The Plowman

Seeing the Church Through New Eyes [ 42:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1437)

-Number two in the “You and Your Church” series-
This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, September 5, 2007, and was taken from Ephesians 5:25-32. The theme of this series of messages was taken from Stop Dating the Church, by Josh Harris.

Pastor Rod begins this message by reminiscing on three weddings: his own, 27 years ago, and those of his own two children earlier this year; all taking place at the same Trinity Baptist Church sanctuary. Because of these three events in his life Pastor Rod exclaims that he can never look at the church in the same way again. He goes on to point out three ways in which the church is described: 1. as the bride of Christ, 2. as the body of Christ, and 3. as the temple of Christ.

The closing, probing question was “How important is the church to you?”

Standard Podcast [ 39:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1343)

This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 2, 2007, and was taken from Mark 9:14-37.

What do you do when there is no power? Start by acknowledging that there is no power in programs. When we walk in obedience to God, he will supply the power. In the passage before us we have a pattern for ministry. In Mark 9, notice the contrast between the glory on the mountain with the confusion and turmoil of the crowds. We don’t live on the mountain top, we live down were the hurting crowds are. Here is where our ministry is.

Three things mark a divinely-powered ministry

1. A powerful ministry demands a robust, confident faith (vs. 17-29).
2. A powerful ministry demands a clear focus on the ultimate issue: Jesus’ crucifixion (vs. 30-32). We do not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by what is good, at the expense of our essential task of delivering the message of the gospel.
3. A powerful ministry requires of us a genuine humility (vs. 33-37).

The question must be asked of every Christian ministry, and every Christian: Where are you?

Are You Dating the Church? [ 37:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1307)

This message by Pastor Rod Harris, in the “You and Your Church” series, was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 29, 2007.

How do we relate to the church, and why does the church matter, and how do we develop a passion for the church? What is our relationship to the church suppose to be? What is to be our commitment to the church?

The purpose of this study over the next few weeks is to discover the beauty of the church. The church was God’s idea in the first place, his design for taking the gospel to the world, and building up the spiritual lives of the believer and fulfilling the greatest needs of our lives.

A Deaconate Ordination Message and Charge [ 16:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1406)

This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church, on Sunday evening, August 26, 2007.

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ESV)

A Glimpse of Glory [ 33:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1322)

This Message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 26, 2007, and was taken from Mark 9:2-7.

As we left last week’s passage, Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, and Jesus reveals to his disciples his road to the cross, leaving the disciples greatly discouraged. This sets the mood for today’s message.

The Transfiguration
In the six days following all the bad news, the disciples have had plenty of time to think about what all that Jesus told them had meant. Then on the mountain top they get a brief glimpse of glory. This will sustain them through the dark days ahead. Nothing bolsters confidence and courage, like seeing Jesus for who he really is.

1. Jesus is seen as the unique and visible expression of the glory of God. Mark, in his economy of words simply says “And he was transfigured before them,” which means that just enough of his glory slipped out to reveal some of his divinity to Peter, James and John. Why did this unveiled glory take place? To declare to them that Jesus is God. We must preach this Christ without apology. He is without equal. He is our Savior, God himself.
2. Jesus is the ultimate message of God to the world. Elijah, and Moses, the two central figures in Israel’s history, signifying the Law and the Prophets, are seen at the transfiguration, speaking to Jesus. They were talking to Jesus about his “departure” or death on the cross. Why? Because this is symbolic of the fact that all of the Law and the Prophets were speaking about Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
3. Jesus is the only begotten son of the living God. Peter, James, and John are terrified at all they are witnessing. Mark records that they didn’t know what to say. Luke records that they didn’t know what they were saying. Peter, since he didn’t know what to say, said it. “Lord it’s really good that we are here. We can build a tabernacle to each one of you.” implying that all three are equal. Peter, obvious from his statement, doesn’t understand the significance of this scene. When God declares “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” he is in effect telling Peter to stop talking and listen to Jesus, for he is God’s unique son. Our hope, trust, and peace is not based in a system, but in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Play-Doh, Guidability and the Will of God [ 40:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1363)

This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 22, 2007.

This is message number six in the “Knowing God’s will series, and is based on the book “Discovering God’s Will” by Ray Pritchard.