The Plowman

 

 Standard Podcast [30:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (365)

An exposition of Luke 18:15-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 21, 2008.

Introduction:
Christmas is a wonderful time.  I love the sights, the sounds and the smells of Christmas.  I love the music, the laughter and the joy – but most of all I love to watch the faces of the children at Christmas.  My most vivid memories are those of my children opening presents.  The wide-eyed wonder, the thrill and surprise of discovery and the joy of exceeded expectations.  Nothing compares with a child’s fascination or sense of wonder.  Everything is new and wonderful.  In that sense it is true…Christmas is for children.  Something was lost when our kids got older.  Instead of racing in on Christmas morning eager to open presents they drug themselves out of bed, after the second or third urging, and made their way into the living room.  They were still grateful and appreciative but it was just not the same.  I can’t wait for grandchildren (no pressure, I’m just saying).  But it is also true to say in a more profound way – “Christmas is for children.”  That is if we understand what Christmas is all about.

Christmas is about God’s wild and extravagant love for rebels.  It is about God’s reconciling love.  About how God in grace and mercy sought out a people for His own glory.  Christmas is about the gospel.  The birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth.  I’m not just talking about his being born of a virgin but the reason for his coming.  He came on a mission.  He came for a specific purpose.  He came to redeem His people.  Christmas is about the kingdom of God.  What does the Kingdom of God have to do with children?  That’s what we discover in the 18th chapter of Luke’s gospel.

Luke 18:15-17
Just prior to our text the Lord Jesus dealt with the question “How is a man made right with God?”  In dramatic fashion Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray.  One a Pharisee the other a tax collector.  Both prayed.  One left “justified” the other left under the judgment of God.  The surprising thing was which was which!  It was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who went home justified.  From their example we learn that God rejects the pious claims of the self-righteous but graciously responds to the humble cry of the repentant sinner.  That theme is picked up again and amplified in our text.
18:15 – Here we find that great crowds of people are bringing their small children to Jesus in order for them to be blessed.  This was a common thing in Jewish culture. The disciples are a little miffed at the crowd for their intrusion. It is easy to rag on the disciples at this point but remember the circumstance. They are on their way to Jerusalem. They don’t want Jesus to go. He keeps saying he has to go. They are sure that the end result will be disastrous. He keeps talking about death and going away.

They don’t know what is going to happen but they are certain he doesn’t need to be bothered by a bunch of nagging parents and screaming children.  So they rebuke these parents for their actions.  “Leave the rabbi alone.”  “Get that snotty-nosed kid out of here.”  “The rabbi has important things to take care off he doesn’t have time for this now.”  They were trying to protect him.  They know that crowds regularly take advantage of his kindness.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘ let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.”  Now Luke leaves out something that Mark says about Jesus’ response.  In Mark 10:14 we learn that Jesus was “indignant” with his disciples.  He was furious with them because of their actions.  It is interesting to note when Jesus gets angry and what sets him off!  “How dare you hinder their coming to me” – that was our Lord’s response.

Then he seized upon the opportunity to instruct them about life in the Kingdom. “Do not hinder their coming to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

These are strong words.  Let the closing words of verse 17 sink in.  “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  It is this way or no way.  Could it be any clearer?  Is there a simpler, more direct way to state it?

Thesis: “Entrance into the Kingdom of God demands simple, childlike faith.”
Now be careful we are talking about childlike faith not childish faith and there is a vast difference.  Childish is a simplistic, silly immature believing.  Childlike suggests attractive and admirable qualities of childhood such as innocence and trust.

In fact I think there are two characteristics of childlike faith reflected in our text.

I. Childlike faith is a helpless, dependent faith.  (18:16)
Jesus did not say the kingdom of God belongs to these children or to children but those who are “like children.”

The kingdom of God belongs to those who are “childlike.” What is the quality of being as a child, especially those described in our text? The word used for the children is the word for infant. The parallel passages in Matthew and Mark talk of Jesus taking them in his arms. These are young children – babes, infants. What is the distinctiveness of an infant? They are helpless!

