Month: December 2023

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