To the Ends of the Earth, Part 17
The Church’s growth and its political persecution
Acts 11:19 – 12:18
Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7)
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)
-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)
-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)
- Last time we examined what could be called the “Gentile Pentecost”
-- It was moment in the 1st century when the Gospel was opened to all (GR: pas)
-- Most (nearly all) believers at this time were Jewish converts; legalism
-- Peter’s testimony of grace and repentance led many to hear/accept Jesus
-- And in accepting Jesus, they were baptized – despite fellow Jewish objections
- Today we have a few encouraging points to cover, all with a similar theme
-- The theme is FAITH … being faithful and trusting God to lead the Church
-- But more than that – this could even be a subtitle for all of us to lean in to
-- Question: “Do you believe that God will do what He says He will do?”
-- What we’ll dive into today spotlights the importance of our answer!
- Read Acts 11:19 – 12:18 / Pray
- TR: Let’s start with a great foundation for building a church …
Point 1 –What happens when a church grows in faith?
- Look at what happens as believers begin to be faithful: (19-21)
-- Not only were Jews preached to, but Gentiles as well, and many came to Christ
-- Why? Because the power of God was with them, they were faithful to tell
-- APP: For you and me, there can be no other job to strive to do today!
- Tie in: Last week we examined how our prejudices can hinder us
-- But, when we get out of our own way, God begins to do something amazing
-- He allows His word to be shared through us, because we become messengers!
- As the church is faithful something else happens: they are nourished (22-24)
-- Consider it – our obedience brings from God others to witness and participate
-- Want to grow the church? Here’s the recipe: BE the church!
-- CHALL: Do we do the things we must do to grow the church?
-- FACT: Being the church is what causes it to church to grow, to reach others!
- Casting Crowns wrote a great song in 2018 called, “Only Jesus”
-- “I don't want to leave a legacy, I don't care if they remember me, Only Jesus”
- Sad truth: Any pastor is just a human, just one man with all kinds of flaws
-- But together … this church has dozens of capable witnesses to share Jesus
-- IMP: It is not about bringing people to Seasons (NO!), but to Jesus Christ!
-- The ministry of the Church is to preach, which is what Antioch is showing us
- Even Barnabas, a faithful man, heard about it and was sent to investigate
-- Look at what happened (re-read v23) … He stayed and worshiped with them
-- APP: He shared in their joy, worshiped with them & contributed to the mission!
-- Imagine that: going to a church and plugging in where God has put you!
- Seeing this growth, Barnabas went to Tarsus to bring Saul into this! (v25)
-- He knew that this was exactly what was needed, additional staff to minister
-- This is where growth and training of others begins to become very important!
-- As the church expands, it needs others to be involved and to share the load
- EX: Jesus taught in Matthew 4:19, “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
-- Are we doing that? Are we following and seeing others led to Him?
-- Are we focused on sharing what we know so others can see Him as well?
- Bonus: In v26 we see an incredible revelation … we are called Christians!
-- Greek: Christianos; a Christian
- It’s an identity that we were given, amplifying what our life signifies!!!
-- 1 Peter 2:21, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
- Even with challenges ahead, the ministry of the Church is being birthed (v29-30)
-- How? Reaching out to others in a famine, sharing Christ, caring for one another
-- Look at it this way: How many songs we sing will not be important in Heaven
-- How many sermons we listen to, or services we offer, is not what makes us great
-- It is what we did with the knowledge we have to lead others to Him that matters!
- TR: Being faithful is a critical calling, just like the church in Antioch
-- If it brings others to Christ, not to themselves, is what signifies a great church!
-- However, with success will always come challenges -- and even, persecution …
Point 2 – Examining the first political attack on the church
- Time check here: This is about 10 years since the death of Stephen (ref Acts 7)
-- God stopped the persecution of Saul, but the societal dislike still existed
-- Matter of fact, it was simply waiting for the right leader to revive it
- Enter King Herod Agrippa … and his goal is simple:
• Keep the Jews quiet/happy so they would be faithful to Rome
• Solidify his own place of authority with Rome to gain more power
- What he does is launch an attack on the Church, the “opposers” of Rome
-- RE: Rome wants total obedience and control over the region
-- So what Herod does is lead the effort in persecution, reviving people’s hate
-- Greek: kakoó; treat badly; embitter; to make angry
- His challenge: How do you force people to obey and fear you? Kill some!
