The Plowman

Standard Podcast [ 35:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (279)

Gospel of John #38: an exposition of John 14:12-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 25, 2011.

Intro:
I’m convinced the life of faith is greatly misunderstood.  There are those who embrace the lie that “religion is a crutch” for the weak.  There are those who are convinced that the life of faith is dangerous, not only for those who believe, but for culture in general.  If you haven’t noticed, the “new atheism” is militant and aggressive.  They no longer shake their heads in pity for the poor misguided religious crowd, they seek to rid society of any and all reference to faith.  That is to faith in general and to Christianity in particular.  Of greater concern to me is the lack of understanding within the church.  Too many of us misunderstand the life of faith.  We think of faith in “magic” terms.  Prayers are used as incantations.  Church membership is reduced to a talisman or good luck charm to ward off evil spirits.  It is thought if I claim Jesus nothing bad can happen to me and if it does – then there must not be anything to this faith and we walk away.  The life of faith is my trust in the sovereign, gracious work of God in saving me from the wrath to come.  It is God’s mercy in taking me from death to life and enabling me to have a relationship with the Creator.  It isn’t about wealth, health and the good life.  It is deeper than that.  It is more profound than that.  The life of faith recognizes that we live in a fallen, broken world where horrible, awful things happen to people.  It happens to both the righteous and the unrighteous as part of the curse of the Fall.  Faith is not a “free pass.”  It is not a note excusing you from life’s troubles.  Rather it is the assurance that you will not walk the valley alone.  That you will not be the victim ultimately.  That you will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and His testimony.

The wind had been knocked out of them.
For the last 3.5 years they have walked with Jesus.
They’ve heard His teaching, witnessed His miracles, and marveled at His character.
They are convinced that He is the Messiah.
He is the Anointed One.
But what is the talk of death, of going away, of betrayal and denial?

In a matter of hours, with rapid succession He will be arrested, tried, convicted, condemned, crucified and buried.  What happens then?  What are they to do then?  Are they next?  Would anyone believe our message?  Who wants to follow a dead Messiah?  In love and grace, in mercy and kindness Jesus prepares His disciples for what is about to come.  In turn we find perspective on the life of faith.  Our text is found in the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John.

Text: John 14:12-17

Context:
In the face of confusion, doubt, discouragement and unrest Jesus speaks of peace.
He speaks of a settled heart rather than a shuddering heart.

“Let not your heart be troubled…” right.  Just how do I do that?
That is the context for understand all that Jesus is saying in this section.
How do I have a stable heart?
Where do I find courage to continue on?

Here is what I want you to see…
Thesis: In the face of great heartache and overwhelming sorrow Christ promises not only His abiding presence but divine enabling so that we not only survive but serve to advance the kingdom of God.

The life of faith is “messy.” I wish it all fit into neat categories and everything had its place but it doesn’t. Often it is a balancing act. This is one such place.

When I say that the life of faith is not about health, wealth and the good life do not take that to mean it is the life of sickness, poverty and despair!  I’m not suggesting that real faith is about “gutting it out” or gritting your tear and bearing up under it all.  I am saying that life is often hard and filled with trial and struggles but the good news of the gospel is not just that we survive but that we overcome.  After all the apostle Paul says we are more than conquerers through Christ who loved us.  This is a fascinating, surprising text.

Look at verses 12-14.

An extraordinary claim and an astonishing promise.  (14:12-14)

A Remarkable gift and an essential connection.  (14:15-17)

Conclusion:
The Gospel comes with an extraordinary claim and a remarkable gift which together mean that in the face of great heartache and overwhelming sorrow Christ promises not only His abiding presence but divine enabling so that we not only survive but serve to advance the kingdom of God.

This is at the heart of what I mean when I say we, the church, too often misunderstand the faith.  It’s not primarily about us.  It’s not about our happiness, our holiness or our future destiny.  It is primarily about God, His glory and His Kingdom – then our happiness, holiness and destiny.

Standard Podcast [ 28:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (332)

Gospel of John #37: an exposition of John 14:7-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 18, 2011.

