The Power of the Word of God
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· 10 viewsGod puts Herod to death for trying to steal his glory. Herod unable to stop the growth of the church. The Word of God.
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Acts is divided into 6 parts, each highlighting a specific stage of the growth of the church.
each stage of growth marks the gradual fulfillment of Jesus’ declaration in
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Each section ends with a unique statement about the relentless growth of the church.
How does the church grow?
How does the church grow?
the each gives a different aspect of how the church grew
expressed in two parts:
the word of God increased
the number of disciples multiplied greatly
- birth of church at Jerusalem at the powerful, life transforming preaching of Peter
the word of God increased
the number of disciples multiplied greatly
- the church’s spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and Galilee
this is biblical church growth!
as the word of God is proclaimed by Peter and the disciples their numbers grew exponentially
- the church’s spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and Galilee
the church multiplied as it walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the HS
- conversion of Saul and the judgment of Herod and the growth of the church as it spread to Gentiles
the word of God increased and multiplied as God sovereignly works to protect his church
- church in Asia Minor and Galatia
they increased as they were strengthened in their faith
- extension of church further west
the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily as God’s people turned from their evil practices
to end - Paul’s ministry in Rome and the spread of gospel even to the household of the Roman Emporer
summary statement: because the Jewish people for the most part rejected the gospel it was sent to the Gentiles who listened
to this day this reality is being worked out in the world
not until that future day when God rescues Israel from the nations which will join together to destroy it will the Jewish people open their ears
the number of disciples multiplied greatly
this is biblical church growth!
as the word of God increases the number of disciples multiplies
last week: we considered Jesus’ declaration in that he would build his church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it
though the church was growing rapidly and enjoying the powerful ministry of the HS believers often suffered fierce opposition and vicious persecution
Herod the king, appointed by Rome, was just one in what would be a long line of powerful enemies who would try to destroy the church
desiring to secure the favour of his overlords in Rome he ordered his Roman soldiers to physically assault many christians
he did this to placate the Jews
he also ordered the killing one of the apostles
he ordered Roman soldiers to physically assault many christians and ordered the killing one of the apostles to gain favour with Jews
if he could secure the favour of the Jews he thought those in Rome who appointed him would be satisfied
behind him Satan was trying to destroy the church (Eph 6:11-12)
is an excellent summary of !
God powerfully overruled Herod
he sent one of his angels to deliver Peter out of the hands of 16 soldiers
instead of killing Peter Herod ended up killing his own soldiers instead!
God answered the prayers of his people above and beyond what they asked or even thought!
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
today:
God’s judgment of Herod
the increase and multiplication of the church
the introduction of Saul, Barnabas and John Mark who would become the church’s first missionaries
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
the outworking of 2
God’s Judgment of a Powerful, Proud King
God’s Judgment of a Powerful, Proud King
Herod killed James, one of Jesus’ Apostles, with the sword
there are 2 “James” recorded in
one was the brother of John who was executed
the other was the brother of Jesus who was looked upon as the head of the Jerusalem church ()
Herod also attacked the Jerusalem church
“violent hands” - he ordered his soldiers to beat up believers
Acts 12:
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
angry = furiously angry
whatever the people of Tyre and Sidon had done it was extremely offensive to Herod!
