Learning Jesus from Jesus [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 16:21–23]

How ought we to respond to the truth that Jesus is Christ and God? Matthew 16:21–23 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that part of responding rightly to Jesus’s identity is humbly learning more from Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.03.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 16:21–23

Read Matthew 16:21–23

Questions from the Scripture text: When does Jesus do this (Matthew 16:21)? To whom does He show? What things does He show to them? What two things does Peter do to Him in Matthew 16:22? How does he say it? What does Jesus tell Peter to do in Matthew 16:23 (cf. Matthew 4:10a)? What does He call Peter? What does He say that Peter is unto Him? Of what does He say that Peter is not mindful? Of what does He say that Peter is mindful instead?

How ought we to respond to the truth that Jesus is Christ and God? Matthew 16:21–23 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that part of responding rightly to Jesus’s identity is humbly learning more from Him.  

No kingdom without a cross. The apostles are on the record, now, as confessors of Jesus as Christ and Son of the Living God. Now, they must learn what the Scriptures taught is necessary, that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things at the hands of the sinful leaders of Israel, and be raised the third day (Matthew 16:21). 

It says that He “showed” them, because this was taught throughout the Scriptures (cf. Luke 24:25–26). So, He showed them from the Scripture, and from the force of logic of how immense a thing sin is, and its guilt, and how the salvation of the elect absolutely required the incarnation and the cross.

The need for humility to continue to be shown. We praise God for the truth of Matthew 16:17, that proper knowledge of Jesus, and confessing of Him, as Christ and God is a gift of divine convincing. However, we must hold that together with the humility to know that we will always be growing in our understanding of the implications and applications of the identity of Jesus. 

Having begun as those taught of God, we must continue, in humility, to learn from God. Pride can be so blinding. Peter was so blind that he missed that rebuking Jesus is totally incompatible with maintaining the proper place and dignity of Jesus’s identity. 

The danger of pride that sets out on its own, apart from Scripture. By drawing half-baked conclusions based upon the identity of Christ (“far be it from You, Lord,”), rather than submitting himself to what Jesus was showing from the Scriptures, Peter put himself in a pace where he was operating from the flesh, rather than from the Spirit. In Jesus’s words, he had not the mindset of God but the mindset of men. But the origin of all fleshly thought is, indeed, the devil himself. 

And Jesus recognized the logic that offered Him the kingdom without a cross. It was the same logic that proposed a very public and dramatic sign-display in order to galvanize the nation around Him (cf. Matthew 4:5–6). It was the same logic that offered all the kingdoms of this world and their glory for a moment’s bowing (cf. Matthew 4:8–9). It was satanic logic that would see Jesus stumble, rather than go resolutely to the cross. 

If we are going to have the mindset of God, to overcome the satanic mindset of our own flesh, we must be taught by Christ, as He shows us the truth from the Scriptures. May He give us that humility, and the sweet and stabilizing experience of learning from Him. 

In what particular actions and circumstances is Jesus showing you, from Scripture, more of the implications and applications of His identity as Christ and God? How are you bringing humility into those actions and circumstances, so that you do not respond to them with the satanic reasoning of the flesh, but with humble conformity to the mind of God?

Sample prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. We thank You and praise You that, just as the Scriptures taught was necessary, You suffered many things, and died for our sins, and rose again on the third day. Grant us the grace of humility to continue learning from You so that our minds would be more and more conformed to Yours, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH332 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” 

Christ, Our Confessed Rock [2025.03.09 Morning Sermon in Matthew 16:18–20]

The foundation of the church and of all Christian life is the apostolic confession of Jesus as Christ and God.

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

Benefits of Union with Christ [2025.03.09 Book Study in How to Live as a Christian]

Elder Mangum led us through chapters 3–5. Those things that flow from union with Christ: justification, adoption, sanctification, assurance, and perseverance.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Trustworthy Lord and Word [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 2:1–25]

What did Israel see, when they approached to enter the land? Deuteronomy 2:1–25 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel saw just how foolish and wicked their unbelief had been.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.03.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 2:1–25

