An exposition of Isaiah 40:12-31. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delviered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2009.
The Fear of God:It’s Essential to Faith
Posted in Non-Series, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on The Fear of God:It’s Essential to Faith
Sobering Lessons from Teetotalers
An exposition of Jeremiah 35:1-19. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 11, 2009.
Introduction:
When you boil it all down, what is the Christian life all about? Okay, it is about living in relationship with the God who is, the Sovereign Lord of all things but what does that look like, what does it involve? If you walk in the average Christian bookstore you might be more that a little overwhelmed and confused as you look through the various titles under the heading of “Christian Living.” As you listen to sermons or talk with your friends you may be helped but then again you might be even more confused. Is it about “being” or “doing”? Is it about “relationship” or “ritual”? Is it complex or is it simple? Is it about rules or is it about love? The older I get and the longer I’m around the Scripture the more convinced I am that we’ve really complicated things. I find it easy to be incredulous about how the Jews complicated things with adding to the law of God. How they took what God said and added hundreds of laws to clarify and guard the law God had given. But the truth is we are just as bad. We have a tendency to elevate our traditions to law status. I love to read blogs and follow the comment threads. Especially when dealing with doctrinal matters. It is interesting to watch how often tradition rather than Scripture guides the discussion. “We do it this way because Baptist has always thought thus and so.” Well that’s good. I am a Baptist and I am one by conviction but I want to know if there is a Scriptural basis for our doing it that way. When I find summary statements in Scripture about what God requires of me I find it is usually simple and straightforward. For instance, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)
Not complex. Not complicated. It’s not about jumping through hoops or scaling tall mountains. It is about simple obedience. This evening I want us to consider a passage that is straightforward and direct about what the Lord requires of His people. In this text the sophisticated religious establishment in Jerusalem are taught a lesson by an unsophisticated band of nomads. Our text is found in the 35th chapter of Jeremiah.
Text: Jeremiah 35:1-19
In verse two we come across a group of folks known as the Rechabites. We find out later (35:6) that they are guided by principles laid out by Jonadab, son of Rechad. This was a band of nomads who did not live in houses, they did not garden and they did not drink wine. R.E.O White says, “…they worshipped God strictly after the manner of the pilgrim patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They believed crops, vineyards, houses, towns and cities tied men to one spot and so bred luxury, strife, possessions, materialism and all manner of soft, lazy extravagance.” Phillip Ryken said, “[think the Rechabites] as a cross between the hippies of the 1960s and the Amish. Perhaps with straw hats and tie-dyed robes.”
It is clear they were a counter-cultural group. Their lives were in stark contrast to the crowd in Jerusalem.
There are two things I want you to note as we walk through this unfolding drama.
I. First I want you to note a tee-totaling test. (35:1-11)
The passage opens with God commanding Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to Jerusalem for a party. This happened during the days of Jehoiakim, which means this is 10 years prior to the events of chapter 34. So again we see the book is not arranged chronologically but topically.
Jeremiah brought them to the temple had large pitchers of wine brought in and various glasses and then commanded them to drink wine. In the Hebrew text the phrase “drink wine” is an imperative. It is a command!
What I want you to see is that this is a test of their whole way of life. But look at their response – 35:6
Note further 35:7-11: They followed all of the commands of Jonadab. They, their wives, sons and daughters all of them, always. Keep in mind Jonadab has been dead for 250 years.
How many families do you know who can say we still do everything the way we were told by our great-great-great granddaddy back in 1758?
II. I want you to note the sobering lessons learned. (35:12-19)
The Rechabites passed the test but it is Judah who learns the lesson. There is a great contrast between the people of Judah and the Rechabites. And that is the point of the passage. This is why the story is recounted.
Judah discovers the judgment of God is coming upon them because they do not listen and they do not obey. It is that simple.
First there is a failure to listen – 35:12-15: Further the Rechabites obeyed while the people of God casually dismissed His commands – 35:16.
You do get the picture here don’t you? The parent saying to the child you need to do this or that and the child says, “sure whatever.” That is what Judah is doing to God. “Yeah, sure whatever.” In one ear and out the other. They would not obey the Sovereign King of the Universe but the Rechabites, out of love and respect, never failed to obey the wishes of their beloved father.
