​As we discuss sex and sexuality, it is important to highlight one of the latest developments in the sexuality discussion. It is what is called "Side B" Christianity.

Side B requires some attention not only because it is a growing phenomenon, but because it is one that is becoming prominent within conservative, evangelical circles.  It is not just "out there" among liberals or secular types, it is fostered in places that would be akin to churches like ours or in a college where we might send our kids.

The idea behind Side B is that people can identify as LGBTQ, but, because of their sexual orientation, they must remain celibate.  They abstain because they recognize that Scripture teaches that sex and marriage are designed by God to be between one man and one woman. 

Side B stands over and against Side A, which says that same sex attracted people can marry and have sexual relations.  Side A would be what we are used to when we think of the LGBTQ agenda. Side B is a little more tame.  Some might even label it a more conservative approach to the LGBTQ issue.

While we can commend the Side B adherents for recognizing that that homosexual acts and homosexual marriage are contrary to the Bible, we also must confess that they do not go far enough in their criticism.  For they fail to understand the nature of Christian identity, the fall, and progressive sanctification.

First, the Side B fails to understand the nature of Christian identity.  A Christian's identity is never to be in their fallenness or their sin.  As a Christian, I would not be right in saying that I am a Christian Alcoholic or Christian Podophile.  The two terms would be an oxymoron. 

Once I am in Christ, my identify is to be found in Him.  Sin has been dethroned and no longer has dominion over me.  While I may struggle with addiction or sinful tendencies, it is not biblical to legitimize my sin by saying, "this is who I am."

Secondly, Side B fails to grasp the nature of the fall.  In Adam, we lost our original righteousness and became filled with the corruption of sin.  However, we are still created in male and female with a divinely designed sexual orientation.

Side B proponents say that they are not culpable for their homosexual orientation because it is part of their personhood.  Sin, in their view, is only found in the explicit acts of homosexuality, not the orientation itself.  To put it another way, their homosexuality is seen to be part of who they are.  Thus, they would say that their homosexuality is not wrong at the level of desire because it is part of their sexuality.   

Yet Scripture teaches that these feelings and tendencies are part of our desires, not our person.  Just as one's feelings of anger or lust must be crucified and replaced with patience or chaste thoughts, so too must grace be brought to bear on one's homosexual inclinations.  Thus, there is no countenancing one's homosexual orientation.  It is sinful and should be repudiated through the power of the gospel.

Which leads to the third realm, that of progressive sanctification.  The gospel promises life and redemption.  There is no area of the fall that it does not bring hope and restoration.  Paul said that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Rom. 5:20).

For Side B, they would say that there is no need for sanctification in this area, other than maintaining a life of abstinence.  For again, the orientation (in their view) is not wrong.

In contrast, Scripture tells us that we must align ourselves with the standard it sets forth.  Thus, we must not identify with a homosexual orientation.  We must identify with a heterosexual orientation and seek to conform our lives to a heterosexual lifestyle as God intends.

We recognize that this may be a struggle and one may have to fight with diligence against their sinful desires.  But that is where the hope of the gospel plays its part.  We recognize that the Holy Spirit can bring about the necessary change.  He has, after all, "given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3).

Though the battle be long and difficult, one can say, "This is who God made me to be.  I will claim this identity for myself and strive with all my soul to conform to it."  That is the nature of progressive sanctification.

To be sure, this short space is not enough to fully cover the topic of Side B.  Much more could be said about what it is and how it fails to measure up to the Biblical standard.  Yet it is enough here to simply recognize that Side B can have a great allure in our present day.  With our culture awash in an anti-Christian sexual ethic, the church will be tempted to syncretize in some way on the issue.  

With its growing allurement, it is at least good to have a small introduction to it.  That we can have it on our radar and express some discernment should we ever exposed to it.

This is part four of a series on sex and sexuality.  Be sure to view part one, part two, & part three.

Hopewell Campout - 2022 
It's coming!  Be sure to reserve July 15-17th for the annual Hopewell Campout.  It's the summer's best weekend, filled with fellowship and fun.  A registration will be sent out soon.  However, you can click the button below to get the general information.​

Let's Do Discipleship
Interested in growth opportunities?  If you desire to learn, teach, lead, or host a study in your home, please let us know.  We can try and make that happen!

LGBTQ & Heart Issues

This is part two of a series on sex and sexuality.  Be sure to view part one.

The Word of God tells us that any kind of sexual identity or activity outside of one man and one woman united in marriage is wrong.  While this is true, we would be remiss if we did not probe into the deeper realities behind these misbehaviors.

We could easily write such people off as "desperately lost" or "perverts." Indeed, much of the world today is guilty of doing this very thing.  Many Christians have taken such a stance and, as a result, have had a condemning posture which shuts down opportunities that God would otherwise open.

To be sure, the vileness of these acts is most concerning and Scripture does apply a greater degree of wickedness to them.  We do not wish to soften the nature of these sins or make light of what God takes seriously.

Nevertheless, we want to examine the heart.  It is important to see that there are genuine internal realities that give rise to the outward failure. 

More importantly, when we consider these heart realities, someone who may be caught up in the LGBTQ lifestyle will likely become more human to us.  They will not be a meme stereotype.  Rather they may be seen as a fellow sinner who is ultimately searching for the Lord (whether they realize it or not).

Pastor and college/seminary professor, Kevin Carson, has counseled people through their sexual deviancy and helped them to gain the newness of life that the Lord gives.  His teaching has provided a spiritual x-ray which gives us some clarity on the common heart issues pertaining to such people.  When we consider them, we understand that we as Christians do have what the world needs.

1.  A longing for relationship:
We must remember that issues pertaining to sex and sexuality stem from our desire to have meaningful companionship.  God created us to relate to one another and companionship is the heart of what God designed marriage and family to be.  After all, it was "not good for man to be alone."  Adam was created in such a way that he needed a friendship that the animals could not afford and the woman was created to fill that need.

Those who have aberrant sexual proclivities can often be seeking that greater and more meaningful companionship.  Perhaps early in life they had connections that fostered those types of bonds.  Maybe a same sex interest developed because they gained that sense of belonging through a close friendship that filled that "need."

The way it developed may differ from person to person, but this interest in deep connection is often one of the prime factors leading to sexual brokenness, just in the case of Rosaria Butterfield.  Her story not only points to the tight friendships that helped to foster her entrance into a homosexual lifestyle, but she testifies to how these relationships are fostered within the gay community itself.  It also points out that a solid Christian friend may be the very lifeline this person needs.

2.  The Love of Pleasure:
Closely associated with the longing for relationships is a penchant for pleasure.  This, of course, is an idol common to us all.  One who fantasizes and indulges his mind in lust for a woman bows at the same alter of someone who will not subdue his heart regarding his gay inclinations.

This love of pleasure is often why some who grow up in Christian families and in the church fall into this lifestyle.  They may think that God "wants them to be happy" (don't many churches preach this kind of message?).  Or, they may draw back from the church because the happiness that they are pursuing is in conflict with the feelings of guilt that they get when under Scriptural teaching on sexuality.

The truth is, however, that our happiness is not God's primary interest.  He is most concerned with our holiness.  The Apostle Paul characterized his spiritual life as a fight and a war against the flesh. 

While happiness can coexist with the Christian life, the only time it is truly guaranteed is in the world to come.  Until then, we are to pursue God's glory as the first and highest good in our lives.

3.  Craving Attention:
This category is akin to the first as well, but it does have a different slant.  Some people crave a relationship, where they have meaningful connection with others.  Others merely have a longing for attention.

In this respect, it is more of a selfish gratification.  They may like the attention of a same sex person or it may be that they claim to be bisexual because it gets them noticed by their circle of peers.  This later is common among young people, who are longing to fit in or are wanting to gain some kind of recognition.

This too, is a common condition of the human heart.  It is the same sinful mentality that lies behind immodesty, people pleasing, and a host of other behaviors that are merely attempting to attract the ever fleeting spotlight.

Yet this yearning is most fittingly satisfied in Christ alone, who has given us all the recognition we should ever desire.  He listens to us in prayer, speaks to us in his Word, and (most of all) died for us so that we might forever be in his loving presence.

4. A "Feelings-based" Orientation:
The story is common among LGBTQ affiliates that they had certain same sex feelings early on in life.  It may be as early as 5 or 6 years old, when (not surprisingly) we naturally begin thinking about relationships.  Later in childhood they have more feelings, perhaps pertaining to that companionship mentioned above.  

What is evident is that the person lives more by feelings rather than by faith.  Instead of having the determination to formulate his/her life according to the pattern of life God has laid down in Scripture, he/she allows his/her feelings to be the guide of life.  This is not overly surprising, of course, because all of our culture tells us to "follow our heart."

Rather than saying, "No, my feelings are wrong, I should do/think/feel this way," one allows their feelings to become habituated.  Thus they can say, "I've felt this way all my life."  Maybe they can even go so far as to say that they feel they were born this way.

What we need to understand is that we are not the composite of our feelings.  Our sexual feelings need to be disciplined and subjected to Christ, just as much as our feelings of anger, worry, or sadness.  Every aspect of our lives must conform to his Lordship.

5.  Discontent:
We all can identify with how powerful the "I don't like that; I want this" mentality can be.  It makes us push away from certain things and we determine to track down the item of our desire with fervor.

Discontent is quite prevalent among those struggling with sexual identity.  Chief among them is the dissatisfaction with God's design for relationships.  However, other dissatisfactions typically build towards that one, such as discontent with the level of companionship that the opposite sex has provided, discontent with the way one looks or feels, etc. 