This is the objective state of every child ever born. Regardless of race, culture or background they are helpless. Even if it is your grandchild and he or she is brilliant – every infant is helpless and dependent!  That is the nature of infancy.

That tiny beautiful naked little newborn with its arms flailing and feet kicking is doomed if someone doesn’t do something!  I know he has your eyes and no doubt he is brilliant but the fact is he will not survive on his own.  And unlike other creatures that helplessness extends for years.  Just when you think they are growing out of that helpless stage they become teenagers and they are helpless again!

Jesus said if you desire to enter the Kingdom of God you must becomes as a little child.  Every child born into the world is absolutely, completely, totally, actually helpless and the same is true of every child born into the Kingdom of God.  Children of the Kingdom enter it helpless or they do not enter it at all!

If you enter the Kingdom of God it will not be because of your faithfulness to this or any other church.  It will not be because of sacrificial giving to the work of the Kingdom through your tithes and offerings.  It will not be because you’ve been a faithful husband or wife.  Not because of the example you set for your children.  It will not be because of your testimony among your co-workers or within your community.  If you enter the Kingdom of God it will be because you came to Christ as a helpless child.  It will be because of God’s undeserved kindness toward your helplessness.

II. Childlike faith is an unpretentious, accepting faith.  (18:17)
Jesus moves from becoming “as a child” to “receiving like a child.” What are the elements of childlike receiving?

Pastor Kent Hughes suggests four characteristics of childlike receiving.

1. Such receiving is one of unbelievable trust. Children trust others for everything – food, shelter, and clothing. Children are extremely trusting.
2. Second there is genuine humility. Children don’t engage in the various forms of pride that we adults indulge. Unlike the Pharisee Jesus described in 18:11, little children are not proud of their virtues.  A child does not battle self-righteousness in coming to Christ.
3. Then there is a ready receptivity. Children know how to receive a gift – they take it! A child doesn’t bother to wonder whether he has deserved the gift. “Do I really deserve all this attention?”  They take it because it is there!
4. Finally there is unabashed love. Children easily return love for loving gifts.  Enthusiastic hugs and kisses and multiple thanks are showered on the giver.

What does it require to enter the Kingdom of God?

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

 

 Standard Podcast [33:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (425)

An exposition of 1 John 5:6-13. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 14, 2008.

Introduction:
There was this seminary president, this Jewish rabbi and a Messianic Jew together in a television studio…I know it sounds like a bad joke but it was the setting for an episode of the Donahue Show on MSNBC back in August of 2002.  Al Mohler from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Shmuley Boteach – the rabbi, and Michael Brown were on the program to “discuss” whether Jews were “going to heaven” or if they needed to be converted to Christianity.  I was pleased that Mohler and Brown were the two representing our point of view because both are intelligent, articulate and gracious.  Traits that were definitely needed given that the program quickly degenerated into an attack on historic Christianity.  Mohler laid the ground work by saying, “Christians believe that all persons can go to heaven who come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no discrimination on the basis of ethnic or racial or national issues…it is those who are in Christ.  The defining issue is faith in Christ.”  He later said that all people are sinners and in need of a savior.  He declared Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and man.  He also pointed out that the Gospel is first to the Jew and then to the gentiles.

That position was said to be, “the cause of anti-Semitism; that it reeks of prejudice and stirs the soul to evil behavior.”  The Christian Church was accused of, “trying to spiritually annihilate Jews by removing every last Jew on the face of the earth and converting them to Christianity and Jesus.”  Those who believe this Gospel were declared to be “spiritual Neanderthals with repulsive, revolting views.”  Evangelism was equated with “spiritual terrorism.”  But that was just in the opening moments of the program.  Things went downhill after that!

