Give Glory To God

Not trying to frown on them or question faith. My point is that some of them point up to God after a triumph and yet live in public sin the rest of the time.

We’re not only supposed to point up to God in a moment of triumph. Our entire lives are to point people to Jesus Christ! Do they?

The idea that we are to bring God glory is not a new one. It is not even a NT idea.

Israel was given this command in (S).

1 Chronicles 16:24 NKJV

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Part of Israel’s responsibility was to declare the glory of God!

The NT reveals that believers also exist for His glory. (S).

Ephesians 1:12 NKJV

that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

The very purpose of our salvation is the glory of God

It is therefore a big deal to take any glory for ourselves.

puts things into perspective (S).

Isaiah 43:7 NKJV

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

All called by God are created and formed for His glory. Proverbs tells us that He has made all things for Himself.

Why is God obsessed with His own glory? Ever thought about that?

Ever thought about that?

Is He narcissistic? Selfish? Self-absorbed?

I believe that when we are done this morning we are going to be convinced of a truth.

Here is the truth.

Our highest good, and therefore our highest aim, is to bring God glory.

Now, what happens when we do not?

This passage explores that a little bit.

However, there is another element here.

God is preserving and protecting the church.

We will answer two questions today. First of all.

Why do we give Him all the glory?

There is a second question that goes along with that.

What does this passage teach us about the glory of God?

The conviction that we exist for the glory of God changes how we live.

Revealed in this passage are four reasons to give glory to God.

Give glory to God…

1. Because Glory Is His By Right Of Preservation v. 20

READ v. 20

We mentioned last week that God was setting Herod up for judgment. In vv. 18-19 we saw Herod interrogate and kill the guards. He then left for Caesarea.

I want to read a commentary note about Herod that helps us understand his actions in this passage.

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire The Absence of Strength in God ’s People (Vv. 1–5)

To understand the persecution cited in this text, we need to understand what King Herod was like. His father, Aristobulus, had been murdered by his own father, Herod the Great, the ruler who had ordered the slaughter of innocent babies at Christ’s birth. After the death of Aristobulus, the Herod of Acts 12 was sent to Rome to be educated, and there he grew up as a close friend of the imperial family. He was something of a playboy, and in A.D. 23 he fled to Palestine to escape his creditors. In Palestine he lived in humility and poverty under his uncle, Herod Antipas.

Upon his return to Rome, he was imprisoned by the Emperor Tiberius for some critical remarks he had made. His life had hit bottom. But then Tiberius died, and Herod’s childhood friend, Caligula, came to power—not only freeing him from prison, but giving him a gold chain weighing as much as his iron fetters in prison. Soon Herod was named ruler of some Palestinian provinces. When another childhood friend, Claudius, succeeded Caligula, Herod became ruler of Judea and Samaria. Murder and intrigue had been the currency of his entire life.

Herod was preeminently a politician. When he was with the Romans, he did as the Romans did. Though he was Jewish only by race and not by conviction, when he was with the Jews he acted like a Jew. The Mishnah records that during the annual procession bearing the firstfruits to the temple, “when they reached the temple Mount, Agrippa the king [Herod] would take his basket on his shoulder and enter as far as the Temple Court.” He would do anything to maintain his popularity with the Jewish people. However, he saw Jewish Christians as divisive and believed their activities would disturb the people.

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire A Final Word

As a result of Peter’s deliverance, Herod had the apostle’s guards executed and left town himself for Caesarea, perhaps because of embarrassment.

So Herod is a chameleon who tries to blend in. He is trying to make the Jews like him. His failure with Peter has made him throw a hissy fit and leave town.

Now, why did we read all that and put everyone to sleep? Because we need to understand that the events in this chapter haven’t happened in a vacuum. Herod acts the way he does because of the pressures he is facing. We all do this.

Pressure tempts us to act in ways that get us into trouble. That is what happens with Herod.

He goes down to Caesarea and while he is there the people of Tyre and Sidon come to him. We are not told the cause of Herod’s anger toward these people because it is irrelevant to the story. However, this does give us another clue as to his character. These are coastal cities supplied with grain and fruit by Herod. They make him angry, he cuts off their food supply!

This group of people are awarded this audience because they had an inside man in the person of Blastus. It says they had made him their friend.

Having made – πείθω (peithō) persuade; convince. To cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action.

Having made – πείθω (peithō)

These people have persuaded and coerced Blastus into being their friend so that they can ask for peace. Their motivation is the provision of food that they enjoyed from Herod.

These are the divinely appointed circumstances in which Herod will face the judgment of God.

We see the glory of God here in His sovereignty.

None of this is happening by chance! God is orchestrating these events to display His glory and to strengthen His people.