The little nudges of discontent can eventually push one away from heterosexuality and be the lure that brings him/her into homosexuality.

These are by no means the only heart issues for those dealing with unbiblical sexual issues.  However, they are some of the most ubiquitous.  What's more, they show  us that the LGBTQ community is dealing with many of the same issues that we are.  Their outward workings of them may simply look quite different.

Of course, no one should be stereotyped.  We should never use these issues as a template to press someone into.  Rather, we should be aware that these may be some of the innerworkings of someone who we meet. 

What is important to learn is that the Lord is the answer that they are looking for.  Each of their heart's longings, just like ours, is filled in Him.

Free Ebook: The End Times
Easter gave us a glimpse into the future that God has in store for us.  Yet the Scripture has much more to say.  This ebooklet will help gain a greater understanding of the hope we as Christians have.

Thinking about Membership?
Are you wanting to be a part of the Hopewell gang and participate in all the rights and privileges of the saints of God?  We'd welcome the opportunity to speak to you about becoming a member.

Biblical Sexuality

Living for the Lord in a Canaanite Culture

​I am the Lord your God.
You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.
I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 18:2-4

Our culture is obsessed with sex and sexuality, but, then again, so is the Bible.

Sex and sexuality are the lead headlines on virtually ever news outlet.  No streaming service would be complete if some LGBTQ+ scene, plot, or reference had not been inserted in each of its shows.  You can't even say hello to a stranger without fearing retaliation for not using their preferred pronoun.  

Yet, despite the obsession with these topics, our culture couldn't be more confused about them.  

In less than a week we've seen men taking over in women's sports, a man being regarded as the woman of the year, a woman supreme court nominee not knowing the definition of her own gender.  These were but a few of such stories spinning off the news reel.

This is where Scripture offers us good news.  Scripture doesn't play bashful when it comes to the issue of intimacy.  It also speaks profusely in its pages about human sexuality.  

One may say that the Scriptures are just as obsessed about the issues clogging our culture today.  The only difference is that the Bible speaks with authority and clarity, as well as frequency.

One must never forget that the Israelites lived in the sexual sloughs of Egypt and Canaan.  The early church grew up and blossomed in the midst of the decline of Rome, which was overly infatuated with eroticism. 

As a result, the Bible doesn't treat the issues as taboo.  God has let his voice be heard on the matter in order to deal with such a time as this.  

Whether it be temple prostitutes or an impassioned Shulammite, the Scriptures contain all the spirit informing, hormone inducing, eye raising, cheek blushing details we may need in order to gain understanding, enjoyment, and fulfillment in regards to our sex life.

So, despite feeling like we may be losing the culture war, we as Christians can be stout hearted and of good courage.  The answers our culture are looking for lie with us because we possess the truth regarding the human body and its divine design for intimacy.

We shall tackle some of these issues over the next few editions of the Hopewell Weekly.  For now, though, we can simply rejoice in the fact that "the Lord is our God."

Furthermore, we can affirm our calling to "not do as they do" in Egypt and Canaan.  We must follow the statues and rules of the Lord and walk in them, knowing that our purity will testify that the God we serve is himself the very embodiment of purity. 

We were blessed to have several of our young people profess faith and be baptized this past March.  May the grace of our God only continue to abound!

Good Friday Service 
Join us on Good Friday (April 15) as we meditate upon the seven last words of Christ from the cross and reflect upon his atoning work. The service, which will go from 6:30-7:30 pm, will consist of Scripture readings, music, and a brief meditation.

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The Spirituality of a Confessional Church

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering."
Hebrews 10:23

Hopewell is unique among churches in the Ashland area as we are a "confessional church."  This is the fourth article in a series which is examining what this means and why it is important. 
​Be sure to check out parts 1, 2, and 3.

 
Confessional churches are, shall we say, different.  Often there is a certain feel to them.  That's because the confessions typically create a unique culture.  As we come to this final article on the subject of a confessional church, it may be good to think about the vibe that is produced in the church as a result of subscribing to the confessions.

Here is a quick rundown of just a few of the characteristics that are common to confessional churches:

1. Vigorous, doctrinal preaching - The Confessions are, above anything else, a  high commitment to the Scriptures.  They summarize, what we "confess" to be true.  That usually plays out in the pulpit. 

The depth of faith contained in these doctrinal standards enriches the level of teaching that occurs from week to week.  Congregation members often gain a great deal of edification through the preaching of the Word and find it to be quite substantial for their souls. 

2. Solid Ministers of the Gospel / Leadership - One reason why the teaching ministry is such a blessing is because confessional churches expect a well trained minister.  Congregations expect their ministers to not only be thoroughly trained in the confessions themselves, but they must also be adeptly acquainted with the Scriptures that undergird them, the history that surrounds them, and the practices that they set forward. 

To put it another way, confessional churches have high standards.  That transposes into a high standard for those who preach and serve as elders in the church.  The laity, having bulked up on Biblical and confessional material, probably isn't going to settle for any ole schlub being in a position over them.

3.  Reverence & Listening - In a Pentecostal church, you will likely see people bouncing away in the aisles.  In a Fundamentalist church, you may see a loud, sweaty preacher.  In a Confessional church you will likely see a degree of quiet stillness.

This is not the "frozen chosen" as many jokingly call it.  To the contrary, it is active engagement coupled with reverence.  The confessions set forward the greatness of God and focus upon his majestic being.  The confessions teach us to listen to God speak in and through his Word.  The natural product is that the congregation quiets themselves so that they may revere God and give adequate attention to the means of grace.

4. Means of Grace - I had never heard this term prior to being in a confessional church.  But the confessions talk a great deal about how God brings his saving grace to bear on his people. 

Christ accomplished our salvation and the Spirit applies it.  But the Spirit works to grow us in this grace by means of the reading and preaching of God's Word, the sacraments, prayer, etc.  

As these things are conveyed in the confessions, it naturally leads the congregation to give specific attention to these means of grace, both in the corporate context of worship, and in individual homes.

5. Sacramental piety - Confessional churches have a well developed theology of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and, as a result, put a significant emphasis on them in worship services.  

The confessions themselves were written in response to a lot of the abuses of the sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church.  Thus they spend a lot of time explaining the biblical teaching regarding them. 

In sum, the confessions tell us that the sacraments are not merely pictures of the gospel or memorials for reflection.  Rather they are lively declarations of the gospel.  As such they are means of grace which press the validity of God's promises in a vivid manner and help us progress in our battle against sin.

6. A Covenantal Perspective - The idea of covenant is one of the most prominent themes of Scripture. The confessions have captured this fundamental teaching in their records and communicate it effectively throughout their pages.  

Even though the Westminster and London Confessions have some slight nuances on the subject of covenant theology, they both concur when it comes to the basics:  All humanity have become covenant breakers as a result of Adam's fall and deserve death.  But the Lord redeems his people through the covenant of grace.

This covenantal perspective helps make the gospel all that much more central in the context of God's people.  It also serves to give students of the confessions an enriched understanding of God's call to faithful obedience.

Admittedly, many non confessional churches may have some of the same distinctives.  There's no doubt about that.  But there is also no doubting the fact that the confessions foster a certain culture within the church.  They set forward a unique spirituality and shape the practices and piety of those congregations which truly embrace them.

Join the Bee - Registration is Open!
The National Bible Bee engages young people in the memorization and study of God’s Word.  Through this program our young people are united in bonds of fellowship, spiritually challenged, and strengthened in Christ.  Register today to lock in your savings and your child's growth.  Learn more about the Bee.

Register under hosts Rachel Johnson, Tara Beechy, or Michelle Naylor.

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Overcome Anxiety for Good
For the last several weeks Hopewell has dug deeply into the issue of anxiety and shown how the Lord can deliver his people from it.  If you or someone you know struggles with the issue of anxiety, be sure to check out the messages. 

PART 1  |  PART 2  |  PART 3

And join us this Lord's Day as we conclude this series as we contemplate "How Can We Keep from Becoming Anxious?"

Come join us in the land of social media!

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me."

2 Corinthians 12:7

​Maybe God doesn't want you to thrive, succeed, or float on the fairy boat of greatness.  Maybe the road He has laid out for you involves trudging through difficulty, slogging through sorrow, and offering up a whole lot of tear filled prayers.

If you would ask the Apostle Paul if life was a bed of roses, he would have gave a resounding YES!  But he'd also say that the petals are typically missing. 

God had given him a thorn in the flesh.  Translation: Thriving, in many senses, was not God's plan for Paul.  Providence had ordained a slew of sufferings, hardships, roadblocks, setbacks, weeping, anguish, and detours.

Of course, Scripture doesn't tell us what the nature of the thorn was.  We are simply left with a prickly metaphor and an ominous reference to a demonic ambassador.  Hardly anything you might call clarity.

But the point of suffering is clear.  This wasn't a minor prick or "owie."  It was given "to torment."  Literally, it could be translated, "to rap with the fist."  In other words, this satanic thorn threw punches like Mohamad Ali.

What was the Lord thinking?  Didn't God know that Paul's ministry could have been even more successful if he hadn't had this messenger of Satan constantly socking him?  Think how the Roman world could have been won to Christ.  How many more converts could Paul have made?  How much more amazing work could have been done?

The truth is God is often more concerned with the amazing work going on inside us.  He might want us to slog along because it means deeper spiritual growth.

This past year's inflation wasn't kind to your wages.  You know why?  The answer is not merely because men have mischievously tampered with the monetary system.   It's primarily because God wanted you to feel the financial pinch and understand what it means to rely upon him.