Intro:
It was a beautiful day for climbing.  The sky was clear the air was crisp.  He had set out early to get a jump on the day.  He had made good progress when loose rock gave way.  He lost his balance, fell, rolled down the slop grasping at anything and everything as he picked up speed.  Nothing held.  There was absolute silence as he went over the edge and began his descent.  Miraculously he managed to grab a limb that hung over the abyss.  When he opened his eyes he saw that he was a good 20 feet below the ledge and 200 feet above the canyon floor.  In a panic he cried, “Help!  Somebody, help!”  Nothing but the sound of his own echo.  Terrified he cried, “Oh God, help me.”  A voice responded, “Let go.”  “What?”  “Let go of the limb.”  “Who are you?”  “It’s me, God.  Let go of the limb.  Trust me.”  Silence.  After a few seconds the man cried, “Is there anyone else up there?”

Do you ever have trouble believing?  Have you ever found yourself needing a little something extra to boost your faith?  It’s not that you doubt God’s existence.  It’s not that you question His power or ability.  You just would like a little more tangible proof that He’s there before you let go of the limb.

We’ve entered the “holy place.”
For three years they have walked with Him.
They’ve shared life with Him.
They’ve heard the teaching, witnessed the miracles and marveled at His character.
But the last week has been confusing.
A grand welcome into Jerusalem began the week.
Shouts of, “Hosanna” and praise fit for a conquering king.
Yet Jesus spoke of death and going away.
He said it was time for the Son of Man to be glorified, yet He washed their feet.
They had been through so much together and yet He said one of them would betray Him.
Peter was told he would deny Him.

Confused, frustrated, frightened and uncertain they tried to make sense of it all.  Then Jesus said, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.”  That was almost funny.  They believed He was Messiah.  He was going to usher in the Kingdom of God but He is talking about dying and going away.  “Oh but don’t let that upset you.  Don’t let that get you down.”  What were they to make of all this?  How were they to get their mind around it all?  The path to peace, they were told, was to trust Him.  Believe in Him.  He was going to prepare a place for them and then come take them to be with Him but that was later.  They can’t come right now.  For now they must believe.  Trust God.  Trust Him.  But how?  Our text this morning is found in John 14 beginning with verse 7.

Text: John 14:7-11

The life of faith is not an easy life.
It is marked by starts and stops.
It is halting and hesitant.
Yes there times it is robust and bold but more often than not it is a struggle.

Look at 14:6-7.
14:6 = is a core confession of the church.
It states in no uncertain terms the uniqueness of Christ and His exclusivity.
He is the only way to the Father.
Not one of the ways – the one way, the only way.

It upsets a lot of folks in our culture – due to our independent way and our view of religious liberty.  However equal protection under the law does not mean equally valid.  (Barnhouse on religious liberty)

14:7 gives us a clue as to what is going on in the hearts and minds of the 11 remaining disciples.
“If you had known me, and apparently you don’t, you would have known my Father also.”

They are struggling to believe.
If there was any question about that Philip removes it – 14:8
Philip’s plea = “How can we know God?”  “Where do we find assurance?”

What’s clear in Jesus’ response is…

Thesis: Jesus Christ perfectly reveals God the Father to the seeking heart.

• He and the Father are one.  (14:9-10)
• His words are the words of God.  (14:10)
• His works are the works of God.  (14:10)

Conclusion:

• He is worthy of your trust.
• He is the only way to heaven.
• He is the way, because He is the trust, because He alone has the power of life.
• He perfectly reveals the Father and He is the only way you will ever see the face of God.

Standard Podcast [ 31:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (263)

Gospel of John #36: an exposition of John 14:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 28, 2011.

Intro:
The darkness was chocking the life out of me.  I wanted to run but my legs would not move.  I wanted to scream but nothing would come out.  I was terrified.  I was so scared I couldn’t do my job.  No matter how badly I wanted to…I could not yell, “Snipe!”  My first snipe hunt and I was blowing it.  My brothers would probably never let me come again.  When you are 6 years old and let alone in the wilds of Chandler Park it’s pretty scary.  That darkness was more than an absence of light.  It was a power.  A force.  I was alone and frightened.