There is another important consideration here. Where does food really come from? God! Turn to .

Psalm 104:13–15 NKJV

He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

God is the one who does all of this! Glory belongs to Him because He is the one who preserves us! Already the people of Tyre and Sidon are in error because they are looking to Herod to provide for them!

The temptation in our society is to look to government or the church or a side hustle (job) or parents or friends to provide. While those are tools God may use, ultimately God is the one who preserves us! Because of His preservation, all glory belongs to Him!

These people are coming to give glory to the wrong person! We dare not make the same mistake.

make this really clear (S).

Colossians 1:16–17 NKJV

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

These people are coming to Herod worried about the food that will preserve them. Where do we turn for provision and preservation?

God is the one who holds all things together!

Here is our lesson.

God preserves the believer for His glory.

Are we giving Him the glory for His preservation of us? How would this look? One easy way is to pray and thank Him for food.

We give glory to God because it is His by right of preservation.

The people of Tyre and Sidon come to Herod mistakenly thinking that he is preserving them.

Reason #2. We give glory to God…

2. Because Glory Is His By Right Of Ownership vv. 21-22

READ v. 21

Herod sits on his throne to give a speech.

Throne – βῆμα (bēma) judgment seat. The physical seat (and surrounding structure) upon which a ruler or judge sat to issue official decisions.

Throne – βῆμα (bēma)

This would be a frightening experience for those from Tyre and Sidon. Herod is sitting in judgment and giving a speech. We see how they responded to the pressure this created in the next verse.

READ v. 22

These people come eager for Herod’s acceptance and approval. And so they elevate Herod to the position of god.

Beloved, we can be just as guilty of this. Not that we would call someone or something else a god. But we treat it as such.

Let me illustrate this: Where do we turn for approval and acceptance? To Christ first? Or to others. To what do we give the best hours of our day? When down and discouraged, do we turn to the Lord or to someone or something else? Where we spend our time and our resources reveals where we have placed our hearts!

After honest evaluation of our lives, what holds our hearts?

I believe we all know what should. More than that, we know who should.

The people of Tyre and Sidon come to Herod thinking that He is in control. That he is their master and king. For the believer in Jesus Christ, we have a different master, a different king! (S).

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are purchased possessions of the King of kings! We have been bought with the precious blood of Christ ()! We are not our own! God is the one in control. Look at (S).

Romans 11:36 NKJV

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:30 NKJV

For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,

“God is the source from which all things come, the means by which all things happen, and the goal toward which all things are moving. He is the originator, sustainer, and finisher of everything ultimately (cf. ).”[1]

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 4. Praise for God’s wise plan 11:33–36

God is the source from which all things come, the means by which all things happen, and the goal toward which all things are moving. He is the originator, sustainer, and finisher of everything ultimately (cf. Col. 1:16). In view of all these things (vv. 33–36), He deserves all glory forever.

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture

Is He being glorified in our lives? Or do our actions shout that something else is our god?

says (S).

Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .We are His people and the sheep of His pasture

Psalm 100:3 NKJV

Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

As those redeemed by the blood of Christ, we must understand. God’s glory is our highest good.

God’s glory is our highest good.

Why? He is the creator. As the designer and creator of all things, God has the right to determine their function and purpose.

There are many passages where this is seen. One of the greatest is . As we read various verses in this chapter notice the things God says about Himself. Notice the “I will” statements of God. Notice the statements of being.

vv. 5-9, 12-13, 18-25.

God created us, formed us, has chosen us and rules as sovereign Lord over our lives.

As those owned by God, we give Him glory.

These people come to Caesarea because they think Herod is in control.

We give God glory because it is His by right of preservation and right of ownership.

Reason #3. We give glory to God…

3. Because Glory Is His By Right Of Being v. 23

READ v. 23

The only other place this word “struck” is used is in the description of Moses striking the Egyptian.

The moment Herod neglects to give God the glory, he is struck by the angel.

The word “angel” means messenger. God has a message for Herod, a message for the people before him, and (I believe) a message for the church. What is the message? “I will not give My glory to another” ().

This verse is explicitly clear about why the angel strikes Herod. He did not give glory to God! And so, Herod was eaten by worms and died.

Eaten by worms – σκωληκόβρωτος (skōlēkobrōtos) eaten by worms. Worm-eaten, infected with a type of parasitic worm; probably one that is visible to the human eye.

Eaten by worms – σκωληκόβρωτος (skōlēkobrōtos)

This is the only place this word appears because it is super specific. This is a very gross description.

Herod is giving a speech, the people are proclaiming that he sounds like a god, and suddenly parasitic worms visibly pop out of his flesh and eat him to death.

