The Plowman

Entering Our Sabbath Rest

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on January 5, 2009

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An exposition of Genesis 2:1-3. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 4, 2009.

Introduction
Have you noticed we live in a hectic world? You’re thinking, “Duh? This guy’s brilliant.” Of course you’ve noticed that. Everybody is busy. We all acknowledge we’re too busy. We don’t have time to do what we do and yet there is more to do. School, work, ball games, clubs, organizations, church activities. Most of us have our week planned for us with each day full with just our routine schedule. What do we do about things that come up? What about the unexpected? Add to our hectic schedules the fact that our world is changing rapidly. There was a time when things changed gradually if they changed at all! Now everything changes – with little or no notice. Add to the restlessness of our busy schedules the inner turmoil that rages in the heart of the average person. Do you think we have enough to worry about? We worry about keeping our jobs; we worry about the safety of our children. We worry about the stability of the political climate in our shrinking world. We worry about the economy. Is it any wonder that we have record numbers of emotional illnesses? Is it any wonder that heart disease and stomach disorders abound? If you’re concerned about your finances now might be the time to invest in Rolaids! What do we do? How do we turn things around? How do we find rest in this restless world? Well, maybe we’d better start at the beginning – literally.

Text: Genesis 2:1-3

We have a lot to learn from the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. There is far more present than meets the eye.

Do you remember the “Bible Code”? Whenever I’m asked about my response to the Bible Code I say I am far more concerned with what the Bible plainly says than any hidden messages encoded in its text. I’m not all that interested in whether the Bible has an encoded message about Adolf Hitler or the assassination of JFK. I am far more interested in folks knowing that the Bible makes it clear that there is an answer to our sin problem and the answer’s name is Jesus! Rather than searching for hidden messages through the use of sophisticated computer programs why not dig into the text itself and mine its treasure to feed our souls?

As we explore the opening words of the book of beginnings we discover that our God is the self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal God. He is creator of all that is. He is a God of order rather than chaos and the creation itself is good.

This evening we discover:
Thesis: The seventh day of creation provides insight into God’s plan and purpose for His people.

Reflected in our text are the two goals the Lord has in mind for His people – rest and holiness.

I. The plan of God includes rest for the restless.
The OT is preparation for the coming of Christ – the promised Messiah. The OT is full of symbols and pictures pointing to the reality – the Lord Jesus. What is the OT about? Christ.

Do you remember the Lord Jesus walking with the two on the road to Emaus? What did He talk about? Using the Scriptures He spoke of himself. What Scriptures? The OT!

Keep that in mind as we look at the text. What does it mean God “rested”? Took a nap? Dozed off? Didn’t pay attention? Was indifferent to what went on?

We know that it was not that God was tired. It is not that he was plumb tuckered out from all that creat’n. He is omnipotent. He doesn’t grow weary or tired. Neither does he slumber or sleep.

We also know that He is, in addition to being the Creator, the Preserver, Provider, Redeemer and Judge. He remains very active in His creation. Note there is no reference to morning and evening in day seven – no end to this Sabbath.

What does it mean then? God rested from the work of creation. It must also be noted the word used in Hebrew is closely related to the word for peace – an element I believe is important as we proceed.

Now turn to Exodus 20:8-11 this is the first reference to man joining in the Sabbath. This is the first command for him to do so. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Now look at Exodus 31:12-17. (Note sign between me and you. Note the connection with holiness.) Psalm 62:1,5 — Psalm 95:7-11.

“Wait a minute pastor, I think you’re stretching this a bit too far.” Look at Hebrews 3:12-15,19; 4:1-6.

The OT Sabbath was a picture. A picture of what? A picture of salvation in Christ. All of the OT rituals were pictures and allusions to Christ. The Sabbath was a picture of the fact that salvation is not the result of work. It is wholly of grace! Romans 4:5.

To enter into the rest of God we have to have our sin dealt with – Christ has done just that. As a result He, himself, is our peace. He is our rest. John 14:1, 27.

Now if God has purposed that His people should enter into this rest – why is it that a restless world will not run to embrace this rest? That brings us to the second thing in our text.

II. The plan of God provides sanctification for the wicked.
Holiness – that is why the world doesn’t want to embrace this rest. If you come to this rest – you come to God who is sovereign, omnipotent and holy! Sinners can’t find God for the same reason crooks can’t find police officers – they don’t want to find him!

