2014.08.03 Acts 12:11- 25
A man is a fool to fight God
A man is a fool to fight God….. because His power can't be defeated….. His purpose
can't be frustrated….. and His punishment
can't be avoided…… This is what we will see this morning….. Here at CCWiesbaden we teach through
the Bible verse by verse….. Because we want to see the big picture….. We want to know and understand our great
God and Savoir…. the Lord Jesus Christ….. He is our hope and our salvation….
Let´s pick up where we left off in Acts…. We are witnessing the birth of
the church…. These are very exciting times….. People are repenting of their
sins and crying out to God for mercy…. Even the hated Heathen are coming to the
LORD Jesus… But times of persecution have also come to the church again as we
studied the first part of Chapter 12 last week….
Let´s continue in Chapter 12… v…11….
Acts
12: 11- 17 NKJV
11
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the
Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from
all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12
So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of
John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And
as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14
When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the
gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they
said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so.
So they said, “It is his angel.”
16
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they
were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he
declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said,
“Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went
to another place.
Acts
12: 11- 17 NeÜ
11 Jetzt kam Petrus zu sich. "Nun weiß ich wirklich,
dass der Herr seinen Engel geschickt hat", sagte er. "Er hat mich vor
Herodes gerettet und vor dem, was die Juden sich erhofften."
12 Als ihm das klar geworden war, ging er zum Haus der
Maria, der Mutter von Johannes Markus3. Dort waren viele zum Gebet versammelt.
13 Petrus klopfte ans Tor, und eine Dienerin namens Rhode
kam und wollte nachsehen, wer da wäre.
14 Als sie die Stimme des Petrus erkannte, lief sie
gleich ins Haus und rief: "Es ist Petrus! Petrus steht vor dem Tor!"
Vor lauter Freude hatte sie vergessen, das Tor zu öffnen.
15 "Du bist wohl nicht ganz bei Verstand",
sagten sie zu ihr. Doch sie behauptete steif und fest, dass es Petrus sei. Da
meinten sie: "Dann ist es sein Engel."
16 Aber Petrus klopfte unaufhörlich weiter, bis sie
schließlich aufmachten. Als sie ihn sahen, gerieten sie vor Staunen außer sich.
17 Doch er brachte sie mit einer Handbewegung zum
Schweigen und erzählte ihnen dann, wie der Herr ihn aus dem Gefängnis
herausgeführt hatte. "Berichtet das auch Jakobus und den Brüdern!",
bat er sie. Dann
ging er hinaus und verließ die Stadt.
verse
11, "And when Peter was come to himself," in
other words he stood out there in the middle of the street and he started to
think and he says…. this is not dream….
I´m free….
He knew the Jews
wanted him dead and he knew about Herod's plot….. He says……The Lord has delivered
me…. He is standing in the middle of the street……
He knows he is in danger… He knows if the soldiers wake up and look for him…… They're going to come running after him…. He
doesn't have much time……
verse
12….. And when he had considered….. This word in the Greek
means….. to see together…... It means to take all the
parts of something and see it together in perspective…... So Peter thought
the whole thing through, all of the spiritual ramifications, physical
ramifications…... What should he do? The first reaction would be get out of
town, right?..... Go and let God worry about confirming something to the
believers…… Just bail out…… But he began to look at it….. He said… I've got to
go to the believers tell them…… Why?
Those Christians were into persecution….. It was dangerous in Jerusalem….. The
church needed to know that their prayers were answered…. God had delivered
Peter from the hands of Herod….. God miraculously set Peter free again! They
needed to know….
You know what they needed more than anything? They needed two things……. First they needed
to know that God was in control……. Herod was not…. Secondly they needed to know
that God answered prayer…… They had been praying for Peter for a few days now…..
As we saw last week… They had
been praying fervently…. With Maximum
effort…. When the church is under
persecution…. They must have total confidence that God is in control…… They need to be certain that prayer was still being answered….. Peter knew this and was determined to
encourage and comfort the church… I've
got to go to see Them…. I've
got to remind them how powerful God is….
and that God answers prayer…...
Peter
went to John Mark´s mother´s house because he knew that that was where they
gathered…. where many were gathered together praying….. He
hasn't got much time…. He knows he's got to get out of town…… But first he
wants to see the church and encourage them… verse 13….. Peter knocks at the door of the gate…….. Rhoda comes to the door and hears Peter´s
voice….. She is so excited….
She
heard his voice and she opened not the gate for gladness….. She
got so excited she forgot to let him in…..
And what are they are
in the house having an all night prayer meeting for Peter…… …. Rhoda runs in
and says…… He´s here! The Lord has heard our prayers….. He's
at the gate…..
