The Plowman

 

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A devotional thought from 2 Timothy 2:8-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist church on Sunday evening, January 25, 2009.

Introduction:
It is easy to be critical of Old Testament Israel for their ability to forget.  Again and again they were instructed by Moses and the prophets, “do not forget.”  Yet, they did again and again.  They gave themselves to other gods.  Gods of the pagan lands around them.  Why would they do it?  How could they do it?  But before we get too smug with our righteous indignation – maybe we should examine our own lives.  Max Lucado suggests that there is a direct correlation between the accuracy of our memory and the effectiveness of our mission.  He says, “If we are not teaching people how to be saved, it is perhaps because we have forgotten the tragedy of being lost.  If we’re not teaching the message of forgiveness, it may be because we don’t remember what it was like to be guilty.  And if we’re not preaching the cross, it could be that we’ve subconsciously decided that – God forbid – somehow we don’t need it.”

We can become, over time, complacent with truth. Like an old shirt – we are comfortable with it. The problem is – we are not to be comfortable with God. God’s holiness and our sinfulness are not “comfortable” truths!

It isn’t that we turn our backs on God. It isn’t that we are not grateful. It is just our minds have wandered. The “crisis” has past and we’ve moved on to other things. In the busyness of life we’ve lost sight of the truth.

It is buried under layers of relationships, assignments, promotions, children, school, jobs, activities, mortgages, tragedy, disappointments and well…life.  This is part of the “fallenness” with which we struggle throughout our days.  This is why the apostle Paul instructed Timothy to remember.

Text: 2 Timothy 2:8-10

Paul, the aged apostle, from death row wrote to his young son in the ministry.  These are his last words.  These are the things he wants Timothy to remember.  These are the most important things to the apostle – “Timothy remember Jesus… Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.  This is my Gospel…”

When times are hard, remember Jesus.  When people don’t listen, remember Jesus.  When tears come, remember Jesus.  When disappointment is your bed partner, remember Jesus.  When fear pitches his tent in your front yard.  When death looms, when anger rages, when shame weighs heavy, remember Jesus.

This table is a table of remembrance. It is one of the means by which we recall the price paid for rebellion.

The message was first preached in the Garden, as God took the life of an innocent to cover Adam’s guilt.  The message thundered through the ages as lambs were sacrificed.  The tearing of flesh, the spilling of blood.  All confirming, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Finally on that quiet night, there came the cry of God’s lamb from Bethlehem’s stable.  John the baptizer declared, “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.”  Then that night in Jerusalem around a banquet table our Lord declared, “This is my body broken for you.  This is the new covenant in my blood.  Take and eat.  Take and drink.”

Tonight we gather to remember.  To remember the price paid for our rebellion.  To remember our substitute who died in our place.  We are to remember our sin and guilt.  Our rebellion and hate.  His love and grace.  This table is about the Gospel.

 

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Galatians #03 - An Exposition of Galatians 2:11-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist church on Sunday morning, January 25, 2009.

Introduction:
It is a fairly common experience.  When inviting someone to church or talking about the Christian faith people will respond with, “I’m not interested in attending anyone’s church they’re all filled with hypocrites.”  I must admit I do not feel the need to argue with them on that point.  More often that not I feel the need to say a hearty, “Amen!”  I’m too aware of my own sin and shortcomings to try to deny such an obviously true statement.  The fact is we all believe better than we practice.  We speak a better faith than we live.  But does that mean we should ignore hypocrisy?  Should we write it off as the natural result of our stumbling toward godliness?  Or should we, in love, confront hypocrisy when we find it?  If we are to confront it, how often are we to confront?  Do we confront every false act?  Do we pounce on every failure?  Do we only worry about “major” offenses?  How do we determine major or minor?  These are important questions because our faith is something we live together.  No one is meant to live his or her faith in isolation but rather as part of the church, part of the family of God.  We need one another.  In the second chapter of Galatians we have this extraordinary account of Paul confronting Peter for an act of hypocrisy.  From this encounter we learn a valuable lesson.  Our text is found in Galatians chapter 2 beginning at verse 11.

