The Plowman

 

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An exposition of Hosea 10:1-15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 4, 2010.

Introduction
I must admit, everything in me feels as if I should say, “Mr. Chairman the great state of Oklahoma cast all her delegates upon the next president of these United States - the honorable…”  I must acknowledge my struggle with this sort of celebration.  I fear too often there is a blurring of the line in Evangelical churches.  Often the church seems to equate patriotism and nationalism with the Gospel.  THAT IS A MISTAKE.  Yet I think it fitting that our celebration of the Nation’s birth begin here in the house of God.  For apart from the mercy of the Almighty there would be no United States of America.  No nation rises to power without his aid.  We are celebrating 234 years – young by the standards of history – yet the longest on-going constitutional republic in the history of the world.  I’m convinced it is the direct result of the blessing of God.  Not that America is perfect – for she most definitely is not!  And never has been.  Not that we are uniquely the people of God and stand entitled to special rank and privilege for we most certainly do not.  At the same time many today seek to “rewrite” our history.  Determined to downplay our Christian heritage modern day scholars say our Founders were at best Deists influenced by Enlightenment philosophy.  That’s simply not true.

While not all were devout, orthodox Christians – it is a fact that 27 of the original 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence held seminary degrees.  An honest reading of the founding documents and correspondence of the Founding Fathers reveals these are not the prayers and words of Deists!  In fact George Read, a delegate from Delaware, also considered to be “The Father of Delaware” wrote that state’s first laws and the 1776 Delaware Constitution. The Delaware Constitution initially read, “Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, shall make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: ‘I, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given.”  Hardly the words of a Deist.

A significant number of the signers were presidents or vice presidents of various Bible Societies.  Two of the Continental Congress’ first actions were to hire military chaplains and to purchase 20,000 Bibles to remedy a national shortage. America’s first Speaker of the House was the “Reverend” Frederick Muhlenberg.  The reverend John Witherspoon, president of Princeton University played a major role in the American Revolution.  While Witherspoon’s influence alone was extremely impressive, “The record of Princeton men who studied under Witherspoon is outstanding, including President James Madison [primary author of the U.S. Constitution], Vice-President Aaron Burr, nine cabinet officers, 21 United States senators, 39 members of the House of Representatives, three justices of the Supreme Court, 12 governors, and numerous delegates to the Constitutional Convention.”

Those who are upset when politicians make reference to Scripture and the wear their faith on their sleeve have obviously not read the Founders!  The language of Scripture and the Christian Faith has permeated our National rhetoric from the beginning.

Now before this turns into a political rally – let me hasten to say, I’m no Archie Bunker – “America love it or leave” – type.  I love my country.  I am proud to be an American – I wouldn’t trade it for anything – but I do not wear blinders.  I confess that I have a higher Loyalty.  And we, in the church, must not abandon our prophetic post.  We have a responsibility to speak to the nation – both the government and the citizenry.  We must not allow partisanship to distort our vision or silence our voice.  Corruption is corruption, evil is evil and injustice is injustice regardless of who is in “office.”  And we must not fail to hold the moral rope.  We must not fail to point to a higher standard.  We must speak the truth with passion and conviction.  In May of 1776, just weeks before America declared her independence, John Witherspoon declared, “He is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I do not hesitate to call him an avowed enemy of his country.”

Love of country and love of God are not antithetical.  God grant us the courage and boldness to speak with a true prophetic voice to the heart of our Nation.  Our text this morning is found in the 10th chapter of Hosea’s prophecy.

Text: Hosea 10:1-17
Israel is in its last days.  After repeated warning and extended grace – the time of judgment was at hand.  Hosea – whose name means “salvation” was called to close the book on the nation.  He was uniquely qualified – who knew the pain of spurned love.
He knew what it was to love a wayward spouse.  Thus he spoke with conviction and compassion – the awful truth was wrapped in love.

