The Peace of God’s Provision

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Wayne
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1 Samuel #23: An exposition of 1 Samuel 23:1-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 22, 2012.

Intro:

“Why?”  The question is unavoidable.  In times of suffering or distress we naturally ask, “Why?”  It is part of the fabric of our being.  If this is a moral universe why is there such suffering?  This cannot be life as it was intended, why?  A tsunami wipes out hundreds of thousands and we ask, “Why?”  A teenage girl is killed sitting in the car with her boyfriend the night of her high school graduation and we ask, “Why?”  A toddler is molested by one who is to love and protect her and we ask, “Why?”  The doctor says, “I’m sorry there is nothing more we can do” and we ask, “Why?”  As for the case of molestation we can say, “There are wicked people in this world” but that really doesn’t solve the mystery.  In the case of cancer we can say sickness is no respecter of persons but that doesn’t ease the suffering or silence our anguish cry.  There are scientific explanations for tsunamis and other “natural disasters” but they provide little comfort.  The theological short answer is that we live in a fallen world and bad things happen.  True but not comforting.  True but far from bringing an end to the questioning it only creates more, some more troubling than the original!  Maybe we are focused on the wrong question.  We think we have a right to know why but we have no such “right.”  Further, if we were told why, we most likely wouldn’t accept it.  It still would not make sense.  We would deem it unsatisfactory.  I think we are better served by asking other questions.  What?  What am I to do in light of this?  How?  How do I move on?

Biblically the question is not so much why but who?  Who is in charge?  Who do I turn to?  Who will see me through?  Job demanded to know why but settled for who.  Let’s face it, often when we ask why we don’t expect and really do not want an answer.  What I do want is to know I’m not alone.  I want to know there is someone there with me and for me.  Listen to the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart…But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 So death is at work in us, but life in you…So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:1, 7-12, 16-18)

How is it we keep from “losing heart?”

He was Israel’s anointed king yet he is living an outlaw existence in the hills of Judah.  Son-in-law of the king, leader of the king’s bodyguard, the nation’s most decorated and beloved soldier yet a fugitive.  “Why?”  Our text this evening is found in 1 Samuel 23.

Text: 1 Samuel 23:1-29

Hunted and hounded.

Threatened and betrayed.

David’s life was one of heartache, suffering and persecution yet he remained faithful to his God, his country and most surprising, his king!  As we consider 1 Samuel 23 we are reminded that…

Thesis: In times of intense pain and heartache the believer finds rest in God’s gracious provision.

Our rest, as the people of God, is not dependent upon circumstance.  We have rest in spite of our circumstance.

It’s not that we finally achieve peace when the storm blows over but that we have peace in the midst of the storm.

This peace, this rest, is the result of God’s gracious provision.  We note three such provisions in this text.

  1. The provision of divine guidance.  (23:1-13)
  2. The provision of timely encouragement.  (23:14-18)
  3. The provision of Providence.  (23:19-28)

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The Not So Good Part of the Good News

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Wayne
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An exposition of Hosea 6:1-7:16. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 22, 2012.

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Trust in the Fullness of His Plan

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Wayne
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An exposition of Judges 7:1-22. This message by Andrew Hoyt was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 15, 2012.

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What Have You Done With the Gospel?

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Wayne
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Sobering Realities #14: An exposition of Luke 19:11-27. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 15, 2012.

