Gratitude of the Grace-Revived [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 20:29–21:3]

For what are spiritually alive people grateful? Proverbs 20:29–21:3 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritually alive people are grateful to be aged, to be chastened by God, to be ruled by God, and to be judged by God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the transformative reorientation of values that enables believers to find delight in what pleases God, moving beyond self-justification and fleshly desires. Drawing from Proverbs 20:29–21:3, it emphasizes four sacred graces—aging with wisdom, embracing painful discipline, submitting to God’s sovereign rule, and welcoming divine judgment—as essential to cultivating a heart that desires righteousness and justice over mere ritual. These are not burdens but blessings, reflecting God’s gracious work in sanctifying the believer from within, where true holiness and alignment with His will are cultivated. The passage underscores that human self-assessment is fatally flawed, but when the heart yields to God’s weighing of motives and actions through His Word, the believer is freed from self-deception and empowered to live righteously. Ultimately, the goal is a heart whose deepest joy is not in personal achievement or self-approval, but in doing what is right and just—precisely because God’s pleasure has become the believer’s own.

2026.01.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 20:29–21:3

Read Proverbs 20:29–21:3

Questions from the Scripture text: What is the glory/adornment of young men (Proverbs 20:29a)? What is the splendor/majesty of old men (verse 29b)? What does God use to cleanse away evil (Proverbs 20:30a)? What does He use to cleanse one’s innards (verse 30b)? Where is the king’s heart (Proverbs 21:1a)? Like what is his heart (verse 1b)? Where does YHWH turn it? Of how many of his ways does a man think what (Proverbs 21:2a)? Who weighs hearts properly (verse 2b)? What should a man do (Proverbs 21:3a)? To Whom is this acceptable (verse 3b)? More than what?

For what are spiritually alive people grateful? Proverbs 20:29–21:3 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritually alive people are grateful to be aged, to be chastened by God, to be ruled by God, and to be judged by God.  

Grateful to be aged. Young men are adorned by strength (Proverbs 20:29a), but old men should have something better: wisdom (verse 29b). There is an increase in greatness from the word “glory” to the word “splendor.” Wisdom (the grey head) is better than strength (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:16–18), and we should be happy to trade in our youth for our latter years, IF we have been gaining wisdom.

Grateful to be chastened. God’s discipline comes often in “blows that hurt” (Proverbs 20:30a) and stripes (verse 30b). But how necessary are such blows, when our innards (verse 30b) need cleansing from evil (verse 30a)! The flesh hates the pain, but the new man rejoices in God’s Fatherly, sanctifying love (cf. Hebrews 12:5–14; Psalm 119:67, Psalm 119:71). If we are to attain a wisdom for which to be thankful (Proverbs 20:29), then it will require discipline, for which we ought also to be thankful (Proverbs 20:30). 

Grateful to be ruled and overruled. The “heart” ties Proverbs 21:1 back to Proverbs 20:30 (and looks forward to Proverbs 21:30–31), teaching us that, though we are unable to cure our hearts, the Lord is more than able (cf. Ephesians 2:1–5). Even the king’s heart is in the Lord’s hand (Proverbs 21:1a) to channel upon whomever/whatever pleases the Lord (verse 1b). This is a comfort to us, when we are under the king. But what a great comfort it would be for the king himself, who needs such grace! When we find the curing of our hearts impossible, this truth turns us back to Him. If we are going to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (cf. Philippians 2:12), we must depend upon Him to work in us (cf. Philippians 2:13). 

Grateful to be judged by God. How useless, and dangerous, it is to judge our own actions—every way we take seems right to us in our flesh (Proverbs 21:2a, cf. Jeremiah 17:9). We are experts at self-justifying and self-rationalizing! But, if our flesh is so proud and blind that it can never see its sinfulness, then it is a great help and relief not only to count is judgment as the true one (Proverbs 21:2b), but to be granted the ministry of His Word and Spirit to judge us and reveal the truth to us about ourselves (cf. Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 139:23–24, Psalm 19:11–13). Wonderfully, as He works graciously in us, He also makes us to know that His work in us has been real, and that it has been His work (cf. Psalm 26:1–2; Galatians 5:16–25). 

