Category: Weekly Thoughts

The sermon is from Jude 1:1-3 – “Contending for the Faith.”  “… I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith …” – Jude 3

Most Christians prefer discussing the exhilarating doctrines of God’s covenantal love, grace, and kindness to them in the Gospel. They agree with John Newton that God’s grace is “amazing” and it has a “sweet” sound. But Christians also need the sobering reminder as Isaac Watts wrote, “This vile world is no friend of grace.” The message of God’s grace is attacked from without the Church and at times perverted from within. Therefore, Jude admonished his hearers “… to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Peter, as well, prepares us for such a responsibility when he states, “… but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you; …” (1 Peter 3:15). Such a reminder was apropos in the 1st Century and is apropos for today.

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The sermon is from Luke 23:26-31 – “A Time to Weep for Ourselves and Our Children.” “… they seized one Simon of Cyrene …” – Luke 23:26

God’s providence in our lives often amazes and surprises us. Plans change. Expectations wither and die. The trajectory of our life changes in an instant. Well, place yourself in the sandals of Simon of Cyrene. You have arrived in Jerusalem (probably to observe Passover). You see a mob carrying out a crucifixion and then, suddenly, you are seized and forced to carry the condemned man’s cross. Do you think Simon was ever the same? He unknowingly participated in the most significant event in human history. He certainly bore witness to this event. His sons and his wife are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament (Mark 15:21; Romans 16:13)

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The sermon is from Luke 19:1-10 – “The Sight from the Sycamore Tree”. “… he was seeking to see who Jesus was …. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:3 & 10

Who sought who? Did Zacchaeus first seek Christ? Or did Christ first seek him? Initially, we might say that Zacchaeus sought Christ first. After all, he ran to get ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see the Lord Jesus. But Jesus explains the whole turn of events like this – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Who is right? An anonymous hymn writer penned these words which help to answer our question – “I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me; it was not I that found, O Savior true; no, I was found of thee.” (Trinity Hymnal – #466)

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The sermon is from Luke 18:35-43 – “Then the Eyes of the Blind Shall be Opened”. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Luke 18:38

Do not feel too sorry for the blind man in Luke 18:35-43! Even though he was blind physically, he saw with spiritual eyes what many with normal eyesight never see. Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of David; he is the Messianic King of Israel (See 2 Samuel 7:1-17). Kings, of course, rule over kingdoms and the kingdom of Christ is described for us in Isaiah 35:1-10. One of the key marks of that kingdom is that the eyes of the blind shall be opened (Isaiah 35:5). So, Christ fulfilled that Old Testament promise. Have you seen what the blind man saw?

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The sermon is from Luke 18:18-30 –  “Christ’s Word to the Wealthy”. “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” – Luke 18:18

How would you answer the rich ruler’s question? Jesus Christ clearly teaches that most of humanity answers the question incorrectly. A wrong answer to this question exposes one to eternal destruction. In Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” So, I must ask those of you reading this article – “How would you answer the man’s question?” (For the Biblical answer, read Romans 1:16 – 3:31).

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

The sermon is from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 – “Jehoshaphat and the Choir”. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:12

Prosperity preachers “sell a bill of goods.” They promise their hearers peace and popularity. To those with enough “faith,” health and wealth are just around the corner. This runs totally counter to the teaching of the Apostles – “… through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:23).” Tribulations (and at times confusion) cause true disciples to look to God in newfound dependence, trust, and hope (See Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 5:6-11). On our knees, we pray like Jehoshaphat; and we confess with Paul – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; …. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).”

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

The sermon is from Luke 18:9-14 – “The Physicians for Pharisees”.   “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” – Luke 18:13

Is divine forgiveness and salvation from sin this easy? Does the simple recitation of these words or the repetition of a formulaic prayer usher one into the kingdom of God? No, salvation requires a work of divine grace in order to convict us and humble us. We see such a humbled man in verse 13. He stands far off from the temple; his face is to the ground; and he is beating his breast. So, hard hearts need breaking. We must be born again of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). Apart from such a work, we will be like the Pharisee in verses 11-12 rather than the tax collector in verse 13. We will go down to our house condemned rather than justified (Luke 18:14).

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

The sermon is from Luke 16:19-31 – “Crying for Mercy from Hell”.   “… and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes …” – Luke 16:23

Christ repeatedly warned us about the reality of final judgment and of the eternal punishment which follows. He often preached about Hell; he said it is a place of “… weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:28).” He taught that its flames burn forever, “… their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48).” If you disagree with the above assertions, let me encourage you to read the Gospels. Read also the book of Acts noting the sermons of Christ’s Apostles; they too preached about the certainty of final judgment. What about your pastor or favorite radio or TV preacher? Does he address this theme Biblically and appropriately? Does he ever tell you and his other hearers to “flee from the wrath to come? (Luke 3:7)”

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

The sermon is from Luke 15:11-32 – “When the Prodigal Comes Home”.    “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him ….” – Luke 15:20

How many times had the father in Christ’s parable gazed up the road leading to the far country? He probably had done this daily and longingly since his son had left home, lived recklessly, spent everything he had, and wound up in pig stye. But on one of those days, he spotted movement in the distance. Could this be the day in which his son returned home? Indeed, this was the day and the prodigal returned home to a celebration rather than a beating. The Triune God of Scripture is like the father of this parable. He showers his mercy and compassion on repentant sinners who return home.

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

The sermon is from Habakkuk 1:1-4; 3:17-19 – “Misplaced Expectations and Rediscovered Faith”.  “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” – Luke 15:6

Have you ever been lost? Maybe this has occurred to you in a strange city. Or, if you are an outdoorsman, you may have been lost in the woods or on a large body of water. Thanks to GPS, Google Maps, and Waze, being lost is not so common in our modern world. Nevertheless, being lost is a frightening experience. One’s mind races; one’s heart starts to pound; and one’s palms begin to sweat. Christ uses this concept to describe sinful men and women. Without Christ, we are “lost.” We are wandering in this dark, fallen world without a compass or a GPS; we are in danger of “losing” our souls. Yet, Christ is on a mission; he is come to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

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