Peter is wondering why it is taking so long….. He heard
Rhoda´s excitement….. Where did she go? Rhoda… Open the gate…… Peter is standing
in the middle of the road….. and she's in there having a debate with the
disciples…. this is really funny….. Because these early disciples are like us Christians today…… We pray with great
effort….. But we are often surprised when the LORD answers our prayers…. We seem to lack the faith to believe…… Sometimes
we hear someone give their testimony….. And they joyfully say …. The Lord
answered my prayer…. We who hear them
speak are often in shock! What…. WoW! These disciples did not believe dear
Rhoda…. Look at verse 15….
verse
15…. Rhoda….. You're crazy….. That´s impossible….. That would be a miracle….
Really…?
Isn't that unbelievable…. Think of this…. They are
praying with all of their hearts….. Lord God please get Peter out of Jail….. Rhoda comes running into the room where the
are praying and says….. Peter's here! Rhoda…. you're crazy He's in jail…….
And so they wouldn't believe her….. "But she
constantly affirmed it was even so…… It is Peter….. Really…. He´s here!... They
said…… Well then it's his angel…..
verse
16….. Peter continued knocking….. So finally they came to the door……. "And when they had opened the door they saw
him and they were astonished…..
Happy and excited…. But too loud!
verse
17…..But he beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace…..
He tells them to be quiet…… "He declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison."
They all sat down and they said, what happened…..
Tell us….. And he starts telling them about it……
He told them all about what happened….. He was able to
bless and encourage them…. They needed to know what the Lord had done…..
He had heard their prayers…. God had miraculously delivered him…. They needed
ot know that the Lord had heard their prayers…. When you're in a time of difficulty…..
and you begin to pray and pray…. If
you don't see anything happen right
away…. We all have a tendency to doubt God….. In our text today….. God said, I want to remind you that I'm here….
And so God took the time to send Peter to
them….. To comfort and encourage them…. even though it was dangerous because… The LORD knew knew that those people needed to
know He was listening….. And that he answered prayer according to His perfect
will…… Herod had killed James…… But God did
not spare James' life….. God in
His sovereignty….. Chose to deliver Peter this time….
Peter came to that
house to show them that God's in control…… But Peter has to leave town…. He
doesn´t take time to go and see James…. The brother of Jesus….
He
says, "You go and tell this to James." This is James the brother of Jesus….. We saw Peter….
he was there…. The Lord set him free….
The Bible doesn't tell us where he went…… but the events of the early church shifts to
the ministry of Paul now…. We will only
see Peter in Acts 15 briefly…. The focus becomes Paul´s ministry…. Let´s look
at v 18…
Acts
12: 18- 20
NKJV
18
Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about
what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found
him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And
he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
20
Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came
to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their
friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by
the king’s country.
Acts 12:18- 20 NeÜ
18 Als es Tag wurde, gerieten die Soldaten in große
Bestürzung. Keiner wusste, was mit Petrus geschehen war.
19 Und als Herodes ihn holen lassen wollte, war er
nirgends zu finden. Da verhörte er die Wachen und befahl, sie abzuführen.
Anschließend begab er sich von Judäa wieder in seine Residenzstadt Cäsarea.
20 Damals lag Herodes im Streit mit den Bewohnern von Tyrus
und Sidon. Nun schickten diese eine gemeinsame Delegation zu ihm. Der Abordnung
gelang es, den königlichen Palastverwalter Blastus als Fürsprecher zu gewinnen.
So baten sie um Frieden, weil ihr Gebiet von den Lebensmittellieferungen des
königlichen Landes abhängig war.
Verse
18. "Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter." Can you imagine? Those
two guys woke up…… and there are the chains….. But Peter is gone….. And the gates are open….. If a soldier loses a
prisoner he pays with his life….. Herod was very angry…… His plans to use
Peter´s death for his own Glory…. has disappeared along with Peter….
Verse
19. "When Herod had sought for him…. They couldn't
find him…... He examined the keepers and
commanded they should be put to death….. Herod has learned that you can't
fight God…..
Verse
19……And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and abode." He was
really upset….. So he went down to Caesarea…..
Well he had learned a difficult lesson….. but he hadn't
learned it very well…… He learned that you can't fight God because His power
can't be resisted..... There is a second lesson coming to Herod…. God's
punishment can't be avoided…… God's power can't be resisted and His punishment
can't be avoided…...
verse
20…..And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon…..
Tyre and Sidon were two free cities north of Caesarea…...
Caesarea is on the Mediterranean Sea…. technically they belong to Syria……. They were
the neighbors of Galilee and of Herod's territory….. so there was a necessary trade
between them…….