You know why (enter annoyingly constant household problem) keeps popping up?  Sure, its because (enter all names that apply) are woeful sinners.  But it's primarily because God wants to shape you.  He wants you to know that His grace is sufficient.

The list of pains, trials, and circumstances may vary, but it is still the same outcome.  The Lord may not want you to thrive in this world.  He might give you the Job treatment and earnestly call you to character development.
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Ministry Information Meeting
This Sunday during our fellowship lunch Jon Mould will give a short presentation on the Afghan refugee sponsorship program.  We'd love your participation and feed back as we seek to discern whether or not the Lord is calling us to this ministry opportunity.

Reformed Audio Resources
Plug it in and grow.  Listen to great lectures from some of the best seminaries around.  Dabble in various courses, such as Church history, Music & Christian Aesthetics, The Parables and Miracles of Christ, the Doctrine of God, and many more.

Once again we have the joy of recognizing all that God has done in our midst.  We invite you to check out our 2021 Year in Review and join us in praising God for the sweet mercies he's bestowed upon our fellowship.

"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

Matt. 5:41

How Far Will You Go? 
...
 
More than Average 

How would you rate your efforts?  Your obedience?  Your thoroughness and serviceability?  If you were to send home a grade card which would give a score on your level of love, what would it be?

Let's say you get a passing grade.  You've done what was required.  The task was completed.  Satisfactory, right?

Now determine that grade on the basis of Christ's call to "go the extra mile."  In ancient Rome citizens could be compelled by Roman soldiers to perform specific labors.  For instance, to carry a soldier's gear.  The law said that person would have to lug the pack one mile.

Jesus comes along and puts up a new standard though.  He tells his people to go two miles.  In sum, outdo what is expected of you.  What seems to be a minor inconvenience should not bother you.  Your heart should be so wide that you become willing to go beyond the bare minimum.  

After being married, I came to see the importance of this.  For me, it didn't matter if the laundry got put away in the drawers.  If it got folded, that was a bonus in my eyes.

My standard was quickly challenged.  My new wife had different expectations.  But it wasn't enough to put the socks back into the drawer.  She liked the drawer to be closed all the way, nice and neat.  If the socks were sticking out or the drawer left slightly open, it was a bother.

Don't think that my wife is a bugaboo about it.  She lovingly would overlook it and fix it herself if need be.  

But the Lord began to convict me.  What kind of love was I showing?  Was it "satisfactory" or could I go the extra mile and tuck in the shirts and close the drawers all the way?  

The principle of going the extra mile and doing more than what was expected/required of me became something that needed to be applied in many other ways.  It was not just applied to my dresser drawers, but it also needful in the way I did the dishes and carried on conversation.  It applied to parenting and a myriad of other small, but important aspects of life.

Walking a mile is, in the grand scheme of a day, not that big of a deal.  It is, in many ways, a minor inconvenience.  It's more about the willingness to submit, to serve, and to give up what you find pleasurable in the moment.

Really, Christ himself shows what it means in the most demonstrable ways.  He became a man.  He gave up vacations (Mk 6:31-33).  He would not sip the drink that would numb the cross's pain.  He let himself be inconvenienced in a host of ways so that he could show the love that would save and bring life.

In view of that, what is a mile or two?  Our inconveniences are pretty inconsequential.  

The love of Christ calls us to "go a little bit further."  And so, as his disciples, we should be prepared do more than a mere C+ on our daily callings. If the boss asks for a spreadsheet, it should be the best possible spreadsheet he could ever get from us.  If your mother tells you to set the table, you should make the effort to put those spoons in perfect alignment.  

As the gospel exceeds our expectations, let that be the mindset that we also have.  When handed a task, as yourself, "How can I go the extra mile here?  What can I do to make sure that this is done in the best possible way?"  As you go that extra mile, you will be showing a love that is truly divine.  

This Sunday @ Hopewell

The Magi Confirm Christ's Imperial Rule
Matthew 2:1-12

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Lessons & Carols
Be sure to join us on Christmas Eve at 6:30 as we meditate on our Lord's birth.  You will be blessed by Scripture readings, carols, and special music pieces.

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Ring In 2022 with Hopewell
Join us at Pleasant Valley Ranch Campground for an evening of great fellowship.  Pizza and drinks will be provided.  Doors will open at 6pm.  Feel free to come or leave whenever you'd like.

"We take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:5

Enjoying Your Shows to the Glory of God 
...
 
Identifying the Message of a Movie

​"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he fell among some robbers..."

"While some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”  But Jonah ran away from the Lord..."

There's something electric about a good story.  It has the power to grip you and captivate your attention.  It reels you in and speaks to your soul. 

Yes, it speaks.  A story's value (or detriment) is not merely in its entertainment value, it is also in its ability to convey ideas. 

The Lord knows this well.  That's why he composed the Bible the way he did.  Approximately 70% of it is narrative.  He reveals his truths in dramatic form to our emotions and senses as well as our hearts and minds.

The movies and films of today are merely contemporary society's way of embodying this age old phenomena.  And, if we are wise, we will seek to be just as discerning with what we watch on the screen as we are with what we read in Scripture.

How exactly do we do that?  Much of it comes by understanding the basic elements of a story.  In his book, Hollywood Worldviews, Brian Godawa outlines how you can discern the basic message (or "theme") of a film by understanding its core structural elements.

The Theme
The theme is what the movie is all about.  Sometimes it can be thought of as "the moral of the story" and can be stated propositionally as a premise that leads to a conclusion.  If we put it as an equation, it would be "x leads to y."  

My wife and I have recently re-watched the 1998 Disney production of The Parent Trap.  It's a corny romantic comedy about how two twins separated at birth bring their divorced parents back together.  It's theme might be "Cuteness, determination, and a little tit-for-tat deception lead to the restoration of true love."

But how did I get there?  Let's walk through the rest of the plot elements and see.

The Hero
A story has a central figure who serves as the hero.  In The Parent Trap, there are actually two heroes.  They are the adorable 11 year old twin girls, Hallie and Annie, who (by fate or by chance) happen to meet at summer camp.  

The Hero's Goal
The hero always has a goal, which drives the story.  This obsession is what makes the story.  For Hallie and Annie the goal is a united family, where father and mother live together, love each other, and shower their dual affection upon their kids.  In sum, they are obsessed with what might be called the ideal nuclear family.  

The means used to achieve this goal may be of some question.  It's not your good old fashioned "honesty is the best policy."  Their sisterhood had been hidden from them, so they practice a little deceit of their own by switching places when the time comes to go back home.

The Adversary
Conflict is central to every story.  That is why every story has an adversary.  Some may call it "the bad guy" or "the villain," but it doesn't necessarily have to be a person.  It could be nature, a corporation, chance, or overly strict rules/society.  Whatever it is, it stands against the hero to keep him from achieving his goal.

In The Parent Trap, the adversarial role may be said to be the dazzling beauty who is attempting to wed the father figure, thus preventing the unification of the parents.  But the adversary may also be said to be divorce and man's inability to reconcile due to a lack of humility, repentance, and the ability to forgive.

The Character Flaw
Just as the adversary acts as the external opponent, so too there is an internal opponent.  On the way to achieving the goal, the hero must overcome this defect.  As the story unfolds the hero will learn the right way to live.  

In The Parent Trap the girl's youth may be said to be that flaw.  

The Apparent Defeat
A good show will at some point have the hero utterly stymied.  The adversaries mentioned above will become too great an obstacle and leave the hero facing a moment of hopelessness and despair as the goal seems out of reach.

Hallie and Annie feel like they meet their match when the plan they hatch falls apart.  The lovely fiancée and the stubborn pride of their parents seem to win the day.

Final Confrontation
Towards the end of the story the adversary and the hero must face off in one last battle.  It may be a physical fight or a verbal confrontation, but either way it is the moment for which everyone has been waiting.

The final confrontation in The Parent Trap is a camping trip where the ritzy beauty is in comedic style revealed to be a less than desirable fit for the father.

Self Revelation
Just before the movie ends the hero will give "the moral of the story."  Typically it will be wrapped in a conversation where the hero will give a speech about what he or she has learned or how his/her mind has changed.  The theme will break loose at this point as you now understand how you are supposed to live in the world.  

As with most romantic comedies, the self revelation of The Parent Trap is teased along and extended until the "big kiss."  The father and mother realize the folly of their ways and express their repentance in their re-unifying smooch.

Resolution
What happens as a result of the change (or lack of change)? Where does the hero go from here?  That is the resolution.  It is the "happily ever after" moment when the cowboy rides off into the sunset or the "ah ha" moment of the tragedy where the consequences of one's bad decisions play out.  In sum, all the questions posed in the movie have been answered and the curtain can fall.

In identifying these elements of the movie, the theme can be better recognized.  That theme and its supporting elements can then be analyzed.

For The Parent Trap, there are wonderful Christian motifs at play. 

• Divorce is the real parent trap; it is wrong and harmful to kids. 
• Commitment in marriage is good and people should work out their problems with humility and forgiveness. 
• Lies will always come to light and are exposed for the terrible things that they are.

But there are also some items that one should give one pause.  For instance, there's a sense in which the movie says deception is okay as long as it used for a higher end.  Thus, we need to be mindful that the "feelings trump ethics" or "ends justify the means" mentality is contrary to Scripture.

___________________
*This is part 2 of a series on "Watching Your Shows to the Glory of God."  Be sure to read the first installment in this series.

What to look for in a Movie
Was the above article helpful?  Would you like to apply it to your own shows?  Good news!  Godawa has a short piece on "What to look for when watching a movie" that can help you pick apart your shows.  Bookmark it for your discussions with your family.

