Integrity in Adversity [Family Worship lesson [Job 2:1–10]

What is happening when the devil attacks us? Job 2:1–10 prepares us for the opening part of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, when the devil attacks believers, the Lord is doing them good through it. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on Job’s unwavering faith amid profound suffering, highlighting the tension between human experience and divine sovereignty. Drawing from Job 2:1–10, it emphasizes that despite Satan’s malicious intent, Job's confidence that God is sovereign over all, enables him to remain blameless, upright, and committed to trusting God in both prosperity and adversity. The passage underscores the theological truth that all circumstances—good and evil—are ultimately under God’s sovereign control, and that true faith involves accepting both as expressions of His goodness and wisdom. Pastor contrasts Job’s steadfast integrity with the spiritual danger of grumbling, especially within close relationships, warning that discontentment can harm others and reveal a failure to trust God’s providence. Ultimately, the devotional calls believers to emulate Job’s contentment, rooted in the knowledge that God, who gave His Son for us, is faithful and good, and thus worthy of praise even in suffering.

2026.05.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 2:1–10

Read Job 2:1–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What was there in Job 2:1? Who came to do what on that day? Who came among them? What does YHWH ask in Job 2:2? How does the adversary answer? About whom does YHWH ask him (Job 2:3)? What does He call him? What does He say about him? What does He point out that Job is still doing? Despite what? But how does the adversary answer now (Job 2:4)? What does he say will happen, under what circumstances (Job 2:5)? What does YHWH permit (Job 2:6)? Within what limit? From where does the adversary go (Job 2:7)? What does he do to whom? How much? What does Job take, to do what, where (Job 2:8)? Who speaks to him in Job 2:9? What is the point of her rhetorical question? What does she tell him to do instead? What does Job say about her speech (Job 2:10)? What is the point of his rhetorical question? What assessment does the text make about him?

What is happening when the devil attacks us? Job 2:1–10 prepares us for the opening part of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, when the devil attacks believers, the Lord is doing them good through it. 

God still sovereign. The superintending sovereignty of God over the actions of demons and angels is again explained to us in terms of a council meeting, in which the subordinate powers report before the Lord (Job 2:1-2). Notice that, while Job was “in the adversary’s hand” (cf. Job 1:12), YHWH does not diminish His own superintending sovereignty (“you incited Me against him, to swallow him without cause,” Job 2:3). Now, more than ever, Job is YHWH’s servant, blameless, upright, fearing God, shunning evil. As always ultimately occurs, Satan’s attack has backfired. Job has been sanctified, and God has been glorified.

Satan still satanic. Alas, the adversary’s malice is not satisfied (Job 2:4). The selfishness described in Job 2:5 is characteristic of Satan, but at this point it rings hollow about Job. Again, we have the “two hands”: “stretch out Your hand” in verse 5, and YHWH saying, “he is in your hand,” in Job 2:6. Satan’s evil is his own, but YHWH’s good and sovereign hand overrules. Satan’s malice is restrained by the good will of God: “spare his life.” This is always the case, dear Christian. The almighty providence of God is always overruling; the good providence of God is always prevailing. Truly, His goodness and mercy are hot on your heals, always.

Job still being sanctified. Job is left miserable from head to toe, but we find out from his wife that he continues to be YHWH’s servant, blameless, upright, fearing God, shunning evil. She is actually irate that he continues to “hold fast to [his] integrity” (Job 2:9), even suggesting that he do precisely as Satan had said (Job 2:5). Without knowing it, she has been left alive as a tool of the devil. What a danger there is, when think according to the flesh, of becoming a tool of the devil! And this is most of all the case with those to whom we are closest. God gives man a wife to be his helper for worship and obedience; let her not influence him otherwise. For Job’s part, since he knows that God is good, he is willing to accept whatever He sends, whether pleasant or painful (Job 2:10). Dear Christian reader, whether in pleasantness or pain, trust the goodness of your God!

