Sunday, July 1, 2012

From Acts to Revelation: Part 33 - Leader's of the World


From Acts to Revelation
Part 33 – LEADERS OF THE WORLD
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Last week we saw an angel of the Lord save Peter from execution. We also looked at our own lives, and asked the question, has God miraculously saved me in my past? And if so, for what purpose?

Today's scripture will cause us pause to think, with elections drawing near;

do we really chose who will be in office?

Are they the ones who rule once there?

And what if they disobey God?


SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 12:20-24 JUDGMENT
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.






I.       POWERS AND AUTHORITIES
a.      They are placed/allowed by God
i.       Daniel 2:20b-21a “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings

ii.     If we read Daniel 2: 37 we will see Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful king who ever reigned, that his kingdom and power was given by God.
a.      Daniel 2:37 “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.”

iii. Powers and authorities are placed by God


b.     They are to be obeyed
i.       1 Peter 2:13-17 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.


c.      unless the law is ungodly
i.       Daniel was a good example here, because although the king made ungodly laws and rules, Daniel did not obey them, but he continued to honor the king.

ii.    He did not turn on the king, make signs, start a petition, fight for his voice to be heard, start a party to rise up against the king, he simply, quietly continued to obey God over the king in the areas where the kings laws and rules were ungodly.


II.   HEROD HAS A PROBLEM
a.      He didn't play well with others


b.     However, God watches our leaders and their actions
i.       Daniel 4:13-1713 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.


c.       It is perfectly clear who the kingdoms of the world belong to.
i.       Daniel 4:25-26 the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known  that the heavens do rule.”

ii.    Herod stole God's Glory and Praise

iii. So God struck him down


d.      It is interesting to notice that all this is said to a gentile king,
i.         Now let us see what Jesus says about this issue. When Jesus was presented before Pilate, this Roman governor arrogantly told Jesus that he could crucify or release him. At that time Jesus told him that his power came from God. 
a.      John 19:8-11Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above...”

ii.    The devil tempts Jesus with what is not his to give...
a.      Luke 4:5-8"And the Devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed         unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him: All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him: Get thee behind me, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”


e.      God's Word continued to spread and flourish
i.       Romans 13:1-6 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must need be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also, for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”



III.   SATAN CORRUPTS LEADERS TO STEAL GOD'S GLORY
a.      Satan wants our attention on man, not God
i.       Saint Paul clearly says that governments do not exist but only those that God sets up. God puts rulers in their position. After being in position those rulers, enticed by Satan, may corrupt their ministry and do ungodly things, but it does not mean that they were not placed there by God. It happened so with Saul. Similarly, God calls a person to be a pastor or to be a founder or director of a denomination, and after being in position, incited by Satan, they may corrupt their ministry and do ungodly things, but it does not mean that God did not place them there.

b.     We must remember
i.       we are aliens/foreigners in a strange land
ii.    we are diplomats for the Kingdom of God
iii. we must change the world around us, not be changed by it

c.      God is in control







CONCLUSION

Do we really chose, or vote for who will be in office? No. God does, and scripture tells us so.

Are they really in power while there?  Not really. They may make decisions, laws and rules, but they can only do what God allows them to do.

What if they disobey God? They are not to be obeyed, and have turned from the Lord. He will judge them, they should take heed.





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