WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.359 Please turn to Acts chapter 12. This is a passage for everyone who is feeling weak and powerless and overwhelmed. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:21.519 ! Anyone like that here? 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:22.320 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.840 And the Bible allows us into the mind of God so that we can see ourselves and we can see one another and we can see the world as God sees it. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:45.460 It's wonderful. Amidst lots we don't understand, it's still wonderful. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:58.719 And as we go through the book of Acts, what is wonderful is to see that our brothers and sisters in the early church, they are struggling and weak and powerless and overwhelmed. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:06.140 They are suffering with great uncertainty and yet they are trusting God and seeing the hand of God. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:12.200 If you look at chapter 12, we are just going to go through it and then I want to draw two big applications at the end. 00:01:12.960 --> 00:01:21.579 If you looked at the first 22 verses of Acts chapter 12, you would think there is absolutely no hope for this new movement. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:27.560 That the Christian church would be extinct before too long, that they are weak, they are powerless, they are ineffective. 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:32.319 And that they are in danger of being totally overwhelmed by their enemies. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:41.500 But in verse 24, the writer, Dr. Luke, he steps up to 50,000 feet and he summarises what is really going on. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:47.579 Verse 24, the word of God grew and multiplied. 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:52.439 It's the third time Dr. Luke has used that phrase. 00:01:52.539 --> 00:01:56.819 He's got up to 50,000 feet and he's given you a summary of what's really going on. 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:00.179 Just keep a finger in chapter 12 and turn back to chapter 6. 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:05.759 Some of the words change and some of the tenses change. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:15.920 But we read in Acts chapter 6 and verse 7 that the word of God continued to increase and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:19.080 And a great many of the priests became obedient to faith. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:24.060 And the second time he does it is in chapter 9 and in verse 31. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:27.560 Chapter 9 verse 31. 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:33.060 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:39.360 And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:43.500 And then we come to the third summary in chapter 12 and verse 24. 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:48.659 Since the Holy Spirit came upon the church there, there's been growth and expansion. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:50.800 3,000 people on the first day. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:55.159 5,000 people a couple of chapters later in chapter 5. 00:02:55.419 --> 00:02:58.080 And then the gospel goes outside of Israel. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:02:59.900 Outside of Judaism. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:02.000 Cornelius, the Gentile. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:04.199 And to Antioch, this global city. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:05.680 To the Greeks. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.860 Chapter 13, Paul is going to begin his first journey. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:11.580 Missionary journey around the world. 00:03:11.580 --> 00:03:23.880 But before we get there in chapter 12, Luke shows us that the Christian gospel and the Christian leader faces bitter, violent, vicious opposition. 00:03:25.480 --> 00:03:26.680 Precisely because of the word of God. 00:03:26.720 --> 00:03:28.140 Let me remind you of the first five verses. 00:03:29.540 --> 00:03:36.300 About that time, Herod, King Agrippa, laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 00:03:36.760 --> 00:03:40.680 He killed James, who was the brother of John, with a sword. 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:44.760 And when he saw that that actually pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:50.480 He doesn't want to be distasteful, so he waits until after the unleavened bread. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:52.520 This was during the days of unleavened bread. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:58.900 And when he'd seized Peter, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him. 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:02.200 Intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.060 So Peter was kept in prison. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:07.700 That earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:16.099 We need to be really clear that the chapter begins, doesn't it, with the senseless, grisly murder of the Apostle James. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:20.060 And the Apostle Peter is arrested. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:27.439 And the full expectation is that he'll be dragged out of prison tomorrow and he'll receive the same treatment as James did. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.740 Herod has all the cards. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:34.160 A Herod has all the power. 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:36.399 He's got the backing of Rome. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:42.160 And as you move through chapter 12, his power only seems to grow. 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:44.860 Until you get to the coast. 00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:48.579 And he arrives at Caesarea. 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:53.339 And there he's proclaimed at the end of the chapter as a god. 00:04:54.659 --> 00:04:56.339 But he comes to a very sticky end. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:59.740 I was really disappointed I didn't hear anybody laugh when we read verse 23. 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:05.199 Luke provides some really helpful detail there, which we'll come to in just a moment. 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:10.899 But I want you to see that Luke begins the chapter with Herod in power. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.919 Dealing death to the church. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:20.779 And the chapter ends with Herod having lost power and having been dealt death. 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:26.079 And I think the question it forces upon us is this. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:26.879 Who is God? 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.859 Who really is God? 00:05:29.979 --> 00:05:31.219 Where is the real power? 00:05:32.679 --> 00:05:33.859 Is it Herod? 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:37.879 Or is it the invisible, risen Jesus Christ? 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:43.040 So when you start in verse 6, Peter looks like a dead man. 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:46.879 He's in a maximum security wing. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:50.860 He's got four squads of guards. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:54.379 Two guards are shackled to him on either side. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:56.600 And two more are outside the door. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:00.779 In the morning, there's going to be a mock trial. 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:04.819 And then he's going to be put to death by some awful means. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:06.639 And yet somehow in verse 6, 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:08.680 He sleeps. 