As a result Judah came under judgment – 35:17: While the Rechabites were blessed beyond measure – 35:18-19.
So what is the point of all this? What does this story from ancient Judah have to do with me and my living the Christian life? It is this:
Thesis: Gospel living is a simple matter of hearing and obeying.
Whether you are a brand new Christian or a seasoned saint it is the same. Hear God when He speaks and do what He says. It is about listening and obeying. Hearing and doing. I’m not saying quit reading books or stop listening to sermons. I’m not suggesting in any way that you do not need the church. I am saying don’t loose the simplicity of the Christian life in all the trappings of Christianity. Are you to grow in your understanding of the doctrines of the faith? Absolutely! Are you to grow in holiness every day being conformed more and more to the likeness of Christ? Of course! But how do you do that? By hearing and obeying. By letting God speak and you, by His grace, seeking to live accordingly.
Posted in Jeremiah, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on Sobering Lessons from Teetotalers
The Wonder of Gospel Freedom
An exposition of Galatians 1:1-24. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 11, 2009.
Introduction
I don’t know why I did it. It was a moment of weakness, a lapse in judgment, a brain-dead incident – for whatever reason I actually said, “Rheadon why don’t you get out of the house for awhile I’ll watch the kids.” Three kids, under school age it was my day off and I figured, “how hard could it be?” After a few minutes I started picking some things and putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket. I put things in draws and generally cleaned up. In short order I had made great progress. To be honest I was beginning to wonder what her problem was! As far as I could tell there was no reason why our home should shine all the time. I finished the last little bit and I was very proud. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees what I’ve done I’m sure she’ll want to learn my system. Basking in the glow of my success I turned and started back through the house.
I could not believe it. Somehow, by the grace of God, a tornado had touched down inside our house without killing us all. That was the only explanation I had for the devastation I saw before me. It was worse than before I started. I “very calmly” called the children. I proceeded to explain we did not live in a pigsty. I demanded an explanation. They all three looked at each other and then looked at me and said, “What?”
Have you ever known the frustration of working hard only to see what you worked for destroyed? Ever pour your heart and soul into a project just to see it move in a different direction, moving toward an end that would destroy all you had done? That’s where the apostle Paul was when he sat down to write to the churches of Galatia.
Paul had traveled through the Roman province of Galatia during his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). There he established churches and laid the foundation for Gospel work throughout the region. Now word has reached him that others have followed and are undermining his message. These false teachers are preaching another Gospel. Their gospel is a distortion or perversion of the one they had received. According to their gospel faith in Jesus was absolutely necessary but it was not enough. You must believe in Jesus and you must embrace Judaism. You must be circumcised, you must follow the dietary laws, and you must keep the Sabbaths and adhere to the rituals. This was a serious matter. At stake was the Gospel itself. Are we saved by grace or not? At issue was the Gospel and in turn the souls of men. Paul’s message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone found in this book became the rallying cry for the Protestant Reformation. If the false teachers were successful the Gospel would be lost and the church would be enslaved to “religion.” Paul’s position is summarized in 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This morning we begin a study of the book of Galatians. Our text is the first chapter of Galatians.
Text: Galatians 1:1-24
If you are to understand Paul’s message you must understand where he is coming from. This was Paul’s message: There is one God – the creator of all that is. This one God has unveiled His long-awaited plan for the world. This plan is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ the Messiah of the Jews. This Jesus was executed by the Romans – but God raised him from the dead. This resurrection means God is making a new family. A family without divisions, no separate races, no one table for the Jews/one for the Gentiles. And because of Jesus – you don’t have to become a Jew to be part of the family. The God of Israel wants to be known as the Father of the whole world. That was his message. And you enter this family by faith. By believing in and trusting what Christ has done for us. It is not about working, striving, earning, it is about trusting/believing. Now some false teachers have moved in and they are saying, “Paul has it all wrong. Don’t listen to him. He isn’t even an apostle – not a real one. He got his message from someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. We have to truth. You listen to us. Because a good Jew and then trust Jesus as your Messiah. Believe in Jesus – but you also must follow the rules.”