Intro:
They had waited so long.  Generation after generation, for thousands of years, had anticipated the arrival of the great King.  For centuries they had been dominated by foreign powers.  Myths, legends and songs had grown up around the mysterious figure of the Messiah.  No doubt when he came the yoke of bondage would be broken.  The people of God would take center stage and the whole world would acknowledge the greatness of Israel’s God.  The crowd was ecstatic.  Jesus was “the Son of David” thus he could reestablish David’s throne.  He was calling himself “the Son of Man,” that awesome, divine being of Daniel chapter 7.  They saw him open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, loose the tongues of the dumb and even raise the dead!  Messianic expectation had reached a feverish pitch among his followers.  Jerusalem was only seventeen miles away, Passover was at hand, the setting was perfect for the arrival of the kingdom of God.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, told them a parable reminding them once again that the kingdom of God is here now and coming later.  This is a common theme in Luke’s account “the Kingdom Now and Not Yet.” We are about to enter the events in the last week of the life and ministry of Jesus.  Jesus has just opened the eyes of a blind beggar and brought salvation to the home of a reprobate tax collector.  He’s on his way to Jerusalem for a divine appointment.  The battle of the ages is about to be waged on a rocky hillside just outside the walls of Jerusalem.  Yes the kingdom is being ushered in but the kingdom in its ultimate fulfillment is in the distant future.  It is here now and not yet.

Text: Luke 19:11-27

Luke’s purpose is that his readers might come to see Jesus as he really is.

The Messiah of the Jews and the Savior of the world.

That seeing who he really is – they might put their faith and trust in him.

Thus his purpose is evangelistic.

It is a proclamation of the “evangel” the gospel.

This is what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.

Yes he came to bring a kingdom – but first he must establish that kingdom through his death, burial and resurrection.

Throughout the latter half of Luke’s Gospel Jesus has talked more and more about the kingdom.  He has talked about the qualifications for entering the kingdom.  He has talked about the necessity of childlike faith as a condition for entering the kingdom.  Now in our text:

Thesis: The unfolding of the kingdom of God takes a surprising turn.

The crowd really wasn’t ready for what they heard.

It differed radically from everything they had ever heard or thought.

Jesus, because they were convinced that the kingdom of God was going to immediately appear and because he knew that they had a mistaken idea of what the kingdom was all about, told the parable recorded in our text.

A careful study of the parable reveals an entrusted treasure, a definite reckoning and a rude awakening.

  1. An entrusted treasure.  (19:11-13)
  2. There is coming a definite reckoning.  (19:15-26)
  3. A rude awakening.  (19:14,27)

Conclusion:

The Lord Jesus will one day return.  When he does those who have invested well will receive great reward.  Those who have not invest will experience great shame.  Those who have rejected him will receive death.

We are at the final hour.  He is coming.  How are your investments?

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Of Camels and Needles’ Eyes

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Wayne
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Sobering Realities #13: An exposition of Luke 19:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 8, 2012.

Intro:

“Shocking.  Just shocking.”  “Why I couldn’t believe it.  If I hadn’t been there and seen it and heard it myself – I never would have believed it.  The nerve!”  “Well, something is going to have to be done.  This cannot go on.  He’s gone too far.”  That was the talk around town the night of the big scandal.  Now he had irritated them before.  But this was the final straw.  They were enraged.  Even the people of the city were shocked at this display.  It was so public.  So blatant.  Even his supporters were scratching their heads over this one.  Imagine, making himself at home in the house of that lying, thieving Zacchaeus.  That was the reaction of the crowd in Jericho the day the Savior met the tax collector.  The story is found in the 19th chapter of Luke’s Gospel.

Text: Luke 19:1-10

Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, builds a compelling case proving that Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews and the Savior of the world.  He has demonstrated his wisdom, power and compassion.  For no man ever taught like this man.  No man ever performed the kinds of miracles this man performed.  And yet Luke is careful to give insight into the love and compassion of the Savior.  This is another of those insights.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.  We are told that he was the chief tax collector.

There were three tax regions in Palestine: Capernaum, Caesarea and Jericho.  Jericho was a wealthy tax region due to the major trade routes that came through.  Jericho was at the center of a vast trade network.  Jericho was famous for the balm derived from the balsam tree.  A balm noted for its fragrance and its healing qualities.  All of this combined for a lucrative tax business.  Zacchaeus was the kingpin of a large tax cartel.  He no doubt had the scruples of a modern day crack dealer.  This hardly seems like a candidate for the loving touch of God.  No wonder he was despised.  But this hated and despised reprobate is about to be transformed as salvation comes to his house.

This story serves as a contrast to the preceding story.

At the end of chapter 18 a blind beggar is transformed by the Savior.

