The Plowman

 

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1 Samuel #19: an exposition of 1 Samuel 19:1-24. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, May 6, 2012.

Intro:
Do you ever have a bad day?  “Duh, am I breathing?”  We all have bad days.  I had a bad day one time that lasted a month!  Life in this fallen, sin-filled world, is often hard.  There are those times when we want to say, “Lord are you paying attention?  I’m hurting here.  Things are pretty rotten.  It would be nice if you did something about it.”  Yeah, you have your bad days but what about king David?  He was doing everything right and yet Saul was determined to kill him.  He stood up to Goliath and won a great victory.  Every time he went to war God brought fame and notoriety to Israel.  Israel was becoming a major player.  The world was taking note and yet, through no fault of his own, David was marked for execution by king Saul.  That’s a bad day!  That bad day lasted for years.  From the time David took center stage in chapter 16 through the end of 1 Samuel David lived with tension.  The tension created by the fact the king rejected by God was still in power while the king chosen by God lived in exile.  It’s not fair.  It’s not right.  Yet for purposes known only to God, it was the will of God.  So much for the whole, “trust Jesus and all will be well” school of theology.

We want things neat and clean.  We like things cut and dried.  Everything in its place and everything clearly marked but that is not life in this world.  This world is filled with heartache and sorrow, struggle and stress.  Sometimes the greatest evidence of God’s presence is not that we have lived through the trail but that we are still on our feet in the midst of the trial.  1 Samuel 19 is about deliverance.  In chapter 18 we saw jealousy lift its ugly head.  Saul was furious over the song of the women, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands.”  Saul tried to kill David with a spear but David eluded him.  He sought to give his oldest daughter to David in marriage and to place David in a more vulnerable position is hopes of the Philistines finishing him off.  That didn’t work.  He got another chance by offering his youngest daughter in marriage and demanding David kill 100 Philistines as a dowry.  David thought it a bargain at twice the price and was successful.  This only served to enrage Saul all the more.  As chapter 19 opens Saul is finished with subtleties, now it is all out war.

Text: 1 Samuel 19:1-24

Chapter 19 gives us four accounts of God’s delivering David.
Each deliverance comes by a different means but it is all God’s doing.
We must not allow the means of deliverance to eclipse the source of deliverance.
1 Samuel 19 is a vivid reminder that…
Thesis: Our gracious God repeatedly, mercifully guards and protects His servants.

Though circumstances may seem to say otherwise, God is in control and He is present.
Chapter 19 underscores the message of the prophet Jonah, “Salvation is of the Lord.”
There are four (4) examples in our text.

1. deliverance through reason and logic.  (19:1-7)
2. deliverance through fear and instinct.  (19:8-10)
3. deliverance through diversion and cunning.  (19:11-17)
4. deliverance through divine intervention.  (19:18-24)

Conclusion:
David had not be deserted.  God had not abandoned him.  God was at work and He was present in all of what transpired.

That is our comfort and peace as the people of God.  Our deliverer has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.  I am with you always even to the end of the age.”

Our gracious God repeatedly, mercifully guards and protects His servants.

 

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1 Samuel #18: an exposition of 1 Samuel 18:1-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 29, 2012.

Intro:
I don’t like clutter.  I’m not fanatical about it but I am a straightener.  If you come into my office you will generally find things neat and in order but whatever you do - don’t open a draw!  You see my neatness only goes so far.  Out of sight out of mind.  I want the appearance of neat and orderly.  I’m the same way with life.  I like it neat and orderly.  I want things to be the way they are “supposed” to be.  The problem, of course, is that life is seldom as it is supposed to be.  Thus I’m not averse to rearranging the facts to give the appearance all is well.  When it comes to matters of faith we want things clean.  If you love and serve the Lord all will be well.  Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.  That’s the way it works in the fantasy world unfortunately we live in the real world, a world marred by sin, corrupted by the Fall.  In this world it rains on the just and the unjust.  In this world righteous suffer, often through no fault of their own.  Such is the case in our text this evening.

He was the youngest child in the family.
As such he was given the menial task of shepherding the family’s flocks.
One day the prophet of God showed up and anointed him king of Israel!

