2025.01.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 13:54–58

Read Matthew 13:54–58

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did Jesus come in Matthew 13:54? What did He do there? What impact did this have upon them? With which two things were they especially impressed? But what data do they take as reasoning against drawing the proper conclusion (Matthew 13:55-56)? What question are they still asking (Matthew 13:56)? With what result (Matthew 13:57)? Who speaks to them? About what type of person? What does this prophet have everywhere else? But, among which two groups, particularly, does he have no honor? What does Jesus not do there (Matthew 13:58)? Why not?

What is doubting Christ? Matthew 13:54–58 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 doubting Christ is wicked unbelief.  

Christ gives each of us different proof, but sufficient proof (Matthew 13:54). Up until the time of His public ministry, no one had more evidence of Who Christ is than the people of Nazareth. It is difficult even to imagine a perfectly spiritual and God-loving boy, a perfectly kind and neighbor-loving boy, a perfectly righteous and diligent and joyful and serious boy. 

Now, there has arisen a good explanation for this difference. In other places, like Capernaum, and now here in Nazareth, He has been preaching Himself as the Christ (Matthew 13:54a, cf. Luke 4:16–30) and doing mighty works (Matthew 13:54b) to show Himself to be what He has preached.

God makes undeniable display of Himself to all, so that all are without excuse (cf. Romans 1:18–21). But to some, He has given much more display of Himself in Christ. Whether Israel throughout their history (cf. Romans 9:4–5), Israel at the time of Christ (cf. John 1:9–11), here in Nazareth in our passage, those to whom the gospel has come generally (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8), or those who have had the most concentrated doses of that gospel, as in Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:10; Acts 20:20, Acts 20:31; Revelation 2:4–5), (or even here at Hopewell to a large extent!), there are those who are given so much more and therefore have so much more to answer for. 

Woe to those who believe not in God, and all the more woe to those who obey not the gospel (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8). We all have enough to answer for, but some have much more for which to answer. How wonderful, how good, how great to have Christ Himself offered to us in His means! Oh, let us come to Him, be received by Him, and receive Him as He declares Himself to us to be. 

Pride, mixed with familiarity, is dangerous (Matthew 13:55-56, Matthew 13:57b). But notice the way the speak of Him: as if He is the same as they are because He’s been a part of their economic community (“carpenter’s Son,” Matthew 13:55a) and a part of their social community (Mary’s son, verse 55b). They lump Him in with His brothers (verse 55b) and sisters (Matthew 13:56a), as if He was the same as they are. The flesh assumes that it has perceived what is true. The flesh assumes that it is morally or spiritually equal, or even superior, to whatever is around it. The more we are in His covenant, and the more we have access to the means of His grace, the more He comes to us as His own. And the more dangerous for us if, in our pride, we receive Him not (cf. John 1:9–11). We must seek from Him the tenderness to be affected by what has become so familiar. We must seek that baptizing of His Spirit that turns us stones into soft-hearted children of Abraham (cf. Matthew 3:9–11). 

We owe our faith unto Christ (Matthew 13:57). Doubt is not a virtue. The fact that they are still asking the same question at the end of Matthew 13:56, as they were at the end of Matthew 13:54, is a condemnation. Matthew 13:57’s assessment is that this is a stumbling. The verb translated “were offended” has a more fundamental meaning of “were made to stumble.” Jesus then points out that (apart from saving grace), it has been true throughout redemptive history that those who have been nearest to the revelation of Him, have actually been the hardest against them. Familiarity has bred contempt (treating Christ and the gospel as unimpressive), and that contempt must suffer condemnation.

The Scripture does not “appreciate” “honest” skepticism. It condemns it. If God has revealed Himself in the creation, we are under obligation to believe in Him and know Him. If God has revealed Christ to us in the gospel, we are under obligation to believe into Him and be united to Him. Skepticism may be an honest response, but it is an honestly wicked response. And if we remain in doubt, we must cry out for repentance from it; we must cry out for faith. If you cannot come to Christ in faith, then come to Him FOR faith!

Christ doesn’t owe us more proof (Matthew 13:58). Verse 58 is sobering, and not because we would even consider the wicked view that people take of it (and especially of Mark 6:5), saying that man’s faith gives Christ His saving power. It is a blasphemy to say that “believing enough” enables Jesus to do things for us. Rather, it is sobering, because we know that the Lord is able to do all His holy will. It is, therefore, a most severe judgment that His holy will refuses to do many mighty works. His mighty works were not the setting right of the fall, but a breaking-into-time of His power to do so. They were signs that identified Who is He is, and what He was here to do. Their opportunity to receive and respond to His witness to Himself is coming to an end.