Now a rich and powerful official is transformed by the touch of this same Savior.

Jesus’ encounter with the beggar caused quite a stir in the city.

News spread like wildfire.

Everyone was talking about it.

Word reached Zacchaeus that the miracle worker was passing through town.

Luke says Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was.

Now doubt Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus.

Luke 18:24-27 sets this story in context.

What is happening here in Luke 19?

A “camel” is about to pass through the needle’s eye!

The impossible is about to become reality.

Thesis: The story of Zacchaeus serves to remind us that salvation is about conversion not decisions.

This is a critically important truth for us.  I’m afraid too many think it is about accepting various truths.  That salvation is a simple matter of saying, “I believe in Jesus.”  The devil “believes in Jesus.”  Salvation is about conversion or transformation.  It is about passing from death to life.  It is about change.

There are three things I want us to note about Zacchaeus and his encounter with the Savior that shed light on our salvation.

  1. Salvation is marked by the radical transformation of a person’s essential nature.  (Luke 19:8)
  2. Salvation redirects a person’s passion and interest.  (Luke 19:8)
  3. Salvation begins with God.  (Luke 19:9-10)

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Life’s Big Question

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Wayne
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Sobering Realities #12: This is an exposition of Luke 18:9-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 1, 2012.

Intro:

It is a natural response.  It is perfectly understandable.  It is what anyone would do.  You found out that you have greatly offended someone and you immediately begin to think of how you can make it right.  Surely there is something you can say or do that will appease them.  Some gesture on your part that adequately demonstrates that you are truly sorry and that you are sincere when you say you will never do it again.  We’ve all been there and done that.  It makes perfect sense.  But what if it is really bad?  I mean really, really bad.  I mean the worst possible kind of bad?  What do you do when the one offended is God?  How do you make it right with Him?  That is what our text is about this morning.  As we consider life’s big question while we explore Luke 18:9-14.

Text: Luke 18:9-14

Luke the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul is writing to his friend Theophilus about the life and ministry of Jesus.  Luke wants his friend to have an accurate account of the life of Jesus.  His goal is that his friend would come to see Jesus not just as the Jewish Messiah but as the Savior of the world.  His purpose is evangelistic.  Throughout his gospel Luke has been showing the growing hostility toward Jesus on the part of the religious establishment.  That hostility is reaching fever pitch and is about to explode in the cross.

In the preceding passage Jesus drew a sharp contrast between the character of God and that of a corrupt civil official.  Demonstrating that our confidence and persistence in prayer is based on the character and strength of God.  We are reminded that we are to pray and never give up.  Prayer again is involved in the parable that is before us.  But the issue in this parable is the larger question behind the prayers of two very different men.

Thesis: At issue in this parable is life’s most important question – “How is a man justified in the eyes of God?”

How is a man justified?

How is he made right with God?

How does a sinful man stand in the presence of a holy and righteous God?

That is life’s most important question.

That is the question everyone in this room must deal with.

We are all sinful, “…for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).  We are all less than what God created us to be.  We all fail to live according to God’s commands.  We are sinners.  What was said of the people in Noah’s day could certainly be said of us, “Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” That’s who we are.  That is an accurate accounting of human nature.  Now set that along side God’s standard of “Be perfect even as I am perfect.”  “Be holy because I am holy.” We don’t measure up.  We fall short.  How do we remedy that?  How do we make that right?  That is the focus of Jesus’ parable.

Our first clue as to where this is heading is found in the opening verse.  Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable to some folks who where confident in their own righteousness.  The words used mean that they were fully persuaded that they were upright and virtuous.  These folks saw themselves as faultless and as pure as the driven snow.  We have to add to this sense of self-righteousness a hostility to everyone else.  They not only trusted in themselves – they despised everyone else.  They viewed the rest of the word with contempt!

Jesus is about to upset their apple cart.  He does so by telling them a story about two men.  Two men who went to the temple to pray.  Two men who were very different.  One well thought of and admired by all.  The other hated and despised by all.  One went home “justified” the other went away condemned.  But which is which?  The answer may surprise you.

