What does the Lord emphasize, when giving us Israel's itinerary through the wilderness? Numbers 33:1–49 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these forty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord emphasized His own faithfulness and power, which would come to a climax for His people in Christ,…

What could be so wrong with a church that has a reputation for being spiritually alive? Revelation 3:1–6 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a church that has a reputation for being spiritually alive may yet b…

What is as sure as the wrath that was about to come upon Israel and Judah? Amos 9:11–15 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the perfect and eternal blessedness of Christ's kingdom is as sure as YHWH Himself i…

What hope is there in persecution? Psalm 129 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church can look back to deliverances, and forward to judgment, for encouragement in persecution.…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 128—especially explaining how we are baptized into the singular Name of the triune God. Q128. In Whose Name are we baptized? In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Oleh James Hakim

What does wisdom offer? Proverbs 9 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom offers true conversion and eternal life from God Himself.Oleh James Hakim

Oleh James Hakim

Believers must participate faithfully, before God's face, by faith, in the life of the church.Oleh James Hakim

We must respond to Christ's resurrection power by acknowledging Him, submitting to Him, committing to Him, and hoping in HimOleh James Hakim

With the delight that He has in Himself, within the Godhead, the LORD delights to create and redeem mankind—a delight into which He brings the redeemed, by means of His WordOleh James Hakim

What does God think of tolerating false teaching? Revelation 2:18–29 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God hates and condemns the toleration of false teaching.…

How sure God's wrath? Amos 9:1–10 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's wrath is as sure as the glory of YHWH, but His saving the elect is equally as sure.Oleh James Hakim

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 66—especially explaining how the Lord doesn't only tell us to honor authorities, but sets before us motives for doing so. Q66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment? The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as i…

What happiness does the Lord give? Psalm 128 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord, Who is our happiness, makes us happy in His blessing us in our work and families, and especially in His church.…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 127—especially explaining how the washing in Baptism shows the application of Christ to us for life, forgiveness, consecration, and cleansing; all of which is applied to us by His Holy Spirit, Whom He pours out. Q127. What does this signify? That we are cleansed from sin by the blood o…

Who is Wisdom? Proverbs 8:22–36 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ is, unto us, the wisdom of God, indeed God Himself, the Creator.Oleh James Hakim

We must never let our familiarity with Jesus rob us of our wonder. Thus, let us not question Him, but take Him at His Word in all of His answers to our questions, receiving Him Himself as our God and Savior.Oleh James Hakim

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, Who supplies all our needs (namely Himself!) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Oleh James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the first part of Article 5, and the type of reading, preaching, and hearing that the Lord commands in the public worship of His people.Oleh James Hakim

What is doubting Christ? Matthew 13:54–58 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that doubting Christ is wicked unbelief.Oleh James Hakim

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.…

What is worse than persecution? Revelation 2:12–17 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the world's pull to fit in with it is a worse attack upon the church than direct persecution.…

Wisdom begins with the Lord's everlasting love, brings the elect into the fear of the Lord, conforms them to Him, and gives them Himself as their reward.Oleh James Hakim

Why must we make use of the opportunity that we have to repent at the hearing of the Word? Amos 8 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our opportunity to respond to the hearing of the Word is a limited tim…

How can we be happy and secure? Psalm 127 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that only the Lord gives happiness and security.Oleh James Hakim

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 126—especially explaining how Jesus uses the washing with water as a sign marking members of His church. Q126. What sign is used in baptism? The washing with water.Oleh James Hakim

What does wisdom give? Proverbs 8:12–21 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom gives complete and everlasting wealth and blessedness.Oleh James Hakim

Oleh James Hakim

God's holiness must be satisfied—either in wrath or in mercyOleh James Hakim

Oleh James Hakim

How much does Jesus love the visible church? Matthew 13:44–53 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus has hidden His elect in the visible church, for which reason He love her so much that He gave all that He had for her.…

What is required against all sin? Numbers 31:1–24 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's vengeance is required against all sin.Oleh James Hakim

We all need wisdom and especially for men and boys to obtain it.Oleh James Hakim

What comfort is there for suffering Christians? Revelation 2:8–11 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord's fellowship with us and knowledge of us is the sweet, sustaining comfort for suffering Christian…

What responses to God's judgment should we watch against? Amos 7:10–17 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should watch against any murmuring or complaining against God's judgment or those who preach it.…

What sustains believers' diligence in seasons of sorrow? Psalm 126 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord sustains believers in their seasons of sorrow by the greatness and certainty of the joy into which He will deliver…

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 64—especially explaining that because authority is from God, it must be employed for others' good and treated with respect, whatever side of it you may be on. Q64. What is required in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performi…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 124—especially explaining how Jesus's appointing sacraments demonstrates that He is the God-Man. Q124. Who appointed these sacraments? The Lord Jesus Christ.Oleh James Hakim

What does the world need now? Proverbs 8:1–11 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what the world needs now (and tomorrow) is wisdom.Oleh James Hakim

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the second half of Article 3, and the manner in which we must pray, since prayer is worship.Oleh James Hakim

In this marvelously encouraging passage, the Lord Jesus holds Himself before us, in His love, His wisdom, and His power, which is surely bringing His people to the gloriously blessed end which He has determined for them.Oleh James Hakim

The authority and protection of fathers and husbands should properly display the benefits of adoption by the Father and union with ChristOleh James Hakim

What can the good expect? Psalm 125 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the good can expect that the God Who gave them righteousness and goodness will give be their peace forever.…

How much weight does God give to fatherhood and a husband's authority in marriage? Numbers 30 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's statutes about vows and oaths display the great weightiness of the authority of fathers and husbands.…

What is Jesus looking for in a church? Revelation 1:19–2:7 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus knows our works, and wants us to persist in loving Him by them.…

To keep from self-destruction, we must internalize and apply biblical instructionOleh James Hakim

How should we respond to God's not punishing us as we deserve? Amos 7:1–9 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should respond to God's patient mercy by hating, all the more, to sin against this good God.…

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 63—especially explaining the connection between the proper worship of God and a life of genuine honor and obedience, which begins with honoring our parents. Q63. Which is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be lon…

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 124—especially explaining how Jesus's appointing sacraments demonstrates that He is the God-Man. Q124. Who appointed these sacraments? The Lord Jesus Christ.Oleh James Hakim

Why do we need to treasure and keep God's Word? Proverbs 7 looks forward to the sermon in this week's midweek meeting. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we need to treasure and keep God's Word, because we would otherwise walk right into destruction.Oleh James Hakim