When we yield the place of Judge to the Lord, we make what He desires (Proverbs 21:3b) the aim of all our religion. This means that we do not think of “sacrifice” as something we are giving up in order to do God a favor. We realize that the sacrifices of the Old Testament ceremonies were gracious gifts from God, ways of looking forward to Christ and participating in Him by faith, so that sinners could draw near to the living God. We learn to b pleased by what pleases Him (verse 3b). We do what’s righteous and just (verse 3a), because we are pleased with them. 

If you are young, how are you aiming at wisdom? If you are older, do you consider that splendid? How are you showing yourself wise? In what ways has God chastened you? How has your heart responded? What are your feelings about the Lord being sovereign even over your heart? How often does God’s Word overrule your opinion of yourself and your ways?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for disciplining us, and ruling over our hearts. Please grant that, by Your Spirit, You would make what pleases You to determine what pleases us. And as we age, please mature us in the true wisdom of the sanctified, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

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

2026.01.18 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.

The Glory of a Christian Wife [2026.01.17 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – January 17, 2026

Special Notice: as announced last Lord’s Day at public worship, and in the booklet, the annual budget meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, directly after the prayer meeting (~8p.m.). A draft budget is attached, as approved by the Diaconate and commended by the Session.

Dear Congregation,

Two women get name changes in the Bible.

First, Adam changes Mrs. Adam’s (Adamah, “woman”) name to “Eve” as an expression of his faith (Gen 3:20) in the gospel promise contained within the curse upon the serpent (Gen 3:15).

Second, when God is giving Abram the sign of the covenant, He changes not just Abram’s name (Gen 17:5), but Sarai’s. Every time Abraham calls her Sarah (Gen 17:15), he will remember that God’s covenant is tied to the Offspring that will come through her (Gen 17:15–21).

But it is not just those husbands who are ancestors of Christ, for whom a big part of their walk with the Lord is to recognize the honored place that God has given their wife.

Treating your wife as a fellow-heir of the grace of life is an essential part of the Christian walk of every husband. Just as Sarah is an example to Christian wives (1Pet 3:5–6), what God gives Abraham to do by changing Sarai’s name is an example to all Christian husbands (1Pet 3:7).

These means dwelling with them with understanding, and “handling with care,” lest the Lord refuse to hear your prayers (“that your prayers may not be hindered”). And it means aiming at their coming into the inheritance of the grace of life, by the regular bathing of the Word (Eph 5:25–26).

A Christian wife is a glory in her husband’s life. And the honor of acknowledging her status, and responding rightly to it, is a significant part of his walk with Christ.

Marvelously, Christ Himself treasures His church, His bride.

Looking forward to drawing near to Him, as He dwells with us with understanding and cleanses us with His Word,

Pastor

 

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

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC35, Conceived in Sin and Misery 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC12, The God Who Binds Himself to Creatures 
▪Song of Songs 3:7–11, “The Glory of the Groom”
▪Deuteronomy 27:11–26, “Each of Us Deserves God's Wrath”
▪Ecclesiastes 10:8–10, “Trust Only in God But Live Wisely”
▪Matthew 26:47–56, “Christ's Compassionate Commitment”
▪Song of Songs 4:1–7, “Beauty of the Perfected Bride”

 

LORD'S DAY – January 18, 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 January 18. Q35 What effect had the sin of Adam on all mankind? All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery. [CC 35 Simply Explained: “Conceived in Sin and Misery”]

▫Shorter Catechism for January 18. Q12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? When God had created man, He entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. [WSC 12 Simply Explained: “The God Who Binds Himself to Creatures”]

