The Plowman

 

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An exposition of Zephaniah 1:1-2:3. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 25, 2010.

Introduction
He is one of the least read, least understand and least appreciated prophets.  His prophecy of just three chapters is often overlooked and in academic circles has been roundly criticized.  In fact in the scholarly world he is often dismissed as “dull” and “derivative.”  One writer saying, “With the prophet Zephaniah we meet for the first time a considerable diminution of prophetic originality.”  Translation - this guy has nothing new to say!  Another quips, “He can hardly be considered a great poet.”  There are worse things to be known for as a preacher than - he isn’t very original and his message doesn’t sound pretty.  It is the job of the prophet to bring someone else’s message.  The prophet is to stand and declare, “Thus says the Lord!”  Points are not given for originality or presentation.  He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Habakkuk and Nahum.  He is one of the prophets before the exile calling the nation to repentance.  In the canon he is the last of the pre-exilic prophets which may indicate that his prophecy is to be considered a summary of the ones who came before.  It is obvious that he echos the messages of Amos, Joel and others.  His name is Zephaniah and he is the great, great grandson of Hezekiah a good and godly king who served the nation well.  His prophecy came before the fall of Jerusalem and prior to the fall of Nineveh but during the reign of Josiah.  So we place his time of ministry around 630 B.C.  Tonight we begin a look at the book of Zephaniah.

Text: Zephaniah 1:1-2:3

It was a time of peril and promise.  The nation of Judah was entering her last days.  Prophet after prophet had called the nation to repentance but to no avail.  God had warned that judgment was coming.  Now he is readying His weapon of choice the vile, wicked Babylonians.  Judah went about her business thinking all is well when another of those pesky prophets came with his message of doom and gloom.

Messages of judgment weren’t any more popular then than now.  No one wants to here about God coming in judgment.  God is supposed to do good things.  God is here to help us feel better about ourselves and help us get through this mess.  The people of 630 B.C. Wanted to hear upbeat messages filled with practical insight for living the life they wanted.  Does that sound the least bit familiar?

Then along comes Zephaniah and what is his message?  A message of desolation, darkness and ruin.  23 times in just three chapters he warns of the coming “Day of the LORD.”  By the way, it’s not a good day!  It is a day of judgment and terror.

Thesis: God in sovereign judgment pours out His wrath on unrepentant sin and yet in sovereign mercy offers hope to humble, repentant sinners.

You will remember we saw this same dual emphasis in Jeremiah.

• Wrath and mercy.
• Both sovereignly administered.

I’m convinced this message is need as much today as it was in the 7th century B.C.  For the most part our world doesn’t believe in the wrath of God.  They do not believe that a day of judgment is coming.  But then why would they when so many in the church no longer believe it?  It is the testimony of Scripture and it is certainly the truth driven home in this text.

There are three things I want to call to your attention.

1. God’s sovereign wrath is a fearful and frightening thing.  (1:1-3, 13-18)
2. God’s sovereign wrath is in response to man’s wicked ways.  (1:4-12)
   1. There were religious reasons for God’s judgment - 1:4-6
   2. Social practices or customs - 1:8-9
   3. Business practices - 1:11
   4. Apathy and Indifference  - 1:12
3. God’s sovereign wrath is accompanied by a plea for repentance and the possibility of mercy.  (2:1-3)

 

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An exposition of Romans 13:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 25, 2010.

Introduction
We live in interesting times politically.  Matters political have become increasingly divisive.  Rhetoric is increasingly hostile.  Tempers flare and those who differ are considered enemies.  If you are a Republican, Democrats can’t do any thing right.  If you are a Democrat, Republicans are hate mongers.  If you are a Libertarian everyone else is an idiot.  Lines are drawn, positions are taken and minds never change.  This side says that side cannot be trusted.  This source says that source is biased.  Any attempt to negotiate or compromised is attacked by both sides claiming it is a sell out.  What are we to do?  What is the Scriptural response to the current political climate?  Are we to rush out and “throw in” with the Tea Party movement?  Are we to withdraw and removed ourselves from such nonsense as political parties and movements and not soil ourselves with the business of this world?  Should we merely busy ourselves with the kingdom of God and leave politics to the Devil and his crowd?  After all trying to salvage the ship of state is a bit like polishing brash on the Titanic - what good will it due the ship is going down anyway.  How are we to deal with government?  Our text is found in the 13th chapter of Romans.

Text: Romans 13:1-7

Paul is dealing with the transformed life. The section began with a call to sacrifice and commitment - 12:1-2. Beginning with 12:3 Paul is showing what this transformed life looks like. This is life as God intends us to live. This is the life He expects from us.