00:06:10.479 --> 00:06:11.819 I'm not sure what to make of that. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:15.060 I'm a few blocks away. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:16.599 What's the response of the church? 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:17.319 Can you see that? 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:18.639 What is the church doing? 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:19.959 I mean, what do you do 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:22.479 when one of your leaders, one of the apostles, 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:24.240 has been dragged off and brutally murdered? 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.099 It looks hopeless for Peter. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:27.399 Hopeless for the church. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.839 It's got no political clout. 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.259 It's Herod Agrippa we're talking about. 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:36.639 You can go to the British Museum and find out about Herod Agrippa. 00:06:37.719 --> 00:06:41.899 Do you know that Herod Agrippa was a close personal friend of Caligula? 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:46.639 And when Caligula died, Herod ensured that Claudius became emperor. 00:06:48.359 --> 00:06:49.739 And so what can they do? 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.779 This really influential man. 00:06:52.739 --> 00:06:53.339 Verse 5. 00:06:54.179 --> 00:06:55.539 They make earnest prayer to God. 00:06:55.659 --> 00:06:56.279 Earnest prayer. 00:06:57.659 --> 00:07:00.759 There's nothing cool about their praying. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:01.719 Nothing mechanical. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:05.459 Nothing casual about their prayers. 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:09.959 And the word means intense and constant. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:14.099 I think it's the same word used of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:07:14.739 --> 00:07:16.919 Prayer is not their last resort. 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:18.479 It's their first resort. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:22.539 And what prayer says is this. 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:28.379 We do not recognize Herod to be the ultimate authority. 00:07:30.359 --> 00:07:33.639 We are going to take this case, Herod, to a higher court. 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:42.439 What do we do for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted in Korea or Sudan or Nigeria? 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:46.579 Well, the first thing we do is prayer, isn't it? 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.180 What do we do when the government brings in rules which we think are against the word of God? 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:53.959 What do we do? 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.599 First of all, we pray because we recognize as Christians there is a higher authority. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.579 In the middle of the night, verse 7, God gives them more than they were asking for. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:07.120 An angel of the Lord appears in the cell. 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:10.959 I want to just point out to you there's nothing cuddly about this angel. 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:14.459 There's nothing soft and sentimental about him. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:19.899 In fact, in verse 7, the word literally is he whacks Peter on the side. 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:21.479 He's obviously a heavy sleeper, Peter. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.919 It's a forceful blow. 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:27.740 It's a whack on his side and he orders him to get up. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:32.560 He has more effect than I do on my children in the morning. 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:36.100 The chains fall off. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:38.560 He orders him to put his shoes on. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.560 Peter is obviously groggy, isn't he? 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.080 The angel has to tell him, put your clothes on. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:46.740 And he orders him to follow him. 00:08:47.280 --> 00:08:48.700 He turns around the angel. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:50.320 He marches off like a sergeant major. 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:51.620 Peter is in a deep sleep. 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:53.400 He's a bit fuzzy in his head. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:54.980 He walks out of the cell. 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:56.500 The chains have fallen off. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:02.040 The door opens before him and Peter walks past the second set of guards. 00:09:02.680 --> 00:09:03.740 And then the lock up. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:04.980 And those guards. 00:09:05.780 --> 00:09:08.160 And the great big gates that open out into the city. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.700 They open before the angel. 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:13.680 And as Peter gets into the street, the angel disappears. 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:18.040 It says, doesn't it, he came to himself. 00:09:18.140 --> 00:09:18.860 You can imagine it. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:24.960 He realizes it is real because he's got a pain in his side from the whack. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:28.140 And we read in verse 11. 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:32.360 When Peter came to himself. 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:33.460 That's a lovely little description. 00:09:34.900 --> 00:09:37.879 I'm sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod. 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:38.860 And from all the Jewish people. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.420 What they were expecting. 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:42.240 Now why does God do it this way? 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:46.720 Why does God wait until the very last minute to rescue Peter? 00:09:49.420 --> 00:09:51.620 When you watch God in the Bible. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:53.820 And particularly here in the book of Acts. 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:58.660 Everything that God does is to encourage the faith of his people. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:01.620 And to demonstrate that he is God. 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.700 That is the way God works with us. 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:10.020 So for many of you, isn't it, he takes us out of our comfort zone. 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:15.980 He takes us way past where we feel it's even fair to take us. 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:19.060 He takes us beyond our resources. 00:10:19.660 --> 00:10:20.900 Beyond our abilities. 00:10:21.160 --> 00:10:23.759 So, we might learn to trust him. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:28.080 And I take it that's why the angel burst through the doors. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:36.860 If you've sent an angel, it would have been easy, wouldn't it, for God to just have picked up Peter and transported him to the upper room. 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:50.620 But the angel is showing Peter, isn't he, that every single obstacle, every gate, every power that humanity can try to hold you with, falls in the face of God. 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:57.740 And Peter comes to his senses and he runs off to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. 