Oh, behold how good the Lord has been to make as much declaration of Himself to you as He has! Respond in faith. Rest upon Him as God Himself, Who became man to save You—to take you to Himself as His own, as redeemed by Him, and as united to Him.

What exposure has Christ given you to His Word? What exposure to His works? How have you responded to Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we are so grateful to You for declaring Yourself to us as Savior. Now, be Savior unto us by granting unto us to respond in faith. You, indeed, are very God of very God. And You have come in the flesh to redeem us by Your blood. So, receive us as that which You have desired and won, we ask in Your own Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH272 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” 

Christ's Divine Provision [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 31:25–54]

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 31:25–54

Read Numbers 31:25–54

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom in Numbers 31:25? What did He tell him to do (Numbers 31:26)? With whom? And divide it into how many parts (Numbers 31:27)? For which two groups? From which group, would how much be taken for Whose portion (Numbers 31:28)? And given to whom to do what with it (Numbers 31:29)? And from which group, would how much be taken, for Whose portion (Numbers 31:30)? And given to whom to do what with it? So who did what? How many sheep were there (Numbers 31:32)? Cattle (Numbers 31:33)? Donkeys (Numbers 31:34)? Persons (Numbers 31:35)? Which persons, specifically? How many sheep did the warriors receive (Numbers 31:36)? How many for YHWH (Numbers 31:37)? Cattle (Numbers 31:38)? And for YHWH? Donkeys (Numbers 31:39)? And for YHWH? Persons (Numbers 31:40)? And for YHWH? What did Moses give to whom (Numbers 31:41)? According to what? Whose half does Numbers 31:42 begin to detail? Separated from what? How many sheep (Numbers 31:43)? Cattle (Numbers 31:44)? Donkeys (Numbers 31:45)? Persons (Numbers 31:46)? How many did Moses give to whom (Numbers 31:47)? Of what did they keep charge? According to what pattern did they do all this? Who came near in Numbers 31:48? What did they report (Numbers 31:49)? How are they responding (Numbers 31:50)? Who do what in Numbers 31:51? How much did it all weigh (Numbers 31:52)? What had who done (Numbers 31:53)? And who brought what, where, as what (Numbers 31:54)? 

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.

Disproportional Generosity for Participation. We noted, in the earlier part of the chapter, how comparatively few of Israel’s warriors were sent to the battle. Now, we see that fully half of the spoil is to go to just these twelve thousand men. How great is the generosity of God!

Disproportional Generosity for the Priesthood. The priestly family, though much smaller than one tenth the size of the rest of the Levites, receives one tenth as much as the rest of that tribe. They are to receive it in YHWH’s behalf and bear the weight of it in their hands before Him as a heave offering. Just as He gave a disproportional amount of the spoil to the warriors, to whom He gave to be the people’s special representatives in the war; so also, He gave a disproportional amount the priestly family, to whom He gave to be the people’s special representatives in the tabernacle, before God.

Generous Bounty for All. The amount received by everyone else is, taken by itself, very generous. Half a sheep per household, beside cattle, donkeys, and maidservants. Just as in Jesus’s parable (cf. Matthew 20:1–16), which treated a different point, God’s exceeding generosity to others was not a reason to be ungrateful for His rich generosity, even if proportionally smaller. The Lord even gives them the generosity of the opportunity and occasion to be generous themselves—something He continues to do, as He employs His people in providing for His preachers and for the poor among them. In all of this, His richest provision is Himself.

Miraculous/Divine Preservation. Again, we have noted how less than two percent of Israel’s warriors were sent to the battle. How vastly they must have been outnumbered! But God didn’t just give them to win the battle. He gave them to do so without losing a single man! Realizing that they had tried to keep maidservants for themselves, from among those who had brought the plague upon Israel, they now recognize the amazing patience of God with them. 

Those who had taken spoil for themselves (Numbers 31:53) bring a very generous amount of the most valuable spoil (Numbers 31:50-52) to make “atonement” for themselves by giving it to the Lord. It becomes a memorial before YHWH for the children of Israel (Numbers 31:54), a reminder that He had not only given them success but spared them from His own wrath.