Everywhere the Gospel has been preached, there have been those who contend that it is too good to be true. Faith isn’t enough, argues the legalist. We must earn god’s approval. Some believe we earn God’s favor by what we know (intellectualism). Others are certain we are saved by what we do (moralism). A growing number seems to think we are saved by how we feel (emotionalism). However you package it, it amounts to the same thing – you earn your way. The message of Paul, the message of the Gospel is that salvation comes only through the cross – no additions, no subtractions, no substitutes.
With that in mind let’s look at our text.
This letter was crucial in the days of the reformation. Luther called it his Catherine von Bora (his wife’s name) for he was “married to it.” Its message was stabilizing in tumultuous, epoch-changing times. We are living in such days and I’m convinced we must again rediscover its message for our own time.
Thesis: In the midst of sweeping changes and declining numbers the church must fight the urge to cling tenaciously to tradition and rediscover the wonder of God’s grace and the stabilizing influence of Gospel freedom.
There are three things I want to point out quickly.
1. Gospel freedom is born out of the depth and wonder of the work of grace. (1:1-5)
No doubt some worried, “How do you keep people in line when there are no rules? Rules keep people on the straight and narrow. Paul makes it clear throughout this letter that there is a more profound motivation and it begins with an understanding of the wonder of God’s grace. Paul begins by identifying himself as an “apostle.” Look carefully at 1:1 – “…not from men nor through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father…”
It is interesting to note Paul did not argue his case with his critics. He did not seek to persuade them or convince them. He stated the fact and moved on. He does lay out a case for the Gospel – IT WAS NOT ABOUT HIM!
1:4 is a key to understanding Paul’s perspective throughout the book. He possessed a keen awareness of what the grace of God had accomplished.
The word “rescue” means to be snatched from the fire. It signifies deliverance from impending doom. That is what Christ has done for us. Dead in trespass and sin. Guilty of rebellion against the creator, under the penalty of death but He has rescued us. He has broken the power of sin in our lives. He has released us from the chains that bind. The message of salvation is the message of freedom and deliverance. And Paul’s advice is stand firm in that freedom and don’t ever be enslaved again.
2. Gospel freedom refuses to allow any compromise in the message of grace. (1:6-9)
It is at this point in most of Paul’s writings he praises the recipients for their faithfulness to God. Not so with the Galatians. Instead there is a stinging rebuke because they have abandoned the message of grace. (As an aside note he addressed this concern to the congregation. Not the elders, or deacons or leaders or even the false teachers – but the congregation.)
Why is Paul so agitated? Because to tamper with the Gospel is to tamper with the souls of men. It you lose the Gospel you lose everything.
Why is Paul uncompromising on this point? Because of his background as a Pharisee. He had lived under the bondage of legalism. He spent his whole life trying to be righteous, seeking God’s approval. It left him empty and unfulfilled. Then God’s grace came upon him on the Damascus Road. The chains of legalism and bondage to rules and regulations were broken. He was not about to sit idly by and allow the churches of Galatia to be enslaved by a gospel, which is no gospel. There is a time for compromise but this is not it. There is no room for compromise when dealing with the essence of the Gospel. We must fight the urge to add to the Gospel. We must resist the temptation of implying that you must believe and…
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, to the glory of God alone – period!
But wait a minute. If you preach that – if you say it is all of grace and no works. That it is faith in Christ plus nothing – not the church, not baptism, not living a certain way won’t that lead to anarchy and chaos? What happens to the church? What happens to mutual accountability and responsibility? If people really believe this Gospel won’t that result in everyone doing their own thing and thinking they can just live any way they please?
We’re worried we will lose control. Because we’ve forgotten the third thing I want us to note in our text…
3. Gospel freedom tames even its most ardent opponent. (1:10-24)
1:10 = an important disclaimer.
- 1:11-14 = a little biographical summary. Something happened. Something dramatically altered the life of Saul of Tarsus.
- 1:16-24 As a result of the power and grace of God his life was changed forever. The change was so dramatic he became the talk of the Christian world. It was so dramatic it caused people to look beyond Paul and give praise to God.