Text: Galatians 2:11-21

Thesis: It is not enough to merely understand and accept the gospel or even to defend it.  You must live the gospel allowing it to inform, shape and direct your life.

Outline:

1. Gospel living demands consistency.  (2:11-14)
2. Gospel living is rooted in faith.  (2:15-16)
3. Gospel living finds its identity in Christ.  (2:17-21)

Conclusion: It is not enough to merely understand and accept the gospel or even to defend it.  You must live the gospel, allowing it to inform, shape, and direct your life.

 

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An exposition of Matthew 7:13-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, January 21, 2009.

 

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Jeremiah #50—An exposition of Jeremiah 36:1-32. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 18, 2009.

Introduction
It is an interesting thing.  Most people I talk to believe the Bible.  They have no problem stating they believe it to be “a” word from God.  I’m talking about folks “outside” the church.  They acknowledge the Bible as more than a book.  They are willing to give it special status.  Yet they know very little about what it says.  Even within the church there are those who confidently express their faith and confidence in God’s inerrant and infallible word and yet they embrace ideas that are contrary to the Scripture.  What does it mean to express a high view of Scripture if, in practice, you have a very low view of Scripture?  It is one thing to profess faith in the truthfulness or inerrancy of Scripture and something more to confess the “sufficiency” of Scripture.  This evening as we continue our journey through Jeremiah’s prophecy I want us to consider the doctrine of the Scripture as we come to an historical account of Jeremiah’s prophecy being written down.  Our text is found in the 36th chapter of the book of Jeremiah the prophet.

Text: Jeremiah 36:1-32

I don’t think it is an accident that this account of Jeremiah’s recording his prophecies comes on the heels of the events of chapter 35.  Remember?  The Rechabites, sons of Jonadab, for 250 years have lived in obedience to the commands of their father.  They lived in tents, planted no gardens and drank no wine because that was the wish of their father.  The people of Judah on the other hand repeatedly ignored the command of the Sovereign King of the universe.  God persistently spoke to them and they consistently turned a deaf ear.  His words went in one ear and out the other.  Now we have this account of the giving of Scripture through the prophet to the people.  This happened in the 4th year of the reign of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah.  This happened in 605-605 B.C.

I want to use this text to point out three important principles about God’s Word.

God’s Word is a divine Word.  (36:1-8)
What is it we discover in verse 1?  “This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord…” God initiated it. Second, “take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you…” The words were God’s words not Jeremiah’s.

2 Timothy 3:16-17—2 Peter 1:20-21

4 very important things are learned about the Scripture from this text. This word was given by God – 36:1 This word was given through man – 36:2-4, both Jeremiah and Baruch This word was given for life/salvation – 36:5-7, BF&M – “salvation for its end” This word was indestructible – 36:28, 32

God has revealed himself through His word and offers us life and hope and peace in a relationship with Him.  That relationship comes through His word.

God’s Word is meant to be heard, feared, and shared.  (36:9-19)God did not give his word to be sealed up in a book and put away but rather to be shared.  It is intended to be heard.

36:3 – “so that Judah will hear…” 36:6 – “…go on a day of fasting in the hearing of all the people…you shall read the words of the Lord…”

36:10 – Baruch went to the temple and read the word. What is it Paul says? Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God.

Note the initial reaction – 36:11-15 They wanted to hear what God was saying.

36:16 – note their response to God’s word – they turned to one another in fear. Heard, feared, shared – this is to be our response to God’s word in the hopes that salvation, deliverance might come.

To denigrate, deny or carelessly disregard God’s Word is to incite His sovereign wrath.  (36:20-31)We find the king’s response very different. He would not hear God’s Word. He did not fear it.