It was an eerie silence except for the incessant banging of the machine.  It didn’t help that I was shoved up into that tube with the sides squeezing my shoulders.  “How long did they say this would take?  45 minutes?  I’m not sure I can make it.”  He said all the signs point to it being a tumor but this will tell us for sure.  Again, I was frightened.  What will this mean?  Tumor.  Does that mean cancer?  What about our kids?  I know there’s not enough money to adequately provide.  What if I’m paralyzed or disabled?  What would I do?  It was a different kind of darkness but just as real.

I had been sitting by his bedside daily.  I read.  I studied, as best I could.  I prayed and I remembered.  A lifetime of memories washed over me.  I relived my childhood.  I listened again to advice given and considered the example lived.  Though he had not spoken in years I heard his voice, I listened to his song.  Rheadon and kids came.  We gathered and prayed.  But when the moment came and he breathed his last…though surrounded I was alone.  Yet another kind of darkness.

We live in a fallen world.  In this world we pass through trials and tribulations.  We face obstacles and hardships on a regular basis.  Our faith in Christ does not change that.  Our faith does not give us a “free pass.”  There are times when we are frightened.  There are times when the cares of this world are too much.  It’s not that we doubt.  It’s not that we no longer believe it’s just that we’re overwhelmed.  What are we to do?  Where do we find strength?  How do we overcome the darkness?  Our text this morning is found in the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel.

Text: John 14:1-6

We’re only hours from the cross.
Our Lord along with the 12 are gathered in the upper room for a meal.
He taught them humility and service by washing their feet.
Shocked them with the announcement of betrayal.
He gave them a new commandment – “love as I have loved you.”

Now the apostles are “troubled.”
The word troubled is the same word used in 13:21 and 12:27.
Jesus, himself, was “troubled” but now He says to His followers, “Don’t be troubled?”  (Same word).

It’ been a roller coaster for the last few days.
Triumphal entry – “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Now is the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies…
Hold you life – lose it…lose it keep it forever?

To make matters worse – one of them will betray him?
Then – Peter deny him?
Of course they are “troubled.”
The word means agitated, shaken, don’t let your heart shudder.

These words that have been a comfort to untold numbers of believers through the century were spoken in the context of dark, troublesome, disturbing days.  All hell is about to break loose.  Their world is about to be shattered and Jesus gives them something to cling to.  Something to bring stability.  An anchor that will hold.

Yes, this is about death and comforts us about the life to come but note the context.  This is not about the sweet by and by it is about the nasty, disturbing here and now!  It is about finding peace in this sin-sick world.

As we walk through these four verses we are reminded that…

Thesis: In the face of doubt, confusion and undeniable hurt believers find peace in the person of the Lord Jesus.

Not in a doctrine.
Not in a creed (as valuable and as importance as both of those are).
Peace is found in Christ.
He is our peace.
He is our comfort.

There are three things I want us to note from this text.

1. Peace springs from the heart that trusts in Jesus.  (14:1)
2. Assurance finds its anchor in the promise and provision of Christ.  (14:2-3)
3. Our confidence, in all of this, is rooted in who Jesus is.  (14:4-6)

Conclusion
Whether it is the fear of a child whose the victim of a cruel hoax; the fear of uncertainty in the midst of sickness or disease; or the chilling winds of death there is an answer to life’s fears.  Real and perceived.  Look to Christ.  Believe.

Standard Podcast [ 36:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (263)

Gospel of John #35: an exposition of John 13:18-35. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 21, 2011.

Intro:
They had gathered for an evening meal.  It was a fairly lively evening in the beginning.  There was laughter and the usual joking and good natured teasing.  The food was good, the fellowship sweet, and the mood was festive.  Those gathered had no idea murder and betrayal was on the agenda that evening.  In the midst of love, fellowship and camaraderie lurked the dark, twisted heart of a betrayer.  In a matter of hours the fruit of this betrayal would lead to the horrifying murder of their leader.  The laughter and noise of the dinner was silenced as our Lord declared, “One of you will betray me.”

