The Plowman

The Lost Coin [ 38:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (171)

The Lost Coin: 2016 Gospel of Luke #60

This is an exposition of Luke 15:8-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 28, 2017.

Intro:

If the Gospels were a western the Scribes and Pharisees would be wearing black hats.  They are the bad guys.  We know when they appear on the sacred page we are to “boo” and “hiss.”  In my head, when I’m reading, I hear that music that plays when the villain appears on stage.  We know as we’ve worked our way through the first 14 chapters of Luke that the religious establishment is determined to get rid of Jesus.  Our Lord is invited to a dinner party in the home of a Pharisee – not as an honored guest – but as the main course!  It was a set up.  They invited a terminally ill man as a prop.  “Can he resist healing this man on a Sabbath?”  They were betting not and thus they would have grounds to accuse him.  They were wrong about so many things.  They were wrong about God’s requirements for salvation.  They taught a “works righteousness.”  Clean up your life, live a godly life, make yourself holy and acceptable and then maybe God will love you.  They knew about the law and judgment but knew nothing about grace.  They were wrong about the identity of Jesus.  To them he was a rabble-rousing troublemaker rather than Messiah.  He was an ignorant backwoods traveling preacher rather than Immanuel, God with us.  But they were right about one thing.  They said of him, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”  The word “receive” means to welcome, to accept or to embrace.  In the culture of first century Judea to eat with someone is to fellowship with them.  It quite literally is understood as sharing life with someone.  This is what outraged the Pharisees – this man who is supposed to be a teacher of righteousness is sharing life with sinners.  All good Pharisees understood that you are to shun sinners.  The righteous have nothing to do with the unrighteous.

Sometimes you will see the word sinner in Luke 15:2 with quotation marks around it = “sinners” as if they are, so called, sinners.  That’s unfortunate because the word means sinner.  He welcomes, sinners, reprobates, liars, cheats, lawbreakers, swindlers and thieves.  That’s the gospel, that’s the good news.  If you understand that you are a sinner that is the best possible news!  Jesus is the friend of sinners (Mt 11:19; Luke 7:34).  It is the best possible news because it means there is hope.  Further, this notion of his receiving and eating with means he shares his life with sinners.  That is the essence of salvation.  God the Son sharing his life with us.

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  We have all fallen into sin.  Doing those things we should have never done and not doing those things we should have done.  Because we are sinners we rightfully deserve God’s wrath but the gospel declares the Lord Jesus stands ready to receive us.  He welcomes us.  Such a thought caused the Pharisees to “grumble.”  They expressed their contempt and condemnation of such an idea.  That prompted the Lord Jesus to tell them a parable.

Text: Luke 15:8-10

Luke 15:4-32 is one parable with three parts.
The point of the parable is to reveal the heart of God in salvation.
The first story is the story of the lost sheep revealing our God’s loving persistence.
Now he tells us about a lost coin.

[Read Text]

As we work our way through this brief story about a lost coin we discover that…

Thesis: The biblical gospel revels in a compassionate, diligent, rejoicing God who graciously seeks the lost and dying.

There is no question, the point of emphasis throughout the parable is the attitude and actions of God toward the lost.  What is remarkable about the parable is the revelation of God as a personal being who is intimately involved in relationship with us.  The God of the Bible is not some cold, indifferent force out there somewhere but rather a person who seeks, who restores and who rejoices when lost ones are found.

I want us to note 3 things in this story.

1. The biblical gospel reveals our God’s compassionate heart for the lost.  (15:8a)
2. The biblical gospel makes plain our God’s determined diligence in seeking the lost.  (15:8b)
3. The biblical gospel focuses on Heaven’s exuberant joy over the salvation of the lost.  (15:9-10)

Conclusion:
If you are not yet a believer – the angels are waiting to celebrate.  What joy there will be in heaven when you come to Christ.

The biblical gospel revels in a compassionate, diligent, rejoicing God who graciously seeks the lost and dying.