We would do well, on this celebration of our nation’s birth, to learn from Hosea the true nature of godly citizenship.  In our partisan culture – few statesmen are left.  Gone are those who love country above party; who are committed to truth rather than power; good rather than glory.  Hosea’s prophecy serves to remind us that:

Thesis: True love of country demands that the church fulfill its prophetic role.

There are four duties of a prophet reflected in our text.

1. The voice of the prophet dares to expose the nation’s shallow faith.  (10:1-3)
2. The prophetic voice boldly addresses the nation’s sins.  (10:4-11)
3. The voice of the prophet passionately pleads for repentance.  (10:12)
4. The voice of the prophet broken-heartedly declares the nation’s doom.  (10:13-15)

Conclusion:
God’s patience will not always abide with us.
Repeatedly turning a deaf ear to his commands – comes with a price.
We do no service to our great country by denying reality.
If we love this land – we must stand as the prophet:

• Exposing its shallow faith
• Addressing its sin
• Pleading for repentance
• Broken-heartedly declaring its doom.`

 

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This Bible study by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, June 30, 2010.

 

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An exposition of Psalm 42:1-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on June 27, 2010.

Introduction
It just didn’t make sense.  He had just experienced a great victory.  But instead of celebrating, he was pouting.  Instead of rejoicing, he wanted to be left alone.  In fact he just wanted to die.  Now that is hard to accept given the experience Elijah had on Mount Carmel.  You will remember his challenge to the priest of Baal.  You remember that after hours of pleading and extreme measures on their part – Baal never answered.  Elijah in confidence prayed a very simple prayer and the fire of God fell.  It was impressive.  Elijah was indeed the prophet of the living God.  But on the heels of that – Elijah became severely depressed.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon has been called “The Prince of Preachers.”  The great Baptist preacher of the 19th century was known around the world.  He spoke to thousands every week from the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London.  His sermons were reprinted each week in newspapers throughout Britain, Europe and the United States.  He was, without a doubt, one of the most respected men of his day.  Yet he wrote out his resignation almost every week and suffered great bouts of depression.

I read a report back in the mid eighties that said every other hospital bed was occupied by a “mental patient.”  That meant a person whose condition was due to emotional issues.  Record numbers of people are on medication and/or receiving treatment for depression.  It is a major concern.  Depression is a genuine condition.  Often people do need medication because of a chemical imbalance and need counseling due to major traumatic events they have gone through.  That is not and indication of weakness on their part.  It is also true that all of us struggle with depression to some degree.  How do we fight it?  Can we win the battle?  That is the focus of our text found in Psalm 42.

Text: Psalm 42:1-11

This is the first psalm of book 2 (42-72).
We are told this is a psalm by the son’s of Korah.
The Korahites were Levites who performed temple music.

It is interesting to note that during the wilderness wanderings it was Korah who led a rebellion of 250 community leaders and their families (Numbers 16, Jude 11).
The sons of Korah were spared and were later dedicated to the glory of God.

James Boice entitles his study of this Psalm, “An Upward Look by a Downcast Soul.”  I think it is important to note from the outset that depression is a problem even among the people of God.  This is vital to note given the attitudes of many today who assume faith in Christ eliminates problems.  This is not a new problem.  Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, published a book in 1965 entitled Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure, which remains one of his most widely circulated works.

Do you ever get depressed?  Are you ever down in the dumps?  If you say that you never sing the blues, I’ve just got one question for you, “What planet are you living on?”  You cannot travel this road of tears and not suffer occasional bouts of depression.  If you’ve lived any time at all you’ve experienced what some of the puritan writers called “the dark night of the soul.”

As we explore Psalm 42 I think we will discover:

Thesis: The righteous fight through depression by focusing on God’s goodness and grace.

Depression is not the kind of thing you can stop.
It is going to happen.
When life “dumps” on you – you’re going to get depressed.
When trauma comes, depression is sure to follow.

While it will not be eliminated down here – you can, by God’s grace overcome.  And we find some insight in this Psalm.  This is one of the most recognized Psalms because of the opening verses.

There are two truths I want you to take hold of this evening.

