This is an exposition of Genesis 12:1-4. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 22, 2012.
Walking by Faith
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The Extraordinary Love of God
This is an exposition of Hosea 11:1-12. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 19, 2012.
Intro:
It is the subject of sermon, song and ballad. It has captivated the greatest minds in the history of Christendom. It is one of the first lessons learned in Sunday School and yet its depths have not been plumbed in two thousand years of Christian thought. Theologians have sought to explain it while children have delighted in it – the love of God. Carl Barth the great Swiss theologian was asked, “What is the most profound thought that has ever passed through your mind?” After a moment of reflection Barth, with tears streaming down his face said, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” After wrestling with the thoughts of redemption, the atonement, the incarnation, salvation, sanctification, the attributes of God, the glories of heaven, and no thought was more profound than that of the love of God. In the ancient world – the gods were powerful and vengeful. They must constantly be appeased – no thought was given to the love of the gods. How could a divine being “love” a frail child of dust? That is a valid question.
God spoke and the universe came into existence. Think of it – our galaxy, filled with billions of stars much larger than our sun, is just one of a billion galaxies. Consider the greatness, the grandeur of the created world. Consider the vastness and beauty of the earth. Consider the intricacies of the human body – God created all of it. No wonder the psalmist asked, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you should care for him?” Yet God loves. The love of God is beyond our comprehension, it is more than our finite minds can grasp yet it seems everyone is an expert on the subject!
Much has been written concerning the love of God. The problem with modern works on the subject is that many are sloppy and sentimental in their reasoning. The love of God is presented in such a shallow, superficial manner it is hardly worthy of consideration. Contrast that with the biblical presentation. This morning I want us to consider a profound statement of the love of God found in the 11th chapter of Hosea.
Text: Hosea 11:1-11
Keep in mind Hosea’s marriage is a parable of the love of God.
- God, like Hosea, took a bride.
- Israel like Gomer went after other lovers.
- God, like Hosea, loved a wayward bride and paid an incredible price.
Israel is about to taste the judgment of God.
Her days are numbered – yet even in judgment, God loves.
Chapter 11 is a glorious statement of the love of God. As we walk through the chapter we are reminded of this simple truth:
Thesis: Salvation is the glorious work of our loving God.
Because God loves – we are saved.
It is wholly of him – we are rightfully objects of his wrath – but he has chosen to love.
As the drama of his love unfolds in this chapter I want us to note three movements.
- An Extraordinary Kindness (11:1-4)
- An Epic Struggle (11:5-9)
- An Enduring Result (11:10-11)
Conclusion:
The love of God is far beyond a sentimental, surface level warm regard. It is a profound emotion with far reaching consequences. It overcomes hardened, wayward hearts and secures an everlasting union.
This is the Gospel. This is the message we proclaim. God is no less a God of justice today. His wrath burns no less fiercely against our sin than it did against the sin of Israel. But God has shown us that his wrath is quenched in Christ. He drank the wrath of God for us. He drained it to the dregs and offers life and hope to all who will look to him in faith. He commands those who are yet in their sin – “look to Christ and live.” There is nothing in you that could possibly commend you to God – not your works, not your character – nothing. Your only hope is to trust in the work of Christ on your behalf.
Salvation is the work of our loving God – will you look to him today in faith? Will you acknowledge your sin – turn from your sin and flee to Christ? What will you do?
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The Making of a Hero
This is an exposition of Genesis 12:1. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 15, 2012.
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Some Things Never Change
This is an exposition of Genesis 10:8-11; 11:1-9. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, August 8, 2012.