Exodus 31:13 – “I am the Lord who makes you holy.” This is God’s plan and purpose for His people and has been since the creation of the world. That fact is reflected in the 7th day of the creation.

The Never-Ending Faithfulness of God

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An exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:9. This message by Andrew Hoyt was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 28, 2008.

Living in Light of His Return

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An exposition of Revelation 22:6-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 4, 2009.

Introduction
It’s history’s grand moment. It is the climax of world events. It is the believer’s blessed hope and the nonbeliever’s greatest nightmare. It dominated the thinking of the early church. It permeated their preaching and teaching. It informed and motivated their ethic. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is clear from the writings of the apostle Paul that the early church believed that the Lord could return at any moment. That thought excited and motivated them. Two thousand years later that thought does not dominate the thinking of most Christians. There are exceptions. There are the prophecy teachers who major on world events and the prophetic clock. But that is not the kind of thinking that dominated the early church. It was not a matter of “clock watching” but rather a lifestyle. They loved and longed for the Lord’s appearing.

For the last few weeks we’ve been looking at heaven through the eyes of John the beloved. John has given us a vision of what is to come. We’ve been ushered into the throne room of heaven. We’ve seen the Lord seated on his throne sovereignly controlling all things. We’ve seen the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that had been slaughtered – who alone has the authority to open the scroll and march history to its predetermined end. We’ve heard of the new heaven and new earth. We’ve heard of streets of gold and gates of pearl. As we come to the end of this vision – things seem a bit disjointed. It is as if John knows he needs to wrap things up but he has so much to say.

In some respects John is coming to the bottom line. You know what the bottom line is. You list all your assets. Subtract your liabilities and the sum is the bottom line. It tells you where you stand. When we talk about heaven we are not just talking about the beauty of that place. It is not just a matter of the glorious things going on there. The bottom line is that fact that none of that matters if you are not going!

The bottom line has to due with whether that is your eternal destiny. And if it is – are you living in light of going? Do you live each day in light of the Lord’s return?

Text: Revelation 22:6-21

What does it mean to live in light of the Lord’s return? If I’m living in light of his return – what will my life look like? From our text we note 5 characteristics of a life lived in light of our Lord’s return.

I. Living in light of His return creates an air of expectancy. (22:6-7)
Verse six tells us these things must “soon” take place. 22:7 – “Behold, I am coming soon.” Present tense – not future. Not – “I’ll be back some day” or “I’ll see you later” – but “I’m on the way.”

The early church was consumed with the thought that the Lord might come at any minute. They were convinced he would return in their lifetime. I’m convinced this is how we are to live. How would that effect your life? Would it impact your choices?

“Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Blessed is the one who is obedient. Blessed is the one who puts into practice the things discussed here. The point of the book of Revelation is not to feed our fascination about the future but to cause us to heed the commands of God today! It is not about drawing up charts of end time events but about living godly lives and lives of personal holiness.

II. Living in light of His return requires a worshipful spirit. (22:8-9)
The thought of heaven inflames our worship of God today. “Worship” = to kiss forward. It involves a show of affection and a sign of humiliation/submission. A study of heaven and our future ought to cause us to love God more and worship him with new depth. No other book of the Bible ought to cause us to worship Christ more than the book of Revelation. For no other book unveils the glories of the risen Christ more.

III. Living in light of His return demands a believing heart. (22:10-17)
Any study of heaven ought to make you want to go there. The reader is at a crossroads – a choice must be made. “Do not seal up the prophecy” is an appeal to take the message to the people. This is not a “secret” message. It is to be declared to the world.

IV. Living in light of His return demands clear thinking. (22:18-19)
A word of warning for those who would reject the message of this book. This is a simple, straightforward warning about tampering with the message of God. Not that different from the one Paul gives in Galatians 1:8-9. It is a serious matter to distort, delude or deny the truth about the second coming of the Lord Jesus or heaven.

V. Living in light of his return enables a confident hope. (22:20-21)

For the third time in this passage the Lord confirms the fact that he is coming soon. The word means quickly or rapidly. His coming is upon us. How am I to live in light of the Lord’s return?
• With an air of expectancy
• With a worshipful spirit
• With a believing heart
• With a clear mind
• With a confident hope

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Christmas Is for Children

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on December 21, 2008

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An exposition of Luke 18:15-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 21, 2008.

