The Word of God Increased

6 · Oswald transitions from the biblical narrative to congregational experience, drawing a direct analogy between the pattern of assault in Acts 12 (one step forward, two steps back) and the congregation's own experience of setbacks

And so, Luke is clearly, emphasizing the drama, that this is. It looks so, grim. Whatever gains, the word of God, had made in Antioch, would now be negated, by crippling the church, back in Jerusalem. So, it's like one step forward, two, maybe like, three steps back. But isn't that, the way it always is? Just when it feels like, there's a little margin. Just when it, it seems like, there's some tangible evidence, of grace, and growth, or some encouraging signs, of progress. Up to the surface, emerges a new heritage. It's always something. Somebody's feelings, get hurt. Some individual, or some faction, is pushing a distracting agenda. There's a leadership, failure. Somebody moves away. Some strategic leader. Somebody dies. I mean, it just, it just never ends. It's like, as somebody said, like putting an octopus, to bed. You know, you just get one, quivering appendage, tucked under the covers, and out pops another one. But see friends, listen, this is normal life, in the kingdom of God. in a broken world. It's normal life, in a fallen, and broken world. The purpose of God, to fill the earth, with knowledge of his glory, and pleasure in his glory, praise to his glory, is under constant, assault. And not only in terms of how it affects, the mission, the greater mission of the church, God's purpose is under constant, assault, in our individual lives as well. Every day, every day God invites us, trust me, I'm a good shepherd. In knowing me, in drawing near to me, in obeying me, is fullness of joy. Just, just let me lead you. Trust me. But then, stuff happens. Disappointment, a devastating loss, a heartbreaking ending, a frustrating obstacle, something hard, maybe it's something very hurtful. You did not ask for it, nor did you plan for it. You did not see it coming. And now there's, now there's question marks. Is God for me? Is God really good? Is God like me? Those are, there are hard thoughts, when our confidence in God erodes. Can God really be trusted? And because God's purpose of revealing His glory, listen, when, when God's purpose of revealing His glory is most powerfully accomplished, when our hearts and souls are most satisfied in Him, than, than, than, than, than, anything, anything, that in any way, tempts, or challenges, or diminishes, our joy, in God, and confidence, in His goodness. Listen, that is a direct assault, in God's purpose, in your life. So, is it fair to say, we can all, personally, attest to the fact, that assaults against God's purpose, are relentless, and new, every morning?

7 · Oswald announces the second major observation—God's counterintuitive transformation of assault into servant—and begins demonstrating it through the Peter rescue narrative

Second observation, God turns every assault against His purpose, into, a servant, to fulfill His purpose. Let me say that again. It's counterintuitive. Here it is. God turns every assault against His purpose, into a servant, to fulfill His purpose. And what I mean is, is that, God makes every assault against His purpose, an occasion, to, to further magnify, and to amplify, His glory. Listen, God, takes, weapons, that are intended to undermine, and to challenge, our confidence, in His, in His goodness, and greatness, and He turns them, into tools, to unearth, even more spectacular, treasures, of His majesty, and beauty. In Acts chapter 12, against, a backdrop, of, of circumstances, it just looks as, about as dark, and as hopeless as could be, God breaks in. Or, or maybe we, would more accurately say, He breaks out. Look at verses 6 and 7. Now, when, Herod was about to bring, him out, bring Peter out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping, between, two soldiers, bound, with, two chains, and centuries, before the door, were guarding, the prison, and behold, an angel, of the Lord, stood next to him, and a light, shone in the cell, and he struck Peter, on the side, and he awoke him, saying, get up, quickly. And, the chains, fell off his hands. Verses 9 and 10. And he went out, and followed him. He, he did not know, that what was being done, by the angel, was real. But thought he was, seeing a vision. And when they had passed, the first, and second guard, they came to, and, to the, iron gate, leading into the city. It, opened for them, of its own accord, and they went out. And when Peter, came to himself, he said, now I'm sure, that the Lord, has sent his angel, and rescued me, from the hand of Herod, and from all, that the Jewish people, were expecting.

8 · Oswald unpacks the rhetorical strategy of Luke's narrative, showing how the emphasis on human helplessness (Peter sleeping, church praying) and divine action (every rescue detail attributed to God) is designed to ensure God receives all the glory

