Hopewell ARP Church is a Biblical, Reformed, Presbyterian church, serving the Lord in Culleoka, TN, since 1820. Lord's Day Morning, set your gps to arrive by 11a.m. at 3886 Hopewell Road, Culleoka, TN 38451
Read Micah 4:6–8
Questions from the Scripture text: On what day does this occur (v6a, cf. v1–5)? Whom will YHWH also assemble with the nations (v6b–d)? Into what will He make them (v7a-b)? What will He do with them (v7c)? Where? For how long (v7d)? Whom does He address in v8e? What other two things does He call them (v8a, b)? What will come to them (v8c, d)?
What else will happen in the last day? Micah 4:6–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in the last day, YHWH will bring the Jews whom He has brought to faith in Christ, into a place of leadership in Christ’s church.
In v1–4, Micah described a “last days” in which the Gentiles would be gathered (grafted!) into Zion and Jerusalem. In the wake of the apostolic ministry into Samaria, and then with Peter and Cornelius, and finally the missionary journeys of Paul, every Bible-believing, Christ-worshiping, true Jew would have known what this means: this is the end of the ages (cf. 1Cor 10:11)!
Now, the Lord divulges some more information about “that day” (v6). He’s not done with Israel. Surely, we see them (and much of the “Gentile” church, to be honest) now as He describes them: lame (v6b) and scattered (v6c—probably better than NKJ “outcast,” with the rest of the sheep vocabulary in the passage).
But let us not forget how they came to be this way: YHWH has afflicted them (v6d). And this means that there is a sure hope that the same Lord will gather them.
Though they may be a remnant of what they were before numerically (v7a), this remnant will be a strong nation (v7b). And not only will YHWH have reconciled them to Himself for Him to rule over (v7c–d), but He will restore them to a place of leadership among His flock (v8).
The old ceremonial law, and the civil state that was enmeshed with it, are never coming back. There is a new priesthood and new law (cf. the bulk of the book of Hebrews!). This is no “replacement theology,” but the remnant theology and ingrafting theology that are taught throughout Scripture. There are 24 sub-thrones, not twelve, in Christ’s kingdom in the last day. And the Lord will show Himself to be the God of reconciliation, restoration, and revival when He brings Jewish leadership to the fore under Christ.
This is especially encouraging when we are the lame and the scattered. For the God of Israel is our God of grace, and this is exactly what we need Him to be, and what we trust Him to be, and what we worship Him for being!
In what way are you maybe “lame” or “wandering” spiritually, right now? How does the view of God here give you hope?
Sample prayer: Lord, if You abandoned the lame and the wanderer, then we would perish. For, we have all been lame and wandering from You. But we rejoice to see that You are the God Who restores a remnant, and makes them strong and noble. Do this for us by Your Spirit, we ask through Your Son, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1–15
Questions from the Scripture text: What has God assigned to everything (v1a)? What purposes/things are subject to time, and assigned a time (v1b)? What is the first pair of these things (v2a–b)? What is the second (v2c–d)? What is the third (v3a–b)? What is the fourth (v3c–d)? What are the fifth and sixth, related, pairs (v4)? What is he seventh (v5a–b)? What is the eighth (v5c–d)? What is the ninth pair of things to which a time is appointed (v6a–b)? What is the tenth (v6c–d)? What is the eleventh (v7a–b)? What is the twelfth (v7c–d)? What are the thirteenth and fourteenth, related, pairs (v8)? What question does v9 repeat from 1:3 and 2:22? What does v10 assert about these tasks? What has God done to the tasks (v11a)? And to the hearts of men (v11b)? But what has He put out of man’s reach (v11c, cf. Deut 29:29)?
What makes life fulfilling and joyous? Ecclesiastes 3:1–15 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that embracing the sovereign providence of God makes life fulfilling and joyous.
Due to an American folk rock song from the 60s, this is one of the most well-known passages in the Bible—and one of the most incorrectly (indeed, oppositely!) understood. It is NOT about us figuring the right time to do things. That should have been obvious from the very beginning of the list (v2a–b). We most certainly do not pick the time to be born, and it is great wickedness for a man to attempt to select the time of his own death.
This passage is rather about the absolute sovereignty of God. Even those things that seem to be under our control (planting, sowing, killing, healing, breaking down, building up; v2c–3), and those emotional things that feel like they are both controlled from within us and themselves control us (weeping, laughing, mourning, dancing; v4). Even those have their season, time, and purpose assigned by God (v1). How much more those events that come upon us in v5–8 (though, the times for silence and speech in v7c–d are often misunderstood or misapplied by men).