Fellowship & Study
Are you interested in a Bible study?  Would you like some mid-week fellowship?  Don't be bashful about it.  Let's see what we can do to fill that need!  Let us know your interest. 

​"We take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:5

Enjoying Your Shows to the Glory of God 
...
 
Thinking Biblically about Movies & Television  

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Cable television, YouTube.  I would suppose that the question is not "Do you use one of these media outlets?," but rather "Which is your preferred entertainment venue?"  

Whether it is a daily entertainment fix at the end of a long day or the occasional family movie, it's likely that you and your family will have your eyes fastened on a screen.  Studies say that the average American racks up 3 hours a day.  One source said that we binged streamed 8 hours a day during the COVID lockdowns.

My guess is that the average Hopewellian is well below the "average American" in these respects.  But, let's face it, we're all still getting our regular dosage of screen time.

You may expect me to throw in a quip about how we are "not reading our Bibles that much."  I'm not that kind of guy though.  I don't think God requires us to get a 1:1 correspondence between how much Bible we read and how much television we watch. 

Sure, I'll say that a good motto to live by is "Bible first."  It's a healthy practice to make sure you've spent some time in God's Word at some point of the day and not let our entertainments take precedence over it. 

However, entertainment is a good thing.  It's a blessing from the Lord, and watching "your show" is not something we have to be ashamed of.

After all, "God loves movies."  That's what Brian Godawa, an award winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and movie lecturer, says.  He explains, "Movies are visually dramatic stories, and in the Bible the dominant means through which God communicates his truth is visually dramatic stories--not systematic theology, catechisms, or rational argument."

Godawa not only notes the value of film, he says that we must beware of two sinful extremes.  In his book Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom & Discernment he says we must beware of cultural anorexia and cultural gluttony.  

On the one hand you can take a teetotaler perspective and say that movies are a waste of time or merely a dangerous means of escapism.  This denies the fact that movies are works of art and a "God-given means of expressing our humanity."  Though the art may be flawed, we should recognize that each movie does reflect the creativity of God and an interest in beauty (which itself is God-given).

On the other hand, you can have cultural gluttons.  These are the mass consumers who often lack wisdom and discretion.  In the name of "just wanting to be entertained" they turn off their brains and are "oblivious" to the messages that the films preach.*

A third and better way is available to us.  It is watching these shows with our minds wide open.  We can be in the movie, but not of the movie, so to speak.  As we enjoy our entertainment, we can still take every thought captive for Christ.  That which is beautiful can be extolled, and that which is evil can be condemned.  Most of all, the redemption which is portrayed in the movie can be recognized as in some way reflecting God's grand drama of salvation.

Over the next several issues of the Hopewell Weekly, we will be looking at some of the principles Godawa outlines in his book.  It will be our goal to help foster a greater discernment (as well as a a greater appreciation!) for the movies, series, and cartoons we watch.

________________
*"Oblivious" may not be the best word to use here.  I would suggest that we get the message.  It is just whether we do it consciously or not.
​

American Church History
The American church is a unique thing.  Many rivers have combined to form what it is today. Join us on Sunday evenings as we begin to explore the roots of the American church and how it has developed through the ages.  From Puritans to big tent revivals to big box churches, we'll see what God hath done among us.

Membership @ Hopewell
Would you like to formally come under the care of the leadership and enjoy the rights and privileges that accompany membership, please let us know.  The elders will be setting up interviews with prospective candidates over the next few weeks and publicly welcoming new members in November.  

​​"But Martha was distracted with much serving."

Luke 10:40

​Every hair does not have to be perfectly placed.  Your body doesn't have to fit into that size 5 dress.  Your lawn doesn't have to be manicured.  Your test doesn't have to be a 95 or above.

Such words can be heresy to some people.  "You just don't understand," they would mutter.  "That's not good enough."

They are the perfectionists.   

At least that's what they are often called.  They can also be called driven, goal oriented, and disciplined.  Others, however, may call them by their more derogatory names, such as "obsessive" or "compulsive."  

She's a stickler for detail.  He's meticulous about the particulars.  But, when it all boils down, they both have to be the best of the best.

While we should strive to "be holy as he is holy," we also need to recognize that we are sinners.  We'll never reach God's standard.  And, really, if we have a perfectionist's spirit, we're probably not walking in the Spirit and achieving the kind of perfection God has in mind.

There are different ways this plays out.  Julie might look the part of one who is the epitome of humanity:  she excels in school, she's fit, her kids always look like the ideal family.

Pull back the curtain of her heart and you'll find that things are not as righteous as they seem.  Julie's inner life is anything but reflective of the external, pristine order that she conveys.  She's always worried about what her friends will think of her.  She doesn't want to disappoint her ever so proud (and demanding?) Papa.  She's killing her self keeping up with all the perceptions others have (or the perceptions she imagines them to have).

The same is true for Darrin, though they differ in some of the details.  Darrin isn't worried about what other's think, but he has his standards.  He's got to be the best.  That's why his presentations always kill it.  They make the impression and get the sell every time. 

But his work takes him late into the night each day.  The hunt for the promotion has taken its toll, especially on his wife and kids.  They have all been laid on the Alter of Perfection.

I don't want you to be confused: we may seek perfection.  God delights in obedience.  But the perfectionist typically isn't seeking perfection in the sphere of morality.  It's his own perfection.  It's a perfection of some aspect of his life, but not so much his soul.  Instead of righteousness, perfection is thought of in terms of success, image, or performance.

Martha was in the same boat.  She wanted a perfect home.  Jesus was there, after all.  The perfect meal needed prepared.  A tidy atmosphere had to be kept.

Those were all good things, no doubt.  But none of it concerned real sanctification for God's glory.  None of it was achieving the kind of perfection that really mattered. 

Thankfully, Jesus was there and he brought deliverance to her soul. The Perfect One is the savior of the perfectionist-wanna-be.  It wasn't about the goals she had set or the perceptions she had.  It was about her heart and where its should focus should be.

The gospel is the cure all for the perfectionist.  Julie may rest in knowing that the only thing that really matters is God's evaluation of her in Christ.  Darrin may find that God's provision is enough and his grace is sufficient.  Martha may not worry about the dust bunnies.  Rather she may gain assurance in knowing that Christ desires communion more than a 7 course meal.

In sum, when the Lord comes first and we are focused on the gospel, the perfectionist can be perfected.  Grace puts the goals in line and our strivings can center on the real issues of on God's heart.

American Church History
The American church is a unique thing.  Many rivers have combined to form what it is today. Join us on Sunday evenings as we begin to explore the roots of the American church and how it has developed through the ages.  From Puritans to big tent revivals to big box churches, we'll see what God hath done among us.

Membership @ Hopewell
We at Hopewell Church believe that covenanting together in formal membership is a biblical way to show our devotion to Christ.  If you would like to come under the care of the leadership through membership, we invite you to learn more and let us know your interest.  

The Death of John Shelby Spong
...
 
Christ Has Prevailed Once Again 

​I learned about John Shelby Spong in my modern church history class in college.  So it was interesting to hear that he had passed away this last week at 90 years of age.

With his death we also lay to rest an era.  Mark Tooley has appropriately said that Spong's death brings about the death of Protestant Modernism.

Spong was a liberal theologian (or a modernist, as they have traditionally been called).  As a child of the enlightenment he rejected Biblical revelation and embraced rationalism.  Thus, he believed that Christianity needed to "keep up with modern times."  Anything that smacked of being unscientific needed to be tossed out.  

For instance, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, his second coming, as well as any belief in an afterlife and miracles had no place in Spong's worldview.  To Spong it wasn't rational to believe such things.  Those were the beliefs of the archaic Christians (or "fundamentalists," as normal, Bible believing people would be called).

The Modernists, of course, were the forerunners of the Post-Modernists.  Modernists liked claims to absolute truth, but they chucked the Bible, which is the basis for it.  So their big claims of right and wrong / truth and error were soon supplanted by their Post Modern sons who do not believe in any absolutes. 

The Postmodernists took Modernism to its logical conclusion.  Who's to say what is right and wrong?  If there is no absolute, then what's true for me may not be true for you.  It just depends on your personal narrative. 

Today you will be hard pressed to find a tried and true Modernist Christian.  Like Spong, they are pretty much an extinct species.  Modernism really does seem to go to the grave with Spong.

What did not die out was orthodox Christianity.  Jesus Christ truly did rise from the dead and he currently lives at God's right hand.  He now sends the Spirit, who actively works faith in his people and teaches them all things that God has revealed. 

As a matter of fact, the true faith has only grown and multiplied many times over, much to Spong's chagrin.  Interestingly, over Spong's 90 years of life traditional Christian belief has grown from 600 million to over 2 billion!

Christ has indeed prevailed and and Spong's hope of ridding the world of such views has failed miserably.

It is just as Proverbs 11:7 says, "When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish; the hope of strong men perishes."  Spong lived a vigorous 90 years.  He wrote many books and promoted a liberal agenda with radical passion up to his dying breath.  Yet there's very little to show for it.  His modernistic hope is dead. 

Just as the church he pastored plummeted in attendance during his time, so too does his hope of defeating Christ and Biblical Christianity.  It falls and dies with him and is about as useful as the book that Spong wrote on the afterlife in 2010.

By contrast, Christ still reigns.  His truth marches on unhindered. 

The true gospel not only continues to live and thrive, but it brings people a real and living hope.  We have a sure anchor of the soul; a hope that absolute truth delivered to us from God provides.