Some time later he visited the front lines of a battle between Israel and their arch enemy the Philistines.  When he arrived he could not believe his eyes.  The giant Goliath stood mocking the armies of the living God.  Not once, but twice a day for 40 days.  The army of Israel cowered in silence while their king did nothing.  You know the story - David defeated Goliath, the army of Israel then routed their enemy and everyone rejoiced.

David now moves center stage in the story but not to live happily ever after.  His is a roller coaster existence filled with highs and lows, twists and turns.  A man blessed of God, the object of great affection on the part of some and great hostility on the part of others.  A man after God’s own heart and yet a man flawed and broken.  This evening I want us to focus on chapter 18 as the biblical writer helps us to learn that…

Thesis: In a fallen, twisted world the blessing of God brings both profound joy and unexpected heartache.

Text: 1 Samuel 18:1-30

There are three things I want to call to your attention from this text.

1. The blessing of God brings about a profound friendship.  (18:1-5)
2. The blessing of God leads to a smoldering resentment and increasing hostility.  (18:6-16)
3. The blessing of God results in a mocking gesture of love and respect.  (18:17-30)

Conclusion:
I wish I could say, “Just love Jesus and everything will be alright.”  The truth is faith in Christ does not eliminate your struggles in fact it will create quite a few struggles of its own!  The promise is not a stress-free existence and smooth sailing but rather God’s presence in the midst of the storm.  Our peace and comfort are anchor in the “greater David” who himself knew the joy and unexpected heartache of God’s favor.  His life produces the response of both profound love and intense hatred.  It is one of the reason why we long for His appearing.  It is why all of creation groans for the new heaven and the new earth.  In the meantime we find our peace and rest in the person of the Lord Jesus.

 

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1 Samuel #17: an exposition of 1 Samuel 17:1-54. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 22, 2012.

Intro:
Do you ever get the feeling that we are fighting a losing battle?  Ever feel like you’re beating your head against the wall when you try to talk to others about your faith and about biblical truth?  The world is changing.  The culture is shifting.  The Judeo-Christian worldview is losing it’s grip on the American conscience.  Our faith is increasingly mocked and with greater intensity.  While in the past those who did not attend church were respectful of the church and its teaching that is no longer the case.  The “tolerant crowd” is no longer tolerant of our views.  The new atheism is a militant and aggressive strain that will not be satisfied until the culture is purged of any hint of biblical Christianity.  We are heading to a showdown.  Lines are being drawn.  Positions are being marked off and we are being faced with a choice.  Will we stand our ground or be coward into silence?  Will we march on under the banner of the cross or will we flee from the presence of our enemy?

There he stood.  Powerful.  Majestic.  Intimidating.  For 40 days he had taunted the army of Israel.  40 days he mockingly called for a worthy opponent to come forward and fight.  Israel’s “mighty men” were reduced to frightened children.  Their king in search of the “panic button.”  Then came the shepherd boy on his father’s errand.  “What’s going on?”  “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”  Thus began the epic battle between David and Goliath.  It is a familiar story, possibly one of the first Bible stories you learned.  The problem is this text is often misunderstood and misapplied.  Too often it is used merely as an example bravery.  We are told to trust God as we face our own Goliaths but is that the point of the text?  When dealing with a narrative text it is important to look for reoccurring words or themes.  Such words may be a clue to the author’s intent.  In 1 Samuel 17 there is such a reoccurrence.  Six times (10, 25, 26 (twice), 36 and 45) we find the word “reproach” or one of its derivatives.  Goliath consistently mocked, defied and reviled God’s name.  That becomes the key for understanding this encounter as we learn a valuable lesson in faith-filled courage.

Text: 1 Samuel 17:1-54

17:1-3 sets the context.
The Philistines were Israel’s arch enemy throughout this period.
The inspired narrator paints this dramatic scene for us.
Both armies draw up for battle.
Standing on either side of this great valley.
The location is about 12-14 miles west of Bethlehem.
Socoh and Azekah were strong points on the south side of the valley.
Israel is on the opposite side.

17:4-7 gives us our first glimpse of Goliath of Gath, the Philistine champion.

Listen to his taunt - 17:8-10.

