The Plowman

Heirs of an Unhindered Gospel [ 39:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (75)

2014 Acts #38: an exposition of Acts 28:17-31. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 23, 2014.

Intro:

We all know there are certain words that just don’t go together even when they go together.  Phrases that have become commonplace but the words themselves are contradictory.  We call them oxymorons.  Officially an oxymoron is defined as “a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.”  Originally it meant something pointedly foolish.  We talk about jumbo shrimp.  We say we’re doing nothing.  Just how do you draw a blank?  We think someone is pretty ugly or we take a working vacation.  Common words we use together that don’t go together – like long-winded preacher.  Come on, really?

There are other things that are not oxymorons but they seem equally foolish because we just don’t see how it could possibly be.  One great example is found at the end of the book of Acts.  Paul has been falsely accused.  He has been arrested and imprisoned for two years.  His life has been threatened.  Corrupt politicians had sought political gain by using him as a pawn.  Paul appealed to Caesar and finally was sent to Rome.

Along the way Paul found himself in the midst of a violent storm.  A storm so fierce seasoned sailors feared for their lives.  After assurance from God, Paul declared that they would be safe though the ship would be lost.  Once the ship ran aground and the castaways made it safely to shore.  Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake.  By the grace of God he survived.  For three months Paul ministered to the people of Malta and God granted success.  Finally Paul reaches Rome.  He spends another two years in prison with no formal charges brought against him.  Yet in spite of being held prisoner by the most powerful nation on earth, in spite of having a guard chained to his wrist 24 hours a day – Paul’s Gospel went forth unhindered for that two-year period!  During that two years visitors moved freely in and out of Paul’s residence.  Paul was faithful to preach and teach with great boldness throughout that time.  It is also at that time Paul wrote the New Testament books of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians.  It may well be that Paul’s most fruit years of ministry took place while shackled as a prisoner in Rome.  Chained yet unhindered.  Locked up and yet free.

Our text this morning is found in the 28th chapter of the book of Acts.

Text: Acts 28:17-31

Dr. Luke has come to the end of his two-volume history of the life and ministry of Jesus.
As a careful historian he has told of Jesus’ ministry and the movement of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the capital of the Roman Empire.

The outline of Acts is found in chapter 1 and verse 8.

“You will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

• Jerusalem = Acts 1-7
• Judea and Samaria = Acts 8-12
• The ends of the earth = Acts 13-28

As we reflect on Paul’s ministry and the advance of the Gospel we find some encouragement for our own ministry.  After all we are heirs of this same ministry.  In a real sense the book of Acts is unfinished.  We are writing the final chapters.

As we conclude our study we are reminded that:

Thesis: We have been called to boldly go forth as heirs of an unhindered Gospel.

Regardless of our circumstance, regardless of the forces aligned against us the Gospel is powerful and will accomplish God’s ordained purpose.  If the pagan power of Imperial Rome cannot chain the Gospel, neither can secularism, postmodernism or the tide of public opinion.

In considering Paul’s ministry in Rome we find three characteristics of a faithful Gospel servant.

1. The faithful Gospel servant passionately pleads the “good news” of Christ.  (28:17-23)
2. The faithful Gospel servant prophetically denounces unbelief.  (28:24-29)
3. The faithful Gospel servant powerfully proclaims the unhindered message.  (28:30-31)

Conclusion:

At the end of Acts we are left to wonder whatever became of Paul?
Luke doesn’t tell us.
Why is that?
It is because; in the final analysis it doesn’t matter.

The whole point of Paul’s life, in deed the book of Acts, is what matters is that we are faithful in the calling we have received.  Paul wasn’t the church.  The gospel is not dependent upon Paul anymore than it is dependent on me or you.

We have been called to boldly go forth as heirs of an unhindered Gospel.

May we passionately plead the good news of Christ;
Prophetically denounce unbelief;
And powerfully proclaim this unhindered message.