Songs for January 18 morning service: 
▫TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” [mp3]
▫ARP135A “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord’s Name” [mp3]
▫ARP41B “All Those Who Hate Me” [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 3:7–11

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 27:11–26
Ecclesiastes 10:8–10

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 26:47–56 about “Christ’s Commitment to the Cross”

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 January 18, Matthew 26:56, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

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 4:1–7 about “The Bride on Her Wedding Day”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for January
Lincoln Memorial ARP in Fayetteville, TN

January Psalm of the Month
ARP135A Hallelujah! Praise the Lord’s Name

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, January 21, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 20:29–21:3 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Saturday, January 24, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Wednesday, January 28, Congregational Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Chapel
• Wednesday, February 11, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study

Christ's Compassionate Commitment [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:47–56]

What does Jesus show about Himself, during His arrest? Matthew 26:47–56 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus displays His commitment to dying on the cross for our sins, and His compassion to even those who are sinning against Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: In the pivotal moment of His arrest, Jesus demonstrates both unwavering commitment to the divine plan and profound compassion toward those who oppose Him. He confronts Judas with a gentle yet piercing question—‘Friend, why have you come?’—offering a final opportunity for repentance, even as He fulfills the Scriptures that foretold His betrayal. To Peter, who draws his sword in misguided defense, Jesus redirects him from fleshly defenses to submission to authority that entrusts himself to God and the fulfillment of God's Word. To the mob, He challenges their actions with rhetorical questions, reminding them of His daily teaching in the temple and calling them to reflect on their sin in light of Who Jesus is, and what the Scriptures have said about Him. In each encounter, Jesus turns the moment into an act of compassionate evangelism, inviting all—Judas, Peter, and the crowd—to consider who He is, what He has done, and the divine purpose behind His suffering. His resolve is rooted in Scripture, and the compassion of One Who goes to the cross to save sinners.

2026.01.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 26:47–56

Read Matthew 26:47–56

Questions from the Scripture text: What was Jesus doing (Matthew 26:47, cf. Matthew 26:46)? Who came? With whom? What had he given them (Matthew 26:48)? What was this sign? What did he say to do to Him? To whom does Judas go (Matthew 26:49)? What does he say? What does he do to Him? What does Jesus ask him (Matthew 26:50)? What did the mob do? But what did one of those with Jesus do (Matthew 26:51)? Striking whom? With what effect? What does Jesus tell him to do (Matthew 26:52)? Why? What could Jesus Himself had done (Matthew 26:53)? What rhetorical question does He ask in Matthew 26:54? What is the implied answer? Whom does Jesus address in Matthew 26:55? What does He ask them? What is He calling them to reflect upon? What hadn’t they done? Why does He say that this has happened in this particular way (Matthew 26:56)? What do the disciples do at this point?

What does Jesus show about Himself, during His arrest? Matthew 26:47–56 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus displays His commitment to dying on the cross for our sins, and His compassion to even those who are sinning against Him.

Jesus’s commitment. Jesus’s prayers have been answered. No, the cup has not passed from Him. Indeed, the Scriptures said that salvation must happen this way (cf. Isaiah 52:13–53:12), and here we see Him absolutely determined to go in the manner written of Him.

Jesus emphasizes that this is what He is doing, when He calls Judas “friend” (Matthew 26:50) in allusion to Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:13.

And Jesus demonstrates is resolve when He rebukes (Matthew 26:52) His obviously unskilled (Matthew 26:51) defender. It was necessary for Him to die, not by the sword but by the cross. He was not about to be taken on account of being overpowered (Matthew 26:53), but on account of submission to Scripture (Matthew 26:54). Indeed, His own reference to Zechariah 13:7 is here fulfilled (Matthew 26:56, cf. Matthew 26:31). 

The Lord Jesus was committed to going to the cross.