Introduction:
Christmas is a wonderful time. I love the sights, the sounds and the smells of Christmas. I love the music, the laughter and the joy – but most of all I love to watch the faces of the children at Christmas. My most vivid memories are those of my children opening presents. The wide-eyed wonder, the thrill and surprise of discovery and the joy of exceeded expectations. Nothing compares with a child’s fascination or sense of wonder. Everything is new and wonderful. In that sense it is true…Christmas is for children. Something was lost when our kids got older. Instead of racing in on Christmas morning eager to open presents they drug themselves out of bed, after the second or third urging, and made their way into the living room. They were still grateful and appreciative but it was just not the same. I can’t wait for grandchildren (no pressure, I’m just saying). But it is also true to say in a more profound way – “Christmas is for children.” That is if we understand what Christmas is all about.

Christmas is about God’s wild and extravagant love for rebels. It is about God’s reconciling love. About how God in grace and mercy sought out a people for His own glory. Christmas is about the gospel. The birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth. I’m not just talking about his being born of a virgin but the reason for his coming. He came on a mission. He came for a specific purpose. He came to redeem His people. Christmas is about the kingdom of God. What does the Kingdom of God have to do with children? That’s what we discover in the 18th chapter of Luke’s gospel.

Luke 18:15-17
Just prior to our text the Lord Jesus dealt with the question “How is a man made right with God?” In dramatic fashion Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee the other a tax collector. Both prayed. One left “justified” the other left under the judgment of God. The surprising thing was which was which! It was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who went home justified. From their example we learn that God rejects the pious claims of the self-righteous but graciously responds to the humble cry of the repentant sinner. That theme is picked up again and amplified in our text.
18:15 – Here we find that great crowds of people are bringing their small children to Jesus in order for them to be blessed. This was a common thing in Jewish culture. The disciples are a little miffed at the crowd for their intrusion. It is easy to rag on the disciples at this point but remember the circumstance. They are on their way to Jerusalem. They don’t want Jesus to go. He keeps saying he has to go. They are sure that the end result will be disastrous. He keeps talking about death and going away.

They don’t know what is going to happen but they are certain he doesn’t need to be bothered by a bunch of nagging parents and screaming children. So they rebuke these parents for their actions. “Leave the rabbi alone.” “Get that snotty-nosed kid out of here.” “The rabbi has important things to take care off he doesn’t have time for this now.” They were trying to protect him. They know that crowds regularly take advantage of his kindness.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘ let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” Now Luke leaves out something that Mark says about Jesus’ response. In Mark 10:14 we learn that Jesus was “indignant” with his disciples. He was furious with them because of their actions. It is interesting to note when Jesus gets angry and what sets him off! “How dare you hinder their coming to me” – that was our Lord’s response.

Then he seized upon the opportunity to instruct them about life in the Kingdom. “Do not hinder their coming to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

These are strong words. Let the closing words of verse 17 sink in. “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” It is this way or no way. Could it be any clearer? Is there a simpler, more direct way to state it?

Thesis: “Entrance into the Kingdom of God demands simple, childlike faith.”
Now be careful we are talking about childlike faith not childish faith and there is a vast difference. Childish is a simplistic, silly immature believing. Childlike suggests attractive and admirable qualities of childhood such as innocence and trust.

In fact I think there are two characteristics of childlike faith reflected in our text.

I. Childlike faith is a helpless, dependent faith. (18:16)
Jesus did not say the kingdom of God belongs to these children or to children but those who are “like children.”

The kingdom of God belongs to those who are “childlike.” What is the quality of being as a child, especially those described in our text? The word used for the children is the word for infant. The parallel passages in Matthew and Mark talk of Jesus taking them in his arms. These are young children – babes, infants. What is the distinctiveness of an infant? They are helpless!

This is the objective state of every child ever born. Regardless of race, culture or background they are helpless. Even if it is your grandchild and he or she is brilliant – every infant is helpless and dependent! That is the nature of infancy.

That tiny beautiful naked little newborn with its arms flailing and feet kicking is doomed if someone doesn’t do something! I know he has your eyes and no doubt he is brilliant but the fact is he will not survive on his own. And unlike other creatures that helplessness extends for years. Just when you think they are growing out of that helpless stage they become teenagers and they are helpless again!