Jehoiakim was never a godly king and those around him rarely knew what he would do or how he would react.  So they always prepared for the worst.  Note the precautions they took – 36:19.

An incredible sight – 36:21-23 He didn’t even wait to hear the whole thing – he burned it as he went. Such disregard for the word of God was the practice of those closest to him – 36:24-26.

It is a dangerous thing to show such contempt for what God has spoken. Note God’s response – 36:27-31

How different things were under king Josiah – 2 Kings 22:11 (622 b.c.).

To have God’s Word is a great privilege and an awesome responsibility.  To whom much is given, much is expected.

It is a divine book. It is meant to be heard, feared and shared. And it is a dangerous thing to casually set it aside.

“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25

 

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Galatians #02—An exposition of Galatians 2:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 18, 2009.

Introduction
What are we to do when we disagree?  How are we to handle problems that arise within the church?  Is every issue the same?  Is there “a” way to approach every situation?  What is “the” governing issue?  Is it truth?  Is it love?  Is it the integrity or wholeness of the gospel or is it fellowship and harmony among the members?  These are not merely rhetorical questions.  I don’t know if you are aware of this but Baptists have a reputation for well, “spirited” disagreement.  If you put three Baptists together in a room you will have 5 different opinions!  It is no surprise that the number one means of new Baptist church starts is the church split.  This group gets upset and goes down the street and starts a new work “to the glory of God.”  I know Baptists who think it a badge of honor to stand over the bruised and bleeding body of some misinformed brother whom they have just bludgeoned with the truth.  I know others who would never rise in opposition to any wrong for fear they might disrupt the fellowship.  Both these extremes are patently unbiblical.  They are both unbiblical for the same reason.  They have created a false dichotomy.  They believe you must choose either truth or love.  But the two are not mutually exclusive.  The two go together.  We are told in John chapter 1 that grace and truth have their being in Jesus Christ who is the Word made flesh.  Our Lord was full of both grace and truth.  Biblical truth is grounded in the love of God.  And genuine love is firmly rooted in biblical truth.

The apostle Paul finds himself in a difficult position.  The churches of Galatia have been infiltrated by a group of false teachers who are distorting the gospel.  They are preaching a Jesus plus gospel.  In doing so they are endangering the whole church because if not stopped the gospel itself will be lost.  It is both Paul’s passion for the truth and his love of the brethren that inspire him to respond.  His language is strong and direct but inflamed by his love for Christ, the gospel and those for whom Christ died.  Paul cannot and will not stand idly by while the church is enslaved to a false gospel.  Christ has set us free and we must stand firm in that freedom.  The whole of his letter to the Galatians is about gospel freedom.  And in our text this morning found in the second chapter we discover a powerful principle that must guide us in dealing with disputes within the body of Christ.

Text: Galatians 2:1-10

Paul is still speaking of those who he referred to back in 1:9.—Those who have questioned his apostleship and his gospel.—He gives some autobiographical information for a little historical perspective.—His approach in responding teaches us a valuable lesson about gospel freedom.

Thesis: Gospel freedom seeks a sound biblical balance between a passion for the truth and a genuine love for the brethren.

Both truth and love are essential to our life together.—To be unbalanced in either direction is to hinder the work of God.

Such a balance is not easy to maintain.  It demands that we often walk a fine line.  And one slip in either direction could prove disastrous.  Let me point out three essential principles that must guide us in our application of gospel freedom.

Gospel freedom is concerned about unity as well as truth.  (2:1-2) The gospel has been entrusted to us and we in turn are to hand it to the next generation in its completeness.  We are not to add to it or take away from it.  We are to give to the next generation the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.  Thus truth is not a luxury it is an essential.  I think Paul has demonstrated that rather forcefully in the first chapter!  (1:6-9)

But what is clear in the opening verses of chapter two is that his commitment to truth is not to the exclusion of unity.

2:1-2: Why did he go? Answer: 2:2 – the result of a revelation, to set before them the gospel he was preaching, in order to make sure he was not running in vain. What does that last phrase mean?