Steady in the Storm [ 33:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (87)

2013 Acts #37: an exposition of Acts 27:1-44. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 16, 2014.

Intro:
The whole experience was surreal.  As we walked down the street the devastation defied description.  Trees stripped clean of their bark.  Cars crushed like discarded pop cans.  This was a residential neighborhood or at least it used to be.  Families were sifting through what once was their home trying to find something they could salvage.  Some tangible reminder of what was once their pride and joy.  It happened so fast.  Just a few minutes and it was over.  Everything – gone.  As chaplains we tried to bring comfort to those devastated by the tornadoes that ripped through Moore, Del City and Midwest City.  It’s a funny thing about storms.  One day everything is wonderful – no cares.  The next day wiped out.  Nothing but cares.  Yet, life goes on.  Storms are frightening because they can strike without warning.  Especially those storms that are not physical in nature.  What about the storm that comes from a knock on the door in the middle of the night?  A man with a badge tells you your loved one is never coming home?  What about the storm that rages when the doctor walks in the room shaking his head saying, “I’d hoped for better news?”  Or perhaps you have known the pain of hearing the words, “I just don’t love you anymore.”

Storms are inevitable in this world.  A world wracked by sin.  A world in the grip of evil and corruption.  How do you weather life’s emotional and spiritual storms?  Faith in Christ does not insure smooth sailing.  Your trusting Christ does not guarantee safe passage through life.  Storms come and go.  Devastation and debris dot the landscape.  The question is not will the storms come but rather how will you respond to life’s storms?
Our text this morning is found in the 27th chapter of Acts.

Text: Acts 27:9-25

By the time we reach our text, Paul’s life has been buffeted by storm for years!
He has faced constant harassment from the Jews.
He has faced hardship of every kind.
He has been beaten, stoned and needlessly imprisoned.

In fact listen to his version – 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.
Now wouldn’t that make a great recruiting poster!

In the immediate context he was arrested on false charges (bringing Gentiles into the temple).

He was rushed by a mob.
There was a plot to murder him.
He has been shuffled around as a political prisoner for 2 years.
Now he is finally on his way to Rome to appeal to Caesar.

James Smith, after careful and deliberate research was convinced that Acts 27 is an eyewitness account of peril at sea.  He published his findings in a book entitled The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul.  Smith wrote, “No sailor would have written in a style so little like that of a sailor; no man not a sailor could have written a narrative of a sea voyage so consistent in all its parts, unless from actual observation.”

That is to say we have before us the literal, historical account of a treacherous sea voyage.  But the lessons drawn from that voyage apply equally well to all the storms of life.  Make no mistake about it.  This text is about God’s gracious deliverance of the apostle Paul and all those who traveled with him from a violent, life-threatening storm.  But the lessons learned are life lessons.  The same God who delivered Paul from the raging sea can and will deliver you from the storms that ransack your life.

Reflection on this text reminds us that:

Thesis:  In the midst of the storm, the believer must tenaciously cling to God and His promise.

An amazing thing happens in this text.  Professional sailors – those who have vast experience of sailing rough seas – become panic stricken.  The apostle Paul, on the other hand, remains remarkably calm.  I almost think too calm – especially when he says, “Fellas you should have listened to me…” (27:21-22)

I want us to focus our attention on 27:23-25.

When the storm winds blow.  When the rain become torrential.  What is it you desire?  A shelter.  A safe place.  You want something that doesn’t move!  You want something that can withstand the onslaught.  That is the child of God has in our Heavenly Father.  A shelter in the time of storm.

There are three principles or truths reflected in Paul’s words in 27:23-25.
What gave him such peace?
How was he able to remain calm?
Where did he find such strength?

Three things.

1. The peace of knowing the God you serve.
2. The peace of knowing the promise given.
3. The peace of knowing that he can be trusted.

A Captive Audience? [ 38:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (93)

2013 Acts #36: an exposition of Acts 25:13-26:32. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 9, 2014.

Intro:

It was an impressive sight!  The crowd was made up of kings, governors, religious leaders, military officers and curious on lookers.  There was great pageantry and pomp.  Everywhere you turned there were signs of wealth and power.  Why had they come?  What was the purpose of this gathering?  They had come to hear the story of a political prisoner.  Strange that a squabble between competing sects within a religion should gain the attention of such notables.  But this prisoner had appealed to the Emperor himself.  Threats had been made on his life.  He had become something of a political football – tossed back and forth for the sake of political advantage.  With the nod of a head and the wave of a hand the prisoner was escorted into the room.  He was a small man, unimpressive in his appearance.  Not the kind of man you would expect to hold an audience.  But he was about to speak with great power and authority on how a dead man radically altered his life.  Now you know the context for our Scripture passage this morning found in Acts chapters 25 and 26.