The song famously says, “a time of peace… I swear it’s not too late.” Besides blaspheming, in flippantly using the oath and goading hundreds of millions into doing the same, this line misses what is being said about peace, and about everything else in the list. It is entirely under the sovereign providence of God. As such, if God is plucking up, tearing down, casting down stones, and throwing away (all language that Scripture uses for when the Lord brings war to destroy a nation)…the hope still remains of repentance. This was repeatedly offered to Israel (and famously accepted by Ninevah!). But that is the only “not too late” for peace that a nation may ultimately have.
It is uncomfortable for unregenerate man that he is not God. But, for the believer it is the key to purpose and joy. When v9 restates the introductory question from 1:3, it leaves off the “under the sun” this time and instead provides the solution to every problem in v10: the children of Adam (it’s singular) are to receive every moment and every part of their life as God-given, within the whole of His perfect, sovereign plan.
Why is every part of life beautiful? Because God has made it so (v11a). We trust the One behind the purpose, seasons, and times. We are temporary, and so are all of our labors and pleasures. But He is eternal, and our hearts were made for Him (v11b). Still, we must trust and love Him in humility, because we cannot comprehend His work (v11c). Those are secret things that belong to God (cf. Deut 29:29), and the key to purpose and joy is to leave the overall plan exclusively in His hands, where alone they are safe.
Our part is to rejoice and do good (v12), in every task, receiving the task as a gift from God. And also to enjoy the fruit of that labor as a gift, and to enjoy the enjoyment itself as its own separate gift (v13).
Our works may be fleeting as vapor, but God’s is exactly the opposite (v14), so that we are brought not to despair of our works, but to worship of Him and His. His works are determined from eternity, and perfect (v15a–b). So, we worship the perfection of the plan that we do not even know, and we do our part in it with obedience and joy. Even under God’s sovereign lordship, He has granted unto men to be free and accountable agents; He will require an account of all that we have done (v15c).
What, in your life, seems least fulfilling and enjoyable? How can this be remedied by the knowledge of God’s sovereign providence in/over it?
Sample prayer: Lord, we praise You for sovereignly ruling and overruling every part of our lives. Grant that we would rejoice to be under Your sovereign rule as part of Your sovereign plan. Fill our lives with the purpose and pleasure that comes from knowing that You assign to everything its season. And grant, especially, that we would delight in those seasons and times that You have especially consecrated unto Your worship. Most especially, grant that Your Spirit would help us to worship You on Your holy day, in Your holy assembly, we ask through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH222 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Read Proverbs 16:16–19
Questions from the Scripture text: What is better than getting gold (Proverbs 16:16a)? What is better to choose than getting silver (verse 16b)? What safe route do the upright take (Proverbs 16:17a)? How does one preserve his soul (verse 17b)? What leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18a)? What goes before a fall (verse 18b)? What sort of spirit is it better to have, with whom (Proverbs 16:19a)? What is it worse to do, with whom (verse 19b)?
What are the prerequisites for godly speech? Proverbs 16:16–19 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom, uprightness, and humility are the prerequisites for godly speech.
This passage serves as an introduction to sections on good speech (Proverbs 16:20-24) and bad speech (Proverbs 16:25-30). Wisdom, uprightness, and humility are what produce good speech.
Wisdom. Gold (Proverbs 16:16a) and silver (verse 16b) cannot purchase godliness or the skill of edifying speech. Producing such speech is, however, just one of the many blessings that wisdom and understanding can obtain. One may only come into proper use of his mouth by the fear of God, by the knowledge of the One Who made his mouth, and for Whom his mouth was made.
Uprightness. The highway was the level, straight, safe way. The upright always knows the path to take, because it is the path that is according to God’s character, God’s law, thus departing from evil (Proverbs 16:17a). In our sinfulness, it often seems to us like we might preserve ourselves through some deception, some manipulation, some wickedness. But this is not how to preserve our soul; the way to preserve our soul is to keep our way according to God’s Word (verse 17b).
Humility. The lowliness here is both of heart and habit. One must have a humble spirit (Proverbs 16:19a), not a haughty one (Proverbs 16:18b). But this is more than just an inward disposition. It is expressed in the company that one keeps—with the lowly (Proverbs 16:19a), rather than with the proud (verse 19b). The world loves to be groupies of the proud. The wise, upright, godly ones prefer the company of the lowly. Thus, the godly escape the destruction that awaits the proud (Proverbs 16:18).
