The Plowman

Holy Boldness [ 37:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (75)

2013 Acts #10: an exposition of Acts 5:17-42. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 21, 2013.

Intro:

He is, without question, one of the greatest military minds of history.  His courage is legendary.  His daring unquestioned.  He is a man’s man.  His name is Hagar the Horrible.  His epic adventures are recorded daily in the comic strips of some of the finest newspapers in the country.  One of my favorites pictured Hagar, along with Lucky Edie, standing alone on the down slop of a hill with an unnumbered army coming down on them.  Hagar says to Edie, “Take no prisoners!”  At times I feel like Lucky Edie.  The whole world seems against us and yet our Lord commands, “Take no prisoners.  Conquer in my name.”

Christianity, once the dominant worldview of our culture, has fallen on hard times.  Its insistence on truth that exists outside of us is considered passé.  The idea of a God who created all that is and then rules over that creation, demanding that people come to him on his terms is considered foolish, narrow-minded and bigoted.  Those of us who hold to such out-dated concepts are considered dangerous.  We are labeled “fundamentalist” and are considered to be no different than those who brought down the World Trade Center.  Let’s face it; to be a Bible believing, conservative, evangelical is just not politically correct.  But politically correct or not, we are called to preach the Gospel.  But preaching the Gospel in a politically correct, pluralistic culture that views truth as relative is an overwhelming task.

How are we to accomplish the task?  Where will we find the strength and courage to do so?  For some answers we turn again to the example of the early church as we consider the last half of Acts 5.

Text: Acts 5:17-42

Luke has been describing authentic Christianity.
We’ve already seen Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
Remember they were told to never preach again in the name of Jesus.

They responded, “Well you be the judge as to whether we should listen to you or God.”
Acts 4:23 and following shows the response of Peter, John and the other disciples.
In 4:32-37 we find another summary statement – one heart and soul – all things in common.

That is contrasted by the acts of Ananias and Sapphira.
God came to church in judgment.
Great fear gripped the church and all those who heard of what happened.

Now look at 5:12-16 because it sets the stage for our text.

The apostles were performing many signs and wonders on a regular basis.
Note the uncertainty – 5:13!
But in spite of that – 5:14!
Wow, the Lord was adding a multitude.

Now consider our text.

This text serves to remind us that:

Thesis: Faithfulness in evangelism in a politically correct, pluralistic culture demands God-given boldness.

What is it that enabled Moses to stand before Pharaoh?
What is it that gave David courage when facing of Goliath?
How is it Elijah had the courage to stand against the prophets of Baal?
Or Peter to preach at Pentecost?

They each possessed a boldness that was born of the Spirit of God.  A boldness that inspired courage and fearlessness against overwhelming odds.  A boldness that can be experienced by any child of God when they dare to walk in obedience before God and dare to stand for truth in a hostile environment.

There are three things I want to call to your attention about this God-given boldness as we walk through this text.

1. This boldness originates with the call and the commission of our Lord.  (5:17-21)
2. This God-given boldness refuses to be intimidated by the threats of men.  (5:21-33)
3. Such God-given boldness enables believers to emerge from tribulation with renewed strength and determination.  (5:41-42)

Conclusion:
Evangelism is never “easy.”  There is never a “good time” or a convenient place.  In order to be faithful to the command of our Lord we must possess a God-given boldness.  Such a boldness originates in God’s call and commission.  It refuses to be intimidated and it emerges from tribulation with renewed strength and determination.  May God grant us such boldness.

Biblical Christianity [ 35:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (53)

2013 Acts #8: an exposition of Acts 4:23-37. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 7, 2013.

Intro:

I’m confused!  I know that’s not hard to believe.  But let me be more specific.  I’m confused about the cultural context in which we live.  I don’t understand the conflicting views and competing definitions of Christianity that I’m hearing.  If polls and surveys are to be believed, the vast majority of Americans claim to be Christian.  They claim to believe in the God of the Bible.  My confusion involves the various descriptions of Christianity I’m hearing.  I’m not talking about denominational distinctives.  I’m talking about the redefining of the faith that is commonplace today.  Large numbers of folks, while claiming adherence to the Scriptures, seem to have no trouble justifying that, which is clearly condemned in the Scripture!  So that surveys of Christians and non-Christians reflect little or no difference.  When I listen to radio or television programs and hear movie stars, theologians and scholars describe their version of Christianity – I hardly recognize it!  A vast number of people have entered the debate and are calling for authentic Christianity but I’m wondering what determines whether it is authentic?