Tyre and Sidon were very good sea ports….. But they were
very dependent upon Galilee….. Herod was
angry with them…. and he cut off all supplies and they were
hurting badly….. They were in trouble because they were running out of food…..
And they knew they needed to make peace with Herod……
So they came with one accord to him….. They all came to
Herod…… They said we want to make peace….. "Having
made Blastus, the king's chamberlain their friend."
Blastus was the
king's treasurer….. He had great power….
They came down to Ceseria to honor Herod and try to make
things better….. Pure politics here….
They decided that they do whatever they needed to do to
make peace…… They were desperate to get
their supplies back……
Herod was elated….
His pride took hold of him….He was very
glad to see two powerful cities bowing at his feet….. He decided to make a big event
out of the visit… He decided that everyone should see how super he was…. Look at verse 21…
Acts
12: 21- 25
NKJV
21
So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an
oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not
of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did
not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of
God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when
they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose
surname was Mark.
Acts 12: 21- 25 NeÜ
21 An dem Tag, an dem die Beilegung des Streits verkündet
werden sollte, hielt Herodes eine öffentliche Ansprache an sie. Er erschien
dazu in königlichem Prunk auf der Tribüne des Theaters.
22 Das Volk von Cäsarea schrie begeistert: "So
spricht ein Gott und nicht ein Mensch!"
23 Im gleichen Augenblick aber schlug ihn ein Engel des
Herrn, weil er sich als Gott feiern ließ und nicht Gott die Ehre gab. Von
Würmern zerfressen starb er unter Qualen.
24 Immer mehr Menschen hörten das Wort Gottes und kamen
zum Glauben.
25 Nachdem Barnabas und Saulus ihre Aufgabe in Jerusalem
erfüllt hatten, kehrten sie in Begleitung von Johannes Markus nach Antiochia
zurück.
Verse
20…. So he declared a special day of celebration and called
many leaders to stand before him……..
Verse
21, "And upon a set day Herod arrayed in royal apparel sat upon his throne
and made an oration unto them….. There before him was
gathered all of the leaders of Tyre and
Sidon….. They had come down to make peace with him….
Herod is dressed in his silver robe….. They say that
because of the silver thread….. It glowed in the sun….. He gives a speech….
Adoring and cheering crowds are everywhere…. They heard him give his little speech…..
Verse
22….. And the people gave a shout….. They're all screaming and
yelling and saying, "It is the
voice of a god, and not of a man." Man… Herod he loved every minute of
it…... But you know what? God shares His glory with nobody……. Watch the next
verse…….
verse
23…. And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him…… Why did he smite him? "Because he gave not God the glory…..
He was full of pride….. Persuaded of his own Glory….. And he was eaten of worms and died…... When
that angel touched Herod….. God filled him with worms….. Josephus says they ate
him for five days before he died….. Herod
in his pride and sin…. Fought God and His people….. He killed James but he
didn´t kill Peter….. Herod´s sin had reached it´s full measure…. God said….
That´s enough….. You are a dead man… He died the painful death of an
unrepentant sinner…. Filled with pride and rebellion….. What a tragedy….
Death
by Worms…. There is a history of this kind of painful
death for the unrepentant enemies of God….
Antiochus
Epiphanies…. Who sacrificed a pig on the altar… He defiled the Temple….. He also fell down
eaten of worms…… He died….
Herod
the Great…… who hated and tried to kill Jesus as a baby…. Eaten of worms…. He died…
Theritema
Queen of the Cyrenes…. Persecuted and hated God´s people….
Hermaneus
governor of Rome…. Eaten of worms…. He died
Galarius
Emporer of Rome….. eaten of worms…. He died….
Philip
the 2nd of Spain….. terrible
persecutor of the church….. Eaten of Worms…
Right now today…. There are many enemies of God…. The
kings and rulers of this world think that they are in charge….. Not true…. Nothing that this or any king could ever do…..
can stop the sovereign plan of God….. Here in the beginning of this chapter we
see James dead…. Peter in prison and Herod alive….. He thinks that he is some
great one… He thinks that he is in control….. Then at the end of the chapter we
see….. Herod dead and Peter free…… And the Word of God spreading out into the
whole world…. In between we see the People of God in fervent prayer….. Praying
to God with all of their hearts….. Maximum
effort in prayer….. Look at the next verse…..
verse
24….. After all of this…… the Word of God Grew and Multiplied….. they were many new believers…… There is a famous
quote by Tertullian….….. The blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the church…. It is true….. Even if it costs us our lives…. We glorify
God…. In life and in death…. God´s will and purposes cannot be stopped….
verse
25……
Notice that Paul and Barnabas were also in Jerusalem at this time…….. God in
His sovereignty…. protected them just like Peter…. Now they returned from
Jerusalem and went to Antioch….. They took John Mark with them on their trip…. Look
at that…. Herod tried to stop the Gospel message….. He tried to shut up the
followers of Jesus…. But he could not stop the believers…… He tried to shut the
mouths of Jesus´ disciples…. But they continued to Proclaim the Good News....
