2024.11.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 17:1-8

Read Genesis 17:1-8

Questions from the Scripture text: How old was Abram in Genesis 17:1? How much time has passed since chapter 16? Who appears to Abram? What does He call Himself? What does He command Abram to do? What will YHWH make between Himself and Abram (Genesis 17:2)? What will He do? How does Abram respond in Genesis 17:3? How does God respond to that? What does God proceed to say about Himself in Genesis 17:4? What outcome will this have for Abram? What else is God changing for Abram in Genesis 17:5? What are some of the details in Genesis 17:6 about what God will do for Abram? With whom is this covenant established (Genesis 17:7)? How is this covenant relationship described? What else does God give them in this covenant (Genesis 17:8)?

What do believers who have been stumbling along in their own strength need? Genesis 17:1–8 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 believers need to be turned away from themselves to the Lord Who covenants them to Himself—and Himself to them.

It has now been another 14 years that the Lord has not spoken to Abram—14 years of Abram living with the consequences of his sin. Yahweh shows up and announces, “I am God Almighty!”

Abram has every reason to expect to be destroyed, but instead this announcement of God’s power is the prelude to sustaining him. Not “be banished from before Me and suffer” but “walk before Me and be blameless.”

What follows is statement after statement of God’s commitment of Himself to Abram—and God also committing Abram to Himself. 

This mutual commitment is called a “covenant,” and establishes that wonderful relationship: He will be “God to you and your descendants after you.”

This is so powerful that it even changes Abram’s identity—changes his name: Abraham.

And the Holy Spirit comes to us in the New Testament and tells us that when we trust in Christ as Abraham did, then we too are objects of this almighty power, objects of this unswerving commitment, this identity-changing relationship with the Lord.

What do believers who have been stumbling along in their own strength need? This is the question we see presented in Abram, who has been dealing with the consequences of the Hagar choice for thirteen years, as this passage opens.

Such believers need the power of God Almighty at work in them. We might think that “I am God Almighty” is the prelude to destroying a sinner, since that is what Abram is. But it is instead the prelude to sustaining a saint, since that is also what Abram is: “I am God Almighty, [so] walk before Me and be blameless”!

Such believers need the presence of God Almighty pressed into them. The knowledge that we are before His face is a help against all fear of men, and even against service of self.

Such believers need the purity of God’s standard applied to them. Be blameless. Not the run-of-the-mill blamelessness in the eyes of men, either. Blameless in the eyes of God! Only one who has been shown God’s grace in Christ can have this as a standard, because only Christ’s sacrifice and righteousness can be the sure fulfillment of such a standard on our behalf, and only Christ’s life in us can be a sure hope that we will one day be conformed to such a standard.

Such believers need the promise of God Almighty covenanted to them. We who are so deserving of wrath need God’s glorious swearing of Himself to us as an encouragement to our faith (cf. Hebrews 6:13-20). It was not for His sake that God entered into such a commitment, but for ours.

Such believers need the propriety (ownership) of God pronounced upon them. One way that God reaffirms that He has special ownership of Abram is by changing his name. “You are Mine, so you will be called what I call you.” And so He calls us saint, brother, believer, sons of God, etc. in the Scripture.

Such believers need the prosperity (fruitfulness) of God’s commitment held out unto them. What sad consequences we endure daily from our fall in Adam. But God’s salvation in Christ is even more effective. Genesis 17:6, Genesis 17:8 present the opposite of Abraham’s current experience. And as God tells us throughout Scripture of the effects of His gospel, we expect this opposite-fruit to continue.

Such believers need the persistence of God’s covenant affirmed to them. Persistence across generations: just as the fall comes upon our children simply because they are ours, all of these covenant benefits are held out to them by God, also because they are ours. And persistence across time. This is still the same covenant that we are in when we believe in Jesus. It is an everlasting covenant that belongs to all who have the same faith in Christ as Abraham (cf. Romans 4:11-18, Galatians 3:7, Galatians 3:29).