Jesus said if you desire to enter the Kingdom of God you must becomes as a little child. Every child born into the world is absolutely, completely, totally, actually helpless and the same is true of every child born into the Kingdom of God. Children of the Kingdom enter it helpless or they do not enter it at all!

If you enter the Kingdom of God it will not be because of your faithfulness to this or any other church. It will not be because of sacrificial giving to the work of the Kingdom through your tithes and offerings. It will not be because you’ve been a faithful husband or wife. Not because of the example you set for your children. It will not be because of your testimony among your co-workers or within your community. If you enter the Kingdom of God it will be because you came to Christ as a helpless child. It will be because of God’s undeserved kindness toward your helplessness.

II. Childlike faith is an unpretentious, accepting faith. (18:17)
Jesus moves from becoming “as a child” to “receiving like a child.” What are the elements of childlike receiving?

Pastor Kent Hughes suggests four characteristics of childlike receiving.

Such receiving is one of unbelievable trust. Children trust others for everything – food, shelter, and clothing. Children are extremely trusting.
Second there is genuine humility. Children don’t engage in the various forms of pride that we adults indulge. Unlike the Pharisee Jesus described in 18:11, little children are not proud of their virtues. A child does not battle self-righteousness in coming to Christ.
Then there is a ready receptivity. Children know how to receive a gift – they take it! A child doesn’t bother to wonder whether he has deserved the gift. “Do I really deserve all this attention?” They take it because it is there!
Finally there is unabashed love. Children easily return love for loving gifts. Enthusiastic hugs and kisses and multiple thanks are showered on the giver.

What does it require to enter the Kingdom of God?

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

A Politically Incorrect Christmas Message

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on December 15, 2008

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An exposition of 1 John 5:6-13. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 14, 2008.

Introduction:
There was this seminary president, this Jewish rabbi and a Messianic Jew together in a television studio…I know it sounds like a bad joke but it was the setting for an episode of the Donahue Show on MSNBC back in August of 2002. Al Mohler from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Shmuley Boteach – the rabbi, and Michael Brown were on the program to “discuss” whether Jews were “going to heaven” or if they needed to be converted to Christianity. I was pleased that Mohler and Brown were the two representing our point of view because both are intelligent, articulate and gracious. Traits that were definitely needed given that the program quickly degenerated into an attack on historic Christianity. Mohler laid the ground work by saying, “Christians believe that all persons can go to heaven who come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no discrimination on the basis of ethnic or racial or national issues…it is those who are in Christ. The defining issue is faith in Christ.” He later said that all people are sinners and in need of a savior. He declared Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and man. He also pointed out that the Gospel is first to the Jew and then to the gentiles.

That position was said to be, “the cause of anti-Semitism; that it reeks of prejudice and stirs the soul to evil behavior.” The Christian Church was accused of, “trying to spiritually annihilate Jews by removing every last Jew on the face of the earth and converting them to Christianity and Jesus.” Those who believe this Gospel were declared to be “spiritual Neanderthals with repulsive, revolting views.” Evangelism was equated with “spiritual terrorism.” But that was just in the opening moments of the program. Things went downhill after that!

My point is we are living in a society that has already openly asked, “What does Christ have to do with Christmas?” Our culture has done its best to remove any hint of spirituality from the Christmas season. What is of greater concern to me is that an increasing number of folks seem to be asking, “What does Christ have to do with Christianity?” The biblical Gospel, the historic message of the Christian church is not only questioned, it is openly denied and despised! What is the church to do? How are we to respond to the growing animosity?

Thesis: Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.

Text: 1 John 5:6-13

The problem in our culture is there are those who want to gut the content of the Christian faith but then live according to its ethic - and that is not possible. The ethic is based on the content! In John’s day there were those who had “moved beyond” the simple truths of the Gospel to so called “greater truths.” They had moved on to a higher truth, into a secret knowledge.

In our text he addresses the historical context and makes some bold pronouncements about the Gospel. Truths that we must boldly proclaim today.

I. John identifies Jesus as the one true Redeemer. (5:6-8)
This is a difficult text – Plummer referred to it as, “the most perplexing passage in the Epistle and one of the most perplexing in the New Testament.”