Now David is introduced 17:12-18.

Here is what I want us to note from this passage:

Thesis: In a world marked by God-denying, God-defying arrogance we are called to lives of faith-filled courage and God-honoring devotion.

There are three things I want to point out.

1. Faith-filled courage and God-honoring devotion are inflamed by a passion for God’s glory.  (17:26)
2. Faith-filled courage and God-honoring devotion are anchored in the certainty of God’s enabling.  (17:34-37)
3. Faith-filled courage and God-honoring devotion have as their goal the glory and honor of God.  (17:41-54)

Conclusion:
Do you feel inadequate?  Good!
You say you’re not equipped?  Wonderful!
You are just the kind of person God is looking for.

Ask Paul:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
9 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Your battle will not likely come with a giant on the field of battle with opposing armies looking on.  It will most often come up on the office as God’s name is taken in vain and you dare confront the offender.  For me it may come when I refuse to perform a wedding because I believe it violates Scripture.  The confrontations will come.  The only question is whether you will go forth with faith-filled courage and God-honoring devotion or will you cower in silence and fear.

 

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1 Samuel #16: an exposition of 1 Samuel 16:1-23. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 25, 2012.

Intro:
Fairy tales are great because they are simple.  Characters are clearly defined.  There is good and evil and you know which is which.  The same was true for classic westerns.  Good guys wore white hats while bad guys wore black.  There was right and there was wrong.  The hero saved the town, kissed the girl and rode off into the sunset on his trusty mount.  Life was simple then.  Oh and 1950 sitcoms, there was no problem that could not be solved within 30 minutes!  Sure there were crisis but Eddie Haskell never got away with it and the Beaver learned his lesson and all was well.  No wonder we want to go back to those simpler days.  The problem is life is not a fairy tale, a classic western or a 50’s sitcom.  Life has never been that simple.  Neither has faith.  There is a fondness in the church for formulas.  We like to think things fit into neat categories and truth is always black and white but the reality is, the life of faith is more complicated than that.  The God who thunders from Sinai, who sets the stars in place, who controls all things by the power of His might just won’t fit into a box.  No matter what the color, shape or size.  Often when we read the Scriptures we are left scratching our heads and wondering, “Why did God do it that way?”  “How does that advance the kingdom?”  “Boy, I never saw that coming.”  That seems especially true to me when reading 1 Samuel.  Regularly I’m met with unexpected twists and turns.  I’m forced to acknowledge, “His ways are not my ways neither are His thoughts my thoughts.”  “Samuel they are not rejecting you, in their demand for a king, they are rejecting me.  So give them a king.”  What?  The enemy has an overwhelming force.  They are advancing.  Your army is deserting.  Samuel hasn’t shown up.  Everything is going to be lost.  The nation will be destroyed.  I must act - so Saul makes sacrifice to God and seeks His intervention.  God’s response?  “I reject you as king.”  Why?  What he did seemed reasonable, given the circumstances.  He obeyed, within reason.  Rejected?  Really?  His ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts.  This evening we continue our walk through 1 Samuel as we come to chapter 16.

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

God decisively rejected Saul as king:

1 Samuel 13:14 - But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.

1 Samuel 15:28 - And Samuel said to him, The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.

God’s choice of a a replacement was decisive - yet it would be a dozen years or more before he would be king.  In the meantime the story is filled with twists and turns and joys and heartaches not to mention a few troubling scenes.  Here in chapter 16 we learn who that replacement will be.  Along the way we discover some important truths about God, his ways and the life we are called to live.

This chapter serves to remind us that…

Thesis: The life of faith is not a “cut and dried,” black and white existence.  It is a full color, adventure filled journey guided by His loving, righteous and sovereign hand.

There are three things I want to point out.

1. God has not, and will not abandon His people.  (16:1-5)
2. God delights in choosing the weak and simple to confound the strong and wise.  (16:6-13)
3. Both God’s wrath and His grace are worked out in the colorful mess of our lives.  (16:14-23)

 

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1 Samuel #13: an exposition of 1 Samuel 13:1-23. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 4, 2012.

