2026.01.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 21:4–8

Read Proverbs 21:4–8

Questions from the Scripture text: What three things are sin (Proverbs 21:4)? What ensures plenty (Proverbs 21:5a)? What ensures poverty (verse 5b)? What might someone do (Proverbs 21:6a)? What is wrong with these treasures (verse 6b)? What is such a person actually seeking? What will the violence of the wicked do (Proverbs 21:7a)? Why (verse 7b)? What sort of path does a wicked man take (Proverbs 21:8a)? What sort of work does a pure man do (verse 8b)?

How can one live righteously? Proverbs 21:4–8 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that one must be made righteous in order to live rightly.  

The wicked do not take God into account. So, they have an eye, heart, and hand problem. Their eye is lifted up (Proverbs 21:4), meaning that they look down upon everything. YHWH hates such eyes (cf. Proverbs 6:16–17). Their heart is audacious because unrestrained by humility. Coming from such a heart, everything they do is sinful—even plowing. Pride is a recipe for making yourself, your heart, and all of your actions guilty before God.

So, there are those who have a diligence that proceeds from humility before the Lord. This will always lead, ultimately, to plenty (Proverbs 21:5a). But then there are those who are hasty to get rich (verse 5b), and therefore willing to sin to obtain it (Proverbs 21:6a). But whatever treasure they obtain is a vanishing vapor (verse 6b), because they can only ultimately obtain poverty (Proverbs 21:5b) and death (Proverbs 21:6b). Whatever they thought they could get from others by this sin, it only destroys them (Proverbs 21:7a), because they provoke God to His face (verse 7b).

The wicked live from out of their guilt, so all their ways turn out to be crooked (Proverbs 21:8a). But those who are pure—having been justified through faith in Christ, and being made like Him by His Spirit—will instead work what is right. The condition of our heart determines both the nature and the fruit of our works.

What is the condition of your heart? How do you “look” at things? In what ways, then, do you walk?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for teaching us about Yourself, and about ourselves. Grant that we would be humbled before You, and made right with You through faith in Christ. Thus, both forgive us and make us the pure ones who work what is right, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

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

2026.01.25 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 11:10a and 3p)

ANY WHO CAN MAKE IT SAFELY ARE STILL GATHERING. To tune in for the Lord's Day streams, we recommend that you visit the livestream page. If we still have electricity and internet, we will livestream it.

True Strength [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 24:5–6]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that true strength is found in reliance upon the Lord, via His Word.

(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) True strength, according to Proverbs 24:5–6, is not found in self-reliance or human effort, but in wisdom rooted in divine knowledge and dependence on God. The passage calls believers to respond to life’s challenges not with self-reliance, but with renewed dependence upon God, by means of repentance, prayer, fasting, and diligent engagement with God’s Word, which cultivates the Spirit-led wisdom that is genuine power. Ultimately, strength is not found in human capacity, but in reliance upon God Himself.

Making the Good Confession [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:57–75]

What does Jesus do in His trial? Matthew 26:57–75 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, at His trial, Jesus openly confesses Himself to be the Son of God, even as He was giving Himself to die for us. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio. The devotional centers on the contrasting responses of Jesus and Peter during Jesus’ trial, highlighting Jesus’ unwavering truthfulness under pressure, in stark contrast to Peter’s denials. Christ’s faithfulness remains unshaken even in the face of injustice. Peter’s threefold denial, culminating in bitter weeping, serves as a sobering reminder of human frailty and the danger of fearing man over God, yet it also points to the necessity of relying on Christ as our righteousness and new life. Pastor calls his family to imitate Christ’s trust in God’s justice, to confess Him boldly despite cost, and to look to His Spirit to transform us, so that we may endure suffering with faith and humility, knowing that Christ bore our punishment so we might be made righteous.

2026.01.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 26:57–75

Read Matthew 26:57–75

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did they lead Jesus (Matthew 26:57)? Who were already assembled there? Who followed, in what manner (Matthew 26:58)? What did he do? What three parties sought what (Matthew 26:59)? For what purpose? With what success (Matthew 26:60)? What charge did they get two false witnesses to make (Matthew 26:61)? What dos the high priest do and say in Matthew 26:62? How does Jesus respond (Matthew 26:63)? But then what does the high priest say? Now, how does Jesus respond (Matthew 26:64)? Whom does He confess to being? Whom does He say will witness this? Now how does the high priest respond (Matthew 26:65)? What does he say they no longer need? What verdict does he get from the council (Matthew 26:66)? What three things do they begin doing (Matthew 26:67)? What do they say (Matthew 26:68)? What is Peter doing during this time (Matthew 26:69)? Who comes to him? What does she say? How does he respond (Matthew 26:70)? Where does he go (Matthew 26:71)? Who sees him? What does she say? What is different about his response this time (Matthew 26:72)? Who come to him in Matthew 26:73? What do they say to him? On what basis? Now what is different in his response (Matthew 26:74)? Then what happens? And what does Peter remember (Matthew 26:75)? And how does he respond to that?