Old things passed away and all things became new. The things he once hated he now loved and what he loved he now despised. He who once sought to destroy the church was now its most potent evangelist. He no longer needed rules, regulations or rituals he was now bound by a gracious freedom.
Are you here without Christ? I have good news for you. There is a glorious new life awaiting you. It is yours by grace. You don’t have to strive, you don’t have to labor, and you don’t have to change. But I warn you – you’ll never be the same.
If you are a Christian it’s not about control. It’s not about keeping people in line. It is about preaching Christ and allowing God to police His own. I’m not saying that holiness and righteousness do not matter. I’m not saying, “Trust Jesus and live however you want.” I am saying legalism – whatever its form – is deadly to genuine faith. I’m saying let’s preach Christ and allow the Gospel to do its transforming work. I’m saying, In the midst of sweeping changes and declining numbers the church must fight the urge to cling tenaciously to tradition and rediscover the wonder of God’s grace and the stabilizing influence of Gospel freedom.
Posted in Galatians, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on The Wonder of Gospel Freedom
The Fear of God
A Wednesday evening Bible study. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, January 7, 2009.
Posted in Non-Series, Sermon Podcast
Comments Off on The Fear of God
Entering Our Sabbath Rest
An exposition of Genesis 2:1-3. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 4, 2009.
Introduction
Have you noticed we live in a hectic world? You’re thinking, “Duh? This guy’s brilliant.” Of course you’ve noticed that. Everybody is busy. We all acknowledge we’re too busy. We don’t have time to do what we do and yet there is more to do. School, work, ball games, clubs, organizations, church activities. Most of us have our week planned for us with each day full with just our routine schedule. What do we do about things that come up? What about the unexpected? Add to our hectic schedules the fact that our world is changing rapidly. There was a time when things changed gradually if they changed at all! Now everything changes – with little or no notice. Add to the restlessness of our busy schedules the inner turmoil that rages in the heart of the average person. Do you think we have enough to worry about? We worry about keeping our jobs; we worry about the safety of our children. We worry about the stability of the political climate in our shrinking world. We worry about the economy. Is it any wonder that we have record numbers of emotional illnesses? Is it any wonder that heart disease and stomach disorders abound? If you’re concerned about your finances now might be the time to invest in Rolaids! What do we do? How do we turn things around? How do we find rest in this restless world? Well, maybe we’d better start at the beginning – literally.
Text: Genesis 2:1-3
We have a lot to learn from the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. There is far more present than meets the eye.
Do you remember the “Bible Code”? Whenever I’m asked about my response to the Bible Code I say I am far more concerned with what the Bible plainly says than any hidden messages encoded in its text. I’m not all that interested in whether the Bible has an encoded message about Adolf Hitler or the assassination of JFK. I am far more interested in folks knowing that the Bible makes it clear that there is an answer to our sin problem and the answer’s name is Jesus! Rather than searching for hidden messages through the use of sophisticated computer programs why not dig into the text itself and mine its treasure to feed our souls?
As we explore the opening words of the book of beginnings we discover that our God is the self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal God. He is creator of all that is. He is a God of order rather than chaos and the creation itself is good.
This evening we discover:
Thesis: The seventh day of creation provides insight into God’s plan and purpose for His people.
Reflected in our text are the two goals the Lord has in mind for His people – rest and holiness.
I. The plan of God includes rest for the restless.
The OT is preparation for the coming of Christ – the promised Messiah. The OT is full of symbols and pictures pointing to the reality – the Lord Jesus. What is the OT about? Christ.
Do you remember the Lord Jesus walking with the two on the road to Emaus? What did He talk about? Using the Scriptures He spoke of himself. What Scriptures? The OT!
Keep that in mind as we look at the text. What does it mean God “rested”? Took a nap? Dozed off? Didn’t pay attention? Was indifferent to what went on?
We know that it was not that God was tired. It is not that he was plumb tuckered out from all that creat’n. He is omnipotent. He doesn’t grow weary or tired. Neither does he slumber or sleep.
We also know that He is, in addition to being the Creator, the Preserver, Provider, Redeemer and Judge. He remains very active in His creation. Note there is no reference to morning and evening in day seven – no end to this Sabbath.