Of course, as far as I’m concerned, there is only one source for determining authentic Christianity – the Scripture.  When we want to know what the church is to be about or what should characterize the life of the believer – we must turn to the Bible.  To believe in the sufficiency of the Bible is to believe that it contains all that is necessary for life and godliness.  What is biblical Christianity?  Who determines that?  For an answer we are not to turn to Nashville or Oklahoma City.  The answer isn’t determined by Lifeway or the Baptist General Convention – we are to receive our marching orders from the Word of God.

Of this I’m certain:

Thesis: In a world of confused identities and redefined boundaries, the church must set forth a biblical understanding of Christianity.

Our text this morning is found in the fourth chapter of Acts.

Text: Acts 4:23-37

You remember the context – Peter and John healed a cripple man who was begging at the Gate Beautiful.  The healing caused quite a stir.  A large crowd gathered.  The people were excited and the leadership was enraged.

The temple police along with the rulers came an arrested Peter and John.  After a night in jail they were asked by what power or name they performed such a miracle.  Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly preached the Gospel.  The religious leaders were greatly annoyed by all this but could do nothing about it.  After all the man who had been healed was standing right there.  They could not refute what had happened or what they were teaching.  So they threatened them.  They told Peter and John to never preach again in the name of Jesus.  After further threats they sent them away.

That is where our text begins (read text).

This historical narrative gives us some insight into what biblical Christianity looks like.
What should mark or characterize those who belong to the church of the Lord Jesus?
In this text I’m convinced we find three characteristics.

These characteristics deal with theology (our understanding of God); doctrine (what we teach); and practice (how we live).  By the way, authentic Christianity touches each of these areas.  Christianity is not just about a certain way of understanding God.  Or belief in certain teachings or adherence to a certain way of life.  But rather it involves a certain understanding of God that determines what we teach and dictates how we are to live!  They are all connected.  It is a package deal – the individual components are not sold separately!

1. Biblical Christianity possesses an unshakable confidence in God’s sovereignty.  (4:23-28)
2. Biblical Christianity possesses an impassioned boldness when preaching the Gospel.  (4:29-31)
3. Biblical Christianity possesses a genuine sense of community.  (4:32-37)

Standard Podcast [ 33:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (68)

2013 Acts #7: an exposition of Acts 4:1-22. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 30, 2013.

Intro:

I was embarrassed for them.  There they were on national television making fools of themselves.  All that ranting and raving.  Outlandish accusations.  Anger.  Hateful words.  Attacks.  You would have thought it was the Jerry Springer Show instead of a “news/talk show.”  Sophisticated, intelligent “scholars” red-faced and nearly incoherent.  The subject being debated was the claims of Christianity.  The Jewish rabbi kept interrupting the seminary president with claims of his being a “spiritual nazi” engaging in a “spiritual holocaust.”  The other “Christian” scholar put distance between himself and the seminary president, making it clear that he did not want to be identified with such a “spiritual Neanderthal.”  The point of contention?  That salvation was to be found in Christ and in Christ alone.

We are living in changing times.  We have experienced a major shift in philosophical thinking.  We have move from “modernism” into “postmodernism.”  Modernism began in the 18th century with the Enlightenment.  Modernism is based on the idea that there is such a thing as truth and that it can be known.  Modernism said, “Truth exists outside of us and is always true.”  Scientific experimentation was a search for truth.  Philosophy was a search for truth.  Truth that was always true in every generation and in every circumstance.  Postmodernism says, “Truth is what we make it.”  Truth does not exist outside of us.  We all have our own truth.  What is true for me may or may not be true for you.  What is true in this circumstance may not be true in that circumstance.  In such a world there can be no absolutes.  Because there are no absolutes there can be no judgments made.  As a sign on a college campus recently said, “It is okay to think you are right.  It is not okay for you to think someone else is wrong!”  Thus the greatest sin in our culture is to declare someone is wrong.  Tolerance no longer means that I respect another person’s point of view but that I accept another’s point of view as equally valid.  Their view though contradictory to mine is just as true as mine!