Jesus’s compassion. Even in the midst of being betrayed, Jesus ministers to three different parties. First, He confronts Judas with his intentions. Jesus isn’t actually wondering about Judas. He knows exactly why Judas is here (Matthew 26:46). Rather, as God did with Adam (cf. Genesis 3:9, Genesis 3:11), Jesus is confronting Judas with his sin, giving him opportunity to come to repentance.

Second, He instructs His disciple defender. This fisherman is such a poor swordsman that, in his attempt to dispatch what would have had to be the first of a multitude of assailants, he succeeded only in lopping off a servant’s ear. Jesus rebukes this misguided defense (Matthew 26:52), encourages him to think more fully and spiritually (Matthew 26:53), but especially to submit to the Scriptures and the will of God. This is not just a command to yield to whatever God has decided, but a call to meditate upon the necessity of the atonement of Christ, the Just dying for the unjust.

Third, Jesus instructs he crowd. Their actions should have embarrassed them and made them question what they were doing. It was obvious that He was not the sort of person who merited the response and actions that they were taking (Matthew 26:55). Their not being able to recognize him without Judas’s sign (Matthew 26:48) indicated that these had never gone to hear Him preach, for they could not identify Him, and He confronts them with that fact in Matthew 26:55. They were not familiar with His words, preached during His earthly life; nor, did they understand His words by the prophets (Matthew 26:56). In love, Jesus confronts us about our failure to worship Him, trust Him, and entrust ourselves to Him, by urging upon us the importance of hearing and heeding His words!

How are you showing your commitment to being saved only in the way that God has said? What is that way? How are you responding to Jesus? What use are you making of the Scriptures, by which He teaches you about you and Himself?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for being determined to go to the cross for us, and indeed for going to that cross and dying for our sins. And thank You for the compassion in which You keep instructing us, so that we would worship You, and trust You, and entrust ourselves to You. By the ministry of Your Spirit, give us to do just that, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP41B “All Those Who Hate Me” or TPH55 “O Hear My Cry for Mercy, God” 

How to Do All You Do [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 16:2–4]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live according to God’s Word, trusting God’s providence, and for God’s glory.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) This devotional, from Proverbs 16:2–4, calls believers to align their lives with God’s will. It emphasizes that human intentions, though often perceived as pure, must be evaluated by God, who alone discerns the heart’s true motives, urging humility and dependence on Scripture and the Holy Spirit. The call to commit one’s works to the Lord reflects a trust not in personal wisdom or effort, but in God’s sovereign purpose, Who works all things according to His will. Even the existence of the wicked is ultimately for God’s glory, pointing to the ultimate aim of the believer's life: to glorify God not through judgment, but through eternal enjoyment and delight in Him. The message is both convicting and comforting, calling for a lifelong transformation of heart and action, rooted in grace and sustained by faith.

Beauty of the Perfected Bride [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:1–7]

How beautiful is the church on her wedding day? Song of Songs 4:1–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, on their wedding day, the Lord will have made His church faultlessly beautiful with His own beauty. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Song of Songs 4:1–7 portrays the Bridegroom’s profound love for His bride on their wedding day. Central to the message is the perfection of the bride—her beauty now complete, spotless, and fully aligned with Christ, reflecting the ultimate sanctification of the church (and her members) at the consummation of history. Through vivid imagery—dove’s eyes, flowing hair, flawless teeth, blushing temples, a royal neck, and nurturing breasts—the devotional unpacks how each feature symbolizes spiritual maturity: purity of understanding, humility, faith, modesty, dignity, and the ability to nourish others. These attributes are not mere physical descriptions but spiritual realities fulfilled in the Church’s union with Christ, culminating in His presenting her to Himself without spot or wrinkle. Pastor calls his family to long for and labor toward this perfected state, both personally and corporately, as a response to Christ’s redemptive work and a longing for His return, when the Church will be fully glorified and united with Him in eternal joy.

