An exposition of John 3:1-16. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2009.
Monthly Archive for February, 2009
Jeremiah #54 - An exposition of Jeremiah 39:1-18. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Bpatist Church on Sunday evening, February 22, 2009.
Introduction:
Forty years is a long time to wait for payday. After forty years of declaring that judgment was coming it is no wonder many laughed at such a notion. Crazy Jere had been preaching the same message for decades but it never came. His was the lone voice warning of an impending doom while others predicted a time of peace and prosperity. It is hard to be faithful to the message given when nothing seems to change. How long did Noah warn of a coming flood before a single drop of rain fell? For 2000 years the church has been saying, “Jesus is coming back.” An unbelieving world laughs at such a notion. An increasing number of “churches” now wonder if we’ve misunderstood what He said. The whole notion that the world is coming to an end and that judgment is to follow is a punch line to most. When you think the end of the world you think of some wild-eyed fanatic with a sandwich board sign walking the streets of downtown. Some are embarrassed to preach such an outdated message…but preach it we must for it is the Word of God.
For 18 months the army of Babylon surrounded the city of Jerusalem. The city was under siege. Yet many still refused to believe the end was near. Judah’s king repeatedly sought advice from God’s prophet, “Is there a word from God?” Yet he continued to reject God’s revelation. Surrender? Never. Now the end was at hand. Chapter 39 of Jeremiah records Judah’s final days. The army of king Nebuchadnezzar marched into the streets of Jerusalem for the last time in July of 587 B.C. Its walls were broken down the temple and the palace were destroyed by fire – and the city did not return to Jewish rule until the middle of the 20th century A.D. 2500 years later!
The fall of Jerusalem is the climax of Jeremiah’s prophecy but it was the lowest point in his life. For 40 years he declared it was coming but there was no joy in his being vindicated. His nation was destroyed. His countrymen wiped out. The prophet’s heart was broken.
On the Day of Judgment every promise God ever made about the fall of Jerusalem came true.
- God said disaster would come from the North – disaster came from the North.
- God said Jerusalem would be surrounded and besieged – it was surrounded and besieged.
- God said there would be famine – the famine was great.
- God said the whole land would be laid waste – it was laid waste.
- God said death would enter the city – death entered the city.
- God said foreign kings would establish their thrones in the city gates – they did.
Everything God promised came to pass. Many of Jeremiah’s contemporaries doubted that a day of judgment would ever come – they were wrong. Many in our own culture doubt that a day of judgment will come – they are wrong.
- What will happen when our Lord returns?
- What happen to you on the Day of Judgment?
Galatians #7 - An exposition of Galatians 4:12-20. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 22, 2009.
Introduction:
What are we doing here? What is this all about? Why do we gather Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday nights? Why do we have Sunday School and youth services? Why Vacation Bible School and youth camp? What’s the purpose of mission trips and community involvement? Is it because we need something to do? Is it because we need to build a resume? These are important questions. From time to time it is good for us to remember our purpose. It is healthy for us to remind ourselves why we do what we do. Now we might be quick to say, “We do this in order to reach the world for Christ.” Our purpose is to spread the name and the fame of our God. And I would say that is certainly part of it but that is not the whole story. We certainly do want as many people as possible to come to a saving knowledge of Christ but is that enough? Is our purpose merely evangelistic? Is our goal just to introduce them to Jesus or is there more?
The apostle Paul was writing the churches of Galatia because a problem had developed. Another teaching had come to town a teaching that contradicted Paul’s message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. This teaching said that to become a child of God you must first become a child of Judaism. You must believe in Jesus but you must also follow the rules. You must observe the days and seasons. You must obey the dietary commands. You must perform the rituals. If you are faithful in these things and you believe in Jesus you will be part of God’s family. Paul’s response is often strong and harsh as in chapter 1 verses 6-10 where he pronounced anathema on the false teachers and their teaching. He then lays out a sound theological argument refuting their claims. But in chapter 4 verses 12-20 Paul’s tone changes. He speaks as a pastor passionate about his congregation. He speaks with tenderness revealing how he feels and what he is thinking. It is in this section we find something that I believe is critical to our task, something that is often missing in the church’s understanding of ministry. Our text is found in Galatians chapter 4 beginning with verse 12.
Text: Galatians 4:12-20
Outline:
- Gospel ministry seeks to remind believers of the original joys and passions of gospel experience. (4:12-15)
- Gospel ministry is faithful to warn of the dangers and consequences of a legalistic faith. (4:16-18)
- Gospel ministry cannot rest until the fruit of the gospel is borne out in the gospel community. (4:19-20)
This is the goal of our working, planning and gathering - to see the gospel lived out in the context of Christian community. A group of people who believe and live the gospel together.
A Wednesday-evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, September 18, 2009.