What does it mean then? God rested from the work of creation. It must also be noted the word used in Hebrew is closely related to the word for peace – an element I believe is important as we proceed.
Now turn to Exodus 20:8-11 this is the first reference to man joining in the Sabbath. This is the first command for him to do so. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Now look at Exodus 31:12-17. (Note sign between me and you. Note the connection with holiness.) Psalm 62:1,5 — Psalm 95:7-11.
“Wait a minute pastor, I think you’re stretching this a bit too far.” Look at Hebrews 3:12-15,19; 4:1-6.
The OT Sabbath was a picture. A picture of what? A picture of salvation in Christ. All of the OT rituals were pictures and allusions to Christ. The Sabbath was a picture of the fact that salvation is not the result of work. It is wholly of grace! Romans 4:5.
To enter into the rest of God we have to have our sin dealt with – Christ has done just that. As a result He, himself, is our peace. He is our rest. John 14:1, 27.
Now if God has purposed that His people should enter into this rest – why is it that a restless world will not run to embrace this rest? That brings us to the second thing in our text.
II. The plan of God provides sanctification for the wicked.
Holiness – that is why the world doesn’t want to embrace this rest. If you come to this rest – you come to God who is sovereign, omnipotent and holy! Sinners can’t find God for the same reason crooks can’t find police officers – they don’t want to find him!
Exodus 31:13 – “I am the Lord who makes you holy.” This is God’s plan and purpose for His people and has been since the creation of the world. That fact is reflected in the 7th day of the creation.
Posted in Non-Series, Sermon Podcast
Comments Off on Entering Our Sabbath Rest
The Never-Ending Faithfulness of God
An exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:9. This message by Andrew Hoyt was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 28, 2008.
Posted in Non-Series, Sermon Podcast
Comments Off on The Never-Ending Faithfulness of God
Living in Light of His Return
An exposition of Revelation 22:6-21. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 4, 2009.
Introduction
It’s history’s grand moment. It is the climax of world events. It is the believer’s blessed hope and the nonbeliever’s greatest nightmare. It dominated the thinking of the early church. It permeated their preaching and teaching. It informed and motivated their ethic. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is clear from the writings of the apostle Paul that the early church believed that the Lord could return at any moment. That thought excited and motivated them. Two thousand years later that thought does not dominate the thinking of most Christians. There are exceptions. There are the prophecy teachers who major on world events and the prophetic clock. But that is not the kind of thinking that dominated the early church. It was not a matter of “clock watching” but rather a lifestyle. They loved and longed for the Lord’s appearing.
For the last few weeks we’ve been looking at heaven through the eyes of John the beloved. John has given us a vision of what is to come. We’ve been ushered into the throne room of heaven. We’ve seen the Lord seated on his throne sovereignly controlling all things. We’ve seen the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that had been slaughtered – who alone has the authority to open the scroll and march history to its predetermined end. We’ve heard of the new heaven and new earth. We’ve heard of streets of gold and gates of pearl. As we come to the end of this vision – things seem a bit disjointed. It is as if John knows he needs to wrap things up but he has so much to say.
In some respects John is coming to the bottom line. You know what the bottom line is. You list all your assets. Subtract your liabilities and the sum is the bottom line. It tells you where you stand. When we talk about heaven we are not just talking about the beauty of that place. It is not just a matter of the glorious things going on there. The bottom line is that fact that none of that matters if you are not going!
The bottom line has to due with whether that is your eternal destiny. And if it is – are you living in light of going? Do you live each day in light of the Lord’s return?
Text: Revelation 22:6-21
What does it mean to live in light of the Lord’s return? If I’m living in light of his return – what will my life look like? From our text we note 5 characteristics of a life lived in light of our Lord’s return.
I. Living in light of His return creates an air of expectancy. (22:6-7)
Verse six tells us these things must “soon” take place. 22:7 – “Behold, I am coming soon.” Present tense – not future. Not – “I’ll be back some day” or “I’ll see you later” – but “I’m on the way.”
The early church was consumed with the thought that the Lord might come at any minute. They were convinced he would return in their lifetime. I’m convinced this is how we are to live. How would that effect your life? Would it impact your choices?
“Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Blessed is the one who is obedient. Blessed is the one who puts into practice the things discussed here. The point of the book of Revelation is not to feed our fascination about the future but to cause us to heed the commands of God today! It is not about drawing up charts of end time events but about living godly lives and lives of personal holiness.
II. Living in light of His return requires a worshipful spirit. (22:8-9)
The thought of heaven inflames our worship of God today. “Worship” = to kiss forward. It involves a show of affection and a sign of humiliation/submission. A study of heaven and our future ought to cause us to love God more and worship him with new depth. No other book of the Bible ought to cause us to worship Christ more than the book of Revelation. For no other book unveils the glories of the risen Christ more.
III. Living in light of His return demands a believing heart. (22:10-17)
Any study of heaven ought to make you want to go there. The reader is at a crossroads – a choice must be made. “Do not seal up the prophecy” is an appeal to take the message to the people. This is not a “secret” message. It is to be declared to the world.
IV. Living in light of His return demands clear thinking. (22:18-19)
A word of warning for those who would reject the message of this book. This is a simple, straightforward warning about tampering with the message of God. Not that different from the one Paul gives in Galatians 1:8-9. It is a serious matter to distort, delude or deny the truth about the second coming of the Lord Jesus or heaven.
V. Living in light of his return enables a confident hope. (22:20-21)
For the third time in this passage the Lord confirms the fact that he is coming soon. The word means quickly or rapidly. His coming is upon us. How am I to live in light of the Lord’s return?
• With an air of expectancy
• With a worshipful spirit
• With a believing heart
• With a clear mind
• With a confident hope
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Posted in Revelation, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on Living in Light of His Return
Christmas Is for Children
An exposition of Luke 18:15-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 21, 2008.
Introduction:
Christmas is a wonderful time. I love the sights, the sounds and the smells of Christmas. I love the music, the laughter and the joy – but most of all I love to watch the faces of the children at Christmas. My most vivid memories are those of my children opening presents. The wide-eyed wonder, the thrill and surprise of discovery and the joy of exceeded expectations. Nothing compares with a child’s fascination or sense of wonder. Everything is new and wonderful. In that sense it is true…Christmas is for children. Something was lost when our kids got older. Instead of racing in on Christmas morning eager to open presents they drug themselves out of bed, after the second or third urging, and made their way into the living room. They were still grateful and appreciative but it was just not the same. I can’t wait for grandchildren (no pressure, I’m just saying). But it is also true to say in a more profound way – “Christmas is for children.” That is if we understand what Christmas is all about.
Christmas is about God’s wild and extravagant love for rebels. It is about God’s reconciling love. About how God in grace and mercy sought out a people for His own glory. Christmas is about the gospel. The birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth. I’m not just talking about his being born of a virgin but the reason for his coming. He came on a mission. He came for a specific purpose. He came to redeem His people. Christmas is about the kingdom of God. What does the Kingdom of God have to do with children? That’s what we discover in the 18th chapter of Luke’s gospel.
Luke 18:15-17
Just prior to our text the Lord Jesus dealt with the question “How is a man made right with God?” In dramatic fashion Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee the other a tax collector. Both prayed. One left “justified” the other left under the judgment of God. The surprising thing was which was which! It was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who went home justified. From their example we learn that God rejects the pious claims of the self-righteous but graciously responds to the humble cry of the repentant sinner. That theme is picked up again and amplified in our text.
18:15 – Here we find that great crowds of people are bringing their small children to Jesus in order for them to be blessed. This was a common thing in Jewish culture. The disciples are a little miffed at the crowd for their intrusion. It is easy to rag on the disciples at this point but remember the circumstance. They are on their way to Jerusalem. They don’t want Jesus to go. He keeps saying he has to go. They are sure that the end result will be disastrous. He keeps talking about death and going away.
They don’t know what is going to happen but they are certain he doesn’t need to be bothered by a bunch of nagging parents and screaming children. So they rebuke these parents for their actions. “Leave the rabbi alone.” “Get that snotty-nosed kid out of here.” “The rabbi has important things to take care off he doesn’t have time for this now.” They were trying to protect him. They know that crowds regularly take advantage of his kindness.
