Category: Weekly Thoughts

The Christmas Day sermon is from Revelation 12:1-7 – “Heaven’s War and Bethlehem’s Baby”. “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron …” – Revelation 12:5

We prefer not to think about war during the Christmas season and especially on Christmas Day. After all, Christmas reminds us of that great promise to the Judean shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” But God told Satan in the Garden of Eden, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) That enmity continues today as Satan seeks to oppose God’s redemptive purposes and to destroy His church on earth. And, yet, Christ has “… disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them …” (Colossians 2:15) Christ delivered a mortal wound to Satan at Calvary and soon He will crush Satan under our feet. (Romans 16:20)

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This Sunday the sermon is from Luke 1:26-33 – “Christmas and the Catechism”. “Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul …” – Westminster Shorter Catechism #22

Many Christian denominations subscribe to certain creeds, confessions and catechisms. These tools aid Christians as they seek to understand the truths of Scripture. Presbyterians, for instance, subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Question #22 of the Shorter Catechism is particularly helpful during the Christmas season. It asks the question, “How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?” Then, it gives this answer, “Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.” Charles Wesley put this truth to song, “Veiled in flesh the God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.” Let us worship the Christ of Scripture.

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This Sunday the sermon is from Luke 2:36-40 – “There Was a Prophetess, Anna…”. “She did not depart from the temple …” – Luke 2:37

In Luke 2:37, we read that the prophetess in Jerusalem, Anna, shortly after the birth of Christ, “… did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day.” She announced the arrival of Jesus Christ upon the stage of human history. There were those in Jerusalem “… waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” In other words, there were some in Jerusalem who had read their Old Testaments or who had heard of the Old Testament promises and predictions regarding the 1st Advent of Christ. Are we, like them, waiting for and expecting the Christ to come again? (See 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

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This Sunday the sermon is from Luke 2:1-20 – “But Mary…”. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy …” – Luke 2:10

One famous Christmas carol goes like this, “Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save.” Little wonder that the angels’ announcement to the shepherds says, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.” Little wonder that the famous Apostle Paul proclaimed, “… our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10) Now, because Christ has lived, died and was resurrected from the dead, we can join Paul in his taunt, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

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This Sunday the sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22- “Test Everything”.  “… but test everything; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Are you careful about your religious beliefs and practices? Who do you read? What do you know about the author of the book? Who do you listen to on the radio or television? What do you know about the television or radio preacher? Do you attend a church where the minister is committed to teaching you the Bible? Jesus Christ warned His followers about false christs and false prophets who would lead many astray (Matthew 24:4-5, 23-24). The Apostles of Christ issued the same sort of warnings (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; Jude 3-4). We must “test everything”; We, like the Bereans, must “examine the Scriptures daily …”(Acts 17:11).

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This Sunday the sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart”.   “… give thanks in all circumstances …” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

How can we obey this seemingly impossible command? We have no problem giving thanks when God blesses us with health, wealth and peace. But we all struggle with giving thanks when illness or poverty or discord or disappointment come our way. Philippians 4:13 is helpful as we seek to obey this command – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Christ comes to the aid of His people to strengthen them by His Spirit. As we read Scripture, as we learn to pray, as we ponder the great hymns of the Christian faith, as we build relationships with God’s people, God teaches us how to be thankful even in difficult circumstances. (See Acts 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 1 Peter 1:3-9)

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This Sunday the sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15- “Attitudes Toward Church Leaders and One Another”. “Be at peace among yourselves.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13

God often speaks to His people in His Word about peace. Jesus Himself addressed this when He stated, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) The Apostle Paul reminded us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18) And the writer of Hebrews also instructed us to, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) The God of Scripture is called “… the God of peace …” (Hebrews 13:20). So, let me ask, are we the “sons of God?” Do we “strive for peace with everyone?” Do we “… pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding?” (Romans 14:19)

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This Sunday the sermon is from Proverbs 4: 20-23; Titus 2:11-12- “You Are What You Love”.    “… if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

God is concerned about our minds. He is concerned about our thought-life. We see this in Philippians 4:8. Here, Paul commands Christians to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. Romans 12:2 reminds us of this same concern, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Unfortunately, many distractions exist in this world which hinder us in this pursuit. May we, as Paul says, “… cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

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This Sunday the sermon is from Ephesians 5:13-16- “Seeing the Vortex: A Reformation Day Sermon”.  “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” – Jeremiah 23:29

On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther used a hammer to nail his “95 Theses” to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. He had no intention of causing division within the Roman Catholic Church of the 16th Century. He only sought to address errors and abuses within the Church of his day and to bring reform through Holy Scripture. But God had a different design in this event. His word, through Luther, spread like fire to the surrounding regions in Germany; And His word, through Luther served as a hammer to shatter false teaching that had no basis in the Word of God. Every generation needs a Luther or men like him who courageously proclaim God’s Word in the church and in the world.

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This Sunday the sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11- “Living as Children of the Light”. “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:4

Jesus Christ gave clear and helpful instruction to His disciples concerning His 2nd Coming. One example of this is found in chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s Gospel. He clearly prepared His disciples (and us) for this final event in human history. Therefore, Paul could state concerning the Thessalonians, “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” The instruction of Christ and the Apostle Paul shed light upon this momentous event and they had prepared accordingly. Are you prepared to meet the Lord in the air? Do you know Jesus Christ and are you living for Him

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