it is likely that
his wrath greatly troubled them because they depended on his country for their supply of food
Tyre and Sidon had a long history of trading their merchandise for food from Judea
Solomon’s trade with region ()
although this region was outside of Herod’s control they depended on Judea for their supply of food
Cyrus’ grant in - food, drink and oil in exchange for cedar trees
Ez 27:17 - exchange of food for merchandise
remember the prophecy of a great famine made by Agabus in 11:28
it is likely that Herod restricted or cut off trade
remember that Herod was not above assaulting and killing innocent people in his quest to maintain his power and position (James & Peter)
knowing Herod’s track record of ruthlessness and recognizing that he had “all the cards” they sued for peace
“unanimous” - the people of both cities were united in their decision to appeal for mercy
they were willing to do whatever was necessary to pacify Herod
they tried to meet with Herod but were unable to secure a meeting because of Herod’s burning anger against them
so they persuaded Herod’s chamberlain
Blastus, the king’s chamberlain
personal servants were often the most trusted confidants of the rich and powerful
they were the ones who were most intimately involved in the day to day lives of their masters
“they came with one accord”
they were unanimous in their desire to humble themselves before Herod in their pursuit of peace
Herod set the date on which they were to come to him and accept his terms
21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
“the appointed day”
having dropped their grievance a day was set on which they were to meet with Herod to ratify their peace agreement
when Blastus convinced Herod to settle he set a time and a date for them to come to him to accept his terms
having dropped their grievance a day was set on which they were to meet with Herod to ratify their peace agreement
Josephus:
on that day Herod put on his royal robes
the Jewish historian Josephus says that Herod put on a magnificent robe made of silver
sun’s rays caused him to shine
presented himself to them as their king, the one who had power over them
presented himself to them as a great king, the one who had power over them
a victorious outing for him
Josephus: Herod put on a garment made of silver
sun’s rays caused him to shine
something of a victorious outing for Herod
Herod gave an oration
a long, rhetorical and pompous address
rhetoric: using speech to convince or persuade
given that they had come to accept his terms Herod was likely extolling himself and his achievements much the same way modern politicians do
Josephus the Jewish historian says that as Herod spoke the sun shone on his silver robe causing him to radiate its light
blinded by that light the people began shouting
22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
at some point in the oration, the sun shone on Herod’s silver garments and radiated the light
the people began shouting that Herod was not a man but a god
it’s possible the sun’s rays began to radiate off his majestic garment robing him in light
whether they were flattering him or were truly amazed at the bright light radiating from him they began crying out that his voice was that of a god
instead of rightly rejecting their praise he accepted it as if he deserved it
this was indeed a great victory for him
everything seemed to be going according to his plan
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
God’s response was immediate and terrifying
immediately
as the praise was given and accepted an angel struck him
the terrifying judgment: he was eaten by worms
the Greek word for “worm” probably refers to a tape worm which begins its life within a cyst inside its human host
the rupture of the cyst could cause sudden death
according to Josephus, Herod lingered for 5 days in terrible pain
at the height of his power and glory he suffered a shameful and agonizing death
though hailed as immortal he died as a worm infested man
his crime: he did not give God the glory
when praised by the people he accepted it as rightly his
this is the crime which every unbeliever commits! (Rom 1:18-23)
like Herod they too will be condemned if they do not repent
the miraculous punishment by the angel corresponds to the miraculous deliverance of Peter
in Peter’s case the angel was sent to rescue an heir of salvationi
in Herod’s case the angel was sent to inflict a just punishment on a man who attacked Christ’s church and tried to steal God’s glory
Herod’s attempt to take for himself the glory which belongs only to God is the same crime which every unbeliever commits! ()
like Herod all who refuse to humble themselves before God will also be condemned
the lesson from Herod’s life:
Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.
sin always takes us farther than we want to go
Sin always finds it’s root in our own selfish desires and self-gratification. (Joe Campbell)
God’s Word Cannot be Frustrated
God’s Word Cannot be Frustrated
Herod’s word was frustrated when Peter was delivered by God’s angel
Herod’s proud words were cut short
put to death by God for trying to steal his glory
Herod’s word was frustrated when he was cut down during his oration
God’s word increases and multiplies
Christ extends and protects his Church as its Lord and King, even though hell itself rages against it.
the church continued to spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire
though the Jewish leaders and the Roman King joined forces against the church they were unable to prevail against it
Christ who has all authority abides with his people (,)
God’s purposes cannot be frustrated by anyone, no matter how great and mighty they might be!
