April 27, 2014 INTRODUCTION – outline on bulletins & list of gov’t leaders
Where we’ve been in the acts series
Joshua two weeks ago
I Tim. 2:1,2 & Nat Day of Prayer Week
The godless, reckless, and destructive rule of King Herod Agrippa the first illustrates very vividly why the church must more faithfully pray for its gov’t leaders Four tragedies in his rule
I. Gov’t Injustice Towards Individuals – – Herod towards James and Peter – vs. 1-6 No justice or righteousness issues at all; no crimes; merely a personal agenda and leading by polls style of governing.
Herod was very popular with the Jews for he was partly Jewish being of Hasmonean descent.
Was known for doing everything possible to win the favor of the Jews.
II. Gov’t Injustice Towards Gov’t Employees – – Herod towards the guards – vs. 18,19 Vs. 6 tells us the guard were watching over the prison Vs. 10 tells us they passed by the first and second guard, so they were where they were supposed to be doing what they were supposed to do. Typically roman guards weren’t trained to spot invisible angels or to guard against angels blinding their eyes from seeing one of their prisoners escaping via angelic help.
Utter disregard for facts in the case. They were not delinquent at all. They were doing their job. Herod probably killed two of their best guards and could care less. Very disheartening to the troops
III. Gov’t Injustice Towards Peoples/Cities – – Herod towards the people of Tyre & Sidon – vs. 20 No explanation given; no justification Jesus’s thoughts toward those two cities Matthew 11:20-22
IV. Idolatry Towards Government – – The people towards Herod & idolatry in the U.S. today – vs. 20-22
Ex. 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me”
I Sam. 8:7 “The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.”
CONCLUSION – PRAYER FOR CA GOV’T OFFICIALS viavia Environmental Protection