October 19, 2008
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

Isaiah 5: 12: And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. 13: Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

MEETING LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service
(The first Sunday of each month we meet at 10 AM for morning worship then observe the Lord's Table. After services we have lunch together.)

WEB ADDRESSES AND MAILING ADDRESS
www.sovereign-grace.us
www.sermonaudio.com/sgbcpnj
www.freegraceradio.com

Clay Curtis, Pastor
7 Birch Street
Pennington, New Jersey, 08534
Phone: 615-513-4464
Email: clay@sovereign-grace.us

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THE SAVIOR'S FEET
Acts 12: 5: Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him....12: And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
As we consider where the Lord brought the church during this time of great trial we behold the place where the Lord brings his people and where the Lord keeps us. The Lord caused this severe trial by his mighty hand and through it he brought his saints together and to his feet in prayer. Trials are painful. But the more painful the trial, the more the believer is made to behold our inability; the more the believer is brought to confess that only the caring, all-sufficient hand of our Lord and our Redeemer can provide our need. When a believer is drawn by the Lord into true prayer he is drawn to the feet of Christ and that is the place where the Lord keeps his saints safe.

THE BITTER ROOT AND THE VINE
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Brethren, as the Holy Spirit gives us this exhortation and stirs up our hearts to obey may we consider the difference between the root of bitterness and Christ the Vine. If it is to the will and wisdom of our flesh that we look then the root of our old nature is sure to spring up bearing only the bitter grapes of trouble. For those who are God's husbandry 'looking diligently' means a continual looking to Christ the Vine from whom we are filled with the fruits of righteousness. (Php 1: 11; Joh 15: 5.)

APPEARANCE AND REALITY
Acts 12: 1-24
Carnal men, whether in religion our out, glory in appearance. But the way that seemeth right to man varies greatly from the way things are before God in reality.

Herod's motive was not the love of Christ but the love of worldly gain. Herod loved the applause of men (v3.) This is the sum and substance of man's wisdom and man's way. The poison of asps is under man's tongue: poison, murder, adultery, theft, enmity toward God, these things proceed from the heart and these are the things which defile a man (Romans 3: 10-18; Mark 7: 20-23.)

1. From Herod's point of view he thought he was prospering greatly by the power of his own hand (v1.) The reality was that Herod was doing what Herod before him had done who crucified the Lord Jesus Christ...Acts 4: 27: For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28: For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. (Psalm 76: 10.)

2. Herod thought he was having his own way when he killed James. The reality was Herod was merely the instrument God determined to use when he appointed the hour of James' physical death (Hebrew 9: 27.)

3. Herod thought he actually killed James. The reality was, according as God had determined before hand, Herod merely walked James into eternity where he entered the eternal bliss of beholding Christ in glory forevermore (John 11: 25, 26.)

4. Herod thought he brought great injury to the church of God. The reality is the Lord used Herod to give his church such a dire need that they remembered their inability and were drawn near to Christ by casting their care upon him (v5.)

5. Herod thought that once he had killed Peter then the people would behold how powerful he was and all--even those who were called Christians--would submit to him. The reality was that the Lord delivered Peter; the Lord increased Peter's understanding that nothing is impossible with the Lord; the Lord gave new assurance to Peter so that he could go forth preaching Christ our Deliverer even more boldly than before and through the preaching of the gospel the Lord's word increased in his people (vv11-17.)

6. Herod thought he had found life at his own hand. Truth is, his life was really death. It issued in death to everyone who would not treat him as if he were God. He even killed his own guards (vv18, 19.)

7. Herod was displeased with the country of Tyre an Sidon. He thought that by the strength of his own hand he had caused them to fear him and seek peace. Truth is they desired peace for no other reason than that there food came from his country (v20.)

8. At last, Herod thought he had achieved his worldly goal when at last all eyes were on him on his throne and all praise went up to him just as he sought from the beginning (vv21, 22.) The reality of what king Herod accomplished by all his fleshly wisdom and strength in verse 23: And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

9. So after Herod thought he had snuffed out the word of the Lord by exalting himself and killing the Lord's apostle, the reality was, 24: But the word of God grew and multiplied. All flesh is grass. Isaiah 40: 8: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

This shall be the end of all like king Herod--whether opposed to Gods' church or passing themselves off as one with the church--the man who attempts to force his hand, to achieve that which profits his flesh, to gain a position so that all will regard him as great, shall die by the direct hand of God.

What do we say to these things? Turn from your wisdom, your fleshly strength, to God Almighty Proverbs 3: 5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

TWO REASONS BRETHREN SUFFER
Acts 12: 1: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2: And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3: And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

Two of the greatest reasons that believer's suffer in this world are given in this passage.

James and Peter suffered for preaching Christ and him crucified. They stood for the truth that the sovereign power of God alone saves sinners apart from the help of men. Their gospel was concerning the complete atonement accomplished by the Christ Jesus the Son of God. They left man no room to glory in matters of regeneration but declared plainly that spiritual life and the fruits of grace are by the Holy Spirit only. When the triune God receives all the glory in salvation, in our believing, in our sanctified walk and in our perseverance then men will surely rebel against that message.

The brethren suffered when they beheld the mistreatment, suffering and even death of the Lord's sanctified ones. This is the second thing which causes the believer much sorrow in this world. They knew these were men loved by their Lord. These were men whom they loved. Beholding brethren suffer causes much suffering in the brethren.