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A Lesson in Gracious Sovereignty
1 Samuel #25: an exposition of 1 Samuel 25:1-44. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 5, 2012.
Intro:
Are you always consistent? I mean in your spiritual life. Do you consistently live out the truth you profess? It is easy to “rattle off” what we believe. It is easy for me to hand someone a copy of the Baptist Faith and Message saying, “This is what our church believes and I believe it to be a fair and accurate summary of my personal beliefs.” I have no trouble sitting down with a person and answering questions about my faith. I enjoy discussing the Scriptures and what they mean. The problem is when they follow my life closely and see those glaring inconsistencies! You wouldn’t have to follow me around very long before you would be asking, “Just how does that fit with what you said in last week’s sermon?” I was asked recently why I didn’t play golf and I said, “My testimony couldn’t handle it.” We all profess more than we perform. We believe more than we live. We are, after all, in the process of being made holy. We are not there yet. While we are to strive toward perfection and seek to consistently live out our faith, we all struggle. How are we to deal with our inconsistencies? How does God respond?
David was a man after God’s own heart. A good, righteous and holy man yet he was a man. He was flesh and bone and thus he too failed. Sometimes miserably! In this evening’s text we see David stumble. Yet the focus in not on David and his failings but God and His grace. Our text is found in 1 Samuel chapter 25.
Text: 1 Samuel 25:1-44
Chapters 24, 25 and 26 hang together.
You need to have chapter 24 in mind as you read chapter 25.
In chapter 24 David had opportunity to seize the throne.
Saul was vulnerable and David could have ended the king’s life.
Yet David said he would not raise his hand against God’s anointed.
God’s will could be accomplished in God’s way, in God’s time.
It was a remarkable expression of faith as David left things in God’s hand.
It is important to keep that in mind as you read chapter 25.
The chapter opens with the death of Samuel – 25:1.
Samuel hasn’t appeared in the story since David, escaping Saul, went to him at Ramah (19:18).
Now David’s patron is dead.
Israel’s judge, prophet, priest and king-maker is gone.
Given who Samuel was and the role he played, 1 verse hardly seems fitting. Yet that’s what we have: Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. (25:1)
Then verses 3-39 is the story of David’s dealing with a “fool” and his own “foolish” behavior and how God graciously intervened.
As we follow the story we learn…
Thesis: 1 Samuel 25 reveals both God’s gracious care for His own and His sovereign control of all things.
There are two things I want to point out along the way.
- In loving kindness God graciously interrupts our inconsistent faith. (25:3-27; 32-35)
- God, with sovereign purpose, will see to the fulfillment of His kingdom agenda. (25:28-31, 36-38)
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A Plea for Personal Reformation
Sobering Realities #18: an exposition of Psalm 51:1-19. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 12, 2012.
Intro:
It happened 495 years ago and yet it shapes your life today. It was October 31, 1517 – “All Hallows Eve” – the evening before All Saints Day. An Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther, without fanfare, nailed a list of topics to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. His 95 theses were written in Latin. It was a call for a scholarly debate on certain topics. It was a routine act in that the church door served as a community bulletin board. But that simple act ignited a storm of controversy that eventually led to the Protestant Reformation. Brother Martin’s invitation to scholarly debate became a watershed event in the history of the church and all of western civilization.
The word “reformation” means to amend what is defective, corrupt or depraved. Reformation then is a reshaping or realigning of priorities. As such, reformation is to be the continual business of the church. The Reformers called on the church to be “always reforming.” Because the church is alive and not some static institution, there is the need to grow and change. Each generation needs to bring the living Gospel to its culture in a way that can be understood and applied. While that is a definite need of the church it is equally true that we, as individuals, be always reforming. From time to time we need to evaluate our personal lives and realign priorities and reorder our lives. That is the subject under consideration in our text this morning.
Text: Psalm 51:1-19
This is a Psalm of David.
Further we are given the specific cause for the writing of this Psalm.
It goes back to the prophet Nathan’s approaching David in 2 Samuel 12.
Nathan approached David after his sin with Bathsheba.
David had committed adultery and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle.
The prophet tells the king a story about a wealthy man’s taking the lamb of a neighbor.
Though the king had a great flock he stole the one lamb of his poor neighbor.