Intro:
The apostle Paul said, “The wages of sin is death.”  Do you believe that?  Oh sure it’s in the Bible and I know that we “believe” what the Bible says is true, but come on, do you really believe sin brings about death?  If you say that you believe it, how is that reflected in your daily life?  How does that fact affect or influence you on a daily basis?  If the consequences of sin are that far reaching, that devastating what precautions are you taking?   I’m afraid we are sloppy in our theologizing.  We have a set of doctrinal beliefs over here.  We believe them to be true.  They are solidly based in the text of Scripture but they stay over here in the category of “beliefs” and never interact with “real life” over here.  Unless this is a game we are playing, that will never do.  You cannot separate doctrine from life, belief from practice.  When building our theology we are not done until we ask the question - “So what?”  If this is true - so what?  If this is true how am I to respond?  What am I to do?  What am I to avoid?  How am I to act?  I’m afraid that because we do not often see the consequence of our sin immediately we assume there are no consequences to our actions.  The wages of sin is death - “Yeah I know one day I’m going to die and that’s because sin entered the world but that’s down the road and there’s really nothing for me to get all worked up about right now.  Besides I’m under grace.  Because of Christ I’ve been forgiven and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.  That’s Bible.  That’s Romans 8!”  Tell that to Ananias and Sapphira who fudged on their contribution record and dropped dead in the church house.  That’s Bible too.  That’s Acts chapter 5!  The sign of a depraved society, according to Romans 1, is that there is no fear of God before their eyes.  Sin is serious business for the pagan and for the believer.

This evening I want us to consider what happened to king Saul and what it teaches us about the subtlety of sin and its devastating consequences.  Our text is found in chapter 13 of 1 Samuel.

Text: 1 Samuel 13:1-23

Israel clamored for a king.
“We want a king like the nations around us.”
Monarchy was “in” and Israel didn’t want to be left out.
We know, by revelation from God, their desire for a king was a rejection of God’s sovereignty.
They mistakenly thought if we have a king we’ll have more say.
God made it clear both Israel and her king will be under His sovereign control.
Both Israel and her king will be accountable to the law of God.
Obey and there will be blessing.
Disobey and there will be consequences.
Saul is anointed king in a private ceremony (9:27-10:1).
Saul later is publicly declared Israel’s king (10:20-26).
God uses Saul to defeat Nahash and the Ammonites and Saul is affirmed king (11:12-15).

Both the king and the people are commanded to obey the Lord or suffer the consequences    (12:24-25).

Now listen to the God’s prophet…

And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
But now your kingdom shall not continue.  The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you. (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

What happened?
What great evil was done?

As we explore the 13th chapter the message is clear.

Thesis: The tragic downfall of king Saul reminds us of the devastating consequences of sin.

There are two things I want to point out.

1. Sin’s subtle nature.  (13:1-12)
2. Sin’s devastating consequences.  (13:13-23)

Conclusion:
Saul obeyed the Lord - for the most part.
He only inserted his own will when necessary.
It cost him his kingdom.
It brought judgment upon his house.

Sin is a serious matter.  Sin is rebellion against God.  It is an open act of defiance and there is a price to pay.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The wages of sin is death.
But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

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1 Samuel #12; an exposition of 1 Samuel 12:1-25. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 26, 2012.

Intro:
There are two popular misunderstandings about the character of God common in the church.  I say misunderstandings because both are a distortion in that they present one aspect of the truth to the exclusion of other aspects.  I say they are common because I know a great number of folks who hold to these views.  Few hold to them as their doctrinal conviction but hold them nevertheless in practice.   One is to view God as the overindulgent grandfather.  This is the God who thunders from Sinai and yet winks at our sin.  Sure sin is wrong, it is bad, we ought not to do it but we are under grace and God always forgives our sin.  To often these folks presume upon the grace of God rather than rest in God’s grace.  Their approach to the confession of sin is to say, “Oh, my bad.  Sorry about that.”  Then go merrily on their way not expecting there to be any consequence to their actions.  On the other hand there are those who tremble before the God of the great big stick!  These folks take the thunder from Sinai seriously.  Often these believers know little or nothing of the joy of salvation.  They constantly fear they’ve not done enough.  They worry that perhaps they sinned unknowingly or have failed to account for and confess every wrong.  Both views are a distortion and both fail to present the God of Scripture.  Your doctrine of God, your understanding of God’s character and nature are critical to your Christian living.  How you understand God and His dealings with His creation have a profound affect on how you live daily.  We are all prone to excess.  We all tend to emphasize one truth above another.  Balance is not our strong suit but balance is the goal.  God is love.  Yet love is not the sum total of who God is.  God is also holy, transcendant, set apart, distinct and different.  God loves us and thus is merciful, kind and gracious.  Yet God is holy and thus righteous standards are maintained and justice will be upheld.  God loves us and thus lowers himself to be in relationship with us and yet unrighteousness cannot stand in His presence.  So how does God deal with us and our sin?  How does He love and yet maintain righteousness?  In seeking to better understand, we turn to the Old Testament and see how God responded to Israel in the face of their rebellion.