1. Even the righteous are prone to periods of doubt and depression.
2. The righteous find deliverance in facing depression head on.

Conclusion
Depression is going to come.  But you don’t have to live under it.  You, by the grace of God can overcome it.  How?  Recognize that it is part of life and then face it head on.  Fight through your depression and look to God’s goodness and grace.

 

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An exposition of Psalm 114:1-8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 27, 2010.

Introduction
Donald McCullough mourned its practice in the mid nineties.  J.B. Phillips warned of its dangers in the mid sixties.  Tozer railed against it in the forties.  R.A. Torrey and others sounded the alarm at the turn of the century.  Phillips warned that our God was too small.  Torrey and company called for a return to fundamental truths.  McCullough decried the “trivialization of God.”  They all amount to the same thing – a pulling God down from the lofty heights to which he belongs and remaking him in our image.  Listen to most of the preaching today and you will hear of a “user friendly” God.  A God who is far more understanding of our weaknesses and far more sympathetic concerning our bent toward perversion.  Much of today’s “Christian music” sounds more like a top 20 love song than an expression of holy adoration and reverent worship.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not at all suggesting that only music written 300 years ago is appropriate for worship!  Neither am I suggesting that nothing worthwhile has been written in the last 30 years.  I am suggesting that there has been a general loss of wonder and awe.

Oh we sing Our God is an Awesome God and I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene – it’s just that we are not awed and we do not stand amazed!  They are merely words.  We have lost the wonder.  Amazing Grace has become routine.  Our worship is matter of fact.  We have “handled” sacred things to the point they are no longer sacred.  This is why we are to cultivate a “child-like” faith.  Not a childish faith – but a child-like faith.  A child-like faith is the kind of faith that can look at something for an hour without loosing that sense of wonder.  And child-like faith leads to glorious worship.  Glorious worship does not demand bells, whistles and show-stopping music.  Glorious worship is a heart matter!  Our text this evening is found in the 114th Psalm.

Text: Psalm 114:1-8

This is the second in the six Psalms of the “Egyptian Hallel” (113-118).
To be sung at the three major feasts – dedication, new moon and Passover.
It is a brief Psalm but one of great significance.

Spurgeon called it “sublime.”

Derek Kinder says it recalls the Exodus, not as a familiar event from Israel’s past but rather as an “astonishing event: as startling as a clap of thunder, as shattering as an earthquake.”

As we explore the 4 stanzas of this brief hymn we discover the…

Thesis: Three marks of child-like faith.

1. Stanza 1 serves to remind us that child-like faith – Rejoices in God’s deliverance of and dwelling with His people.  (114:1-2)
2. The second stanza reminds us that – Child-like faith celebrates God’s protection and provision.  (114:3-4)
3. Stanzas three and four serve to remind us that – Child-like faith trembles before God’s majesty and might.  (114:5-8)

Child-like faith rejoices and celebrates but it also trembles!
The word means to twist or writhe.
It is not a “comfortable” thing.

We are far too comfortable with the holy – which would indicate and inadequate view of God and an inflated view of ourselves.

May God grant to us a child-like faith – one that:
Rejoices in God’s deliverance and his dwelling with his people;
Celebrates God’s protection and provision;
Trembles before God’s majesty and might.

 

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An exposition of Romans 16:25-27. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 20, 2010.

Introduction
There are appropriate and inappropriate responses.  I remember one night at the dinner table I didn’t care for what we were having for our evening meal.  My dad said, “You need to be grateful for what you have.  There are a lot of kids in this world who would love to have what’s on your plate.”  I said, “Well you can ship this to them because I don’t like it.”  That’s the one time my father hit me.  The back of his hand across my smart mouth said, unmistakably, “THAT’S NOT APPROPRIATE!”  I had told the professor that if I missed class in the next few days it would be because our first child was due any time now.  Upon returning to class for the first time after Zac’s birth Dr. Dominy approached me with a big smile, “Well boy or girl?”  “It’s a boy!  We named him Bert (my professor’s first name) because he doesn’t have any hair either.”  Immediately after thinking, “I hope I didn’t actually say that” - I knew - not an appropriate response.