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
authority = ruling authority
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus has unlimited power to accomplish his purposes.
according to one of his purposes is that his name should go forth to all the world through the witness of his disciples
the wicked opposition of the Jews came to nothing
the power of Herod the King was destroyed
Herod was put to death in painful humiliation
Christ is king yesterday, today and forever
all this is encapsulated in Acts 12:24
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
contrast Herod’s proud speech with the word of God
Herod’s proud speech vs the word of God
Herod’s words were cut short
put to death by God for trying to steal his glory
God’s word increased and multiplied
all the might of the Roman Empire was not enough to stop the spread of the church
the word of God
why does Luke say the word of God increased and multiplied and not the church?
the church’s responsibility is to study the word, know the word and then take it to the world
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
let’s think for a moment about what God says about his word
What does God say about his word?
- the word of God = the counsel of the Most High
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Pet 1:23-
Acts 13:45-49 - the Jews repudiated what Paul and Barnabas taught them about Jesus
- the Jews repudiated what Paul and Barnabas taught them about Jesus
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
wherever Paul went on his missionary journeys he and those with him proclaimed the Word of God
-11 - for 18 months they taught the word of God, i.e. all that Christ commanded
1 Ths 2:13 - the word of God which is at work in you
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
- the living and abiding word of God
acts 11:1 - Gentiles received the word of God = message of Christ, salvation
- word of God is the seed in parable of sower
right after this John says, “do not love the world” - love the word!
- the universe was created by the word of God - cannot be accepted except by faith
faith and understanding go hand in hand
Christ’s purpose for his church cannot be frustrated, no matter how great and mighty those who oppose them might be!
after Herod was removed the word of God continued to spread rapidly
in spite of furious opposition the church continued to grow and multiply
nothing could stand in Jesus’ way as he built his church through the witness and testimony of his people!
why the word and not the church?
word of God n. — the content of the communications or documents produced by, and representative of, God and His mind; often of a specific portion or topic (like the Gospel).
word of God n. — the content of the communications or documents produced by, and representative of, God and His mind; often of a specific portion or topic (like the Gospel).
God’s word is living and active, inspired by the HS
- the Jews repudiated what Paul and Barnabas taught them about Jesus
wherever Paul went on his missionary journeys he and those with him proclaimed the Word of God
-11 - for 18 months they taught the word of God, i.e. all that Christ commanded
1 Ths 2:13 - the word of God which is at work in you
- the word of God is not bound (as Paul was writing from prison)
- the word of God = the counsel of the Most High
- beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God
- the living and abiding word of God
- the word of God stands forever
acts 11:1 - Gentiles received the word of God = message of Christ, salvation
- word of God is the seed in parable of sower
- 2nd stage of spir growth - young men overcome the evil one because the word of God abides in them
right after this John says, “do not love the world” - love the word!
- the universe was created by the word of God - cannot be accepted except by faith
faith and understanding go hand in hand
Jesus continues to build his church today and will do so until the day he returns in his glory
A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Acts Homiletical and Practical
He who beholds these ways of divine Providence with an eye of faith, will not only be cheered, but also be encouraged to follow the leadings of eternal love with confidence and joy; he may look forward, with an assured hope, to a happy issue of the trials which the Lord sends, however obscure their purpose may now seem to be.
as we commit ourselves to remain faithful to Christ and his word we can be sure of his power to sustain and prosper us
both Peter and Herod experienced dark providences from God
Questions:
Peter’s was sent from a loving Father for his good, the church’s encouragement throughout all ages and the glory of Christ
How does biblical church growth happen in the book of Acts? What role does the Word of God have in the growth of the church?
How do unbelievers behave like Herod in taking God’s glory for themselves? Am I guilty of this in the way that I live my life? Is God on the throne of my life?
Herod’s was sent from the Righteous Judge for his eternal destruction and the glory of Christ
How important is the Word of God in my daily life Monday through Saturday? How will this affect me, my family, my church family?