Text: 1 Samuel 12:1-25

The people of Israel demanded a king like the nations around them.
Samuel privately anointed Saul as king and then later declared him king publicly.
Yet Saul didn’t do anything “kingly” for quite awhile.

In fact he just went home and picked up his farming duties until the imminent threat from the Ammonites called for action (11).

Chapter 11 ends with a brief description of a renewal ceremony in Gilgal

So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.  (11:15)

Chapter 12 is a more detailed account of that gathering.  We are given some insight into what was said on that occasion and what it meant to renew the kingdom.

The ESV has a title over chapter 12 that says, “Samuel’s Farewell Address.”
It is true Samuel takes a backseat and the kings move front and center but Samuel isn’t gone.
He continues his ministry as is made plan in the text and the fact he’s seen later in the story.

For our purpose this evening, here is what I want you to see…

Thesis: The gathering of the people of God at Gilgal for renewal and repentance reminds us of our need to bring the whole counsel of God to bear on our understanding of God’s response to our sin and rebellion.

There are 3 things I want to point out.

1. God graciously confronts our sin.  (12:1-15)
2. God graciously reminds us of His power and His intent to hold us accountable.  (12:16-19)
3. Our God lovingly offers the Gospel when we become convinced of the righteousness of His divine judgment.  (12:20-25)

Conclusion:
Is God loving?
Yes but not the exclusion of His holiness.
Is God holy?
Yes but not the exclusion of His love.

Because He is gracious God confronts our sin.
Because He is gracious He reminds us of His power and His intent to hold us accountable.
Because He is loving He offers the Gospel when we become convinced of the righteousness of His divine judgment.

The gathering of the people of God at Gilgal for renewal and repentance reminds us of our need to bring the whole counsel of God to bear on our understanding of God’s response to our sin and rebellion.

 

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1 Samuel #11: an exposition of 1 Samuel 11:1-15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 12, 2012.

Intro:
Things are not always as they seem.  Often we discover there is more to the story than first appears.  Israel wanted a king.  A king like the nations around them.  On the one hand that seemed a logical request.  They needed a leader.  Someone to give guidance and direction.  Israel wanted to keep up with the times, after all this was not the “Dark Ages” it was the 11th century B.C. for heaven’s sake!  Monarchy was “in” and they didn’t want to be left out.  Of course what they failed to see was that they already had a king.  Yahweh, their covenant God, was their Sovereign and He provided guidance and leadership through various ones whom He inspired.  What they considered to be the reasonable advancement of an enlightened people was, in fact, an act of rebellion.  Yet God gave them a king and continued to remain faithful to His covenant in spite of their rejection.  The interesting thing is that Saul was first anointed in a private ceremony and then he told no one!  Later he is publicly drawn out and identified in dramatic fashion by the casting of lots.  The crowd affirmed God’s choice by shouting, “Long live the king!”  After some instructions about the kings’ duties they all went home - including Saul.  Saul has a job but no job description.  He is a king but has no court, no palace, no army, no government so what did he do?  He went home and resumed his work as a dirt farmer.  That’s where we pick up the story again in 1 Samuel chapter 11.

Text: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

We affirm that the Bible is true.
It is the Word of God - God-breathed, inspired.
The stories and history revealed are true and accurate.
Yet we must remember the intent of the Scripture is to reveal God to us.
God is making himself know through Scripture.

