Month: March 2025

The sermon on March 23, 2025, will be from Romans 14:20-23 – The Guiding Principles of Christian Liberty.  “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.” – Romans 14:20

How can food destroy the work of God? What is Paul talking about? Well, Christians in 1st Century Rome were at odds with one another over dietary practices. Note, they were quarreling (14:1); they were despising each other (14:3); and, they were harshly judging one another (14:4). So, disputes over “food” were disrupting the peace of the church at Rome and fracturing the fellowship. Don’t we do the same in the 21st Century? How many of your disputes with other Christians were due to essential Christian doctrines or behaviors addressed in the 10 Commandments? How many were due to trivial matters? May God help us to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (14:19)

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

The sermon on March 16, 2025, will be from Romans 14:13-19 – “The Kingdom of God is …”. “For the kingdom of God is ….”  -Romans 14:17

In Christian circles, debate swirls around the Bible’s teaching on the kingdom of God. Has it already arrived? Or, is it yet to come? Is it an earthly kingdom? Or, is it a spiritual kingdom? Isn’t it nice to have a verse that clarifies these questions? One Christian writer asserted that “the kingdom of God is a party.” It seems like Paul agrees in Romans 14:17. The kingdom of God has arrived; it is matter “of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Are you a citizen of this kingdom? Are you living “the kingdom life in a fallen world?”

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

The sermon on March 9, 2025, will be from Romans 14:10-12– “Standing Before the Judgment Seat”.    “So, then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12

If seriously considered, nothing is more humbling than to realize that we will stand before God one day to be judged. Christ and the Apostles affirmed this truth throughout their ministries. When that day arrives, we will either stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ, or clothed in our own perceived righteousness which will not meet the standard of God’s perfect holiness and justice. Edward Mote wrote of our only hope for deliverance, “When he [Jesus Christ] shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found; dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

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