What does Jesus do in His trial? Matthew 26:57–75 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, at His trial, Jesus openly confesses Himself to be the Son of God, even as He was giving Himself to die for us.

The passage intentionally juxtaposes Jesus’s testimony and Peter’s, by beginning the story of the latter in Matthew 26:58, but then interrupting with Jesus’s part in Matthew 26:59-68.

Peter is willing to see it through to the end (Matthew 26:58), but his flesh is weak.

Jesus makes the good testimony, the good confession, as He later will before Pontius Pilate (cf. 1 Timothy 6:13). So long as they are attacking Him with false witnesses, He remains silent enough that the high priest is obviously distressed (Matthew 26:62). Even after his provocation, Jesus remains silent (Matthew 26:63a). But then, the high priest does something that ensures that Jesus will respond. He puts Jesus under oath by the living God (verse 63b). So, Jesus not only answers truthfully but fully (Matthew 26:64). He affirms that He is the Christ, the Son of God, but also that they will be witness to His literally fulfilling Daniel 7:13. 

Peter is exactly the opposite. He collapses at the first query of a servant girl (Matthew 26:69-70). And, as others challenge him, he gets worse and worse, adding first one oath (Matthew 26:71-72), and then even cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:73-74). The detail of the rooster reminds Peter (and us) that this is exactly what Jesus had prophesied (Matthew 26:75). For Peter, coming to terms with the truth about himself is cause for bitter weeping. But the fear that provoked the denials did not materialize; Peter is not seized, tried, tortured, or mocked.

Jesus, the innocent One, is the One Who endures all of these things. The sham of the murder conspiracy that posed as a trial is further exposed by how quickly His sentencers (Matthew 26:66) become His abusers (Matthew 26:67-68). Like Peter, it is we who deserve to be humiliated, tortured, and mocked. For Him, it was infinite humiliation just to be a man; let alone an innocent man being tried by wicked men; let alone condemned and abused by them. 

But this He did for us and our transgressions (Isaiah 53:3–11). He showed Himself to be the Son of God that He confessed Himself to be, and accomplished that self-sacrificing death by which He destroyed sin and death and him who had the power of death.

What did Jesus testify about Himself for you? What did He go through for you? What do you testify about Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we adore You, eternal Son of God. We are astonished that You were abused and mocked and murdered for our sake. And even more astonished that You would suffer he wrath of God for us. Just as You gave the good confession about Yourself, give us to be always willing to confess You, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” 

His Love of Her Love [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:8–15]

What does Christ think of His church on their wedding day? Song of Songs 4:8–15 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ delights in His church’s presence with Him, and in her He takes great pleasure. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds the profound intimacy between Christ and His church, portrayed through the Song of Songs, emphasizing that the Lord’s greatest delight is His bride’s love—expressed in heart, word, and deed. Central to this union is the image of the bride as a sealed garden and fountain, a private, sacred space of divine pleasure, yet one that overflows with life-giving fruit for others.

2026.01.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:8–15

Read Song of Songs 4:8–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What invitation does Song of Songs 4:8 give? What does the Bridegroom say that the bride has done (Song of Songs 4:9)? How? What does He say about her love (Song of Songs 4:10), even compared to what two things? What two things does He superlatively praise in Song of Songs 4:11? How does He describe her in Song of Songs 4:12? What does He call her, here, for the third time (cf. Song of Songs 4:10, Song of Songs 4:11)? What plants does He describe as flourishing in that garden (Song of Songs 4:13-14)? What water sources does it have (Song of Songs 4:15)? 

What does Christ think of His church on their wedding day? Song of Songs 4:8–15 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ delights in His church’s presence with Him, and in her He takes great pleasure. 

The wedding has taken place, and now He calls her “spouse” in five consecutive verses (Song of Songs 4:8-12). This passage on her beauty begins with an invitation, “Come with me” (Song of Songs 4:8a). Now that they are married, He insists that she always be with Him—no matter from how remotely (verse 8b–f). Their being together should be the great desire of the bride, because it is the great desire of the Bridegroom (Song of Songs 4:9). 

