Constant Faithfulness of God

Acts 12:1-24

Introduction

Read Acts 12:1-24

E.g. Have you ever done anything where you look back in disbelief, shake your head & laugh at yourself

I think that’s how these believers felt about this event

“Can you believe we did that? Poor Rhoda”

I genuinely believe they saw humour in this

Whole passage is funny

There’s God steadily in control of everything

Then there’s people bumbling around looking like clowns

Always enjoyed this passage

So much to learn & grow with

Also, ends with a disgusting death

In the comedy of it there is great encouragement

Also shows how God enables His church to endure difficulty

How He prepared it to continue & grow without Apostles

No matter what goes on this world God is in control

While some try to defeat, resist & deny God – He faithfully pursues His purpose

While His people bounce between faith & confusion God faithfully pursues His purpose

We’re going to look at this passage around what I see as 3 key moments

Persecution (Acts12:1), prayer (Acts 12:5, 11) & purpose (Acts 12:24)

Persecution of God’s People

Acts 12:1-5

Persistent Attack on God (Act 12:1-3)

Satan doesn’t give up (Act 12:1)

Although persecution hasn’t been as intense since Saul’s conversion tension is growing

These events probably fit somewhere between Acts 11:26-27

Christians increasing relationship with Samaritans & Gentiles is making it harder for Jews to ignore

Satan may seem quiet at times but he never gives up – working quietly in background

We see it in our own society

Had several decades of ease – relative acceptance of Christians & Christian morality

That time is quickly disappearing

Saints suffer (Act 12:1-2)

Satan’s real foe is God but we are his target

Jews hadn’t been fans of the Herod’s but this Herod Antipas 1 (grandson of Herod the Great) had worked hard to ease tension

Herod the Great was ruler when Jesus was born & killed the children under 2

Herod Antipas 1 is more brazen & attacks the Jer. Church

More brazen than Saul – Herod goes straight for Apostles

Perhaps if leadership dies rest will fall away

James is the first Apostle martyred & only 1 recorded in NT

Interestingly, no attempt is ever made to replace him

Judas is only Apostle ever replaced – because of his apostasy

Seems church is always in some precarious position

Yet God continues to keep promise that gates of Hell will not prevail

Sinners rejoice (Acts 12:3)

Jews rejoice at murder of James

Heart of sin is rebellion against God

Brings joy to sinners when it looks like God is a loser

In our day, outright hostility to God & God’s people is growing

We have laws in Australia that prevent Christians for praying for people in need

In WA, Australian Christian Lobby was denied use of Government auditoriums because ACL opposed euthanasia, LGBTQI+ agenda, etc. & many applauded that decision

Persistent Faithfulness of God (Acts 12:3-4)

Peter is imprisoned

Herod sees advantage & takes it

Throws Peter in prison during Passover celebrations

By waiting till after feast days he gets full effect of massive crowds in Jer

Clearly intend to kill him too

This is where comedy starts

4 guards for 1 man – max security prison

2 chained to him & 2 at door of cell

Perhaps they remember Acts 5:19 & don’t want to take chances

Peter miraculously escapes prison before & they think they can stop that with more guards

While Herod, Jews & believers are scrambling about there’s a straight line that runs through this passage

Reveals exactly where we’re going with this today

It’s straight line that runs through history

Begins at Acts 12:1 – persecution & it runs straight through to Acts 12:11

God intervenes (Acts 12:11)

His people pray

Peter recognises that despite what anyone tried God did exactly as He pleased

No power of hell nor scheme of man can alter God’s purpose

That straight line runs through Acts 12:11 directly to Acts 12:24

Disciples increase (Acts 12:24)

God accomplishes His purpose

His Kingdom advances

Instead of crushing God’s work it grows stronger, mightier, greater

Prayers of God’s People

Acts 12:5-19

Pray Fervently (Acts 12:5-7)

Churches pray (Acts 12:5)

As far as Luke is concerned prayer is in the nature of the believer

When a baby is born, it cries; when a sinner is born again, he prays. (Nathaniel Vincent - Puritan)

Constant = persistent, earnest, fervent

Good example of meaning is Lk. 22:44

In garden Jesus prayed more earnestly

Sweated drops of blood

This is prayer of hard work

This is the prayer of Jas. 5:16 – hard working prayer that has great power

Early church knew how to pray – seen amazing answer to prayer

Probably been gathered for prayer for days

Don’t know what they were praying for

Doesn’t seem like praying for this miracle

Perhaps they were praying for deliverance

Perhaps praying for boldness, strength to face trial

Perhaps praying for church after losing James and apparently soon Peter

Maybe comfort & peace

That God’s will would be done

What is clear is that this generation of Christians don’t pray like they did

In countless surveys majority of Christians admit their prayer life is non-existent

Prayer is like breath – without it we die

God’s people rest (Acts 12:7)

Probably what Wesley based verse from And Can It Be? on

Wesley rightly gives sense of wonder & awe

As I read this I can’t help but laugh

E.g. Reminds me of trying to wake up your children for school

Peter is in cold prison on hard floor, chained to 2 soldiers & expecting to die & he is fast asleep

Apostles really could sleep anywhere

Why? Peter trusted God

No doubt intercession of saints helped

Think about the things that keep you awake at night – what does that say about your faith?

