2024.12.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 7:10–17

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 ▫ Read Amos 7:10–17

Questions from the Scripture text: Who speaks in Amos 7:10? What office does he hold? To whom does he speak? What office does he hold? About whom does he speak? Of what does he accuse him? What does he say about his words? What had Amos said about Jeroboam (Amos 7:11a–b)? and about Israel (verse 11c–d)? To whom does Amaziah speak in Amos 7:12a? What does he tell him to do (verse 12b)? What does he call him? Where does he tell him to go (verse 12c)? What does he imply about Amos’s motive (verse 12d–e)? Where does he tell him to stop (Amos 7:13a)? What does he call that place (verse 13b)? Who speaks in Amos 7:14a? To whom? What does he say was not his vocation (verse 14b–c)? What was (verse 14d)? And what else (verse 14e)? But Who made the change (Amos 7:15a)? And what did He tell him to do (verse 15b–c)? Whose people are they? With what formula does Amos begin his speech in Amos 7:16–17? What does he say that Amaziah has said (verse 16b–c)? But what does he now specifically prophesy about Amaziah’s wife (Amos 7:17b)? And what does he prophesy about whom else (verse 17c)? And what does he prophesy about what else (verse 17d)? And what does he prophesy about Amaziah himself (verse 17e)? And what does he prophesy about the nation as a whole?

What responses to God’s judgment should we watch against? Amos 7:10–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should watch against any murmuring or complaining against God’s judgment or those who preach it.

Don’t shoot the messenger (Amos 7:10). It’s a common enough saying, but when it comes to faithful preachers of the Word, that’s all that the offended can do. Truly, it is YHWH Who has said that Jeroboam shall die by the sword and all Israel surely be led away captive from their own land (Amos 7:11). But men cannot attack the living God. He is untouchable. We see all of the mediatorial offices in Amos 7:10: a priest, a king, and a prophet. And it is the priest who is indignant with the faithful prophet. Let men be careful not to bristle or lash out against the man who speaks God’s words to them; this will not end well for Amaziah.

Common accusations (Amos 7:11–12). Amaziah doesn’t deal at all with any of the substance of Amos’s preaching. Remember, the Lord began by painstakingly established His justness (chapters 1–2) and presenting His case (chapters 3–5). Only then did He pronounce the sentence/woes of Amos 6:1–7:9. The Lord did not owe this to Israel, Jeroboam, or Amaziah. But in presenting His case so clearly, He has left them even more without excuse.

So what does Amaziah do? He attacks Amos’s motives. He accuses him of being personal/political. “Flee to the land of Judah” (Amos 7:12c) isn’t just a recommended change of venue. It implies that Amos is a southern man, with southern leanings, and he belongs down there in the south. And “there eat bread” (Amos 7:12d) isn’t counsel to take nourishment. It implies that Amos’s words are mercenary not ministry, that he’s in it for the money. When people attack the Word of God, they often attack the motives of the one speaking those words. And their attacks often include these two types. Let us not be surprised if they are levied against us. And if ever we catch ourselves thinking such things about a preacher of the Word, let us make certain that we are not actually trying to evade biblical truth in what he says (whatever the mixture of motives may be).

Religious Pride (Amos 7:13). The king’s residence was actually at Samaria (cf. Amos 6:2). So, when Amos 7:13c uses the word “house,” it most likely means “temple,” as that word is also often used that way. This corresponds well to the “holy place of the king” in Amos 7:13b. It has been several hundred years since Jeroboam I set up his manmade YHWH worship in Bethel, with its own priesthood and religious calendar. Amaziah doesn’t just fail to see that this worship is offensive and provoking to God. He actually thinks that these manmade religious traditions are too sacrosanct to be subjected to Amos’s denunciations. Men reveal how ingrained their idolatry is, when they actually think that it is holy and defend it with such zeal.

The Innocence of the Preacher (Amos 7:14–15). Not every sound preacher is a faithful man. Sin and sinners are complex. Many a sound preacher has been justly liable to such accusations as Amaziah has made about Amos. That still doesn’t negate their sound words, but Amos is not one of them. He is not financially motivated at all. This wasn’t his business (Amos 7:14b) or the family business (verse 14c). And, he made a much better living before he became a preacher. The word for “sheepbreeder” (verse 14d) is different than that for “shepherd,” and implies a higher position above the shepherds. Indeed, his agricultural employments were diversified verse 14e), implying that Amos was actually fairly well off before YHWH called him out of that. Furthermore, Amos 7:15 answers the arrogance of Amos 7:13 by reminding Amaziah that Israel are YHWH’s own people, and He has the right to prophesy against them.