Text: Acts 25:13-26:32

Are you ever intimidated about sharing your faith?
It is not that you doubt your faith or that you are ashamed of your faith.
But when you go to speak – the words just don’t seem to come.
What if you are asked a question you do not know the answer?
What if you will say something wrong and unintentionally mislead them?
What if they will get angry?
For whatever reason you freeze up.

Paul found himself in what can only be described as an intimidating circumstance.
The most powerful men in the region are sitting before him.
Dressed in their finest garments, surrounded by symbols of power.
And Paul a prisoner.
A prisoner brought in chains with no prior notice and called upon to give a defense.
But Paul was not alone and neither are you!

God never calls or commands without equipping.  “Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age” was the promise of Christ to those who follow him.  “When you stand before kings and princes, do not worry about what you will say – I will give you the words to speak,” Jesus said to his disciples.  His final word to his followers before his ascension into glory was – “you will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses.”

The message of our text is that:

Thesis: God has graciously promised to empower you to be his witness in every circumstance.

There are three great truths related to God’s empowering found in our text.

1. The empowered witness seizes every opportunity to proclaim his experience of God’s grace.  (26:1-18)
2. The empowered witness uncompromisingly calls on all to repent and believe.  (26:19-20)
3. The empowered witness presses his hearers for a response.  (26:21-29)

Conclusion:

• This is our job as witnesses and God has promised to empower you as his witness.
• Seize the opportunity.
• Call for repentance.
• Press for a response.
• And find God faithful to his promise.

Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire [ 38:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (72)

2013 Acts #34: an exposition of Acts 22:22-23:11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 16, 2014.

Intro:

It was like a bad dream.  You know, one of those eerie nightmares where you’re being chased and you can’t get away?  Every time you think we’ve lost them – they are on your trail again.  You know the kind of dream I’m talking about?  Things go from bad to worse.  The fear intensifies, your breathing becomes erratic, you breakout in a cold sweat and finally you wake up!  But he didn’t wake up.  He didn’t wake up because he wasn’t dreaming.  Paul stubbornly insisted on going to Jerusalem and he discovered the warnings were accurate – affliction and imprisonment awaited him.  In spite of engaging in a ritual cleansing and purification in an attempt to calm the storm of controversy in Jerusalem – Paul found himself at the center of a near riot.  Arrested by the local Roman authority Paul asked to speak to the crowd.  All was going well until he said God had called him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles – the crowd erupted, “Away with this man.  Rid the earth of him!”  In rapid succession Paul finds himself before the Roman leader, the Sanhedrin, governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa.  It is apparent that Paul was something of a political football.  It does not take long before the secular authorities determine this is a religious fight.  Paul was about to be released when he appealed to Rome.  When reading through the last section of Acts it seems like nothing more than the historical account of how and why Paul ended up in Rome.  But there is more to the story than that.  I think we learn something about our role as witnesses of the Gospel.  In addition we learn something of God’s provision and our faithfulness.

Text: Acts 22:22-23:11

All are agreed that we are called to “evangelize.”
Every Bible-believing person has to acknowledge we are called to share our faith.
We are to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
We are to tell the story of God’s love demonstrated in Christ.
We are to tell of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.
We are to tell of our life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus.
That is without question or dispute.

Yet – too often we do not tell.
Too often we are intimidated into silence.
In the face of conflict or resistance we loose our voice.

Do you find it difficult to speak openly or freely about Christ?  Do you hesitate to speak with great confidence about your faith?  Most of us, like the cowardly lion on his way to Oz, lack “da nerve.”

