How can the new church-state survive the nearness of God- Exodus 24-1-11 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 by God's binding Himself to them by blood, His people are able safely to dwell with Him.

God gives His own perfect righteousness-to those who are utterly desperate for it-in Christ alone--1. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD-1.a. What we have been waiting for since 1-17-1.b. What we are much more desperate for after 1-18-3-20-2. RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM THE LAW-2.a. Don't attempt to use the law in any part of your justification.-2.b. Watch out for those who try to sneak it into so-called -final justification.--3. RIGHTEOUSNESS WITNESSED BY THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS-3.a. The law dissuades us from self-justificaiotn by how -exceeding broad,- ultra-detailed, and spiritual are its many requirements.-3.b. The law itself showed us -alien- righteousness via the sacrificial system.-3.c. The law showed that these sacrifices could not give righteousness, having to be repeated.-3.d. The law taught by faith in the examples of its -best- saints. -The apostle will show this in the next chapter--3.e. We can rightly say that the law teaches us to obtain our righteous standing -apart from the law.--4. RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH -OF- JESUS CHRIST-4.a. The -of- is important here. We can say that our faith -justifies- if we are speaking instrumentally, but not meritoriously. Even the faith that justifies -meritoriously-- is Christ's faith.-4.b. Is your faith weak- Cling to Christ. His is perfect- -cf. Heb 2-13--5. RIGHTEOUSNESS -INTO- AND -UPON--5.a. -Into-- actually ours as much as if we had done it-5.b. -Upon-- ours by imputation, not by infusion-6. RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE-6.a. Faith is the instrument. -For all who believe.--6.b. Faith is the alone instrument. Nothing can increase-decrease faith's righteousness-not even its own strength or weakness.

What are some things for men and women especially to concern themselves with in the church- 1Timothy 2-8-10 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that men are to be men of prayer for godliness, and women are to be women of the godliness for which we pray.

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 out of the Word-kept heart must flow Scripture-sanctified speech, righteous use of our eyes and righteous perceptions, and righteous living.

The Lord is His own Messenger, as another Person but the same one God- and His people must walk with Him. Jesus leads His people, blesses His people, and establishes His people.

What are some of the surprises of grace- 2Kings 4-8-37 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 God's grace is predictably great but greatly unpredictable.

MAIN IDEA- through whatever opposition they experience on earth, Christ's servants serve Him in dependence upon Him.--INTRODUCTION- desiring and anticipating the spread of the gospel. What might it look like---1. PERSECUTION BY UNBELIEVERS-1.a. Even by some who were -good church members- of late, v50.-1.b. Even -especially-- by -devout and prominent women,- v50.-1.c. Especially by -chief men,- v50.-1.d. Especially through gossip, v50, 14-2.-1.e. Even unto death, 14-5.--2. PERSISTENCE OF BELIEVERS-PARTICULARLY PREACHERS-2.a. Remembering the greater Witness, v51.-2.b. Continuing on mission, end of v51. -cf. 13-5, 14, 24, 31, 32, 49- 14-1, 7, 21-.-2.c. Persisting in excellence, 14-1. They -so spoke- ... -boldness- -v3, cf. 4-29-31, Eph 6-20- and also plainness -cf. 2Cor 4-2- Col 4-4-. -2.d. Encouraged rather than discouraged, v3. -Therefore- they stayed. -Speaking boldly.- -cf. v22--. --3. POWER OF GOD-3.a. Sanctification, v52. -3.b. God's power, not man's. v52 occurs in Paul and Barnabas's absence.-3.c. Great multitudes of all sorts believing, 14-1. The power of the One Who appoints to eternal life -cf. v48-.-3.d. Signs and wonders, 14-3. Today, the sign and wonder is greater- a completed, preserved Bible- a preserved, faithful -to that Bible-defined by that Bible- church.--Conclusion- God Himself is the main character and feature in a revival.

Four Biblical principles for church-member-only communion-1. Covenant meal -Mt 26-28- Mk 14-24- Lk 22-20- 1Cor 11-25- Heb 8-8-9-. It is actually membership, not profession of faith, that admits to the table.-2. Necessity to take by faith- union of Word and Sacrament. Teaching, and accountability to believe and practice what is taught, fills in the content of what it means to eat and drink -in remembrance- of Christ. Not just remembrance of a death. Remembrance of a Person and ongoing, covenanted connection with Him. -All that You say, we will do.--3. Assignment of particular elders and co-members -1Cor 12-18, 27-28- Eph 4-8-16- Heb 13-7- 1Pet 5-1-7--4. Accountability of each to the other -Heb 13-17- Ac 20-26-28--Three options-1. -Open- communion or -fenced- communion. Give a warning, but leave their partaking entirely up to them. -2. -Closed- communion. Only members of that congregation.-3. -Close- communion. Only members of that congregation and other like-minded congregations.-Hopewell's practice-1. Close communion. Recognizing that it is the Lord's table, not Hopewell's table. We do it the way we do because He says what He says. And He has other congregations on earth, praise God--2. With a closed loop. Lord's Supper guest cards facilitate others' members communing in accountability to their own elders.-a. Those in between membership may put Hopewell on their guest cards if they are willing to be accountable to our elders for actively pursuing membership.

What sort of distress may come upon those who genuinely love God and His house- Psalm 69-1-18 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 just as Christ was wrongfully hated, mocked, and executed, so also those who are united to Him are conformed to His character and even His suffering.

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 55- What is forbidden in the third commandment- The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known.