Having dealt with how we view ourselves and others it is no surprise Paul turns his attention to how we relate to government.  This is a natural question in light of a couple of things Paul has said.  Take for instance that statement in 12:2 - “do not be conformed to this world (age) but rather be transformed…”

Consider Romans 8:34-38 - focus in on 8:36 (quoting Psalm 44:22).
What is to be the attitude of the church toward the government that sees its members as sheep to be slaughtered?

Understand the historical context:

• The political climate in Rome was especially volatile at this time.
• The Jews had been expelled from Rome under emperor Claudius.
• Paul was concerned the Zionist’s attitudes would spill over into the church.

Also remember the words of Jesus when He was approached by some of the religious leaders in another of their attempts to trap Him.  The story is told in Matthew 22.

We are told the Pharisees and Herodians teamed up for this. Politics makes strange bedfellows! Note their question, it is brilliant - Mt. 22:17. It’s a no win question - either treason against Rome or anti-patriot toward Israel. Jesus’ response - 22:19-22 - masterful political statement. Coin = minted by Rome. You = minted by God. Render to Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things of God.

Romans 13:1-7 is Paul’s exposition of Jesus’ teaching.

Thesis: Citizenship in the Kingdom of God includes a corresponding responsibility towards earthly powers.

There is a tension in this life for the people of God.  We are citizens of two kingdoms.  There is to be no question as to our supreme loyalty - we belong to Christ!  We are pilgrims looking for a city whose builder and maker is God but at the same time we live as citizens in this world.  Life here has its obligations as well.  That is what our text is about.

In our text three things are made clear about how the transformed life interacts with earthly kingdoms.

1. The transformed life responds to government with profound submission and loyal obedience.  (13:1-2)
   1. A surprising principle - 13:1
   2. A sound reason - 13:1
   3. An inescapable conclusion - 13:2
2. The transformed life recognizes government’s God-ordained role and purpose.  (13:3-4)
3. The transformed life renders government its due.  (13:5-7)

 

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A Wednesday-evening Bible study from Matthew 5:33-48. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on April 21, 2010.

 

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This message by Andrew Hoyt was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 18, 2010.

Andrew is a 2009 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, and is currently enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension program at OBU.

 

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An exposition of Romans 12:9-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 18, 2010.

Introduction
It sounds easy enough but boy is it ever difficult.  I mean when you look at it on paper you say, “Sure, that’s right.”  Putting it into practice is the problem.  Standing up here on sitting in a class room it is easy to say, “We need to love others.”  No one is going to disagree with that.  No one is going to say, “No.  I think we need some good old fashion hate!”  The problem is when I put a face to the statement.  The Bible is clear I do not have the luxury of choosing who I love.  In fact I’m told to love my neighbor as myself.  And the context tells me my neighbor is anyone in need.  The Bible says I’m to love the body of Christ, the church.  But folks at church are not always lovable.  The worst thing is the Bible says I’m to love my enemies.  Now that is just ridiculous.  “Well pastor I’d rather die than do that.”  That’s good because you’re going to have to die if you are going to do it.  We’ve been considering the life we’ve been called to as the people of God.  “Wait!  There are demands?  Obligations?  I thought I just prayed the prayer and I was good to go.”  No, faith in Christ is the beginning of a journey.  It is the start of a brand new life.  A life lived in obedience to the law of Christ.  A life of progressive holiness that will end in glory.  The road is often difficult.  There are steep climbs and deep valleys.  There is sunshine and rain.  It is not a life for the faint of heart but it is the life we’ve been called to.  Our text this morning is found in the 12th chapter of Romans.

Text: Romans 12:9-21

Paul began this section by saying, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.”  This is not a “one time” offering but rather a continual offering.  It is a daily dying to ourselves and our agenda and choosing to live for Christ.  Verse 3 and following then outlines what that means.  It means that we see ourselves as we really are in light of Christ.  We see ourselves vitally and dynamically connected to others and are willing to give ourselves in service for God’s glory and the good of His church.  This morning’s text takes that a bit further.

In the text before us we discover that…

Thesis: The life transformed by the Spirit of God passionately loves the Church and profoundly loves the world.

Wait a minute.  Doesn’t the Bible say you cannot love God and love the world?  Doesn’t the Bible say you are either the friend of God or the friend of the world but not both?  How can you say love the church and love the world?

Well, let’s look at the text. There are two things I want to point out as we make our way through this passage.

1. The transformed life devoutly and devotedly loves the Church.  (12:9-13)
2. The transformed life astonishingly and profoundly loves the world.  (12:14-21)

Loving the Church and loving the world go together.  They are the demands of the life we’ve been called to.  If Romans 12:1-2 are true - this is the result.  Lives renewed and transformed so act.  By God’s grace and for His glory.