The king is enraged by such a vicious act on the part of the wealthy man and demands that the man be punished. The prophet confronts the king – “Thou art the man!”
This is a very familiar Psalm.
It has been the favorite of many well-known, historical figures. Sir Thomas More recited it in full while on the scaffold in the bloody days of Henry VIII and Queen Mary. William Carey the great pioneer missionary to India asked that it be the text of his funeral sermon. Because of its beauty and the profound truth with which it speaks, to seek to expound upon it seems to almost smack of blasphemy.
Charles Spurgeon, known as the prince of preachers, while working through the Psalms put off dealing with it for weeks! Mr. Spurgeon wrote:
“It is a bush burning with fire yet not consumed. And out of it a voice seemed to cry to me, ‘Draw not nigh hither, put off thy shoes from off they feet.’ The psalm is very human, its cries and sobs are of one born of woman; but it is freighting with an inspiration all divine, as if the Great Father were putting words into his child’s mouth. Such a psalm may be wept over, absorbed into the soul, and exhaled again in devotion; but, commented on – ah! Where is he who having attempted it can do other than blush at his defeat?”
Familiar passages are not “easy” to expound, quite the opposite, they are far more difficult.
As we explore this psalm of David the scriptural giant, the great king, warrior, musician, poet, man of God, liar, adulterer and murderer we learn some valuable lessons.
And we discover a Pattern for Personal Reformation.
There are three (3) things I want to point out along the way.
- Personal reformation demands an awareness of sin. (51:1-4)
- Personal reformation demands cleansing and re-creation.
- Personal reformation results in a life of joyful service.
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The Judgment of God
Sobering Realities #17: An exposition of Hosea 9:1-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 5, 2012.
Intro:
It resides in the heart of every child of Adam. That innate resistance of authority. That yearning to be the captain of our own souls; the drive to be independent or autonomous. Children seek to overthrow the repressive demands of their “overbearing” parents. Convinced that mom and dad just have no concept of life in the modern world – teens seek to free themselves from the puritanical convictions of the older generation. This struggle has been going on from time in memorial. And it is not limited to the family. There are always those who seek to live free from the repressive legislation of the government; be it a dictatorship, a monarchy or a representative republic. Others feel oppressed by society’s outdated moral standards and yearn to live according to the dictates of their own longings. And of course there are those who cannot and will not acknowledge the existence of God for that would mean they are accountable to someone beyond themselves. The concept of a God who governs His creation cannot be tolerated for that would mean there are rules and I am not “free!”
I’m afraid that even among “Christians” there is a longing for a more tolerant, less involved deity who knows His place. To hear some folks talk, they want a God who is just for “catastrophic” coverage. They want Him when something big happens – but otherwise – don’t get too involved in my affairs. You almost get the feeling they would be happy if God just “went away” for awhile…but what if He did? James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. To remove God’s presence is to remove his grace and mercy. The psalmist says, “You will fill me with joy in your presence” (16:11). So what if he is not present?
When the apostle Paul catalogues the various sins of the sons of Adam, in Romans chapter 1, he spoke of their “suppressing” the truth and “exchanging” the truth for a lie and he finally says, “So God gave them over” (Romans 1:24). God abandoned them. He withdrew and said, “Alright, have it your way.” This same terrifying judgment is spoken of in the 9th chapter of Hosea.
Text: Hosea 9:1-17
“Even if they rear children, I will bereave them of every one. Woe to them when I turn away from them” (Hosea 9:12).
This is a chilling word!
Note the certainty – when I turn away from them. Yes God is gracious, merciful and longsuffering – but his patience is not without end and there is a reckoning. Repeatedly through the law and the prophets God warned of a judgment to come on sin and unbelief. As a spurned lover, God graciously sought reconciliation with wayward Israel. Time and again he came offering love and forgiveness – but Israel did not mend her unfaithful ways and now the time of judgment had come. Israel’s deathbed prophet delivered the awful news. “I have a controversy with the inhabitants of the Land,” declared the Almighty. “There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land…” Israel was in her final days.