Judgment against the Murmurer (Amos 7:16–17). It is not surprising that a priest would take a holier-than-thou attitude, or even any member of the holy people (cf. Numbers 16:3). In all likelihood, Amaziah felt that he was merely serving the greater interests of “Israel” and “the house of Isaac” (Amos 7:16). But the truth is that one who does this is often also venting his own spirit, and the prophesying was about to get personal. The “Your,” “Your,” “Your,” and “You” in Amos 7:17 are all singular. It was Amaziah’s own wife who would become a harlot (verse 17b), his own children who would be slaughtered before him (verse 17c), his own land which would be distributed to others (verse 17d), and his own death that would be in a land as pagan in name as the Bethel worship was in substance (verse 17e). We must remember that God’s judgment is not just macro and corporate. It is also (and, eternally, all-the-more) individual and personal. We must each deal with Him. And how will we do so apart from Christ? Oh, do not resist His righteous judgment, but repent and fly to Christ!

When have you spoken Bible truth to someone and received a response in the same vein as Amaziah’s? What Bible truths have been hard for you to hear, and how did you respond to that truth? To the servant of the Lord who proclaimed it? Since you deserve the same judgment as Amaziah, what is your hope for escaping it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are just when You speak, and blameless when You judge (Ps 51:4b–c). The sin is ours, and we have even shown that wickedness by our responses to being corrected by Your truth. Do not let us respond like Amaziah any longer, lest we come under judgment like his, or worse. Give us, instead, soft hearts that admit sin and repent, looking to Jesus Christ alone to be our righteousness and atonement, which He surely will be. For His sake, forgive us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP51A “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”

Honoring Others Under God [Westminster Shorter Catechism 64—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 64—especially explaining how because authority is from God, it must be employed for others’ good and treated with respect, whatever side of it you may be on.

Q64. What is required in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors or equals. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Jesus Uses Sacraments [Children's Catechism 125—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 125—especially explaining how Jesus uses baptism and the Lord’s Supper to mark His people off from the world and to comfort and strengthen them in Himself and their covenant with God in Him.

Q125. Why did Christ appoint these sacraments? To distinguish His disciples from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Sure Salvation's Pleasure, Praise, Prayer, and Perseverance [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 126]

What sustains believers’ diligence in seasons of sorrow? Psalm 126 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord sustains believers in their seasons of sorrow by the greatness and certainty of the joy into which He will deliver them. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 126

Read Psalm 126

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? Who had done what (Psalm 126:1a)? With what effect upon the singers (verse 1b)? With what were their mouths filled (Psalm 126:2a)? And their tongues (verse 2b)? Who (verse 2c) said what (verse 2d)? Who else said this (Psalm 126:3a)? With what result (verse 3b)? What prayer does Psalm 126:4 make? In what condition do believers sow (Psalm 126:5a)? In what condition do they reap (verse 5b)? How much do they do this sort of sowing (Psalm 126:6a–b)? How surely will they do this sort of reaping (verse 6c–d)?

What sustains believers’ diligence in seasons of sorrow? Psalm 126 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord sustains believers in their seasons of sorrow by the greatness and certainty of the joy into which He will deliver them.   

The Pleasure of Salvation, Psalm 126:1–2b. YHWH saves His people in order to give them joy. The Lord Jesus spoke so that His joy might be in us (cf. John 15:11, John 17:13). He gave us to pray in His Name (cf. John 16:24), and to receive His inspired Scriptures (cf. 1 John 1:4) that our joy might be full. For His Zion, who are His by election and redemption, their captivity (Psalm 126:1a) was a prelude to overwhelming joy (Psalm 126:1-2b). 

The Praise of Salvation, Psalm 126:2-3. The Lord shows forth His greatness in the great work of creation. So also, He shows forth that greatness in the great works of His providence. But the greatest work of His providence is the work of redemption. It is this work that causes the whole world (Psalm 126:2c–d), and especially His people (Psalm 126:3), to praise the greatness of His work.

The Prayer of Salvation, Psalm 126:4. This Psalm may have been entirely prophetic, relating the gladness, while yet in the midst of the sorrow. Or, it may be taking a previous, already laughed-over, deliverance as an encouragement to pray for a new deliverance from a new captivity. In either case, it applies to believers throughout all generations, who have experienced much captivity and tears. We know how His work in/for them ends. 

