How the Word of God Grows
Acts 12:1-24
Introduction””We”™re part of the Kingdom of God””a non-political, based in Heaven, Christ-following empire that has no earthly headquarters and reaches into every nation, every language, every sphere of geo-political diversity, and every economic strata. God Himself powers this Kingdom with the Holy Spirit and the simple Message of Jesus. And it is always on the move . . . whether perceived by humanity or not.
Matthew 13:31-32 [READ]
1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 23-25 [READ]
Matthew 16:15-18 [READ]
The church”¦ is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God”™s kingship.
– Lesslie Newbigin
*Every Christ-follower must “be bold and courageous to spread the word of truth and leave the outcome to God” (Piper).
HOW can we do this? By realizing just how sovereign our God is and what that means in our lives!
Turn to Acts 12 (we”™ll read as we go this morning).
Our God is sovereign over . . .
1. EXECUTIONS (READ 1-2)
Jesus to James and John: Mark 10:39””“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized.”
This chapter records the fulfillment of Jesus”™ prophecy that James would die because He was a Christ-follower.
James was martyred NOT because God couldn”™t save him, but because God had greater purposes for His own glory!
Philippians 1:14””“ . . . and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Tertullian: “We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is the seed of the church.”
Jerome: “The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it.”
The Summary of the 12th chapter of Acts is found in verse 24””“But the Word of God grew and multiplied.”
Life Lesson: Sometimes God works most when we perceive His presence the least. Sometimes difficulty and/or persecution reduce life to what is eternal””which for Christ-followers is spreading the Message of Jesus.
2. ESCAPES (READ 3-19)
God takes Herod”™s prize-prisoner right from under his nose!
Herod wanted self-exaltation, even if it meant persecuting Christians (verse 3). But God made a joke at this attempt of Herod”™s, in answer to the prayers of the church.
Piper: “Some bear witness through death, others through life . . . God sends His angel to show Herod that not even with four squads of soldiers (v. 4) can he keep the one God decides to free.”
Verse 24””“But the Word of God grew and multiplied.”
Life Lesson: According to His plans and purposes, God works in answer to the prayers of His people.
3. EATEN-BY-WORMS-DEATHS (20-23)
“An angel of the Lord”””earlier, to deliver Peter; HERE, to kill Herod!
Piper: “If a man lifts himself up against God, he becomes weaker than a worm. It is insane to commit treason against the Creator of the universe. You can”™t win!”
Daniel 2:21””“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings . . . .”
Daniel 4””Nebuchadnezzar”™s pride and God”™s power to humble him.
Life Lesson: God CAN handle those who oppose Jesus and His followers. That doesn”™t mean that He always will. But, if it fits His sovereign purpose, He can and will!
Conclusion””“God turned the tables entirely on all that Herod was trying to by killing James and arresting Peter””he made the word of God grow and multiply” (Piper).
Matthew 13:33 [READ]
A small seed, a pinch of yeast/leaven””a Christ-follower””a group of Christ-followers””that simply tells other the Message of Jesus . . .
The result? The Word of God grows and multiplies in the hearts and lives of those who hear and, by God”™s grace, trust Jesus as Savior with a faith that surrenders to Him as Lord/Master.