If he was not concerned about the truthfulness of his message what was his concern? He went out of his way in order to demonstrate his unity with the 12. This is the message of the church. There is not one message for the Jews and another for the Gentiles. And the gospel does not demand that Gentiles become Jews in order to be saved.

We discover in 2:6 and 2:9 that they were in agreement.

Does doctrine matter?  Absolutely!  Should we address false doctrine and confront those who distort the truth?  Certainly.  But we must be equally concerned for the unity of the body.  We must be willing to swallow our pride and deal openly and honestly when questions are raised about us and what we teach and believe.  We must not arrogantly assume that we are always right and are infallible.

Gospel freedom refuses to compromise truth for the sake of unity.  (2:3-5) While we are concerned for unity it is not a unity at all cost.

This principle guards against the attitude that it is always wrong to disturb/trouble the waters.  There comes a time when the waters must be stirred.  There is a point at which it would be a sin to remain silent.

There was a genuine search for unity in 1-2. But there is a line that must not be crossed. Note 2:3.

Note how Paul describes his detractors – 2:4 Paul’s response and that of the leaders in Jerusalem?  2:5.

At issue was the preservation of the gospel.

A unity at the expense of truth is not a unity worth having. It will not stand up under fire. It is a house built on sand.

Integrity demands unity and truth.

Gospel freedom readily rejoices in the diversity of God’s work.  (2:6-10) There is an important underlying principle here – unity is not uniformity. The gospel does not demand lock-step agreement. The great work is done when we free one another to pursue our passion and rejoice in what God is doing.

I cannot and must not insist that you share my passion and you must not demand that I share yours.  We must allow the freedom for each of us to pursue our God-given passion in serving and glorifying Him.

Now, careful that is not to be taken as an unqualified statement. Is the passion biblical? Is it in keeping with what God has revealed? Does it glorify God? Then rejoice in it.  Pray for it.  Encourage it.

 

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An exposition of Isaiah 40:12-31. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delviered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2009.

 

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An exposition of Jeremiah 35:1-19. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 11, 2009.

Introduction:
When you boil it all down, what is the Christian life all about?  Okay, it is about living in relationship with the God who is, the Sovereign Lord of all things but what does that look like, what does it involve?  If you walk in the average Christian bookstore you might be more that a little overwhelmed and confused as you look through the various titles under the heading of “Christian Living.”  As you listen to sermons or talk with your friends you may be helped but then again you might be even more confused.  Is it about “being” or “doing”?  Is it about “relationship” or “ritual”?  Is it complex or is it simple?  Is it about rules or is it about love?  The older I get and the longer I’m around the Scripture the more convinced I am that we’ve really complicated things.  I find it easy to be incredulous about how the Jews complicated things with adding to the law of God.  How they took what God said and added hundreds of laws to clarify and guard the law God had given.  But the truth is we are just as bad.  We have a tendency to elevate our traditions to law status.  I love to read blogs and follow the comment threads.  Especially when dealing with doctrinal matters.  It is interesting to watch how often tradition rather than Scripture guides the discussion.  “We do it this way because Baptist has always thought thus and so.”  Well that’s good.  I am a Baptist and I am one by conviction but I want to know if there is a Scriptural basis for our doing it that way.  When I find summary statements in Scripture about what God requires of me I find it is usually simple and straightforward.  For instance, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?   (Micah 6:8)

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.  (James 1:27)

Not complex.  Not complicated.  It’s not about jumping through hoops or scaling tall mountains.  It is about simple obedience.  This evening I want us to consider a passage that is straightforward and direct about what the Lord requires of His people.  In this text the sophisticated religious establishment in Jerusalem are taught a lesson by an unsophisticated band of nomads.  Our text is found in the 35th chapter of Jeremiah.