He failed and the Gospel spread…… Persecution shot the church out all over the
world……
A man is a fool to fight God….. because His power can't be defeated….. His purpose
can't be frustrated….. And His
punishment can't be avoided……
Listen to what Jesus said….. Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not
prevail against it." When God sets His sovereign plan in motion you
can't stop Him……. Turn with me to Isaiah 45….. This chapter is about God´s
sovereign call of a heathen king to act as God´s servant…..
Isaiah said this…. What sorrow awaits those
who argue with their Creator……
There is another
reason not to fight God…… He offers Salvation to all who will repent of their
sins and cry out for forgiveness… turn with me to …. Isaiah 49….v8…
Close
Isaiah
45: 8,9 NLT
8 “Open
up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so
salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the Lord, created them.
9
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue
with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop,
you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’
Isaiah
45: 8,9
Neues Leben
8 Regne, Himmel, die Wolken sollen vor Gerechtigkeit
überlaufen! Die Erde soll sich weit öffnen, damit sie Heil hervorbringe und
gleichzeitig soll Gerechtigkeit wachsen. Ich, der Herr, werde es tun.
9 Denen, die im Streit mit ihrem Schöpfer leben, wird es
schlimm ergehen. Sind sie doch nur eine unter vielen Tonscherben. Streitet der
Lehm mit dem, der ihn formt und sagt: `Was machst du?´ Schreit der Topf: `Du
hast zwei linke Hände!´ Oder: `Du bist zu ungeschickt?´
verse
8 Here we see that
God´s plan and purpose is to pour out His salvation on the earth…… With it
comes the only righteousness that is real….. The righteousness that comes by
faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…. It´s God´s plan for people to
repent and be Saved!
Verse
9….. What sorrow awaits…. Don´t fight God….. Why would you argue with your
creator….?
Look back at verse 8…. God´s purpose is to pour out righteousness and salvation on the whole
earth….. What Good news! What mercy and grace…..
Titus
2:11-14
NKJV
11
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and
glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for
Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14 Sch2000
11 Denn die Gnade Gottes ist erschienen, die heilbringend
ist für alle Menschen;
12 sie nimmt uns in Zucht, damit wir die Gottlosigkeit
und die weltlichen Begierden verleugnen und besonnen und gerecht und
gottesfürchtig leben in der jetzigen Weltzeit,
13 indem wir die glückselige Hoffnung erwarten und die
Erscheinung der Herrlichkeit des großen Gottes und unseres Retters Jesus
Christus,
14 der sich selbst für uns hingegeben hat, um uns von
aller Gesetzlosigkeit zu erlösen und für sich selbst ein Volk zum besonderen
Eigentum zu reinigen, das eifrig ist, gute Werke zu tun.
The grace of God has been revealed…. It is teaching us
that we should turn away from ungodliness….. In another place we are told to
flee the lusts of this world…… So don´t waste your chance… Receive the Grace
that God offers……. Don´t fight God!
Don´t blow it…. Now is the time and today is the day….
2
Cor 6:1,2
NLT Neues Leben
1 As
God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness
and then ignore it. 2 For God says,“At just the right time, I heard you. On
the day of salvation, I helped you.”Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today
is the day of salvation.
1 Als Gottes Mitarbeiter bitten wir euch mit allem
Nachdruck, euch dieser wunderbaren Botschaft von Gottes großer Gnade nicht zu
verweigern.
2 Denn Gott spricht: »Gerade zur richtigen Zeit habe ich
dich erhört. Am Tag der Erlösung habe ich dir geholfen.«Gott ist bereit, euch
gerade jetzt zu helfen. Heute ist der Tag der Erlösung.
If you've never repented of your sins and cried out to
Him for forgiveness and mercy…. Today is
the day….. Tomorrow is promised to no man…. Now is the time to come to the LORD
Jesus……. He will save you…. He will forgive you…. He will wash your sins away…
A
man is a fool to fight God….. Do not refuse to repent and come to Him….. He
will forgive you…. He will redeem your broken hearts and lives…. Now Today…..
Don´t fight against God for another minute…
Jesus
is your…. Jesus is our only hope….. If we reject the Lord Jesus Christ…. We are
rejecting God´s offer of grace and mercy….. We are fighting
God's only provision for salvation and forgiveness of sins……
No comments:
Post a Comment