Protections for Religious Liberty
This Sunday at 6pm John Sparks will begin a series which will examine the legal provisions which protect believers in the US as they live out their Christian faith.  Sparks, who taught Constitutional History at Grove City College, will survey key U.S. Constitutional cases, and explain their significance to believers today.

​

Review & Reach
Imagine being a fairly new Christian and having to find a church.  Where do you go?  Google, of course.  That's why Google reviews can be important.  Giving your 5 star rating and sharing what you love about Hopewell can possibly direct someone to our fellowship. 

"Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!"

Psalm 93:4

Mightier than All

...
 
No Evil Can Prevail 

​This week we've had a stark contrast of events.  On the one hand Pete Buttigieg released a photo of his faux family.  He and his homosexual partner pose together in a hospital bed holding two newborn babies who they are "adopting."

The family is about as fake as the hospital bed they sit in.  Neither man carried the babies or labored to give birth to them.  Neither need a hospital bed.  The woman (women?) who bore them needed that bed.  Yet she is missing from the picture, and her motherly care will be missing from the lives of those children.

It's a faux family.

In juxtaposition stands the Texas Heartbeat Bill that was signed into law and made firm by the Supreme Court's passive thumbs up.  While the waves of opposition shout and clamor, the law stands. 

Furthermore, the Lone Star State has put a significant chink in the Roe v Wade legacy.  Not only are lives being preserved through this legislation, individuals are allowed to take civil action against anyone who performs or induces an abortion. It's a shot across the bow that should strike fear in the hearts of Texas abortionists.

What we have is two very distinct steps in different directions.  One steps in the direction of life and the preservation of families.  The other steps in the direction of perversion and an attempt to normalize it.

The irony of these two events testify to the ongoing battle that is raging.  The Lord is waging war in this world and Satan is by no means attempting to sit on the sidelines and pout.  It is a clash of the titans of the highest order.

Enter Psalm 93.  This song presents us with wild raging waters.  The waves thrash with such cataclysmic force that the sound of it can only be compared to loud claps of thunder.  It represents a vortex of evil.  The enemies of God dramatically rage with fierce, destructive attacks.

Yet, says the Psalmist, the Lord reigns.  His might far surpasses the strongest of tempests.  Be they physical or supernatural, no power of evil can stand against his will.  Foam and froth as they may, the Lord will always reign on high and bring about his purposes on earth.

Thus, in the face of cultural drift, we may take confidence in the sovereignty of God.  His purposes in the earth will never slacken and we may have hope that the evils of this world will be be nothing more than a child's bath tub splashes to our God.

In the glowing cultural victories we may also rejoice.  These testify to the fact that the throne of our King is established forever and none shall stay his hand.

Fellowship Meal
After the service this coming Lord's Day Hopewell will enjoy an extended time of fellowship over lunch.  The church will provide chicken, place settings, and drinks.  Families are encouraged to bring a side to share according to their family size.  (Evening study will commence at 6 pm.)

Hopewell Prayer List
Hopewell is always dependent upon God's favor.  Your prayers are instrumental for securing that blessing.  For that reason, we'd love it if you would request a prayer list and commit to praying for at least one family each day.  

Restoring What Was Lost
...
 
The Promise of a Bountiful Future 

The story typically sounds the same.  It may have slightly different notes that it strikes, but the overall theme is essentially repeated.  Someone will recount how they are now missing out on _____ due to mistakes they made in the past.

A variety of things can fill in the blank:  

• Money may have been lost.  Due to poor choices and wasted time in days of yore, a person may come to lament that his career path has left him in a rather dismal state financially.

• Time with children may have been lost.  Fathers and mothers sometimes find that their sinful patterns drove a wedge between them and their kids.  Maybe it was the long hours on the job.  Maybe it was the drugs. Whatever it was, it alienated them.

• Pleasure is lost.  The worst of all mid life crisis is when a person looks back and sees that he has spent his life pursuing pleasure, but never really gained it.  Instead of living for Christ and developing a strong spiritual legacy, he has filled memory albums with years with vanity.  

These are merely a sample of the kinds of things over which people often express regret. 

Into this sorrow the gospel breaks with beaming light.  There may not be a way to go back and change the past, but there is a way forward which gives great hope.  

Peter spoke of it in Acts 3 when he said that the Lord can bring "times of refreshing."  Peter drew on the agricultural world of his time.  Droughts would cause the crops to wilt, but a rain would refresh the lands and make them green and fruitful once again.

This is what God typically does in his grace.  He brings about a new day, a time of restoration, a new beginning.  Many times he even deals out even more bounty than one could imagine ever having gained.

Similarly, the Israelites were told that the Lord would restore what the locusts had eaten (Joel 2:25).  They would find that God would deal "wondrously" with them and satisfy their desires.

This is what the people of God have experienced throughout time.  
When a person repents of his sin and turns to God, they find that they see renewal and enrichment in their lives. New joy blossoms where old wounds had once existed.

Of course, this is not a flat out promise that God will give you mega millions or that the drunkard will definitely get his wife back.  It is, however, a promise that the Lord will bring about a time of refreshing.  He likes to plant gardens in the midst of ashes.

Take the apostle Paul as one example.  He spent many an hour persecuting the church.  That time of his life may have been misspent, but all was not lost.  Nothing could compare to his post conversion years.  He enjoyed no end of blessing as the Lord worked through him to bring light and life to much of the Western world. 

Similar things happen in the lives of those who repent and turn to God today.  Fathers often see new bridges built into his child's life.  The Lord often turns the hearts of the children to their fathers when the heart of the father is turned to his children. 

Then again, those fathers may experience the blessing of God in other ways.  Think here of the thief on the cross.  He lost much through his thieving.  He squandered his very life in his love of wealth. Yet, when he looked to Christ, he gained exceedingly more than he could ask or imagine. Christ said to him, "Today you will be with me in Paradise."  He found enrichment that far surpassed financial gain.

These might not necessarily be your regrets, but they do serve to show how the Lord typically works.  Whatever your regret may be, your past does not need to rule you or pull you down.  There is hope in what God can (and will) do.
  
In all, we recognize that God's grace is greater than all our sin. He is able to restore the fortunes of his people and bring about a wonderful times of refreshing.  

The Court & the Church
On Sunday evenings in September (12, 19, & 26) John Sparks will lead a series on the church and the courts.  John will walk us through several United States court cases which were significant for the church in the United States. Join us at 6 pm.

​

What is Reformed Theology?
Hopewell is a 'Reformed and family integrated church' in Ashland.  But what exactly does that mean?  This series by RC Sproul will help you gain an understanding of a few of the basic theological principles regarding the Reformed faith.

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

1 Corinthians 12:27

​Dynamics of Church Membership 

One of things that Hopewell members committed to early on is dealing with our problems in a biblical way.  We didn't want gossip or grudges having any corrosive effect on what God would build.

We desired to see a Reformed and family integrated church firmly established for generations to come.  So we pledged to always respectfully and lovingly address the person(s) with whom we had a grievance.

Our goal hasn't changed.  We still want to honor God, even in the midst of our sins and shortcomings.   

Thankfully, over the years, God has given us a blessed bond and happy unity.  The peace and purity of the church has been relatively undisturbed throughout our five and a half years together as a congregation.  That's no doubt a testimony to God's great grace and the maturity of our families.

It's always good to go back to those basics though, especially in times like this when there really are no problems of which to speak.  As we continue to enjoy the sweet fruits of the Spirit's ties, we should remember what makes these ties of fellowship so great. 

This is especially true as the church grows.  We want all who are part of our congregation to be acquainted with our founding commitment:  Christ is to be praised, even if we would have troubles.

This core commitment is even etched into our membership vows.  Each person who stands for membership is asked, "Do you promise to submit to the governance of the church and study its purity and peace?"

When we meet with prospective members I like to point out the implications of this vow.  There are two parts.  On the one hand this promise means that you won't blow off the leadership if they address an unbiblical pattern of life that you have.  You're taking an oath to weigh the admonitions and conform to the Scripture's mandate.

But it's a two way street.  This vow also means that if you see us as leaders abusing our power or going against the Scripture's clear commands, you'll take proper action.  Instead of running off to another church, you'll seek to maintain the peace, purity and unity by confronting us and calling us to repentance.  

Sometimes I joke and say, "I'll even give you a form to do it."  While there is some jest in this, there's also some truth.  In the PCA we have an official document that members can use to file a formal complaint against their leaders when they take an unbiblical course of action. 

Perhaps you can say that I like it when members complain.  Of course, I am not talking about the kind of complaining that is petty or is blabbed about publicly; the kind that creates dissention and further destroys the peace, purity, and unity of the church. 

I am referring to the kind of godly complaining that Scripture mandates.  The kind where you take concerns to the right people with the right attitude and for the right goal.  It's the kind of complaint that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 18 when he says, "go to your brother and show him his fault; if he listens to you, you've won your brother."

Granted, this kind of complaining takes a great deal of courage, love, and personal preparation.  Yet it is one of those essential building blocks which provides the firm foundation needed for a lasting church body.

​RECIEVE THE HOPEWELL WEEKLY IN YOUR INBOX

Solutions to Your Problems
Whatever issue you may be facing, Scripture has the answer. There is hope because Bible addresses every aspect of life and every possible problem we may encounter.  You can get the solutions you need by contacting us for counsel.​

Grow in Grace at Your Pace
Are you looking for a discipleship opportunity?  Whether you want to be discipled or desire to initiate a new study group, we want to support you.  Start the conversation by contacting us now.

​VISIT HOPEWELL

Sundays 10:30 am & 6:00 pm
1995 Baney Road
Ashland, OH
​44805

"You may kiss the bride."

