Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian

Pursuit of Righteousness in Christ

Enjoying Our Christian Liberty by Righteous Living

Using the Word of Truth Helpfully, Diligently, and Rightly

Why must ministers of the Word work so hard-- 2Timothy 2-14-16 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that ministers of the Word must be diligent workers, so that they can guide hearers straightly through life-giving truth, rather than ruining them with empty noise.

Wrath-Provoking Sin as the Backdrop for Glorious Grace

What is the Lord going to do for Israel and why-- Isaiah 1 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us the Lord is going to forgive and purify Israel because she has made herself guilty and filthy by sin.

The Lord's Generous Provision for His People's Eagerly Providing for Public Worship

The Lord provides all that is necessary for His people to participate in His giving the gift of His favorable presence in our worship. The greater story is the generosity of God, not the people

How the Triune God Oversees and Shepherds His Church on Earth

Since it is the triune God Who is redeeming us, the church must do only and all that He says, in dependence upon Him.

Qualifications of the First (and every) Diaconate

Deacons must be male, and full of the Holy Spirit as identified by the markers that the Scripture gives of a Spirit-filled life.

Clinging to the Christ of the Covenant When the Covenant Seems Broken

What do believers do when their experience doesn't seem to line up with the promises of God-- Psalm 89-38-52 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when believers' experience doesn't seem to line up with God's promises, they ask Him about it in prayer and plead with Him in prayer.

Christ's Use of the Means of Grace — Shorter Catechism 88, Simply Explained

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 88-especially explaining that since Christ Himself does the work of grace, the only means by which we can hope to obtain grace are the means that He has appointed, and these means must be used always only in dependence upon Him. --Q88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption-- The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of re...

Our New Life of Righteousness

Why must Christians pursue righteousness-- Romans 6-20-23 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians must pursue righteousness because they have a new Master -Christ-, who gives them new fruit -holiness-, with a glorious new end -everlasting life-.

Taking Heed Under God's Grace

How must we respond to the Triune God's redeeming us-- Acts 20-28 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that since the Triune God is redeeming us, we must do what He gives us to do, in the way that He says, in dependence upon Him.

Whose Slave Are You? And Where Is That Taking You?

If you walk in sin, you're a slave of sin and not of Christ. If you're a slave of righteousness, then you belong to Christ, Who started that work in you and will finish it-

The Lord Provides the Privilege of Participation in His Presence

How does the Lord's provision show how intent He is upon dwelling with His people in favor-- Exodus 35-1-36-7 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these forty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrated His favorable intent in dwelling among His people by giving generously to them in every way.

Getting Wisdom Requires Grace

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that having the opportunity and mechanics by which wisdom is obtained can do us no good apart from God's gracious working in our hearts.

Enduring Hardship through Union with Christ

Why can, ought, and must Christians endure hardship for Christ-- 2Timothy 2-11-13 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the reality and necessity of union with Christ drives Christian endurance.

Wise Hearts, Wise Lips

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wise -sweet- hearts produce wise -sweet- lips that produce wise -sweet- words for a wise -sweet- life.

The Sanctifying Doctrines of God's Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Grace

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord's omnipresence and omniscience not only warns us off from evil, but also directs us to hope in His grace to do good.

The Nature of Repentance Unto Life

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 87-especially explaining that repentance is a gift of grace in which God turns the whole man from hateful sin to His merciful Self. --Q87. What is repentance unto life-- Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

A Sad End and A Strong Hope

With what lessons does the Spirit conclude the history of the kingdom of Israel-- 2Kings 25 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us our need for Jesus and the hope that we have.

Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God Shining in the Face of Jesus Christ

The Lord gave to His people to see light in their prophet's face in order to help them be receptive to His Word.

How Jesus Saves the Perishing

Jesus applies His salvation to the perishing through appointed men declaring all of God's Word to all of God's people.

The Purpose and Work of the Diaconate

1. Purpose of the deacon- free the ministers-ministry of the Word for their work-a. Preaching and teaching in public and from house to house, 5-42-b. Spreading the Word of God, 6-7-c. The Word not only taught, proclaimed, and applied, but also prayed in public and from house to house, 6-4-2. Work of the deacon- oversee whatever is needed in temporal things-a. Receive complaints, v1 -groaning pains and growing pains--b. Make decisions as an independent council, v2-c. Facilitate service, v3 --o...

Our Gracious Sonship in Christ's Glorious Sonship

What promise has secured the everlasting blessedness of God's people-- Psalm 89-19-37 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's promise concerning Christ's forever-kingdom has secured the everlasting blessedness of God's people.

Hope Deferred: Gracious Groaning

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God works in generous wisdom when He puts off good things that we hope for.

An Elevating Approach to Wealth

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who gain wealth in any other way than grace-driven righteousness will lose everything in the end.

Freed into a Beneficial Slavery

Why must Christians walk in obedience-- Romans 6-15-19 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians must walk in obedience, because if they don't, then it turns out that they aren't Christians at all.

Not Under Law But Under Grace: a Doctrine That Sustains Sanctification

As the believer seeks to reject sin and obey God, his obedience depends upon his new reality, and is facilitated by his embracing that new reality.