This passage reminds us a very important truth – one that must not be forgotten but rather must call us to eternal vigilance.
Thesis: There is no more terrifying judgment than God’s withdrawing from His people.
What do you think of when you think of the judgment of God?
Fire and brimstone raining down on wicked Sodom and Gomorrah?
The devastation of The Flood?
The fall of Jerusalem and the carnage that followed?
Or maybe you think of natural disasters, political and economic chaos?
But I can think of nothing worse than God removing His presence.
Hear the agonizing cry of the Son from Golgotha, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?” Abandoned. Forsaken. Alone. Deprived of the sweetness of His presence. Denied the protection of His “hedging” love. Exposed as the object of His wrath. “Woe to them when I turn away from them!”
There are three consequences of God’s withdrawal I want us to note in this text.
- When God withdraws His presence joy becomes mourning. (9:1-6)
- When God withdraws His presence corruption reigns. (9:7-13)
- When God withdraws His presence desolation results. (9:14-17)
Conclusion:
This was the final word for Israel.
The Assyrians came destroyed the Northern Kingdom and dispersed them throughout the world.
But that is not yet the case with you!
Because God is gracious, as long as his word remains there is hope.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
There is hope for you if you will look to Christ.
It is not too late will you come to him today?
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Trusting in His Abiding Presence
Study of 1 Samuel #24: an exposition of 1 Samuel 24:1-22. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 29, 2012.
Intro:
David’s journey to the throne was long and difficult – why? He was a man after God’s own heart. He was chosen by God to rule over Israel. God rejected Saul and anointed David. So why all those years of pain, persecution, hiding out and running? Do you ever get frustrated with the way God is running the universe? If you say, “No.” I have to wonder what else you lie about! His ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts. There are times I’m left scratching my head. I’m not saying God is wrong. I’m not questioning His grace, mercy, kindness or wisdom I’m saying I don’t get it. I’m saying I struggle to understand. Yet, by faith, I accept it. By faith I trust Him. If you think David hid out in caves and scurried from village to village in perfect, unwavering faith you are, at best, naive. David was a godly man but he was a man. A frail child of dust. A son of Adam. A man of flesh and bone who struggle like the rest of us. Yet in the midst of the struggle he demonstrated enormous courage and profound faithfulness. How did he do it? What is it that sustained him through those dark, troublesome days? I’m convinced he was carried along by his confidence in the fact that God was always present and at work in everything. David pillowed his head on the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Our text this evening is found in the 24th chapter of 1 Samuel.
Text: 1 Samuel 24:1-22
David has rescued the village of Keilah and narrowly escaped from the hand of Saul.
As the chapter 24 opens David has found on a home on the western shore of the Dead Sea, several hundred feet up a large cliff in the wilderness of Engedi.
Word reaches Saul about David’s whereabouts and Saul takes 3000 choice men and is in pursuit.
24:1-2 sets the context.
Here is the principle I want us to learn from this chapter:
Thesis: On the long, winding, road of biblical faithfulness believers must learn to trust in God’s abiding presence and providential working.
God is always there regardless of the circumstances. Whether you sense His presence or not, and whenever He is present, He is at work. Too often we judge God’s presence by what we see or feel. We determine His working by whether we like what is happening or see its potential for our God. The problem is we are not reliable witnesses. When it comes to spiritual matters we are notoriously shortsighted and dull.
Throughout this chapter David trusts in God’s presence and work. I want to show you how that trust is manifested.
Three things I want to point out.
- To trust in God’s abiding presence is to see beyond the “obvious.” (24:3-7)
- To trust in God’s abiding presence is leave the outcome in God’s hands. (24:8-15)
- To trust in God’s abiding presence is to remain faithful yet vigilant. (24:16-22)
Conclusion:
The road of faith is long, winding and at times treacherous. Survival, perseverance demands that you trust in God’s abiding presence and providential working. He is always present and always working for His glory and your good.