When we come to narrative passages we must not simply read the story.  We must not settle for a history lesson and about political dealings of the ancient middle east.  We must ask, “What is God revealing?  What is it He wants us to learn about ourselves and most importantly about Him and our relationship with Him?

From that perspective…

Thesis: Saul’s deliverance of the people, in his first act as king, reminds us of the real power behind Israel’s king and the need for a God-centered worldview.

It is easy to affirm the doctrine of the sovereignty of God.  After all that’s part of what it means to be God isn’t it?  He is all powerful, all knowing and everywhere present.  He created everything that exists and holds it all together by the power of His might.  He is intimately involved in His creation, intervening in the lives and circumstances of His people.  Isn’t that the basis of our praying?  We do believe prayer is more than a mental exercise right?  It’s more than a means of self awareness and a means of salving our conscience.  We pray because God hears and responds.  It actually affects what goes on in real time and space.

But how often do you actively, purposefully view and understand what is happening around us as  the work of God?

Consider what has happened in the last few chapters of 1 Samuel:
Some donkey’s got lost - God was at work.
A man sent his son to look for those donkeys - God was at work.
The search party “happened” to come across the man of God - God was at work.
Saul is privately anointed king and tells no one - God was at work.
Saul is singled out by the casting of lots - God was at work.
He went home and resumed farming - God was at work.
Now, a vicious Ammonite king is threatening Israel - and God is at work!

Some background:
The Philistines are to the west of Israel along the Mediterranean coast, the Ammonites (descendants of Lot and another of Israel’s chief enemies) are to the East and both are pressing in on and threatening Israel.

Chapter 11 is focused on the Ammonite threat as they are led by Nashan (the Serpent) who is determined to crush and humiliate Israel.  Among the Dead Sea scrolls there are copies of 1 Samuel that have an extra verse between 10:27 and 11:1:

Now Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been grievously oppressing the Gadites and the Reubenites.  He would gouge out the right eye of each of them and would not grant Israel a deliverer.  No one was left of the Israelites across the Jordan whose right eye Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had not gouged out.  But there were seven thousand men who had escaped from the Ammonites and had entered Jabesh-gilead.

Imagine village after village filled with one-eyed men a vivid reminder of the power and cruelty of the Ammonite king.  It was a reign of terror and that’s were our story begins in 11:1.

There are 3 things I want to point out.

1. The response of the people to the threats of Nahash exposes the frailty of superficial faith and nominal commitment.  (11:1-4)
2. The Spirit’s enabling of Saul and the Spirit’s uniting the people demonstrate’s the presence of Israel’s true Savior.  (11:5-11)
3. God’s deliverance demands repentance and renewal.  (11:12-15)

 

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1 Samuel #10: an exposition of 1 Samuel 10:17-27. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 29, 2012.

Intro:
It was a dramatic moment.  Tensions ran high following the fiery sermon from God’s prophet.  The people had demanded a king.  A king like the nations surrounding them.  Though it was a rejection of God’s sovereign reign, God gave them a king.  In dramatic fashion old Samuel told the people to assembly by tribes.  Through the casting of lots the tribe of Benjamin was selected.  From the tribe of Benjamin the clan of the Matrites was taken.  Finally the family of Kish and that dramatic moment when Israel’s new king was introduced…hello.  Is anyone home?  You must picture this scene.  Imagine a dramatic fanfare as the king is announced.  Every head turns the people straining for a glimpse of his royal majesty and no one appears.  His name is called again.  Nothing.  A search is made - nothing.  Finally they resort to prayer as they inquire of the Lord, “Can you please help us find our king?”  “He is over there hiding in the baggage!”  Israel has her king but perhaps he’s not like the kings of her neighbors.  Our text this evening is found in 1 Samuel chapter 10 and verses 17-27.

Text: 1 Samuel 10:17-27

1 Samuel is not about Samuel, or Saul, or David or even the kingdom…it is about God.
It is about His sovereignty, His rule, His reign, His character.
It is a reminder to us that God will accomplish His purpose in the earth.
God has a people and He has entered into covenant with them.
While they may violate that covenant, He never will.
While they may prove unfaithful, He will remain forever faithful.

