Month: June 2026

The sermon on Sunday, June 28, 2026, will be from 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 12-13; 1 Peter 3:21-WLC #161 – – “Ex Opere Operato … Say What?!”. “The sacraments become effectual means of salvation …, only by the working of the Holy Spirit.” -Westminster Larger Catechism #161
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What occurs when the sacraments (some Christians say “ordinances”) of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are administered at your church on a Sunday? Some Christians say these rites are mere memorials. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the death of Christ for us, and baptism reminds us that through Christ our sins are “washed away.” Other groups teach that God’s grace is automatically granted to the individual who receives the sacrament. In the Presbyterian tradition, the sacraments are viewed as “signs and seals of the covenant of grace.” They are memorials or signs of what Christ has done and does for us. But with the Spirit’s blessing “the grace promised is not only offered but really exhibited and conferred” to the elect “according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.” (Westminster Confession of Faith – 28:6).

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

The sermon on Sunday, June 14, 2026, will be from Revelation 13:11-18 – The Beast Who Breathed.   “… it deceives those who dwell on the earth …” – Revelation 13:14

To “deceive” means to lie, trick, and mislead. Such deception is a blatant violation of the 9th Commandment – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16). So, it is no surprise the two beasts of Revelation deceive humanity “en masse.” They are tools in the hands of the father of lies (Jn. 8:44) – the devil himself (Rev. 12:9). They deceive and mislead multitudes into false worship. Thankfully, the Triune God reveals himself to us in the pages of Holy Scripture, and his Word to us is trustworthy (Jn. 17:17) because he “never lies” (Titus 1:2). Through this infallible Word and the blood of the Lord Jesus, he rescues the elect from the wrath to come and leads them to the city with foundations whose builder is God (Heb. 11:10).

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

The sermon on Sunday, June 7, 2026, will be from Revelation 13:1-10 – The Beast Who Boasted. “… the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast …” – Revelation 13:3|

The Apostle Paul didn’t “Win Friends and Influence People” by teaching that men and women are in league with the devil himself (Eph. 2:2). A mighty act of God, according to Paul, is required to extract us from the devil’s clutches and place us in the kingdom of God’s Son (Eph. 2:4; Col. 1:13). “The whole earth,” according to John’s vision, bows at Satan’s throne in false, worthless worship. Paul’s teaching agrees with John’s in Revelation Chapter 13. By nature, every one of us “exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” (Ro. 1:25). But God is rich in mercy and is pouring out his Spirit on the nations of the world at the current hour. He is “opening eyes” and “turning men and women from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to God.” (Acts 24:18).

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