Month: February 2023

The sermon is from Luke 3:1-20 – “None is Greater than John the Baptist”.  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, …” – Luke 3:1

Some “scholars” contend that the historical accuracy of the Bible is unimportant. The human authors of Scripture held to an entirely different view. Luke uses the first two verses in chapter three of his gospel to document the beginning of John the Baptist’s public ministry. He lists the civil magistrates over the regions where John preached and baptized. And Luke also mentions the two men who occupied the office of high priest during John’s ministry. He wanted his readers to embrace historical certainty of what he taught (See Luke 1:1-4).

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

The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 – “Work for the Night is Coming”.  “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”  – 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Paul’s counsel drops like a bombshell upon anyone with an entitlement mentality. Paul essentially asserts, “If you don’t work, starve.” Now, certainly he would make allowances for those who are infirm or disabled. His injunction is obviously meant for able-bodied men and women who choose to be idle. In Exodus 20:8-9, the same commandment that calls upon us to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” also asserts, “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, …”. Someone once quipped, “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.” The Apostle Paul would say, “Amen!”

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

The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 – “…Brothers, Pray for Us…”.   “… pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored …”. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Every Christian longs for the day when this prayer request is answered by God in the affirmative. Isaac Watts expressed our longings like this – “We long to see your churches full, that all the chosen race may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing your redeeming grace.” Only God by His Spirit is able to build His church. Some plant the seed of the gospel. Others water the seeds that were planted. But only God can grow a local church. Paul states, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

(1 Corinthians 3:7) Paul believed this, therefore, the simple prayer request, “… pray for us…”.

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

The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – “Thanksgiving Day for the Apostle Paul”.   “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord …”. – 2 Thessalonians 2:13

The Apostle Paul loved the Thessalonians. He was instrumental in planting this church and he continued to provide them sound spiritual guidance as they suffered for the cause of Christ. But, more importantly, they were loved by God. They had been chosen by God before the foundation of the world for salvation. They were being sanctified by the Holy Spirit – they were growing in likeness to Christ. God had effectually called them and enabled them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. And one day they will obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. They can sing the song even now in this world – “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!”

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