Two men – two prayers – two very surprising resul

Two things I want us to glean from this text.

  1. The example of the Pharisee serves to remind us that God, in holiness, rejects the pious claims of the self-righteous.  (18:9-12)
  2. The prayer of the tax collector reminds us that God, in grace, responds to the humble cry of the repentant sinner.  (18:13-14)

Conclusion:

How is a man made right with God?  How do you deal with your sin?  It is not a matter of cleaning yourself up.  It is not a matter of your performing certain acts.  You can’t make it right.  You can not fix this problem.  All you can do is throw yourself on the mercy of God.  That’s the Gospel.  That is why Jesus came.

God in his holiness rejects the pious claims of the self-righteous but in grace He response to the humble cry of the repentant sinner.

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Politics and Religion

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Wayne
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An exposition of Genesis 9:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, June 27, 2012.

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Worship: the Result of Seeing the Hand of God

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Wayne
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An exposition of Genesis 8:1-22. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, June 20, 2012.

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Peace in the Midst of Tears

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Wayne
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1 Samuel #23: An exposition of 1 Samuel 22:6-23. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 24, 2012.

Intro:
To believe in Christ is to be given life eternal and abundant.  It is to have the assurance of God’s love and care now and forevermore.  To stand at a graveside and know the deep, abiding peace of your loved one’s presence with God is beyond measure.  To hear a doctor say, “It’s a tumor,” and yet, in that moment, sense the loving presence of God is overwhelming.  To read in Daniel 6 of God’s protection of his servant in the lion’s den is to thrill to the wonder of God’s power and grace.  Or to be reminded of the Hebrew children’s dance in the fire and God’s deliverance can make even a Baptist shout!  But such passages do not remove the pain and confusion of Acts 7 as  we look in the bottom of that pit and witness his broken body, crushed by an angry mob.  Nor do they silence the questions raised by those dear saints in Hebrews 11 who were tortured, imprisoned, sawed in two, and who wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.  What happens with your theology when you do all the right things, you believe, you trust, you affirm and yet all hell breaks loose?  “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” just doesn’t seem to cut it when your family and your village is wiped out!

He was anointed king.  God’s hand was obviously on his life as he moved from victory to victory.  So what is he doing hiding out in a cave with 400 misfits while an ungodly tyrant clamors for his life?  Is God in control or not?  Our text this evening is found in 1 Samuel chapter 22.

Text: 1 Samuel 22:6-23

Context:
With 1 Samuel 22:5 we leave David and his 400 hiding in the forest of Hereth, somewhere in Judah.

With verse 6 we move north to Gibeah.  At our last sighting of Saul he was hurling a spear at his son Jonathan due to his defense of David’s innocence.  As we arrive Saul has just received word that David has been sighted.

The contrast is great.
David in hiding, on the run.
Saul in security surrounded by his servants (wording may indicate holding court).
Yet the truth is David was secure and Saul was uneasy!
Saul is filled with fear.
22:7 – Saul speaks to his servants/advisors, “Men of Benjamin.”
They are all from Saul’s tribe!
Apparently he doesn’t trust anyone else.
It is also clear that he is paranoid.
He doesn’t even trust his servants – 7:7-8.

He doesn’t sound too secure does he?  There was no evidence that a conspiracy existed.  No evidence that his servants were disloyal.  He was surrounded by his cronies.  They all profited from his ways.  Why would they oppose him?  They wouldn’t!

As we work through this text here is what I want us to see:

Thesis: Peace, in times of opposition and severe trial, demands that you keep your focus on the grand truth of God’s sovereignty.

There are three great truths reflected in this text.

  1. In the face of hostility and fierce opposition the people of God rest secure in the certainty of God’s sovereign control.  (22:6-18)
  2. God’s sovereignty does not always translate into peace and deliverance in this life.  (22:16-19).
  3. While God’s sovereignty does not guarantee my personal safety it does ensure the preservation and triumph of His church.  (22:20-23)

Conclusion:
Life in this fall world is filled with heartache and despair.  In this world injustice is common place.

