Month: April 2024

The sermon is from Mark 13:32-37- The Olivet Discourse – “Stay Awake”. “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, … nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Mark 13:32

Jesus Christ is one person with two natures; he possesses a divine nature and a human nature; he is fully God and fully human. He is “the Word made flesh …” (John 1:14). One must understand this doctrine to understand Mark 13:32; as a man, there are limitations to his human nature. In his human nature, he cannot be two places at once. He is not omnipresent. In his human nature, he is not “omnipotent;” he took naps in the boat (Mark 4:38). And, here, we see that he was not “omniscient” in his human nature; he did not know the day or the hour of his coming. So, I have two simple questions, “Why have Bible teachers and writers made millions ‘predicting’ Christ’s Second Coming? Do they think they are more intelligent than Christ?”

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:24-31 – The Olivet Discourse – “The Coming of the Son of Man”. “… they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” – Mark 13:26

The Apostle Paul, in his memorable chapter on Christian love, concludes by saying, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Cor. 13:12). The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20), wrote, “… but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). A familiar song states, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I will see; when I gaze into his face, the One who saved me by his grace.” A minister friend of mine was visiting a woman in a nursing home. She asked, “Do you see him?” My friend said, “No.” The woman responded, “Well, … I see Jesus and I am happy!”

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:14-23 – “The Olivet Discourse – The Abomination of Desolation”. “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ …  do not believe it.” – Mark 13:21

The Apostle Paul, Christ’s “chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15), instructed the Thessalonians to “… test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21). Christ would agree with his apostle; he would say, “In a world of false christs and false religious messages, do as Paul commands, ‘Test everything; hold fast what is good.’” Do not believe the Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons at your door. “Everything” includes TV preachers, Christian books, and the Bible teaching podcasts that are proliferating. “Everything” includes your pastor to whom you listen on Sunday. If you do not understand something he said or even disagree with something he teaches, go to him humbly and prayerfully (he probably carries a load); ask him to explain his interpretation of the passage in question. Mimic the Bereans (Acts 17:11).

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:5-13 – “The Olivet Discourse – Wars and Rumors of Wars”. “See that no one leads you astray.” – Mark 13:5

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He will never lead us astray. Think about that reminder and then consider his warnings about false prophets and the persecutions faithful Christians face (See Mk. 13:5-13). Do we take him seriously? Do we, “See that no one leads us astray?” The Apostles took him seriously; the examples are too numerous to include, but here are a few examples (Paul – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; Peter – 2 Peter 2:1-22; John – 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 3-23). Do you check out the credentials of the preachers to whom you listen? What about the background, training, and doctrinal commitments of the “Christian” authors whom you read? Or do you naively and uncritically believe whatever modern preachers and authors teach? May God give us all the Berean spirit (Acts 17:11).

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:1-4 – “The Olivet Discourse – When Will These Things Be?”. “Do you see these great buildings?” – Mark 13:2

In verse 2 of Mark Chapter 13, Jesus asked his disciples a question, “Do you see these great buildings?” The answer to the question, of course, was, “Yes.” This temple was built by Herod the Great. He began its construction in 20 B.C. and completed his work 46 years later in 26 A.D. So, at the time of Christ’s question the temple was almost brand new and outwardly impressive. But Christ continues, “There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” He predicts the temple’s destruction (which occurred in 70 A.D.). Israel had broken the terms of the old covenant and now the promised curses were about to fall upon the nation (See Deut. 28 & 29). It is a fearful thing to face God in judgment (Heb. 10:31).

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