The Plowman

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Sobering Realities #03: an exposition of Matthew 22:1-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 25, 2012.

Intro:
“From the sound of things it must be a great party.  Listen to the laughter, the music and the singing.  Would you look at those tables.  I’ve never seen such a feast.  The king spared no expense on this lavish affair.  Nothing is too good for his Son.  Oh look.  Over there, the King and His Son certainly seem to be enjoying the feast.  But wait a minute.  Something is not right.  Look at the guests.  How did these people get in here?  Over there, isn’t that the blind beggar who sits at the city gate?  Over there, isn’t that a leper?  And there – a prostitute?  And, no it can’t be.  A tax collector?  What is this?  I don’t believe it.  I could never imagine such a motley crew at such and elegant banquet.  Something is wrong here.  Something is very wrong.

That would have been the reaction of the religious establishment if they had walked up on a banquet like the one described by the Lord Jesus in our text this morning found in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 22.

Text: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus has dramatically declared himself the Messiah.
In dramatic fashion he enter Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9).
He showed himself as “Lord of the Temple.”
First by “cleansing it” and then by teaching the people.

He has proven his authority first by not being intimidated and second by his stern rebuke of the religious establishment.

His time had come.
That time established, by the Father, in eternity past.
History’s pivotal moment has come.
Sharp lines are now being drawn.
Light and darkness are now coming into focus.

Make sure you put this parable in its context.
The Jewish leaders despise the Lord Jesus.
They are determined to kill him.
They are asking questions, not because they desire to learn, they are seeking to trap him.  They are wanting something they can use against him.  Something that will enable them to turn the crowd against him or that can be used to charge him with a capital offense against Rome.

Remember the parable of the Tenants – 21:33-44.
Look at 21:43 – “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

21:45 – the religious establishment knew he was talking about them.

The context is the taking of the Kingdom from those who were “the people of God.”

Sometimes we find parables that offer us great difficulties.
We wrestle with understanding them.
Not so with this parable.
It is plain.  Disturbingly plain!

In this parable our Lord is talking about life in the Kingdom.  In particular, about our response to His gracious invitation to life.  It speaks of God’s gracious offer and man’s arrogant indifference.  It speaks of hell and judgment.  It warns of those who would attempt to enter glory on their own merit.  It speaks of the height, the length, the breadth and the depth of the love of God.  It also speaks of the fierceness of his wrath.  And all of this is necessary for the preaching of the Gospel.

As we walk through this parable one thing is unmistakably clear:

Thesis: God’s gracious invitation demands a response.

You cannot ignore him.
You cannot remain neutral.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of that donkey – he forced people to make a choice.  He was saying, “Behold!  I am the Messiah.”  You must either agree with him or reject him.  Neutrality is not an option.

Unless we learn this – we will never be effective in evangelism.
Unless we believe this – we will never be burdened for evangelism.

Until we learn that our King has declared, “Either you are with me or you are against me” we will not be compelled to tell his story.

Make no mistake about it – this parable makes it clear – His invitation demands a response.

There are two things I want us to note in our text.

1. Those who reject God’s gracious offer, do so to their own peril.  (22:1-7)
2. Those who accept God’s gracious invitation enter into a joyous, abundant life.  (22:8-14)

Conclusion:
What will you do with Christ?
God’s invitation demands a response.
To reject him – is to invite the judgment of God.
To accept him – is to enter into life eternal and life abundant.

The banquet is ready – come!

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Sobering Realities #02: an exposition of Matthew 25:31-46. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 18, 2012.

Intro:
It the kind of thing that is easily dismissed as a relic from former days.  People don’t give it a whole lot of thought any more.  In fact it conjures up images that are laughable to most.  Images of a red-faced preacher, arms flailing, voice thundering as he warns of the coming judgment of God.  Most moderns dismiss such images.  Others get nostalgic about former days listening to the evangelist as they fanned themselves with paper fans provided by the local funeral home.  But the evangelist’s voice is faded.  His warning a distant memory.  We don’t like to think in terms of judgment.  All that talk of hell and giving an account is depressing.  We would rather think about tapping into our unlimited potential.  We prefer to think of how we can get the most out of life.  But the fact is – there is a coming judgment.

The New Testament expressly declares “He has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).  Peter warns of the “day of judgment”.  And Jude speaks of “that great day.”  John, in the Revelation, speaks of “the great day of wrath.”  The apostle Paul reminds us of “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” and of “the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.”  Yes, there is coming a judgment.  Such a day does not demand shouting, shaking a fist or a threatening tone.  Rather it demands a sober warning through tears.  I’ve listened to preachers in the past that spoke of this coming judgment and the awful events surrounding it and they spoke as if they enjoyed the idea.  The fact of the matter is I would just as soon not deal with it – but to remain silent would be to fall into the category of the black-hearted false prophets who cried, “Peace” when there was no peace.  The coming judgment is real and we must plead that all men prepare for that day.  The truth of judgment and hell is not just about doctrine, it is about destiny.  When you go to lunch here in a little while.  I want you to take a look around the restaurant.  Listen to the laughter.  Look at the people around the room.  The wait staff.  Then think, “A large percentage of these folks will one day be in hell.”  Our text this morning is found in Matthew chapter 25.

Text: Matthew 25:31-46

We are in the final days of the life and ministry of our Lord.
He has deliberately chosen to come to Jerusalem at this time.
For his time has come.
That time ordained by his Father in eternity past.
Redemption draws nigh.
The door to the kingdom is about to be thrown open.
As he approach the city he wept over it.
“Oh Jerusalem, how I long to gather your children unto myself but you would not…”
He entered the city triumphantly as the Messiah.
He assumed his rightful place as Lord of the temple.
He silenced his critics.
He spoke of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and of his coming again.