What hardship in your life do you need to be reminded is under God’s almighty and good providence? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your almighty, sovereign, wise, good providence. Truly, You accomplish all Your holy will, and all the malice of men or demons cannot hinder that. So receive our worship, and help us in it. Grant that, by Your Spirit, You would be everything unto us, in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH231 “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right” 

Wisdom's Necessary Vigilance [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 24:30–34]

Why must the wise be vigilant about wisdom? Proverbs 24:30–34 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must be vigilant about wisdom, because of the creation’s cursedness, our remaining corruption, and folly’s capacity for harm. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Proverbs 24:30–34 uses the image of a neglected field overrun by thorns and thistles to illustrate the destructive consequences of laziness and spiritual complacency. It emphasizes that even small, seemingly harmless indulgences—like a little sleep or rest—can spiral into ruin when unchecked, revealing that there is no tolerable amount of folly or sin. The passage calls believers to constant reflection and vigilance, reminding them that wisdom is not a one-time achievement but a lifelong practice. The tone is both convicting and pastoral, urging a zero-tolerance attitude toward spiritual negligence, as harm from folly can come suddenly, like a prowler or an armed man. Ultimately, the devotional underscores the necessity of disciplined diligence and continual dependence on God’s Word to resist the creeping decay of apathy and sin.

2026.05.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 24:30–34

Read Proverbs 24:30–34

Questions from the Scripture text: By what two things did the teacher go (Proverbs 24:30)? Whose? In what condition did he find them (Proverbs 24:31)? What did he take away from this (Proverbs 24:32)? How much of what (Proverbs 24:33) does it take for what to come (Proverbs 24:34)? In what manner?

Why must the wise be vigilant about wisdom? Proverbs 24:30–34 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that  we must be vigilant about wisdom, because of the creation’s cursedness, our remaining corruption, and folly’s capacity for harm.

Vigilant wisdom in light of a cursed world (Proverbs 24:30-31). The thorns and thistles in Proverbs 24:31 are not just inconvenient accidents of nature. They are the embodiment of the fall (cf. Genesis 3:17–18). The thorns and nettles are presented as an invading army, even breaking down the stone wall. Creation’s being bound to corruption and decay (cf. Romans 8:19–22), together with our own original sin and remaining corruption, demand constant, vigilant exercise of wisdom. To be lazy is to lack understanding of ourselves and of God’s world (Proverbs 24:30).

Vigilant wisdom in light of remaining corruption (Proverbs 24:32). One of the most repeated themes in the book of Proverbs has been the father’s urging the son to see, consider, look, and receive instruction. But in verse 32, it is Solomon who is doing the considering and receiving instruction. We never mature past learning. In fact, it is a sign of maturity that we continue to reflect, meditate, learn, receive instruction. Obviously, Solomon already knew that laziness is destructive (cf. Proverbs 6:9–11). But, he knows that laziness continues to be a threat from within him. Just as with the condition of the creation, our remaining corruption means that we need to maintain constant vigilance against folly.

Vigilant wisdom in light of folly’s great potential for harm (Proverbs 24:33-34). The triple repetition drives home the point. How much sleep does it take? A little! How much slumber does it take? A little! How much folding of the hands to rest does it take? A little! Now, we know that the Lord gives to His beloved to sleep (cf. Psalm 127:2). So this isn’t establishing a zero-tolerance policy for sleep. Rather, Proverbs 24:33 is what the lazy men tells himself when it is time, not for sleep, but for work. He seems to know that it is folly, or he wouldn’t justify it to himself by saying that it is only a little. But even “a little” folly can bring sudden, overwhelming harm (Proverbs 24:34). So we must have a zero-tolerance policy for folly. 

Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, our righteousness. He watched and prayed, when none of His disciples were able. He grew in wisdom His whole life long. He never indulged in folly, even for a moment. And it is His righteousness that is both counted for the believer, and worked out by His Spirit in the believer’s life.

What aspect of the broken creation has been threatening to sneak up on you? How are you continuing to observe things and receive instruction? In what folly are you tempted to indulge “a little”?

Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for the wisdom and righteousness of Christ. Please work in us, by Your Spirit, making us to be like unto Him. Keep us from indulging in laziness or any other folly. And, hasten the day when our folly will be eliminated altogether, and a new creation will enjoy sharing in the glorious freedom that belongs to us as Your children, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”

Be Covenantally Faithful [2026.05.05 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 24:26–29]

The Lord has bound us to various people to whom we must be faithful.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The passage calls believers to covenantal faithfulness in three key relationships: the community, the household, and the neighbor. It emphasizes truthful public testimony—especially in judicial settings—as a reflection of marital covenant loyalty, where honesty is not merely ethical but a sacred duty. The command to prepare one’s field before building a house underscores a moral and spiritual responsibility to provide for future family, both materially and spiritually, rooted in the biblical imperative to care for one’s household as a sign of genuine faith. The prohibition against bearing false witness against a neighbor without cause exposes the danger of harboring resentment and seeking personal vengeance, which distorts truth and leads to deceitful speech; instead, believers are to trust God as the ultimate judge and refrain from usurping His role. Ultimately, all relationships are seen as divinely ordained, requiring integrity, self-control, and grace, with the heart’s posture toward others being the foundation of faithful action.