So, things were looking, so, they were just looking up. So promising. Purpose of God, is gaining momentum, a strong home-based church, in Jerusalem, a new church, and a dynamic outpost, on the edge of Syria. And then this. One, high value leader, is taken out, and another, is on death row. It's the, 11th hour. And, what, is Peter doing? Like, preparing for some, Jason Bourne-like, breakout? What's he doing? Just moments, before his execution. According to verse 6, he's sleeping. And, what's the church doing? Setting up some, covert, extraction, with, steely-eyed operators, of seal team 6? Not according to verse 5. So, Peter was kept in prison, but, earnest, prayer for him, was made to God, by the church. When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, where many were gathered together, and, what were they doing? They're praying. They're praying. Praying. Praying. That's what the church was doing. You know, that's going to be a hot extract. No, they were praying. According to Psalm 50, verse 15, God says, call on me, and the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. So, who sent that angel, to tap Peter on the shoulder? God did. Who turned the lights on, in that dark dungeon? God did. Who unlocked the chains? They just fell off. God did. Who put the prison guards, to sleep? God did. Who opened the iron gate, leading out of the prison? God did. And, why does Luke, paint such a hopeless picture? Make sure that we know, that Peter was sleeping. And, he makes sure, that we know, that the church was, was praying. And, that it was God, who was doing, all the heavy lifting. Why? It's so that God, would get all the glory.

9 · Oswald steps outside the expositional flow to address the congregation directly as shepherd, applying the principle of God-turning-assault-into-servant to personal Christian experience

Now, before we, we consider the, the third observation, I just want to, I want to linger here, just a little bit longer, you see, it's my conviction that, from the, from God's word, that, that trouble, listen, trouble, is a, transformational, tool of God, to draw us, deeper, into God. Sorrow, is meant, to take us, deeper into God. heartache, is meant, to take us, deeper into God. Painful things, they're meant, to take us, deeper into God. Loss, grief, are meant, to take us, deeper into God, because you see, you see, the, the end, of, trouble, for the heart, of a praying, Christian, is more, and more, and more, of God. Listen to John Newton, again. He says, by, affliction, prayer, is quickened. That is, it, gets energized, gets fired up, fueled. For our prayers, are very apt, to grow languid, and formal, that's, you know, they just get blah, nothing, in time, of ease. You see, that means, that, every, Herod, every, Herod, is a tool, of God, to draw us, into a vitalized, communion, with him. Every, Herod, is a, transformational, window, to lead us, further, into the glories, of God's, undeserved mercies, revealed most, profoundly, in the person, and saving work, of Jesus Christ.

10 · Oswald brings the theological principle to its Christological apex, demonstrating that the cross—the greatest assault on God's purpose in history—was the means by which God accomplished His ultimate purpose of salvation

You see, the first disciples, prayed like this, in Acts chapter 4, truly in this city, were gathered together, against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod, Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles, people of Israel, to do whatever your hand, and your plan, had predestined, to take place. And what, and what was, God's plan, that he had predestined, to take place? The plan for Herod, for Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, people of Israel? Well, they were, they were God's, appointed means, to fulfill, what God had purposed, all along. In Isaiah 53, 10, it says, it was the will of the Lord, to crush him. He has put him to grief. Second Corinthians 5, 21, for our sake, God, made him, to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in him, we might become, the righteousness of God. So you see, the most, dramatic assault, in all history, against the purpose of God, was turned, into this supreme, servant, to accomplish, the most, decisive, turning point, in the ultimate purpose of God, namely, this, great, salvation, we enjoy, in and through, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there are, and there will, continue to be, new assaults, on God's purpose, every day. But God is greater, and he turns them all, into servants, to fulfill his purpose.

11 · Oswald signals the move to the third major observation, pivoting from God's transformation of assault to the foundational reality undergirding that transformation: God's ultimate sovereignty and uniqueness

And that's because, and this is the third observation now, God alone, is God. God alone, is ultimate.

12 · Oswald exposits Herod's death in Acts 12:20-24, emphasizing the contrast between Herod's apparent power and his inglorious end

And I get this from Acts chapter 12, verses 20 through 24, where, Luke draws this narrative, now to a close, with, I mean, he just puts an exclamation point, on it. Herod here, is presented to us, as this, this, this formidable threat. He is a bad man. And the heart, driving his, badness, is revealed, so poignantly, in verses 21 to 24, follow along. On an appointed day, Herod put on his royal robes, he took his seat, upon the throne, delivered an ornate, oration to them, and the people are shouting, the voice, of a God, not of a man. And immediately, an angel of the Lord, struck him down. And this is the heart, of this bad man. It's because he did not, give God the glory. And he was eaten, by worms, and breathed his last. But, the word of God, increased, and multiplied. So, there's, there's no doubt, in human terms, Herod was a powerful person. He commanded the death of James, commanded the arrest, and imprisonment of Peter. He controlled the supply, and distribution of food, according to this, last portion, of the narrative. He had his minions, blastus, who served him, and mediated his policies. He was able to govern the calendar, and appointed times, when he would communicate his will. But, in the end, in the end, he died, a, disgusting, and inglorious death, consumed, from the inside, by worms. all, because, because, he did not see, he did not love, he did not esteem, he did not exult, in the glory, of the one who rules, and reigns over all. Only God is God. Only Christ is Lord. And according to, Colossians chapter 1, verse 16, where the apostle Paul writes, it is by him, it's by him, that all things were created, in heaven, and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities, all things were created, through him, and, maybe most importantly, for him. Power of prepositions. You see, whether the problem, is a Herod, or some other, nut job, or Satan himself, all of these, all of these, only exist, because, they were created, by Jesus, they were created, through Jesus, in order to serve, the purpose, of Jesus.