Gracious Production of Gratitude. Finally, let us not leave this passage without seeing what a wonderful work of grace is this gratitude and generosity in the hearts of these men. They go from lust and selfishness to recognizing God’s great mercy to them and desiring to be reconciled with Him. This, of course, can come only by the Spirit of God. What a merciful work He did in them!

How has God been generous with you? How, perhaps, has He been even disproportionately generous beyond what He gives most of His people? How have you responded to this generosity? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your great generosity to us. Truly, we had deserved Your wrath, just as the Israelite troops did. But You have given us not just plunder from battle but Your Son Himself, together with all other things. And You have given to us to give ourselves to You as living sacrifices. So, forgive us our sin for Christ’s sake, and continue Your gracious work in our hearts, we ask through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”

Sweet Remedy for Deadly Compromise [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 2:12–17]

What is worse than persecution? Revelation 2:12–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the world’s pull to fit in with it is a worse attack upon the church than direct persecution.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 2:12–17

Read Revelation 2:12–17

Questions from the Scripture text: To which church’s messenger (NKJ “angel”) is Revelation 2:12 addressed? How does Jesus identify Himself in this letter? What two things does He know about them (Revelation 2:13)? And what does He know that they he done in these circumstances? Whom does He specify by name? What had he done? What was done to him? What does he repeat at the end of this verse? How much does He have against them (Revelation 2:14, cp. Revelation 2:4)? Whom do they have there? What doctrine do they hole? Whom had Balaam taught to do what? By getting Israel to do what? Whom also do they have with them (Revelation 2:15, cp. Revelation 2:6)? What does He tell them to do (Revelation 2:16)? Or else Who will come? And do what? Who are individually addressed in Revelation 2:17? What are they to hear? What are they to do? And what will they receive to eat? And what will they receive as a token?

What is worse than persecution? Revelation 2:12–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the world’s pull to fit in with it is a worse attack upon the church than direct persecution.

As we recently learned in Numbers, Balaam was unable to obtain for Balak a frontal assault upon Israel, but he was able to harm Israel more by alluring them to idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:14). That history now has repeated itself with the church in Pergamos. The frontal attack upon them failed (Revelation 2:13). It was a wealthy city that had shrines for almost every pagan deity. It is no wonder that they had assaulted the church, and that faithful Antipas had been killed. 

Praise God, the church had held fast to Christ’s Name (Revelation 2:13)! But, when the attack came by way of compromise, they had faltered. They even had among them those who gained for themselves by encouraging compromise in worship and marriage purity (Revelation 2:14). They did this by the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15), reasoning that believers didn’t really “sin” anymore, whatever they did. And so, they had acquired an enemy greater than all of Pergamos and even than Satan: Jesus Himself. They were making an enemy of the One Who has the sharp two-edged word (Revelation 2:12), and He is urging them to repent, lest He come and fight against them with it (Revelation 2:16). 

Once again, there is the warning for the church as a whole—if they do not repent from their inaction by disciplining the Balaam-like Nicolaitans, Jesus Himself will come and fight against them (Revelation 2:16)! If a church does not wish for Jesus to come among them with the sword, it needs to keep its own house in order with discipline. 

And once again, there is an individual application for those to whom the Spirit is giving the ability to listen to what He says: overcome (Revelation 2:17). This is one way of thinking of repentance: overcoming sin. 

Jesus gives overcomers something better than the world is able even to offer: intimate communion with Himself. The manna is not only divinely-provided food of comfort, but it is hidden manna, received in the secret place with the lord. And the white stone is a personal token between the believer and the Lord. 

How could we give up such treasure—such personal intimacy with the Lord—for anything (or everything!) the world has to offer?

What are some ways that worldly worship might make things easier for you in this culture? What are some ways that worldly pleasure might help you “fit in” in this culture? How are you practicing dwelling upon the sweetness of intimacy with Christ?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for the world and the devil find a willing and powerful ally in our own remaining fleshliness. Even when fierce attack does not crush us, subtle temptations compromise us. So, give us to repent and overcome, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH508 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure?”

2025.01.01 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 4p Central)

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January 1 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 8:12–21 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.

