The Plowman

Living in the Last Days [ 37:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (39)

Living In The Last Days: 2016 Gospel of Luke #49

Living In The Last Days is an exposition of Luke 12:35-48. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 26, 2017.

Intro:

For centuries people of all sorts have believed The End was near.  It was in 1970 that Hal Lindsey wrote, “The Late Great Planet Earth.”  Hal Lindsey said then, that the rapture would happen soon.  In 1988 a man named Edgar Whisenhunt wrote, “88 Reasons Why Christ Will Return in 88”?  He revised it for ‘89 calling it “The Final Shout Rapture Report.”  That apparently ended his writing career.  Prophecy conferences and retreats remain popular in Evangelical circles.  I read a fascinating book about 20 years ago entitled, “The Last Days Are Here Again.”  In the book the author traces the development of last days beliefs throughout history, both Christian and non-christian.  It is an interesting study in how culture and world events help shape people’s understanding of the age in which they live.

Through the years believers have differed in their understanding of this crucial topic.  Various schools of thought have held sway from time to time.  Contrary to popular opinion not all people who love God and believe His Word understand the Second Coming in the same way.  Genuine, honest and sincere Christians differ in their interpretations.  Some insist on drawing a line in the dirt and making eschatology a test of fellowship.  Others go to the opposite extreme and say; “It just doesn’t matter.”  In between lies a balanced, biblical position.  Dr. Tom Urrey, professor of Greek and New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, used to say, “When it comes to the return of the Lord Jesus I am dogmatic about only three things.  Number one, Jesus is coming again visibly, physically to this earth.  Number two, there is great uncertainty concerning the time and the specific events surrounding that return.  Number three, we had best be doing what He told us to do when He gets back!  Beyond that I have thoughts, notions and ideas.  But I can only be dogmatic about these three things.”

I am in full agreement with Dr. Urrey.  When it comes to the return of our Lord I have more questions than I have answers at this point.  There was a time when I thought I had it figured out.  I had a nice, neat system.  But as I began to read and study.  As I tested my theories, my answers seemed inadequate.  I know He is coming.  I am not at all sure about when and exactly how but I know I’d best be busy when He gets here.  Our Lord in Luke Luke 12 reinforces that position.

Text: Luke 12:34-48

Context of Luke’s Gospel: date, purpose etc.

Immediate context: He has been talking about those who are “foolish” in their approach to life.  They worry about stuff and what they will eat and wear.  Their minds are firmly rooted in this world.  Now He is going to talk about those who are wise.

In our text we learn some secrets related to how we are to live in this world.  Here, I believe, we find some practical advice on how to live in the “last days.”  Let’s look at the text.  As we work through this passage the message seems clear…

Thesis:  Believers are to live each day in light of eternity.

We are to live in this world in light of the world to come.  We live as strangers and aliens in this world looking for a city not made with human hands.  The old gospel song said, “You’re so heavenly-minded you’re no earthly good.”  I’ve met a few people who could honestly be put in that category.  I’ve met a bunch of folks who are so earthly-minded they are no heavenly good! 

But what does it mean to live in light of eternity?  What does it mean to live in light of the world to come?  We note three things in our text.

1. Life in light of eternity demands a life of joyous expectancy.  (12:35-40)
2. Life in light of eternity demands a life of diligent service.  (12:42-48)
3. Life in light of eternity demands a life of eager anticipation.  (12:37-38, 42-48)

Conclusion:

Our Lord is coming again.  His return is as certain as His incarnation.  I don’t know when He is coming and no one else does either!  But when He gets here, we had best be busy doing what He commanded.

How can you be ready?

By living a godly life.

By living a life of joyful service.

Ready or not…here He comes!

Winning the War Over Worry [ 34:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (38)

Winning the War Over Worry: 2016 Gospel of Luke #48

Winning the War Over Worry is an exposition of Luke 12:22-34. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 19, 2017.

Intro:

Are you the type that stays strong in the midst of a crisis?  One of those who is a rock for others to lean on?  Are you the one with the cool head when everyone around you is losing theirs?  Me?  I’m a rock all right.  A regular rock of jello!  I’m one of those who figures, “If you think the worst, most things will turn out better than you ever dreamed.”  Now on the outside I can appear calm, cool and collected.  But on the inside, everything has turned to water!  I have the uncanny ability to move myself from quiet tranquility to sheer panic in a matter of seconds.  Can you identify with that?

Do you ever worry?  “Worriers feel every blow that never falls.  And they cry over things they will never lose.”  Worry, anxiety and stress are leading causes of stomach disorders, heart problems, headaches and a number of other health concerns.  We all have a tendency to worry.  I know folks who worry when they are not worried because “it’s just not like them not to worry!”  These are the folks who by Pepto-Bismol in that new handy 12 pack and Rolaids in the gallon jug.  But is that anyway for the child of God to live?

Jesus was in the middle of a sermon one day when a young man interrupted Him.  “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”  That resulted in a message on the danger of greed.  Jesus warned those present to “Watch out, be on their guard” for all kinds of greed.  The reason?  “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Then He turned to those in the crowd who may have been on the other end of the spectrum, those who had little or nothing.  That is the focus of our text this morning in Luke 12:22-34.