13 · Oswald unpacks the climactic phrase 'the word of God increased and multiplied,' showing through three parallel texts in Acts that this language signifies gospel proclamation producing belief and disciples

And so, in the midst, of all the drama, all the distress, every destructive, distraction, in this, portion of, redemptive history, the word of God, increased, and multiplied. God's word, prevails, because, the work of God, through the word of God, is to reveal, the glory of God. That's the main point, of Acts, chapter 12. Nothing can thwart, the power, and purpose, of God, and his word. The word of God, increased, and multiplied. It's just, that's just such, a dynamic phrase. Luke has obviously, landed there, drawing the focus, of this attention, the focus, of this narrative there. And so, what does that even mean? Right? He's used the phrase before, used it in Acts, chapter 6, verse 7, where it says, the word of God, continued to increase, the number of disciples, multiplied greatly. He uses it again, in Acts 13, verse 49, the word of the Lord, was spreading, throughout the whole region. Uses it again, in Acts chapter 19, verse 20, so the word of the Lord, continued to increase, and prevail mightily. Fundamentally, it just simply means, that the gospel, was proclaimed, and more and more people, believed, and turned, and entrusted themselves, to the Lord. And that's because, the promises of God, in the word of God, create, the people of God. That's why we, we love the Bible. That's why we, read the Bible. That's why we, preach the Bible. That's why we, pray the Bible. That's why we, sing the Bible.

14 · Oswald makes a dramatic turn inward, identifying the 'Herod within'—the self-exalting pride in every human heart—as a greater threat than external opposition

One more, gospel connection, I want to make, I want you to see here. And then we will, remember, this great purpose, in Jesus' death. Friends, the worst Herod, the worst Herod, is not, the one, outside of us. Listen, the worst Herod, the most dangerous Herod, is the Herod, who is inside, each and every one of us. It's the self-reliant Herod. It's the self-serving Herod. It's the self-exalting Herod. It's the self-righteous Herod. The self-atoning Herod. So, it's, I know this guy was a shock to you, but I'm, I'm 70 years old. And, it, it has taken the better part, of 70 years, for me to, own up to the fact, that I am, I am utterly, I am ruthlessly, I am relentlessly, devoted, to feeling good about myself. And, any threat, to this, object of my devotion, is the cause, of an entire range, an entire range, of damnable Herodesque traits. Everything from self-pity, low level depression, ambivalence, to envy, jealousy, anger. Pride, is a soul killing sin. And, when it rears its head, listen, it's like something eating us, from the inside out. So, you see, the greatest threat, to the purpose of God, being fulfilled, in and through our lives, it's not the, the Herods out there, around us. The greatest threat, the greatest obstacle, is the Herod, in us.

15 · Oswald brings the sermon to its gospel climax, warning of hell for the unrepentant Herod within, then turning to celebrate the cross as God's ultimate demonstration of turning assault into servant

And, someday, apart from, entrusting ourselves, to the pride, killing, wrath, absorbing, condemnation, removing, death of Jesus Christ, this Herod, the one in here, will be thrown, into hell, where the worm, does not die, and the fire, is not quenched. But, glory to God, because, nothing, can thwart, the purpose of God, accomplished, through the word of God, neither by the Herods, outside of us, nor the Herod, inside of us, God, even takes, He even takes, the remaining sin, of pride, in our hearts, and fashions it, as a tool, to magnify, the glory, of His undeserved mercy, has anyone, here in this room, has any, self-centered, self-reliant person, here in this room, ever felt, the nails, that held Jesus, to the cross, piercing your hands, glory to God, no, it's to His, glory to His mercy, has any, self-exalting, self-preserving, person, here in this room, to this day, had to bear the guilt, of their pride, and arrogance, and ambivalence, toward the greatness, of God, glory to His mercy, no, but Jesus has, Jesus has, and God has magnified, His glory, by opening the eyes, of so many, of our hearts, to how helpless, we are, to overcome our sins, and instead shows us, that He placed, our sins on Jesus, punishing our sins, in Jesus body, by Jesus death, and so may the, grace of God, by the power, and the active, presence, of the Spirit of God, supply, supernatural, faith, confidence, for each of us, to live, in daily trust, in the unthwartable, promises of God

16 · Oswald closes the sermon by turning from proclamation to prayer, addressing God directly on behalf of the congregation

let's pray together, together, so Lord, I would ask...