My point is we are living in a society that has already openly asked, “What does Christ have to do with Christmas?”  Our culture has done its best to remove any hint of spirituality from the Christmas season.  What is of greater concern to me is that an increasing number of folks seem to be asking, “What does Christ have to do with Christianity?”  The biblical Gospel, the historic message of the Christian church is not only questioned, it is openly denied and despised!  What is the church to do?  How are we to respond to the growing animosity?

Thesis: Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.

Text: 1 John 5:6-13

The problem in our culture is there are those who want to gut the content of the Christian faith but then live according to its ethic - and that is not possible.  The ethic is based on the content!  In John’s day there were those who had “moved beyond” the simple truths of the Gospel to so called “greater truths.”  They had moved on to a higher truth, into a secret knowledge.

In our text he addresses the historical context and makes some bold pronouncements about the Gospel.  Truths that we must boldly proclaim today.

I. John identifies Jesus as the one true Redeemer.  (5:6-8)
This is a difficult text – Plummer referred to it as, “the most perplexing passage in the Epistle and one of the most perplexing in the New Testament.”

The problem is first textual with some language found in the KJV in verse 7 that is not in the Greek manuscripts – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.”  But the greater difficulty is with the wording, “who came by water and blood…”

I’m convinced this is a reference to His baptism (water) and his crucifixion (blood). Thus John is identifying who Jesus is. He is of divine origin – “this is he who came…” He is identified with man  - “this is he who came by water…” He is the Redeemer – “this is he who came by water and blood…”

This is an emphatic statement.  The repetition is there to drive home the point – to deny any one element is to deny the whole.  If one element is missing – the others are incomprehensible.  John states this in a rather forceful way. Note the testimony of the Holy Spirit – 5:6-8.

II. John sets forth the testimony that must be believed.  (5:9-11)
John argues from the simpler to the greater. If we believe man’s testimony – surely we would believe God’s! John says we are accountable for this testimony – 5:10. This is strong language – to reject the testimony is to call God a liar! Note the simplicity of the testimony – 5:11.

What is John talking about in verses 9-11? He is talking about that inward witness of the Spirit in the heart of the believer. That witness that responds when we hear of the glory of Christ or the wonder of the Gospel.  That thing inside of us that shouts, “Yes!  I know that is true.”

When singing those great hymns of the work of Christ and that voice within says, “Amen!” But what if you do not have this witness?  Then seek Christ!

III. John unapologetically proclaims that Jesus Christ as the only means of being made right with God.  (5:12)
Any confusion or doubt is eliminated with verse 12. There can be no denying what John has been saying.
It is cut and dried. Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.

Salvation is found in Christ and in Christ alone.  That’s not a popular message but it is an essential truth.  It may be politically incorrect but it is the eternal truth.  There is no salvation apart from this truth.  Without it Christmas is without meaning.

 

 Standard Podcast [34:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (389)

An exposition of Matthew 27:1-26. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 12, 2008.

The Christmas Season is in full swing.  I’ve already seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and I’ve watched The Christmas Story for the first of what will be about 10 over the next few weeks.   Black Friday has come and gone with at least 1 fatality up in New York.  Nothing says “Christmas” like the trampling of a human being on your way to saving a buck at Wal-Mart!  Perhaps I’ve grown a little skeptical as I’ve gotten older.  I still love Christmas.  I love the music (both sacred and secular).  I love the movies and television shows.  But I have to admit it has lost its luster through the years and that’s a good thing.  I think it is a good thing because Christmas has become less and less about Christ and more and more about us.  We now live in a world where it is “offensive” to say, “Merry Christmas.”  Schools must have “winter holiday programs” instead of Christmas programs.  Winter break has replaced Christmas break.  In Washington state they now have to allow for equal time in the public square and so along side “the holiday tree” in the state capital is a sign placed by a group of atheists and agnostics which reads, “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”  In addition the group has placed billboards near a nativity scene that reads, “Reasons Greetings.”  How is it that the “Christmas Celebration” grows larger and larger while Christ is shoved further and further away?  The simple answer is Christ has little to do with today’s Christmas celebration.