Jeremiah #53 - An exposition of Jeremiah 38:14-28. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 15, 2009.
Introduction:
They are powerful words. They are words written more than 60 years ago by a man who suffered greatly for the name of Christ. A man not satisfied with declaring the gospel but rather was determined to live the gospel. These are words that must be heard today:
“If we refuse to take up our cross and submit to suffering and rejection at the hands of men, we forfeit our fellowship with Christ and have ceased to follow him. But if we lose our lives in his service and carry our cross, we shall find our lives again in the fellowship of the cross with Christ…to bear the cross proves to be the only way of triumphing over suffering. This is true for all who follow Christ, because it was true for him.”
Where did we get the idea that if we love Jesus all will be well? How is it we convinced ourselves that nothing bad is ever supposed to happen to us because we belong to God? We certainly didn’t come to that conclusion by reading the Scripture. We did not get there by studying the history of the church. Far from delivering us from trial, hardship and struggle – our faith often invites trouble. To live a godly life in an ungodly world is to ask for trouble. That was certainly Jeremiah’s experience.
40 years of faithfulness resulted in his being imprisoned, beaten, accused of treason and generally despised by everyone. Paul didn’t fare much better. Remember what he said?
Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Neither of these quotes would qualify as recruiting poster material but they are both true. They reflect the language of Jesus. “You want to be my disciple? Take up your cross daily and follow me.” Take no thought of tomorrow what you will eat or drink, what you will wear or where you will live…rather follow me. He called for the forsaking of houses and lands or family and friendships – it was about loyalty and devotion. It was about having no other gods before him. The life we’ve been called to as the people of God is a difficult life.
Outline:
- Faithfulness to God guarantees you will enter into the fellowship of His sufferings.
- When faced with paralyzing fear the godless choose to walk by fear not by faith. (38:14, 19, 24-25)
- Lest we become overconfident – even the faithful are subject to shameful failure due to fear. (38:24-28)
Galatians #06 - An exposition of Galatians 4:1-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 15, 2009.
Introduction
Many years ago there was a “Christian” comedy group called Isaac Air Freight. They were popular in the 70’s and early 80s. On one of their albums they did a routine called The Saving Game. It was patterned after The Dating Game. The contest sat on one side of a screen while he was introduced to three prospective saviors. After questioning each he would then have the opportunity to choose his very own savior. The contestant, whose name was Buck Weizer asked, “Savior number one, what must I do to be saved?” The response was, “Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t really worry about it.” Number two, same question. “Ya gotta earn it doi’n religious tings. Go to church. Eat twinkies and always wear blue.” Not finding much comfort and a bit nervous Buck asked, “Number three – same question. “A calm, comforting voice responded, “Believe on Me and you will have everlasting life.” Not too surprisingly Buck chose savior #3. The tragedy is that life is not a game show. While contestants hear the voices of various saviors an alarming number are opting for savior #2! A great number of people are listing to the voice that says, “You gotta earn it.” The gospel as revealed to us in Scripture seems too good to be true. Wherever it is preached it is questioned. It just doesn’t seem right that we can receive life eternal and abundant without “doing” something. The notion of salvation by grace alone through faith alone is too difficult for some to believe. In addition it says, “No one is good enough. You are hopeless and helpless apart from God’s grace. That means you have to swallow your pride. We want to take some credit for our salvation. The gospel says, “No. It is all of God.”
This is not a new problem it has been an issue since the dawn of the church. Paul was dealing with it in the churches of the Roman province of Galatia in the mid first century. False brethren had come into the church and had perverted the gospel. They perverted it by adding to it. Faith in Jesus was necessary but not enough. You must embrace Judaism. You must follow the law, perform the ritual, and observe the Sabbath and then you can become a member of God’s family. Paul’s strong and at times harsh response is preserved for us in the book of Galatians. His basic message is that it is for freedom’s sake that Christ has set us free so do not allow yourself to be enslaved all over again to a system of rules and regulations. Paul goes to great pains to show that the law is good. God gave it and it has a specific purpose. That purpose is to reveal our sin. To make clear to us our need of a savior. The purpose of the law was not, is not now, nor ever will be, to save anyone. Its purpose is to drive us to Christ. Its purpose is to bring us to the end of ourselves. To cause of to “despair” of ever being good enough on our own so that we throw ourselves on the mercy of God in Christ. Our text this morning is from the 4th chapter of Galatians the first 11 verses.
Text: Galatians 4:1-11
Thesis: Joy, life and freedom are not known through a meticulous, slavish devotion to religion but in knowing and being known by the true and living God.