The problem is first textual with some language found in the KJV in verse 7 that is not in the Greek manuscripts – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.” But the greater difficulty is with the wording, “who came by water and blood…”

I’m convinced this is a reference to His baptism (water) and his crucifixion (blood). Thus John is identifying who Jesus is. He is of divine origin – “this is he who came…” He is identified with man - “this is he who came by water…” He is the Redeemer – “this is he who came by water and blood…”

This is an emphatic statement. The repetition is there to drive home the point – to deny any one element is to deny the whole. If one element is missing – the others are incomprehensible. John states this in a rather forceful way. Note the testimony of the Holy Spirit – 5:6-8.

II. John sets forth the testimony that must be believed. (5:9-11)
John argues from the simpler to the greater. If we believe man’s testimony – surely we would believe God’s! John says we are accountable for this testimony – 5:10. This is strong language – to reject the testimony is to call God a liar! Note the simplicity of the testimony – 5:11.

What is John talking about in verses 9-11? He is talking about that inward witness of the Spirit in the heart of the believer. That witness that responds when we hear of the glory of Christ or the wonder of the Gospel. That thing inside of us that shouts, “Yes! I know that is true.”

When singing those great hymns of the work of Christ and that voice within says, “Amen!” But what if you do not have this witness? Then seek Christ!

III. John unapologetically proclaims that Jesus Christ as the only means of being made right with God. (5:12)
Any confusion or doubt is eliminated with verse 12. There can be no denying what John has been saying.
It is cut and dried. Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.

Salvation is found in Christ and in Christ alone. That’s not a popular message but it is an essential truth. It may be politically incorrect but it is the eternal truth. There is no salvation apart from this truth. Without it Christmas is without meaning.

Responding to God’s Grace

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on December 12, 2008

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An exposition of Matthew 22:1-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Bapitst Church on Wednesday evening, December 10, 2008.

Who is this Child Born in Bethelem’s Stable?

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on December 7, 2008

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An exposition of Matthew 27:1-26. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 12, 2008.

The Christmas Season is in full swing. I’ve already seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and I’ve watched The Christmas Story for the first of what will be about 10 over the next few weeks. Black Friday has come and gone with at least 1 fatality up in New York. Nothing says “Christmas” like the trampling of a human being on your way to saving a buck at Wal-Mart! Perhaps I’ve grown a little skeptical as I’ve gotten older. I still love Christmas. I love the music (both sacred and secular). I love the movies and television shows. But I have to admit it has lost its luster through the years and that’s a good thing. I think it is a good thing because Christmas has become less and less about Christ and more and more about us. We now live in a world where it is “offensive” to say, “Merry Christmas.” Schools must have “winter holiday programs” instead of Christmas programs. Winter break has replaced Christmas break. In Washington state they now have to allow for equal time in the public square and so along side “the holiday tree” in the state capital is a sign placed by a group of atheists and agnostics which reads, “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” In addition the group has placed billboards near a nativity scene that reads, “Reasons Greetings.” How is it that the “Christmas Celebration” grows larger and larger while Christ is shoved further and further away? The simple answer is Christ has little to do with today’s Christmas celebration.

Folks can choose to ignore Him if they like. They can have a wonderful time giving gifts, eating and celebrating with family and friends and give absolutely no thought to the Christ. But they cannot do so with impunity. There is a price to pay for a Christ-less Christmas. Just who was that child who was born in Bethlehem’s stable? Was he the Son of God? Is he a myth? A charlatan? It is a question worth considering. In fact…

Thesis: You cannot avoid it, you must decide what you believe about Jesus of Nazareth and you must be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision.

Often our focus at Christmas is the babe in the manger. That’s understandable – yet unfortunate. Because apart from His life and what He accomplished – His birth is without meaning. His was not a “birth” like ours. His was an “advent” or coming. He is the eternal one made flesh. And He came on a mission. He came with a specific purpose – He was born to die, to rise again and give life to all who trust in Him. With that in mind I want us to consider the question of who He is by looking at the end of his earthly life. Our text this evening is found in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 27.

Text: Matthew 27:1-26

I. I want you to note, first of all, how the religious establishment’s response of hatred refused to even consider the truth. (27:1-2)
Blinded by their own agenda the religious establishment sought his death from the beginning of his ministry. We see the first rumblings in that house in Capernaum at the beginning of his ministry (Mark 2, Matthew 9).

John tells us that Jesus was taken to the house of Annas. Annas was High Priest AD 6-15. His son-in-law Ciaphas was the current High Priest. Annas was the power behind the power.

