Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian

How is love of money so evil? Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that love of money rejects both the fellowship of God and the fellowship of man. The family devotional lesson explores the vanity and misfortune of pursuing labor solely for personal gain, emphasizing the necessity of fellowship with God and with others for a meaningful life. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4, it argues that true purpose and strength are found not in isolated striving but in relationships—both human and divine—where mutual support and God's presence provide comfort, resilience, and lasting significance. Ultimately, the message underscores that God's presence is the essential third strand that binds human connections, transforming individual efforts into a source of shared blessing and enduring purpose.

We must choose between the world that hates God and will get us destroyed, and the God Who has chosen His people in love.

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 17—especially explaining how God humbles us, honors us, and gives us hope by the stuff of which He made us. Q17. Of what were our first parents made? God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam. The lesson explores the theological significance of humanity's creation, contrasting our earthly origins – formed from the ground like animals – with the unique gift of a spirit breathed into Adam, distinguishing us from the beasts and connecting us to God. It emphasizes the inherent dignity and eventual destiny of humanity, particularly through Christ's resurrection, where our bodies will be conformed to his glorified form, experiencing a transformation from earthly, decaying vessels to spiritual, immortal bodies devoted to God in the new heavens and new earth, ultimately offering hope and a call to live in anticipation of this glorious future.

We must choose between the world that hates God and will get us destroyed, and the God Who has chosen His people in love.

Every part of Scripture must be understood in the context of the message of the whole, centering upon Christ.

Every part of Scripture must be understood in the context of the message of the whole, centering upon Christ.

Why are the Sadducees deceived? Matthew 22:23–33 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 the Sadducees are deceived because of their own ignorance of God and His Word. The devotional lesson addresses the Sadducees' challenge regarding the resurrection, using their hypothetical scenario of seven brothers and one wife to highlight their flawed understanding of Scripture and God's power. It argues that their meticulous focus on minor details of the law obscures the grand narrative of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—a living God who redeems and covenants with humanity. Pastor emphasizes that true theological understanding requires recognizing the entirety of Scripture, particularly the overarching themes of God's election, covenant, and redemption, ultimately calling for a marveling at Christ as Himself the God-Man Who has revealed Himself and His gospel in the Bible.

Why should God's people choose Him? Deuteronomy 7:1–11 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 God's people choose Him, because He has chosen them in love. The devotional lesson emphasizes the critical importance of unwavering devotion to God, warning against any compromise or covenant with the world, particularly those who oppose Him. Drawing from Deuteronomy 7, it highlights that Israel's election is not based on merit but on God's sovereign love and faithfulness to His promises, demanding complete eradication of false religions and a rejection of worldly entanglements that could lead to idolatry. Ultimately, the message underscores that true safety and blessing lie not in covenant membership alone, but in a grace-given, faithful love and obedience to God, recognizing His faithfulness and the consequences of rejecting Him.

What is the glory of the church? Revelation 21:9–27 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the glory of the church is her glorious God. The devotional presents the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:9–27 reveals the glorified Church as the perfected bride of Christ, a divine city not of earthly dimensions but of eternal, spiritual reality, symbolizing the complete and glorious union of God's redeemed people. Rooted in God's eternal plan and built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, this city reflects the radiant glory of God and the Lamb, whose presence eliminates the need for sun or moon, as divine light now illuminates all. The imagery of precious stones, pure gold, and unshuttered gates signifies a community refined by divine grace—where only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life enter, and all that defiles, abominates, or lies is excluded. This vision calls believers to live with holy urgency, rejecting anything incompatible with God's holiness, while trusting in the certainty that every true glory of every nation will be gathered and transformed into eternal splendor. The ultimate hope is not a physical place, but the perfect, incorruptible fellowship of God's elect, fully sanctified and reflecting His infinite glory.

A wisely lived life is glorious, and gives instruction and hope for future generations of glory.

A wisely lived life is glorious, and gives instruction and hope for future generations of glory.

What else makes godless life vain? Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fallen labor makes godless life vain. The devotional lesson explores the futility of labor and achievement apart from a relationship with God, drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and Psalm 73. It highlights how striving and skillful work often lead to envy and ultimately prove unsatisfying, while neglecting work results in a destructive laziness. The central message emphasizes that true contentment and peace—a "handful with quietness"—are found not in worldly pursuits but in knowing and worshipping God, allowing His grace to shape our work, and provide lasting fulfillment rather than grasping for fleeting, ultimately unattainable goals.

It is in the context of God's gospel that we should teach our children God's law.