Outline:
- Religion while promising life and freedom enslaves and binds the soul where as grace genuinely and radically alters the believer’s status before God. (4:1-7)
- To abandon grace in order to embrace religion is to reject the gospel, deny God’s redeeming work and to in fact reject God himself. (4:8-11)
Paul does an amazing thing – he places Judaism on the same level as paganism as those “elementary principles of the world.” Why? Because to embrace the shadows/pictures once reality has arrived is to move from life to death!
Jeremiah #52 - An exposition of Jeremiah 38:1-13. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 8, 2009.
Introduction:
What do you do when you are called to a specific task but fulfilling it is next to impossible? What do you do when you are given a message, a message that is vital and essential to society’s well being but no one cares? They are not interested. They think you are some kind of nut or extremist or dangerous fanatic? What happens when your message is so out of step with the culture that you are deemed the problem? Let’s add to the mix – I’m not talking about a completely secular culture. I’m talking about a culture that embraces “spirituality” but isn’t interested in what the Bible has to say. A culture long on being spiritual but short on specifics. One that embraces almost anything while rejecting what has been revealed by God. What do you do when even those who supposedly represent God stand in opposition to what He is doing? By the way, though that sounds very much like our culture, I’m talking about the kingdom of Judah some 2600 years ago! Our text this evening is found in the 38 chapter of Jeremiah.
Text: Jeremiah 38:1-13
Sermon Outline:
- Faithful ministry in unfaithful times always enrages the ungodly. (38:1-4)
- Faithful ministry in unfaithful times draws the most severe persecution. (38:4-6)
- Faithful ministry in unfaithful times relies solely on God’s gracious deliverance. (38:7-13)
Faithfulness enrages the ungodly, resulting in the most severe persecution, thus we must rely solely on God’s gracious deliverance. We live in unfaithful, unstable times. May God find us faithful.
Galatians #05 - An exposition of Galatians 3:23-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 8, 2009.
Introduction:
Are you ever dissatisfied with your life? Do ever wish things were different? Do you find yourself daydreaming about a different life with different circumstances? Let’s face it we are a society of discontents. Our culture makes us that way. You’ve seen the television commercials. If you were to sit down and watch two hours of television commercials you would walk away convinced that nothing in your life is right! You do not wear the right clothes; use the right toothpaste, the right deodorant or drive the right car. You don’t even use the right kitty litter. Your life stinks. You can’t do anything right. Of course the announcer is quick to point out that you can start down the right path by buying their product. “Buy this book, this tape – take this course and you are on your way to a bright and happy future.” Better yet, “use our toothpaste and you’ll be the toast of the town.” Want to loose weight? Drink this. I bought some of those pills that help improve your memory…I can’t remember where I put them!
The problem with all these solutions is that they are not solutions. They do not address the problems – they merely rearrange the problems. If you really want things to be different you need an encounter with the living God. You need a transformation from the inside out. You need to discover Paul’s secret to a new you. And it is found in Galatians chapter three beginning with verse twenty-three.
Text: Galatians 3:23-29
Thesis: The liberating power of the gospel grants the believer a new lease on life.
Sermon Outline
- The liberating power of the gospel enables a new and living relationship with God. (3:26-27)
- The liberating power of the gospel shatters the barriers that separate us. (3:28)
- The liberating power of the gospel guarantees a glorious inheritance. (3:29)
Conclusion:
Do you wish your life was different? Do you wish you had the chance to start over? In Christ you will find a new lease on life.
- Through a new relationship with God.
- One that shatters all the barriers that separate us.
- One that guarantees a glorious inheritance.
- It is all found in the gospel and it is yours by faith.
An exposition of Ephesians 2:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, February 4, 2009.
Jeremiah #51- An exposition of Jeremiah 37:1-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on February 1, 2009.
Introduction:
Have you ever wanted something so bad you ached for it? You wanted it so bad you were just sure you would die if you didn’t get it? I’m sure you had that feeling as a child. For most of us that sort of longing was a regular thing. “You don’t understand mom, if I don’t get that comic book I could die!” Looking back it is amazing I’m still here because I must have been a very fragile child – I was always on the verge of dying. If you’ve ever experienced that intense longing to possess then you’ve also known the pain of disappointment. Not the disappointment of an unfulfilled longing – but the disappointment of getting what you wanted. You got it only to find out it wasn’t exactly what you were expecting. I learned early on, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” The fact is – that’s a pretty good spiritual principle to live by. Be careful what you pray for – God just might let you have it. Our text this evening is found in Jeremiah chapter 37.
Text: Jeremiah 37:1-21
Thesis: Be careful what you pray for…God just might let you have it!
Outline:
- A wicked heart in search of truth must be careful because it just might find it.
- A faithful heart seeking to be obedient regardless of the cost just might get the chance to pay the price.
Conclusion:
- I warn you – be careful what you pray for…God might let you have it.
- The wicked heart seeking truth may find it.
- The faithful heart desiring obedience at any price just might get to pay it.
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