Our God receives sinners and eats with them.  That’s the best possible news!

A Loving, Unrelenting Savior [ 32:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (148)

A Loving, Unrelenting Savior: 2016 Gospel of Luke #59

This is an exposition of Luke 15:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 21, 2017.

Intro:

Have you ever lost something of great value to you? Something that may not have been of any value or worthy to anyone else but it meant something to you? I have a tendency to like “a” shirt. And I will wear that shirt until it is worn out – then I’ll latch onto another one. It’s a flaw in my otherwise flawless character! One day I went to the closet for my shirt. It was gone. “Rheadon where is my shirt?” “What shirt?” “My shirt! What shirt…what kind of question is that? She probably threw it away – she knows I love that shirt. What did I say? Oh, nothing dear.” I ransacked the closet. Nothing. Emptied the draws in the dresser – not there. Dumped the laundry basket. The washer? No. The dryer? Empty. I’m going to find my shirt if it kills me. After an exhaustive search I found it – yes where I had left it – wadded up on the floor. I wept.

He had done it before. It was nothing new – in fact every time he got the chance he ran away. I never understood it. He was greatly loved. He was abundantly provided for but he wanted more. He didn’t seem to care about the pain he caused when he ran away. Our weenie dog had run away again! I got on my bike and circled the block calling for John. No response. We got in the car and with great intensity and determination my eyes searched as I called out his name. “There he is.” As we pulled up beside him I threw open the door and he jumped into my lap. My fear and frustration were gone. All that matter was that he was found.

Lost things. What happens when something that you love is lost? And what happens when it is found? That’s what I want us to think about this morning as we explore Luke 15:1-7.

Text: Luke 15:1-7

The Scriptures are clear – those who are “outside” of Christ are “lost.” Those who have not repented of their sin and put their trust and confidence in Christ and Christ alone are separated from God. They are aliens and strangers. They are denied both the pleasure and the benefit of His presence. They know nothing of his peace, mercy and grace. They are, in the words of the apostle Paul, “dead in trespass and sin.”

What is the attitude of God toward those who are lost? Many only see the response of His holiness. They think of His wrath, His vengeance and His judgement. While God is holy and while there is a fearful judgement that awaits those who die in their sin – that is not the whole picture. If we want a true picture we must add to His wrath and judgement His love and grace. That is the focus of our text.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem to die.
He’s just come from the home of a Pharisee were he has foiled their trap.
He rebuked their pride and arrogance. (Seeking the choice seats)
He rebuked their impure motives. (Ministering for what you get out of it)
He spoke to the multitude following Him about the cost of being His disciple.
Then comes the exchange we are looking at.

Thesis: The biblical gospel tells the story of the Savior’s loving, unrelenting pursuit of the lost and dying.

The image of God as a shepherd is well established in the Old Testament. We go back to David the Shepherd King. It is David who wrote, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” The 23rd Psalm is that beautiful statement of the loving, gracious care of God for his own. We also find it in the prophets. Isaiah says, “He (God) will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Ezekiel scolds Israel’s religious leaders, their shepherds, for failing to care with the weak and for scattering rather than gathering the flock. Then he says, “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.”

He is the fulfillment of that promise. There are three things I want us to note in our text.

1. The biblical gospel depicts the Savior’s unrelenting pursuit of the lost. (15:4)
2. The biblical gospel presents the compassionate Savior bearing the burden of the lost. (15:5)
3. The biblical gospel reveals the Savior’s great joy in the recovery of the lost. (15:6)

Conclusion:
Remember the context.
The “sinners” where coming to Jesus.
The “righteous” were complaining.

Jesus says there is rejoicing in heaven in response to the sinners and no rejoicing over the so-called “righteous.”

What causes a celebration in heaven? Not your goodness or your righteousness – that’s filthy rags. The celebration comes as those who are unworthy come acknowledging their need and cry out for mercy. When a lost one is found – not through their efforts but through the work of the shepherd who diligently pursued.