It is in the context of God's gospel that we should teach our children God's law.

We must respond rightly to who our authorities are, by submitting to them; to who you are, by living for the glory and enjoyment of God, and to Who Jesus is, by worshiping Him and living by His Word.

We must respond rightly to who our authorities are, by submitting to them; to who you are, by living for the glory and enjoyment of God, and to Who Jesus is, by worshiping Him and living by His Word.

Whose glory and authority should we honor? Matthew 22:15–22 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we honor all glory and authority, and therefore especially Christ's glory and authority as God Himself. The devotional explores the Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, revealing a deeper theological challenge regarding allegiance and identity. Jesus, recognizing their hypocrisy, redirects the inquiry, asserting that while earthly authorities like Caesar deserve what is due them, ultimate devotion belongs to God, Who communicates Himself supremely in Jesus Christ. The message transcends a simple political answer, urging listeners to consider their own creation in God's image, to heed God's inscription through Scripture, and ultimately to worship and obey Jesus as the definitive revelation of God Himself.

How are we to teach our children God's law? Deuteronomy 6:20–25 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should teach our children the law in the context of the gospel. The devotional emphasizes the importance of Christian families understanding and conveying God's law within the framework of the gospel. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:20-25, it argues that answering children's questions about commandments should begin with acknowledging God's redemption, power, and faithfulness to His promises. Obedience to God's law isn't presented as a means of earning favor, but as a vital component of a covenant relationship, a means by which God faithfully brings about His promises and preserves life, ultimately fostering a vibrant fellowship between believers and their Creator.

What will glory be like? Revelation 21:1–8 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that glory will be free, full, and forever fellowship with God. This devotional explores the promise of a restored creation and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive work in Christ, drawing heavily from Revelation 21. It emphasizes that Jesus's completed work, signified by the phrase "it is done," anticipates a future where God dwells with His people in a new heaven and a new earth, a glorious city descending from heaven. The message underscores the individual and profound relationship believers will have with God as son, contrasting this with the stark reality of eternal judgment for those who reject Christ. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to embrace the transformative power of grace, to overcome sin, and to eagerly anticipate the day when all things are made new and the promise of eternal life is fully realized.

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 15—especially explaining how God used men to write His exact words. Q15. Who wrote the Bible? Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit. The lesson explores the origin of the Bible, asserting that it is not authored by human will but is a product of divine inspiration. Drawing on passages from 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and 2 Timothy, it emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding holy men as they recorded scripture, highlighting that every word is breathed out by God. The message underscores the authority and immutability of scripture, affirming that even the smallest details are part of God's intended message and are therefore of utmost importance.

Harmful speech comes from a corrupt heart and corrupts others.

Harmful speech comes from a corrupt heart and corrupts others.

Prosperity brings with it the danger of forgetting the glorious God Who has been so good to us.

What do the powerful do? Ecclesiastes 4:1–3 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, under the sun, the powerful oppress. The devotional grapples with the painful reality of oppression and injustice observed under the sun, acknowledging the seemingly unanswered suffering of the oppressed and the power wielded by their oppressors. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and Psalm 73, it emphasizes that true comfort and resolution to this difficulty are found not in earthly circumstances, but in a relationship with God through worship. The speaker ultimately offers hope, asserting that while oppression is a grievous evil, it is not the final word because God is a comforter and redeemer, offering a solution that transcends the limitations of this world and urging listeners to hate oppression without despairing, knowing that God reigns and will ultimately destroy wickedness.

Prosperity brings with it the danger of forgetting the glorious God Who has been so good to us.

God uses preaching to summon and suit chosen sinners for the wedding of His Son, to be not only guests, but members of His bride.

God uses preaching to summon and suit chosen sinners for the wedding of His Son, to be not only guests, but members of His bride.

What danger does prosperity pose? Deuteronomy 6:10–19 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that prosperity poses the danger of being forgetful of God. This family worship devotional warns against the danger of forgetting God, particularly when experiencing comfort, security, and prosperity, urging intentional gratitude and habitual worship as safeguards. Remembering God involves fearing Him, serving Him, swearing oaths in His name, diligently keeping His commandments and testimonies, and ultimately, doing what is right and good in His sight. The devotional emphasizes that while God promises blessings—possessing the land, casting out enemies—these are received through obedience to His Word, not as a means of earning them, and serves as a reminder of God's zeal for His own glory and love.