Which do you work harder to obtain—financial wealth or the knowledge of God? When calculating what to do, do you focus on what’s right more than what seems like it might get results? How is it evident that you value a humble spirit, over those who seem to be better than others?
Sample prayer: Lord, grant to us to know You, to live according to Your Word, and to Humble ourselves both before You and in our interactions with others, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP14 “Within His Heart the Fool Speaks” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
Read Matthew 21:18–22
Questions from the Scripture text: What was Jesus doing in the morning (v18)? What issue arose? What did He see (v19)? What did He find on it? What did He say to it? What happened to it? Who saw it (v20)? What effect did this have upon them? What did they say? Who answered (v21)? What did He say to them they should have? And what should they not do? Then what will they say—not to the fig tree, but to what? And what will happen? What else may they do (v22)? In what manner? And what will happen?
Why would Jesus curse a fig tree? Matthew 21:18–22 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus teaches His apostles that His almighty power is with them in their preaching and their praying.
It was not the season for figs (cf. Mk 11:13), but Jesus spots a tree already in its foliage (v19). It has the appearance of giving Him what He desires in His hunger (v18). When Jesus curses it, it is not the spiteful revenge of a man controlled by his physical appetite. What is on Christ’s mind is the fruit that Israel should have borne unto God (v13, cf. Isa 56:7), but Israel has failed to give the Lord the fruit that His loving care and provision ought to have produced (cf. Isa 5:1–7).
Jesus’s response in v19 is for the disciples’ observation in v20a. Little could they know, at this point, that they were the agents for raising up unto the Lord a fruitful Israel. Nations rage, and they move kingdoms (cf. Ps 46:a), but what can this motley group of unimpressive men do? They are the mouths out of which the voice of God will utter His voice (v6b). God is in the midst of them (v5); YHWH of hosts is with them (v7).
Jesus triggers the response of the disciples’ marveling in v20, in order to exhort them about their own preaching and praying ministry. They are to believe in Him without doubting (v21). They are to believe in the One Whose words can control all creation. And they are to speak as His agents: “if you say.” “This mountain” is not some generic mountain. It is the temple mount, the fruitless tree that is being replaced by the temple of Christ’s own body and His church. And it is the apostolic preaching of the cross, through which Jesus will accomplish this.
Add to this preaching ministry their praying ministry: Jesus is YHWH of hosts with them to give everything necessary for their mission. He will build His church; He will be with His church; He will provide for His church; and, the gates of Hell will not prevail against them!
By this preaching, Christ continues to build His church today. He continues to do almighty work by the preaching of His Word. And He continues to hear the praying of His people and give them everything necessary for pulling down all the powers that oppose His church. He continues to be in the midst of His people, for His praise in His church. Attend upon that preaching. Avail yourself of that praying. Trust in Christ, and see and enjoy His glorious work in the church!
What use do you make of the almighty power of Christ exercised in the preaching of the Word? And what use do you make of the almighty power of Christ exercised in and through prayer? What are you trusting Him to do with His church, and all of their/His enemies?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for being in the midst of us to build Your church by Your power. We believe; help our unbelief. Give us to exercise faith in You, attending upon the preaching of Your Word and being constant in prayer for all that is needed for the building of Your church. Exercise Your almighty power among us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Read Deuteronomy 5:22–33
Questions from the Scripture text: To whom did YHWH speak these words (v22)? Where? From the midst of what three things? With what sort of voice? What did He add? What else did He do with these words? To whom did He give the tablets? What had the people heard (v23)? From the midst of what? While what was happening? To whom did they come near in response? Who, specifically, came near? What did they say that YHWH had shown them (v24)? What did they hear? What did they see could happen, with what results for man? But what were they still afraid of happening (v25)? If what continued? What rhetorical question do they ask (v26)? With what implied answer? What do they tell Moses to do (v27)? Who heard them say this (v28)? To whom did He answer? What was His assessment of the elders’ statement? What did He desire that they would have in them (v29)? So that what would be the result? What does He tell Moses to tell them (v30)? But where does He tell Moses to go (v31)? What three things will He speak to Moses? And what is Moses to do with them? So that the people may do what, where? What does Moses now tell them to do (v32)? And what not to do? How should they walk (v33)? In order that what may happen?
How does God display His glory? Deuteronomy 5:22–33 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God displays His glory especially in His grace.
YHWH made a great revelation of Himself in fire, cloud, darkness, and loud voice (v22, cf. Heb 12:18–19). Israel understand that this is a display of glory and greatness (v24). They are afraid that this glory and greatness will destroy them (v25).