Text: Jeremiah 35:1-19
In verse two we come across a group of folks known as the Rechabites.  We find out later (35:6) that they are guided by principles laid out by Jonadab, son of Rechad.  This was a band of nomads who did not live in houses, they did not garden and they did not drink wine.  R.E.O White says, “…they worshipped God strictly after the manner of the pilgrim patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  They believed crops, vineyards, houses, towns and cities tied men to one spot and so bred luxury, strife, possessions, materialism and all manner of soft, lazy extravagance.”  Phillip Ryken said, “[think the Rechabites] as a cross between the hippies of the 1960s and the Amish.  Perhaps with straw hats and tie-dyed robes.”

It is clear they were a counter-cultural group. Their lives were in stark contrast to the crowd in Jerusalem.

There are two things I want you to note as we walk through this unfolding drama.

I. First I want you to note a tee-totaling test.  (35:1-11)

The passage opens with God commanding Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to Jerusalem for a party.  This happened during the days of Jehoiakim, which means this is 10 years prior to the events of chapter 34.  So again we see the book is not arranged chronologically but topically.

Jeremiah brought them to the temple had large pitchers of wine brought in and various glasses and then commanded them to drink wine.  In the Hebrew text the phrase “drink wine” is an imperative.  It is a command!

What I want you to see is that this is a test of their whole way of life. But look at their response – 35:6

Note further 35:7-11: They followed all of the commands of Jonadab. They, their wives, sons and daughters all of them, always. Keep in mind Jonadab has been dead for 250 years.

How many families do you know who can say we still do everything the way we were told by our great-great-great granddaddy back in 1758?

II. I want you to note the sobering lessons learned.  (35:12-19)
The Rechabites passed the test but it is Judah who learns the lesson. There is a great contrast between the people of Judah and the Rechabites. And that is the point of the passage. This is why the story is recounted.

Judah discovers the judgment of God is coming upon them because they do not listen and they do not obey.  It is that simple.

First there is a failure to listen – 35:12-15: Further the Rechabites obeyed while the people of God casually dismissed His commands – 35:16.

You do get the picture here don’t you?  The parent saying to the child you need to do this or that and the child says, “sure whatever.”  That is what Judah is doing to God.  “Yeah, sure whatever.”  In one ear and out the other.  They would not obey the Sovereign King of the Universe but the Rechabites, out of love and respect, never failed to obey the wishes of their beloved father.

As a result Judah came under judgment – 35:17: While the Rechabites were blessed beyond measure – 35:18-19.

So what is the point of all this?  What does this story from ancient Judah have to do with me and my living the Christian life?  It is this:

Thesis: Gospel living is a simple matter of hearing and obeying.

Whether you are a brand new Christian or a seasoned saint it is the same.  Hear God when He speaks and do what He says.  It is about listening and obeying.  Hearing and doing.  I’m not saying quit reading books or stop listening to sermons.  I’m not suggesting in any way that you do not need the church.  I am saying don’t loose the simplicity of the Christian life in all the trappings of Christianity.  Are you to grow in your understanding of the doctrines of the faith?  Absolutely!  Are you to grow in holiness every day being conformed more and more to the likeness of Christ?  Of course!  But how do you do that?  By hearing and obeying.  By letting God speak and you, by His grace, seeking to live accordingly.

 

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An exposition of Galatians 1:1-24. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 11, 2009.

Introduction
I don’t know why I did it.  It was a moment of weakness, a lapse in judgment, a brain-dead incident – for whatever reason I actually said, “Rheadon why don’t you get out of the house for awhile I’ll watch the kids.”  Three kids, under school age it was my day off and I figured, “how hard could it be?”  After a few minutes I started picking some things and putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket.  I put things in draws and generally cleaned up.  In short order I had made great progress.  To be honest I was beginning to wonder what her problem was!  As far as I could tell there was no reason why our home should shine all the time.  I finished the last little bit and I was very proud.  I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees what I’ve done I’m sure she’ll want to learn my system.  Basking in the glow of my success I turned and started back through the house.