What are some things God has committed Himself to do by His power for you? What are some things that He has brought you into a commitment to do toward Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for covenanting us to Yourself and Yourself to us. Forgive us for trying to walk, or to be blameless, through our own strength. Be God to us, and to our children, forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP87 “The Lord’s Foundation” or TPH461 “Blessed Are the Sons of God”

A Song for Those for Whom the Great Day Is a Day of Gladness [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 97]

How do people respond at YHWH’s judgment? Psalm 97 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that at YHWH’s judgment, the whole creation is undone and re-done, the wicked are put to shame, and the righteous are filled with gladness. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 97

Read Psalm 97

Questions from the Scripture text: With what declaration does the psalm begin (Psalm 97:1a)? Which subjects rejoice over this reign (verse 1c)? Where do most of the images in Psalm 97:3-5 come from (cf. Exodus 19:16–18, Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:11; Judges 5:5; Hebrews 12:18–21)? What attributes were gloriously declared from there (Psalm 97:2b)? What else declare His righteousness and display His glory (Psalm 97:6, cf. Psalm 8:3–4; Psalm 19:1–6)? What does this do to those who deny or exchange this glory for idols (Psalm 97:7, cf. Exodus 20:4–6; Romans 1:18–25)? Who have an opposite response to the idolaters (Psalm 97:8)? Over what do they especially rejoice (verse 8c)? What do they rejoice that these judgments display about Yahweh (Psalm 97:9)? What must those who love Him and His judgments hate (Psalm 97:10a)? What is YHWH specifically doing for them (verse 10b–c)? What does He call them? What does He produce for whom (Psalm 97:11)? How are they to respond (Psalm 97:12)? 

How do people respond at YHWH’s judgment? Psalm 97 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that at YHWH’s judgment, the whole creation is undone and re-done, the wicked are put to shame, and the righteous are filled with gladness.  

Let the earth rejoice! Psalm 97:1–6. This Psalm launches with the Romans 8:18–25 hope. One day, the creation will have been “delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). For now, however, “the whole creation groans and labors” (Romans 8:22). Why, then, is it rejoicing in v1? Because, together with the “new song” Psalms on either side of it, this Psalm looks to “the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), the day when the bodies of those adopted sons will have been redeemed (cf. Romans 8:23). 

The Lord often makes display of His power and wrath and righteousness by way of the creation. No such display was greater than the flood in Genesis 6–9, and the display at Sinai in Exodus 19 communicates the same. Psalm 97:2-6 pick this up with the clouds and darkness and fire and earthquake. The mountain itself seemed to melt (Psalm 97:5), just as Sinai flowed (“gushed,” Judges 5:5). All peoples can see the heavens which declare His righteousness (Psalm 97:6a) and glory (verse 6b, cf. Psalm 19:1–6). 

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Psalm 97:7. How foolish all idolaters will be exposed to have been, the moment their life in this world is done, or the moment that Christ appears in the sky! Right now they “boast” in their idols (Psalm 97:7b), but those idol-gods will be humiliated before Yahweh (verse 7c). The wicked may seem to have the godly in their grasp, but even out of their hand, YHWH will deliver His saints (Psalm 97:10c). Dear reader, it is profoundly shortsighted to live for anything other than the Lord as your purpose. It is profoundly short-sighted to desire anything apart from the Lord as your pleasure. It is profoundly short-sided to depend upon anything apart from the Lord as your power. Have Him as all of these, or you will be put to shame at the very worst time—and forever.

Zion hears and is glad, Psalm 97:8-12. For their part, the Lord’s people join in the gladness of the creation. Or rather, it is the Lord’s people’s gladness that the creation enjoyed. For Romans tells us that the glorious freedom belongs to the children of God, and the creation joins us in it. The emphasis is clearly gladness. Zion is glad (Psalm 97:8a). The daughters of Judah rejoice (verse 8b). Gladness is sown for the upright in heart (Psalm 97:11b). The righteous rejoice in YHWH (Psalm 97:12a). 

