Would You Rather Be Eaten By Worms? (AM Sermon Notes)
GIST: While self-love is self-destructive, Christ-love is Christ-directed.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:20-13:3
This morning we’re wrapping up chapter 12 and inching into chapter 13. Really, what I noticed most in these two passages, and the reason I’ve chosen to address them together, is this massive contrast we’re given. The lives of these two groups were completely different. First, we’ll see the dramatic end to Herod’s life, a life characterized by selfish ambition. Then, we’ll see the growth and development of the early church, which was characterized by a love for and service to Jesus. Let’s go ahead and read these segments, verses 12:20-13:3, and then we’ll break them down together.
“20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.”
"1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
At first glance, these two passages might seem completely disconnected. You have Herod being eaten by worms and Barnabas and Saul being sent out for their first missionary journey. However, as I noted in opening, the connection is in this contrast. We see the natural outworkings of both self-loving and Christ-loving lives. My question for today was, “would you rather be eaten by worms?” Hopefully, your answer would be obvious, but here’s the deal, and the gist: While self-love is self-destructive, Christ-love is Christ-directed. (That is, loving Jesus is to be led by Him!)
I. SELF-LOVE IS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE
Let’s start by walking through the Herod account and looking at the motivations, actions, and results.
Motivations (20) This first verse provides us with some context. “20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.” Really, we see at least two motivations here, maybe three. The people of Tyre and Sidon came to the king wanted to make peace, not necessarily because they wanted to be peaceful, but because they “ depended on the king's country for food,” and whatever conflict there was between them (the nature of which we do not know) seems to have deprived them of this. They were once privileged trade partners, and we’re left to assume this was no longer the case. They might have been motivated by actual hunger, but at the very least, they were motivated by a desire to keep that status and have those steady provisions. Herod’s motivations appear much more straightforward. He wanted praise. We see that especially laid out in his→
Actions (21-22) After convincing Blastus, a man who had influence with the king, it looks like this peace is a go. The next thing we see is this happening→ “21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!”” So, we clearly have praise seeking from Herod and blatant flattery from the people. In case we miss it, Josephus, a historian from that time, recorded the event in slightly more detail, “And there came a large number of officials and those of a high-ranking status. At sunrise on the following day he put on a robe made of all silver and walked into the theater. Then the silver shown brightly as the sun's first rays fell upon it and he sparkled in the sunlight, dazzling the crowd and causing a sort of fear and trembling in those who were viewing the spectacle. The crowds then began to shout from various parts of the theater, words which in truth were not for his best, addressing him as a god, and crying out, "We have in the past honored you as a man, but now we honor you as one with a nature greater than any mortal being."(Josephus) He wanted praise, and they wanted his favor for their benefit! So, then we see the→
Results (23) “23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.” Here we see the ultimate result of a life lived for self--our natural, sin-filled life--judgment. Josephus tells us that Herod “did not rebuke, nor disagree with the flattery of the crowd.” They called him a god, and he accepted the praise because that’s how he lived his life--like he was all that really matter. God won’t be mocked. The punishment we see here, which is immediate and dramatic (and linked to a real medical condition more common at that time) was really just symbolic of the judgment we will all face for eternity apart from Jesus.
I just want to make sure I don’t skim over this. Our natural state is sinful. We love ourselves and and want our ways. When we try to direct our own paths, it leads to destruction. BUT→
II. CHRIST-LOVE IS CHRIST-DIRECTED
When we love and experience the love of Jesus, our lives are directed by Him! Now, before we even get to the contrast here between their motivation, actions, and results; I want to note two opening contrasts. First verse 25 (I’ll come back to 24 in a second ☺️) is a→
Transitional Contrast in Purpose (25) 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.” This is like one of those “Meanwhile” statements in comic books. You know like, “Meanwhile, back at Aunt May’s…” While Herod is stepping up the persecution of Christians, and Peter is being broken out of prison, and then Herod is being judged for his insolence, Barnabas and Saul are serving Jesus. We’re going to continue seeing these kinds of depictions. Herod and these crowds were all about serving themselves. That’s not the case for the Christians. Furthermore, we see a→
Contrast in Connection (1). What brought Herod and these crowds together? A mutually beneficial arrangement. But look at this list of leaders from the church in Antioch. It’s a microcosm of the early Church--and really the Church in general. “1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” What do they have in common? Jesus. They were united in Christ, but maybe little else. Look at the list.