Responses say a lot about those who so respond.  Obviously my responses reveal a lack of control and a smart mouth.  I’ve known, and you know, people who cry at the drop of a hat.  Sensitive, caring people who feel everyone’s hurt and have an amazing capacity for empathy.  You also know people who “fly off the handle” with the least little provocation.  Everything is a big deal.  The smallest question is received as the greatest attack.  Somewhere between always crying and never crying is a balanced position.  Somewhere between always mad and never mad is a healthy, reasonable response.

As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the church at Rome we find an appropriate response.  It is the most natural way to end the letter.  Here is this grand and glorious statement of the gospel.  It would hardly seem appropriate if Paul concluded by saying, “Thanks for listening.  You’ve been a great audience and we’ll see you down the road.”  That just wouldn’t do this letter justice.  No, Paul’s closing doxology is a fitting end to this glorious letter.  Our text this morning is found in Romans 16 beginning at verse 25.

Text: Romans 16:25-27
Paul began by saying man is a sinner.
His sin is so pervasive that he is totally or radically depraved.
Man is sinful beyond his ability to effect a cure.
He cannot save himself - more than that he cannot contribute to his own salvation.
But God, in grace and mercy, in kindness and love has provided a means of salvation.
God has given his Son, the Lord Jesus, who is both the sacrifice and the one offering sacrifice.
Salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ alone.
As a part of this great saving work the Spirit takes up residence in every believer.
He cries, “Abba!  Father!”
As a result there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
And there is no separation - for nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus…
God is faithful to His people and His promise (9-11).
With this new life come certain obligations or responsibilities (12-15).

With chapter 16 Paul sends greeting to his various friends there at Rome (1-16).
He calls on the church to be “on guard” against those who cause divisions (17-20).
Other’s send their greetings (21-24).

Then comes this burst of praise to close the letter.  That is our focus for this morning.  Paul’s heart started to sing once before (11:36).  It was Paul’s custom to close his letters in his own hand.  We know this because of 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18.  With his closing remarks we are reminded that…

Thesis: The only legitimate response to the message of God’s saving love is a sense of profound worship.

There are two things I want to point out quickly.

1. The worshiping heart rejoices in God’s establishing, enabling power.  (16:25-26)
2. The worshiping heart stands in awe of God’s glory.  (16:27)

 

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This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 13, 2010.

I’ve heard it more times than I can count.  I’m sitting in a home visiting with a family before a funeral.  I’ve been called by the funeral home and asked to do the service because the family has no church connection.  And one of the family will say, “Daddy never went to church.  He just worshiped God in his own way.”  I’ve had men tell me, “I worship God when I’m out on the lake fishing.”  I don’t say it – but I think it – “Just how much worship goes on while you’re out on the lake?  Please describe the average service there in the boat.”  I don’t doubt that God’s name comes up – I’m just not sure it is expressed in a worshipful manner!  An increasing number of folks fail to see the church as relevant to their spiritual lives.  The church is full of hypocrites.  The church is outdated.  The church is stuck in the past.  The music belongs in a museum.  The sermon is a history lesson.  In short, the church has nothing to offer me.  Given the access we know enjoy through the internet do we need a local church?  What is the value of being in a church when I have access to the greatest teachers in the church 24 hours a day 7 days a week through my computer?  I meet with a couple of friends at least once a week and we discuss the Bible and what the Lord is doing in our lives.  We are accountable to each other – why do I need a church?  Most of the folks at church aren’t committed to God and all they are interested in is my money.  Why bother with joining a church.  I just don’t need the headache.  How do you answer that?  What would you say to that person?

We are considering the “church.”
Three weeks ago we talked about the “church dater.”
Those who flirt with the church but refuse to make a real commitment.
Two weeks ago we look carefully at the Church as the “bride of Christ.”
We talked about how marriage was created to mirror the relationship of Christ and His Church.
We also consider the church as a body and a living temple.
Now this evening, “Why do I need the church?”

