The Plowman

Standard Podcast [ 44:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (305)

An exposition of Romans 14:1-12. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Bapitst Church on Sunday morning, May 9, 2010.

Introduction
This may shock you but I’ve actually heard of Baptist churches fighting!  Can you imagine such a thing?  Christian people getting in heated arguments and then deciding to go their separate ways.  Shocking!  I wish it were shocking but the truth is it is fairly commonplace.  The number one way of starting “new works” in Baptist life is called, “The Church Split.”  When you read our own church history you will find that a group of people came “out of” the Clinton Memorial Church and founded Trinity.  A few years later an offer of reconciliation was made and our church minutes state, “the offer was graciously refused.”  When I was in seminary we had no classes on Mondays due to the number of students who traveled a great distance to serve churches on the weekend.  I had a Tuesday class that always began with prayer and prayer requests.  I remember one rather distraught classmate who raised his hand with a prayer request.  “Yes sir, I’d like prayer for me and for my church.  We had business meeting Sunday night and well…there was a lot of screaming and yelling and then they started throwing hymnals at each other.”  I will admit that occasionally churches fight over something worth fighting over but for the most part churches are destroyed by minor issues that get blown out of proportion by self-interest and petty bickering.  Note I did not say there are no issues – there always are.  I am not saying they are issues that do not matter – the often do.  The problem is they way we respond to such issues.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this but we Baptist tend to be stubborn, independent-minded people.  Add to that the fact that we tend to have an opinion about everything.  If you put three Baptists in a room and ask once question you’ll get at least 10 different opinions.  If you wed that attitude with passion it becomes a volatile mix.  We’ve got ourselves a problem.  The church is made up of people and that means there will always be differences of opinions and perspectives.  Yes, I know, Scripture is our authority.  Yes, we are a body under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  But what do we do when we come upon matters that are not explicitly spelled out in Scripture?  What do we do with things not addressed directly in the Bible?  Just how are we to live out our faith together in disputed matters?  That’s our focus this morning as we come to the 14th chapter of Romans.

Text: Romans 14:1-12

Paul is dealing with the life we’ve been called to live.
In light of what God has done for you in Christ, live this way.

From this text there are three principles that ought to guide us.

1. As members of Christ’s body, the church, we are to embrace fellow believers as brothers and sisters to be loved not as projects of reform.  (14:1-4)
2. As members of Christ’s body, the church, we are to ensure that our own heart is right when it comes to disputed matters.  (14:5-9)
3. As members of Christ’s body, the church, we are to understand that we will each give an account of our own life before God.  (14:10-12)

So what does all this mean?  As pilgrims and fellow travelers we must form a loving, nurturing relationship that allows for disagreements in nonessentials while graciously spurring one another on to love and good deeds.

Standard Podcast [ 41:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (154)

An exposition of Zephaniah 2:4-3:8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, May 2, 2010.

Introduction
It is not a popular message.  In fact in many quarters it is laughingly dismissed as the ravings of “simple-minded Bible thumpers.”  Most think the only place it can be heard is in a metropolitan downtown spoken by some wild-eyed street preacher with a big sign announcing the end of the world.  But it is standard fare in the Word of God.  This world is going somewhere.  It is moving toward an end.  When that time comes there will be an accounting.  Individuals no longer believe that.  Skeptics laugh at it.  Nations don’t even give it a thought yet, according to the Scripture, the Day of the LORD is at hand and the call is for repentance before it is too late.  His name was Zephaniah and while his message may have played a part in a minor revival during the time of king Josiah it was, for the most part, ignored by the masses.  The message of that 7th century prophet is just as relevant today as then.  In a world where unrighteousness is celebrated and lawlessness abounds we would do well to remember our God is the righteous ruler of all the earth and all nations will one day answer to Him.  Our text this evening is found in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Zephaniah.

Text: Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

I realize that what I just said is politically incorrect.
More than that it sounds awfully arrogant.
Many in our pluralistic world cry, “Foul!” when such dogmatic statements are made.
How arrogant to think that your religion is superior.
How foolish to think that your God is the only true God.
But if I accept this book as the Word of God, I have no choice but to think those thoughts.

