A Wednesday-evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on April 8, 2009.
Lessons from a Battle-worn Prophet
An exposition of Jeremiah 44:1-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 5, 2009.
Introduction:
Last words are important. It is common when folks gather after the loss of a loved one to talk about the last time they saw the person or their last conversation. History has often been punctuated by last words. Washington’s farewell address is considered one of his greatest speeches. When we think of Scripture we think of Paul’s last letter to Timothy and those powerful admonitions as he hands the torch to his young protege. This evening I want us to consider the last words of Jeremiah. For 40 years he was faithful to declare the glory of God’s holiness and His justice. During a time of great national crisis, at great personal cost, the faithful prophet declared God’s eternal truth calling the nation to repentance. Set apart from his mother’s womb he was called to “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Now vindicated by God’s judgment of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon the prophet finds himself with a group of refuges in Egypt. Faithful as always he does in his final message what he has always done – he called the people to repentance and when they refused he spoke of God’s sovereign judgment. Our text this evening is found in Jeremiah chapter 44.
Text: Jeremiah 44:1-30
Though not the last chapter of his prophecy this is his final sermon. Chapter 45 contains a brief prophecy given to Baruch. Chapters 46-51 contain the pronouncement of judgment given to surrounding nations. These prophecies are from an earlier period. Chapter 52 is an appendix not written by Jeremiah so chapter 44 is his final word.
Let’s think about what Jeremiah has been through:
- Ignored
- Rejected
- Scorned
- Humiliated
- Beaten
- Imprisoned
- Put in stocks
- Falsely accused
- Condemned as a traitor
- Twice cast into a dungeon and left to die
No wonder he is known as “The weeping prophet” and yet always faithful. Rabbinic tradition says he was stoned to death in Egypt. Perhaps the writer of Hebrews had Jeremiah in mind as he wrote: They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— Hebrews 11:37.As we explore this chapter I want us to learn some…
Sobering lessons from a tired, weary, battle-worn and yet faithful prophet.
It is easy to deal with the Old Testament as a detached historical observation. Here we find stories of ancient peoples that really have nothing to do with us or our context. A different time a different place, interesting to consider but having no practical application to my life in the modern world. That is a great mistake. From the Old Testament we learn a great deal about the character of God and how he deals with His people. He doesn’t change. What was expected then is still expected today. We haven’t changed. Times change. Circumstances change but human nature does not. There is much to learn from the Old Testament saints. In fact Paul tells the Corinthians that the Old Testament is for our benefit. We are to learn from their success and their failure (1 Corinthians 10:6).
- In the opening verses of Jeremiah 44 we learn that sin clouds the vision and dulls the senses so that the sinner fails to understand the obvious. (44:1-10)
- That brings us to a second lesson – God sovereignly judges all rebellion. (44:11-14)
- Sin blatantly denies God’s sovereignty and arrogantly clings to its own false sense of autonomy. (44:15-19)
- God’s most terrifying judgment is seen in His granting the sinful heart its desire. (44:20-27)
And it all comes down to this… - Rest assured at the end of the day the truth will be known and God will be God. (44:28-30)
Oh, there is one other thing I think is worth noting. Take a look back at 44:14.
so that none of the remnant of Judah who have come to live in the land of Egypt shall escape or survive or return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return to dwell there. For they shall not return, except some fugitives.
That is the grace of our God!
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I Love a Parade
An exposition of Luke 19:28-44. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered a Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 5, 2009.
Introduction:
“It just didn’t make sense. It was not in keeping with what had been going on for the past three years. And it was dangerous. This was a time for laying low. This was a time to play it safe. Why take the risk? Why now? You know they are going to be looking for something like this. It’s suicide.” That must have been the confused reasoning of the disciples as Jesus made his approach to Jerusalem on the first day of that infamous week.