I could not believe it.  Somehow, by the grace of God, a tornado had touched down inside our house without killing us all.  That was the only explanation I had for the devastation I saw before me.  It was worse than before I started.  I “very calmly” called the children.  I proceeded to explain we did not live in a pigsty.  I demanded an explanation.  They all three looked at each other and then looked at me and said, “What?”

Have you ever known the frustration of working hard only to see what you worked for destroyed?  Ever pour your heart and soul into a project just to see it move in a different direction, moving toward an end that would destroy all you had done?  That’s where the apostle Paul was when he sat down to write to the churches of Galatia.

Paul had traveled through the Roman province of Galatia during his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14).  There he established churches and laid the foundation for Gospel work throughout the region.  Now word has reached him that others have followed and are undermining his message.  These false teachers are preaching another Gospel.  Their gospel is a distortion or perversion of the one they had received.  According to their gospel faith in Jesus was absolutely necessary but it was not enough.  You must believe in Jesus and you must embrace Judaism.  You must be circumcised, you must follow the dietary laws, and you must keep the Sabbaths and adhere to the rituals.  This was a serious matter.  At stake was the Gospel itself.  Are we saved by grace or not?  At issue was the Gospel and in turn the souls of men.  Paul’s message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone found in this book became the rallying cry for the Protestant Reformation.  If the false teachers were successful the Gospel would be lost and the church would be enslaved to “religion.”  Paul’s position is summarized in 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”  This morning we begin a study of the book of Galatians.  Our text is the first chapter of Galatians.

Text: Galatians 1:1-24
If you are to understand Paul’s message you must understand where he is coming from.  This was Paul’s message: There is one God – the creator of all that is. This one God has unveiled His long-awaited plan for the world. This plan is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ the Messiah of the Jews. This Jesus was executed by the Romans – but God raised him from the dead. This resurrection means God is making a new family. A family without divisions, no separate races, no one table for the Jews/one for the Gentiles. And because of Jesus – you don’t have to become a Jew to be part of the family. The God of Israel wants to be known as the Father of the whole world. That was his message.  And you enter this family by faith.  By believing in and trusting what Christ has done for us.  It is not about working, striving, earning, it is about trusting/believing.  Now some false teachers have moved in and they are saying, “Paul has it all wrong.  Don’t listen to him.  He isn’t even an apostle – not a real one.  He got his message from someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about.  We have to truth.  You listen to us.  Because a good Jew and then trust Jesus as your Messiah.  Believe in Jesus – but you also must follow the rules.”

Everywhere the Gospel has been preached, there have been those who contend that it is too good to be true.  Faith isn’t enough, argues the legalist.  We must earn god’s approval.  Some believe we earn God’s favor by what we know (intellectualism).  Others are certain we are saved by what we do (moralism).  A growing number seems to think we are saved by how we feel (emotionalism).  However you package it, it amounts to the same thing – you earn your way.  The message of Paul, the message of the Gospel is that salvation comes only through the cross – no additions, no subtractions, no substitutes.

With that in mind let’s look at our text.
This letter was crucial in the days of the reformation.  Luther called it his Catherine von Bora (his wife’s name) for he was “married to it.”  Its message was stabilizing in tumultuous, epoch-changing times.  We are living in such days and I’m convinced we must again rediscover its message for our own time.

Thesis: In the midst of sweeping changes and declining numbers the church must fight the urge to cling tenaciously to tradition and rediscover the wonder of God’s grace and the stabilizing influence of Gospel freedom.

There are three things I want to point out quickly.

