The Plowman

 

 Standard Podcast [26:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (196)

1 Corinthians #30: an exposition of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 28, 2011.

Intro:
It is the growth industry right now - “How to.”  Books, television programs, infomercials, even entire networks are dedicated to it.  You can get on the internet and find videos and other teaching materials for about anything you can name!  How to improve your golf swing, do your own plumbing, loose weight, raise your kids, make a fortune, get out of debt - you name it you can find it.  The interesting thing is they all say the same thing - “It’s easy!”  Really?  You just have to follow their easy 5-step program.  Funny, it’s never as easy as they say.  Sometimes we, in the church, fall into the same trap.  You want to grow in Christ?  You want to be His disciple?  It’s easy just follow these five steps.  The problem is - its not easy.  Faith is difficult, frustrating and often discouraging.  The life of faith is “messy.”  It doesn’t fit into nice, neat categories.  There are no shortcuts and it requires faith.

How does the Bible define faith?  The evidence of things you cannot see; the substance of things hoped for.  The life of faith is filled with bumps and bruises, skinned knees and smashed fingers.  To make matters worse I have to do it with other people.  We are called to live the faith together.  I need you and you need me.  And we’re both going to mess it up and that’s okay.  The sooner we recognize that the better.  We’re all stumbling towards holiness.  If you don’t believe me just pick up the book and read.  Start anywhere you like.  Old Testament or New, you are going to find flawed, broken people struggling to live as God intends.  At times they succeed.  Sometimes they fail.  Most of the time they are somewhere in between.  “Boy pastor, have you had a rough week?  You’re sounding a little cynical.”  No.  I’ve just spent too long trying to live up to an unrealistic understanding of what the life of faith looks like.

Sometime in the mid 50’s the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.  The church in Corinth was one mixed up group of believers.  Their problem ranged from immaturity to immorality and about everything in between.  Yet Paul addressed them as “saints.”  Set apart ones.  Those in whom the Spirit of God dwelt.  They had been set apart by the work of the Spirit marked as the genuine people of God but you wouldn’t know it to look at them.  I’m encouraged by that.  Don’t misunderstand - Paul did not look at their immature and immoral ways and say, “That’s okay folks.  Nobody’s perfect.”  No, he said, “Grow up!”  He said, “You’re the people of God and you better start acting like it.”  In fact the first 14 chapters are taken up with addressing errant behavior on the part of the congregation.  Chapter 15 address errant doctrine.  Then he ends the letter with a call to godly living.  I want to conclude our look at this book with just a brief word focused on just two verses.

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

He begins the chapter by reminding them of the offering he is collecting (1-4).
There we learn about giving:
Its a regular part of worship
All are expected to give
Our giving is to be primarily through the church
It is to be proportional

Then he advices them about his travel plans (5-9).

Ask them to look out for and take care of Timothy when he comes through (10-11).

Then there are some final words and concluding greetings (12-24).

I want to focus on his words in 13-14.
Here Paul gives 5 keys to steadfast faithfulness.
Five things to aim at.
Characteristics that will aid your growth in the things of God.

1. To be steadfast demands that we be spiritually alert.  (16:13)
2. To be steadfast demands we be firm in the faith.  (16:13)
3. Steadfastness demands maturity.  (16:13)
4. Steadfastness demands strength.  (16:13)
5. Steadfastness demands that we love.  (16:14)

Conclusion
Living the faith is not easy.  We will struggle along this path until we reach our heavenly home.  As we struggle toward holiness let’s set our eyes on these sign posts:

• Be alert
• Be firm
• Be mature
• Be strong
• Be loving

 

 Standard Podcast [31:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (162)

Gospel of John #36: an exposition of John 14:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 28, 2011.

Intro:
The darkness was chocking the life out of me.  I wanted to run but my legs would not move.  I wanted to scream but nothing would come out.  I was terrified.  I was so scared I couldn’t do my job.  No matter how badly I wanted to…I could not yell, “Snipe!”  My first snipe hunt and I was blowing it.  My brothers would probably never let me come again.  When you are 6 years old and let alone in the wilds of Chandler Park it’s pretty scary.  That darkness was more than an absence of light.  It was a power.  A force.  I was alone and frightened.

