He did not give God the glory
A bad thing happens in the passage we have in front of us this Sunday. A gruesome thing. The wretched King Herod Agrippa dies a horrific death. He is described, in the end, as a man who, “did not give God the glory.” That description fits most people on earth right now, and it begs the question, how do I know if I’m giving God the glory with my life? As we look at Acts 12:20-25 we’ll see what that looks like and pledge ourselves to glorifying God with how we live.
Series: The Acts of the Apostles (Chapters 11-16)
Todd Dugard
Message: 31 – He did not give God the glory
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Acts 12:20-25
November 19, 2023
Exodus 20:3
God is glorified in me when I know...
...who I am (v. 20-22)
He put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture truly wonderful, and came into the theatre early in the morning; at which time the silver of his garment being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun's rays upon it, shone out after a surprising manner, and was so resplendent at to spread a horror over those that looked intently upon him.
Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 19.8.2
And presently his flatterers cried out…that he was a god; and they added, “Be thou merciful to us. For although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature.”
Josephus
...who he is (v. 23)
Isaiah 42:8a
Upon this the king did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery.
Josephus
A severe pain also arose in his belly; and began in a most violent manner…His pain was become violent. Accordingly, he was carried into the palace…And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly, for five days, he departed this life.
Josephus
Eight ways I steal God’s glory:
(1) I boast in my accomplishments
(2) I complain about my life
(3) I dismiss the miraculous
(4) I think I am indispensable to God
(5) I consider myself better than others
(6) I put myself at the centre of the story
(7) I re-interpret the Word to suit my own desires
(8) I believe that my good works help save and/or keep me in the faith
Acts 14:14-15
Tyrants may be permitted for a time to boast and bluster, oppressing the church and hindering the spread of the gospel, but they will not last. In the end, their empire will be broken and their pride abased.
John Stott
The glory of God is the manifestation of his holiness; it is the radiance of all that he is in his absolute perfection being revealed.
Philippians 2:5-11
...what he says (v. 24)
Isaiah 55:11
...what I am to be doing (v. 25)
Humanity’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.