Weeks before, Jesus had “set his face as a flint for Jerusalem.” He resolutely determined to go there. Nothing could stop him – nothing would stand in his way. The time had come. That time established, by the Father in eternity past, had now come. God’s eternal plan of redemption was now reaching its climax. For weeks Jesus had been preparing his disciples by focusing on the Kingdom. He talked about its requirements – you must have the faith of a child, a simple, dependent faith. You must be willing to lose everything in order to obtain it. Jesus taught them that such a thing is impossible with man but possible with God. He taught them to look up for the Kingdom of God was near. He told them they would see it come and yet it is still future. The Kingdom is here now and coming later. He taught them about living in the “not yet” of the Kingdom. History’s greatest drama is about to be played out as the Sovereign Creator of the universe mounts a donkey colt and makes his way toward Jerusalem. Our text this morning is found in Luke chapter 19.
Text: Luke 19:28-44
Luke, the careful historian, has crafted his story to reveal Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews and the Savior of the world. His desire is that those who hear his Gospel might come to place their faith and trust in Jesus and Jesus alone for salvation. Throughout his Gospel he has made it clear that the people responded favorably toward Jesus while the establishment despised him. Nowhere is that any clearer than in this text.
Remember the context. Hostility has been mounting for years. The more popular Jesus became with the crowd the more threatened the establishment felt. He had to be silenced. They had to get rid of him, but how? Numerous meetings had been held. Various plots had been developed but none of them seemed to get off the ground. If only they could get him to come to Jerusalem. If they could just have him on their home turf. A few weeks earlier they tried to get him to come to Jerusalem (Luke 13:31). It didn’t work.
That’s why it didn’t make sense to his followers. Why go to Jerusalem? Why now? Jesus would be playing into the hands of his enemies. And it appears as if he did. Albert Schweitzer the 19th century theologian described the Passion Week in terms of the Lord Jesus being “crushed in the wheels of history.” What Schweitzer failed to realize was that it was the Lord Jesus, himself, who was turning the wheel! To Schweitzer the death of the Lord Jesus was the tragic end of a noble man who died before completing his great work. The fact is that his death was his great work!
As we explore this incredible story we will discover that:
Thesis: The Triumphal Entry dramatically reveals the ultimate significance of Jesus’ life and ministry.
There are three things I want us to note in our text.
- A surprising revelation. (19:28-36)
- A prophetic celebration. (19:37-40)
- A shocking declaration. (19:41-44)
This is the heart of the Savior. This is how God sorrows over hearts that miss their “day” of salvation. The tears of the Lord Jesus measure the value of your soul. The question is will he weep over you?
I don’t believe it is possible to overestimate the significance of what happened that day in Jerusalem. The Triumphal Entry dramatically revealed the ultimate significance of Jesus’ life and ministry.
He is reveled as the Great Servant King. He is seen as the Great Priest reconciling the world to God. He is seen as the Great Prophet. Behold the Lord Jesus – Prophet, Priest and King.
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From Doubt to Delight
A Wednesday evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on April 1, 2009
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Freedom & Fellowship
An exposition of Galatians 5:16-26. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 29, 2009.
Introduction:
We really are shaped by our experiences. Where we grew up. Where we attended school. The church we were raised in. All of these have a profound impact on why we are like we are. The fact that we are Americans determines, to a greater extent than we realize, how we interpret Scripture and frame our doctrines. We are an independent lot and so you find a great emphasis in the American Church on my “personal Lord and Savior.” We talk about what “my” Bible says. And we tend to think of the church as a necessary evil. “I love Jesus and me and Jesus are fine – but those folks down at the church…” as if you can think of loving Jesus and the folks down at church as having little or nothing to do with one another. The fact is when you came to faith in Christ you were made part of the family of God. It was a package deal. You don’t get one without the other. The expression of that family is found in a local group of believers seeking to live their faith together in the church. That is why the church matters. That is why the church is essential to your being what God intends you to be. Can you be a Christian without being a church member? Yes. Can you be the Christian God intends you to be without the church? No! We must acknowledge up front the church is imperfect. It is often a mess. But do you know why that is the case? Because the church is made up of people like you and me! Frail, flawed, broken sinful people stumbling towards perfection by the grace of God. The church is not an institution. It is not an organization. It is a family, a body, a living organism. Yes it is “institutional” in that there is a structure with leaders and officers and programs but that is not what the church is essentially. Not at its essence. At its essence the church is a family. It is a family and not an organization. It is a group of people who are in covenant relationship seeking to grown in our understanding of God and His Word and seeking to live for His glory. I am becoming increasingly convinced that this is the key to the church being what God intends it to be. We have to quit thinking of the church in terms of an organization or institution. It is not a bout power. It is not about titles. It is not about programing or product it is about relationship first with God then each other and then the world around us. That is what I want you to keep in mind as we explore our text this morning found in Galatians chapter 5.
