Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church

The sermon is from Romans 9:14-18 – “Have We Truly Understood the Mercy of God?”  “Is there injustice on God’s part?” – Romans 9:14

Christians respond to the above question with clarity and conviction, “Perish the thought!” Abraham certainly responded in a similar way in Genesis 18:25, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” But the doctrine of election is often called “unfair” or “unjust” by foes and friends of the Bible. Paul knows this, of course; he is anticipating the accusation and he is providing his answer in Romans 9:14-24. Let me encourage you to set to the side for a moment any arguments you have with the Biblical doctrine of election; read, meditate, pray, and ask God for understanding. Paul also teaches this doctrine in Ephesians 1:3-14; this passage is one continuous, paean of praise. My prayer for you is that you would join with Paul and rejoice in God’s unsearchable riches in Christ.

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The sermon is from Romans 9:10-13 – “Set Apart Before I was Born”. “… though they were not yet born and had done anything either good or bad …” – Romans 9:11

Christians have squabbled for centuries over the Bible’s teaching on election. It is a Biblical word; it is found in the pages of Scripture. If one is going to be a “Bible-believing” Christian, he must believe something about the teaching. One camp says, “God chooses those who choose him. God knows all things that will occur in human history. He, therefore, ‘looks down through the tunnel of time’ and sees who will choose him. And, then, he chooses those who choose him.” The other camp says, “God chooses those who would never choose him.” Based on Romans 9:11, which of these two views would the Apostle Paul approve?

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The sermon is from Psalm 69:13-17 – “Magnificent Mercy”.  “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” – Romans 11:33

In Romans Chapter 11, verses 33-36, Paul concludes his three-chapter treatment related to God’s sovereign purposes in world history and in redemptive history. He brings this section to a close with adoration, worship, and praise. He has imparted to his readers “… a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7) God’s redemptive purposes in Christ cannot be hindered or thwarted. And this is great reason for praise, exultation, and heart-felt worship for God’s people. God in grace has scripted us into his grand designs. If we know Christ, we are recipients of an eternal inheritance “… that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ….” (1 Peter 1:4)

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The sermon is from Romans 9:6-9 – “The Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever; the Plans of His Heart to all Generations”.  “But it is not as though the word of God has failed.” – Romans 9:6

In his hymn, “Rejoice, the Lord is King,” 18th Century hymn-writer, Charles Wesley penned this stanza, “His kingdom cannot fail, he rules o’er earth and heaven; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given.” God’s purposes through Christ in human history will not fail. The prophet Isaiah underscores this invigorating truth, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) The promised success of “God’s gospel” (Romans 1:1) serves as a great encouragement for Christians who faithfully bear witness to Christ.

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The sermon is from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – “True Wisdom”. “… but we preach Christ crucified, …” – 1 Corinthians 1:23

One detects in Paul a determination to preach a crucified Christ and to resist the efforts of some to get him “off message.” 1st Century Jews rejected the declaration that their promised Messiah was crucified. They demanded signs of political power and glory in their Messiah; Christ in his humiliation did not fit their expectations. 1st Century Greeks considered the message of the Cross “foolishness.” How could this message of Christ crucified hope to survive in the educational elite and in their halls of learning in the 1st Century? But another group emerged in the city of Corinth under the ministry of the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:1-17). These were the “called;” these were the ones who were brought out of darkness into light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. Now, they confess that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God for their salvation (1 Cor. 1:23). Which of these three groups describes you?

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The sermon is from Romans 9:4-5 – “The Children of Abraham and Their Privilege”.  “… and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.” – Romans 9:5

Christ asked his 1st Century disciples a piercing question in Matthew 16:15 – “Who do YOU say that I am?” The question remains relevant in the 21st Century – “Who do YOU say that Jesus is?” Have you seriously pondered this question? Can you confess with your mouth what you believe about the Person of Christ? Can you articulate before men and women your answer if they ask you, “Who is Jesus?” Paul, in Romans 9:5, assists us greatly – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-3, 14-18, chimes in – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:1, agrees with Paul and John – Christ is God in human flesh; he possesses a divine and a human nature. What about the Christ you worship? Does he possess a divine and human nature? Do you worship the Christ who has revealed himself in Holy Scripture?

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The sermon is from Romans 9:1-3 – “Paul’s Love for His Kinsmen”.  “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers.” – Romans 9:3

We read of two men in the pages of Scripture who were willing to be cursed in the place of God’s rebellious people. First, in Exodus 32:32, we read of Moses saying, “But now, if you will forgive their sin – but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” The second man was the Apostle Paul as we see in Romans 9:3. These men express a willingness to suffer judgment in the place of the people of God. But there is only one man – the God-man, Jesus Christ – who became a curse for God’s people and in turn released them from the curse of the law. In Galatians 3:13, we read, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming the curse for us ….” Thomas Kelley penned these words, “Praise the Savior, ye who know him! Who can tell how much we owe him? Gladly let us render to him all we are and have.”

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The sermon is from Mark 13:32-37- The Olivet Discourse – “Stay Awake”. “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, … nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Mark 13:32

Jesus Christ is one person with two natures; he possesses a divine nature and a human nature; he is fully God and fully human. He is “the Word made flesh …” (John 1:14). One must understand this doctrine to understand Mark 13:32; as a man, there are limitations to his human nature. In his human nature, he cannot be two places at once. He is not omnipresent. In his human nature, he is not “omnipotent;” he took naps in the boat (Mark 4:38). And, here, we see that he was not “omniscient” in his human nature; he did not know the day or the hour of his coming. So, I have two simple questions, “Why have Bible teachers and writers made millions ‘predicting’ Christ’s Second Coming? Do they think they are more intelligent than Christ?”

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:24-31 – The Olivet Discourse – “The Coming of the Son of Man”. “… they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” – Mark 13:26

The Apostle Paul, in his memorable chapter on Christian love, concludes by saying, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Cor. 13:12). The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20), wrote, “… but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). A familiar song states, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I will see; when I gaze into his face, the One who saved me by his grace.” A minister friend of mine was visiting a woman in a nursing home. She asked, “Do you see him?” My friend said, “No.” The woman responded, “Well, … I see Jesus and I am happy!”

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

The sermon is from Mark 13:14-23 – “The Olivet Discourse – The Abomination of Desolation”. “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ …  do not believe it.” – Mark 13:21

The Apostle Paul, Christ’s “chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15), instructed the Thessalonians to “… test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21). Christ would agree with his apostle; he would say, “In a world of false christs and false religious messages, do as Paul commands, ‘Test everything; hold fast what is good.’” Do not believe the Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons at your door. “Everything” includes TV preachers, Christian books, and the Bible teaching podcasts that are proliferating. “Everything” includes your pastor to whom you listen on Sunday. If you do not understand something he said or even disagree with something he teaches, go to him humbly and prayerfully (he probably carries a load); ask him to explain his interpretation of the passage in question. Mimic the Bereans (Acts 17:11).

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