It was an eerie silence except for the incessant banging of the machine.  It didn’t help that I was shoved up into that tube with the sides squeezing my shoulders.  “How long did they say this would take?  45 minutes?  I’m not sure I can make it.”  He said all the signs point to it being a tumor but this will tell us for sure.  Again, I was frightened.  What will this mean?  Tumor.  Does that mean cancer?  What about our kids?  I know there’s not enough money to adequately provide.  What if I’m paralyzed or disabled?  What would I do?  It was a different kind of darkness but just as real.

I had been sitting by his bedside daily.  I read.  I studied, as best I could.  I prayed and I remembered.  A lifetime of memories washed over me.  I relived my childhood.  I listened again to advice given and considered the example lived.  Though he had not spoken in years I heard his voice, I listened to his song.  Rheadon and kids came.  We gathered and prayed.  But when the moment came and he breathed his last…though surrounded I was alone.  Yet another kind of darkness.

We live in a fallen world.  In this world we pass through trials and tribulations.  We face obstacles and hardships on a regular basis.  Our faith in Christ does not change that.  Our faith does not give us a “free pass.”  There are times when we are frightened.  There are times when the cares of this world are too much.  It’s not that we doubt.  It’s not that we no longer believe it’s just that we’re overwhelmed.  What are we to do?  Where do we find strength?  How do we overcome the darkness?  Our text this morning is found in the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel.

Text: John 14:1-6

We’re only hours from the cross.
Our Lord along with the 12 are gathered in the upper room for a meal.
He taught them humility and service by washing their feet.
Shocked them with the announcement of betrayal.
He gave them a new commandment - “love as I have loved you.”

Now the apostles are “troubled.”
The word troubled is the same word used in 13:21 and 12:27.
Jesus, himself, was “troubled” but now He says to His followers, “Don’t be troubled?”  (Same word).

It’ been a roller coaster for the last few days.
Triumphal entry - “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Now is the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies…
Hold you life - lose it…lose it keep it forever?

To make matters worse - one of them will betray him?
Then - Peter deny him?
Of course they are “troubled.”
The word means agitated, shaken, don’t let your heart shudder.

These words that have been a comfort to untold numbers of believers through the century were spoken in the context of dark, troublesome, disturbing days.  All hell is about to break loose.  Their world is about to be shattered and Jesus gives them something to cling to.  Something to bring stability.  An anchor that will hold.

Yes, this is about death and comforts us about the life to come but note the context.  This is not about the sweet by and by it is about the nasty, disturbing here and now!  It is about finding peace in this sin-sick world.

As we walk through these four verses we are reminded that…

Thesis: In the face of doubt, confusion and undeniable hurt believers find peace in the person of the Lord Jesus.

Not in a doctrine.
Not in a creed (as valuable and as importance as both of those are).
Peace is found in Christ.
He is our peace.
He is our comfort.

There are three things I want us to note from this text.

1. Peace springs from the heart that trusts in Jesus.  (14:1)
2. Assurance finds its anchor in the promise and provision of Christ.  (14:2-3)
3. Our confidence, in all of this, is rooted in who Jesus is.  (14:4-6)

Conclusion
Whether it is the fear of a child whose the victim of a cruel hoax; the fear of uncertainty in the midst of sickness or disease; or the chilling winds of death there is an answer to life’s fears.  Real and perceived.  Look to Christ.  Believe.

 

 Standard Podcast [39:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (158)

1 Corinthians #29: an exposition of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 21, 2011.

Intro:
It’s a good way to start an argument.  If things are quiet and a little boring, it is a good way to liven things up.  Just bring up the subject of money and the church.  Immediately folks will have story after story of corruption and abuse.  There will be accusations of misconduct, greed and manipulation by unscrupulous pastors living high on the hog while others struggle to get by and that’s just in the deacons meeting!  I’m kidding but it is almost that bad if you spend even a few minutes reading blogs on the internet.  I’m the first to admit that there are unscrupulous pastors who excellence in “fleecing the flock,” while not a few church members sooth their conscience by convincing themselves they really don’t need to give because they do not want to support such abuse.  The problem is we do not have the luxury of deciding what to do about giving based on real or perceived abuses.  As with all things we must ask, “What do the Scriptures say?”  Not surprisingly the Scriptures have much to say about our giving.  Our text this evening is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 16 beginning with verse 1.