Folks can choose to ignore Him if they like.  They can have a wonderful time giving gifts, eating and celebrating with family and friends and give absolutely no thought to the Christ.  But they cannot do so with impunity.  There is a price to pay for a Christ-less Christmas.  Just who was that child who was born in Bethlehem’s stable?  Was he the Son of God?  Is he a myth?  A charlatan?  It is a question worth considering.  In fact…

Thesis: You cannot avoid it, you must decide what you believe about Jesus of Nazareth and you must be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision.

Often our focus at Christmas is the babe in the manger. That’s understandable – yet unfortunate. Because apart from His life and what He accomplished – His birth is without meaning. His was not a “birth” like ours. His was an “advent” or coming. He is the eternal one made flesh. And He came on a mission. He came with a specific purpose – He was born to die, to rise again and give life to all who trust in Him. With that in mind I want us to consider the question of who He is by looking at the end of his earthly life.  Our text this evening is found in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 27.

Text: Matthew 27:1-26

I. I want you to note, first of all, how the religious establishment’s response of hatred refused to even consider the truth.  (27:1-2)
Blinded by their own agenda the religious establishment sought his death from the beginning of his ministry.  We see the first rumblings in that house in Capernaum at the beginning of his ministry (Mark 2, Matthew 9).

John tells us that Jesus was taken to the house of Annas. Annas was High Priest AD 6-15. His son-in-law Ciaphas was the current High Priest. Annas was the power behind the power.

Back up to chapter 26:57 and following. They were waiting – assembled in the middle of the night!
This was an illegal court. Note the wording of verse 59- they were looking for “false evidence”. Yet Jesus was so pure – they couldn’t even dig up false evidence. Finally two men come forward with a charge of blasphemy.

The brilliance is in the question he asked – note 26:63. If he had asked if Jesus was the Messiah or just the Son of God – that would have allowed for loopholes.  By placing them together he was asking, “Are you the Messiah who is God?”

If Jesus said, “Yes” that is blasphemy and that is a capital crime. Note Jesus’ answer – 26:64 – that sealed his fate. He left no room for questions.

The verdict – 26:65-66. These leaders were not substantially different from millions of careless people in our own day.  Christ is proclaimed as God’s unique Son, but millions reject that claim and turn their backs on him.

From the religious establishment we learn that blind rage gladly exchanges the truth for a lie.

II. Second I would have you note that, Judas’ sentimental response proves inadequate.  (27:3-10)
This text is unique to Matthew’s Gospel. Here we read of the tragic end to the black-hearted disciple. Now you may think I’m a bit hard on Judas – especially in light of his response here. But look carefully. What is happening in this passage?

This is not repentance on the part of Judas – it is remorse. There is a world of difference between the two. This is an important distinction to make. Remorse leads to despair while repentance leads to life.

All Judas is acknowledging is that Jesus did not deserve to die. He is feeling bad about what he has done – he has not changed his mind or heart about Jesus.

Thus was have this powerful reminded that mere sentimentality is wholly inadequate.  Remorse leads only to despair while repentance leads to life.

Millions will get teary-eyed as Linus recites Luke 2 detailing the account of Jesus’ birth.  Both such sentiment is wholly inadequate.  A token nod at Christmas is no substitute for repentance and following after Christ.

III. Pilate’s response of indifference willingly yields to the expedient.  (27:11-26)
Pilate becomes for us a symbol of indifference and compromise. In a strange way the trial of Jesus puts you on trial.  You must decide what you will do with Jesus.  You may not hate him the way the religious establishment did.  Make no mistake they hated him and wanted him damned.  Since hanging on a tree was a sign of God’s curse – seeking to have him crucified was an attempt to damn him.  But you don’t have to hate Jesus in order to reject him.  You may, like Pilate, reject him through indifference.  Or perhaps like Judas your sentimental attachment may prove your undoing.  But I want to remind you, you cannot avoid it, you must decide what you believe about Jesus of Nazareth and you must be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision.

You be the judge.  What is your verdict?