This message by Andrew Hoyt was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 18, 2010.
Andrew is a 2009 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, and is currently enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension program at OBU.
An exposition of Romans 12:9-21. 
This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 18, 2010.
Introduction
It sounds easy enough but boy is it ever difficult. I mean when you look at it on paper you say, “Sure, that’s right.” Putting it into practice is the problem. Standing up here on sitting in a class room it is easy to say, “We need to love others.” No one is going to disagree with that. No one is going to say, “No. I think we need some good old fashion hate!” The problem is when I put a face to the statement. The Bible is clear I do not have the luxury of choosing who I love. In fact I’m told to love my neighbor as myself. And the context tells me my neighbor is anyone in need. The Bible says I’m to love the body of Christ, the church. But folks at church are not always lovable. The worst thing is the Bible says I’m to love my enemies. Now that is just ridiculous. “Well pastor I’d rather die than do that.” That’s good because you’re going to have to die if you are going to do it. We’ve been considering the life we’ve been called to as the people of God. “Wait! There are demands? Obligations? I thought I just prayed the prayer and I was good to go.” No, faith in Christ is the beginning of a journey. It is the start of a brand new life. A life lived in obedience to the law of Christ. A life of progressive holiness that will end in glory. The road is often difficult. There are steep climbs and deep valleys. There is sunshine and rain. It is not a life for the faint of heart but it is the life we’ve been called to. Our text this morning is found in the 12th chapter of Romans.
Text: Romans 12:9-21
Paul began this section by saying, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” This is not a “one time” offering but rather a continual offering. It is a daily dying to ourselves and our agenda and choosing to live for Christ. Verse 3 and following then outlines what that means. It means that we see ourselves as we really are in light of Christ. We see ourselves vitally and dynamically connected to others and are willing to give ourselves in service for God’s glory and the good of His church. This morning’s text takes that a bit further.
In the text before us we discover that…
Thesis: The life transformed by the Spirit of God passionately loves the Church and profoundly loves the world.
Wait a minute. Doesn’t the Bible say you cannot love God and love the world? Doesn’t the Bible say you are either the friend of God or the friend of the world but not both? How can you say love the church and love the world?
Well, let’s look at the text. There are two things I want to point out as we make our way through this passage.
Loving the Church and loving the world go together. They are the demands of the life we’ve been called to. If Romans 12:1-2 are true – this is the result. Lives renewed and transformed so act. By God’s grace and for His glory.
An exposition of Jonah 4:1-11. 
This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 11, 2010.
Introduction
It is just so “out of place.” It makes no sense. It should have been a time of great rejoicing. It should have been a time for declaring the goodness and the grace of God. Instead, God’s prophet was angry. More disturbing was why he was angry. He was angry because God was acting like God and that’s not what the preacher wanted. He was called from Galilee to preach God’s message but he was unhappy with the assignment. So, he ran away. But you can’t run from God so he didn’t get very far. God’s severe mercy brought the wayward prophet to repentance. In kindness and grace God commissioned him again. He gave his rebellious prophet a second chance. Jonah went and preached God’s message. A great revival broke out. It touched everyone from the stable to the palace. From the least to the greatest. That’s were we pick up the story in Jonah chapter 4.
Text: Jonah 4:1-11
I want to give Jonah the benefit of the doubt.
Three days and nights in the belly of a fish is bound to warp you a bit.
But this is incredible.
I’ve said the book is in 4 parts.
Rebellion – 1
Repentance – 2
Revival – 3
Regret – 4
The whole story of Jonah is the story of God’s mercy.
First God’s mercy on Jonah in calling him in the first place.
In love and kindness God called Jonah, equipped Jonah, revealed himself to Jonah and then commissioned him to go to Nineveh.
Jonah rebelled – went to Joppa, paid the fare and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish.
In mercy God brought a great storm on the sea.
In mercy God revealed to all aboard that Jonah was the problem.
But rather than repent Jonah wanted to die – “Throw me overboard.”
In mercy God appointed a fish.
In the belly of the fish – Jonah “came to himself” and found God as Savior.
God’s mercy was demonstrated again when He called Jonah a second time.
Giving him the same commission.
And again when he used Jonah to bring a great revival.
God’s mercy was shown to the sailors who first called out “to their gods.”
But later, following God’s revelation worshiped the true God.
God’s mercy was shown to Nineveh in His relenting of the disaster He promised and granting them revival.
