Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church

The sermon is from Exodus 20:8-11; Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians 16:1-2; Revelation 1:10 – “Remembering the Forgotten Sabbath Day”.  “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8

Kevin DeYoung published a book in 2013 entitled, “Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem.” In the book, he addresses an all-to-common problem for 21st Century Americans. Many of us live life at a frenetic pace; we are like breathless hamsters in a cage running on a wheel. The 4th Commandment demonstrates God’s concern for us; he loves us enough to command us, “Take a day of rest (that is what ‘Sabbath’ means) each week.” At Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church, we will begin a 6-week study on the 4th Commandment on January 28th. Please come and discover why the day is a “delight” for Christians (Isaiah 58:13).

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

The sermon is from Matthew 28:16-20 –Is HWPC a “Confessional Church” or a “Missional Church”? “… contend for the faith … save others by snatching them out of the fire; …” – Jude 3, 23

Is your church “confessional” or “missional”? Does it devote most of its time to teaching the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and contending “for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)? Or, does your church focus primarily upon obeying Christ’s Great Commission and “snatching them [the lost] out of the fire” (Jude 23)? Must a church be “either/or” in this important matter? Or, can a church be “both/and”? Come this Sunday and worship with us at Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church as we seek to answer this question.

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

The sermon is from Acts 2:42-47/Hebrews 10:24-25 – “Will Only Church Members be in Heaven?”.

“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:47

How important is church membership according to Scripture? Listen to this statement from the Westminster Confession of Faith used by Presbyterians – “The visible church … is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.” (Chapter 25; Section 2). Is this statement from the Confession in accord with the teaching of Scripture? Come to Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church this Sunday as we seek to answer this question from the Bible.

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

The sermon is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – “What is the Gospel?”. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, ….”
–1 Corinthians 15:1

Notice in our verse above, the Corinthians needed a reminder concerning the gospel. Do 21^st Century American Christians need the same reminder? Let’s explore this with a “pop quiz.” My quiz contains one simple question – “What is the Gospel?” How would you answer? If you struggle to answer this question, call me or email me (901-299-4025; dougpca@bellsouth.net); I would love to talk with you about the Gospel or mail you material that answers this question. Or better yet, come worship with us this Sunday at Hickory Withe Presbyterian Church! I will answer the question, “What is the Gospel?” in my sermon.

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

The sermon is from Luke 24:36-53 – – “Let’s End the Year with Easter”. “… then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, …”

Luke 24:45: “ The eleven remaining apostles had seen the resurrected Christ with their eyes and touched him with their hands; they had witnessed him eat the piece of broiled fish. But their minds remained closed to the Scriptural significance of what they had seen, heard, and touched. The same is true of us; we may have vague ideas about God, ourselves, and the meaning of human existence; but God the Holy Spirit (who is called ‘the Spirit of Christ’ – Romans 8:9) must open our minds to understand the message of the Bible. Please spend time reading the Bible to discover its message to humanity, but as you read, pray for understanding (Psalm 119:18).

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:57- 66– “His Name is John”.  “… immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, …” – Luke 1:64

Disbelieving the Word of God has consequences. For Zechariah, that meant being silent and unable to speak (probably for nine months) during Elizabeth’s pregnancy (See Luke 1:18-25). He did not believe God’s message through the angel Gabriel. So, God disciplined him in a unique way. He could not speak; he could only communicate by means of signs and a writing tablet until he obeyed the Word of God and named his son John. When he did obey this command, as our passage says, “… his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, ….” What about you during this Christmas season? Have you obeyed the Gospel summons to repentance and faith? When you do, your tongue shall also be loosed and you will begin to praise the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:39-45– “When a Baby Leapt in the Womb”. “… the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” – Luke 1:44

We err greatly and terribly if we think the ‘fetus’ in a mother’s womb is a ‘blob of tissue’ or if we think that it lacks personhood. God’s Word differs emphatically with our culture’s fatal misunderstanding. Psalm 139 states, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. … My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139:13-16). John the Baptist’s joy over the Messiah’s birth began in the womb and continued throughout his life and earthly ministry (See John 3:25-30).

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

The sermon is from Luke 1:26-38 – “The Virgin Birth”.  “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’” – Luke 1:34

Do you believe in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? A young, 1st Century Jewish girl certainly did. Imagine her fear when the mighty angel, Gabriel, uttered his stunning announcement (Luke 1:28-33). Ponder for a moment the racings of her mind as she sought to comprehend the angel’s announcement and her virginity (1:34). Consider her contemplations as she processed the angel’s answer to her question (1:35-38). Try to re-create in your own mind her wonder as the symptoms of pregnancy began and progressed. We also should experience such wonder, praise, and thanksgiving this Christmas as we worship the virgin born Son of God.

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

The sermon is from Luke 23:32-43 – “The Dying Thief Rejoiced.”  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42

Preachers must fuss on occasion; so, please allow me to fuss a little today. Most 21st Century American churches have jettisoned the old hymnbooks. In doing so, they have sold their birthright for a “mess of pottage.” (Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:15-17). Modern, man-centered ditties cannot convey the robust doctrines of God’s grace found in the Bible. Case in point (for anyone who might remember it; and there are many other old hymns I could cite; refer to the Trinity Hymnal, if you can find one!), William Cowper memorialized our passage in Luke 23 by penning these lyrics – “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there have I, as vile as he, washed all my sins away, ….” There, enough said. I feel better already and with Cowper’s assistance, I have pointed you to the sinner’s only comfort in life and in death – Jesus Christ.

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

The sermon is from Luke 17:11-19 – “Where are the Nine?”  “Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?’” – Luke 17:17

Thankfulness characterizes Christians who embrace the good news of the Gospel. They have understood the “bad news;” by nature, they are rebels who have broken God’s moral law and who deserve eternal punishment in hell. But by the grace of God, they now understand the “good news;” God loves sinners enough to send his Son to bear the wrath they deserve and to free them from the cursed load of sin. Little wonder Paul writes to Christians, “… give thanks in all circumstances …” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). One person wrote, “I cried to him in time of need: Lord God, O hear my calling! For death he gave me life indeed and kept my feet from falling. For this my thanks shall endless be; O thank him, thank our God with me, To God all praise and glory!” This Thanksgiving, let us begin on earth what will occupy our time forever in heaven.

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