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘ let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” Now Luke leaves out something that Mark says about Jesus’ response. In Mark 10:14 we learn that Jesus was “indignant” with his disciples. He was furious with them because of their actions. It is interesting to note when Jesus gets angry and what sets him off! “How dare you hinder their coming to me” – that was our Lord’s response.
Then he seized upon the opportunity to instruct them about life in the Kingdom. “Do not hinder their coming to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
These are strong words. Let the closing words of verse 17 sink in. “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” It is this way or no way. Could it be any clearer? Is there a simpler, more direct way to state it?
Thesis: “Entrance into the Kingdom of God demands simple, childlike faith.”
Now be careful we are talking about childlike faith not childish faith and there is a vast difference. Childish is a simplistic, silly immature believing. Childlike suggests attractive and admirable qualities of childhood such as innocence and trust.
In fact I think there are two characteristics of childlike faith reflected in our text.
I. Childlike faith is a helpless, dependent faith. (18:16)
Jesus did not say the kingdom of God belongs to these children or to children but those who are “like children.”
The kingdom of God belongs to those who are “childlike.” What is the quality of being as a child, especially those described in our text? The word used for the children is the word for infant. The parallel passages in Matthew and Mark talk of Jesus taking them in his arms. These are young children – babes, infants. What is the distinctiveness of an infant? They are helpless!
This is the objective state of every child ever born. Regardless of race, culture or background they are helpless. Even if it is your grandchild and he or she is brilliant – every infant is helpless and dependent! That is the nature of infancy.
That tiny beautiful naked little newborn with its arms flailing and feet kicking is doomed if someone doesn’t do something! I know he has your eyes and no doubt he is brilliant but the fact is he will not survive on his own. And unlike other creatures that helplessness extends for years. Just when you think they are growing out of that helpless stage they become teenagers and they are helpless again!
Jesus said if you desire to enter the Kingdom of God you must becomes as a little child. Every child born into the world is absolutely, completely, totally, actually helpless and the same is true of every child born into the Kingdom of God. Children of the Kingdom enter it helpless or they do not enter it at all!
If you enter the Kingdom of God it will not be because of your faithfulness to this or any other church. It will not be because of sacrificial giving to the work of the Kingdom through your tithes and offerings. It will not be because you’ve been a faithful husband or wife. Not because of the example you set for your children. It will not be because of your testimony among your co-workers or within your community. If you enter the Kingdom of God it will be because you came to Christ as a helpless child. It will be because of God’s undeserved kindness toward your helplessness.
II. Childlike faith is an unpretentious, accepting faith. (18:17)
Jesus moves from becoming “as a child” to “receiving like a child.” What are the elements of childlike receiving?
Pastor Kent Hughes suggests four characteristics of childlike receiving.
- Such receiving is one of unbelievable trust. Children trust others for everything – food, shelter, and clothing. Children are extremely trusting.
- Second there is genuine humility. Children don’t engage in the various forms of pride that we adults indulge. Unlike the Pharisee Jesus described in 18:11, little children are not proud of their virtues. A child does not battle self-righteousness in coming to Christ.
- Then there is a ready receptivity. Children know how to receive a gift – they take it! A child doesn’t bother to wonder whether he has deserved the gift. “Do I really deserve all this attention?” They take it because it is there!
- Finally there is unabashed love. Children easily return love for loving gifts. Enthusiastic hugs and kisses and multiple thanks are showered on the giver.
What does it require to enter the Kingdom of God?
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Posted in Advent 2008, Non-Series, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on Christmas Is for Children
A Politically Incorrect Christmas Message
An exposition of 1 John 5:6-13. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 14, 2008.