The Perseverance of Salvation, Psalm 126:5-6. Psalm 126:5 establishes a principle, and then Psalm 126:6 drives it home. In verse 6, there is a doubling of the verb for going (verse 6a) and for coming (verse 6c). The first doubling lays a heavy emphasis upon the determination and perseverance of the one who serves the Lord and walks with Him, despite the current sorrow. The second doubling lays a heavy emphasis upon the certainty of the rejoicing and the fruitfulness that they shall have at last. For believers, it is this certainty by which the Lord sustains their determination. And He does so, in part, by giving them songs like this to sing.

What sorts of sorrows do you have that hinder you in serving the Lord well in set times of worship and in the whole of your life? What is the greatness of the joy that the worship times set before you? What is the certainty of the joy that the worship times set before you? How does this help you in this age of labor and sorrow? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, how great are Your works in all of creation and history! But greatest of all is Your work of redeeming us. For, You have brought us out of captivity by the blood and righteousness of Your own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, You have saved us by Him Himself, Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. And now You set His own joy before us. Surely, we already laugh and sing and say, “The Lord has done great things for us!” But, how much more shall we do so on that day when all weeping has ceased, and the full harvest has been brought in. So, grant unto us to know You and Your salvation in Christ as we worship You, by the help of Your Spirit, which we ask in the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP126 “All, Like Mount Zion” or TPH126A “When Zion’s Fortunes God Restored” 

Training Wisdom-Warriors [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 8:1–11]

What does the world need now? Proverbs 8:1–11 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what the world needs now (and tomorrow) is wisdom. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 8:1–11

Read Proverbs 8:1–11

Questions from the Scripture text: Who cries out (Proverbs 8:1)? What else does she do? Where does she take her stand to cry out (Proverbs 8:2a)? Where else (verse 2b)? Where else (Proverbs 8:3)? To whom does she call (Proverbs 8:4a)? And to whom, especially (verse 4b)? What does she call these (Proverbs 8:5)? What do they urgently need? How can they obtain it (Proverbs 8:6a)? To what (Whom!) are they to listen (verse 6)? To what sort of things? To what do Proverbs 8:7-8 contrast these things? Who will be able to understand (Proverbs 8:9)? How much should they value this instruction/knowledge (Proverbs 8:10-11)?

What does the world need now? Proverbs 8:1–11 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what the world needs now (and tomorrow) is wisdom.  

The “way” of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1-3). Foolish and sinful logic hides in the dark. Part of the folly of the young man in Proverbs 7:7–9 was that he put himself in a position in which he was operating under cover of darkness. But biblical wisdom can stand the light of day. The “crying out” and “top of the hill” and the main intersections and city gates and entrances of doors are all ways of saying that true wisdom appeals out in the open. It is also humbling to see that, while wisdom is openly obvious; yet, apart from grace blessing the Word to us, we will not receive it.

The warriors of wisdom. So much depends upon men, in the economy of God (Proverbs 8:4a). And therefore so much depends upon the sons who are the future men (verse 4b). God created fatherhood to communicate something about Himself toward believers, and even within the persons of the Godhead! And God created marriage, which will not continue in the next world (cf. Matthew 22:30), to communicate something about Himself toward the church. It is no wonder that He designed fatherhood and husbandhood to be so critical to families, nations, and churches. But this makes it all the more devastating when husbands and fathers are fools. 

The weakest in wisdom. Boys, left to themselves, and one another, are simple ones and fools (cf. Proverbs 7:6–7). The “sons of men” in v4b are now addressed that way in Proverbs 8:5. Proverbs repeatedly addresses all of us as “children,” but it is boys and young men, especially, who need this remedy.

The Word of wisdom. Wisdom speaks of things opposite (more literal than NKJ’s “excellent,” Proverbs 8:6) our folly. Wisdom, an attribute of the Son, is personified as female. But just as God is identified with love as an attribute (cf. 1 John 4:8), so also the Son is identified with wisdom as an attribute. God is more than love, but we can think of Him as love personified. So, too, with wisdom. The Son is wisdom (one of His attributes), but He is more than wisdom. We will think about that more, when we come to Proverbs 8:22-36. It is important, here, to see that wisdom is personal. We are not merely listening to instruction; we are listening to a Person in the greatness of His wisdom. And that Person is completely opposed to wickedness (Proverbs 8:7) and crookedness (Proverbs 8:8). So, from wisdom’s mouth we can expect only to hear what is upright (Proverbs 8:6), true (Proverbs 8:7), and righteous (Proverbs 8:8). 