Why is the ceremonial kiss between the bride and groom such a big deal in a wedding?  Why not dispense with it?  After all, it's awkward for the couple and kind of weird for everyone in the audience to be onlookers, right?  

Some might say, "Well, this is moment the couple has been waiting for all this time!"  However, that's not necessarily the real focus.  The kiss serves a  higher purpose in the ceremony.

The couple has just declared their commitment to love one another in their vows.  The purpose of the kiss is to further express that love and confirm the reality of the promises they have made.  In sum, it is a physical gesture which seals the vows and conveys the groom's love to his bride in a dynamic fashion.

We might say that the kiss has a "sacramental function" in the covenant that the new husband and wife make with each other.

In this way the couple's first kiss is somewhat akin to what what the Spirit of God does in and through baptism and the Lord's Supper.  God has established a covenant with us.  In so doing he promises to save us from our sin.  He then confirms his love and applies the saving benefits of his Son through the sacraments he has instituted.  

This is why we said last week that the sacraments are some of the most powerful of all the means of grace.  In these rites God not only visibly shows us the gospel, but he also brings the grace of that gospel to bear on our lives through them.

We can look to the life of Abraham to understand it a bit more. What was the purpose of circumcision in Abraham's life?  Paul tells us that it didn't cause him to be righteous.  After all, he was declared righteous when he was around 82 years old (Gen. 15).  Circumcision didn't come until he was around 99 years of age (Gen 17).

Paul explains the role of circumcision in Romans 4:11.  Abraham "received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised."

God had made promises to Abraham (Gen. 12 & 15).  But Abraham was weak and had a hard time believing.  So God gave Abraham circumcision as a way of boosting his faith.  As a seal it confirmed the promises and strengthened his resolve to believe them.

The sacraments of the New Testament serve the exact same purpose.  When a believer partakes of the Lord's Supper, the Spirit impresses upon our senses the reality what Christ has done on our behalf.  We not only are made sure of God's love for us, but the love of God is conveyed to us by his inviting us to join him in this intimate meal.

Likewise, in baptism the Lord declares his promise to to wash away our sin, renew our sinful hearts, and adopt us into his family. As we witness a baptism, the Spirit of God makes the reality of those things all that much more clear in our minds.  It pushes away doubt and affirms our interest in serving him.

Furthermore, by faith we see God's love expressed; for he essentially says "I give you my name and welcome you as my disciple."  What could be more meaningful to a sinner than that?

Thus, the sacraments serve to strengthen our assurance, deepen our love, and awaken us to greater obedience.  They become avenues by which the Spirit grants us the fruits of Christ's saving work.

Most of all, when we walk away from the sacrament, we may think to ourselves, "It's amazing how the Lord loves me."

​

Membership @ Hopewell
When we join ourselves to a local church, we express in a tangible way that we align ourselves with Christ.  We stand with His people and vow to serve Christ in this place.  If you would like to become a member at Hopewell, please contact us.

Solutions to Your Problems
Whatever issue you may be facing, Scripture has the answer. There is hope because Bible addresses every aspect of life and every possible problem we may encounter.  You can get the solutions you need by contacting us for counsel.

The Greater Means of Grace
...

​A Fourth Tier
​

​Hopewell administers the Lord's Supper every Sunday.  Do you know how weird that is?

It is quite unique, especially if you consider the fact that many churches in America do not observe the Lord's Table at all.  Of those churches that do celebrate Communion, a good portion of them may only do so two or three times a year.

One might ask why Hopewell makes the regular practice such a priority.  The answer lies in the power it has to increase your sanctification.

For the last several weeks you've been reading about the different ways God imparts grace to the believer to bring victory over ongoing sin.  We've talked about how God uses certain means in this process.  Specifically, we've said that some of these means of grace are more effective than others. 

Along with the Word of God, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are the most vital of all the means of grace.  The Lord works through them to impress upon us the gospel and stir up our hearts to greater obedience more than any other means.

This may surprise you.  You might have thought that the sacraments were significant, but maybe you would not have thought to put them in the top tier.  Someone may even worry that this sounds a little too Catholic.

We recognize that the Catholic doctrine of baptismal regeneration and transubstantiation (i.e. the belief that the bread and wine actually become the physical body and blood of Christ) are grave errors.  But those errors should not make us downplay the real significance and power of the sacraments.  

Some Protestants have done just this very thing.  Many, in contrast to the Catholics, have emptied the sacraments of their significance, believing them to be mere memorials.  The sacraments, in this view, are simply a time to remember that Jesus died for us and nothing more.

To be sure, the sacraments do have a memorial dimension to them.  We are to remember the glorious truth of Christ's atoning death.  However, we should also recognize that there is much more going on in those sacred moments.  When baptism or communion are administered the Lord imparts grace to the believer who is acting in faith.

Think of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11 about the Lord’s Supper.  He says, "Whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup in an unworthy manner is guilty concerning the body and blood of our Lord.”  He also says that these unworthy partakers eat and drink judgment unto themselves.  That is why some of them had got sick.  Some had even died!

That doesn’t just sound like a mere memorial or time to remember, does it?  Not at all.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are special rituals that are used by the Spirit of God to display the gospel and renew souls.  That’s why there are such severe consequences for misusing them.  

Furthermore, when the New Testament speaks of the sacraments it typically does so in ways that show it is much more than a bare symbol.  For example, Paul speaks of baptism as "the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Tit 3:5).  Peter calls upon the Pentecost audience to "repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins." (Acts 2:38). 

Such passages reveal that the sacraments have spiritual realities intimately connected to them.  While the exact nature of those realities is not expressly mentioned (there is some degree of mystery), it does express that the sacraments are more than mere memorials.*

One thing is for certain though: baptism and the Lord's Supper are tools that God uses to further our spiritual reformation.  The Lord, by means of these sacred rites, brings His grace to bear on our lives so that we might be further cleansed, forgiven, and renewed in holiness.  

While there is still more to learn about the sacraments (as we will find out in future issues), we can come to the Table this week with great anticipation.  As we participate in the Communion celebration, we can know that the Lord is ministering to our hearts.  The saving work of Christ, which is presented in the elements and received by faith, is being brought to bear upon us and changing us into the likeness of Christ.

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* Pratt, Richard "Baptism as a Sacrament of the Covenant."

A few years ago a lot of noise was made in the health food world about "super foods."  Munching on kale and cranberries was said to power up your body in ways that other foods could not.

What if there were "super graces" that could do the same for our souls?  What if we could power up with grace and gain a greater victory over sin  in our lives? 

Well, would you believe that there are such things?

For the last several weeks we've been looking at the means of grace.  We've been saying that there are certain things that the Lord uses to power up our spiritual growth.

First, we said that God uses everything (i.e. His providence) to mold and shape us.  Last week we considered how fellowship is a "second level" means of grace. 

We could also add service to this second tier.  After all, the book of Proverbs says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”  As we bless others with our good works the Lord works to enrich us.  Of course, the greatest enrichment we could ever receive is His sanctifying grace.

Yet there's even more effective ways to grow in our walk with Christ.  Things like prayer and singing may be considered the "super foods" of grace in that the Lord works even more mightily through them. 

In one sense, we know these are more beneficial to our growth in Christ because of how much Scripture is devoted to these topics.  Many prayers and songs are sprinkled throughout the pages of the Bible.  We even have a whole book devoted to prayer and singing (the Psalms).  Furthermore, we have a myriad of exhortations calling us to sing, make melody in our hearts, pray, and give thanks.

A quick consideration of some of these texts will show how the Lord specifically blesses these "third tier" means of grace.

The book of James tells us to draw near to God.  Why?  Because when we pray He promises "to draw near to us."  In other words, in times of prayer God comes and ministers to our hearts.  He uses that as an opportunity to strengthen us in our faith and build us up in holiness.  

Or, we can think about what Jesus says to Peter in Mark 14:38.  Jesus says, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”  What was the point of praying?  Why was Jesus so insistent that his disciples seek the face of God?  Because they were spiritually weak and susceptible to temptation.  Prayer was the key to gaining the grace they needed to stand firm and keep from lapsing.
  
As a matter of fact, we sing about this in the old hymn:
  
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
 
We forfeit peace and bear needless spiritual pain because we neglect the means of conquering these ills.  But when we pray, we gain the renewing power the Lord grants by it.

Singing has much overlap with prayer.  So it is natural to understand how it serves as a means of grace.  Yet Col. 3:16 makes it explicit when it says,

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The KJV is great because it says "singing with grace in your hearts" (some versions say "with thanksgiving").  The Apostle recognizes that the act of worship is done by the power of grace and adds the spiritual profit that comes through this grace.

Another interesting text is Deut. 31:19-22.  “Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them."

In this passage singing is actually used by God for a negative purpose.  It serves as an indictment against God's people.  While this instance isn't necessarily for grace and upbuilding (we might say it is a means of judgment!), it explicitly shows how the Lord can use song for deep spiritual purposes.  No doubt, the conviction that song brought could be used to deter them from sin too.

The above texts do not even begin to be a sample of the myriad of passages in Scripture that deal with the topics of prayer and singing.  Yet these do show that the Lord has a special use for these acts.  They are funnels which bring grace into our lives and cause us to experience renewal in a much more profound way.

Thus, as we pray and sing (by ourselves or in the context of corporate worship), we can be assured that God is at work.  His grace is being communicated to us and we are rescued from the sin that remains in us.

​

Great Lives & Exegeting Like a Pro
Bob Ludwig will bring his "Great Lives" series to a close this Lord's Day with a focus on Peter Marshall - Presbyterian minister and Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Through the rest of August we'll learn to "exegete Scripture like a pro."  Matt will teach the principles of exegesis and help us apply them practically in the book of Colossians.

