Fellowship Baptist Church
Glory to God Alone
- A. Rapport for the timeWhat do you desire more than anything else? At this very moment as you sit before the word of God? It is great question for us to ask ourselves. You can desire for the pastor to end early so that you may get to the restaurant before the Presbyterians. You could desire that God speak to you threw his word that you might be more complete in him this morning. Your desire could be man centered; meaning around yourself or you might just desire the things of God.B. Reading of the text
Acts 12:20–25 ESV 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. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 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. 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.C. Review of the textAs we come to the end of chapter 12 we are coming to the end of the focus of on Peter and will transition to the work of Paul starting in chapter 13. If you remember last week we witnessed the escape of Peter from a prison cell. It was not like any prison break that you and I have heard on the news lately. This was a God saving Peter from death at the hand of Herod after he had already killed James with a sword. Peter was released from prison by an angel of the Lord. Peter was chained to two guards and two more guards stood at the door on guard with 3 more shifts to make sure he would not just vanish.D. Relevance of the textWe finish chapter 12 this morning with the death of Herod who decided to take Glory for himself and it was what ended him. My hope this morning that you would desire your Lord more than anything else and to be a display of His Glory!I. Man’s desire for peaceActs 12:20 ESV 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.No mention as to why Herod became angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon but from what we learned about Herod Agrippa last week we know he was in this for himself. All we know is that the people of Tyre and Sidon rely upon Judea because they are port cities with little agriculture. Making it very important for them to be in good standing with Herod. There is one aspect of the passage I want you to notice. The desire of the people of Tyre and Sidon was PEACE with Herod. They are able to convince Blastus who is a member of the kings court like prime Minister to establish peace between them once again.Peace is a set of favorable circumstances involving tranquility; Well-being.This was the desire of Tyre and Sidon with Herod but this is often the desire of Man isn’t it? We will go to great lengths to keep the peace. That peace can be between nations, states, countries or just people themselves. Their is something in us that desires peace and even peace with God.we lack peace with our creatorWe will even deny he is our creator because of the peace we are lacking with himultimate peace both in this life and eternal life only comes from ChristJohn 16:33 ESV 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”John 14:27 ESV 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.Colossians 3:15 ESV 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,Philippians 4:7 ESV 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.T.S.II. Man’s desire for GloryActs 12:21–23 ESV 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 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.The Early historian Josephus tells us the appointed day was a festival in honor of Caesar in the year 44. The royal robes worn by Herod Agrippa that day were made of pure silver and glistened radiantly in the morning sun. As he addresses the large crowd they declare him go and not man!! The desire of Herod Agrippa’s heart has always been for this very thing. His desire to please the Jews has born out of a heart that wanted to remain in power. The desire of his heart was to be ruler and authority and to be seen as god. He didn’t correct the people and this led to his demise. But hear me the action was only out of what the heart desired already and that is what he is being judged by God for in this passage.God has been busy in ActsActs 5:12–16 ESV 12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.Acts 5:1–11 ESV 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.Acts 12:7–8 ESV 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”Acts (3) Herod’s Self-Destructive Arrogance (12:19b–23)He did not “give praise to God”—neither in his acceptance of the people’s blasphemous acclamation nor in his persecution of God’s people. Josephus spoke of acute pain in Agrippa’s abdomen. Luke said that he was “eaten by worms.”
You and I know nothing of peace and deserve no Glory. God alone deserves all he Glory for all that we do because he alone is God. They peace that we partake in is not our own doing it a work of God in our life and we are to be a display of that Glory to others.Exodus 33:18–23 ESV 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”Romans 3:23 ESV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Hebrews 1:3 ESV 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.John 7:22 ESV 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.Matthew 5:16 ESV 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Romans 8:18 ESV 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.Isaiah 43:7 ESV 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”1 Peter 4:11 ESV 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.T.S.III. God’s desire for ManActs 12:24–25 ESV 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.vs. 25—Barnabas, Saul, John MarkAdrian Rogers...God’s desire for us...Know HimJohn 14:9–11 ESV 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.Worship & Love HimJames 2:19 ESV 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!Put him firstMatthew 6:24 ESV 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.Obey HimPsalm 119:12–16 ESV 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.Love othersMatthew 22:37 ESV 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.All for the Glory of His Name!!!T.S - Down at the Cross
- Victory in Jesus
Acts 12:20–25ESV
Acts 12:20ESV
John 16:33ESV
John 14:27ESV
Colossians 3:15ESV
1 Corinthians 14:33ESV
Philippians 4:7ESV
Acts 12:21–23ESV
Acts 5:12–16ESV
Acts 5:1–11ESV
Acts 12:7–8ESV
Exodus 33:18–23ESV
Romans 3:23ESV
Hebrews 1:3ESV
1 Corinthians 10:31ESV
2 Corinthians 3:18ESV
John 7:22ESV
Matthew 5:16ESV
Romans 8:18ESV
Isaiah 43:7ESV
1 Peter 4:11ESV
Acts 12:24–25ESV
John 14:9–11ESV
James 2:18–19ESV
Matthew 6:24ESV
Psalm 119:12–16ESV
Matthew 22:37–39ESV
Fellowship Baptist Church
901-331-3074
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