Read Deuteronomy 2:1–25

Questions from the Scripture text: After the rebellion about the report of the spies, what did Israel do (Deuteronomy 2:1, cf. Deuteronomy 1:40)? What did they skirt around, for how long? Who spoke to whom in Deuteronomy 2:2? What did He say about their time going around Mt. Seir (Deuteronomy 2:3)? What did He now tell them to do? Where did He say this would take them (Deuteronomy 2:4)? How did He say Esau would respond? What did He say they should do? What did He tell them not to do (Deuteronomy 2:5)? Why not? How did He tell them to get food and drink (Deuteronomy 2:6)? What had YHWH done for them (Deuteronomy 2:7)? How much? For how long? With what results? So, what route did Israel take (Deuteronomy 2:8)? Where did this take them? What did YHWH say not to do (Deuteronomy 2:9)? Why not? To whom had He given it? Who had previously dwelt there (Deuteronomy 2:10)? What/whom were they like (Deuteronomy 2:10-11)? And who had previously dwelt in Seir (Deuteronomy 2:12)? But who had come and done what? In what fashion? What did the Lord command in Deuteronomy 2:13? And what did Israel do? How long passed between what two events (Deuteronomy 2:14)? In order for what to happen? In accord with what? How did this occur (Deuteronomy 2:15)? What occasioned a new phase (Deuteronomy 2:16)? Who spoke to whom in Deuteronomy 2:17? What did He say to do, when (Deuteronomy 2:18)? What did He say not to do (Deuteronomy 2:19)? Why not? To whom had He given it? To what sort of people had it previously belonged (Deuteronomy 2:20)? Like whom (Deuteronomy 2:21)? But Who had done what to them? Just as He had done for whom (Deuteronomy 2:22)? And to whom else (Deuteronomy 2:23)? So, where did the Lord now command Israel to go (Deuteronomy 2:24)? Whom, and what, had He given into their hand? What did He command them to do? What did He say that He would begin doing, when (Deuteronomy 2:25)? To whom? From where? How?

What did Israel see, when they approached to enter the land? Deuteronomy 2:1–25 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel saw just how foolish and wicked their unbelief had been.

Probably every believer has had this experience: he was anxious, or he doubted, or he disobeyed—then the Lord brought him out of it, and through it. He saw, and remembered, the greatness of God’s love and wisdom and power, and he began to realize just how ridiculous that anxiety, or doubt, or disobedience, had been.

This is Israel’s experience after thirty-eight years going around Mt. Seir (Deuteronomy 2:14). The Lord begins to direct them toward the promised land, and everywhere they go, YHWH has taken that land from a people as intimidating and numerous as the Anakim (Deuteronomy 2:11, Deuteronomy 2:20, Deuteronomy 2:23), and given it to some underpowered people from Abraham’s extended family (Deuteronomy 2:5, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19). How silly our unbelief is! Whenever we are tempted to anxiety or doubt, let us remember that the Lord has done harder things before. Would He do that for Edom, or Moab, or Ammon, and then not do it for Israel themselves?! 

And applying the logic of the text to your own life, dear Christian reader, will He do such things throughout history, and then stop short of perfect faithfulness, deliverance, and blessing for one who is united to His beloved Son?! Indeed, the logic of even this passage is dwarfed by that in Romans 8:32. He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not, together with Him, freely give us all things?! His resumé and track record are such that we must give Him our full trust. And therefore follow Him with full obedience.

Now, we might chide ourselves for our unbelief. And well would we do so. But let us not miss that the point of this passage is not merely that the generation that was consumed in the wilderness richly deserved it (Deuteronomy 2:15-16). Rather, the point is that the Lord keeps His Word. He kept His Word, in which He had sworn to consume them (Deuteronomy 2:14). And now He was keeping His Word to give Israel the land, and particularly to give the children of that generation the land (Deuteronomy 2:7, Deuteronomy 2:25). He was beginning to do, for the children, the very thing that the foolish and wicked parents had doubted that He could or would do.

How faithful is our God! His promises can never fall to the ground. And what marvelous patience He extends to us, in that faithfulness! If this passage has exposed your heart, behold how worthy He is of your repentance, and how entirely He welcomes it and extends to You His grace to sustain it! He has given you Christ. He will surely give you all things.

When have you had anxieties or doubts that the Lord subsequently proved were misguided? What anxieties and doubts do you have now? Into what disobedience do they threaten to lead you? What is your habit for reminding yourself of what the Lord has promised? What is your habit for reminding yourself of what the Lord has already done?