 

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An exposition of Jonah 4:1-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 11, 2010.

Introduction
It is just so “out of place.”  It makes no sense.  It should have been a time of great rejoicing.  It should have been a time for declaring the goodness and the grace of God.  Instead, God’s prophet was angry.  More disturbing was why he was angry.  He was angry because God was acting like God and that’s not what the preacher wanted.  He was called from Galilee to preach God’s message but he was unhappy with the assignment.  So, he ran away.  But you can’t run from God so he didn’t get very far.  God’s severe mercy brought the wayward prophet to repentance.  In kindness and grace God commissioned him again.  He gave his rebellious prophet a second chance.  Jonah went and preached God’s message.  A great revival broke out.  It touched everyone from the stable to the palace.  From the least to the greatest.  That’s were we pick up the story in Jonah chapter 4.

Text: Jonah 4:1-11
I want to give Jonah the benefit of the doubt.
Three days and nights in the belly of a fish is bound to warp you a bit.
But this is incredible.
I’ve said the book is in 4 parts.
Rebellion - 1
Repentance - 2
Revival - 3
Regret - 4

The whole story of Jonah is the story of God’s mercy.
First God’s mercy on Jonah in calling him in the first place.
In love and kindness God called Jonah, equipped Jonah, revealed himself to Jonah and then commissioned him to go to Nineveh.

Jonah rebelled - went to Joppa, paid the fare and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish.
In mercy God brought a great storm on the sea.
In mercy God revealed to all aboard that Jonah was the problem.
But rather than repent Jonah wanted to die - “Throw me overboard.”
In mercy God appointed a fish.
In the belly of the fish - Jonah “came to himself” and found God as Savior.
God’s mercy was demonstrated again when He called Jonah a second time.
Giving him the same commission.
And again when he used Jonah to bring a great revival.

God’s mercy was shown to the sailors who first called out “to their gods.”
But later, following God’s revelation worshiped the true God.

God’s mercy was shown to Nineveh in His relenting of the disaster He promised and granting them revival.

Certainly all of this is cause for much rejoicing but Jonah is mad.  He is angry with God.  Let’s explore this chapter.

1. A Shocking Revelation - 4:1-3
2. Some Familiar and Uncomfortable Reasons - 4:1-3
3. Three Probing and Disturbing Questions - 4:4-11

The book ends with a question.
There is no answer - why?
Because we all must answer it for ourselves.

The book of Jonah is about mercy.
If we have tasted of that mercy are we not obligated to take that message to our world?
If we have the mind and heart of God are we not to be merciful?

 

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An exposition of Romans 12:3-8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 11, 2010.

Introduction
What does it look like?  How am I supposed to act?  What are the rules?  These are all legitimate questions when considering what the Christian life is all about.  Okay we are different.  We’ve been changed by the grace of God - but how are we different?  Are the Amish right?  Are we to shun the world and forego modern conveniences?  Like the Pentecostals are we to avoid makeup, jewelry and make sure we dress modestly?  Are the Word of Faith folks right and we should walk in health and prosperity?  Is there a list?  Maybe a pocket guide to righteous living so that I have it for easy reference.  So many voices, so many views who’s right?  Where do I go for clear direction?  As with all such questions we go to the Word of God.  But what you will find is that it is not as “cut and dried” as you may want it.  It is not about rules.  It is not about lists.  It is deeper than that.  The issues are far more complex than most want to acknowledge.  Living the Christian life is not easy.  It is demanding.  It requires steadfast determination and patience.  It starts with who you are and then naturally unfolds what you do in light of who you are.  Paul wrote to the church at Rome to lay out his gospel, the message God had given him.  He wanted to lay the ground work for what he hoped would be a long and fruitful ministry there.  The first 11 chapters are filled with profound doctrinal truths.  He begins with the radical depravity of man and then reveals God’s gracious provision in Christ.  He explains that the gift of life must be obtained through faith and that faith brings radical change.  The Spirit of God is placed within us and cries, “Papa!  Father!”  The Holy Spirit then begins to work our sanctification or holiness.  This is a life-long process that has its ups and downs.  But always moves us towards holiness until ultimately presenting us holy and acceptable to God.  Paul also makes it clear that God is always faithful to His people and His promise.  Then in chapter 12 the focus moves from doctrine to duty, from theology to practice.  The two must not be seen as separate for they are inseparably linked.  The one flows into the other, the latter grows out of the former.  With chapter 12 the issue becomes, how am I to live in light of chapters 1-11?  What is required of me?  What does Christian living look like?  Our text this morning is found in Romans 12 beginning with verse 3.