Certainly all of this is cause for much rejoicing but Jonah is mad. He is angry with God. Let’s explore this chapter.
The book ends with a question.
There is no answer – why?
Because we all must answer it for ourselves.
The book of Jonah is about mercy.
If we have tasted of that mercy are we not obligated to take that message to our world?
If we have the mind and heart of God are we not to be merciful?
An exposition of Romans 12:3-8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 11, 2010.
Introduction
What does it look like? How am I supposed to act? What are the rules? These are all legitimate questions when considering what the Christian life is all about. Okay we are different. We’ve been changed by the grace of God – but how are we different? Are the Amish right? Are we to shun the world and forego modern conveniences? Like the Pentecostals are we to avoid makeup, jewelry and make sure we dress modestly? Are the Word of Faith folks right and we should walk in health and prosperity? Is there a list? Maybe a pocket guide to righteous living so that I have it for easy reference. So many voices, so many views who’s right? Where do I go for clear direction? As with all such questions we go to the Word of God. But what you will find is that it is not as “cut and dried” as you may want it. It is not about rules. It is not about lists. It is deeper than that. The issues are far more complex than most want to acknowledge. Living the Christian life is not easy. It is demanding. It requires steadfast determination and patience. It starts with who you are and then naturally unfolds what you do in light of who you are. Paul wrote to the church at Rome to lay out his gospel, the message God had given him. He wanted to lay the ground work for what he hoped would be a long and fruitful ministry there. The first 11 chapters are filled with profound doctrinal truths. He begins with the radical depravity of man and then reveals God’s gracious provision in Christ. He explains that the gift of life must be obtained through faith and that faith brings radical change. The Spirit of God is placed within us and cries, “Papa! Father!” The Holy Spirit then begins to work our sanctification or holiness. This is a life-long process that has its ups and downs. But always moves us towards holiness until ultimately presenting us holy and acceptable to God. Paul also makes it clear that God is always faithful to His people and His promise. Then in chapter 12 the focus moves from doctrine to duty, from theology to practice. The two must not be seen as separate for they are inseparably linked. The one flows into the other, the latter grows out of the former. With chapter 12 the issue becomes, how am I to live in light of chapters 1-11? What is required of me? What does Christian living look like? Our text this morning is found in Romans 12 beginning with verse 3.
Text: Romans 12:3-8
Romans 12:1-2 is a call to commitment.
Reminding us that:
Commitment is based on the mercies of God in Christ.
This commitment demands our total being (love so amazing demands my life, my soul, my all).
This commitment requires that I say, “No” to the spirit of the age and “Yes” to the Spirit of God.
This morning’s text builds on that foundation. What does it mean to live with a transformed mind? This life surrendered to the Spirit of God, what does it do?
I want to point out three things from the text.
Thesis: Genuine Christian living requires honest evaluation and Christ-centered service focused on others.
An exposition of Matthew 27:57-28:15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Resurrection Sunday morning, April 4, 2010.
Introduction
It is incredible. It defies logic. It is contrary to our experience. I understand that it is hard to believe. Yet it is the basis of our celebration today. It is the reason for our hope. It is why we sing. “Dead people don’t walk out of graves!” Our experience is that life is hard and then you die. Yet for the Christian, that is not the whole story. Central to our thinking and our faith is that death has been conquered! The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is not an optional belief for the Christian. If Christ did not come out of the grave, what assurance do we have that our ransom has been paid? If Christ was not raised what confidence do we have that death has been overcome? In fact, the apostle Paul tells us if Christ is not raised than we are the most miserable people on earth!
That is why the apostle assures us, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that “Christ was raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Peter says we have been given, “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Today is Resurrection Day! Today we gather in joyous celebration of the fact that we serve a risen Savior! This morning I want us to look at Matthew’s account of this momentous event.
Text: Matthew 28:1-15
It has been a long couple of days. Their world was rocked and the light was turned off! Just a week ago – He entered the city to joyous shouts of praise. But by Friday morning He had been betrayed, tried, convicted, beaten and nailed to a cross. His followers scattered in all directions. His lifeless body was taken from the cross and placed in a borrowed grave. It was over. There had been such promise. But now there was only hopelessness.
Their sorrow and their confusion conspired to drown out His words of resurrection and hope. But that was before dawn on the first day of the week… Every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection for the church. This is not a once a year occasion – it’s weekly! Why is that? What is the big deal about the resurrection?
