Category: Weekly Thoughts

The sermon is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – “What is the Gospel?”. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, ….”
–1 Corinthians 15:1

Notice in our verse above, the Corinthians needed a reminder concerning the gospel. Do 21^st Century American Christians need the same reminder? Let’s explore this with a “pop quiz.” My quiz contains one simple question – “What is the Gospel?” How would you answer? If you struggle to answer this question, call me or email me (901-299-4025; dougpca@bellsouth.net); I would love to talk with you about the Gospel or mail you material that answers this question. Or better yet, come worship with us this Sunday at Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church! I will answer the question, “What is the Gospel?” in my sermon.

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

The sermon is from Luke 24:36-53 – – “Let’s End the Year with Easter”. “… then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, …”

Luke 24:45: “ The eleven remaining apostles had seen the resurrected Christ with their eyes and touched him with their hands; they had witnessed him eat the piece of broiled fish. But their minds remained closed to the Scriptural significance of what they had seen, heard, and touched. The same is true of us; we may have vague ideas about God, ourselves, and the meaning of human existence; but God the Holy Spirit (who is called ‘the Spirit of Christ’ – Romans 8:9) must open our minds to understand the message of the Bible. Please spend time reading the Bible to discover its message to humanity, but as you read, pray for understanding (Psalm 119:18).

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:57- 66– “His Name is John”.  “… immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, …” – Luke 1:64

Disbelieving the Word of God has consequences. For Zechariah, that meant being silent and unable to speak (probably for nine months) during Elizabeth’s pregnancy (See Luke 1:18-25). He did not believe God’s message through the angel Gabriel. So, God disciplined him in a unique way. He could not speak; he could only communicate by means of signs and a writing tablet until he obeyed the Word of God and named his son John. When he did obey this command, as our passage says, “… his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, ….” What about you during this Christmas season? Have you obeyed the Gospel summons to repentance and faith? When you do, your tongue shall also be loosed and you will begin to praise the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:39-45– “When a Baby Leapt in the Womb”. “… the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” – Luke 1:44

We err greatly and terribly if we think the ‘fetus’ in a mother’s womb is a ‘blob of tissue’ or if we think that it lacks personhood. God’s Word differs emphatically with our culture’s fatal misunderstanding. Psalm 139 states, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. … My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139:13-16). John the Baptist’s joy over the Messiah’s birth began in the womb and continued throughout his life and earthly ministry (See John 3:25-30).

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:26-38 – “The Virgin Birth”.  “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’” – Luke 1:34

Do you believe in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? A young, 1st Century Jewish girl certainly did. Imagine her fear when the mighty angel, Gabriel, uttered his stunning announcement (Luke 1:28-33). Ponder for a moment the racings of her mind as she sought to comprehend the angel’s announcement and her virginity (1:34). Consider her contemplations as she processed the angel’s answer to her question (1:35-38). Try to re-create in your own mind her wonder as the symptoms of pregnancy began and progressed. We also should experience such wonder, praise, and thanksgiving this Christmas as we worship the virgin born Son of God.

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

The sermon is from Luke 23:32-43 – “The Dying Thief Rejoiced.”  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42

Preachers must fuss on occasion; so, please allow me to fuss a little today. Most 21st Century American churches have jettisoned the old hymnbooks. In doing so, they have sold their birthright for a “mess of pottage.” (Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:15-17). Modern, man-centered ditties cannot convey the robust doctrines of God’s grace found in the Bible. Case in point (for anyone who might remember it; and there are many other old hymns I could cite; refer to the Trinity Hymnal, if you can find one!), William Cowper memorialized our passage in Luke 23 by penning these lyrics – “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there have I, as vile as he, washed all my sins away, ….” There, enough said. I feel better already and with Cowper’s assistance, I have pointed you to the sinner’s only comfort in life and in death – Jesus Christ.

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

The sermon is from Luke 17:11-19 – “Where are the Nine?”  “Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?’” – Luke 17:17

Thankfulness characterizes Christians who embrace the good news of the Gospel. They have understood the “bad news;” by nature, they are rebels who have broken God’s moral law and who deserve eternal punishment in hell. But by the grace of God, they now understand the “good news;” God loves sinners enough to send his Son to bear the wrath they deserve and to free them from the cursed load of sin. Little wonder Paul writes to Christians, “… give thanks in all circumstances …” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). One person wrote, “I cried to him in time of need: Lord God, O hear my calling! For death he gave me life indeed and kept my feet from falling. For this my thanks shall endless be; O thank him, thank our God with me, To God all praise and glory!” This Thanksgiving, let us begin on earth what will occupy our time forever in heaven.

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

The sermon is from Jude 1:1-3 – “Contending for the Faith.”  “… I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith …” – Jude 3

Most Christians prefer discussing the exhilarating doctrines of God’s covenantal love, grace, and kindness to them in the Gospel. They agree with John Newton that God’s grace is “amazing” and it has a “sweet” sound. But Christians also need the sobering reminder as Isaac Watts wrote, “This vile world is no friend of grace.” The message of God’s grace is attacked from without the Church and at times perverted from within. Therefore, Jude admonished his hearers “… to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Peter, as well, prepares us for such a responsibility when he states, “… but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you; …” (1 Peter 3:15). Such a reminder was apropos in the 1st Century and is apropos for today.

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

The sermon is from Luke 23:26-31 – “A Time to Weep for Ourselves and Our Children.” “… they seized one Simon of Cyrene …” – Luke 23:26

God’s providence in our lives often amazes and surprises us. Plans change. Expectations wither and die. The trajectory of our life changes in an instant. Well, place yourself in the sandals of Simon of Cyrene. You have arrived in Jerusalem (probably to observe Passover). You see a mob carrying out a crucifixion and then, suddenly, you are seized and forced to carry the condemned man’s cross. Do you think Simon was ever the same? He unknowingly participated in the most significant event in human history. He certainly bore witness to this event. His sons and his wife are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament (Mark 15:21; Romans 16:13)

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

The sermon is from Luke 19:1-10 – “The Sight from the Sycamore Tree”. “… he was seeking to see who Jesus was …. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:3 & 10

Who sought who? Did Zacchaeus first seek Christ? Or did Christ first seek him? Initially, we might say that Zacchaeus sought Christ first. After all, he ran to get ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see the Lord Jesus. But Jesus explains the whole turn of events like this – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Who is right? An anonymous hymn writer penned these words which help to answer our question – “I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me; it was not I that found, O Savior true; no, I was found of thee.” (Trinity Hymnal – #466)

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