Introduction:
There was this seminary president, this Jewish rabbi and a Messianic Jew together in a television studio…I know it sounds like a bad joke but it was the setting for an episode of the Donahue Show on MSNBC back in August of 2002. Al Mohler from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Shmuley Boteach – the rabbi, and Michael Brown were on the program to “discuss” whether Jews were “going to heaven” or if they needed to be converted to Christianity. I was pleased that Mohler and Brown were the two representing our point of view because both are intelligent, articulate and gracious. Traits that were definitely needed given that the program quickly degenerated into an attack on historic Christianity. Mohler laid the ground work by saying, “Christians believe that all persons can go to heaven who come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no discrimination on the basis of ethnic or racial or national issues…it is those who are in Christ. The defining issue is faith in Christ.” He later said that all people are sinners and in need of a savior. He declared Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and man. He also pointed out that the Gospel is first to the Jew and then to the gentiles.
That position was said to be, “the cause of anti-Semitism; that it reeks of prejudice and stirs the soul to evil behavior.” The Christian Church was accused of, “trying to spiritually annihilate Jews by removing every last Jew on the face of the earth and converting them to Christianity and Jesus.” Those who believe this Gospel were declared to be “spiritual Neanderthals with repulsive, revolting views.” Evangelism was equated with “spiritual terrorism.” But that was just in the opening moments of the program. Things went downhill after that!
My point is we are living in a society that has already openly asked, “What does Christ have to do with Christmas?” Our culture has done its best to remove any hint of spirituality from the Christmas season. What is of greater concern to me is that an increasing number of folks seem to be asking, “What does Christ have to do with Christianity?” The biblical Gospel, the historic message of the Christian church is not only questioned, it is openly denied and despised! What is the church to do? How are we to respond to the growing animosity?
Thesis: Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.
Text: 1 John 5:6-13
The problem in our culture is there are those who want to gut the content of the Christian faith but then live according to its ethic – and that is not possible. The ethic is based on the content! In John’s day there were those who had “moved beyond” the simple truths of the Gospel to so called “greater truths.” They had moved on to a higher truth, into a secret knowledge.
In our text he addresses the historical context and makes some bold pronouncements about the Gospel. Truths that we must boldly proclaim today.
I. John identifies Jesus as the one true Redeemer. (5:6-8)
This is a difficult text – Plummer referred to it as, “the most perplexing passage in the Epistle and one of the most perplexing in the New Testament.”
The problem is first textual with some language found in the KJV in verse 7 that is not in the Greek manuscripts – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.” But the greater difficulty is with the wording, “who came by water and blood…”
I’m convinced this is a reference to His baptism (water) and his crucifixion (blood). Thus John is identifying who Jesus is. He is of divine origin – “this is he who came…” He is identified with man – “this is he who came by water…” He is the Redeemer – “this is he who came by water and blood…”
This is an emphatic statement. The repetition is there to drive home the point – to deny any one element is to deny the whole. If one element is missing – the others are incomprehensible. John states this in a rather forceful way. Note the testimony of the Holy Spirit – 5:6-8.
II. John sets forth the testimony that must be believed. (5:9-11)
John argues from the simpler to the greater. If we believe man’s testimony – surely we would believe God’s! John says we are accountable for this testimony – 5:10. This is strong language – to reject the testimony is to call God a liar! Note the simplicity of the testimony – 5:11.
What is John talking about in verses 9-11? He is talking about that inward witness of the Spirit in the heart of the believer. That witness that responds when we hear of the glory of Christ or the wonder of the Gospel. That thing inside of us that shouts, “Yes! I know that is true.”
When singing those great hymns of the work of Christ and that voice within says, “Amen!” But what if you do not have this witness? Then seek Christ!
III. John unapologetically proclaims that Jesus Christ as the only means of being made right with God. (5:12)
Any confusion or doubt is eliminated with verse 12. There can be no denying what John has been saying.
It is cut and dried. Our pluralistic culture, with its multiple paths to glory, demands that the church clearly, plainly and uncompromisingly set forth the biblical Gospel.
Salvation is found in Christ and in Christ alone. That’s not a popular message but it is an essential truth. It may be politically incorrect but it is the eternal truth. There is no salvation apart from this truth. Without it Christmas is without meaning.
Posted in Advent 2008, Non-Series, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on A Politically Incorrect Christmas Message
Responding to God’s Grace
An exposition of Matthew 22:1-14. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Bapitst Church on Wednesday evening, December 10, 2008.
Posted in Non-Series, Sermon Podcast, Sermon Series
Comments Off on Responding to God’s Grace