The weekend started out with a lot of rain and tremendous flooding.  In God's goodness, the weekend still turned out to be a fantastic time of fellowship.  We then topped off the stay at Camp Conger with 6 baptisms at our worship service. 

​We praise the Lord for these glorious blessings!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good."

Romans 8:28

Everything Sanctifies 

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All Things Work Together for Our Growth in Grace

Great Lives in WWII
This Sunday night (July 11) Bob Ludwig will be starting a 3 week series entitled, "Great Lives."  The talks will center on different people involved in World War II and the work of freeing the Jews.  We'll gather at 6 and begin soon after with singing and prayer.

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Worship with Hopewell
We invite you to join us this coming Lord's Day as we worship the one and only true God.  Hopewell is a family integrated church located at 1995 Baney Road.  Morning worship begins at 10:30 am.

Got More Grace? 

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Get Busy Growing in the Lord

How do you get more grace? 

Such a question may seem odd to you.  After all, grace is given, right?  It's a gift.  You can't just pile on more gifts like you would plie on potatoes at a buffet dinner, right?

It is true.  Grace is sovereignly given.  However, you can grow in grace and obtain more of the immense saving blessing in your life.  As a matter of fact, Scripture encourages you to do so.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18

Peter commands his audience to grow in grace.  He uses his apostolic clout to require us to get more salvation in our lives.

We begin to understand the meaning of this injunction when we grasp the fact that we are sanctified by grace just as much as we are justified by it. 

God saves His people from sin.  He does it by bestowing His undeserved favor.  When we come to faith that very first time the Spirit pours down upon us the riches of His mercy and our sins are washed away. 

The same sort of thing happens throughout our lives.  God, in his grace, delivers us more and more from our daily sins and shortcomings.

Key in on that "more and more" part.  Understand that our God is more than ready to renew us.  He's eager that we "grow up in our salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).  What's more, we can grow in this grace as we make use of the means He uses to communicate this grace to our hearts.

That last sentence may have sounded a little technical.  Let's break it down.  The Lord doesn't just zap us to make us holy, does He?  It would be nice if He would just drop grace down from time to time like a good old spring rain.  We'd be righteous in no time.

The Lord takes a rather different approach.  He uses specific means to accomplish this. 

Think of your sanctification like your physical growth.  You don't just wake up to find that you had a 6 inch growth spurt one night.  Neither do muscles pop out of your arms without any warning.  You must eat and exercise.  These are the means God uses to grow your body.

Similarly, the Lord uses certain means to produce holiness in your life.  What are these means God uses to cause you to grow in righteousness?  

That's what we'll be looking at over the next few issues of the Hopewell Weekly.  Here at the outset, it's necessary just to learn these great points:

1. GRACE: We grow in Christ by grace through faith.  Our salvation, from first to last, is all of God.  

2.  GROWTH: Our growth in Christ after our conversion is inevitable.  The Lord stirs us onward towards holiness and will not let us remain stagnate.  That's the glory of His grace!

3.  MEANS: Our growth doesn't have to sputter along.  We can further our growth by giving our attention to the means that He uses to bring that grace to bear on our lives.

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Intense, Pure Pain

If ever there was an understated point in Scripture, this is it.  One should wonder if the brevity of these four words can truly express the harrowing anguish of the cross. 

There they crucified him.

I admit that I cannot render the full sense.  In the 9th grade I had to leave the room when my health teacher talked about how to apply a tourniquet.  When people explain the process of abortion I get nauseous and must distract myself.

But we cannot distract ourselves from the cross.  We must exegete the crucifixion and stare into the pit of its hellish-ness if we are to grasp the doctrine of salvation.

So horrendous was the act of crucifixion that only the most vile and debased in society were subjected to it.  Murderers and robbers were sentenced to it, but only if they were slaves.  Free men (i.e. Roman citizens) were exempt because it was such an egregious way to die.

They say that there was no relaxing of pain in crucifixion.  You know how you "get used to the pain" of a broken arm or headache.  It hurts, but it eventually plateaus.  You can cope because you can keep the pain from mounting by immobilizing it or numb it by distraction

Not so with crucifixion. The intensity of its beginning, as the spikes are driven through that ever most sensitive point on the bottom side of the wrist, only increased by the ever so slowly passing moments. 

Try doing placing your arms out wide and doing arm circles for 2 minutes.  Try hanging from a chin up bar for 1 minute.  Now multiply that burning sensation by 3 hours.  Add to it the piercing effect of the nails, dehydration, fatigue, and, among other things, the flies that would inevitably swoop in to your face which you had no ability to swat away.

Scholars also mention the throbbing headache that would accompany crucifixion.  The heart would pump blood out, but veins would not be able to circulate it.  So the blood would continue to build up in the condemn person's head.  This wasn't just an insufferable migraine, it would be mounting pressure that would be downright volcanic.

We have not yet even begun to plumb the depths of Golgotha.  But yet we hear the ever so clear echo of Eden: "In the day you eat of it you shall surely die." 

Interestingly the Septuagint translates the word "die" as apothnēskō.  At root is the word thanos (to die).  Fans of the Avenger movies will understand the reference to its super-villain. 

But the word in Genesis 3 is an intensified form of the word thanos and it is combined with the word apo, which, as a prefix, means "departure" or "completion."  In sum, it is complete death in its most intense and extreme form.  It is a departure from everything that may be labeled life.

This is why Christ came in the fullness of time.  The Lord had been preparing the world for this exact form of execution.  It is only after the barbarous Romans were raised up and their torturous means of punishment implemented that the Mediator could come. 

Only then could he serve as the Surety and once for all sacrifice for sinners.  Only then could the wrath of God truly be appeased.  Only then could the catastrophic curse of God's covenant be fully meted out and lifted from off our heads.

​

​

"A jar of sour wine was there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth."

John 19:29 ESV

​There is no comfort in hell.  At every moment those who are damned are afflicted with pain.  There is no dulling of it; nor is any “getting used” to the sensation.  

The puritans would talk about souls “writhing” in hell.  That is an apt description because there are no comforts to be had.  

If you’ve ever had a bad back, you have tried to get comfortable.  It isn’t possible.  You keep turning and twisting.  You are writhing on your bed because the pain will not let you sit long in any given position.

Such is the experience of one who is in hell, and such was the experience of Christ in his death.  

At his dying moment, Christ received no comfort whatsoever to sooth him.  

As his body languishes away on that cross, it withers with the pains of dehydration.  He had had nothing to drink for at least 12 hours, and the day’s trauma has taken its toll.  He thirsts.

Typically, when someone is in their dying days or last moments of life you do everything in your power to set them at ease.  You give them a pillow so they might be comfortable.  If they are thirsty, you may put a cool cloth to their lips or give him some ice chips.  You give them some sort of reprieve.

Today we even have hospice care.  It is a whole business developed around the idea that the sick and dying should be given as much comfort as possible before they pass from this life into the next. 

Yet when Christ was in the throes of death he received no such succor.  His thirst was not quenched with a damp cloth or even a sweet wine—a sensation that would have brightened his eyes exceedingly, if even it be only for a fleeting moment. 

No!  He was damned of God.  Instead they shoved putrid wine in his face.  They made him suck on rancid liquid, akin to vinegar; something so repugnant that  it would make your body lurch and spit...something very hard to do on a cross.

His bitter death was made even more bitter; yea, bitter to the end.

Hell is a place where every comfort in life is removed.  As God pours out his wrath and curse he strips away every grace and every blessing that he allotted you in life.  Water and refreshment is a luxury that is afforded to us now by means of God’s benevolence.  When we are deprived of it we should recognize that it is the due wages of our sin.

Here on the cross Christ was drinking down that dark curse.  And he must drain this cup to the very dregs! 

It was not enough for him to be deprived of the soothing sensation of hydration. The bitterness of the judgment of God must be tasted in its full.  It was not enough for him to thirst, he must writhe.  He must have his pains increased and intensified.  He must be utterly vexed. 

His taste buds must be aggravated through the irritating stimuli that sin justly deserves.  He must gag and choke even to his dying breath.  Even that last breath must not be easy.  It must come through a throat clogged with a cocktail of death.  

And there he acts as our substitute.  The hot hostility of justice was shoved down his gullet to the very end so that we may taste the sweet gift of eternal life.  There was no mercy given to him so that we might have every drop of mercy given to us.  He lost all comforts, so that we might be comforted.  He was made to writhe, so that we may be able to sing.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

Colossians 2:8 NIV

Last night several men from Hopewell attended a seminar at Ashland University. I wanted to take a few moments to review the event and pass on a few pastoral reflections regarding it.

The speaker was Jemar Tisby, author of the best selling book "The Color of Compromise." The seminar, which was hosted in part by AU's Religion department, was supposed to be an informative event about the dominance of whiteness and white supremacy in America.  In sum, it was a presentation which promoted Critical Race Theory.

The evening deserves some thoughtful commentary for a variety of reasons.  First, it should be obvious that CRT is not just a "big city" problem.  Even little old Ashland is infected with its false teaching.  Not only has the university and many of its staff given it a platform for wide open promotion, but several pastors and ministry leaders from the area attended the event, giving it a favorable nod.

Second, the event is of note because Mr. Tisby is one who "runs in our circles."  Up until recently Mr. Tisby was a member of a Reformed church (the PCA, i.e. the denomination which holds my ministerial credentials) and he attended a highly respected Reformed seminary.  Furthermore, Tisby has been a contributor to The Gospel Coalition, a website that would traditionally be recognized as Reformed friendly.

