Pastor's Corner — Providence Presbyterian Church

Read: Matthew 7

Matthew 7 completes the Sermon on the Mount section of Matthew’s gospel. In this chapter, Jesus takes up several subjects. First, he treats the issue of hypocrisy in judgment (7:1-6). These verses have often been misunderstood and wrongly applied. Some argue that Jesus is teaching that we are never to make judgments about the behavior of others. If that is the case, verse 6 would be strange, as well as many other sections of Scripture (E.g., Matt. 18:15ff.). Jesus teaches us that we are not to judge by hypocrisy. Instead, we must be mindful of our sinful tendencies before we judge and address issues with our brothers and sisters.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 24, 2023Matthew 7

The Morning Devotional: WCF 6.5

The Morning Devotional for February 24, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 6.5

V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated;a and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself and all the motions thereof are truly and properly sin.b

confessions, devotional, Westminster ConfessionWilliam HillFebruary 24, 2023sin, regenerate, devotional, Prov. 20, Eccl. 7, 1 John 1, Gal. 5

The Morning Devotional: WCF 6.4

The Morning Devotional for February 23, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 6.4

IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,a and wholly inclined to all evil,b do proceed all actual transgressions.c

The Morning Devotional: WCF 6.3

The Morning Devotional for February 22, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 6.3

III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed,a and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.b

devotional, confessions, Westminster ConfessionWilliam HillFebruary 22, 2023sin, virgin birth, Psa. 51, Rom. 5

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 7

Read: Genesis 7

Genesis Seven continues the flood narrative that started in chapter six. There are two main sections in this chapter to consider. First, the preparation for Noah to enter the ark. God gives the direct command to Noah for the building of the ark, and it is God who tells Noah what to do as he prepares to enter the ark. Next, in 7:1-10, we see God’s specific instructions for preserving the creatures he made.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 21, 2023Genesis 7

The Morning Devotional: WCF 6.1-2

The Morning Devotional for February 21, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 6.1-2

I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit.a This their sin God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.b

The Morning Devotional: WCF 5.7

The Morning Devotional for February 20, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 5.7

VII. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.a

devotional, confessions, Westminster ConfessionWilliam HillFebruary 20, 2023devotional, Amos 9, Isaiah 43, Matthew 16, Romans 8, providence, church

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 6

Read: Matthew 6

Matthew Six continues the Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, the Lord Jesus addresses numerous items. First, he discusses the issue of giving to the needy. Of course, all Christians should be doing that, but notice that Jesus says it should be done without drawing attention to the action. Instead, serve and give to others without fanfare. Second, the Lord teaches his disciples to pray. Again, the emphasis on prayer in the life of Christ is significant. It should be for us as well. If Jesus prayed, how much more should we pray? Third, and closely related, is the subject of fasting. Fasting does not receive much attention in the church today.

bible readingWilliam HillFebruary 17, 2023Matthew 6

The Morning Devotional: WCF 5.6

The Morning Devotional for February 17, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 5.6

VI. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sins, doth blind and harden,a from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings and wrought upon in their hearts,b but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had,c and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;d and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan;e whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others.f

confessions, devotional, Westminster Confession, videoWilliam HillFebruary 17, 2023devotional, Providence, Rom. 1, Deut 29, Mark 4, Matt. 13, GEn. 4, Lk. 22, Ex. 8

The Morning Devotional: WCF 5.5

The Morning Devotional for February 15, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 5.4

V. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they be humbled;a and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support unto himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.b

The Morning Devotional: WCF 5.4

The Morning Devotional for February 15, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 5.4

IV. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his providence that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men,a and that not by a bare permission,b but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding,c and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends;d yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.e

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 6

Read: Genesis 6

Genesis Six sets the stage for the Flood narrative highlighted in chapters 7-9. It sets forth the issues that bring about the flood and the judgment of God on the earth. There are numerous items of academic consideration in this chapter. For instance, who are the Nephilim? What is their function in the narrative? Scholars have debated this question, and the short answer is that we do not know.

bible reading, GenesisWilliam HillFebruary 14, 2023Bible Knowledge, Genesis, Noah, Ark, Flood, Genesis 6

The Pastor’s Corner

The blog of Pastor William F. Hill, Jr.