The only thing that can give you peace is to cling to the precious truth of God’s sovereign rule.  That doesn’t mean that you will live in peace and escape turmoil.  It doesn’t mean that you will not be the victim of some ruthless tyrant.  But it does mean that you are part of something grand.  The church of the Lord Jesus and the kingdom of God which cannot fail!

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Poor Little Rich Man

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Wayne
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Sobering Realities #11: An exposition of Luke 18:18-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist on Sunday morning, June 24, 2012.

Intro:
It is a difficult sight.  It is hard to watch regardless of the circumstances.  No one likes to witness it.  Only the most perverted wants to see another human being’s spirit crushed.  He was young, promising, the kind of young man who had the world by the tail.  He wasn’t arrogant – on the contrary he was humble.  Unlike so many of his contemporaries he exhibited genuine compassion and great concern for those around him.  He is the kind of guy everyone wanted to see succeed.  That’s what made it so difficult to watch.  He didn’t say a word.  He didn’t have to; you could see it in his eyes.  Those dark, penetrating eyes said it all.  That face that seconds before was bright with excitement now revealed the pain and sorrow of his heart.  He didn’t say a word.  He simply turned and walked away.  A deafening silence fell across the crowd.  And the Master declared, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”  Our text this morning is found in the 18th chapter of Luke’s Gospel beginning with the 18th verse.

Text: Luke 18:18-30

The cross is within sight.
Storm clouds are gathering on the horizon as the hostility mounts.

In a matter of days an angry mob will be shouting, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”

History’s pivotal moment is about to arrive.
Galilee’s rebel rousing rabbi and his “blue collar” disciples are making their way toward Jerusalem.

This is a moment of high drama.
The focus of the Lord Jesus in these last days before the cross is on the Kingdom of God.

The fact that it is a present reality and a future hope.

He has talked about life in the “not yet” of the Kingdom.
As we live in the “not yet” we are to live lives of confident, persistent prayer.

He has made it clear that a man is made right with God by throwing himself on the mercy of God.

A man is justified in the eyes of God when he cries out from the depth of his being, “God, have mercy on me the sinner.”

As he held infants in his arms he said to those gathered, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  You either enter the kingdom of God as a helpless dependent or you do not enter it at all.

That great truth is amplified by what happened next.
What follows is Luke’s account of the “Rich Young Ruler.”
This is an encounter that is found in all the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Matthew lets us know he was young.
Luke informs us that he was a ruler.
All three make it plain that he was rich.

This is another of those biblical texts that is often pressed into service where it does not belong.  Well meaning Bible teachers and expositors draw conclusions from this text that, while they may be true, do not flow from this particular text!

Set the encounter in its context.  The flow of thought in this passage has to do with entrance into the kingdom of God.  Note the passage sighted a moment ago (18:15-17).  Also note the words of Jesus in verse 24 of the text.  Thus the focus of our passage has to do with entrance into the kingdom of God.  What does it take to go to heaven?  What is involved in receiving eternal life?

I’m convinced that a careful reading of the text serves to remind us that:

Thesis: Receiving eternal life demands that you abandon self-effort and confidently trust in Christ alone.

There are two things I want us to note as we explore this passage.

  1. Receiving eternal life demands an honest acknowledgement of your helpless state.  (18:23)
  2. Receiving eternal life demands absolute confidence in Christ and Christ alone.  (18:24-30)

Conclusion:
Jesus is teaching that wealth is a handicap.
Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:13, 19-31; 12:13-21
There are disadvantages to having money, primarily what it can do to your soul.
Wealth can pervert one’s values.
Soon you know the price of everything and the value of nothing!
The problem with wealth is self-reliance.
You buy whatever you need.

Who then can be saved?
The point is everyone’s salvation is a miracle.
Hebrews 7 makes it clear.

Complete, absolute, total, eternal salvation is our because of the miraculous work of Jesus Christ and him alone.

18:27 = salvation is the work of God and not a work of man.

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