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Paul has just concluded a lengthy section on the doctrine of the resurrection.  Having pointed us to the future glory that awaits us, he returns to the mundane business of the here and now.  In Scripture we are not to separate the doctrinal from the practical.  Doctrine impacts how we live.  Because life survives the grave, because we will stand before God and given an account, because this life is preparation for the life to come…how we live matters.  What we do today impacts tomorrow.

Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians believers with some practical, housekeeping matters.
The first has to do with our giving and he speaks in reference to questions they have raised.

“Now concerning the collection…”
He’s already made reference to their letter to him - 7:1.
So, it appears they asked about the collection Paul had mentioned to them earlier.

Paul had requested that the Gentile believers give an offering to relieve Jews Christians in Jerusalem.  This offering is mentioned in Romans 15:25-28 and in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9.  This offering was to serve 3 purposes: 1) It served as a reminder that the Gentile churches owed a spiritual debt to the church in Jerusalem.  2) It would be a demonstration of the genuineness of the Gentiles’ faith.  3) It would serve to bond the two groups (Jews and Gentiles) together.

Let’s just walk through this text and make some observations.

1. The occasion for this offering.  (16:1)
2. The method of giving.  (16:2)

From this verse we find several principles of giving.

1. Our giving is to be a regular part of our worship.
2. All are expected to give.
3. Our giving is to be through the church.
4. Our giving is to be proportional.

We, as a church, are to be wise and faithful stewards of that which is entrusted.  (16:3)

Conclusion:
We, individually, have a responsibility to give regularly, faithfully through the church for the work of the church, for the care of members of the church, for the spreading of the Gospel and the care of others.

While we are not obligated to legalistically give 10% of our income, we are to give as the Lord prosper, with great joy out of the love, gratitude and devotion to Christ.

As a church we are to strive to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us by establishing sound principles of financial responsibility and committing oversight to godly people who take their responsibility seriously.

 

 Standard Podcast [36:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (173)

Gospel of John #35: an exposition of John 13:18-35. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 21, 2011.

Intro:
They had gathered for an evening meal.  It was a fairly lively evening in the beginning.  There was laughter and the usual joking and good natured teasing.  The food was good, the fellowship sweet, and the mood was festive.  Those gathered had no idea murder and betrayal was on the agenda that evening.  In the midst of love, fellowship and camaraderie lurked the dark, twisted heart of a betrayer.  In a matter of hours the fruit of this betrayal would lead to the horrifying murder of their leader.  The laughter and noise of the dinner was silenced as our Lord declared, “One of you will betray me.”

Betrayal.  Is there an uglier word?  The word itself implies treachery, seduction, violation of confidence and deception.  Is there any greater evil than to betray love?  Betrayal demands intimacy.  You cannot be betrayed by a stranger.  Your in no danger of an “acquaintance” betraying you.  No, you can only be betrayed by one who has feigned love and support long enough to gain your confidence.  One who has gotten close enough to you to gain your trust.  Such hatred, such cold-blooded, calculated animosity can only be described as John describes it, “Satan had already put it in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.”  Our text this morning is found in the 13th chapter of John’s Gospel.
Text: John 13:18-35
We have entered into the “Holy Place.”
Our Lord’s public ministry is over.
For the last few days he poured all his energy into the 12.
Teaching them, equipping them, preparing them for what was to come.
Their world is about to be shattered.
All Hell is about to break loose.
In love and kindness Jesus is preparing them to stand firm in the midst of adversity.
They’ve already been shaken by his words.

He’s already told them he is going to die.
They had to have wondered - “Does this mean I’m going to die as well?”
But they entered Jerusalem to shouts of, “Hosanna!”
Perhaps things are changing.
Maybe it won’t be so bad after all.
Then he said, “The hour has come for the glorification of the Son of Man.”
Messiah’s hour has come?
The kingdom of God is about to be established?
Great!
But then - “…unless a grain falls into the ground and dies…” - glory and death?
“I’m telling you if you hold onto your life you’ll lose it…let go and you’ll keep it - forever!”

I’m telling you their heads were spinning.  They struggled to make sense of it all.  The pieces just did not fit together.  It was just not possible.  Then as they gathered in that upper room for the meal Jesus did a remarkable thing - he washed their feet.