Back up to chapter 26:57 and following. They were waiting – assembled in the middle of the night!
This was an illegal court. Note the wording of verse 59- they were looking for “false evidence”. Yet Jesus was so pure – they couldn’t even dig up false evidence. Finally two men come forward with a charge of blasphemy.

The brilliance is in the question he asked – note 26:63. If he had asked if Jesus was the Messiah or just the Son of God – that would have allowed for loopholes. By placing them together he was asking, “Are you the Messiah who is God?”

If Jesus said, “Yes” that is blasphemy and that is a capital crime. Note Jesus’ answer – 26:64 – that sealed his fate. He left no room for questions.

The verdict – 26:65-66. These leaders were not substantially different from millions of careless people in our own day. Christ is proclaimed as God’s unique Son, but millions reject that claim and turn their backs on him.

From the religious establishment we learn that blind rage gladly exchanges the truth for a lie.

II. Second I would have you note that, Judas’ sentimental response proves inadequate. (27:3-10)
This text is unique to Matthew’s Gospel. Here we read of the tragic end to the black-hearted disciple. Now you may think I’m a bit hard on Judas – especially in light of his response here. But look carefully. What is happening in this passage?

This is not repentance on the part of Judas – it is remorse. There is a world of difference between the two. This is an important distinction to make. Remorse leads to despair while repentance leads to life.

All Judas is acknowledging is that Jesus did not deserve to die. He is feeling bad about what he has done – he has not changed his mind or heart about Jesus.

Thus was have this powerful reminded that mere sentimentality is wholly inadequate. Remorse leads only to despair while repentance leads to life.

Millions will get teary-eyed as Linus recites Luke 2 detailing the account of Jesus’ birth. Both such sentiment is wholly inadequate. A token nod at Christmas is no substitute for repentance and following after Christ.

III. Pilate’s response of indifference willingly yields to the expedient. (27:11-26)
Pilate becomes for us a symbol of indifference and compromise. In a strange way the trial of Jesus puts you on trial. You must decide what you will do with Jesus. You may not hate him the way the religious establishment did. Make no mistake they hated him and wanted him damned. Since hanging on a tree was a sign of God’s curse – seeking to have him crucified was an attempt to damn him. But you don’t have to hate Jesus in order to reject him. You may, like Pilate, reject him through indifference. Or perhaps like Judas your sentimental attachment may prove your undoing. But I want to remind you, you cannot avoid it, you must decide what you believe about Jesus of Nazareth and you must be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision.

You be the judge. What is your verdict?

Unrivaled Glory

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on December 7, 2008

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An exposition of Revelation 22:1-5. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 7, 2008.

Introduction:
They were a young, struggling business but through hard work and determination they were making a go of it. After a couple of years their business took off. Business was so good they expanded opening a new branch on the other side of town. On the day of the grand opening a business associate sent them a flower arrangement. When the arrangement arrived the young couple was a bit perplexed. Finally, convinced that something was wrong they called the florist. “Yes you just delivered an arrangement to our new store…” “Is something wrong?” came the reply. “Well, we’re just confused the ribbon says, ‘our deepest sympathies.’” The voice on the other end of the line in panic cried, “Oh, no. That means the one I sent to the funeral says, ‘congratulations on your new location!’”

If that was a funeral for a child of God – that would be an appropriate sentiment. Heaven is a grand and glorious place. That is one of the reason why John declares, “Blessed are they that die in the Lord.” To be envied. To be congratulated. That sounds strange – but it is a glorious truth. For the last few weeks we have been considering some of the great truths about heaven.

Our guide has been John the beloved apostle. On Patmos – the prisoner of Rome the captive of Christ. He has written his vision to encourage and strengthen us.

I don’t want you to miss the purpose of John’s description of heaven. It is not just to give us hope for the future but also to encourage us to live for him now!

Text: Revelation 22:1-5
After the demise of Satan, following the final judgment, we will enter the eternal state. As we consider the message of Revelation 21-22 we are reminded that:

Thesis: Heaven is a place of unrivaled glory.
Nothing even begins to compare with it. No description is adequate – words cannot do it justice. But the real beauty is not the architecture, the sights or the sounds – but the presence of the Lord Jesus. In our text we find three reasons for why Heaven is such a glorious place.

I. Heaven is a place of gracious and abundant provision. (22:1-2)
John begins with a description of the River of Life promised earlier (21:6). From this stream we will be fully satisfied, fulfilled and blessed. Here is a crystal-clear, flowing stream gushing out of God’s throne and flowing down the middle of the street of gold.