YHWH Himself is the object of this gladness. He comes with benefits like judgments, preservation, and deliverance. But it is His exaltation (Psalm 97:9) in these things that is the point. God’s people go by many names here: Zion, daughters of Judah, His saints, the righteous, the upright in heart. But perhaps the most striking is “You who love YHWH” in Psalm 97:10a. He Who set them apart to Himself as saints has given them love for Himself so that they would indeed be righteous. 

Doesn’t your love for YHWH just make you hate evil? It’s a wonderful chain reaction. His calling gives us love for Him. Our love for Him makes us hate evil. All things are moving toward His redeeming the called and destroying all wickedness. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Weekly, we may visit not burning, black, dark, storming Sinai (cf. Hebrews 12:18–21) but glorious Zion with the rejoicing company there (cf. Hebrews 12:22–24), from which the Mediator speaks, Who will shake all things as a consuming fire, but bring us into and unshakable kingdom (cf. Hebrews12:25–29). What an excellent song for this Christian worship is Psalm 97!

What evidence is there that you love God? What evidence that you hate evil? How glad are you? From this Psalm, upon what might you meditate to increase in gladness? When especially do you get to do this?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You that You have given to us to belong to You and to know already, by faith, things that are not seen and not yet. Give to us to love You, to hate evil, and to rejoice over You, Who will surely put an end to all evil. Hasten the day when the earth is glad with us, as we rejoice over Your ultimate exaltation! But even as we wait, give us to partake of the joy of that day in the glorious assembly each week, when we join the congregation of the firstborn in Zion above, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP97B “Since You Love the LORD” or TPH97B “The LORD Reigns, Let the Earth Be Glad”

Perilous Christ: A Defense Against Foolish and Wicked Supernatural Infatuation [2024.11.06 Midweek Sermon in Colossians 1:15–20]

Reality is all about Christ.

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

From Death to Life by Grace [2024.11.03 Morning Exhortation in Ephesians 2:1–5]

Death is in us, but love and grace are in God to make us alive with Christ.

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

Psalm for God's Majesty [2024.10.30 Midweek Exhortation in Psalm 8]

How majestic is God's Name!

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

Only the Holy God Can Make Holy Days [Westminster Shorter Catechism 58—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 58—especially explaining how we keep God’s day as holy, which also means not treating common days as holy.

Q58. What is required in the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to Himself.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Sinners' Petition [Children's Catechism 119—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 119—especially explaining how asking to be forgiven of our debts, and to forgive our debtors, is a comprehensive request against our sin and its effects.

Q119. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those who have injured us.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Horror-Preventing Humility [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 5:7–14]

Why is hearing so important? Proverbs 5:7–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the humility to hear can spare us the horror of wasting our life in contradiction to God’s design and Word. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.11.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 5:7–14

Read Proverbs 5:7–14

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Proverbs 5:7 address (cf. Proverbs 4:1)? What does he tell them to do? What does he tell them not to do? But from whom and what should they depart (Proverbs 5:8, cf. Proverbs 5:3—n.b. “immoral” is literally “strange”)? What is risked by romance with a woman who isn’t one’s wife (Proverbs 5:9)? What else (Proverbs 5:10)? What could they end up doing (Proverbs 5:11a)? At what time (verse 11b)? What part of the forbidden romance would they bewail (Proverbs 5:12-13)? In the midst of where would he be “in all evil” (Proverbs 5:14, literal translation)? 

Why is hearing so important? Proverbs 5:7–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the humility to hear can spare us the horror of wasting our life in contradiction to God’s design and Word.  

The humility of hearing, Proverbs 5:6-8. Proverbs 5:6 has taught us the necessity of humility when thinking about the dangers of romance with the strange woman. We “do not know.” We must be kept from even pondering, even considering, such connections and interactions. 