00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:59.419 It's some house, it's a big house. 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:03.060 There's an outer courtyard with an outer gate. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:06.840 It's likely the place where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:12.779 It's likely the place that the apostles were praying when the Holy Spirit fell upon them. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:20.879 John Mark's mum, the Mark who wrote the Gospel, is about to join Paul on his first missionary journey. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:26.199 And there's this lovely scene, isn't there, in verse 13, where Peter knocks on the gate. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:34.399 And young Rhoda, literally rosebush, young Rhoda comes running down the stairs. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.480 She doesn't open the gate immediately because it's dangerous. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:38.639 Who's there? 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.100 Peter. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.139 Peter? 00:11:43.079 --> 00:11:49.799 She recognises the voice and in her excitement she runs back up the stairs to where the church is praying. 00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:52.079 And she says, Peter is here. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:53.220 Peter is here. 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:57.379 She leaves Peter standing at the gate outside on the run. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.959 It's the middle of the night. 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:03.959 And I'm guessing the church has been praying a very long time. 00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:09.480 And they're probably feeling that their praying is entirely futile. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:16.320 They say, we pray and we pray and we pray and nothing has changed. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:23.800 I mean, didn't we pray for James when he was arrested and look how he ended up. 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:28.179 And this isn't in the text, alright. 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:35.299 But I'm guessing that as Christians they had a bit of a discussion about what to pray for. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:41.279 I suspect in that room there were people praying for different things. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:48.120 There were some who were no longer praying for Peter's rescue. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:56.879 They were praying, Lord, when Peter gets executed, may he be brave and bold and speak the word with courage. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:13:00.620 Did you often find that when you're with groups of Christians? 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:04.679 Do we pray that God would act dramatically? 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.019 Maybe we're a bit nervous of that. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:11.860 Or do we pray that we would accept whatever comes from God's hands? 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:19.439 And I think that's probably why when Rhoda breaks into the room with her news, they say, 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.460 You're a maniac. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:22.899 You're nuts. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:33.659 But we know, don't we, and when God's people pray, he is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. 00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:38.559 And when we pray, God gives us more than what we were praying for. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:43.620 The angel of the Lord makes one more appearance in the chapter from verse 20 onwards. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.319 This time it's on the coast up in Caesarea. 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:50.360 And King Herod Agrippa is furious with this town of Tyre and Sidon. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.299 He's fed up of them. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:58.259 These cities are in his territory, but in a way they're kind of outside of his territory. 00:13:58.579 --> 00:14:01.500 They're wealthy cities and they're certainly not being compliant. 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:06.259 They're not doing what Herod Agrippa wants, but they have a weakness. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:10.079 They depend on Herod's territory for food. 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:14.879 And so Herod arranges a kind of gastronomic siege. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:15.959 Cuts off the food. 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:19.420 He's going to bring them to their knees. 00:14:20.920 --> 00:14:23.759 And everything falls into Herod's hands. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:27.100 There are a couple of bad harvests. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:34.600 And the leaders of Tyre and Sidon, they humble themselves and they come to Herod begging. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.759 And King Herod is the kind of man who rubs their nose in it. 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:44.460 Herod is one of those people who is absolutely unbearable. 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:49.800 You know those kind of people who everything falls into place for them effortlessly. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:56.219 His ruthless cruelty to Christians only seemed to make him more popular. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.839 And even the crops and the weathers seemed to side with him. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:05.680 It must have been very, very difficult for the Christians back in Jerusalem. 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:08.200 Who are already fearful for their safety. 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:13.360 It just seemed that Herod, this tyrant, his power is growing and growing and growing. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.840 And what on earth is God doing? 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:22.879 That God allowed Herod to raise up more prominently. 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:27.639 But he did it so that he re-brought down more clearly. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:32.319 If you go to Israel today, you can go to Caesarea. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:36.779 And you can walk into the amphitheater where this scene happened. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:41.720 Herod gathered all the leaders of the people of Tyre and Sidon. 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:45.059 All the leaders there so that they would worship him. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:54.100 The Roman historian Josephus tells us that Herod Agrippa had a special robe made for himself for the occasion. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:57.740 And the robe was made of silver. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.840 And so he stood in a particular position. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:07.920 So that the sun, when it came up in the morning, the sun would shine off his silver garment and dazzle the crowd. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.659 Isn't that great? 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:13.180 He harangues the crowd with his speech. 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.879 He revels in his victory. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.779 And then we read verse 22. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:21.059 The people were shouting, the voice of a God and not a man. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.839 The voice of a God and not a man. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.339 Verse 23. 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:28.779 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:32.819 Because he did not give God glory. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.679 And he was eaten by worms. 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.879 And breathed his last. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:46.480 You might be interested to know that there are very long books written on intestinal worms of the near ancient east. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.980 That seem to afflict Herod. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:53.899 Josephus tells us that it took Herod a couple of days to die actually. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.059 And I can provide you with those titles if you're interested. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.840 What's important. 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:08.700 What's important for us is that Luke tells us it was an angel of the Lord that struck Herod. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.559 Smote him down. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.660 It's really interesting. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.799 It's the same word. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:20.620 And the same word that struck Peter to wake him up. 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:29.680 And delivers Peter for life is the same striking that strikes King Agrippa. 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:32.959 And judges him for death. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.480 And so the question is who is God? 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.819 Herod thinks he is. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.679 He's got the power. 00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:40.319 He's got Rome behind him. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.679 And everything runs his way. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.980 But by the end of the chapter. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.679 He is brought down. 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:46.839 Literally being eaten alive. 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:49.319 In a very un-God like manner. 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.299 Why? 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:53.959 Because he did not give glory to God. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.959 All who exalt themselves. 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.379 Jesus says. 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.179 Will be humbled. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:03.259 All who humble themselves will be exalted. 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.579 It's a great chapter. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:09.179 I want to conclude with two things. 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:12.119 That Luke points us towards. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.480 Two things that have to do with. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:18.019 Really the church's relationship. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.720 To the culture we live in. 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.039 And the community we're in. 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.199 So two questions. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.139 First question. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.679 Whose opinion matters? 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:34.640 It's a really interesting relationship. 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:35.500 In the book of Acts. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.500 Between the church. 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:40.519 And the surrounding community and culture. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:43.420 And when the church begins. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:47.039 And they enjoy the approval. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.599 And the goodwill of all. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:53.539 And the Christian witness is admired. 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.420 The miracle in the temple in chapter 3. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.319 It gets a terrific response. 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:03.700 People are glad these people are around. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:07.679 Even after Ananias and Sapphira. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:12.700 People hold the church and Christians in high esteem. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:17.299 They're valued, respected members of society. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:20.779 But that gradually changes. 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:24.740 With the martyrdom of Stephen in chapter 7. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:27.980 The tide begins to turn the other way. 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:32.019 And instead of having the admiration of the crowds. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:34.519 The community turns against the Christians. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.740 And the church becomes the target of persecution. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:41.099 What changed? 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:45.359 Did Christians drop the ball? 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:49.740 Did they suddenly become nasty and unattractive? 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:53.059 Did the preaching change? 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:55.900 No. 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.960 As you look through the chapters. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:01.440 And they continue to live godly, generous lives. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:05.559 What had happened was that those outside the church. 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:07.420 Began to understand the message. 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.600 And from now on. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.820 From Acts chapter 7. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.220 Until the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.980 The gospel goes forward. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:20.160 And the church goes forward. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.580 In the face of deep opposition. 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.640 When you think. 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.500 Throughout history. 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:29.080 The church and the culture. 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:31.160 Track closely with each other. 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.820 For a while. 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:35.040 The church enjoys peace. 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.400 And popularity. 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:38.060 For a time. 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:41.540 By far the majority of the times. 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.740 The paths diverge. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.960 And Christianity is misunderstood. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.220 And it is disliked. 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.600 And sometimes it's persecuted. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.200 And I need to say to you this morning. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.800 It is not always possible. 00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:55.860 To hold the goodwill. 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.720 And the approval. 00:20:57.040 --> 00:20:58.040 Of the surrounding community. 00:20:59.100 --> 00:20:59.800 And the culture. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.819 And be faithful to God. 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.680 Because God is God. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.339 The goodwill. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.619 And the approval of the community. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.940 Is not actually in our hands. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.659 To control. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.139 It's not as if. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:18.100 We were really nice. 00:21:19.520 --> 00:21:19.920 Somehow. 00:21:20.280 --> 00:21:20.340 That. 00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:22.340 The community will love us. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.820 Think about what happened to the Lord Jesus. 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.860 How did Jesus finish up? 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.920 Jesus. 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.720 Was rejected. 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.660 And killed. 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:37.500 And so it will be for us. 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:40.980 We might not like this. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.240 But the normal. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.519 Operating mode. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.039 For the church of Jesus Christ. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:48.099 Is in the midst of disapproval. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:50.200 And opposition from the community. 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:54.099 It's not as if the community. 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.819 Is as wicked as it could be. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.539 Or they hate Jesus. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.079 Or hate Christians necessarily. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.460 Look at Herod. 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.859 Herod didn't hate Christianity. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.420 Herod's a pragmatist. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.220 Look at verse 3. 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:09.440 Herod read the current moods. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.100 Of the society brilliantly. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.240 He played the crowd. 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.140 Do you see that in verse 3? 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:16.100 Herod had his focus groups working. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.019 He discovered. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:20.160 That if he was to violently persecute the Christians. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.400 It would increase his popularity. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.640 His motive in persecution. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.120 Was to gratify the people. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.980 He wasn't driven by hatred. 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.500 Or a religious zeal. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:32.360 His motivation is a private one. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.860 His cruelty is the direct. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.920 The result. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:38.319 Of the unpopularity of Christians. 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:41.440 And his own personal desire. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.559 For popular approval. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.279 And that's why he's trying to wound the church. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.860 That's why he's trying to silence the church. 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.660 It's all to make him popular. 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:53.440 That's why there's nothing kind of monochrome. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.799 About persecution and suffering. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.660 Often it just comes from. 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.420 The individual character involved. 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:01.640 So think of Nero. 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.160 In AD 64. 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.880 In the famous fire of Rome. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.940 He burns Jerusalem. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.860 He burns the city. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.039 And the people hate him for it. 00:23:13.080 --> 00:23:15.360 So he tries to find a scapegoat. 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:18.100 And he looks at this new minority of Christians. 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.840 And he blames them. 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.539 Put several thousands to death. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:25.279 And so if God is God. 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:28.539 It is not the opinion of Herod that matters. 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:33.099 And it's not the opinion of our community that matters. 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.359 But God's alone. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.720 Second and the final point as I finish. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.059 It's this. 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.859 Who's under threat? 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:45.379 You can read Acts chapter 12 at one level. 00:23:45.479 --> 00:23:45.779 And you can say. 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:47.439 Well the church is under great threat. 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:47.879 Isn't it? 00:23:50.479 --> 00:23:52.079 And they've got nothing to offer. 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:53.799 Against this violent opposition. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:57.119 Except the weak word of God. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:00.539 And the powerlessness of their prayers. 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.240 And the church seems. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.639 Doesn't it? 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.439 Weak. 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:05.719 And foolish. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.719 And unimpressive. 00:24:08.219 --> 00:24:08.759 Same today. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:11.699 Herod holds all the cards. 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:16.959 And even though Herod had all those resources at his fingertips. 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:19.099 The chapter finishes at this point. 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.639 With the word of God growing. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.079 And multiplying. 00:24:24.459 --> 00:24:29.959 The Bible's view is that the word of God is a living, breathing reality. 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:32.859 That can progress. 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.779 And can multiply. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.299 And grow. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.959 In times of prosperity. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.200 And in times of persecution. 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:42.579 It really makes no difference. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.799 To the growth of the word. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:49.000 What is really happening when James has his head chopped off. 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:51.299 Or when Peter is arrested. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:55.180 Is that the word of God is growing and progressing. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:25:00.779 What is really happening when the angel rescues Peter. 