Text: Galatians 5:16-26
The churches of the Roman province of Galatia were troubled. They were troubled by a false teaching that wreaked havoc with these young believers. The message of grace was being lost in an emphasis on law.
Gone was the freedom of life in Christ and in it place was a religion of rules. In the early chapters Paul lays down a theological base. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. Beginning with chapter 5 he applies that truth to life. What does this theology look like when it is lived out? How do I live the doctrine of salvation by grace alone?
The immediate context for our passage today is found in 5:15 – “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” That this is the focus is further reflected in 5:26 – “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Our text is about freedom and fellowship (remember 5:1).
Thesis: Genuine Gospel freedom is evidenced by a united, loving fellowship.
I want to point out three things quickly.
- Peace within the body of Christ demands that we recognize the source of conflict. (5:16-18)
- Peace demands that we resist the intoxicating draw of our sinful nature. (5:19-21)
- Peace demands that we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. (5:22-26)
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Blessed Assurance
A Wednesday-evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on March 25, 2009.
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A Christian World View
Rev. Bowden McElroy
This message by guest preacher Bowden McElroy was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 22, 2009.
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Characteristics of a Healthy Church
Rev. Bowden McElroy
This message by guest preacher Bowden McElroy was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 22, 2009.
Outline:
Am I contributing to the factors of what makes for a healthy church? In this message let’s look at three words that define a healthy church:
- Community: Church is suppose to provide a sense of community. 1Cor 12:12-20.
- Consensus: You cannot be a Christian in isolation. Debate on issues is not always fun, but it is always necessarty. Acts 15:6ff. Community doesn’t work without consensus.
- Accountability: Matthew 18:15-20.
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When the Safe Choice Is Anything but Safe
Jeremiah #56 – An exposition of Jeremiah 41:16-43:13. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 15, 2009.
Introduction:
It has to be part of our “fallenness” nothing else makes sense. The signs says, “Wet Paint” but we have to touch it to see if it is in fact “wet” paint. When I’m at a Mexican restaurant I hate it when the waiter says, “Be careful that plate is really hot.” Because now I’m going to have to touch it to see if it is “really” hot! I don’t know why that is – it just “is”. It seems to me our judgment is impaired. Our perspective is warped. That is why it is dangerous to go by our gut or what “feels” right to us. The writer of Proverbs says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). We find a perfect example of that principle in the life of the surviving remnant of Judah following Nebuchadnezzar’s occupation of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile to Babylon. Our text this evening is found in Jeremiah 41 – 43.
Text: Jeremiah 41:16-43:13
It was a time of great distress and turmoil. A very unsettling time. What do you do when your nation has been destroyed? What do you do when the best and brightest have been carried away to a distant land? What do you do when you are left with the poorest of the poor? How do you pick up the pieces? Sure God has promised great things, but let’s be practical.
Now in addition, the man appointed governor by Babylon has been assassinated. Surely there will be reprisals. Do you think Babylon is going to let that slide? Do you think there will not be a price to pay?
What makes the most sense?