Let’s start by acknowledging that this is a legitimate question to be asking.
It would be easy to brush this aside and say, “What a silly question, of course you need the church.”  Really?  Why?
As one who has put his trust in Jesus Christ, I’m already part of the Church, why do I need to belong to one of the thousands of fragmented groups called churches?  I’ve been accepted by God, I’m loved by Christ why do I need the church (little “c”)?
Let me give you the short answer: because the local church is a visible, tangible, real-world expression of the body of Christ.

What is it that the church does best?
The local church is the best means for showing your neighbors the transforming power of the Gospel in granting to you new life and that new life becoming the foundation for a new society.

• Baptism – marks us as the people of God.  It declares I’ve identified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4).
• The Lord’s Supper – shows our continuing fellowship in Christ (Mt. 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
• Church Discipline – shows the world we are serious about walking in obedience before Christ and are committed to one another for spiritual good/development (Mt. 18, 1 Corinthians 5).

Let me give you two other reasons for why you need the church.

1. You need the church because sanctification is a community project.
2. You need the church in order to worship appropriately.

The church matters and you need to be a part of it because:

• The local church is a visible, tangible, real-world expression of the body of Christ.
• When a church lives out the Gospel together it displays the transforming effects of the Gospel for the world to see.
• Sanctification is a community project.
• It is the means of worshiping God appropriately.

 

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An exposition of Romans 16:1-23. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 13, 2010.

Introduction
One of my favorite philosophers is the great Yogi Berra.  Yogi has been credited with great insights like, “It ain’t over until it’s over” and “when you come to a fork in the road take it.”  Of course Yogi also said, “I didn’t say all those things I said.”  But my favorite “Yogism” is, “You can observe a lot just by watching.”  You have to admit that is true!  You can also learn a lot just by listening.  You can learn a lot about a person by what they say.  You learn what is important to them and what they value just by observing their conversations.  This is especially true in “unguarded” moments.  Off hand comments.  Incidental statements.  That means there are things to be learned in those passages we often skip over in the biblical text.  Text like the close of Paul’s great letter to the church at Rome.  The apostle has given this great statement on the gospel.  He has delivered this profound theological treatise on salvation by grace through faith, then he called his readers to live a life founded upon those truths.  As he concludes his monumental work he sends greetings to some of the faithful in Rome.  Our tendency is to skip over those remarks or give them a cursory read.  But that is a mistake.  To do so is to miss something helpful.  Here, in these closing remarks, is a great insight into the heart of this great servant of Christ.

Last time we considered the marks of a missionary heart as we worked through chapter 15.  We saw that the missionary heart views all of life as service to God.  Every act is a sacrificial act, a priestly service to Christ and his kingdom.  Further the missionary heart is focused on the glory of God, it dares to dream big and knows the task cannot be accomplished alone.  But that is not the whole story.  Those 4 characteristics are vertically oriented.  They are concerned with God and his glory.  What about the horizontal?  What about concern for our fellow man?  What about our heart for other believers?  That will be our focus this morning in chapter 16.

Text: Romans 16:1-23
He is a towering figure in the Scripture.
A man of great intellect - holding what will be the equivalent of multiple doctorates.
A man of unquestioned spirituality.
Author of roughly half the New Testament.
A pioneer for the gospel and the kingdom.
But what I’m interested in, for our purpose this morning, is his heart.

Allow me to point out three marks of a missionary heart from our text.

1. A missionary heart loves profoundly.  (16:1-16)
2. A missionary heart is passionate about the truth.  (16:17-20)
3. The missionary heart is contagious in its enthusiasm.  (16:21-23)

So we have the heart of a missionary - loving, passionate about truth and contagious in its enthusiasm.  Does that describe your heart?  If a visitor attends your Sunday School class, your Bible study - is that the impression they leave with?  How about a worship service?

 

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This discussion by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, June 9, 2010.

 

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This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church.

 

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This message by guest preacher, Rev. Bob Post, was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 6, 2010.