The image is clear – God is the source of this blessing. Those who drink from it find exhilarating ecstasy. The psalmist sang – “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Ps 46:4).

We are told in Genesis that at the dawn of human history there was a river in the Garden of Eden that brought life.

Ezekiel saw this same flowing river along with Joel and Zechariah. Jesus said, “He who believes in me, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” In Rev 7:17 – we read “The Lamb shall guide them to springs of the water of life.” We will drink as much as we want for as long as we want. Our bodies will find strength, our souls will find satisfaction and our spirits will find fulfillment forever.

But John goes on – along the banks of the river we’ll find the tree of life. It is a bit confusing – “on either side stood the tree (singular) of life…” How does a tree stand on either side of the river? Most likely a collective word = park or forest. These trees yield an abundant supply of fruit. This is certainly a different kind of tree – 12 kinds of fruit?

And not, in heaven growing seasons will be a thing of the past! Continuous bumper crop.
The trees will provide “healing” for the nations. Healing = therapeutic
The point – God is the source of this great abundant, overflowing, gracious provision.

II. Heaven is a place of freedom and unhindered service. (22:3)

Look at the opening word of verse 3 – “No longer will there be anything accursed…” In glory the curse placed upon man will be removed – completely gone! God will reverse the effects of sin. No more contending with Satan. No more pin or sorrow. No more death or separation. No more ruthless tyranny by godless men. No more hostility. No more disease or illness. Only peace and health, comfort and pleasure. We’ve never even known a day like that!

But this will be the environment of heaven!!!

What will we do with that freedom? Serve the Lord without ceasing. We will be free to humbly walk in obedience. We’ll be busier than ever. But no burnout. No mid-life crisis. No retirement.

III. Heaven is a place of glorious transformation. (22:4-5)

In heaven we will see the greatest of all sights – the Lord Jesus. We will behold him – face to face. This divine vision is the greatest glory of heaven. Theologians call it the “beatific vision.” Just the sight of him will provoke instant and profound joy.

Imagine it – Our eyes will behold him who died for us. The crucified one The one who gives life

This vision has been the hope of the people of God throughout the ages. Job said, “Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes shall see and not another. My heart faints within me” (Job 19:26-27).

David, in Psalm 17 said, “I shall behold thy face in righteousness.”

R.C. Sproul said, “There is no more difficult problem that attends the life of faith than that we are called to serve and worship God who is utterly invisible to us. As long as we are tainted by sin, we cannot see God. Presently, we cannot look upon a holy God and live.”

But there is coming a day when we will see him face to face. In that very moment – we will be glorified – transformed into his likeness. His name will be upon us – proof of ownership. We will be like him.
There will not be so much as a hint of our fallen nature. Glorified bodies will house the spirits of righteous men made perfect (Heb 12:23).

The glory of heaven is beyond compare. Its size is staggering. Its beauty, breathe-taking. Its glory unrivaled. It is a place of gracious and abundant provision. It is a place of freedom and unhindered service. It is a place of glorious transformation.

Salvation in Christ Alone

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Wayne

on December 5, 2008

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An exposition of Luke 13:22-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, December 3, 2008.

From Bad to Worse

Published

Wayne

on December 1, 2008

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An exposition of Jeremiah 34:1-26. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, November 30, 2008.

Introduction
Do you ever have trouble keeping your commitments? Do you ever promise and then fail to deliver? I find it is very easy to over-commit. To promise to do something because it is needed and I really want to help but the truth is there just isn’t time. The end result is that I disappoint and end up making matters worse. Have you ever promised to pray for someone and then forgot? Ever tell someone that you would call and let them know and then realize too late that you didn’t call? We all fail in these areas and thus cause hurt feelings, strained relationships and at times long-term emotional harm. But what if the one you fail is the Sovereign King of the universe? What happens when you promise God and fail to deliver?