The Jewish historian Josephus also records this same event. So we have extra-Biblical testimony as well. Not that we need it, but sometimes it is just cool to see how historical record always agrees with Biblical truth. Josephus tells us it took Herod 5 long days to die as the worms ate him.

Why does God do this? Because of who He is. He doesn’t share His glory.

Who is He. For answer to that question we turn to the only book in which He has revealed Himself, the Bible. Turn to .

Psalm 46 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

This is just a small piece of who God is. Yet even this small piece is beyond our comprehension! He speaks and the earth melts! He gives refuge and strength!

Elsewhere we learn in Scripture that He is holy (; ); He is righteous (); He is merciful (); He is gracious (, ; ); He is everlasting (:); He is changeless (); and He is love (, ). To get just a glimpse of the awesome power, majesty, and glory of God turn to the end of the book of Job. After all of Job’s friends have made accusations and Job has refuted them, God speaks. In chs. 38-39 He asks Job a series of around 60 questions to demonstrate His sovereign power. Job answers in .

Job 40:4–5 NKJV

“Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

God isn’t done yet. He picks up in 40:7 and asks a series of questions followed by powerful statements then more questions, and more statements all the way through the end of ch. 41. record Job’s response.

Job 42:2–6 NKJV

“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

God is the maker of heaven and earth! He is the King of Glory! The Father of Lights! The God of all comfort! To Him all glory belongs because of who He is!

He takes His glory seriously, because glory only belongs to Him.

Because God is God, we give Him glory.

Herod tried to take some of the glory that rightfully belongs only to God. He died for it.

We give God glory because it is His by right of preservation, by right of ownership, and by right of being.

Reason #4. We give glory to God…

4. Because Glory Is His By Right Of Purpose v. 24

READ v. 24

But. In contrast to Herod and his death, God’s Word did not die!

This seems causal. The death of Herod promotes the growth and expansion of the gospel. How? Herod had been persecuting the church, now that is at an end. Persecution also makes people curious. Also, the church now understands that vengeance truly belongs to the Lord and that in His will, He preserves and protects His people. The protection and preservation of God, give greater courage in preaching the gospel.

But. In contrast to Herod and his death, God’s Word did not die!

The death of Herod resulted in the Word growing and multiplying.

Word = logos. Message. What is the message? The gospel of Jesus Christ!

Acts: Crossway Classic Commentaries Verses 20–25

Luke’s purpose is not only to report what happened after Herod died, but also to convince us by this example that in every age God will do the same, so that the Gospel may break through every obstacle. The more the church is weakened, the more it will increase, through the heavenly blessing.

Word = logos. Message. What is the message? The gospel of Jesus Christ!

God removes Herod from his persecution of the church. This enables the church to do what God has called them to do.

Herod was trying to steal God’s glory while impeding the purpose of the church, therefore, God removed him.

This is HIS body. He sets our agenda. He accomplishes it.

This is all about the glory of God! The people of Tyre and Sidon come to Herod mistakenly thinking that he provides for them. In looking to him as their king they give him glory that only belongs to God! God strikes Herod down for taking His glory. As God displays His glory, He defends His church.

This is HIS body. He sets our agenda. He accomplishes it.

What does say (S)?

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Some quick lessons from this verse.

Christ is the rock that the church is built upon. - It is His church. - He is building it. - He protects it.

It is His church.

He is building it.

He protects it.

This is all about Christ! It is all about His glory! That is why we exist!

Part of building His church is protecting it.

Why does God deal this way with Herod?

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire A Final Word

God wants his people to rest in the assurance of his unchanging, constant power.

The reality that this is God’s church and He is building it takes the pressure for “success” off of us.

Does that mean we have no responsibility and so we do nothing? No!

What do we do? (S).

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

We must be faithful. Part of faithfulness is giving God the glory in all things.

The purpose of the church is the glory of God.

What does it mean to give God glory? It is to praise Him, recognize Him, promote Him, and point to Him in all things.

Conclusion

Where is your life pointing?

Where is mine pointing?

If someone were to follow my lead, where would they be going?

Does the patter of our lives draw people closer to Jesus Christ?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: Wake up to a Miracle! (Acts 12)

At the beginning of Acts 12, Herod seemed to be in control and the church was losing the battle. But at the end of the chapter, Herod is dead and the church—very much alive—is growing rapidly!

The secret? A praying church!

That is what a sovereign God does!

A God who is worthy of all glory guides, protects, and preserves His people.

In return we give Him all glory, honor, and praise.

We exist for God’s glory. Are we displaying it?

May He be glorified in His Church.

May He be glorified in each one of us.

Live for the glory of God in Jesus Christ.

Acts 12:20–24 NKJV

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

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