This book reveals that there is a God who created everything.  And He created it out of nothing.  He spoke and the world came into existence.  That God had a relationship with man (who was created in His own image and likeness).  When man sinned and thus broke relationship – God came seeking him.  God restored the relationship.  God made forgiveness possible.  That God called out a man name Abram and from him built a nation uniquely His own.  Through that people God revealed himself.  Giving them His law to guide and instruct them and the tabernacle that He might dwell with them.  That God is intimately involved in His creation.  Nations rise and fall according to His desire.  His purpose cannot fail.  His kingdom will prevail.  Both men and nations are accountable to Him.  That is the message of this book and that is the message of Zephaniah His prophet.
Zephaniah serves as a summary of the pre-exilic prophets.
His message echos that of Amos, Joel, Jeremiah and Nahum.
As we explore our text this evening we discover that…

Thesis: The prophet Zephaniah thunders against the nations declaring that God is the God of all the earth and that nations will answer to Him.

Let me point out three things from our text.

1. God is coming in sweeping judgment of the unbelieving nations.  (2:4-15)
2. God is coming in judgment of His own people because of their wicked unbelief.  (3:1-4)
3. God as the sovereign and righteous judge of all the earth will bring an end to wickedness and unbelief.  (3:5-8)

Conclusion
Do you remember the story that Jesus told in Matthew 21?

We stand this side of the cross.  When God asks today, “What more can I do?  I have sent my Son, and they have killed even him.”  There is far more cause for judgment than for Judah in days of Zephaniah.  You’ve heard the Gospel.  You’ve been told of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  You have the benefit of 2000 years of Gospel preaching.  When you turn your back – what more can be done?  I must say a judgment every bit as devastating as fell on the inhabitants of Jerusalem will fall on you.

Fortunately for us God’s mercy is great.  His patience is long-suffering and therefore there is hope.  Come to Christ and live.

Standard Podcast [ 38:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (286)

An exposition of Zephaniah 1:1-2:3. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 25, 2010.

Introduction
He is one of the least read, least understand and least appreciated prophets.  His prophecy of just three chapters is often overlooked and in academic circles has been roundly criticized.  In fact in the scholarly world he is often dismissed as “dull” and “derivative.”  One writer saying, “With the prophet Zephaniah we meet for the first time a considerable diminution of prophetic originality.”  Translation – this guy has nothing new to say!  Another quips, “He can hardly be considered a great poet.”  There are worse things to be known for as a preacher than – he isn’t very original and his message doesn’t sound pretty.  It is the job of the prophet to bring someone else’s message.  The prophet is to stand and declare, “Thus says the Lord!”  Points are not given for originality or presentation.  He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Habakkuk and Nahum.  He is one of the prophets before the exile calling the nation to repentance.  In the canon he is the last of the pre-exilic prophets which may indicate that his prophecy is to be considered a summary of the ones who came before.  It is obvious that he echos the messages of Amos, Joel and others.  His name is Zephaniah and he is the great, great grandson of Hezekiah a good and godly king who served the nation well.  His prophecy came before the fall of Jerusalem and prior to the fall of Nineveh but during the reign of Josiah.  So we place his time of ministry around 630 B.C.  Tonight we begin a look at the book of Zephaniah.

Text: Zephaniah 1:1-2:3

It was a time of peril and promise.  The nation of Judah was entering her last days.  Prophet after prophet had called the nation to repentance but to no avail.  God had warned that judgment was coming.  Now he is readying His weapon of choice the vile, wicked Babylonians.  Judah went about her business thinking all is well when another of those pesky prophets came with his message of doom and gloom.

Messages of judgment weren’t any more popular then than now.  No one wants to here about God coming in judgment.  God is supposed to do good things.  God is here to help us feel better about ourselves and help us get through this mess.  The people of 630 B.C. Wanted to hear upbeat messages filled with practical insight for living the life they wanted.  Does that sound the least bit familiar?

Then along comes Zephaniah and what is his message?  A message of desolation, darkness and ruin.  23 times in just three chapters he warns of the coming “Day of the LORD.”  By the way, it’s not a good day!  It is a day of judgment and terror.

Thesis: God in sovereign judgment pours out His wrath on unrepentant sin and yet in sovereign mercy offers hope to humble, repentant sinners.

You will remember we saw this same dual emphasis in Jeremiah.