Knowing his hour had come…
Knowing all things had been given into his hand…
Knowing he had been betrayed…
He washed their feet - all of them including Judas!

He then commanded the 12, and us in turn, to do as he did - love sacrificially.
That brings us to our text this morning where we learn another shocking truth.

Here is one of the problems we have when reading the Scripture.  We know the story.  We know that Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus but you have to understand - it was a shock to those around that table.  No one suspected a thing!  Judas gave every appearance of a genuine believer.  He was numbered among the 12.  He was on the “inside.”

John, under the inspiration of the Spirit put this Gospel together.
Throughout he shows us these contrast.
Light and darkness.
Flesh and spirit.
Life and death.

Here is another great contrast: the black-hearted actions of Judas over against the loving concern of Jesus.  This whole account ought to give us pause.  If you’ve learned nothing else from our study of John’s Gospel you ought to have learned, “His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts, our thoughts!”

Working our way through this text we are going to learn…
Thesis: The proof of genuine discipleship is not in how much you know but in how accurately you reflect the character of Christ.

In a day of shallow commitments and minimal standards we would do well to learn the value of this exchange.  Often our criteria for determining who is in the family inaccurately reflects God’s standard.

Look back at verse 18.
“I know whom I’ve chosen…and one of you has lifted his heel against me.”
How long had Jesus known about Judas?
From the beginning!
Yet how did Jesus act toward Judas?
With love, kindness, grace and mercy.
It says something that none of the others had any idea.

I’m afraid I’m not so gracious.
I’m afraid my actions and attitude would have made it clear to all!
“Boy, have you noticed Rod really doesn’t care for Judas.”

So why is Jesus telling them now?
Answer 13:19.

Now I want you to see two extremely important principles within our text.

1. Familiarity with Jesus is no assurance of a relationship with the Savior.  (13:21-30)
2. Christlike love is the hallmark of genuine believers.  (13:33-35)

Conclusion
Only those who have been gloriously change can do this.
Only those who have been brought from death to life can pull this off.
Because you can only do that when you die to self.
Selfless.
Sacrificial.
Forgiving.
Understanding.
Compassionate.
You’re going to have to die to get there!

The proof of genuine discipleship is not in how much you know but in how accurately your reflect the character of Christ.

Familiarity with Jesus is no assurance of a relationship with the Savior.
Christlike love is the hallmark of genuine believers.

 

 Standard Podcast [29:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (171)

The Cross #8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 17, 2011.

 

 Standard Podcast [41:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (218)

1 Corinthians #28: an exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:29-58. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 14, 2011.

Intro:
The resurrection is the believer’s hope.  It is the source of unending joy, peace, assurance and confidence in the life of the believer.  It is at the heart of who and what we are.  It is essential to our faith.  To be clear when we talk of resurrection we are talking about the act whereby God makes the physically dead - physically alive.  We are not talking about “influence” living on, we are talking about bodies being raised to life.  Further we are talking about bodies being raised to never die again.  We are not talking resuscitation but resurrection.  In the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul gives this extended teaching on the doctrine of resurrection.  He begins by establishing the fact that Christ has been raised to life.  Once he establishes that fact he then ties our resurrection to His.  Because Christ was raised, we will be raised.  He is the firstfruit - the pledge and promise that there is more to come.  I understand folks are skeptical about such things.  I understand that there are those who find this teaching “fantastic” or beyond belief.  There were those in Paul’s day who thought it total nonsense.  Resurrection was a stumbling block to the Jews, who thought primarily of God’s activity in this life, in this world, and it was foolishness to the Greeks who long sought to be freed from the prison of this earthly body.  The Greeks believed the spirit to be good while the material world was evil.  The thought of living forever in a material body was repulsive to them!  For these reasons Paul labors the point in chapter 15.  In our text this evening Paul comes to deal with questions related to the doctrine of resurrection.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

This section naturally breaks into three pieces.