Betrayal.  Is there an uglier word?  The word itself implies treachery, seduction, violation of confidence and deception.  Is there any greater evil than to betray love?  Betrayal demands intimacy.  You cannot be betrayed by a stranger.  Your in no danger of an “acquaintance” betraying you.  No, you can only be betrayed by one who has feigned love and support long enough to gain your confidence.  One who has gotten close enough to you to gain your trust.  Such hatred, such cold-blooded, calculated animosity can only be described as John describes it, “Satan had already put it in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.”  Our text this morning is found in the 13th chapter of John’s Gospel.
Text: John 13:18-35
We have entered into the “Holy Place.”
Our Lord’s public ministry is over.
For the last few days he poured all his energy into the 12.
Teaching them, equipping them, preparing them for what was to come.
Their world is about to be shattered.
All Hell is about to break loose.
In love and kindness Jesus is preparing them to stand firm in the midst of adversity.
They’ve already been shaken by his words.

He’s already told them he is going to die.
They had to have wondered – “Does this mean I’m going to die as well?”
But they entered Jerusalem to shouts of, “Hosanna!”
Perhaps things are changing.
Maybe it won’t be so bad after all.
Then he said, “The hour has come for the glorification of the Son of Man.”
Messiah’s hour has come?
The kingdom of God is about to be established?
Great!
But then – “…unless a grain falls into the ground and dies…” – glory and death?
“I’m telling you if you hold onto your life you’ll lose it…let go and you’ll keep it – forever!”

I’m telling you their heads were spinning.  They struggled to make sense of it all.  The pieces just did not fit together.  It was just not possible.  Then as they gathered in that upper room for the meal Jesus did a remarkable thing – he washed their feet.

Knowing his hour had come…
Knowing all things had been given into his hand…
Knowing he had been betrayed…
He washed their feet – all of them including Judas!

He then commanded the 12, and us in turn, to do as he did – love sacrificially.
That brings us to our text this morning where we learn another shocking truth.

Here is one of the problems we have when reading the Scripture.  We know the story.  We know that Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus but you have to understand – it was a shock to those around that table.  No one suspected a thing!  Judas gave every appearance of a genuine believer.  He was numbered among the 12.  He was on the “inside.”

John, under the inspiration of the Spirit put this Gospel together.
Throughout he shows us these contrast.
Light and darkness.
Flesh and spirit.
Life and death.

Here is another great contrast: the black-hearted actions of Judas over against the loving concern of Jesus.  This whole account ought to give us pause.  If you’ve learned nothing else from our study of John’s Gospel you ought to have learned, “His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts, our thoughts!”

Working our way through this text we are going to learn…
Thesis: The proof of genuine discipleship is not in how much you know but in how accurately you reflect the character of Christ.

In a day of shallow commitments and minimal standards we would do well to learn the value of this exchange.  Often our criteria for determining who is in the family inaccurately reflects God’s standard.

Look back at verse 18.
“I know whom I’ve chosen…and one of you has lifted his heel against me.”
How long had Jesus known about Judas?
From the beginning!
Yet how did Jesus act toward Judas?
With love, kindness, grace and mercy.
It says something that none of the others had any idea.

I’m afraid I’m not so gracious.
I’m afraid my actions and attitude would have made it clear to all!
“Boy, have you noticed Rod really doesn’t care for Judas.”

So why is Jesus telling them now?
Answer 13:19.

Now I want you to see two extremely important principles within our text.

1. Familiarity with Jesus is no assurance of a relationship with the Savior.  (13:21-30)
2. Christlike love is the hallmark of genuine believers.  (13:33-35)

Conclusion
Only those who have been gloriously change can do this.
Only those who have been brought from death to life can pull this off.
Because you can only do that when you die to self.
Selfless.
Sacrificial.
Forgiving.
Understanding.
Compassionate.
You’re going to have to die to get there!

The proof of genuine discipleship is not in how much you know but in how accurately your reflect the character of Christ.

Familiarity with Jesus is no assurance of a relationship with the Savior.
Christlike love is the hallmark of genuine believers.