Text: Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:1-2 is a call to commitment.
Reminding us that:
Commitment is based on the mercies of God in Christ.
This commitment demands our total being (love so amazing demands my life, my soul, my all).
This commitment requires that I say, “No” to the spirit of the age and “Yes” to the Spirit of God.

This morning’s text builds on that foundation.  What does it mean to live with a transformed mind?  This life surrendered to the Spirit of God, what does it do?

I want to point out three things from the text.

1. Genuine Christian living demands an honest self-assessment in light of the person of Jesus Christ.  (12:3)
2. Genuine Christian living demands that you see your life vitally and dynamically connected with others.  (12:4-5)
3. Genuine Christian living demands that you unhesitatingly and unselfishly use your gifts for God’s glory and the good of His church.  (12:6-8)

Thesis: Genuine Christian living requires honest evaluation and Christ-centered service focused on others.

 

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An exposition of Matthew 27:57-28:15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Resurrection Sunday morning, April 4, 2010.

Introduction
It is incredible.  It defies logic.  It is contrary to our experience.  I understand that it is hard to believe.  Yet it is the basis of our celebration today.  It is the reason for our hope.  It is why we sing.  “Dead people don’t walk out of graves!” Our experience is that life is hard and then you die.  Yet for the Christian, that is not the whole story.  Central to our thinking and our faith is that death has been conquered!  The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is not an optional belief for the Christian.  If Christ did not come out of the grave, what assurance do we have that our ransom has been paid?  If Christ was not raised what confidence do we have that death has been overcome?  In fact, the apostle Paul tells us if Christ is not raised than we are the most miserable people on earth!

That is why the apostle assures us, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that “Christ was raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25).  Peter says we have been given, “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).  Today is Resurrection Day!  Today we gather in joyous celebration of the fact that we serve a risen Savior!  This morning I want us to look at Matthew’s account of this momentous event.

Text: Matthew 28:1-15

It has been a long couple of days. Their world was rocked and the light was turned off! Just a week ago – He entered the city to joyous shouts of praise. But by Friday morning He had been betrayed, tried, convicted, beaten and nailed to a cross. His followers scattered in all directions. His lifeless body was taken from the cross and placed in a borrowed grave. It was over. There had been such promise. But now there was only hopelessness.

Their sorrow and their confusion conspired to drown out His words of resurrection and hope. But that was before dawn on the first day of the week… Every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection for the church. This is not a once a year occasion – it’s weekly! Why is that? What is the big deal about the resurrection?

Of course to answer that properly we must first understand the significance of the cross.

• Creation
• The Garden
• The Fall
• The Promise
• The Passover/Exodus
• The Tabernacle
• The Sacrifices
• The Prophets
• The Christ – perfect sinless life – gave himself – lamb w/out spot or blemish – to ransom

“I came to seek and to save the lost…I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life a ransom for many…this is my body given for you…this is my blood poured out for you…”

Paul said, “If Christ is not raised we are still in our sin.” “If Christ is not raised – our preaching is a vain thing (it is worthless).” “If Christ is not raised we are without hope.” If he is not the “first fruit” what assurance do we have of being raised? If it is merely His “influence” that lives on – is that the best we can hope for?

Let’s consider the record

• Matthew 27:50
• Mark 15:37
• Luke 23:46
• John 19:30, 32-34

I emphasize this because the doctrine of the resurrection starts with the fact that Jesus died.  Resurrection follows death.  There are those who deny that he died.

• Some believe that he was merely in a comma and after being placed in the tomb he came out of it.
• Others have suggested that the women and later His disciples, went to the wrong tomb!
• This of course is ludicrous given Matthew 27:61.
• Others suggest, as our text indicates, that Jesus’ followers stole his body.

But, having said that, it is imperative that you note:

Thesis: Overwhelming evidence for the fact of the resurrection does not ensure saving faith.

1. The resurrection inspires reverential fear and great joy in the hearts of believing saints.  (28:1-8)
2. The resurrection inspires obstinance and denial in the hearts of those who refuse to believe.  (28:11-15)

The empty tomb.  The various resurrection appearances.  Two thousand years of church history all declare the reality of the resurrection – my question to you is, “what is your response?”  Is it one of reverential fear and great joy or one of obstinate refusal?

The difference is the difference between life and death.

It is possible to attend church faithfully in celebration of the resurrection and still die in your sin.  It is possible to acknowledge belief in the resurrection without surrendering your life, dying to self or trusting in Christ for life eternal and life abundant.  Religious ceremony and adherence to traditions is of no value apart from a heart of loving obedience and simple trust.  What is your response to the news that – “He is alive?”

 

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A brief Bible study from Psalm 81. This Message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, March 31, 2010.