The church is Christ’s great love and desire. And, the first thing He loves about her is… her love (Song of Songs 4:10)! He loves, in her, what we began the song by hearing that she loves in Him (cf. Song of Songs 1:2–3). He loves her perfumes, her graces/adornments, which constitute likeness to Himself. Thirdly, He loves her praise, the fruit of her lips (Song of Songs 4:11). It all drips richly, sweetly, like honey—her prayers, her songs, her preaching; it is not superficial or light but thick and rich. He loves the worship that is the fruit of her lips. Indeed, not just on the lips, but even when it is still under the tongue—He loves the worship of her thoughts, her heart. Finally, He loves her actions, the garments with which He has clothed her (cf. Revelation 19:8). 

In the last four verses of our passage, the church is Christ’s garden (Song of Songs 4:12, cf. Isaiah 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12). Just as great palaces would have a royal garden for the delight of the king, so she has been prepared for Him. She has come out of the wilderness, and now she is a garden. She is “enclosed,” “shut up,” and “sealed,” because she has only one object of all of her devotion, affection, and obedience. These proceed from her continually, as from a fountain or a spring. The garden is developed in Song of Songs 4:13-14, and the spring/fountain in Song of Songs 4:15, expressing the great variety, preciousness, and usefulness of what Christ produces in His church. His pleasure is all her aim, but from her riches, He offers much to the world.

How are you responding to Christ’s desire for the presence of His church? To His taking pleasure in her?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your marvelous work in Your bride, the church. We rejoice to see Your delight in her on Your wedding day. Keep working in us by Your Spirit, and make us delightful for You to delight in, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

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

Watch Out for Babbling Fools [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:11–15]

What is dangerous, like an angry king? Ecclesiastes 10:11–15 prepares us for the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a talking fool is dangerous, like an angry king. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) This passage presents a sobering portrait of the fool as a dangerous and self-destructive figure whose speech leads inevitably to ruin, likened to a venomous serpent that strikes when uncharmed, requiring expert handling. The fool’s words, marked by endless babbling and reckless prognostication, begin in folly and end in madness, ultimately entombing both himself and those who follow him. The passage calls believers to discernment, urging them to recognize the marks of folly—excessive speech and false predictions.

2026.01.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 10:11–15

Read Ecclesiastes 10:11–15

Questions from the Scripture text: When does the serpent bite (Ecclesiastes 10:11a)? Who else requires great wisdom to negate his harmful effects (verse 11b)? What do the words of a wise man give (Ecclesiastes 10:12a)? What do the lips of a fool do (verse 12b)? How do his words begin (Ecclesiastes 10:13a)? How does his talk end (verse 13b)? What does a fool do with his words (Ecclesiastes 10:14a)? What does a man not know (verse 14b)? What can’t he do with the future (verse 14c)? What does all of the fool’s effort accomplish (Ecclesiastes 10:15a)? What is an example of something obvious that they can’t accomplish (verse 15b)? 

What is dangerous, like an angry king? Ecclesiastes 10:11–15 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a talking fool is dangerous, like an angry king. 

Sandwiched in between sections detailing the wise man’s response to foolish kingship is this section, warning the wise about the difficulty presented by the fool and his speech. Ecclesiastes 10:11 puts the babbler on the level of the serpent; great skill is needed, and diligence required, to keep him from doing harm. The wise man seeks to always give grace with his words (Ecclesiastes 10:12a, cf. Colossians 4:6). The fool harms not just others but himself—the image in Ecclesiastes 10:12b would be humorous, if it wasn’t so tragic: his lips open wider and wider, until they become his own tomb. He is unaware that his speech is insane from start to finish (Ecclesiastes 10:13), and one big problem is that he never seems to finish (Ecclesiastes 10:14a). He continually speaks of what he doesn’t know—even the future (verse 14b). And this makes him exhausting (Ecclesiastes 10:15a), because he really doesn’t know anything (not even how to get from his own home to the city, verse 15b). Steer clear of fools and their talk!

How careful/intentional are you to steer clear of those who multiply words about foolishly? When might that be you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for misusing and multiplying words. When we should have been giving grace, we swallowed ourselves up instead. And, forgive us for failing to heed Your warnings about other fools, who multiply harmfully ignorant words, as if they knew so much. Forgive us, and help us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”

2026.01.21 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

To tune in for the Prayer Meeting, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.