Month: May 2024

The sermon is from Romans 9:6-9 – “The Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever; the Plans of His Heart to all Generations”.  “But it is not as though the word of God has failed.” – Romans 9:6

In his hymn, “Rejoice, the Lord is King,” 18th Century hymn-writer, Charles Wesley penned this stanza, “His kingdom cannot fail, he rules o’er earth and heaven; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given.” God’s purposes through Christ in human history will not fail. The prophet Isaiah underscores this invigorating truth, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) The promised success of “God’s gospel” (Romans 1:1) serves as a great encouragement for Christians who faithfully bear witness to Christ.

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

The sermon is from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – “True Wisdom”. “… but we preach Christ crucified, …” – 1 Corinthians 1:23

One detects in Paul a determination to preach a crucified Christ and to resist the efforts of some to get him “off message.” 1st Century Jews rejected the declaration that their promised Messiah was crucified. They demanded signs of political power and glory in their Messiah; Christ in his humiliation did not fit their expectations. 1st Century Greeks considered the message of the Cross “foolishness.” How could this message of Christ crucified hope to survive in the educational elite and in their halls of learning in the 1st Century? But another group emerged in the city of Corinth under the ministry of the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:1-17). These were the “called;” these were the ones who were brought out of darkness into light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. Now, they confess that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God for their salvation (1 Cor. 1:23). Which of these three groups describes you?

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

The sermon is from Romans 9:4-5 – “The Children of Abraham and Their Privilege”.  “… and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.” – Romans 9:5

Christ asked his 1st Century disciples a piercing question in Matthew 16:15 – “Who do YOU say that I am?” The question remains relevant in the 21st Century – “Who do YOU say that Jesus is?” Have you seriously pondered this question? Can you confess with your mouth what you believe about the Person of Christ? Can you articulate before men and women your answer if they ask you, “Who is Jesus?” Paul, in Romans 9:5, assists us greatly – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-3, 14-18, chimes in – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:1, agrees with Paul and John – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. What about the Christ you worship? Does he possess a divine and human nature? Do you worship the Christ who has revealed himself in Holy Scripture?

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

The sermon is from Romans 9:1-3 – “Paul’s Love for His Kinsmen”.  “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers.” – Romans 9:3

We read of two men in the pages of Scripture who were willing to be cursed in the place of God’s rebellious people. First, in Exodus 32:32, we read of Moses saying, “But now, if you will forgive their sin – but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” The second man was the Apostle Paul as we see in Romans 9:3. These men express a willingness to suffer judgment in the place of the people of God. But there is only one man – the God-man, Jesus Christ – who became a curse for God’s people and in turn released them from the curse of the law. In Galatians 3:13, we read, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming the curse for us ….” Thomas Kelley penned these words, “Praise the Savior, ye who know him! Who can tell how much we owe him? Gladly let us render to him all we are and have.”

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