A. Some practical implications of the resurrection.  (15:29-34)

1. If the dead are not raised it is absurd to embrace Christianity.  (29)
2. If the dead are not raised it makes no sense to expose oneself to danger.  (30-32)
3. If the dead are not raised it is foolish to insist on moral standards.  (32)

B. Questions/concerns about the nature of the resurrected body.  (15:35-49)

1. Of course it is possible and you know it.  (36-38)
2. There are various kinds of bodies.  (39-42a)
3. This body will be gloriously different.  (42b-46)
4. A body like Christ’s.  (47-49)

C. Finally Paul brings a concluding summary.  (15:50-58)

1. The resurrection is necessary for the life to come.  (50-53)
2. The resurrection signals the defeat of death.  (54-57)
3. The resurrection is an incentive to service.  (58)

 

 Standard Podcast [37:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (222)

Gospel of John #34: An exposition of John 13:1-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 14, 2011.

Intro:
Nothing reveals the true heart and character of a person like extreme trial.  Let a person live under what seems an unbearable strain and you’ll soon learn what they are made of.  Placed into the fiery forge some are ruined while others are refined.  Some crumble others are confirmed.  Haven’t you been amazed by how some people handle adversity?  There are those who face dark, troublesome days with grace, dignity and strengthen.  They shine in the midst of adversity while others fail.  But no one ever shined as brightly as the Lord Jesus in those dark hours before the cross.  As we approach the 13th chapter of John’s Gospel, we slip quietly into the “holy place.”  His death is imminent.  Eternity has been aimed at this very moment.  Life and death; heaven and hell hinge on this moment.  God’s eternal plan is unfolding.  History’s greatest moment lies just ahead.  God’s lamb is being prepared for slaughter.  The weight of eternity is on His heart.  The God/man, the Lord of Glory, the creator of all that is, the Eternal One is about to become sin for us.

The hour of His glorification has come.  Seated at table with the 12 He does a most remarkable thing.  Knowing His time has come; knowing He has already been betrayed; knowing that all things have been put under His power He got on His knees and washed the feet of stubborn, sinful men and taught us the meaning of servanthood.  Our text this morning is found in John chapter 13 beginning with verse 1.

Text: John 13:1-17

Jesus has withdrawn from “public ministry.”
We are in the last hours of His earthly life.
One of the great interpretive difficulties in NT studies is harmonizing John’s Gospel with the synoptics.

We have the reference, “Before the Feast of Passover” yet there is no reference to the Passover Meal.  It appears this is a different evening meal yet immediately after this scene we have the farewell discourse and language that appears in the synoptics as part of the events the night of the Passover Meal/institution of the Lord’s Table.  Scholars are divided as to whether this is a separate meal or the same upper room experience from a different perspective.  Whether it is the Passover Meal or another the point is the same.  We are hours from the cross and this event points to the cross and the cleansing accomplished by the Atonement and demonstrates the servant heart of the Lord Jesus.

The key, for me, in interpreting this significance of this act is found in the last 3rd of this text when Jesus asks if they understand what He has done.  This is about love and servanthood.  Thus I think the message for us is that…

Thesis: Christlikeness demands a life of humble service.

This is unexpected and yet in keeping with John’s whole theme.
His triumphal entry to the city to the shouts of, “Hosanna!”  (Save us!)
Yet riding on an under-seized donkey.
“Now is the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
“Unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die…”
“Hold onto your life and you’ll lose it…give it up and keep it for eternity.”

Here is the King of the Universe, great, powerful, majestic and awe-inspiring He can speak and a universe comes into being yet He washes feet?  His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts.

Three things about servanthood are reflected in our text.

1. Genuine love expresses itself in service to others.  (13:1-5)
2. The experience of grace positions you for service.  (13:6-11)
3. The example of Jesus demands a servant lifestyle.  (13:12-17)

 

 Standard Podcast [32:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (191)

The Cross #7: This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 10, 2011.

 

 Standard Podcast [31:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (112)

1 Corinthians #27. This is an exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. This message by pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 7, 2011.

Intro:
It was a suicide mission.  It appeared to a no-win situation.  The odds of it working seemed astronomical.  Yet after careful planning, looking at every option, the decision was clear cut.  This was the only way.  It had to be done.  One man against unbelievable odds.  One man marching to certain death.  The plan was set in motion.  It went off without a hitch.  At one point it seemed as if the plan was doomed to fail but somehow he pulled it off.  Mission accomplished!  The captives were released.  The battle was over.  All because of one man.  One very special man.