That is the good news – that is the Gospel. The biblical gospel tells the story of the Savior’s loving, unrelenting pursuit of the lost and dying.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus [ 35:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (172)

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus: 2016 Gospel of Luke #58

This is an exposition of Luke 14:25-33. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 14, 2017.

Intro:

The year was 1845; Sir John Franklin and a crew of 138 set sail from England to find the Northwest Passage across the high Canadian Arctic to the Pacific Ocean.  The voyage was estimated to take 2 or 3 years.  They sailed in three ships, each of which carried an auxiliary steam engine.  The problem was that they only took enough coal for twelve days.  The reason for so little coal was that they made sure they had enough room for a 1,200-volume library, a hand-organ that played fifty tunes, china place settings for all 138, cut-glass wine goblets, and sterling silver flatware.  They took no special clothing for this Arctic expedition but they were sure to take their dress uniforms from Her Majesty’s Navy.

The ships set sail amid enormous glory and fanfare.  Two months later a British whaling captain met them in Lancaster Sound and reported back to England on the high spirits of the officers and crew.  He was the last European to see them alive.  For the next twenty years search parties recovered skeletons from all over the frozen sea.  Sir John Franklin and 138 men perished because they underestimated the requirements of the Arctic exploration.  Instead of recognizing the treacherous conditions that lay ahead, they ignorantly imagined a pleasure cruise.  They exchanged necessities for luxuries and it cost them their lives.

Tragically many have made shipwreck of their souls because they refused to count the cost.  They set sail on a great adventure with no idea of what was required of them.  Others have run aground because they were urged to “try Jesus” and never told of the cost of following Him.  Like a boy watching a military parade who is carried away by shining guns, bright medals and impressive uniforms.  He was eager to join but gave no thought to war, blood, pain, suffering, death or unmarked graves.  Oh there is joy and peace, meaning and purpose in following Jesus but there is also a price to be paid.  One thing is certain – Jesus made it clear to those who wanted to follow Him, it comes at great cost.  That is our focus this morning as we consider Luke 14:25-33.

Text: Luke 14:25-33

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.
The time has come – the time for which he came into the world.
The crowds are still flocking to him.
The religious establishment is becoming increasingly furious.
Tensions are mounting.

Jesus is just leaving the home of a Pharisee following an interesting and revealing dinner party.

His words to the gathering multitude serve as a sobering reminder:

Thesis: Discipleship demands wholehearted devotion rather than a token commitment.

This is an important and timely word for us in our culture of “easy-believeism.”  Too much of what goes on in evangelism today could be described as “Burger King evangelism” – evangelism that says, “have it your way!”  But when it comes to salvation and discipleship, there is only one way – his way!

There are three things I want us to note in our text concerning the nature of wholehearted devotion.

1. Wholehearted devotion sets proper priorities.  (14:25-26)
2. Wholehearted devotion embraces a lifestyle of continual sacrifice.  (14:27)
3. Wholehearted devotion gladly surrenders all for the sake of the call.  (14:28-33)

Conclusion:

So, you call yourself a disciple of Christ, a Christ’s follower?

What are your priorities?  “If you don’t hate father and mother, wife and children, brother and sister, even your own life – you cannot be my disciple.”

What about your life?  “If you do not carry your cross and follow me – you cannot be my disciple.”

What about your all?  “If you do not give up everything you have – you cannot be my disciple.”

It cost to follow Jesus.  The call to be a Christ follower is exceedingly great but it is well-worth the cost because to have Christ is to have everything.  Life without Christ is to have nothing at all.

An Open Invitation [ 34:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (170)

An Open Invitation: 2016 Gospel of Luke #57

This is an exposition of Luke 14:15-24, This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 7, 2017.