Of course to answer that properly we must first understand the significance of the cross.
“I came to seek and to save the lost…I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life a ransom for many…this is my body given for you…this is my blood poured out for you…”
Paul said, “If Christ is not raised we are still in our sin.” “If Christ is not raised – our preaching is a vain thing (it is worthless).” “If Christ is not raised we are without hope.” If he is not the “first fruit” what assurance do we have of being raised? If it is merely His “influence” that lives on – is that the best we can hope for?
Let’s consider the record
I emphasize this because the doctrine of the resurrection starts with the fact that Jesus died. Resurrection follows death. There are those who deny that he died.
But, having said that, it is imperative that you note:
Thesis: Overwhelming evidence for the fact of the resurrection does not ensure saving faith.
The empty tomb. The various resurrection appearances. Two thousand years of church history all declare the reality of the resurrection – my question to you is, “what is your response?” Is it one of reverential fear and great joy or one of obstinate refusal?
The difference is the difference between life and death.
It is possible to attend church faithfully in celebration of the resurrection and still die in your sin. It is possible to acknowledge belief in the resurrection without surrendering your life, dying to self or trusting in Christ for life eternal and life abundant. Religious ceremony and adherence to traditions is of no value apart from a heart of loving obedience and simple trust. What is your response to the news that – “He is alive?”
A brief Bible study from Psalm 81. This Message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, March 31, 2010.
An exposition of Jonah 3:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 21, 2010.
Introduction
It is possible to be too familiar with truth, after all familiarity does breed contempt. Because of our continuous emphasis on grace we can fall into the trap of thinking of grace as “commonplace.” As something ordinary or pedestrian. When the truth is grace is anything but common. It is a most uncommon thing. Grace is God’s favor. It is unearned and undeserved. It must never be taken for granted and must not be thought of as anything other than extraordinary. But we speak of salvation by grace as though it is expected, worse, as if it is owed. When the truth is grace is alway surprising. One great example of God’s surprising grace is found in the Old Testament book of Jonah.
Jonah, a prophet from Galilee, was called to take God’s message to the capital city of the Assyrian empire. He didn’t want to do that. Not because they were a wicked and cruel people, though they were. Not because he feared for his life, though he had every reason to fear. But because he was afraid that God would be gracious with the Ninevites and forgive them!
So he tried to run away. He booked passage on a ship heading for Tarshish off the northern coast of Spain. He was determined to go as far away from his assignment as possible. But he couldn’t run away from God.
God hurled a great storm on the sea and threatened the ship and all those aboard. Eventually Jonah’s secret is discovered. And rather than go and do what God called him to do – he asked to be thrown overboard! He’d rather die than do the will of God. But God is gracious and spared Jonah. God graciously brought Jonah to repentance. Of course you remember how He did that – a great fish, 3 days and nights.
I guess 3 days and nights in a fish’s belly is a time for some serious reflection! Not much else to do than contemplate your life choices and consider the future. After Jonah repented and found salvation in the Lord – God gave the order and Jonah was delivered to dry land. That’s were we pick up the story.
Text: Jonah 3:1-10
As we work our way through the third chapter we’ll note a surprising revelation, a definite reversal and an amazing revival.
This chapter is the great miracle chapter of Jonah not chapter 2! Because it is here we see the miracle working power of God’s grace. And we behold the wonder of His grace in His changing the heart of His wayward prophet and transforming a wicked city.
An exposition of Romans 12:1-2. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 28, 2010.
Introduction:
What is expected of me as a Christian? What level of involvement does my faith demand? Is it possible to give my heart to Jesus and be saved and then later commit to more? Can I trust Jesus as Savior now and as Lord later? Now you certainly wouldn’t expect the same from me as a lowly church member as you do the pastor? Is there a chart that shows the various commitment levels? It seems to me there is a lot of confusion about commitment and expectations within the church. Part of that confusion is due to not understanding distinctions between assignments within the church and commitment. Responsibilities and commitment are not synonymous. The pastor may be expected to visit the sick and those in the hospital, prepare three sermons a week, do the counseling and oversee the administration of church business but that is a matter of assigned responsibility not commitment. Due to the amount of time required to focus on those task he is paid to free him to concentrate on those responsibilities but all believers are to be as committed as the pastor. Every Christian is to be committed to Christ and to His church with all of their being. There is not a level for average member and then you step up to above average, then you enter the realm of exceptional member by being made a deacon or Sunday School teacher or youth worker and then, by God’s grace, you move to the exalted level of church staff, with each level demanding more and more commitment. Just what is required of you as a Christian? That is the focus of our text this morning found in Romans chapter 12.