This Word itself gives light and ability. Apart from knowing this important truth from Scripture as a whole, we might miss that it is implied here. Except, if it isn’t the Word itself, by which God Himself gives the ability to understand His own Word, Proverbs 8:9 would make no sense. By the Word itself, God makes His Word plain (verse 9a). By the Word itself, God gives men to see that the Word is right (verse 9b).

The wealth of wisdom. Wealth seems like it will give pleasure, but wisdom gives true joy. Wealth seems like it will give prosperity, but wisdom gives true flourishing. Wealth seems like it will give secure circumstances , but wisdom makes a man secure in every circumstance. Wealth may be a good gift from God, but truly biblical wisdom gives us God Himself as the gift! So, we ought to desire and pursue it more than silver (Proverbs 8:10a), gold (verse 10b), rubies (Proverbs 8:11a) or any material thing (verse 11b).

How are you getting wisdom and helping others, especially men/boys, to? Who is wisdom? How do you value Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, give us wisdom. Yes, give us Yourself, by Your Spirit’s use of the Word, we ask through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP119B “How Can a Young Man Cleanse His Way?” or TPH119M “O How I Love Your Holy Law” 

2024.12.22 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11a, 3p)

Click below for the:

December 22 Lord's Day Worship Booklet

Matthew 13:31–43 sermon outline

3p song selections & Numbers 30 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.

Jesus's Encouragement to Members and Ministers [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 13:24–43]

What is the Lord waiting for? Matthew 13:24–43 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord is patient, even with imperfections in the church, because He is determined to gather in and perfect all of the sons of His kingdom. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 13:24–43

Read Matthew 13:24–43

Questions from the Scripture text: What story does Jesus now tell in Matthew 13:24-30? Where did the tares come from (Matthew 13:28a)? But who are the owner’s primary concern (Matthew 13:29)? But what is the appropriate end of the tares when that is fulfilled (Matthew 13:30)? What story does Jesus tell in Matthew 13:31-32? What is the seed like, but what is the outcome like? What story does Jesus tell in Matthew 13:33? What does the woman do to the leaven, but what is the end result? How did Jesus speak to whom (Matthew 13:34)? Why (Matthew 13:35)? Bu to whom did He speak plainly (Matthew 13:36)? Who is the Sower (Matthew 13:37)? What is the field (Matthew 13:38)? Whom does the Son of Man sow into it? Who else sows whom into it (Matthew 13:39)? What is the harvest? Who are the reapers? Whom will the Son of Man send (Matthew 13:41)? To gather what two things out of His kingdom? Where will those who practice lawlessness be cast (Matthew 13:42)? What will be the resulting effect upon those who remain (Matthew 13:43)? 

What is the Lord waiting for? Matthew 13:24–43 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord is patient, even with imperfections in the church, because He is determined to gather in and perfect all of the sons of His kingdom.  

Christians can be disappointing. And the church can be disappointing. The church certainly isn’t yet what it ought to be! The true church is often small, and apparently insignificant (Matthew 13:31-32). The visible church throughout the world is certainly full of the sons of the wicked one (Matthew 13:38). But it’s very difficult to tell them apart from the sons of the kingdom (verse 38), or to pull the one without harming the other (Matthew 13:29). But God hasn’t lost track, and things aren’t going awry. The Son of Man’s angels are at the ready, and when the growing/leavening is complete, they will do their work, leaving behind not only a 100% converted church (Matthew 13:41-42), but a 100% sanctified and glorified church (Matthew 13:43)! 

Though we may be grieved over the condition of the church, we must not be discouraged. And, let each of us take heed that we do not turn out to have been a son of the wicked one that was indistinguishable from the true wheat. To that end, may the Lord by His Spirit, give us ears to hear; and, may He give us to use them!

When have you been discouraged about the condition of the visible church? But what is the Lord doing right now? And what is the Lord waiting for? And what will He have done, when the end comes?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for how You are planting Your church throughout the world. Help us not to be false sons within the kingdom, and grant that we would not be discouraged by how many of them there are. Instead, grant that we would joyously anticipate the day when the whole church will shine forth as the sun, and make us to pursue that in our own lives, with all our hearts, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH552 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”