Do you ever think about that? Do you ever consider what it means when you promise God something and then fail to follow through? I’m convinced most do not. I know that a lot of people repeat wedding vows with no thought to what ignoring them means. When you stand before a preacher in a wedding ceremony you take an oath before God to love, cherish, honor, respect and keep yourself only unto your spouse so long as you both shall live. Now with more than half of all marriages ending in divorce do you think those couples have given serious thought to what it means to toss that commitment aside? How many people make God a “promise” if He will just get them out of a jam? “Lord if you get me out of this I promise I’ll never…” – you fill in the blank. Too often we are like the man in the old joke who, fearing he was drowning, began to promise God great things. “If you just let me live I’ll give my life to foreign missions. I got to the jungles of Africa and live out my days preaching your word and loving natives into the kingdom.” As he got closer to the shore, “I promise Lord if you get me out of this I’ll take a week’s vacation and go on a mission trip.” Closer to shore he said, “Honest Lord I’ll give a huge offering every year to Lottie Moon.” Still closer he cried, “I’ll try to go to church more often.” As he drug himself up on the beach he said, “I’ll see you Christmas. Maybe.”

Is it an insignificant thing to promise God something? Is a commitment to God ever to be taken lightly? What does God think about it? We get an idea in our text this evening found in Jeremiah 34 beginning with verse 1.

Text: Jeremiah 34:1-26

Remember the context. Jerusalem is surrounded. They have been under siege for three years. Times are desperate. Word has already come through the prophet – Judah is going into exile. They will be in Babylon for 70 years. The king himself will be taken and will die in Babylon. Are you tempted to promise things when things seem hopeless? Is it reasonable to assume that desperate people take desperate measures? As we explore this chapter I think we come away understanding that…

Thesis: Failure to fulfill a solemn vow before God ignites His sovereign wrath.

Let me give you just a few examples:

For thus says the Lord GOD: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have
despised the oath in breaking the covenant… Ezekiel 16:59

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my
covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. Ezekiel 17:19

Lets walk through this chapter together and note a few things along the way.

I. A troubling and yet gracious announcement. (34:1-7)
34:1 – sets the stage and reminds us of the severity of the situation. These are desperate times.
Nebuchadnezzar, his army, all the kings under his dominion, all the peoples. The whole world is against us. 34:6-7 reinforces it. So Jeremiah is sent to the king with a message from God. Keep in mind Jeremiah has already been imprisoned because of his preaching! How would you like to deliver this message?
34:2 – “A…king, your majesty…God said to tell you He has given your kingdom to the enemy and they are going to burn it to the ground and you are not going to escape. You will meet with Nebuchadnezzar face to face, eye to eye.” This was not going to be a pleasant chat! And yet note God’s kindness to Zedekiah – 34:4-5. All of this is background to what happens next. God was faithful and gracious though the king was not.

II. A treacherous deal. (34:8-11)
This is the Israelite version of the emancipation proclamation. A declaration setting slaves free. Slavery as practiced among the people of God in that day was scandalous. It was a clear violation of the law of God:

“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. Exodus 21:1-2

The same command is given in Deuteronomy 15:12.

“If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: 40 he shall be with you as a hired servant and as a sojourner. He shall serve with you until the year of the jubilee. 41 Then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own clan and return to the possession of his fathers. 42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. Leviticus 25:39-42

The Sabbath Year and the Jubilee Year granted freedom to the captives. Because the people belonged to God, the could not be sold to one another. Now the king and the people had ignored God’s law for centuries. But now with the real prospect of “facing God” they decided to repent and obey God’s law. So they set their prisoners free. Why? Was it political? Was it “cramming for the final exam?” I don’t know what the motivation was – I just know it was not sincere!

34:11 – they revoked their repentance. They repented of ever repenting.

Back to where we started.

The threat is over? “Lord, I’ll see you Christmas. Maybe.” This is the way the ungodly respond to crisis. How many ungodly people send for the preacher when in the hospital but completely fail to acknowledge God once they are well? Crisis confessions often ring hollow. Not all. But most. That brings us to the final section…

III. A call for sovereign justice. (34:12-26)
God reminded them they were once slaves. He reminded them He promised deliverance. Yet He was faithful while they were faithless. 34:15-16 – this is a stinging rebuke. So this is what I will do – 34:17-19. I’m going to pronounce a little “freedom” myself. Freedom to the sword, pestilence and famine. He is handing them over to their enemies. Justice will be done.

What’s the point of all this? Failure to fulfill a solemn vow before God ignites His sovereign wrath. In practical terms – you are better off not to promise God you’ll so something than to promise Him and not do it. When you violate a vow you bring judgment on your own head. Be careful what you promise. You may take a bad situation and make it worse.