The Plowman

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An exposition of Revelation 3:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 13, 2008.

Intro:
I’ve always been a bit unnerved by things that go bump in the night.  I’m one of those people who…well I’m … I’m a coward!  If I hear something at night – I’m under the covers if not under the bed.  I remember, when I was a kid, I watched those late night horror movies with my brothers.  Watched is not exactly right – I listened to them from behind the recliner.  Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Flying Monkeys from the Wizard of Oz – they terrified me.  I’m older now, more mature.  I can handle most of them – but those flying monkeys still give me the willies!

But what really frightens me is the “living dead.”  Not the ones in the bad Hollywood B movies, the ones in the church pew.  I’m sorry to say that we, in the church, have our share of folks who have all the right answers, who look so good on the surface and yet have no life – spiritually.  In doctrine they are as straight as an arrow.  As for their public morality they are spotless.  But there is no life, no vitality.  Their faith is a static, cold, lifeless body of facts instead of a living, vibrant relationship with the living God.  What is the response of our Lord to those within the church who lack spiritual vitality?  What is his word to the lifeless believer?  That is the focus of our Lord’s letter to the first century church at Sardis.  His words are recorded for us in Revelation chapter 3.

Thesis: The Sovereign Lord of the church calls every believer to a living, vibrant faith.

1. Orthodoxy is no substitute for a living faith.  (3:1)
2. Renewed vitality demands specific action.  (3:2-3)
3. A living, vibrant faith is assured a glorious reward.  (3:4-6)

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An exposition of Revelation 2:18-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 6, 2008.

The man or woman of conviction is seen in today’s culture as, at best dangerous; at worst a real problem. Compromise is not always wrong, but there are those things which cannot be compromised. In this world of relativism nothing is true, so everything can be compromised. As Christians, there is one thing that cannot, must not be compromised: The gospel of grace found in Jesus Christ. What happens when we try to negotiate the gospel in an attempt to make it more palatable to the lost around us? That is what this morning’s text is all about. Today we look at the message sent to the church in Thyatira.

To compromise the gospel is to arouse, to ignite the anger of the living God.

1. The piercing eyes of the Sovereign Lord penetrates the surface and probes the human heart. He knows the thoughts and intent of every heart, which is a terrifying thought for even the best of us.
2. The righteous anger of the Sovereign Lord burns against those who destroy the church through worldly compromise. You cannot compromise and thrive. There is a payday someday. You may thrive now, but you will pay at the final judgment.
3. Our Sovereign Lord lovingly rewards those who remain faithful to him. They will reign with him and he will give them the morning star.

We cannot, we must not compromise the gospel, with our teaching or our living, as we are called by our Sovereign Lord both to speak and live the gospel.

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An exposition of Revelation 2:12-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 29, 2008.

Public boldness without moral integrity to back it up is of no benefit or value to the kingdom of God.

1. The Sovereign Lord of the church applauds genuine public boldness.
2. The Sovereign Lord of the church demands that doctrinal integrity accompany that bold public stance. The church in Pergamum tolerated corruption within their midst. What persecution could not do from without, apathy and toleration accomplished from within.
3. When the church does respond to the loving rebuke of its Master, great blessings follow. This is also true of anyone who will come to Jesus in faith.

May God grant us the grace to not only believe but to faithfully, consistently live the truth of his word so that when we speak we have credibility.

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An exposition of Revelation 2:8-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 22, 2008.

The Pain of Betrayal
Have you ever felt the pain of betrayal? It is intensified by the closeness of the relationship, and the circumstance of an hour-of-need situation. In our day personal loyalty is out the window. This has worked its way in every aspect of our lives, even in our faith, the church, and to Christ.  Oh yes, we will be loyal to Christ so long as it doesn’t inconvenience us, and we get out of it what we desire. Looking at the Scriptures we see that God places a high value on loyalty. John chose a life of loyalty to Christ, and paid for it by being exiled to the island of Patmos.

Today we come to the words to the church in Smyrna. If there were a one-word epitaph for the church in Smyrna it would be the word “loyalty.” They were one of only two addresses to the seven churches who were not reprimanded. Two points follow:

1. The sovereign Lord of the church demands our loyalty, even in the face of hardship and extreme persecution and trial.
2. In response to your faithfulness the Lord of the church promises a great reward.