Month: August 2024

The sermon is from Romans 11:1-6 – “Elijah – The One Man Left Standing”.  “… I alone am left, and they seek my life.” – Romans 11:3

After Elijah’s courageous witness for the God of Israel in 1 Kings 18, we find him in 1 Kings 19 fearful and running from Jezebel’s death threats. It is salutary for us to remember that they were death threats. Some Bible teachers have made sport of Elijah’s despair and depression. I wonder if such teachers have ever been threatened with death themselves. Nevertheless, Elijah’s flight in Chapter 19 stands in stark contrast to his fearlessness in Chapter 18. A wise person has stated, “The best of men are men at best.” The sins and weaknesses of Old Testament saints point us to One who was sinless and strong. He was called “the friend of sinners;” and his name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Elijah needed his forgiveness and so do we.

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

The sermon is from Matthew 19:16-26 – “Who Then Can Be Saved?”  “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” – Romans 11:2

Theologians call Romans 8:29-30 “The Golden Chain of Salvation.” Notice the great actions of God himself in the salvation of his people – foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. In Chapter 11 of Romans, Paul reminds his readers once again that God is accomplishing his purposes in human history, even when he saves only a “remnant” (Romans 11:5). If we are trusting Christ alone through faith alone and by grace alone, we are included in this remnant and have been loved by God before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4). “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, ….”

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

The sermon is from Psalm 23 – “My Shepherd”.    “… to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge …” – Ephesians 3:19

Samuel Rutherford penned these famous lines, “O Christ, he is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love! The streams on earth I’ve tasted; more deep I’ll drink above: there to an ocean fulness his mercy doth expand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel’s land.” In heaven, God will lavish his mercy and love upon his people for all of eternity. But, even in this fallen world, Christians may taste “the streams.” As they read God’s Word and worship with God’s people, they may experience “the Spirit bearing witness with their spirit that they are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

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

The sermon is from Romans 10:18-21 – “When God’s People Turn a Deaf Ear.”   “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” – Romans 10:21

In Romans 10:21, Paul quotes from Isaiah 65:2. This Old Testament verse teaches us about God’s mercy and patience to the nation Israel. To some, this grace of God toward his rebellious people comes as a surprise. Some go so far as to say erroneously that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath; then, they say that the New Testament God is a God of love. But the God of Scripture cannot change (Malachi 3:6). He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable (Numbers 23:19). He is holy; he must punish sin. He is gracious; he forgave his ancient people when they turned to him in faith. He will forgive you if respond in faith to his outstretched hands.

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