• Wrath and mercy.
• Both sovereignly administered.

I’m convinced this message is need as much today as it was in the 7th century B.C.  For the most part our world doesn’t believe in the wrath of God.  They do not believe that a day of judgment is coming.  But then why would they when so many in the church no longer believe it?  It is the testimony of Scripture and it is certainly the truth driven home in this text.

There are three things I want to call to your attention.

1. God’s sovereign wrath is a fearful and frightening thing.  (1:1-3, 13-18)
2. God’s sovereign wrath is in response to man’s wicked ways.  (1:4-12)
   1. There were religious reasons for God’s judgment – 1:4-6
   2. Social practices or customs – 1:8-9
   3. Business practices – 1:11
   4. Apathy and Indifference  – 1:12
3. God’s sovereign wrath is accompanied by a plea for repentance and the possibility of mercy.  (2:1-3)

Standard Podcast [ 41:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (285)

An exposition of Romans 13:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 25, 2010.

Introduction
We live in interesting times politically.  Matters political have become increasingly divisive.  Rhetoric is increasingly hostile.  Tempers flare and those who differ are considered enemies.  If you are a Republican, Democrats can’t do any thing right.  If you are a Democrat, Republicans are hate mongers.  If you are a Libertarian everyone else is an idiot.  Lines are drawn, positions are taken and minds never change.  This side says that side cannot be trusted.  This source says that source is biased.  Any attempt to negotiate or compromised is attacked by both sides claiming it is a sell out.  What are we to do?  What is the Scriptural response to the current political climate?  Are we to rush out and “throw in” with the Tea Party movement?  Are we to withdraw and removed ourselves from such nonsense as political parties and movements and not soil ourselves with the business of this world?  Should we merely busy ourselves with the kingdom of God and leave politics to the Devil and his crowd?  After all trying to salvage the ship of state is a bit like polishing brash on the Titanic – what good will it due the ship is going down anyway.  How are we to deal with government?  Our text is found in the 13th chapter of Romans.

Text: Romans 13:1-7

Paul is dealing with the transformed life. The section began with a call to sacrifice and commitment – 12:1-2. Beginning with 12:3 Paul is showing what this transformed life looks like. This is life as God intends us to live. This is the life He expects from us.

Having dealt with how we view ourselves and others it is no surprise Paul turns his attention to how we relate to government.  This is a natural question in light of a couple of things Paul has said.  Take for instance that statement in 12:2 – “do not be conformed to this world (age) but rather be transformed…”

Consider Romans 8:34-38 – focus in on 8:36 (quoting Psalm 44:22).
What is to be the attitude of the church toward the government that sees its members as sheep to be slaughtered?

Understand the historical context:

• The political climate in Rome was especially volatile at this time.
• The Jews had been expelled from Rome under emperor Claudius.
• Paul was concerned the Zionist’s attitudes would spill over into the church.

Also remember the words of Jesus when He was approached by some of the religious leaders in another of their attempts to trap Him.  The story is told in Matthew 22.

We are told the Pharisees and Herodians teamed up for this. Politics makes strange bedfellows! Note their question, it is brilliant – Mt. 22:17. It’s a no win question – either treason against Rome or anti-patriot toward Israel. Jesus’ response – 22:19-22 – masterful political statement. Coin = minted by Rome. You = minted by God. Render to Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things of God.

Romans 13:1-7 is Paul’s exposition of Jesus’ teaching.

Thesis: Citizenship in the Kingdom of God includes a corresponding responsibility towards earthly powers.

There is a tension in this life for the people of God.  We are citizens of two kingdoms.  There is to be no question as to our supreme loyalty – we belong to Christ!  We are pilgrims looking for a city whose builder and maker is God but at the same time we live as citizens in this world.  Life here has its obligations as well.  That is what our text is about.

In our text three things are made clear about how the transformed life interacts with earthly kingdoms.

1. The transformed life responds to government with profound submission and loyal obedience.  (13:1-2)
   1. A surprising principle – 13:1
   2. A sound reason – 13:1
   3. An inescapable conclusion – 13:2
2. The transformed life recognizes government’s God-ordained role and purpose.  (13:3-4)
3. The transformed life renders government its due.  (13:5-7)