Text: Romans 12:1-2
We’ve come to a new section within Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians. We’re moving from the doctrine to duty. We’re moving from theology to practice. But don’t think the two are unrelated – they are not. The one flows from the other.
Duty is built on doctrine. Theology moves us to practice.
Just what is required of the believer? What are responsibilities? What is Christian commitment?
We are going to consider the basis, the demands, the requirements and the fruit of Christian commitment as we work our way through these 2 verses.
An exposition of Acts 5:17-42. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 21, 2010.
If we are to impact our community, city, state and the world it will demand a holy boldness.
Three characteristics of holy boldness
Jonah #2 – An exposition of Jonah 1:17-2:10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 14, 2010.
Introduction
It was the defining characteristic of the preaching on John the Baptist and it was the hallmark of the preaching of our Lord – “Repentance.” Unfortunately repentance has fallen out of favor. One might even get the impression it is on the “do not use” list. Calls for repentance have come to be associated with more primitive times. It congers up images of red-faced evangelists and protracted meetings. We don’t have time for such nonsense anymore. We’re busy people. Places to go, people to see and that whole repentance thing is offensive. We’re struggling to pay the bills and keep the doors open we can’t afford to run folks off. The problem is without the message of repentance we have no Gospel. Without repentance there is no salvation. With no Gospel and no salvation we might as well close up shop because we have nothing to offer. Jonah was called to take God’s message to Nineveh the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. But Jonah didn’t want to go. He didn’t want to preach to them because he knew if he came preaching God’s judgment they might repent and if they repented – God would forgive them and Jonah just couldn’t live with that. So Jonah set his sights in the opposite direction. He was determined to go as far away from God’s call as humanly possible. He went down to Joppa, payed the fare and got in a boat heading for Tarshish. But God’s severe grace hunted him down. God hurled a great wind onto the sea and threatened to break up the ship. After an intense struggle it was finally discovered that Jonah was the problem. After some debate the sailors reluctantly tossed Jonah overboard. That’s where we pick up the story and it is at this point Jonah learns about repentance. Our text this evening is found in Jonah chapter 2.
Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10
Remember I said last week we can divide this book into 4 sections.
This evening we deal with repentance.
Before we get into that though let’s deal with the controversy of this chapter and the book of Jonah. There are those who believe this story is, at best, an allegory or a parable. The problem is that it doesn’t read like that at all. There is nothing in the text to indicate we should read it or understand it in anyway other than literal. Others say it is purely myth. Come on, a fish swallowing a man, the man lives for 3 days and nights in the belly of the fish and then is spit up on dray land? That’s quite a tale! That will put some fishermen to shame.
The truth is if you begin by saying, “Miracles do not happen because miracles cannot happen” it doesn’t matter what proof is set before you – you will not believe it. If you start with a God who created the universe by the power of His word this is not a problem. You don’t need an explanation.
The truth is there are whales and other sea creatures capable of swallowing a man. For instance the average sperm whale might have a mouth 20 feet long, 15 feet high, and 9 feet wide. It is know they feed mostly on squid, which are often larger than a man. According to the Library Research Service of the Encyclopedia Britannica there are documented cases of whalers being swallowed by whales and later cut out of whales still alive. One such case involved a whaling ship names The Star of the East sailing off the coast of the Falkland Islands in February of 1891. A large sperm whale was spotted and two boats were dispatched. One of the boats was capsized in the process one sailor drowned, the other, James Bartley disappeared and could not be found. In time the whale was killed and brought alongside the ship. It was secured and its blubber removed. The next day the stomach was hoisted onto the deck. When opened the missing sailor was found inside. He was unconscious but alive. After some time he resumed his duties on board the whaling vessel.
Is it possible Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and survived as the Bible plainly teaches? Yes, but the real issue is not what went on inside that great fish but rather what went on inside of Jonah? A great transformation took place and from it we learn about genuine repentance.
I want to point out 3 characteristics of genuine repentance from Jonah’s prayer.
This is genuine repentance and without it there is no Gospel, there is no salvation. May God grant us hearts of genuine repentance continually.