-- The Jews loved the idea of James being martyred, and even arresting Peter
-- Why? Because it was them who caused the troubles with Rome
-- They are the leaders of this rebellion against their government & need to go
-- RE: How they lived is 100% in opposition to Rome’s “Obey us only or else”!
- Killing James and arresting Peter is a show of force; testimony of fear/power
-- Now, James has gone home to receive his reward, and I’m sure it’s AWESOME
-- But Peter is sent to jail (again), this time with dedicated guards to watch him
- Four squads of four guards: that’s 16 guards, four at a time, in rotating shifts
-- Consider it: His arms were chained to a guard for even more security of Peter!
-- This happens during the Passover, so lots of “visitors” would be in town
-- So for extra security Herod has his guard quadrupled to secure him
- The plan is to “try him” (read: execute him) after the Passover
-- So, the church gets to praying … praying for his release and his protection
- TR: But something is about to happen here that we MUST pay attention to!
Point 3 – How we respond to God really matters!
- First must get this: There is a pattern of deliverance as God works (4 things)
1) There is prayer: fervent and focused prayer of Believers (v5)
-- Greek: ektenós; intently, fervently
-- The church takes up the mantle to pray with the intention of God to move
-- Why? Because they know this is how to engage God; ask for His help
2) There is confidence – they are praying specifically - Greek: proseuché; prayer
-- The church was praying specifically for Peter’s release from prison (v5)
-- What they wanted was their brother to be free, so they went at it earnestly!
3) There is the result of God’s work and the believer’s obedience
-- Don’t miss this, Peter was being rescued – but he had a role to play in this
-- Peter was called to get up & follow the angel; could not do this on his own (v9)
-- Obedience in faith means he had to respond to God’s movement
4) There is God’s Will that is accomplished
-- God destined that Peter would be delivered (v11)
-- May ask, why not James? Simple: James’ work was finished; Peter’ was not!
-- If God wills it – it will happen, and this is what Peter recognized / obeyed!
-- Knowing that God was still in the business of working – what does he do?
- He goes to share the results with the believers, gathered at Mary’s house (v12)
-- Note: This is Mary, the mother of John Mark (gospel of Mark)
-- She was prob a widow, a very godly woman, and had space for them to meet
-- She is also the aunt of Barnabas (ref Colossians 4:10); close knit family
- Do you see what happened when he knocked? They don’t believe it (read v15)
-- They are convinced this is somehow the ghost of Peter knocking at the door
-- For some reason he needs them to open the door to let him in …
-- Peter’s persistent knocking finally gets the door opened so he can tell them …
- But (p.) here is where I want us to land for today … & challenge you on this:
- What were they praying for? What happened? And what did they do?
-- Ask yourself: “Do YOU believe what you pray for will be answered?”
-- When you ask God to move, are you believing He will accomplish His will?
-- AND … do we rejoice when God answers, even when it is not what we want?
- They didn’t, and here we see one of the saddest responses the church could have
-- In Acts 3 we saw amazement when God showed up - to heal a man - at church
-- Yet here, the believers are asking God to intervene, and they don’t believe it
-- They disbelieve and refuse to believe that their prayers have been answered
BIG IDEA
- Discipleship moment: What is your faith dwelling in today?
• Are you casting your cares on Him – or keeping yourself in control?
• When God does not answer your prayers – are you being faithful to Him?
• Are you struggling with sin – but continuing to rely on yourself for strength?
• Do you want more of God – but refuse to follow and obey/do what He says?
- This is what the church experienced here, (KEY) but God was still faithful!
-- They prayed, God responded, and their response was doubt … it’s just sad!
-- This is where we have opportunity today to lean in – to live FOR Him!
- What if, today, we got serious about God and obeyed what He said to do?
-- How could our lives be affected and changed for the Kingdom right now?
-- Are you serving? Are you giving? Are you worshiping? Are you praying?
-- Living a life of faith, even in prayer, means believing He will do His will
-- Which means that when we pray, we are asking for His will to be done!
- How different could life be if we chose to live for only Him today?
- Pray