2026.05.10 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 Ultimate Glory of Marriage [2026.05.09 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – May 9, 2026

Dear Congregation,

Matthew 22 begins, “And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son…’”

This is a parable about those who hear the gospel but refuse to enter the kingdom, and even those who are part of the visible church (so, in the kingdom in some sense)—but who do not have Christ and His righteousness counted for them by faith, so they never come to have His righteousness clothing them in personal holiness either.

But the choice of a wedding intends to remind us of something that is more than a parable: THE parable, or as Ephesians 5:31–32 puts it, “the mystery” of Christ and the church. Hebrews 1:8 teaches us to understand Jesus as the great Bridegroom of Psalm 45 (and, of its parallel song, the Song of Songs).

Marriage is the parable of Christ and the church. It is secondary to God’s eternal intention to wed the Son to a bride whom He would redeem, and betroth to Himself, and perfect, and marry.

It is on account of this intention that God creates and designs man to be married. The startling “it is not good” (that the man would be alone), in Genesis 2, after five repetitions of “it was good,” shows us how central marriage was to the creation plan and the creation order. Rapidly, at the end of day 6, the first marriage takes things from, “it is not good,” to the triumphant, “it was very good.”

So, it is not surprising that the first place the devil attacked humanity was in the context of their failings as wife and husband in Gen 3. And the nature of marriage itself has been under attack in every single generation since then. The consequence is the corruption of man’s purpose, the destruction of man’s joy, and the obstruction of this glorious parable of Christ and His church.

Marriage, well-understood and faithfully lived by grace, is the greatest earthly blessing. It is not surprising that the Lord would make it so, in light of the great glory of what it shows forth.

But, an approach to marriage that pursues it for oneself, rather than in self-sacrificial love to one another, to show forth Christ and His church, is the most common of the nearly innumerable perversions with which marriage has been attacked.

As we increasingly discovered, under the preaching of the Song of Songs, it is the sweetest possible thing to know the greatness of Christ’s delight in His bride, and His relentless efforts to produce in her that which is delightful, and to be with her. Enjoying Him, and His love to us, and His work in stirring up our love to Him… this is the pleasure of heaven. And we can have it already on earth. Meditating much upon this does much to motivate us to the most faithful and affectionate earthly marriage that grace gives us. Best of all, it prepares us for the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Looking forward to the Bride’s meeting with her Betrothed tomorrow,

Pastor

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

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC51, God's Workmanship for God Works 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC28, Christ Exalted Yesterday, Today, and Forever
▪Job 1:6–22, “When God Is Everything to You”
▪1Chronicles 5, “Historically Sad Sin and Chastening”
▪Mark 4:1–20, “The Hearing Heart That We Need”
▪Ephesians 1:3–4, “Blessed in the Blessed One”
▪Zephaniah 1:1–3, “YHWH's Word of Warning”

LORD'S DAY – May 10, 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

▫Songs for public worship on May 10: ARP73C [mp3], ARP80 [mp3], ARP65A [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Job 1:6–22

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
1Chronicles 5
Mark 4:1–20

Sermon Scripture text and topic

We will be hearing the sermon from Ephesians 1:3–4 about “Every Spiritual Blessing”

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

▫Children’s Catechism for May 10. Q51 What is sanctification? It is God's making sinners holy in heart and conduct. [CC 51 Simply Explained: “God's Workmanship for God Works”]

▫Shorter Catechism for May 10. Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation? Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. [WSC 28 Simply Explained: “Christ Exalted Yesterday, Today, and Forever”]

▫Memory Verse for May 10, Ephesians 1:4, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

3:00 p.m. Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Zephaniah 1:1–3 about “Man, the Stumbling Block”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for May
Prosperity ARP in Taft, TN

May Psalm of the Month
ARP80 Hear, O Hear Us

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, May 13, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 24:30–34 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 13, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study
• Saturday, May 23, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Thursday, June 4, Diaconate Meeting, 8 p.m.