Sleepless nights don’t always mean lack of faith

Paul says care of God’s people often kept him up at night

Truth is we often lose rest (not just sleep) because our faith is weak

When you pray for people in difficulty pray for rest, pray for sleep

Prayers Get Answered (Acts 12:7-19)

God is powerful (Acts 12:7-11)

Some people want to believe Christians bribed guards

Acts 12:11 – Peter knew it was God

He’s still half asleep, has to be reminded to get dressed & put shoes on

Chains release, walks past all of the guards

Before auto doors existed the door opens automatically

This was no Jason Bourne / John Wick escape – Peter thought he was dreaming

Herod can’t stop God, soldiers can’t stop God, prison doors can’t stop God

If God want’s Peter free that’s what happens

Doesn’t matter what trials or oppositions come in your way they can’t stop God doing His work

Doesn’t mean that God always delivers

James didn’t escape the sword

Nothing can stop God’s work

God’s power is often surprising

God often answers our prayers in ways that blow our minds, completely unexpected

God’s people are weak (Acts 12:12-19)

Goes to Mary’s house

Mary is mother of John Mark who is Barnabas’ cousin

Enemies of God are too weak to stop Him

Sometimes our faith is weak & wavers

Acts 12:7 – not just an angel but says “an angel of the Lord”

Not the Angel of the Lord

Emphasises angel is sent by direction of the Lord

God is personally active

I am sure they laugh about this later

Gathered, praying for Peter – God powerfully answers prayer & they don’t believe it

Peter’s outside gate trying to get their attention without waking up neighbours

Tell poor Rhoda she’s crazy

Acts 12:16 – imagine looks on faces

Acts 12:17 – Pete has to remind them to be quiet

Sometimes, we pray with good intentions, full hearts & yet still linger in doubt

At back of our mind we wonder will God really give anything according to His will?

God didn’t ignore their prayers because they didn’t think He would free Peter

God exceeded their faith & grew it

Was it right to pray for God to heal my dad’s cancer?

Yes, I can but I sometimes doubted He would

Even though God didn’t heal does that mean a miracle didn’t take place? No

Prayer of faith isn’t believing that God will miraculously do what I want Him to do

Believes that God will do what needs to be done & lives will be changed

Sometimes James dies & other times Peter lives

Every time God works miracles, changes lives, strengthens faith

Not called to pray for our desired outcome but His

Doesn’t mean that if you don’t pray big enough God want answer in a big way

God regularly exceeds our expectations

Purpose of God is Accomplished

Acts 12:20-24

Give God Glory (Acts 12:20-23)

We love praise

Peter tells them to tell James - Brother of Jesus

Part of how God keeps continuity of Church through persecution & transition

For his safety & church safety Peter flees

Needs to get out of Herod’s domain

RCC used to say went to Rome – didn’t

More likely ended up somewhere like Antioch in Syria

Herod, apparently needs a holiday after this & goes to Caesarea (Roman capital of Palestine)

Don’t know how dispute with Tyre & Sidon began

After some bribery, sanctions end

They relied on Palestine for food

Probably coinciding with a celebration of Caesar they honour Herod

Josephus records this event also

Between him & Luke we get a pretty clear picture of what went on

Herod had clothes woven with silver (Acts 12:21)

In morning sun he shined radiantly

They flattered him by calling him a god

Herod enjoyed it & encouraged it

Don’t we all love praise?

It’s that desire that’s at heart of our problems with God

We’re not prepared to give Him the glory we want for ourselves

Don’t mock God

Josephus attributes Herod’s death to divine judgement just like Luke does

Why did Herod die? He tried to steal God’s glory, usurp God’s authority (Acts 12:23)

Herod couldn’t keep Peter in prison & yet believed he should be praised as god

We can’t keep our own lives in order & yet we want to tell God how He should act

Galatians 6:7–8 “7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Herod’s end is horrible, disgusting & painful

Josephus – excruciating pain lasted 5 days

Docs suggest he probably died of Tapeworm cyst rupturing

His end isn’t funny but it is laughable

Psalm 2:1–4 “1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.”

You might not proclaim yourself as god like Herod

If you haven’t believed Christ as Saviour you are certainly living as if you are god

Nothing good will come of that

God Will Advance His Kingdom (Acts 12:24)

You can’t stop God

Herod thought he could fight God

Satan thinks he can fight God & win

You can’t fight God & win

God’s purpose will continue

He will do what He intends to do

Gospel will multiply

What is His intention?

Spread the Gospel to ends of earth

Call out a people for Himself & save them from destruction

Nothing anyone does can hinder God’s work

Every attempt to destroy it just multiplies it

Conclusion

In a world which seems to be a mess, twisted in every direction – God stays His course

In a world where we, His people, stumble, lack faith & get confused – God stays His course

Not because He’s blindly stubborn but because He’s in control

He has a purpose in this world & it will be accomplished

He intends to save people from sin

To rescue us from self-worship & free us to worship Him

Christian life is a life lived to serve & worship God not self

No matter how good I think I am, how strong I imagine myself to be I have no control over this world

God does

Will you let go of your desire to be in control & submit to the one who does control all things?

Believe God that you are a sinner & that Jesus can forgive

Believer find confidence in God’s constant faithfulness

Though at times it seems like evil will overpower God is in control – He will intervene & fulfil His purpose

So, pray. Pray fervently

Don’t worry if you’re praying right words or if you’re praying bold enough

Seek God & His will, pursue God & pray

God will answer your prayer