With that being said, what were my take-aways?

1)  There's no real hope or redemption in this worldview.
Dr. Tisby spent the time expressing how whiteness is enshrined as supreme all over the globe and expressly dominates the American scene.  According to him, whiteness is the all controlling "cognitive and affective structure" which "seduces people."  Whiteness is supposedly that which makes meaning in society and, as a result, marginalizes all other ethnicities.  Black people are thus essentially destined to live under the yoke of whiteness because whites hold the power and don't "want to" change.

Tisby not only expressed the dominance of whiteness, but also the terror of it.  He gave several stories about lynching's and acts of racial terrorism which whites inflicted in the past.  But instead of noting how our society has progressed and overcome many such ills, he preached that these linger on today.  White folk are just as guilty of those past acts and are complicit in every aspect of (systemic) racism today. 

"Racism never goes away,” Tisby declares; “it adapts."  Such are the bonds which society is doomed to bear.

All in all, Tisby's outlook is bleak for blacks and whites.  Of course, there's reason for this:  When you disregard the "good news" of the gospel and look at life through a lens other than God's Word, one will find that life has little else to offer than misery and sadness.  The book of Ecclesiastes well illustrates how grim the "under the sun" approach is.

The Bible, however, gives us a great contrast.  Not only does it allow us to see life through more than just skin color, it instills within us joyous confidence.  While tragedies and miseries abound, Jesus declares, "Take heart! I have overcome the world."  He gives us the promise of victory, assurance of redemption, and the understanding that His mighty Hand is moving in this world to bring about the wonders of His saving plan.

2)  There is a rather deep disconnect in reasoning.
I appreciate the insight of Jon Mould, who has been reading Dr. Tisby's Color of Compromise.  Jon said that Tisby, "Paints with some rather broad brushstrokes."

This was quite evident at the seminar.  One such example regards his contention with "White Christian Nationalism."  Tisby pointed out that in 1915 a group of whites came together to start this movement.  They burned a cross and placed on an alter a Bible and an American flag.  He then quickly transitioned from this story to the January 6th storming of the US Capitol Building, which he says was an example of the same sort of Christian nationalism.

These two events were connected in Tisby's eyes solely on the basis of there being at the Capitol building people holding wooden crosses, Bibles, and American flags.  The mere symbols were, in his argument, enough to prove that white supremacy is alive and well.

It does not take much to understand that this is some very shallow reasoning.  Like the arguments for evolution which fail to give any "transitional forms," Tisby's argument fails to show real historical, ideological, and personal connection between the two events/people.  He glosses over the +100 years that separate the acts by flashing a few images and pointing to evidence that would hardly be called circumstantial.

Unfortunately, too, this was but one of the deep disconnects in Tisby's presentation.  His promotion of the whole notion of today's "white supremacy"  reduces to "We know what happened back then with slavery and Jim Crow, and we know that not much has changed."  

3)  CRT doesn't have answers for even the most basic problems.
During the question and answer time after the presentation, one simple question stood out from all the others.  It was this:  How do we deal with the hate?  What can we do to combat the hate?

To my best recollection, Dr. Tisby really didn't give any kind of answer except to say that there are some people we should not be around.  

I will also say that, as far as I can understand, there's no real answer that CRT can give other than that.  When it comes to the common problem of hatred, CRT only breeds contempt.  It does not offer a cure for it.

One would expect that a man who is a church leader and graduate from a respected seminary could do more though. Unfortunately, blinded by the Color of Whiteness and Blackness, Tisby is at a loss.

The Bible has simple and straight forward solutions for hatred though:

• Preach the gospel - through repentance and faith in Christ one can be delivered from anger, prejudice, and the enmity it causes.  The disciples themselves (zealots and tax collectors) were brought together despite their animosity towards one another because Christ delivered them from their strident ways.

• Bless/do good to those who hate you; pray for those who mistreat you. Overcome evil with good.  Entrust yourself to the one who judges justly.

• Consider it all joy when you meet with trials of various kinds. 

• Remember that the Lord will avenge and ultimately bring about the destruction of sin at his reappearance.  Persevere with love and patience until that great day of restoration.

These are merely some of the instructions Scripture gives, and these have been the tools that Christ has used to transform people throughout time.  

Even though Dr. Tisby wants to talk about the Color of Compromise, he has actually put forward a "Compromise of Christ."  In so doing, he has locked himself and his followers into a system of contention which offers no joy, no reconciliation, and no ultimate hope.

The good news is that those who reason Biblically and build a biblical worldview will not be taken captive by such vain philosophies as CRT.  Rather, they have the everything needed to gain the much needed victories in the world.

Worship with the Hopewell Church Family
Sundays at 10:30 am
1995 Baney Road
Ashland, OH

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"Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain." 
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Psalm 127:1

Twenty years ago I began praying that a solid Reformed witness be started in Ashland.  As we turn into 2021, it's great to see what God has done.

I had come into Reformed theology around 1997.  It took a while for this wildly Pentecostal / Charismatic kid to embrace it, but the Lord's word spoke loudly and clearly over my dissents and objections.  

When I finally did concede, it was like I had been saved a second time.  I now understood the real meaning of grace and could rest in the fact that I no longer had to rely on my works to keep me in the faith.

Exhilarated by this new understanding of the gospel, I wanted others to come to know the wonder of it. I immediately began praying for my family to share in the doctrines of grace. 

A few years later, while in my first year of seminary, I found out about church planting.  I thought, "That's what Ashland needs!"  So in 1999, I began asking the Lord to start a Reformed church in my hometown so that all of Ashland could know of God's sovereign power to pardon sin and change lives.

By the end of my seminary career, this prayer was all consuming.  I had only grown in my understanding of the Reformed faith, and was seeing more clearly the golden treasures of Scripture which were missing in the churches I attended as a child.  I wanted every aspect of these great truths propagated.  

Then it dawned on me: Maybe I should be the one to do it.

So, in 2004, Elizabeth, little Katelyn, and I packed up and moved back to Ashland to see what the Lord would do.  It just so happened that two other Reformed minded families had moved to the Ashland area.  These three households, along with my parents, began meeting for Bible study on a weekly basis and soon thereafter were granted mission church status in the Presbyterian Church in America.

That little mission never really "took off" though.  A few families came and went, but after 5-6 years it was evident that the work was unsustainable.  We ended up "closing the doors" in 2010.  But the prayer and desire remained.

Not long after Elizabeth and I found ourselves adjoined to a little Reformed group in Mifflin.  Providence church was a small group that had been meeting for some time and Elizabeth and I were happy to find a place to worship while I searched for a new call.  Though the one church had closed, it was great to see that a Reformed witness might still exist in the Ashland area.

But even its status was somewhat tenuous though.  Providence had just gone through a rough time.  It had lost many of its members, including one of the men who did a fair amount of the preaching.  Some of its remaining members wondered if it had a viable future.

Over the next few years, the Lord did wonderful things.  Little by little the church started growing.  One of the greatest blessings along the way was meeting up with the great families from Bible Fellowship in Mansfield.  Providence and many of the Bible Fellowship families merged together because we all had a similar mindset regarding the family integrated philosophy of worship.

By 2014 the church had more than doubled in size and was seeing attendance top 100 on a regular basis.  The Mifflin Community Center, where we were meeting, was quite crowded and plans were afoot to find a new place to worship. 

The Lord ended up doing something different though.  A new path was taken.  It was mutually decided that some of the families should branch out and start a Reformed and family integrated church in the city of Ashland.

So in 2016 a mere nine families began worshipping together as founding members of Hopewell Church.  It was not the path that I had anywise imagined, but the Lord continued to answer that 20 year old prayer. 

As we stand on the precipice of 2021, we can see with even more clarity how the Lord is indeed working to build a Reformed witness in Ashland.  In His kindness he has brought together almost 20 families and has made our once spacious place of worship rather "cozy."  It's not been uncommon to top 90 seats on a Sunday morning in 2020 and we know that 2021 already has prospects to exceed that on a regular basis.

Now, it may sound silly for me to say this after laying out a long tally of "bums in the pews," but I'm not really a numbers guy.  I like to think of myself as a kingdom oriented fellow, who is focused on one thing: preaching and teaching the Bible.  Nevertheless, the numbers bear out the fact that the Lord has been working to build a strong witness to what He has revealed in Scripture here in Ashland.  

As we dim the lights on 2020, I merely wish to praise God that he has heard my prayer and continues to answer it 20 years later.  Furthermore, I hope that you can be encouraged by what our great God has done in our midst.  Most of all, may we look forward to what the wonderful hand of God will do in 2021 and beyond.

SDG

Many of my friends have expressed that 2020 has been a grueling year.  They correspond to the recent Gallup survey which said that every segment of the American population have experienced a significant dip in mental wellness.

All segments except one, that is.  Those who attend worship on a weekly basis were the only ones reported to maintain or increase in their overall mental health.

No doubt this demonstrates the power of the gospel and the hope that a sovereign God gives.  You and I enjoy the "thrill of hope" because Jesus Christ has come down.  He has not only lifted our souls to heaven, but he constantly lifts our spirits and gives us reason to rejoice.

The gospel cheers the soul.  Knowing that Jesus Christ has come and that He will come again, puts every hardship and evil in its place. Yes, we smile knowing all things are working together for the good of His kingdom!

In this Christmas season we may remember that no weapon formed against Him shall prosper and no kingdom shall stand to oppose Him.  Truly, all things will be subservient to the salvation of His people and unfolding of His plan.

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