This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 8, 2007, and was taken from Mark 6:14-29.
In this passage two characters stand out: John the Baptist and Herod Antipas. It reminds us that the lives of the godly stand in stark contrast to the ungodly, and that the church is to be radically different from the world.
- The godly man finds strength to confront the powerful ungodly with their sin, while the ungodly cower for the thoughts and opinions of others. We are called to preach and declare righteousness. We plead with sinners to repent. As a result of John’s faithfulness, verse 20 tells us that Herod feared John.
- The godly man is driven by conviction, while the godless are victims of the winds of emotion and foolish pride.
- The godly man lives through his continuing influence, even after death, while the godly are dead even while they live.
- the great contrast between the godly and the ungodly is that in having their heart stirred the godly turn from their sin and flee to Christ for His mercy alone, while the godless stand in their pride and say I will owe no man, and they harden their heart to the coming judgement of God.
Where are you? Have you repented and turned to Christ, or have you said not now, maybe later? You may not get a later opportunity. You may seal the judgment of God on your life.