Innocent of Ruining Souls

What must a minister do to be clear of the deaths of those entrusted to him-- Acts 20-26-27 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a minister must proclaim all that God has intended-counseled.

An Almighty Mercy of Illumination

What did God do for their prophet to help His people receive His Word-- Exodus 34-29-35 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord gave to His people to see light in their prophet's face in order to help them be receptive to His Word.

How to Have Wealth Without Sorrow

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us how to have wealth without sorrow.

Filtering Words for Our Lives

Pastor teaches his family a selection from -the Proverb of the day.- In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that restraining our words both makes the words that we do speak more valuable and frees us up to hear the valuable words of other godly.

Strength to Endure Suffering in Christian Life and Ministry

How are ministers -and all believers- strengthened-- 2Timothy 2-8-10 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the minister of the Word is strengthened by union with Christ through meditation upon Him to Whom believers are united.

When Judgment Finally Comes: Going Out in a Series of Rhyming, Boring Whimpers

How did God finally punish Judah-- 2Kings 23-28-24-20 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord punished His people by giving them evil kings who not only continued to offend God but were also unskilled leaders, suffering defeat and destruction.

God, in Christ, the Heavenliness of Heaven, and Heaven on Earth for Those Who Are His

What is the believer's greatest happiness-- Psalm 89-1-18 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the believer's greatest happiness is God Himself-and that God has given Himself in Christ to be both their salvation and their reward.

What Faith in Jesus Christ Is [Westminster Shorter Catechism #86 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 86-especially explaining that faith is a grace, that it always saves completely, and that it receives and rests upon a person -not merely ideas about Him or benefits from Him-. --Q86. What is faith in Jesus Christ-- Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Covenant Patience As an Awesome Display of God's Glory

God does an awesome thing, not only saving His people among a world of sinners, but even forgiving His people's own sin, bearing patiently with their many backslidings, and bringing them into conformity with Himself instead of with the world.

Running and Finishing Our Own Race with Joy

Christians should live their lives as limited-time assignments from the Lord Who died for them and sustains their life.

Generous Christians Are a Sign and Wonder

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate -33- Believers know God's overarching plan to destroy all opposition to God and His Christ, but first to redeem those who will kiss the Son and trust in Him. They rejoice when the effect of the Lord's redemption is seen in turning back not only sin but also misery as a consequence of His gracious work in the saints.

Grace-Powered Confidence and Commitment

Why will Christians succeed in overthrowing sin-- Romans 6-14 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christians succeed in overthrowing sin because they do it not by the law but by grace.

How to Finish Our Race with Joy

How does God enable ministers to do minister the Word faithfully-- Acts 20-22-25 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God enables ministers to minister the Word faithfully by compelling them by His Spirit to serve the Lord with our life, because our race for the gospel of grace ends soon.

Weaponizing Our Whole Self in Service of Our True King

Christians must give their whole self, for this whole life, entirely to God for righteousness.

What God Requires of Us to Escape His Wrath and Curse [WSC85 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 85-especially explaining that though justification is entirely by Christ's merit and sacrifice, and everything that we do in other parts of redemption are sustained by grace, the things that God has commanded-ordained for us to do are still absolutely necessary. --Q85. What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin-- To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God require...

God Shows the Glory of His Grace in Covenant Patience

What does the Lord do for His people in His forgiveness-- Exodus 34-8-28 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these twenty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in His forgiveness, the Lord restores His people as if they had never sinned.

God's Man, Doing God's Work, God's Way, in God's Strength

What must ministers do, when almost the entire rest of the church is turning away from the truth-- 2Timothy 2-1-7 looks forward to the second reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in times of general apostasy a faithful minister must entrust the truth to faithful men for future generations, doing God's work, God's way, in God's strength, by God's grace.

Seeing God's Glory with Moses on the Mountains

God shows His glory in the law, in the gospel, and the history of redemption-and most of all in Christ, in each of these. This is what Moses saw greatly on Mt. Sinai, even more greatly on the Mount of Transfiguration, and most greatly in Heavenly Zion, where we behold that glory with him every Lord's Day in public worship.

All of God's Word for All of God's People

A faithful ministry solemnly attests all of God's Word to all of God's people, and those who receive it must take all of God's Word, seriously and personally.

The Diaconal Impact of the Spirit-Given Priorities of the Church

Biblical Theology of the Diaconate --32-- the pouring out of the Spirit and the gathering of believers into Christ produced a worship-obsessed people who lived worship-transformed lives in what they did with their time, wealth, and homes.

A Faithful Ministry Solemnly Testifies All Truth to All People

What is the first part of a faithful ministry-- Acts 20-21 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a faithful ministry is not an impressive man, but a servant of an impressive God.

How Christians Must Think of Themselves

Christians are to concur with God's justifying and sanctifying declarations about themselves.

Perceiving God's Glory in the Law, the Gospel, and the History of Redemption

What glory does the Lord display to His people-- Exodus 34-1-7 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God displays to His people the glory of His law, the glory of His nearness, the glory of His grace, and the glory of His justness.