Month: November 2024

The sermon is from Mark 1:1-15–”Repent!”. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.”  – Mark 1:14-15

The Old Testament prophets prepared Israel (and any other nation who would listen) for a coming Messianic kingdom. The kingdom’s “King” would descend from King David and establish a world-wide, eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 5:1-5; Luke 1:30-33). The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled these predictions. Before his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, this promised kingdom was “at hand;” now, it is firmly established; Christ is resurrected and ascended to his Father’s right hand of power and authority; he is interceding for his people and will return in glory one day to punish his adversaries and rescue his people. The call to repentance and faith is also a summons from this kingdom’s King. If the summons was needed in the 1st Century, it is certainly needed in the 21st Century – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Sunday Service Streamed Live at 11:00 AM – YouTube.com – Hickory Withe PCA

The sermon is from Mark 1:1-15–”Repent!”. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  – Mark 1:1

The Gospel According to Mark starts rather abruptly. Matthew and Luke’s Gospels begin with their famous birth narratives. John’s Gospel immediately asserts Christ’s divine and human nature. But Mark, as I heard one preacher say, is “the Gospel without a Christmas.” He completely skips over the birth of Jesus; and he quotes the familiar Old Testament “forerunner” passages (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3). Then, Mark launches into the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus Christ, the wilderness temptation, and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry. Mark writes with urgency; the kingdom of heaven is at hand; such urgency is still appropriate – “the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Sunday Service Streamed Live at 11:00 AM – YouTube.com – Hickory Withe PCA

The sermon is from be Romans 12:14-21– “Serve the Lord Perseveringly”. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” – Romans 12:14

How can a mere sinful mortal obey Paul’s command in this verse? Our innate tendency is to defend ourselves. This is a proper response in the kingdoms of men; there are “just wars” which must be waged. But, in Christ’s kingdom, things are “upside-down.” The first are last and the last are first. Paul, of course, is simply reminding us of Christ’s words, “But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.’” (Matt. 5:44-45) Such challenging requirements for Christian discipleship should steer us toward “… the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

Sunday Service Streamed Live at 11:00 AM – YouTube.com – Hickory Withe PCA