2026.01.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:1–7

Read Song of Songs 4:1–7

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Bridegroom say to His bride (Song of Songs 4:1a)? How many times (verse 1b)? What does He compliment in verse 1c? And in verse 1d–e? And in Song of Songs 4:2? What does He say about them? And in Song of Songs 4:3a? What does He say about them? And in verse 3b? And verse 3c–d? What does He say about them? And in Song of Songs 4:4? What does He say about it? And in Song of Songs 4:5? What does He say about them? Where does He say that He will go (Song of Songs 4:6c–d, cf. Song of Songs 3:6)? Until when (Song of Songs 4:6a–b)? What does He say about her in Song of Songs 4:7 (cf. Ephesians 5:27)? 

How beautiful is the church on her wedding day? Song of Songs 4:1–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, on their wedding day, the Lord will have made His church faultlessly beautiful with His own beauty. 

Song of Songs 4:1–5:1 take us into the conversation between the Bridegroom and the bride on their wedding day. In these seven verses, He praises her and declares His intentions to her, leading up to the invitation in Song of Songs 4:8. The inclusio in Song of Songs 4:1a–b and Song of Songs 4:7 declares her beauty. It is to the latter verse that Ephesians 5:27 refers, when describing the end goal of all Christ’s work in His bride. In Song of Songs 4:1-5, He focuses on many aspects of this beauty that He is producing in the church. The dove’s eyes (Song of Songs 4:1c) we have seen already in Song of Songs 1:15, signifying Spirit-given innocence, especially in seeing and knowing the Lord Jesus. The hair (Song of Songs 4:1d–e) being most indicative of adornment, with respect to the church must especially refer to her good works and godliness, as the apostles understood (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4). The teeth (Song of Songs 4:2) have reference especially to feeding, and in the church’s case, especially the faith by which we take Christ and receive and appropriate Him to ourselves; in this case, the bride’s faith is eager (verse 2a) and clean (verse 2b) and fruitful (verse 2c–d). The lips for speaking (Song of Songs 4:3a), and the mouth for singing and kissing (verse 3b), refer to the church’s beautiful communications to her Bridegroom, which she does with the beautiful modesty and humility of one who blushes appropriately (verse 3c–d). Song of Songs 4:4 makes its own elaboration upon the neck, focusing upon its strength, strong necks being indicative of nobility and royalty. The breasts (Song of Songs 4:5) are part of the loveliness of a wife to her husband, on this her wedding day—their beauty being especially the promise of nourishing their children. Here is the church’s aptness to edify, giving the pure spiritual milk of the Word (cf. 1 Peter 2:2). This capacity for edification is obtained from her Beloved, the Shepherd, as He feeds His flock (Song of Songs 4:5c, cf. Song of Songs 2:16b). He has beautified her, and overcome the distance between them, answering her prayer (Song of Songs 4:6a–b, cf. Song of Songs 2:17). The mountains are now the mountains of her likeness to Him (Song of Songs 4:6c–d, cf. Song of Songs 3:6c–d). Her great beauty is her likeness to Him, and He will delight in her forever!

What is beautiful to Christ? How can you obtain it and grow in it? What may you look forward to by it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for loving us and giving yourself up for us, to cleanse us by the washing of water of Your Word. Continue Your Work in us, until You present us faultless to Yourself on the last day, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” 

Living in Light of His Sight [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 15:3]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live in light of the fact that God sees all things, works in all things, and judges all things. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional meditates on the fact that God’s eyes are everywhere, constantly observing both the wicked and the righteous with perfect knowledge and divine purpose. This truth humbles humanity by emphasizing our limited perception and calling us to trust in God’s understanding rather than our own. It comforts believers, knowing that even evil is under God’s sovereign control and ultimately serves His plan, while also encouraging the righteous, who are upheld and empowered by His grace to do good. God avenges the righteous and rewards their faithful deeds as fruits of union with Christ. Living in the awareness of His ever-present gaze fosters peace, joy, diligence, and holy devotion, as all actions are done in His sight and for His glory.