In their lust to be like everyone else the people of God forgot His ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts.  The people of God, then and now, are often blind to their own wickedness and folly.  Out of their own sinful hearts they clamored for a king and rejected the only rightful king.  Yet even in their sin they served God’s sovereign purpose.

This passage serves to remind us that God’s will is done in spite of us.
God’s plans cannot be thwarted.
What is clear in this text is that…

Thesis: Saul’s public coronation as king makes it clear that Israel’s king is like no other king.

Chapter 10:1-16 introduces us to Saul.
A handsome young man who is literally head and shoulders above all others.
His father Kish had some runaway donkeys and Saul is sent to look for them.
But we learner the seeker is actually the one sought!
Lost donkeys were just part of God’s sovereign plan.
There was a private ceremony in which Saul is anointed king.
Then he goes home and tells no one!

This is where I know Saul is different.
I don’t think I could have kept such a thing a secret.
“Hey, don’t tell anybody but I’ve been declared king.”
Saul is even asked directly - “What did Samuel tell you?”
“Oh, he told us the donkeys had been found.”

I would have taken the question to be a clear sign that God wanted everyone to know I was their new king!

As we consider this text I want to point out three things to you.  Things that are important for us to understand.

1. In their rush to be like everyone else Israel was rejecting their standing as God’s unique people.  (10:17-19)
2. God’s choice of a king and his appointment underscores Israel’s ultimate dependence upon God.  (10:20-24)
3. As Samuel establishes Israel’s monarchy, he establishes the priority of God’s law and brings division among the people.  (10:25-27)

Conclusion:
Israel’s king is like no other.

When God’s people long to be like everyone else they abandon God and His calling.
When God appoints His leader - He underscores our dependence upon Him.
We have no king other than Jesus.

 

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1 Samuel #09: an exposition of 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 22, 2012.

Intro:
We know Him because He wants to be known.  We have understanding of God and His ways because He has graciously chosen to reveal himself to us.  How has He revealed himself?  In what ways does He make himself known?  The Psalmist tells us the heavens declare His glory.  All of creation is a revelation.  Through the creation we can know that God is powerful, that He has supreme intelligence, that He loves variety, and that He cares about the smallest detail.  But we do not know His name.  We do not know how He thinks or what He thinks of us.  Thus God has revealed himself through His word, the Bible.  Theologians call these two forms of revelation “general” and “specific” or “special” revelation.  Another way God has revealed himself is through history.  History is His story.  We do not believe in random chance.  We do not view history as an endless cycle.  Rather we see it as linear.  History is moving somewhere.  It is moving toward a point God has determined.  God is not a detached, disinterested “watchmaker” who simply watches history unfold, He is making history.  He is personally and intimately involved in the affairs of men.  History is a revelation of God.  That is the focus of our text this evening found in chapters 9 and 10 of 1 Samuel.

Text: 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16

It is a critical time in the life of the nation of Israel.
Samuel has been Judge of the people for decades.
He has been their God-appointed leader.
He is now an old man and his sons, whom he appointed judges, have proven inadequate.
The people have demanded a king like the nations around them.
Chapter 8 ends with God telling Samuel to give the people what they want.

Though their demand was from impure motive and was a clear rejection of God, God said, “Let them have their way.”  That is seldom, if ever, a good thing.  Samuel was not pleased yet he was determined to obey God.  Yet the chapter ends with Samuel sending the people away.  He told them to go back to their cities.

What is going to happen?
Are they going to get their king?
How will they get one?
When will they get one?
We are left with all kinds of questions and not even a hint of an answer!

Chapter nine opens like an entirely different story - “There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a man of wealth…”

It reads like the opening of 1 Samuel chapter 1.  Further we are told this man Kish had some missing livestock and he sent his son to look for them.  What is going on here?  We are at a crisis moment.  Tension is high.  The people have made demands.  God has said, “Make them a king.”  Why does the Spirit inspire the biblical writer to include this farm report?

Who cares about lost donkeys?
A nation is at stake.