What is this?  A clip from a new adventure series premiering this fall?  A scene from Captain America?  No it’s more exciting that either of those.  And its a true story.  No, not based on a true story, which means bears little or no resemblance to reality.  It is the true story of a real life adventure.  This drama occurred 2000 years ago.  God determined to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness through the life, death and resurrection of His blessed Son.  In that moment as He hung on the cross with His life’s blood flowing out, it appeared all would be lost.  Hope died as His lifeless body was placed in that borrowed grave.  Then, three days later He came triumphantly out of that grave alive forever more.  Satan had been defeated, sin had been conquered, the keys of death and hell were swinging from His side.  Mission accomplished!  The message of the resurrection is a message of hope, of power and of victory.  The resurrection validates or ratifies the Gospel.  This evening we discover another amazing truth tied to the doctrine of the resurrection.  Our text this morning is found in the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians beginning with verse 20.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

From this text I want us to see that…

Thesis: The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures the believer of victory.

The reason for this is two-fold.

1. The resurrection reverses the fall.  (15:20-23)
2. The resurrection restores the Kingdom.  (15:24-28)

The resurrection restores the kingdom of God .  It makes it possible once again for God to reign in the hearts of men even as in the beginning.

The resurrection assures the believer of victory.  Why?  Because it reverses the fall and restores the Kingdom.

 

 Standard Podcast [39:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (97)

Gospel of John #33. This is an exposition of John 12:37-50. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 7, 2011.

Intro:
It is interesting if you do a study of preaching and teaching of the church over the last 100 years.  you will discover that as we have advanced in knowledge and sophistication we have shed our crude exterior and have taken on a more refined appearance.  certain words and concepts have been removed from our vocabulary.  We talk of love, acceptance and tolerance.  we no longer speak of hell, judgment and righteousness.  We are big on “brotherly love” but downplay the thunder of Sinai.  The prophetic voice of the church has been all but silenced.  Gone is the bold declaration of “Thus says the Lord” and in its place is the weak, anemic declaration of popular psychology - “I’m okay, your okay.”  We have sought to replace the thundering voice of God with the soothing voice of a “kinder, gentler Savior.”  While this tickling of the ears may draw greater crowds we are in danger of losing the Gospel.

We need a return to bold, unapologetic preaching of the whole gospel.  The Gospel is good news but the good news can only be understood and appreciated in light of the bad news.  Grace must be seen in light of God’s wrath.  The extent and the wonder of God’s grace must be seen in the light of His sure and certain judgment.  Our text this morning is found in the 12th chapter of John’s Gospel.

Text: John 12:37-50

We are in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry.
This week takes up 47% of John’s account of Jesus’ life.

In the face of trouble and threat of death - Jesus made a bold, public statement with His entrance into the city.  He then entered the temple and performed another cleansing.  Over turning the tables of the money changes He declared that His Father’s House was to be a House of Prayer for all nations.  He then spoke to the crowd declaring that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  This no doubt caused great excitement.  “Messiah is about to overthrow our oppressor,” was the reaction of the crowd.  Then Jesus spoke of death, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it abides alone.”

How is it glory and dying go together?
And what about this keeping life and losing it, letting go of life and finding it?

In verses 35-36 - Jesus warns that the offer of life is not open ended.
The light is among you for a little while longer.
Walk in the light while you have the light.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.

37-43 is a summary of the results of Jesus’ words.
44-50 are Jesus words to His disciples.
This passage serves to remind us that…

Thesis: The faithful preaching of the Gospel sounds an urgent warning to those who would reject the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

In other words, faithful preaching warns of wrath as well as promises grace.

Occasionally people will ask, “What about the innocent native in Africa?  What happens to that innocent native who has never heard the gospel?  They’ve not rejected Jesus because they’ve never heard of Jesus.”  Well, I have to say, the innocent native in Africa has nothing to worry about.  In fact innocent people have nothing to worry about regardless of where they are from!  Of course I have to add there are no innocent natives in Africa or anywhere else.  The real question before us is what about the guilty who have heard and yet rejected the Gospel?

there are three things I want us to see.

1. Those who reject the Gospel have only their own blindness to blame.  (12:37-41)
2. A surface level commitment that refuses to pay the price, is no better than outright rejection.  (12:42-43)
3. Those who reject the Gospel stand under the judgment of God.  (12:44-50)