Respond to Faithful Preaching While You Have It [Family Worship lesson in Amos 8]

Why must we make use of the opportunity that we have to repent at the hearing of the Word? Amos 8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our opportunity to respond to the hearing of the Word is a limited time offer, and when it is withdrawn, there will be nothing but judgment.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 8

Read Amos 8

Questions from the Scripture text: Who shows whom what (Amos 8:1)? What does He ask him (Amos 8:2)? What does Amos answer? Then Who says what to whom (cf. Amos 7:8)? What (Amos 8:3a) will be turned into what (verse 3b), says Whom (verse 3c)? What will come with that wailing (verse 3d), accompanied by what new sound (verse 3e)? What are those whom He now addresses doing to whom in Amos 8:4? What did they wish were over more quickly (Amos 8:5)? To do what? And even what (Amos 8:6)? Who has sworn to do (or not do) what (Amos 8:7)? What should the land do (Amos 8:8a)? And who else should do what (verse 8b)? What will happen to the land (verse 8c–e)? What will happen in that day (Amos 8:9)? What will He do to what (Amos 8:10a)? And what will He do to what else (verse 10b)? What will He bring upon them (verse 10c–d)? With what intensity (verse 10e–f)? What days are coming (Amos 8:11)? A famine of what? What will they do to seek it (Amos 8:12)? With what success? Who won’t withstand this (Amos 8:13)? What is behind all of their other sins (Amos 8:14)? And what will happen to them?

Why must we make use of the opportunity that we have to repent at the hearing of the Word? Amos 8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our opportunity to respond to the hearing of the Word is a limited time offer, and when it is withdrawn, there will be nothing but judgment.

Israel thought of the agricultural year as going from grape/olive harvest, through the sowing and harvesting of the fields, and then finally the collection of the summer fruit. The point of this vision is that all opportunity for repentance has elapsed (cf. Amos 7:8). 

They practice, indeed barely tolerate, the religion that God has commanded: new moons (Amos 8:5b, cf. Numbers 28:11–15), Sabbaths (Amos 8:5d, cf. Numbers 28:9–10), feasts (Amos 8:10a), and songs (verse 10b). But what they really love is earthly wealth (Amos 8:5). Those who disregard God for their business and pleasure won’t scruple much about disregarding those who are made in His image (Amos 8:4, Amos 8:6). The more vulnerable the better! 

And what they really trust in is their government (Samaria, their capital city) and the ways of worship they have invented (Jeroboam’s copy of the Bethel worship up in the far north of Dan, and apparently another form of false worship in the far south of Judah at Beersheba). Undoubtedly, they consider themselves orthodox observers, and even their additions as being made in honor of the Lord. 

But what they have neglected, He will remove. The language of “your feasts” and “your songs” (Amos 8:10) implies that they are not keeping them as the Lord’s feasts or the Lord’s songs. But He is going to replace even the songs of the temple (Amos 8:3) first with the wailing of dying, and then the silence of being overwhelmed by death and bereavement. But there is a worse famine, and a worse silence, and a worse fainting… the famine and fainting of the hearing the words of YHWH preached (Amos 8:11). 

This should alarm us. For, even at this advanced stage of spiritual decay, at least Israel are brought to seek earnestly (and unsuccessfully) for the word of YHWH (Amos 8:12). But we belong to an age more in line with 2 Timothy 4:3–4, where the less spiritual food, and the less nutritious it is, the better, in the minds of many. 

Our opportunities for responding rightly to the hearing of the Word will not last forever. The season of ripe fruit comes. While the Lord gives you opportunity, use it! Delight in His appointed holy day. Trust only in His Word. Apply your regard to Him in a regard for the least of those created in His image. Take your life from Him, through hearing His Word, as much as He continues to give you opportunity.

How do you feel about the Lord’s Day? Its commanded worship? The hearing of the Word on it? What religious activities that aren’t from the Bible are you in danger of preferring? How has God been patient with you? How are you responding to that patience, while there is still time? What may you expect, if you do not take advantage of this time?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for we have trusted in ourselves, and in our plans and efforts. When our hearts resist Your holy day, we often fail to see the greatness of the evil in us. Our disregard for the weak and vulnerable exposes our lack of love for You, and for Your image in them. We have not made good use of the opportunities that we have had to hear Your Word. Forgive us, and help us, while there is still time. For we ask it through Christ, His righteousness, and His sacrifice, AMEN!

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

Holiness Satisfied in Wrath and Mercy [2024.12.29 Evening Sermon in Numbers 31:1–24]

God's holiness must be satisfied—either in wrath or in mercy.

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

Jesus’s Priceless Treasure [2024.12.29 Morning Sermon in Matthew 13:44–53]

Jesus treasures the church, and so should we.

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