It seemed the wise move would be to head down to Egypt and seek to join forces with them. Sure you’re not the closest of friends but politics makes for strange bedfellows. Together you just might be able to survive. Egypt is far enough away. They have plenty of resources. They are large enough. It seemed the right thing to do. But just a few miles down the road the remnant wondered if they should seek another opinion.
The story unfolds in three parts.
- A reasonable question in the face of uncertainty and turmoil. (41:16-42:6)
- A shocking revelation and an impassioned plea. (42:7-22)
- Willful disobedience leads to certain judgment. (43:1-13)
Thesis: The safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will. Conversely, no amount of plotting, planning or precaution can compensate for open, willful disobedience to God’s revealed will.
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Free to Become a Slave
Galatians #10 – An exposition of Galatians 5:13-15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 15, 2009.
Introduction:
It just didn’t make sense to me. I know that everybody said the same thing. I know that was the conventional wisdom but it just sounded so dumb! I didn’t just ride into town on a turnip truck you know. So when my pickup hit that ice and started into a skid – I wasn’t “dumb enough” to turn into the skid…I turned it hard away from it. Turn into a skid? Oh, and I suppose you lean into a left hook! The next few seconds were a blur, literally. When the truck stopped I was sitting between a telephone pole and a bridge rail. Not a scratch on me or the truck. I remember thinking, “Maybe you do turn into a skid.” Life is often paradoxical. A paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is true. Often in the Scripture we find paradoxical statements. Jesus said if you want to lose your life hold on to it tightly. If you want to find it – give it away. He also said the way up is down. If you want to be great become the servant of all. That doesn’t make sense. It is contrary to our way of thinking. But then the writer of Proverbs warns that there is a way that seems right to man but the end thereof is destruction. We find one of those paradoxical passages in the 5th chapter of Galatians.
Paul is writing to the churches of the Roman Province of Galatia, the churches visited on the first missionary journey. He is writing because false teachers have come into the fellowship and perverted the true gospel. These “legalists” were preaching a “Jesus plus” theology. Belief in Jesus was necessary but not enough. You need to follow the rules of Judaism – the dietary laws, the days and festivals and of course circumcision. It was a system of rules and regulations. It is was faith of dos and don’ts that enslaved rather than liberated those who believed. Paul said, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free don’t be enslaved again to rules.” We are saved by grace and we grow in holiness by that same grace. The Christian faith is about grace and relationship. The whole purpose in Christ’s coming was to set you free so don’t be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. The dominant note throughout the book of Galatians is freedom. Paul has referenced freedom several times but it isn’t until chapter 5:13 and following that he defines what he means by freedom. Most of us, when thinking about freedom, think about ourselves and what we are able to do. “I’m free, nobody is going to tell me what to do. I can do as I please.” That is not liberty that is license. That is not enjoying the grace of God, that is presuming upon God’s grace. Genuine freedom always comes with a corresponding responsibility. That is what Paul deals with in our text this morning.
Text: Galatians 5:13-15
Paul with the skill and passion of an artist paints a portrait of genuine Christian freedom in these three verses. I would suggest that it looks very different fro the world’s picture of freedom. Because from Paul’s perspective…
Thesis: Genuine freedom releases you to a life of service to others.
Rather than self-centered, it is other-centered. Rather than emphasizing rights it focuses on responsibilities. There are three things to note in our text.
- Genuine freedom clears the way for total surrender. (5:13)
- Genuine freedom enables fulfillment of the law. (5:14)
- Genuine freedom results in honest concern for others. (5:15)
A divided church has nothing to say to a fragmented society. If we evidence more of the world’s power to divide than the gospel’s power to make whole we have nothing of value to say. Our message has lost its power and authority. Genuine freedom, biblical freedom is not about rights it is about responsibility. It is not about being served it is about serving.
Child of God is it for the sake of freedom that Christ set you free. Stand firm in that freedom. Do not be burdened or bound by rules. But understand that freedom releases you to a life of service to others. It clears the way for total surrender. It enables fulfillment of the law and results in honest concern for others. Are you free? Are you walking in biblical freedom today?
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