Then, through the use of parables, he taught us to live expectantly, wait patiently and work diligently.

Now he tells us what will happen when he comes.

Throughout the Gospels he has talked of owners or masters going away and then settling accounts when they returned.  Now he tells about settling accounts when He comes again.

Many find this passage disturbing.  They think of God as a benevolent grandfather who only does “good” for people.  That he is never really angry with us.  He would never harm us in any way.  So when Jesus speaks these words it seems “wrong.”  Remember our Lord said, “I did not come to bring peace, but to bring a sword.”  We often talk about the infinite grace of God.  But it is not infinite.  It has a limit.  As of now his grace is extended to all.  “It rains on the just and the unjust.”  He offers life and hope to all who will believe.  But there is coming an end to that offer.  There is coming a day when the opportunity will be gone.  In that day all will stand before him and give and account for the life lived in the flesh.

Concerning that day, we learn:

Thesis: The return of Christ marks the end of the day of grace and announces the beginning of the Day of Judgment.

His coming will bring great joy to some and great sorrow for others.  Just as the virgins of verses 1-13, for those prepared it will be glorious.  For those unprepared it will be disastrous.

Think of it, these words are being spoken by the one and only Son of the Living God, days before he will be beaten and crucified as he gives his life a ransom for those who believe.  This sovereign judge is about to become the sacrificial lamb.  He will stand silent before his accusers.  He will not say a word as a petty ruler stands in judgment over him.  This poor, itinerate rabbi, will one day sit in judgment over nations but not before he willing gives his life for those who should rightfully condemn!  This is an incredible moment.

As we consider this text there are three things I want to call to your attention.

1. The return of Christ will bring great joy to some.  (25:31-40)
2. The return of Christ will bring incredible sorrow to many.  (25:41-46)
3. At issue in this judgment is this, What have you done with the Gospel?

Conclusion: You, this morning, have heard the Gospel.  You will stand without excuse in the judgment.  What will you do?

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Sobering Realities #01: an exposition of Luke 13:22-35. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 11, 2012.

Intro:
Choices, have you ever seen so many choices?  In everything.  Some of you remember if you wanted a car – you had a choice of color.  You could have a black one or if you prefer – you could get a one that was black.  Ice cream?  Did you want vanilla or chocolate?  Now?  You name it including onion flavored, which goes great with a slice of cheeseburger pie.  When it comes to television we now have the expanded basic cable, which means we have 50 channels with nothing on.  It seemed a lot simpler when we lived in Masham.  If we wanted to go out to eat we just had to decide if we were going to Click’s Steakhouse or the Sonic.  Now, by the time we decide where we are going to eat – they’re closed!

Ours is a consumer-oriented age.  An age in which the customer is always right.  Our motto is, “give’m what they want.”  Unfortunately that mentality has found its way into the church.  Where we are compelled to cater to the kinds of folks we desire to reach.  N the church you will see everything from “high church” to “low church” to “no church.”  Everything from robes and pipe organs to rock bands and blue jeans.  To be honest with you I’m not worried about the style of dress; I’m not all that concern with the style of worship or the type of music.  I am very concerned about the attitude and the message!

I am concerned about an attitude in worship that sets man and his wants above God and His glory.  I am concerned about an attitude that says, “God this had better be good, I’ve given up my morning to be here.”  I am concerned about a message that has strayed from the core issues of the Gospel.

Now, I’m all for seeking to meet people where they are.  I’m all for becoming all things to all men so that by all means we may save some.  I understand that.  I agree with that.  What I’m concerned about is that in the mad dash to compete with the world around us, we become so focused on “felt needs” we forget about “genuine needs.”  Do you remember the crippled man who was brought to Jesus in Capernaum?  His friends lowered him from the ceiling until he rested at the feet of Jesus.  That man and the whole crowd knew his need.  He needed to be healed.  Jesus spoke to his genuine need, “my son, your sins are forgiven.”  Meeting felt needs is fine.  Binding up the broken is essential to the work God has given us.  But what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet loose his own soul?  The primary call of the church is to preach the Gospel.  Not just any Gospel but the biblical Gospel.  That is at the heart of our text this morning found in the 13th chapter of Luke’s Gospel.

Text: Luke 13:22-35

The opening verse of our text takes us back to chapter 9 verse 51.
Our Lord is determined to go to Jerusalem.
Why?  The time has come.  The time sovereignly determined by the Father.
The work of redemption is about to take place.
It is in that context that these words are spoken.

With these words we are reminded that:

Thesis: We, in keeping with the ministry of the Lord Jesus, are called to faithfully, uncompromisingly preach the biblical doctrine of salvation.

Our Lord is on His way to Jerusalem.  Along the way He is preaching and teaching in the towns and villages.  Someone from the crowd approaches Him and asks a question.  It is a good, honest and certainly an understandable question.  In responding to the question our Lord turned to the crowd – reflected in the plural “you” – and rather than answer a speculative question dealt with the nature of salvation itself.  In His response we find three profound truths related to the heart and soul of biblical salvation.  What is biblical salvation about?  What is the nature of this salvation?  Who will be saved?  These are the issues dealt with in our Lord’s response.

1. First of all, note salvation’s intensely personal nature.  (13:22-24)
2. Second, note salvation’s sobering realities.  (13:25-28)
3. Note salvation’s universal flavor.  (13:29-30)

What is Luke’s purpose?
Writing his Gentile friend about the Lord Jesus.
Demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews and the Savior of the world.
Folks will come from the East, West, North and South.
The book of Revelation says, “people from every nation, kindred and tongue.”

The message of Jesus is that salvation is the narrow way.  But the good news is that the narrow way is wide open!

“Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”