Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church

The sermon is from Luke 6:25-27 – “A Rebuke from the Resurrected Christ”.  “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” – Luke 24:25

Are you slow of heart on this Easter Sunday to believe all that the prophets have spoken? This question begs another question, “Have you read all that the prophets have spoken? That is, have you read the Old Testament?” It is hard to believe the Old Testament predictions and promises concerning Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection if you’ve never read them. Now, suppose you have read the Old Testament or you have heard a preacher proclaim the message concerning Christ’s humiliation and exaltation, have you enthusiastically embraced this Christ by faith? Can you say in a similar fashion with these disciples, “Did not my heart burn within me as Christ opened to me the Scriptures?” Christ, by His Spirit, still performs this work today as the Bible is read, preached, and believed.

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The sermon is from Luke 6:46-49 – “Floods and Foundations”.  “And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house ….” – Luke 6:48

Stress tests determine the strength of one’s heart. Floods test the strength of a building’s foundation. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus likens the day of judgment to a flood. That day will test our spiritual foundation in this life and in the life to come. Are we like a builder who builds a house with its foundation on a rock? Or, are we like a builder who builds a house on the ground without a foundation? Christ’s imagery is clear. The day of judgment will test our spiritual foundations. Are we building on a firm foundation? Or, are we building on a faulty or even non-existent foundation. Christ shelters those who trust Him from the wrath to come. (Nahum 1:7-8)

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The sermon is from Luke 5:27-32 – “The Doctor is In”.  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” – Luke 5:31

In spite of the value of preventive medicine, many of us do not call for a doctor’s appointment until we are sick. Some illnesses, diseases, and injuries leave us desperate and helpless. We are totally dependent upon the training and experience of a skilled physician. With this awareness, Christ sets forth a profound truth in the spiritual realm. Some see themselves as healthy, spiritually speaking. They see no need for Jesus Christ. Others see themselves as sick. They realize their desperate need for the Lord Jesus. Jesus, as you see (vs. 29) “reclines at table” with sinners who cry out to Him in faith.

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

The sermon is from Luke 5:1-11 – “Catching Fish and Catching Men”.  “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” – Luke 5:8

The “deep sea” held a deep lesson for Simon Peter and his colleagues, James and John. In verses 1-11 of this chapter, Luke describes what should have been a joyous event for these fishermen. Jesus Christ had filled two boats with so many fish that the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking! But, instead of exuberant emotions, Peter was confessing his sinfulness (Vs. 8). And, instead of great joy, these disciples were fearful. Christ’s miracle demonstrated that they were in the presence of God in human flesh. As on another occasion, they exclaimed, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

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The sermon is from Luke 4:16-30 – “The Hometown Heretic”.  “When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.”  – Luke 4:28

Compare the rage of Luke 4:28 with the admiration of Luke 4:22. At one moment, the worshippers in the synagogue were marveling over Christ’s words. A few moments later they were filled with wrath and seeking to kill Him. Why the sudden alteration in their opinion of Christ? Christ had essentially reminded them of the promises of God’s covenant with their forefather Abraham. God had declared in Genesis 12:3 that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed. Christ simply reminded them of God’s love for the nations of the world (See Luke 4:25-27). A message regarding God’s love filled them with hate.

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The sermon is from Luke 3:1-20 – “None is Greater than John the Baptist”.  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, …” – Luke 3:1

Some “scholars” contend that the historical accuracy of the Bible is unimportant. The human authors of Scripture held to an entirely different view. Luke uses the first two verses in chapter three of his gospel to document the beginning of John the Baptist’s public ministry. He lists the civil magistrates over the regions where John preached and baptized. And Luke also mentions the two men who occupied the office of high priest during John’s ministry. He wanted his readers to embrace historical certainty of what he taught (See Luke 1:1-4).

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The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 – “Work for the Night is Coming”.  “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”  – 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Paul’s counsel drops like a bombshell upon anyone with an entitlement mentality. Paul essentially asserts, “If you don’t work, starve.” Now, certainly he would make allowances for those who are infirm or disabled. His injunction is obviously meant for able-bodied men and women who choose to be idle. In Exodus 20:8-9, the same commandment that calls upon us to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” also asserts, “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, …”. Someone once quipped, “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.” The Apostle Paul would say, “Amen!”

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The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 – “…Brothers, Pray for Us…”.   “… pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored …”. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Every Christian longs for the day when this prayer request is answered by God in the affirmative. Isaac Watts expressed our longings like this – “We long to see your churches full, that all the chosen race may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing your redeeming grace.” Only God by His Spirit is able to build His church. Some plant the seed of the gospel. Others water the seeds that were planted. But only God can grow a local church. Paul states, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

(1 Corinthians 3:7) Paul believed this, therefore, the simple prayer request, “… pray for us…”.

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

The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – “Thanksgiving Day for the Apostle Paul”.   “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord …”. – 2 Thessalonians 2:13

The Apostle Paul loved the Thessalonians. He was instrumental in planting this church and he continued to provide them sound spiritual guidance as they suffered for the cause of Christ. But, more importantly, they were loved by God. They had been chosen by God before the foundation of the world for salvation. They were being sanctified by the Holy Spirit – they were growing in likeness to Christ. God had effectually called them and enabled them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. And one day they will obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. They can sing the song even now in this world – “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!”

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

The sermon is 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 –  “ The Deception Caused by the Man of Lawlessness. “… they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Christians love the truth of God’s Word. James 1:18 states, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth …”. Then, James says, “… receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21) God uses the truth of Scripture to save His people; And He uses the truth of Scripture to grow His people. God’s people exclaim, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

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