Glory to God
May 4, 2014 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: God is the only One who DESERVES glory!
Focus Passage: Acts 12:20-23
Supplemental Passage: Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen." (Exodus 33:18-23)
Introduction: J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub." He headed his compositions: "J.J." "Jesus Juva" which means "Jesus help me." He ended them "S.D.G." "Soli Dei gratia" which means "To God alone the praise." Kingdom Conflict, J. Stowell, Victor, 1985, p. 77ff.
Herod Agrippa I was the son of Aristobulus and Berenice, and grandson of Herod the Great. He was brought up at Rome, and was thrown into prison by Tiberius, where he remained till the accession of Caligula, who made him king, first of the tetrarchy of Philip and Lysanias; afterward the dominions of Antipas were added, and finally Judea and Samaria. Unlike his predessors, Agrippa was a strict observer of the law, and he sought, with success, the favor of the Jews. It is probable that it was with this view, he put to death James the son of Zebedee, and further imprisoned Peter. Act_12:1 ff. But his sudden death interrupted his ambitious projects. Act_12:21; Act_12:23.
I. Herod was trying to gain the favor of the Jews
a. for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. (John 12:43)
b. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
II. Herod allowed the people to praise, worship, and adore him
a. The Jewish historian, Josephus, said that the “royal attire” or robes that Herod wore that day were made from polished silver and, as he sat in the sunshine at the theater, people were overwhelmed with awe at the spectacle it made
b. He did not stop the flattery
III. God showed him and the people that they were to worship God alone
a. Josephus notes that it took 5 days for Herod to die
b. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