What will happen in the last day? Revelation 20:11–15 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 each one of us will be resurrected in the last day to stand before Christ and be judged according to whether the book of our own life is cross-referenced with His Book of Life. This family worship devotional explores the sobering reality of final judgment, drawing from Revelation 20 and connecting it to Ecclesiastes' reflection on the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits. It emphasizes that Christ sits on the throne, and individuals will stand before Him naked and exposed, their lives represented as books of deeds. The central message underscores the comfort for believers, who are interceded for by Christ and whose names are written in the Book of Life, contrasted with the dreadful fate of the unbeliever facing eternal condemnation. Ultimately, the sermon calls for immediate faith in Christ and a life dedicated to deeds done in union with Him, looking forward to a future of blessing and glory rather than eternal fire.

What hope is there for those in intense or justly deserved pain? Micah 4:9–10 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God is pleased to redeem sinners right from the midst of the pain that they deserve. This devotional explores the prophetic message of Micah 4, highlighting Israel's desperate cries amidst impending judgment and exile to Babylon. It challenges the nation's reliance on earthly kings and self-serving prophets, exposing the futility of seeking deliverance through human power and manipulated counsel. Ultimately, the passage reveals that God's plan, even through affliction and painful circumstances, is to redeem His elect remnant, demonstrating His grace and shattering false dependencies, offering a parallel application for individual believers to find redemption through trusting solely in Him.

The one who finds YHWH's speech sweet will have the privilege of sweetening the lives of others.

How should we make application of the reality of our death? Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live as those who will be judged by God, and as those who receive our life as a portion from God. This family worship devotional grapples with the apparent injustices of the world, particularly the presence of wickedness in positions of authority, and explores the comfort found in God's ultimate judgment and sovereignty. Drawing from Ecclesiastes and Psalm 11, it asserts that while earthly suffering and death may seem to level humanity with animals, they ultimately serve to humble individuals and remind them of their dependence on God. The central message emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in one's work as a divinely appointed portion, finding joy not in the lasting impact of actions but in the knowledge of God's purpose and the promise of eternal union with Him, ultimately offering solace and direction in a world marked by suffering and impermanence.

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 14—especially explaining how we respond with love to God's communication of Himself, and with obedience to God's communication of His will. Q14. Where do you learn how to love and obey God? In the Bible alone. The lesson emphasizes that the primary source for learning to love and obey God is the Bible alone. It explores how God reveals Himself through His Word, not merely as a collection of mental concepts but as a communication of His very being, drawing a connection between the divine name, the teachings of Scripture, and ultimately, the person of Jesus Christ as the definitive Word of God. The sermon highlights that through this verbal communication of truth, instruction, and promises, God communicates both Himself and His will, fostering love and obedience in those who receive and respond to His message.

God has given Himself fully to us, especially in His Word (His Son, by His Spirit!), by which He makes us to give ourselves fully to Him.

God has given Himself fully to us, especially in His Word (His Son, by His Spirit!), by which He makes us to give ourselves fully to Him.

God gives sinners grace to give His Son a kingdom

God gives sinners grace to give His Son a kingdom

Good speech comes from a heart that is wise, upright, and humble.

Good speech comes from a heart that is wise, upright, and humble.

Those who are being saved and building the kingdom will produce fruit by Jesus's power

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. The devotional emphasizes that godly, beneficial speech stems from a heart cultivated through wisdom, uprightness, and humility, rather than material wealth or association with the proud. Drawing from Proverbs 16, the message clarifies that true wisdom and understanding, gained through fellowship with God, are far more valuable than gold or silver, while departing from evil requires a steadfast commitment to righteousness and a humble spirit content in God's provision. Ultimately, the speaker underscores that conforming to the example of Christ—who embodies wisdom, righteousness, and humility—is the path to cultivating a heart that overflows with good and godly speech.

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 13—especially explaining how God isn't just able to, but actually does, do all His holy will. Q13. Can God do all things? Yes; God can do all His holy will. This lesson affirms God's absolute sovereignty, emphasizing that He not only *can* do all things but actively *does* all His holy will, drawing heavily from Ephesians 1:11. It cautions against questioning God's immutability or posing illogical paradoxes that undermine His divine nature, highlighting the inherent impossibility of God diminishing His own being. The message underscores God's unchanging power and eternal character, particularly in relation to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and ultimately encourages a confident affirmation of God's complete control and purposeful action in all things.

God reveals His greatness not only in His power, but especially in His grace, and most so in Christ.

God reveals His greatness not only in His power, but especially in His grace, and most so in Christ.

Those who are being saved and building the kingdom will produce fruit by Jesus's power

A king has a duty to serve, and represent, the King of kings.