Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church

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
82
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

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).

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.’”

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