Often the problem is that we are trying to do this supernatural work in our own strength.  We are assuming too much responsibility.  Believing that success or failure rests on us – we are paralyzed by fear.  But what did our Lord say?  “Do not worry about what you will say when called before kings and princes, I will give you the words to speak in that moment” (Matthew 10:19).  When we were commanded to “go into all the world and make disciples”, we were also told “He would be with us.”  The disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them and then they would be his witnesses.

When you read these accounts don’t dismiss it as, “Well that was Paul and he just had a strong personality.  Of course he could do that – I’m just not like that.  I don’t have that kind of forceful personality.”  Paul was called and equipped by the same God who calls you to speak His name and boldly declare His Gospel.  What we must remember is this:

Thesis: God’s call to evangelism includes His gracious enabling to meet the challenge.

As we consider Paul’s experience in our text we will find three characteristics of those who yield their lives to Christ as his witnesses.

1. Those who are called and equipped by God find themselves emboldened in the face of questioning authority.  (22:22-29)
2. Those who are called and equipped by God are not shaken by religious hostility.  (22:30-23:10)
3. Those who are called and equipped by God are humbled by God’s gracious promise to bless and use.  (23:11)

Don't Waste Your Opportunity [ 41:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (72)

2013 Acts #33: an exposition of Acts 21:37-22:21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 9, 2014.

Intro:

I was in the third grade.  It is a day forever seared into my conscience.  There I stood in front of my class, forced to participate in what is without a doubt the most grueling, demanding and demoralizing spectacle conceived by man…the spelling bee.  Humiliated, I slumped back to my seat knocked out in the first round.  I chocked.  I froze.  I couldn’t handle the pressure.  To this day I hate to be put on the spot.  From that day on I did my best to remain hidden during class.  No matter how well prepared, no matter how versed in the subject, I sought to remain a spectator rather than a participant.  Even during seminary days I sought to keep my head down and avoid eye contact with the professor.  Do you like to be put on the spot?  Do you appreciate being vulnerable?  All eyes and ears trained on you waiting to have your ignorance exposed to the world?  Yet, as the people of God, we are to seek such opportunities.

We are called to be vulnerable.  We are to be ready in season and out.  “Prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter 3:15).  We are to eagerly, willingly and gladly speak to anyone who will listen of the wonder of the Gospel.  Jesus said to his followers, “You will be my witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

He stubbornly went to Jerusalem.  Though repeatedly warned of the danger that awaited him, the great apostle was determined to march into the holy city.  Once he arrived he sought to appease those who were angered by his radical message of freedom from the yoke of the law.  Even to the point of compromising his message.  But before he could make the sacrifice he was rushed by a mob.  A near riot resulted.  A Roman tribune had to intervene.  It is here, in the context of this angry mob and threatened violence, Paul ask for an opportunity to speak.  Our text this morning is found in the 21st and 22nd chapter of Acts.

Text: Acts 21:37-22:21

The missionary journeys are over.
Paul is on his way to Rome.
How he gets there is the focus of the last 8 chapters of the book.
In today’s text I want us to consider Paul’s defense before this angry mob.
Here Paul gives his “testimony.”

We are familiar with this language.  We have testimony services or we ask someone to share their testimony.  My concern about such sharing is that too often it seems we brag about how bad we were.  I’ve been in services when someone shared their testimony and their testimony was about 40-45 minutes about their wayward life before coming to Christ and then they say, “Then I met Jesus and everything changed.”  How did everything change?  What was different about it?  Why is that a good thing?  Where is the Gospel in all of this?

As we consider Paul’s message in this text we are reminded…

Thesis: When given the opportunity to testify, don’t waste the opportunity by dwelling on your life story but rather your life story in the context of the Gospel.

Granted this may be a fine distinction but nonetheless an important distinction.
That distinction being the centrality of the Gospel.
That all of life is to be seen in relation to the Gospel.
This is part of what it means to be a “Gospel people.”

There are 3 things I want to point out from the text.

1.  Zeal, passion and religion without Christ is a vain thing.  (22:1-5)
2. Knowledge of Christ is everything.  (22:6-16)
3. Serving Christ is a glorious thing.  (22:17-21)