Look beyond the obvious.
Leave the outcome to Him.
Be faithful yet vigilant.
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The Folly of Empty Ritual
Sobering Realities #16: an exposition of Hosea 8:1-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 29, 2012.
Intro:
I was engaged in my normal exercise routine…I was channel surfing. It was late at night/early morning and I came across an interesting scene. There on a stage was a race car. It was covered with racing decals and all the other markings of NASCAR. Climbing out of the driver’s window was the preacher! The cheering crowd welcomed him as he began his message. I was going to say, “Sermon” but I learned this particular Southern Baptist refers to his sermons as, “talks.” The large theatre was packed and folks seemed to be having a great time. I turned the channel to find a stately cathedral setting. The preacher worn a clerical collar, there was a massive pipe organ and a huge choir. What caught me off guard was the entrance of the “liturgical dance group;” ballet dancers waving ribbons as they “moved creatively” about the platform. I receive flyers and hear advertisements regularly promising “new” and “exciting” worship opportunities. I realize I’m a card-carrying member of the Old Fuddy Duddy’s Club, but that kind of thing bother’s me. It seems to me that in our mad dash to draw a crowd, we lose sight of the goal and aim of worship. I know of churches that have staged circus acts for Sunday services. I know of one that hired professional wrestlers to teach the staff how to stage a “grudge match” for one evening service. Most often sermons are centered on how to have meaningful relationships, how to manage your finances, how to achieve happiness and success – where is the Gospel in all of this? What does Jesus have to do with NASCAR? While these practices concern me and I don’t find them meaningful – it is not what concerns me most. I believe such an approach to worship misses the mark, but there is something more dangerous.
More dangerous and frightening to me are the services that are filled with Scripture, prayers and creeds. Services where the leaders and the congregation say all the right words and perform all the appropriate rituals but their hearts are far removed. It is frightening because they are convinced they are honoring God and they are unaware that judgment is about to come on them as a flood! Thinking themselves wise, they are in fact fools. That is where ancient Israel found themselves when the prophet Hosea came thundering the message of God’s judgment. Our text this morning is found in Hosea chapter 8.
Text: Hosea 8:1-14
Hosea, uniquely called and gifted, came preaching a message of judgment.
Yet that judgment was seasoned with hope.
He was Israel’s “deathbed prophet” coming at the end of their existence.
Repeatedly God had warned of his coming judgment.
God repeatedly warned them of the penalty for bowing before other gods.
The words of the prophets fell on deaf ears as the nation continued in her adulterous ways.
Now they have passed the point of no return thus the prophet thundered, “The Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land…there is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land…”
As we come to the 8th chapter we discover an important lesson for any age.
Thesis: Worship that fails to acknowledge the greatness and glory of God proves to be nothing more than empty ritual.
They were saying all the right words. They were outwardly very religious. They were faithful to attend temple. But it was all a show! It was in order to be seen and to feel good about themselves. While they sang the praises of God, their concern was their own well being. Their impressive pageantry and elaborate ceremonies had the stench of death about them. The problem is Israel was seemingly unaware of it. Empty ritual – form without substance. Message without meaning. Church without worship. We would do well to heed the warning of this text.
Note three warnings related to empty ritual.
- Empty ritual brings disastrous consequences. (8:14, 7)
- Empty ritual leads to open rebellion. (8:1-6, 8-13)
- Empty ritual creates sorry substitutes. (8:14)
Conclusion:
Boice calls attention to this in his commentary on this passage. Note between the What is the answer? What must we do? Remember God! Return to him. It really is as simple as that. Turn from what is empty, meaningless, and vain. Come to Christ and find in him all that you could ever need or want.
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Lessons Drawn from a Sinner
This message is an exposition of Genesis 9:18-29, and was delivered by Pastor Rod Harris at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, July 25, 2012.
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