But Israel don’t see that the greatest revelation of Himself here isn’t fire, blackness, darkness, and tempest. The greatest revelation of Himself is in His grace.
That grace is already on display in the fact that they are not yet dead (end of v24). The rhetorical question in v26 should drive this home to them. When has this ever happened? It hasn’t! God has done an amazing, gracious thing.
That grace is also plain in the desire of YHWH that they would have a heart that fears Him (v29a) and gives complete obedience: always obeying all His commandments (v29b).
That grace is explicit in the further purpose of this right-heartedness, “that it might be well with them and with their children forever” (v29c).
But that grace is supremely evident in His provision of a Mediator. In the short-term, He provides Moses. God has given the moral law with His own voice and His own writing in stone (v22). But the ceremonial and civil law, He will now give through the mediator of this administration of the covenant of grace (v31). The mediator urges obedience upon them (v32–33a) for the same gracious purpose that the Lord Himself has already stated, “that you may live and that I may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess” (v33b).
As mediator, Moses is a type of Christ. It is Christ’s intercession that is the greatest display of God’s grace, the greatest display of God’s glory. How wonderful, dear reader, that in our administration of the covenant of grace, we hear all God’s Word from God’s Son, Who loved us and gave Himself for us! When we worship God, we even come with Him, and through Him, into the glorious presence of God Himself (cf. Heb 12:22–29). God has chosen to display His glory especially by His grace, and that, especially in His Son, our Mediator!
What place does God’s wrath and power have in your thoughts about His greatness? What place does His grace have in your thoughts about His greatness? What place does Jesus, the Mediator, have in your thoughts about God’s greatness?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for displaying the greatness of Your glory especially by Your great grace. And thank You for doing this, especially in Christ, through Whom we thank and praise You, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH266 “Thou Art the Way”
Read Revelation 19:11–21
Questions from the Scripture text: What did John see opened? What did he see there? What was its rider called? What two things does He do in righteousness? What are His eyes like (v12)? What is on His head? What was written, and who knew it? What was his clothing dipped in (v13)? What was His Name called? Who follow Him (v14)? Dressed in what? Riding on what? What went out of His mouth (v15)? Whom does He strike with it? What else does He do to them? What does He tread? What name does He have written in what two places (v16)? Whom does John see in v17? Standing where? To whom does he cry loudly? Telling them to come to what? In order to eat what (v18)? What three entities does John see in v19? What are they gathered to do? Against Whom? Who were captured in v20? Where were they cast? What happened to the kings of the earth and their armies (v21)? What do the birds do?
What happens in the final battle? Revelation 19:11–21 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in the final battle, Jesus Himself destroys all of His and our enemies.
vv1–10 had ended with the great marriage feast of the lamb. Now this passage proceeds to another, very different feast. There is a great war with a great King, and the outcome is so sure that the birds are invited to it as to a great feast (v17–18).
The identity of the King. The outcome is sure because of Who the King is. He is called Faithful and True (v11, cf. 3:14). In righteousness He judges and makes war (cf. v2). His eyes are as flames of fire (v12, cf. 1:14). On His head are many crowns, indicating that He is the King of kings (cf. v16). The blood on His robe (v13) is that of those who are under His wrath (cf. Isa 63:1–6). He is God, the Word (cf. Jn 1:1–14). He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords (v16, cf. Dt 10:17, Dan 2:47, Php 2:11).
The vengeance of the King. He strikes with the rod/sword of His mouth (v15, cf. Is 11:4, Rev 1:16). He rules with a rod of iron (cf. Ps 2:8–9). He treads the winepress of God’s own wrath (cf. 14:20, Is 63:1–6). He casts two members of the faux trinity alive into the lake of fire (v20) and kills the rest with the sword from His mouth. He leads the holy, heavenly armies of v14, but He Himself accomplishes the entire victory.
Will you be part of the bride in the first feast, or the destroyed in the other feast? When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, the saints will enjoy their rest, glorify Him, and admire Him (cf. 2Th 1:7, 10). But on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, He will take vengeance in flaming fire and punish them with everlasting destruction from His presence and from the glory of His power (cf. 2Th 1:8–9). Obey the gospel! Turn, from sin and self, unto the Lord Jesus!
How does one come to be part of the bride of Christ? Have you done this? What awaits you in the last day?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for being forgetful of the glory of Jesus Christ, and the day of His great wrath that is coming soon. We deserve that wrath, so we hide ourselves in Him as our hope of being members of His bride in the last day. Grant that it would be so, and give us to glorify and admire Him in that great day, we sk in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”