Herod's Death

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DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s the 18th day of November— Wednesday! Happy Birthday Ate Remi Penuliar

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we saw how Peter miraculously escaped from prison— from that we learned:

MIRACLES ARE HAPPENING EVEN WITHOUT US NOTICING

I WILL TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE LORD’S MIRACLES IN MY LIFE

Today we will be able to finish chapter 12 of the Book of Acts— Dr. Luke finished up chapter 12 writing the accounts of the death of Herod [Agrippa I]— Turn your Bible to Acts 12:19-24

When studying passages in the Bible, carefully ask yourself the right questions [what, where, when, who, why and how]— because by doing so, you will see timeless biblical principles applicable to our lives today— keep in mind the Bible said, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”— it’s God’s words that will transform us— understanding it is a critical part of this transformation

READ ACTS 12:19:24

BOOK

Acts 12:19–24 NIV

19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

WHAT: The Death of Herod [Agrippa I]

WHEN: 44AD— presumably shortly after putting James [son of Zebedee] to death and the miraculous escape of Peter from prison

WHERE: Judea to Caesarea [Northwest of Jerusalem] — SHOW MAP

WHO: King Herod [Agrippa I]— Blastus [Royal Secretary to Agrippa]— Such person generally had great influence with their masters

WHY: Because Agrippa did not praise to God

The narration of the work of the early church was interrupted by a narrative about Agrippa— this is for the purpose of showing how the persecution of Agrippa I against the church subsided

LOOK

THEY ASKED FOR PEACE

Tyre and Sidon are important cities in Phoenicia on the Mediterranean coast— it may be that Agrippa was in some sort of economic struggle with the cities and applied sanctions against them— affecting their food supply— so they sough the support of Blastus to secure an audience with Agrippa— they asked for peace

On the appointed day for Herod to talk to them— he wore royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a speech to the people— and perhaps to regain Agrippa’s favor— the people tried to flatter him— shouting...

THIS IS A VOICE OF A GOD, NOT A MAN

Because Agrippa did not give praise to God— immediately…— GALATIANS 1:10

AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM DOWN

He was eaten by worms and died— God will not share His glory with any other— ISAIAH 42:8

The nature of Agrippa’s disease is uncertain, but its effect is to judge Agrippa for his pride and to prove that we was certainly not a god— In contrast to the speech of Herod that brought on his destruction…

THE WORD OF GOD CONTINUED TO SPREAD AND FLOURISH

That is the proclamation of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the life in the Spirit— continued to grow and spread

Two things came clear to me:

TOOK

GOD WILL NOT SHARE HIS GLORY

GOD’S WORD IS UNSTOPPABLE

SING

Agape Worship Team— O Come to the Altar