Text: Luke 12:22-34

Luke’s purpose was to lead his friend to faith in Christ.

Luke wanted his friend to know Jesus was worth trusting.

That Jesus was who He said He was, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

By this time in the life and ministry of Jesus animosity is reaching a fevered pitch.

Jesus is preparing His disciples for what is ahead of them.

The overall meaning is fairly clear:

Thesis: God intends for His people to live above fear and discouragement.

The apostle Paul told Timothy, who apparently battled worry on a regular basis, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.”  That is good.  I appreciate that.  I’m grateful for that.  But how do I experience it?  Great, the “good news” of the Gospel includes the fact that the war over worry is winnable – but what is the battle plan?  What is the secret?

In our text we find 3 secrets to a settled mind. 

1. If you are going to win the war over worry, you must learn to rest securely in God’s gracious, providential care.  (12:22-30)
2. If you are going to win the war over worry, you must learn to seek the will of God above all else.  (12:31-32)
3. If you are going to win the war over worry, you must learn to invest your life and possessions in things that will last for eternity.  (12:33-34)

Conclusion:

God intends for you to live above fear and discouragement.  How is that accomplished?

• learn to rest securely in God’s gracious, providential care.
• learn to seek the will of God above all else.
• learn to invest your life and possessions in things that will last for eternity.

Stuffism or the Folly of Materialism [ 30:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (46)

Stuffism or the Folly of Materialism: 2016 Gospel of Luke #47

This is an exposition of Luke 12:13-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 12, 2017.

Intro:

You do know don’t you, that we are a spoiled bunch?  We in America possess most of the world’s wealth.  When it comes to per capita income we are by far the “richest nation on earth.”  Yet most of us are far from satisfied.  We are driven in an endless pursuit of stuff.  We have more than we could ever use.  Yet we can always justify more.  Do you know what one of the fastest growing industries in the United States is?  Storage facilities.  That’s a facility were you rent space to store the stuff you don’t have room to store at home.  When you are looking for a new home what do you look for?  Closet space.  Why?  You’ve got to have room for your stuff.  We’ve got two large walk-in closets, two hall closets and a long closet in the playroom.  They are stuffed with stuff.  We have a garage full; a shed in the backyard, full and the attic is more than full.  We’ve got boxes in the attic that we’ve not opened since 1980.  Now in that time we’ve moved from Tulsa to Shawnee, to Fort Worth, to Pawnee, to Ponca City and back to Tulsa.  Each time we moved those boxes.  We still haven’t opened them but we had to take them with us because they have our stuff in them!

Materialism is a problem in the American culture.  One financial expert has said that our financial woes are due, in large part, to the fact our neighbors keep buying things we can’t afford.  Advertising is big business.  One cynic has suggested that, “Advertising is the art of getting people to buy what they don’t need by describing it in ways they know are not true.”  We see and advertisement and think, “Oh, I’ve got to have one of those.”  It is a universal problem and those of us in the church are certainly not immune.

The sad reality is that multitudes are seeking meaning and fulfillment in the “things” they possess.  If they can just get that house, then they would be happy.  “If I had that car.”  “If I just had this much in the bank.”  Their days are spent in the endless pursuit of a dream only to learn it was a nightmare.  How many have sacrificed their families, their health, and their souls in the pursuit of things only to learn it was all an illusion?  R.G. Lee said in his masterful sermon, Payday Someday, “The Devil always pays with counterfeit bills.”

But being consumed with the material is nothing new.  Man has always struggled with a desire to have.  It’s as old as life in the Garden.  Covetousness and greed have poisoned the souls of men throughout the ages.  In fact it was a desire to possess that drove a man to interrupt the Lord Jesus in the midst of a sermon.  We read about it in the 12th chapter of Luke’s Gospel.

Text: Luke 12:13-21

The purpose and background of Luke’s Gospel.
The immediate context of 12:13-21
    Jesus was teaching about authentic faith.
The need to focus on central issues – transparent honest, reverential fear of God, God’s providential care and the Spirit’s enabling.

Someone in the crowd had an issue they wanted settled.  So when there was a pause in the message, he interrupted . . .

Jesus is discussing core issues.  This is the essence of life and this man is interested only in himself.  He cannot look beyond his own wants and desires to hear what Jesus has to say.  His attitude seems to be “that’s all well and good but I’ve got a real problem here.”  He is so consumed with greed he is incapable of hearing what the Lord Jesus is saying.  Our Lord knew this man’s heart.  He saw past his complaint to the driving motive of his heart.  Thus Jesus’ answer is rather curt.  And He took the opportunity to teach us a valuable lesson about life.

Thesis: The wise man seeks meaning and fulfillment along the God-ordained path.

Somewhere along the way we’ve gotten a little to smart for our own good.  We got the idea that we know what’s best for us.  We know what will make us happy.  It just isn’t so.  Our maker knows better than we do.  He knows what best fulfills us.  He knows what we were created for!

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

1. The fool expects to find meaning and fulfillment in the accumulation of things.  (12:13-20)
2. The wise man knows true meaning and fulfillment are not found in things but in a person.  (12:21)

You can have an abundance of things and yet have nothing.
You can have nothing and yet have everything.

This is the issue: Are you in relationship with the God who is through the person of His son the Lord Jesus?