Intro:

“Boy from the sounds of things – they must be having some party in there.”  Laughter and music fill the air.  “Look at those tables.  Have you ever seen so much food in your life?”  The king had spared no expense in this banquet in honor of his son and his bride.  “Oh look, there is the king and his son.  They are beaming – I’d say this banquet is a complete success.  And look the guests seem to be enjoying themselves.  Hey, wait a minute.  Something is wrong.  Look at the guests!  Over there is that blind beggar who usually sets near the market.  And over there, is that…it is… a leper!  I can’t believe this.  And over there, no it can’t be.  It is – it’s a tax collector?  What are they doing in there?  If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes – I never would have believed it.  I never thought I’d see such a motley looking crew at such a fine banquet.  Has the king lost his mind?  Something is wrong, very wrong.”

That no doubt would have been the reaction of the religious establishment if they had walked up on the banquet our Lord described in Luke Luke 14.  Jesus was in the home of a certain Pharisee.  He had been invited to dinner but not as an honored guest.  Rather, he was intended as the main course!  They were determined to get rid of him once and for all.  This was part of the murderous plot hatched by the establishment.  Jesus and his “new teaching” was causing quite a stir among the common Folk.  It was also causing some disturbance among the elite.  He must be stopped no matter what the cost.  Things had not gone well up to this point in the dinner party.  The hunted had become the hunter.  In stead of Jesus being on the ropes – the establishment was.  Jesus took up their challenge – healed a terminally ill man and then managed to insult everyone present and they have not said one word.  Finally in desperation one of the crowd jump on Jesus’ words about a banquet and the resurrection and he shouted – “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”  Jesus’ response, in essence said, “I’m glad you brought that up.”  Let’s read about it in Luke Luke 14.

Text: Luke 14:15-24

Luke’s purpose is to bring his friend Theophilus to faith.
He wants him to understand the person and work of Jesus.
Because Theophilus is a Greek – Luke presents Jesus as the universal Savior.
He is not just the Messiah of the Jews – He is the Savior of the world.
We are in the last 6 months of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry.
The cross is on the horizon.
Our Lord set His face as a flint for Jerusalem.
There is no turning back.
All of history has been moving toward this event, this one moment.
Jesus is preaching the Gospel in very clear and certain terms.

This parable is a parable about the Gospel.  It is about the greatness of God’s grace and the wickedness of man’s heart.  It is about God’s great love and our profound indifference.  It is a humbling reminder that when all is said and done I owe my joy, my happiness and my eternal well being to the grace of God and the grace of God alone!

Thesis: The wonder of the Gospel is God’s love penetrating my cold indifference.

There is a style and method of evangelism that says the best way to win a man to Christ is to say to him, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.”  The problem is the natural man says, “Of course God loves me – why wouldn’t he?  I mean, what’s not to love?  And besides – that’s God’s job – to love me.”  While folks are quite willing to speculate on who might be outside the love of God – they assume that they, themselves, are safe.  That brings us to the crowd gathered around the table with Jesus.  They were very certain that they would be enjoying the “Great Banquet” – Jesus brought another perspective to the table.

There are three things in our text related to a biblical understanding of the Gospel.

1. God’s gracious invitation reveals the compassionate heart of the Father.  (14:15-17)
2. Man’s refusal of God’s gracious invitation reveals the foolish darkness of his own heart.  (14:17-20)
3. God’s continuous grace in the face of blatant disregard reveals the depth of God’s love for us in Christ.  (14:21-24)

Conclusion:
The gospel is exceedingly wide in its appeal.  Whosoever will may come.  To reject that call is to remain in your sin and therefore under the judgment of God.  It is not merely a matter of missing a great party with wonderful food.  It is to spend eternity away from God, the object of His righteous wrath.

Are you saved?  There is nothing wanting on God’s part.  If you are not saved, the fault is not on God’s side.  The Father stands ready to receive all who come to Him by faith, trusting in Christ and Christ alone.  The table is set.  Everything is in order and in place.  Come and dine.