Tabor Baptist Church

Bible Text: Acts 12:1-24 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Acts | Introduction

Looking at a passage speaking about a wicked man named Herod who harassed the early church and how God dealt with him

We live in turbulent times – but they do not compare to the times of the early church
Herod harassed the early church – though it had only done good and done nothing wrong

He had killed James
He meant to do the same to Peter

Yet the Church believed that God reigned
Herod was struck down by God
It is not Herod but God on the throne

As Christians we must see God seated on the throne

God Permits Trials

God permits trials for His people

The early church:

Famine
Evil Herod

Seasons of rejoicing and seasons of trials
God works to strengthen us in the trials

God permits trials to hone and fashion the church to make it more like Christ

Example of Peter

Satan always opposes the Church of God

Especially when the Church advances
Satan uses religious people and a despot

Why was it that James should suffer martyrdom and Peter was set free?

We cannot say there was any difference between them but that it was God’s will and time
God wanted to show His power and might
God wanted to encourage the Church
God wanted the gospel message to continue being strengthened by the hand of the Lord

Herod

His grandfather was Herod the Great who massacred children
His uncle was Herod Antipas who had John the baptist executed
Herod Agrippa followed his father and grandfather

The Power of Prayer

Why do trials happen to us?

We need to put our trials in perspective
God is with us in our trials
Trials are a call to prayer
The early Church preached the gospel and prayed – Acts 12:5

Together in constant prayer

We need to be a church that makes prayer a priority

God’s answer to prayer

Peter was sleeping – the night before his execution – Acts 12:6
James was delivered – in the situation (to heaven), not from the situation
The people continued to pray for Peter just as they had prayed for James
We can find prayer very difficult

The Power of God

The four squads of soldiers given to guard Peter – explanation

Herod thought they were secure but God knew better
Peters release could only happen by supernatural means
God is a living God

The wickedness of Herod

He murders the 16 roman guards
God judges evil and cuts Herod’s life short
He loves himself, glory and popularity
God strikes him down

The word of God grew and multiplied – Acts 12:24
God will judge us all

Who can stand – only those who have trusted in Jesus Christ

Closing Remarks