1. Gospel freedom is born out of the depth and wonder of the work of grace.  (1:1-5)
No doubt some worried, “How do you keep people in line when there are no rules? Rules keep people on the straight and narrow. Paul makes it clear throughout this letter that there is a more profound motivation and it begins with an understanding of the wonder of God’s grace. Paul begins by identifying himself as an “apostle.” Look carefully at 1:1 – “…not from men nor through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father…”

It is interesting to note Paul did not argue his case with his critics. He did not seek to persuade them or convince them. He stated the fact and moved on. He does lay out a case for the Gospel – IT WAS NOT ABOUT HIM!
1:4 is a key to understanding Paul’s perspective throughout the book.  He possessed a keen awareness of what the grace of God had accomplished.

The word “rescue” means to be snatched from the fire.  It signifies deliverance from impending doom.  That is what Christ has done for us.  Dead in trespass and sin.  Guilty of rebellion against the creator, under the penalty of death but He has rescued us.  He has broken the power of sin in our lives.  He has released us from the chains that bind.  The message of salvation is the message of freedom and deliverance.  And Paul’s advice is stand firm in that freedom and don’t ever be enslaved again.

2. Gospel freedom refuses to allow any compromise in the message of grace.  (1:6-9)
It is at this point in most of Paul’s writings he praises the recipients for their faithfulness to God.  Not so with the Galatians.  Instead there is a stinging rebuke because they have abandoned the message of grace. (As an aside note he addressed this concern to the congregation.  Not the elders, or deacons or leaders or even the false teachers – but the congregation.)

Why is Paul so agitated? Because to tamper with the Gospel is to tamper with the souls of men. It you lose the Gospel you lose everything.

Why is Paul uncompromising on this point? Because of his background as a Pharisee.  He had lived under the bondage of legalism.  He spent his whole life trying to be righteous, seeking God’s approval.  It left him empty and unfulfilled.  Then God’s grace came upon him on the Damascus Road.  The chains of legalism and bondage to rules and regulations were broken.  He was not about to sit idly by and allow the churches of Galatia to be enslaved by a gospel, which is no gospel.  There is a time for compromise but this is not it.  There is no room for compromise when dealing with the essence of the Gospel.  We must fight the urge to add to the Gospel.  We must resist the temptation of implying that you must believe and…

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, to the glory of God alone – period!

But wait a minute.  If you preach that – if you say it is all of grace and no works.  That it is faith in Christ plus nothing – not the church, not baptism, not living a certain way won’t that lead to anarchy and chaos?  What happens to the church?  What happens to mutual accountability and responsibility?  If people really believe this Gospel won’t that result in everyone doing their own thing and thinking they can just live any way they please?

We’re worried we will lose control. Because we’ve forgotten the third thing I want us to note in our text…

3. Gospel freedom tames even its most ardent opponent.  (1:10-24)
1:10 = an important disclaimer.

• 1:11-14 = a little biographical summary. Something happened. Something dramatically altered the life of Saul of Tarsus.
• 1:16-24 As a result of the power and grace of God his life was changed forever.  The change was so dramatic he became the talk of the Christian world.  It was so dramatic it caused people to look beyond Paul and give praise to God.

Old things passed away and all things became new.  The things he once hated he now loved and what he loved he now despised.  He who once sought to destroy the church was now its most potent evangelist.  He no longer needed rules, regulations or rituals he was now bound by a gracious freedom.

Are you here without Christ?  I have good news for you.  There is a glorious new life awaiting you.  It is yours by grace.  You don’t have to strive, you don’t have to labor, and you don’t have to change.  But I warn you – you’ll never be the same.

If you are a Christian it’s not about control.  It’s not about keeping people in line.  It is about preaching Christ and allowing God to police His own.  I’m not saying that holiness and righteousness do not matter.  I’m not saying, “Trust Jesus and live however you want.”  I am saying legalism – whatever its form – is deadly to genuine faith.  I’m saying let’s preach Christ and allow the Gospel to do its transforming work.  I’m saying, In the midst of sweeping changes and declining numbers the church must fight the urge to cling tenaciously to tradition and rediscover the wonder of God’s grace and the stabilizing influence of Gospel freedom.

 

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A Wednesday evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, January 7, 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.