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.359 And when the church is praying. 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:06.139 It's that the word of God is growing and progressing. 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.140 What is really happening. 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:12.280 What is really happening in the politics of Herod Agrippa I. 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.420 And his death. 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:16.220 Well it's that the word of God is growing and progressing. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:20.539 Well I think that's really encouraging to me. 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:22.160 And it should be really encouraging to you. 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.640 Because it's not the church that's under threat. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:30.100 It's the community. 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:32.360 It's the powers that be. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:36.300 So let me say this. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.680 When Christians pray. 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.940 And proclaim the word of God. 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:42.540 It is. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:47.200 An enormously dangerous thing to the status quo. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:51.880 God who acts in answer to our prayers. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.620 The word of God that is spoken. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:01.660 Sometimes people picture the book of Acts. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.220 As a kind of tug of war. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:06.500 With God on one side. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.640 And those who oppose it on the other side. 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:12.180 But the problem with the tug of war illustration. 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:14.900 Is God is not like a big strong man. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.180 On the other side of the rope. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:21.039 Is like a kind of NASA rocket. 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.799 Pulling off. 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:26.340 Taking off in the other direction. 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:30.440 And Herod does not lay siege to the gospel. 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.740 It is Herod who is under siege from the gospel. 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:37.360 And that's exactly what Jesus meant isn't it? 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.420 When he said to Peter. 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.180 You are Peter. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.140 And on this rock. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.799 I will build my church. 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.539 And the gates of hell. 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.380 The powers of death. 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:46.180 Will not prevail against it. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.640 It's the powers of death. 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.539 That are under siege from the church. 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:56.639 One last reference. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.019 You might be a little bit nervous. 00:26:58.139 --> 00:27:00.720 What does he mean by this kind of a threat to the community? 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.680 It doesn't sound particularly attractive. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.119 Does it? 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.579 What does he mean by that? 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.519 So one cross reference. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.180 Come with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:12.519 I haven't got a church Bible. 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.779 So someone shout out a page number. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.480 2 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.680 9, 6, 8. 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:19.259 Page 9, 6, 8. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.400 2 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:23.080 Here's the last cross reference. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.920 And look at verse 3. 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:26.500 2 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 3. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:34.319 Page 9, 6, 8. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.839 For that we walk in the flesh. 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.400 He's speaking of the church in Corinth. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:41.619 We are not waging war according to the flesh. 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:47.680 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.680 But of divine power. 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:52.700 Of God's power to destroy strongholds. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:55.680 We destroy arguments. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:28:00.039 And every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:04.519 And take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:09.380 And so our weapons as a church, what are they? 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.220 Love. 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:12.900 Faith. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.480 Hope in Jesus Christ. 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.519 What are our weapons? 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:20.259 Our weapons are prayer. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.259 And the word of God. 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:25.600 Holding one another to obedience to Christ. 00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:31.080 And Paul says, these are so powerful they destroy strongholds. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:34.059 It's the picture of a siege, isn't it? 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.840 There's a stronghold. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:40.720 And it is destroyed by love, faith, hope, prayer, the word of God. 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:45.880 And the love of Jesus Christ crucified. 00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:48.740 And it enters the city and it takes every thought captive. 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.340 That we may serve him. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:55.480 And so as I finish, I want to say this very, very clearly. 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:57.619 It's really important that we understand this. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.879 The church must not. 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:04.199 The church must never have a siege mentality. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:07.160 And so the gospel is under threat. 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:14.160 The gospel is not under threat any more than the risen Jesus Christ can be under threat. 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:16.519 God is still God. 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:30.440 And I think the way that we demonstrate that is for us to pray and to proclaim and move forward with the good news of the Lord Jesus. 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:33.799 With love, faith, faith, and hope. 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:39.140 Trusting that it is God who will grow and multiply his work. 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:40.160 Let's pray.