Blessed in the Blessed One [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:3–4]

What effect should the great truths of the faith have upon us? Ephesians 1:3–4 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the great truths of the faith should make us burst forth with praise unto God for their reality. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds the profound truth that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, rooted in God’s eternal election before the foundation of the world. It emphasizes the triune nature of God, the hypostatic union of Christ, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, highlighting how Christ’s incarnation, sacrifice, and exaltation secure our blessedness with Him in the heavenly realms. Central to this message is the doctrine of unconditional election—God’s sovereign, loving choice of believers in Christ for the purpose of their ultimate holiness and blamelessness before Him, a goal guaranteed by divine grace. The passage calls for worship and joy, not only because of past redemption but because of the certain future fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. Pastor underscores that these truths, though often opposed, are foundational to Christian confidence, comfort, and praise, urging believers to live in the strength and gladness they provide.

2026.05.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:3–4

Read Ephesians 1:3–4

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose God does Ephesians 1:3 begin to praise? What else does it call Him? What does this combination remind us about Jesus (cf. WSC 21)? Whom has this God blessed? With what? Where? In Whom? What did God do to us (Ephesians 1:4)? In Whom? When? To what end? Before Whom? In what?

What effect should the great truths of the faith have upon us? Ephesians 1:3–4 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the great truths of the faith should make us burst forth with praise unto God for their reality. 

After the greeting—which was already rich with the glory and grace of God in Christ—the apostle explodes with a twelve-verse run-on sentence of praise. Just the first two verses’ worth are full of so much rich doctrine…

Christ’s humanity and deity. God is both His God (in His humanity) and His Father (in His deity). 

Christ’s person and work. He is the Lord—the eternally blessed and only living and true God, Who created all things and rules over all things. He is Jesus, for He is the One by Whom the Lord saves. He is Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed Prophet who reveals God’s will, Priest who intercedes for God’s people, and King who exercises God’s authority.

The completeness and greatness of God’s blessing. Every blessing. Even in heaven.

The means and Mediator of that blessing. The Holy Spirit (it is “spiritual” blessing) is the One Who applies it to us, and He applies it to us by uniting us to Christ. We know that it would be impossible for us to be seated in heaven, let alone blessed in heaven, apart from Christ. But every blessing of God comes to us in this same way: in Christ.

The source of that blessing: unconditional election. God’s free choice. The nature of election. Not just a bare choosing, but a choosing in which God considers someone in connection and unity with His Son. The timing of election. Before the foundation of the world. The end result/goal of election. Holiness and blamelessness. The greatness of this holiness. It is not merely a blamelessness before creatures, but a blamelessness and holiness before the holy, holy, holy God!

It is no surprise that many of these are the very truths that have been compromised and attacked throughout the history of the church. The world, the flesh, and the devil hate the glory of God. And so these truths are to be defended vigorously!

But not just defended. Delighted in. Rejoiced over. Turned back Godward in praise! This is, after all, the use of these truths in Scripture and the reason for defending them to begin with.

Why is each of these truths important? How is it precious? How would you defend it? How are you responding to it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank you for blessing us from all eternity in Christ, in heaven in Christ, unto our final holiness and blamelessness in Christ. We bless Your Name for this, in Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH448 “Union with Thee”

YHWH's Word of Warning [Family Worship lesson Zephaniah 1:1–3]

Why this word at this time? Zephaniah 1:1–3 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God sends us flying to His grace by reminding us that He still hates sin. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: God’s judgment is imminent for Judah’s pervasive wickedness, echoing the divine wrath of the flood and foreshadowing the final judgment, as creation itself groans under the curse of sin. Though the language of total destruction recalls Genesis 6, it is not a contradiction of God’s mercy but a call to repentance, rooted in the unchanging holiness of God and the enduring authority of His Word, echoing Deuteronomy and anticipating both judgment and restoration. The warning extends beyond national catastrophe to include the spiritual danger of moral complacency and the presence of 'stumbling blocks'—those who hinder God’s people—within the church, underscoring that true revival begins with a heart turned to God’s law. Ultimately, the prophecy points forward to the day when God will restore His people, not by human effort but by divine grace, calling the church to awaken, repent, and embrace the hope of renewal. This message remains urgent today, as God’s justice and mercy continue to shape history and call His people to faithfulness.