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02 Acts 12 20-25 THE WORD OF GOD GREW 01 Acts 12 20-21 Warnings for ministry
📖 Acts 12:20-25
01 – Sat25Jan2025 – *Warnings for ministry* _Acts 12:20-25_ – THE WORD OF GOD GREW – _I Thessalonians 02”03-06_
_Acts 12:20-21 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. (21) So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them._
Herod Agrippa I was a ruler known for attempting to gain favour with the Roman authorities and the Jewish population. He often involved himself in diplomatic affairs and was known for his public displays of generosity and power.
Tyre and Sidon were cities that depended on the region controlled by Herod for food supplies. When a dispute arose between them and Herod, the envoys from these cities sought to reconcile with him to ensure their continued access to his resources. This context sets the stage for the events of _Acts 12:20-21_.
We see how both sides benefitted from each other and placated each other's interests. Is this not the way of the world?
As people of God, our ways are contrary to the ways of the world. _Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God._
This is the change that happens when we come to Christ. We die with Christ and we are buried with Him. We are then resurrected with Jesus. _Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life._
It is in these matters that burial must happen when we come to Christ. We do not function anymore as the world does.
When we come to Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and He, the Holy Spirit, guides us in the ways of God. _I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God._ It is the Holy Spirit who knows the mind of God and He reveals God’s mind to us. _I Corinthians 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? *Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God*._
Paul and his team were led by the Holy Spirit, which was evident in the excellence of their ministry. _I Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, *but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake*._
It was the Holy Spirit, who made Paul and his team to be the kind of men that they ought to be. Friends, this is the contrast that must be seen in us in comparison to the ways of the world.
_I Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit._
The Holy Spirit makes us teach the truth without any adulteration or personal manipulation.
_I Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts._
We must see ourselves as those who are trustees of the Gospel. The message of God is not a theory to us; this is our life. We do not speak to please people, but God. We listen and discern from God to speak His words to the people. We speak from our hearts, for the motives of our hearts are open for God’s scrutiny.
_I Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness._
The people of Tyre and Sidon flattered Herod. It served their cause. We must speak the truth without flattery but with love. _Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—_ We even rebuke people for we desire to see Christ formed in people. _Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,_
The people of Tyre and Sidon were putting on a cloak of covetousness. They needed benefits for Herod. We must guard our hearts for the Lord sees our motives. Are we saying anything with an agenda for personal gain? We must fear God.
_I Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ._
Herod sought glory from men. In subtle ways, are we seeking personal fame, recognition and importance? Paul could have made demands from the people because he taught them the word of God, but he refrained.
```Are we always considering how our life reflects and manifests Christ? These are crucial aspects of our life and ministry. The behaviour of Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon are warnings to us.```