Sermon Recap
6/2/2013
Acts 12
Listen to past sermons at http://www.bridgepodcast.com . Watch past sermons at http://www.bridgechurchonline.tv
Don't fix it, just listen???
Running Theme: Speaking the truth in love can be the most empathetic response we could ever make!
Key Verse:
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. (Acts 12:23, ESV)
The Big Idea: If you oppose Jesus, you lose. If you stay with Jesus, you win.
Herod pursues idols
The Herods were non-Jews from Idumea. During the Roman occupation this family served as puppet rulers over the Jews. The Jews hated the Herods who are remembered for a family of violence, incest and political intrigue.
Family Tree:
Herod the Great—a skillful politician proclaimed king of the Jews by the Romans. He held this position at the birth of Christ (Mat 2:1). He slaughtered the children to try to annihilate Jesus. He rebuilt the temple to try to gain the favor of the Jews, but he also built pagan temples. He had several sons including: Archelaus (Mat 2:22), Antipas, Herod Philip II, and Aristobulus (father of Agrippa).
Herod Antipas—was the tetrarch of Galilee who divorced his wife to marry Herodias, his half-brother’s wife and also his niece. he executed John the Baptist and tried Jesus. He was eventually exiled by Emperor Caligula.
Herod Agrippa I—was installed by the Emperor Claudius as king over all of Jewish Palestine. Unlike most of the other Herods, he practiced the forms of the Jewish religion faithfully in an effort to maintain the favor of the Jews. This was the reason for his postponement of Peter’s execution (after the Passover) in Acts 12.
SEE Acts 12:1-2
Idols are things or pursuits that we give meaning in our eyes to more than God
Control Idolatry: I have meaning if I can control my ______________________.
What we seek: control (self-discipline, certainty, standards)
Greatest nightmare: uncertainty.
Others often feel: condemned.
Problem emotion: worry
SEE Acts 12:3-4
2. The idol of approval
Approval Idolatry: I have meaning if I am loved and respected by _______________.
What we seek: approval (affirmation, love, relationship).
Greatest nightmare: rejection.
Others often feel: smothered.
Problem emotion: cowardice.
SEE Acts 12:5-19
3. The idol of power.
Power Idolatry: I have meaning if I have power and influence over others.
What we seek: power (success, winning, influence)
Greatest nightmare: humiliation.
Others often feel: used.
Problem emotion: anger.
SEE Acts 12:20-25
4.The idol of comfort.
Comfort Idolatry: I have meaning if I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.
What we seek: comfort, (privacy, lack of stress, freedom).
Greatest nightmare: stress, demands
Others often feel: hurt
Problem emotion: whiny
God smashes Herod’s idols
• Herod receives judgment from the God he refused to glorify
• No power will ultimately triumph over God
Making it personal:
1. We are to live for the Glory of God.
a. Living for our own glory is fleeting
b. Fighting against God is silly
**Nobody stands at the base of a mountain and says, "Look how big I am!" Nobody stands at the edge of the ocean and speaks of their own vastness! So, why would we live in such a way with the God of all creation?
2. This does not mean that we will automatically have an easy life.
a. See Hebrews 11:32-40, Job 1
b. James was one of the intimate three (saw the transfiguration) and got the sword.
c. Peter escaped this time but not later
3. We should pray for other Christians.
a. The church prayed together
b. The prayer of the church was full of doubt
c. God answered a weak prayer
d. You might say that it was the angel brought Peter out, but it was prayer by the church gathered that brought the angel out.
e. We see the sovereign will of god aligning people up with his Sovereign purpose through the means of prayer!
4. It may look like defeat, but if we stay with Jesus we win.
a. God is never taken by surprise; He is always in control. We are called to follow Him in faith, with confidence, serving whether by death or by life.
b. "We may feel small and insignificant; we may think that we are overpowered when some of our best leaders are killed on a political whim. But the truth is: if we stay with Jesus, we win, and if we oppose him, we lose. So be encouraged. Don't be impressed by temporary worldly triumphs over the gospel. Be bold and courageous to spread the Word of God and leave the outcome to God." - John Piper
5. If we do not glorify God the wrath of God remains on us.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. – (John 3:36 ESV)
a. Herod received judgment from the God he refused to Glorify
b. If you reject Christ, God will reject you.
c. If God smashed Herod’s idols, what makes us so arrogant to think he cannot smash ours?
6. We can turn from our idols to Jesus.
a. Have you grown tired of chasing empty idols?
Our intro video (above) was called it’s not about the nail. Through a funny depiction we saw that it really was about the nail. You may be reading this today and you know the sin that you have turned to. You know, the one that you repeatedly give more importance to than God. No matter what your idol of choice is, it is time to turn from it and look to His nails.
You can find forgiveness, hope, love, and meaning by looking deeply at Christ’s nails. The nails He took to bring you home to God and release you from the vain pursuit of self. Yes, his nails can forgive, redeem, and redirect your life pursuit. How? He took the nails. Jesus took your sin judgment. And by his wounds you can be spiritually healed!
BUT, if you are proud, arrogant, and shrug your shoulders at God. Hear me. God will win.
And if you feel small, overpowered, outnumbered, and crushed underneath life’s circumstance. Never forget.
Jesus wins.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