Barnabas- A Levite from Cyprus, an island off the Syrian coast.
Simeon- His skin color set him apart from other Simeons. The common assumption is that he was originally from some part of Africa.
Lucius- He was from Cyrene which was in Northern Africa. Likely, one of the first at Antioch after Stephen’s persecution.
Manaen- Raised around, and likely childhood friends with, Herod the Tetrarch (the one who killed John the Baptist).
Saul- Devout Pharisee and former Christian killer turned missionary.
This is awesome! I’ve said this before, and we’ll just keep saying it. When we share the Gospel, we’re not looking for adding more people like us to our “club”. We’re bringing the life-changing, cultural-norm shattering truth to the world! Then, we live together as a family united under one Heavenly Father!
That established, let’s look at the difference between their motivations, actions, results. →
Motivations & Actions (2) are almost impossible to separate here. They’re motivated by their love for Jesus which is evidenced by what they spend all their time doing. Look at verse 2. “2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Here’s what we see they were doing. →
Worshiping- This was their priority. The church would come together not to see how they could mutually benefit from this arrangement, but to praise Jesus. They once were lost and now their found! They were blind and now they see! They had so much to praise Him for, so they did! They were also→
Fasting- Truthfully, this is a Christian discipline largely lost in our modern context. When you hear the word, what first comes to mind? Most likely, our first thoughts go to giving up food for a time, or, depending on your upbringing, maybe you think of lent. But fasting is sacrificing something we commonly do in order to focus that time instead on praying and seeking God’s will. It would be beneficial for all of us, myself included, to really spend time making this a regular part of our lives. For this morning, however, I just want to make this observation, they were intentional about seeking God. They wanted to praise Him for all He’d done, and they wanted to follow Him wherever He’d lead. Therefore, they were→
Listening- Where I am pulling this from? While they were worshiping and intentionally seeking, the Holy Spirit spoke to them, and they obeyed. How did He speak? We are not told here. But it is in the context of their worship and fasting, which would have involved prayer and reading and studying Scripture and the teachings of Jesus, that they heard His direction.
This has practical applications for us too, so I don’t want to run past it. Do you want to hear God’s voice? You can. Give yourself over to listening to it. He has spoken to us through His Word. We have access to it every day. Spend your time intentionally worshiping and listening to Him.
So, that’s what they were about. Completely different from Herod and company. Let’s look at the→
Results (24, 3). I skipped 24 earlier, so let’s come back to it now. “24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.” Juxtaposed with Herod’s death, we’re given this picture of life. As Herod is facing judgment, the church is experiencing growth. What did this growth look like? Let’s just look at this last verse. It’s short, but packed with so much truth for us! → “3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
They received a specific commission, Barnabas and Saul were to leave this place and go out sharing the Gospel, so they fasted and prayed and then sent them out. The result of their lives being lived for God was living even more for Him! Listen, we’ve been commissioned. Jesus called everyone of us to go and make disciples. Spread the truth and help people grow closer to Jesus. As a Church then, we should be fasting and praying--being intentional in our communion with Jesus, constantly seeking His face-- and we should be sending each other out. We’re called to go to this world. Let’s do that together. Let’s be about loving, equipping, and sending!
TAKEAWAYS
1. Judgment is real and loving. We have to address this. The first passage we saw today addressed a man being eaten by worms! When we try to direct our own paths, it leads to destruction. Living without the redemption and forgiveness of Jesus will result in Hell. Period. We don’t like talking about judgment. It seems too harsh. However, judgment is a reality, and it is a reality because God is loving. If He was not loving, he would allow evil to go unpunished. He doesn’t. There are consequences for all the wrongs that are done in this world. He doesn’t take this lightly. In fact, He came and died to take that punishment, that judgment, on Himself! You’ll either face it for eternity, or praise Him for eternity for facing it for you!
2. Righteous fruit comes from righteous roots. The second half of this passage was far more enjoyable to look at. We saw a unity that transcends cultural barriers and a life lived with purpose. I heard a paraphrase of A.W. Tozer this week that in essence said, ‘sometimes we want this fruit, the Spirit-filled life, without actually wanting the roots that led to this fruit!’ If we want to live this Christ-directed life, then we need to spend our lives for Him. Get rid of the sin in your life and devote your time and energy to worshiping Him and listening to His voice! In summary→
3. By nature, our hearts are self-destructive, but in Jesus, there is abundant life! Let me just close with these words from Jesus recorded in John 10, “9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11)
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