Sermon Tone Analysis
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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
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!
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
the outworking of 2
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:
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
“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
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