But how will this humility be exercised? What is an important way of actually living humbly? Hearing (Proverbs 5:7a). “Therefore, hear,” says the Spirit. Receive words, and then do not depart from them (verse 7b). The words of Scripture, the words of the mouth of this idealized father, put us on one path, and it is a path that completely diverges from the one that we might have otherwise pondered. 

If we’re tempted to eat up sweet words (Proverbs 5:3a), and soak up comforting words (verse 3b), of a woman who is not our wife, Scripture words urge us to take practical precautions: change your habits and routines so that you don’t spend time near her (Proverbs 5:8a); resist the temptation to come up with reasons to visit with her (verse 8b). When the heart is inclining toward romance, without the clarity of betrothal identifying her as wife, it’s time to fight against the heart, not indulge it.

The help of hearing, Proverbs 5:9-11. The sweetness and comfort of marriage are part of God’s good design for us. It was not good for the man to be alone, so God gave him a helper that exactly corresponded (that was “meet unto”) him (a helpmeet, cf. Genesis 3:18). No other woman, no other creature, on earth is a man’s helpmeet. Only his wife. How many husbands need to hear that they have an obligation to find their own wife sweet and comforting, to enjoy romance with her, simply because providence has assigned her to him. How many wives need to hear that they have an obligation to enjoy the provision and protection and leadership and treasuring of their own husband, simply because providence has assigned him to her. How many of them ought to make a goal of honey-sweet lips to their own husband, and oil-smooth comforting mouths.

Genesis 2:7–25 take place within Genesis 1:27, and are immediately followed by Genesis 1:28. A husband and wife who rejoice in God’s wisdom by romancing one another are to produce fruit from that marriage by multiplying. But the word for “aliens” in Proverbs 5:10 is the same as the word “strange” in Proverbs 5:3 (which NKJ translated “immoral”). This is all the more urgent after the fall. We have a limited amount of effectiveness (Proverbs 5:9a), time (verse 9b), and health and life (Proverbs 5:11b) in this world. Those years ought to be given to the wife that providence assigns us and to the children that providence gives us by her. Others (Proverbs 5:9a) will not have the same attachment to us; they will not have fifth-commandment-commitment to caring for us—the lack of which caring is “cruel” (verse 9b) by comparison. Our strength is not for the strange woman and any children she might have (Proverbs 5:10a). Our labors are not for foreigners/strangers (verse 10b). 

The horror of not hearing, Proverbs 5:12-14. After all of this warning, we might expect that the one who gave his heart and time to one who was not his wife would bemoan those actions on his deathbed. But while those actions contribute the agony in Proverbs 5:12-14, what he is specifically bewailing is the first error that ended him up there: not hearing. We should expect that without the humility urged in Proverbs 5:6-8, we will end up in the end-of-life horror in Proverbs 5:12-14. To understand this horror, we need to translate Proverbs 5:14 a bit more literally: “I was almost a total evil in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” A properly romancing husband and wife help one another worship God well in the assembly. But one who is romancing someone other than his wife tends to obsess in a way that doesn’t take a break for worship. If we are to evade such horrors, we must love instruction (Proverbs 5:12b), value correction (verse 12c), obey the voice of our teachers (Proverbs 5:13a), and incline our ear to those who instruct us (verse 13b). In a word, we need humility in order to be spared the horror that comes by not hearing.

Why do you need to hear instruction and correction? What part does humility play in this? With whom should you connect/interact romantically? What are God’s designs and purposes for your marriage?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for the sweetness, comfort, and fruitfulness of marriage according to Your design. Please give us the humility to listen to it, especially in the midst of a culture that glamorizes romance among those who are not betrothed or married. Indeed, give us humility to be correctable in every area that Your Word addresses. And bless our marriages and the whole of our life, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH128B “Blest the Man That Fears Jehovah”