Category: Weekly Thoughts

The sermon is from Romans 13:6-7 – “The IRS and You”. “Pay to all what is owed to them; taxes to whom taxes are owed …” – Romans 13:7

None of us looks forward to “tax season.” April 15^th, arrives with annual regularity, but many Americans wait until 11:59 PM on that date to file, grousing their way to the Post Office. But the Apostle Paul and our Lord Jesus call upon Christians to adopt a different attitude. Paul, as you see, teaches that we owe taxes; we are in debt to local, state, and national governments for services received. And, our Lord Jesus commands his followers, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s …” (Mark 12:17). The civil magistrate has a legitimate, God-given role in society (Romans 13:1-4, 6). Let us thank God for the services he provides for us and let us remember 1 Thessalonians 5:18 on April 15^th.

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

The sermon is from Isaiah 9:6-7– “ Handel Nailed It”. “… and his name shall be called …” – Isaiah 9:6

Parents think seriously and prayerfully when naming their child. One’s name is significant. It communicates something important about the person. Ponder the names that Isaiah gave to Jesus Christ – “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Do you ever need counsel in this life? Jesus provides counsel that is wonderful. Do you ever need strength in weakness? Jesus leads his people on “from strength to strength.” Do you ever long for the compassion of a kind father? Jesus abounds in such love for sinners. Do you pine for peace without and peace within? Jesus bestows both in lavishing ways. Come to him for rest this Christmas season.

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

The sermon is from Isaiah 9:6-7– “ The Eternal Kingdom of the Eternal King”. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, …” – Isaiah 9:7

God calls civil magistrates his “servants for good.” He establishes authority in human societies and he also establishes the individual authorities. He “removes kings and sets up kings” (Rom. 13:1-4; Dan. 2:21). And, yet, these kings, presidents, and governors are far from being perfectly effective in their rule; turmoil, societal breakdown, and even wars can still exist in their domains. The world pines for peace (Rom. 8:19-23). The peace for which we groan is now being realized through Christ as his rule advances throughout the nations and as it marches toward its ultimate victory when “of peace there will be no end.”

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

The sermon is from Isaiah 9:6-7– “ A Child Born and a Son Given”. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; …” – Isaiah 9:6

In the Christian community, we hear the truth of Isaiah 9:6 affirmed frequently from our pulpits, confessed repeatedly in our confessions of faith, and enshrined in our hymnals. We have heard John 3:16 since we were in children’s Sunday school and were required to memorize it. But I must ask us all during Advent 2025, “Has the wonder of Isaiah’s announcement ever truly gripped us?” Ponder Isaiah’s declaration, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; ….” Digest the Apostle’s message, “For God so loved that he gave his only Son, ….” Numerous church councils after Christ’s birth were required to wonder and to ponder over this astounding, great “mystery of godliness” – “He was manifested in the flesh,” (1 Timothy 3:16).

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

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

The sermon is from be Romans 12: 9-13–”Serve the Lord Admirably”.  “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” – Romans 12:11

Paul’s rapid-fire commands in Romans 12:9-13 take one’s breath away. There are 13 of them in only 5 verses. He summons Christians to love, abhor, hold fast, love, outdo, be zealous, be fervent, serve, rejoice, be patient, be constant, contribute, and seek. Do you recoil from this list and say, “Impossible!! I am sinful and weak. I can never measure up to these expectations!” Well, there is good news for you; someone did measure up; his name is Jesus Christ and he grants his perfect righteousness to those who trust him alone for salvation. Now, clothed in his righteousness, believers can trust him to work in them “… both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil, 2:12). He will “lift their drooping hands and strengthen their weak knees” (Heb. 12:12) as they present themselves to him as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

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

The sermon is from Romans 12:3-8 –“Gifted to Serve Christ and His Body”. “For in it [i.e. the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed …” – Romans 1:17

In the early 1500s, a German monk began to ponder just one phrase in Romans 1:17 and that phrase was “the righteousness of God.” He had always been terrified of this concept; he would tremble over the implications of this divine attribute. God was morally perfect and the monk knew that he was not. But, as he read, studied, and taught Romans, he came to a different understanding of the phrase. He came to see that Paul was actually describing a “gift” of divine righteousness that is credited to sinners who by faith alone, trust Christ alone for salvation (Romans 3:21-26; 4:1-8; 5:15-21). The monk’s name was Martin Luther and his re-discovery of the doctrine of justification by faith alone sparked what is known as “The Protestant Reformation.” Let me invite you to come to Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church this Sunday at 6:00 PM. The worship service will uplift you and the sermon on “Justification by Faith Alone” will instruct and edify you.

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

The sermon is from Romans 12:1-2 – “Now, What?” “Do not be conformed … but be transformed …” – Romans 12:2

The Bible teaches that sin no longer reigns in Christians (Romans 6:1-23), but the Bible also teaches that sin does remain in Christians (Romans 7:14-25). Romans 12:2 reminds us of the world’s efforts to conform us and to shape us into its mold. The Christian, now indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is summoned to resist these pressures which wage war without and within. An old hymn, if sung as a prayer, might aid us in the struggle, “O let me feel thee near me, the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear: my foes are ever near me, around me and within; but, Jesus, draw thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.” (Trinity Hymnal #654 – O Jesus, I Have Promised)

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