Sample prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for Your reminding us of Your wonderful works—and especially the wonderful work of Christ’s accomplishing our redemption. Now, make us to live in the confidence that the redemption that You have accomplished, Your Spirit will most assuredly apply to us. So, make us respond in faith and love that produce every good work in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP78B “O Come, My People” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

Split-Screen of Encouragement [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 7]

What comfort do believers have in this age of tribulation? Revelation 7 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers in this world are sealed unto salvation, and go to the blessedness of this salvation when they pass from this world.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.03.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 7

Read Revelation 7

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does John see, where (Revelation 7:1)? What are they holding? In order to keep it from doing what? What does he then see in Revelation 7:2? What did this angel have? To whom did he cry? What did he say not to do (Revelation 7:3)? Until when? What does John hear in Revelation 7:4? What is the number? Of whom? How many from which groups in Revelation 7:5-8? What does John now see in Revelation 7:9? What is the number of this multitude? From what nations are they? Where are they? How are they clothed? What do they have in their hands? What are they doing (Revelation 7:10)? What do they cry? Who else are around the throne (Revelation 7:11)? What do they do? What do they say (Revelation 7:12)? Who answers in Revelation 7:13, asking what? How does John answer him (Revelation 7:14)? What does the elder say about them? How did they whiten their robes? Where are they (Revelation 7:15)? What do they do? When? Who will do what with them? What doesn’t happen to them anymore (Revelation 7:16)? Who sees to this (Revelation 7:17)? What will He do for them? What will God do for them? 

What comfort do believers have in this age of tribulation? Revelation 7 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers in this world are sealed unto salvation, and go to the blessedness of this salvation when they pass from this world.

There are two multitudes in this chapter, one on earth and one in heaven. 

The timing of the first multitude is made plain by the positioning of the angels in Revelation 7:1 and the prohibition in Revelation 7:3. The end of this world is not permitted until God’s seal has been placed upon the elect in this world. That is to say: the world cannot end until they have been brought to faith in Jesus Christ and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 4:30). 

As indicated by the number 12 (12 tribes of 12 thousands), these belong to the church in this world. The number 12 has this designation from God Himself, being the number of tribes that He gave the church in the administration under Moses, and the number of apostles by whom the Lord Jesus laid the foundation of the church in the administration under Him as Christ. 

It is a great comfort to know that, in this age of so many tribulations (cf. Revelation 6:3–8), not only is the gospel successfully conquering (Revelation 6:1–2), but God has a specific regard for ensuring the salvation of every, specific believer. He has specific regard for you, dear Christian.

The second multitude is not on earth but in heaven. And, while 144,000 is a comparatively small number, the emphasis with this second multitude is how many they are. They are, of course, a set number (cf. Revelation 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:19). But, there are so many that it’s higher than you can count. Believers are a sealed minority in this world, but in eternity there are more than can be counted (cf. Luke 13:23–30). 

The timing of this group is also clear, as this is the same assembly (Revelation 7:11) that has been seen in chapters 4–5, dressed in the same garments (Revelation 7:9) as those in the fifth seal (cf. Revelation 6:9–11), participating in the same activity that we have seen from that assembly (Revelation 7:11-12). 

As they pass from this life, they pass from the experiences in seals 2–4 (the “great tribulation” of Revelation 7:14) and into the experiences of chapters 4–5, the “resting” referred to in Revelation 6:11. More attention is given, now, to their white robes. What laundry detergent has gotten them so white? The blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14)! Now they worship, night and day, with absolutely no tribulation whatsoever (Revelation 7:16-17). They have come to experience the blessedness of Psalm 23 in its ultimate form. 

What a great comfort to know that, throughout this entire age of tribulation, there is that innumerable multitude of witnesses (cf. Hebrews 11:39–12:1) that has come through already, with whom the church on earth joins, when in public worship (cf. Hebrews 12:22–24). We join with them now, Sabbath by Sabbath, by faith. And we shall soon join them finally and fully.

Who is keeping this world from being destroyed? Why? What comfort does this give you, if you are sealed by the Holy Spirit? How are you participating in the gathering in of believers? What are you looking forward to when you leave this world?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for when we are more impressed with the tribulations of this age, than with Your preservation of Your saints in it. Forgive us for when we do not value visible church membership, when You number every church member. And forgive us for how we have not found our rest in Your public worship, the way that You have given Your glorified saints to find rest in the worship of heaven. Be our Shepherd, and grant that we would lack nothing, until You bring us into everlasting and perfect blessedness, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation” 

Who Should Take the Supper? [Children's Catechism 136—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 136—especially explaining how to partake of Christ, one must be genuinely converted.

Q136. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper? Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation, and love their fellow men.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Saved from Popular Worship [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 4:11–19]

How does grace respond to the stubborn sinners whom it is redeeming? Hosea 4:11–19 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that grace constrains those whom it is redeeming by making them ashamed of the very sin that they once loved and were proud of.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)