Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church

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).

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The sermon on Sunday, May 31, 2026, will be from Luke 7:36-50, Simon, the Sinner, & the Savior. “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray…?” – Matthew 18:12

Sheep wander off. They get lost. They’re like magnets attracting trouble. They tend to self-destruct. That’s why they need shepherds. As most every church-goer knows, Christ likens his people to sheep and he presents himself as the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. See, good shepherds place themselves between danger and the flock. And, Christ, as the Good Shepherd of the people of God laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Because of this, his sheep will never perish and no one will snatch them out of his hand (John 10:28).

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The sermon on Sunday, May 24, 2026, will be from Zephaniah 3 – The End of the Day of the Lord – Justice and Love

“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; ….” Zephaniah 3:15

The Triune God of Scripture is holy and just, and he is also merciful and gracious. This really does sum up the entirety of the Old Testament (and the New!). In its pages, we see the inability of human beings to keep his law, but we also see him promising a “covenant of grace” – his gracious and merciful design to save sinners by grace through faith. Through this covenant, he “takes away the judgment against us” because of our sin. We see this supremely at the cross of Christ where God is “… just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)
Sunday Service Streamed Live at 11:00 AM – YouTube.com – Hickory Withe PCA

The sermon on Sunday, May 17, 2026, will be from Revelation 12:7-17- The Destroyer’s Destruction. “… and they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, …” -Revelation 12:11

Dear Christian, Is Satan conquering you or you conquering Satan? We often feel as if he is getting the upper hand. But our verse tells us in no uncertain terms how to conquer him. First, we accomplish this “by the blood of the Lamb.” We trust in the forgiveness of our sins and the strength for Christian living that is ours in union with Christ by faith. Second, we do this by an open confession of our faith to the non-Christian world. In doing so, as God enables us through his Spirit, we open our mouths for Jesus Christ as the devil is trying to silence us. And don’t forget to pray, for as someone has said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.”

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

The sermon on Sunday, May 10, 2026, will be from Revelation 12:1-6- The Pregnant, Oppressed Woman and Her Triumphant, Reigning Son. “She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.” – Revelation 12:2

The woman in Revelation Chapter 12 represents the visible church in the Old and New Testaments. The woman is glorious; she is “clothed with the sun.” But the woman is oppressed by the great dragon who is waiting to devour her son. God’s church on earth is “pregnant,” if you will, with promises and predictions pertaining to the woman’s son. Her “son” is no ordinary son; he is Israel’s Messiah and Savior of the world. He, as you see, will “rule all the nations with a rod of iron.” (12:5). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Oppressors of the Church, BEWARE!

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The sermon on Sunday, May 3, 2026, will be from Revelation 11:15-19 – Seven Angels and Seven Trumpets (Part 5). “… and he shall reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15

George Frederick Handel composed his best-known oratorio, Messiah, in 24 days. He began on August 22nd,1741, and concluded his work on September 14th, 1741. Messiah contains 53 movements and takes up to 3 hours to perform in its entirety. It ends with the stunning Hallelujah Chorus which is based on Revelation 11:15. Anyone who has attended the performance knows what occurs when this final portion begins. The crowd stands and sings repeatedly, “… and he shall reign forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!” Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is the focus of the thunderous praise. Indeed, “… he shall reign forever and ever!” Let us join Handel in his musical masterpiece ascribing eternal kingship to our Lord Jesus Christ.

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The sermon on Sunday, April 19, 2026, will be from Hebrews 3:7-4:11 – “The Rest of God”. . “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault … “ -Matthew 18:15

I wonder how much healthier our churches, homes and communities would be if we simply obeyed Christ in Matthew 18:15-17. Listen to his wise words – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” I wonder. I wonder.

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

The sermon on Sunday, April 12, 2026, will be Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus Came Preaching. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” – Matthew 18:1

The early disciples were concerned about “greatness” in the kingdom of heaven. Their Lord was interested primarily about “entrance” into the kingdom of heaven. Human beings jockey for position and power in the world and unfortunately at times in the church. This was true of First Century disciples. It is true of us in the 21st Century as well. What is the cure for our pride and our desires for earthly “greatness”? Jesus said, “…turn and become like children…”. Such repentance is necessary for kingdom entrance. God will determine whom to exalt to greatness. The Apostle Peter learned these lessons well and he counsels us – “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

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The sermon on Sunday, April 5, 2026, will be Revelation 5:5,  Christ the Conqueror. “… the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered …” – Revelation 5:5

Death, in Scripture, is called “the last enemy.” Think of the “enemies” of the human soul. We often moisten the ground with our tears. Injuries, illnesses, losses, and tragedy take their toll. Yet, Revelation 5:5 begins with a stunning command to the Apostle John; one of the 24 elders tells him, “Weep no more; ….” One may ask, “Why?” And the elder responds, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, ….” Thus, one of the central proclamations of the Christian church is the resurrection of her Lord Jesus from the dead. He has slain “the last enemy” of mankind. He has, “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ….” Believe this, dear friend, and “Weep no more!”

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

The sermon on Sunday, March 29, 2026, will be Revelation 11:1-14, Seven Angels and Seven Trumpets (Part 4).  “Then, they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’” – Revelation 11:12

Christianity is a supernatural religion. One must accept this to follow Jesus Christ and faithfully bear faithful witness about him. His birth was a miracle; he was virgin born. His resurrection was a miracle; he was raised from the dead on the third day. And, likewise, we find accounts in Scripture where men were summoned miraculously to “Come up here!” Enoch heard such a call (Gen. 5:24). Chariots of horses and fire whisked Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Those alive when Christ returns will hear the “Come up here!” call and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17). If the summons to “Come up here!” happened today, would you have ears to hear?

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