When I first read this it reminded me of the old Monty Python show.  There would be a skit or story and then the announcer would say, “…and now for something completely different” which would be followed by something that had nothing to do with what had been going on.  That’s how this reads.  It’s how life often seems.  But we are going to find they are related.  It’s all part of one grand story.  A story that gives us insight into the character of our God.

As we work through these two chapters I want you to see that…

• Thesis: 1 Samuel 9 and 10 serve to remind us of the rule, the mercy and the sovereignty of our God.

There are 4 things to note.

1. In God’s orchestration of the events of Saul’s life we are reminded of the wonder of God’s providential leading.  (9:3-27)
2. In the opening words of chapter 10 we are struck by the kindness of God in providing assurance.  (10:1-9)
3. With God’s empowering of Saul we are encouraged by God’s faithfulness in equipping.  (10:9-13)
4. Our text closing in silence reminds us that we are not entitled to know what God is up to.  (10:14-16)

Only Saul is aware of the anointing.
Only Saul knows that he is king.
He says nothing.

So often we feel entitled.
We demand to know what is happening.
But who are we to make demands?
What right do we have?
God is God.

In this extraordinary tale of God’s sovereign work we find a revelation of God.  We come to see He reigns, He is merciful, He is faithful and He is sovereign.

This is the God we serve.
This is the God who has made himself known to us.

 

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1 Samuel #08: an exposition of 1 Samuel 8:1-22. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 8, 2012.

Intro:
No one likes to be exposed or revealed for who they really are.  At church we put on the smile and cheerfully respond, “I’m doing well, thanks for asking.”  When in reality we are, at times, dying inside.  At work we’re praying our boss never finds out how incompetent we are.  We hope our friends and neighbors never see past the facade we’ve built.  Perhaps worst of all we think maybe God hasn’t noticed the truth about us after all He’s busy running the universal why should He take not of me?  I don’t want to burst any bubbles but probably the only person you’ve fooled is you!  You’ve not been exposed because your fellow church members, your boss, neighbors and friends have their own faults they’re trying to keep under wraps.  As painful as it may be, from time to time, we need to take a good, honest look at ourselves.  We need to take a no holds barred look deep into our own souls.  The mirror through which we are to look is the Word of God.  When we look carefully into the Word we often see our own reflection.  Not the reflect we want others to see, not the reflection we are trying to create but the cold hard truth about ourselves.  Our text this evening is one of those texts.  1 Samuel chapter 8 is a mirror that reflects the true nature of Israel and in turn each of us.

Text: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

A considerable amount of time has passed between 7:17 and 8:1 (30 or more years?).  Samuel is now an old man.  He has appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges.  They were far from him in the south.  The problem is they were not like their father.  They did not “walk in his ways but turned aside after gain.”  They took brides and perverted justice.

Sound familiar?  Sounds an awful lot like Eli and his boys.  Why did he appoint them?  Well he was getting old.  Making the circuit became increasingly difficult.  By having his boys cover the south he would not have to travel as much and it lighted the work load.  That’s logical but by what authority did he appoint them?  Samuel was a judge.  Israel’s judges did not appoint successors.  Judges were raised up by God.  In fact there was a time when Israel wanted their judge to establish a dynasty.  They said to Gideon, “Rule over us…you and your son and your grandson also.”  Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you” (Judges 8:22-23).

Why did Samuel do it?  We don’t know why but we do know it was a colossal failure!  Samuel’s sons were no better than Eli’s.  That brings us to a proposal from Israel’s elders and that is the heart of our text.

Their proposal seems logical.  It seemed like a reasonable means for bringing security and stability but as we will discover…

Thesis: Israel’s demand for a king, like the other nations, exposes the depth of human depravity.

There are two reasons for why I say that.

1. Israel’s demand exposes our penchant for substitutes.  (8:5-8)
2. Israel’s demand exposes disdain for holiness.  (8:5, 19-20)

Conclusion:
1 Samuel chapter 8 is a mirror.  It reveals Israel and you.  It shows how easily you misplace your trust; how ashamed you are to be different; how resistant you are to any word that does not agree with your opinion.  You are exposed.  And that is a good thing.  Because exposure leads to repentance and faith.