Such is life in a pluralistic world.  Our culture, once monolithic, has now become multi-cultural.  America is no longer a “melting pot” we are a “mosaic.”  We are no longer Americans we are hyphenated Americans.  We are African-American, Irish-American, Asian-American, and Native-American etc.  We are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist, New Agers, atheist, pantheist and anything else you can think of!  The question we must face is – how do we present the Gospel to such a culture?

Text: Acts 4:1-22

Thesis: In the face of our pluralistic culture the church must faithfully, accurately and passionately preach the Gospel.

That sounds simplistic – but it is not.
Much is made today of the need to be “innovative” and “cutting edge” in evangelism.
But the truth of the matter is the power is and always has been in the Gospel itself!

Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation.”

Three things we must keep in mind about the preaching of the Gospel in our pluralistic culture.

1. Faithful preaching of the Gospel inevitably results in conflict.  (4:1-3)
2. Faithful preaching of the Gospel demands an honest, clear, complete telling of the whole Gospel.  (4:5-12)
3. Faithful preaching of the Gospel is our only hope for reaching our culture for Christ.  (4:13-22)

What Is the Church? [ 34:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (76)

2013 Acts #05: an exposition of Acts 2:41-47. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 16, 2013.

Intro:

How would you describe the church?  What definition would you use?  When we come to think about the church there are many different ways to describe it.  Some see the church as some kind of “cosmic” waiting room for those who are waiting to go to heaven.  Others see it as some sort of social club.  The church is a place to gather with family and friends to enjoy one another’s company.  Some would consider it more of a service organization.  It is an organization where we cooperate together to do some public good.  Others would take a more biblical approach and say, “The church is the body of Christ.”  Fine, but what does that mean?

When we consult a lexicon we find that the word church in the New Testament means, “a called out assembly.”  As we work with that we come to understand that the church is made up of people who have been “called out” of the world and placed within a unique body of people.  Beyond that we find the word is used in two different was in the New Testament.  In one sense it refers to all those who through all time have been called out by God’s Spirit and made into the body of Christ.  We call that the universal church.  All peoples of all cultures through all times are part of the one body of Christ – the church.  But the word is used most often to refer to a local gathering of those universal saints.  For instance Paul writes to the church at Corinth or at Thessalonica or the church at Rome.  These are local bands of believers who gather in local communities to provide a local expression of the life of Christ to their community.

What is most clear is that the church is not a building!  It is not brick and mortar.  The church is the people.  This building is not Trinity Baptist Church.  This building is where Trinity Baptist Church meets.  We are the church.  But what are we supposed to look like?  What is it we are to be?  To answer that I want us to consider Luke’s summary statement found at the end of Acts chapter 2.

Text: Acts 2:41-47

Luke the careful historian is writing to his friend, Theophilus, telling him of the continuing work of the Lord Jesus.  In his Gospel, Luke told Theophilus all that Jesus began to do – now he is filling him in on the lasting workings of the Lord Jesus through his body – the church.

The opening chapter of Acts reminds us of the promise coming of the Holy Spirit.
It also tells us of what happened to Judas and about his successor.
Then in the opening of chapter 2 we find the dramatic fulfillment of the promise.
The sound of a violent, rushing wind signaled the beginning of a new age.
God’s Spirit was poured out on all his people.
All were telling of the glory of God.
In the midst of the confusion – Peter stood up and preached the first Christian sermon.

The astonishing result was that 3000 were swept into the kingdom through a single message.

Luke then stops to summarize the state of the church up to that point.
This is the first of three such summary statements in the first 5 chapters.
(The others being 4:32-37 and 5:12-16.)

By examining this passage we discover that:

Thesis: A New Testament church is a vibrant, living, loving community of believers covenanted together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Word of God.

In this passage we find three marks of a true church.  These are marks that ought to characterize our fellowship and any other fellowship that claims to be a New Testament church.

1. The church is a community of people who have a genuine conversion experience.  (2:41)
2. The church is a community of people who are passionately committed to the truth and to each other.  (2:42-43)
3. The church is a community of people who are bound together by covenant.  (2:44-47)