supposed to be governing, trying to shift the responsibility to them (Matthew 27:17, Matthew 27:21a, Matthew 27:22a, Matthew 27:24). Jesus is the King Who uses His kingly authority to lay down His life for His people.

Jesus the bearer of guilt. Judas couldn’t stand to bear his own guilt (Matthew 27:3, Matthew 27:5), but now he bears it forever. The people call a frightful curse of guilt upon not only themselves, but also their children (Matthew 27:25). The only hope for this guilt (cf. Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36–37) is for His atoning blood (rather than the guilt of killing Him!) to come upon them and their children (cf. Acts 2:38–39).

What need do you have of a priest? How is Jesus that priest for you? What need do you have of a king? How is Jesus that king to you? What need do you have for the removal of guilt? How can Jesus remove that guilt? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your care for our souls and kingly deliverance. Wash us in Your blood and take our guilt from us, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”

Pride Seeks Death [2026.01.28 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 21:4–8]

When we exalt our own opinions and desires, everything that we think and do provokes God to destroy us.

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

The Desires of the Delightful Bride [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:16]

What does the church desire? Song of Songs 4:16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church desires the presence of Christ and revival by the Spirit. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the bride’s dual longing in Song of Songs 4:16 for the active presence of the Holy Spirit and the intimate fellowship of Christ. It emphasizes that the Spirit’s work—symbolized by the winds from every direction—is not merely for revival in times of decline but is a continual desire for the church to increasingly reflect Christ’s likeness through the fruit of His life. The second request, for Christ’s personal presence, reorients the church's motivation from human approval to divine delight, affirming that true spiritual vitality is found in communion with Christ, Who dwells in the believer through the Spirit. Ultimately, the devotional affirms that God’s greatest gift is Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—offering union and communion as the foundation of a life that bears Christ’s fruit in His presence.

2026.01.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:16

Read Song of Songs 4:16

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does she awaken ( Song of Songs 4:16a)? To come where (verse 16b)? and do what (verse 16c)? For what purpose (verse 16d)? To facilitate what (verse 16e–f)? 

What does the church desire? Song of Songs 4:16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church desires the presence of Christ and revival by the Spirit. 

The bride has heard what delights the Bridegroom, and desires to give Him more of it. Isn’t this what the Spirit teaches your heart to desire? And it is the Spirit to Whom the bride now appeals in Song of Songs 4:16. It is the Spirit Who “blows” (verse 16c, cf. John 3:6–7). He has described her as a garden (Song of Songs 4:12), full of pleasant spices (Song of Songs 4:13-14), a reference to all of her likenesses to Him), and pleasant fruits (Song of Songs 4:13a–b, a reference to all of the good produce of her life). It is the Spirit Who produces Christ-likeness in the church. It is the Spirit Who makes the church to bear fruit (cf. Galatians 5:22–23). Even in her best condition, the church ought always to pray for the work of the Spirit to make her more fragrant and fruitful in Christ. Song of Songs 4:16e–f make a second request: for the presence of Christ. The church does not desire revival for revival’s sake, but for the enjoyment of Christ with her. It is His delighted presence that is her desire. Let us learn, from this passage always to desire revival by the Spirit, and the presence of Christ.

What is your level of desire for revival? How do you show it? For Christ’s presence? How do you show it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, grant to us revival by Your Holy Spirit. Fill us with that which pleases Christ. And, grant that He would be with us, unto His great delight, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

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

The Harm of Fools in Authority [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:16–20]

What is as harmful as foolish counsel? Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that foolish governance is as harmful as foolish counsel. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the responsibility and moral accountability of leadership, drawing from Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 to contrast wise governance—marked by disciplined feasting and diligent stewardship—with the folly of self-indulgent rulers who prioritize pleasure over purpose. The passage warns against the dangers of internal rebellion against foolish authority, even in thought, reminding believers that all authority is ultimately under God’s sovereign oversight, and that disrespect—even in the heart—violates divine order. Ultimately, the message calls for humility, prayerful dependence on Christ, and a life marked by faithful stewardship and godly respect, even in the face of flawed leadership.