The Second Letter of Peter- 6

Subtitle: The Problem of False Prophets 3

2 Peter 2:6-10. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

We continue today looking at the examples of divine judgment that Peter gives in 2 Peter chapter two.  Last week, we talked about the judgment of The Flood in the days of Noah.  God judged the rebellious angels and wicked humans who followed them in sin.  At the same time, God rescued Noah and his family from the waters of The Flood by having them build an ark that could raise them above the destruction.

Peter then turns to the example of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  At this point, let me insert that God is not trigger happy with His destructions.  They always come after long periods of wicked people “getting away with” wicked deeds.  This was true in The Flood episode as well as with Sodom and Gomorrah.  We can also recognize that same grace being extended to the modern world.

The modern world can be very hypocritical in this area in its attacks on the God of the Bible.  On one hand, it can complain that a truly good and all-powerful God would not allow so much evil on the planet.  Yet, on the other hand, they are also the loudest voices of complaint against God’s judgments that are recorded in Scripture.  Thus, God is accused when He judges and when He doesn’t judge.  In the end, this is an assertion of human wisdom over the top of the divine wisdom found in Scripture.  This assertion never ends well for those who insist on casting off God’s wisdom for their own.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah stands as a warning to those who think God’s judgment is “sleeping” or a myth.  The day will come as sure as the fact that many will not be ready though they were warned well in advance.

Let’s look at our passage.

Example # 2 Sodom & Gomorrah (v. 6-10)

The destruction of Sodom and the other cities is found in Genesis 19. However, in Genesis 18 God tells Abraham what He is about to do.  He is going down to investigate whether the condition in these cities is as bad as the “outcry” that has come up to God against them.  It is not explained, but we can imagine people crying out to God in prayer or just venting to the “heavens” about the treatment they were receiving from these places.  Thus, the angels coming into the city is the investigation by God.

This also leads to a discussion between Abraham and God about any righteous people who may be impacted by such a judgment.  Would God really destroy the cities if there were at least 50 righteous people in them?  Abraham continues this questioning all the way to 10 righteous people.  Genesis 18 ends with a statement from God, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

Of course, the cities are later destroyed with only four people heading the call to escape the coming destruction.  We should note that the events of Genesis 19 contain within them a statement of God, to Abraham or any who have the same question, regarding his judgments upon the wicked and any righteous people who may be caught up in it.  The message is simply this.  God knows how to judge the wicked while rescuing the righteous.  His rescue doesn’t have to always look the same, but He will rescue the righteous.  We saw this with Noah and his family (note that the whole planet had less than 10 righteous individuals).  In this passage, Peter emphasizes God’s rescue of “righteous Lot.”

Peter also tells us that the judgment of destruction upon Sodom was “an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter…”

Sodom and the plain around it were struck by brimstone raining fire upon the area.  This was most likely a meteor that exploded in the atmosphere above the area.  This would have heated the air to thousands of degrees in a fraction of a second, moving forward in a blast wave and followed by burning particles that would pepper the area. 

This is what happened to those cities.  The warning is not so much about the details of the judgment.  Whether God sends a great flood or rains down fiery meteors, the warning is that He will eventually judge men for their wickedness.  His judgment is a real thing that all people will have to face in one way or another.

The men of Sodom had given themselves over to sin that was transgressing all kinds of moral boundaries.  When you transgress boundaries, you don’t always know where it will take you or how far it will take you.  How many visiting strangers had they violated and “got away with it?”  The point is not so much that they picked on the wrong guys (i.e., angels who they thought were men).  Rather, this was the day of judgment.  God was beginning to hold them accountable, and they demonstrated the righteousness of His judgment in their grotesque activity.

This is true of all nations or empires no matter how great they are.  God is able to judge them in a second, bringing them down to destruction.  How then ought we to live in light of this?  Are the cities of America more righteous than this?

The ultimate destructive event is found in Revelation 20.  Fire comes down out of heaven melting the elements of the earth.  Heaven and earth are found no more, and all humanity stands before the Great White Throne to be judged.  The wicked are cast into the Lake of Fire, walled off from God’s new creation.

We might ask, “How does this connect to the false teachers and false prophets that Peter is saying will come?”  Where did Sodom learn the wicked things that they were doing?  They didn’t learn it from Noah.  Over time, men led by wicked spiritual forces taught others to transgress the proper, moral boundaries passed down by those who had seen God’s judgment in the past.  They became perverted sexually and perverted religiously through idolatry.  Their degrading domination of strangers was completely antichrist, demonic.  Do we not have such things today?

Not all false teachers are religious and show up in churches.  We have many false teachers within philosophy, the sciences, education, the entertainment industry, government, and false religions.

Thus, we have this ancient problem.  There are those who do not want to retain the knowledge of God and quickly grasp at the teaching of those who say, “Did God really say such and such?”

Peter describes Peter as righteous.  He may not appear very righteous in all of his actions, but he did remain faithful to God during his time there.  He protested the wickedness of the men of the city.  In fact, Genesis 19:9 describes their disdain for him.  “This one came in as a sojourner and is already acting like a judge…”  They didn’t want to be reminded of righteousness.  They wanted to pursue wickedness.  If you serve the purposes of Christ, warning people of the dangers attached to their sinful activity, many will hate you for it.  Lot was acting as a teacher of righteousness in the face of recalcitrant, moral renegades.

Peter also describes Lot as being “oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men.”  These men recognized no boundaries to their desires.  The oppression of Lot displayed in the Genesis 19 story is their willingness to disgrace those who were his guests.  They then told Lot that they would do worse things to him after they were done with the two visitors (the angels). 

God was there that day.  The threats of these wicked men were empty and hollow.  By the morning, they would be gone.  However, how many people were violated by them or perished under their hand without God’s intervention?  This can be troubling to us.  The timing of God’s judgment may feel like it is too late.  However, before we pull on that thread, we should note that the oppression is not just the external things that happen.

Peter speaks of Lot’s righteous soul being “tormented day after day by their lawless deeds.”  We have people and cities who are currently living wickedly in the face of such examples and warnings from God.  Yet, none of them are “getting away with it.”  Their destruction is just as sure as the people who were destroyed by The Flood and those who perished in Sodom and Gomorrah.

The question is this.  Am I being corrupted by the constant pressure towards sexual immorality, materialism, unloving actions, and overall godlessness?  Or am I living for Christ and sharing the torment of my soul with him and with other believers?  We can also carry this internal burden as we attempt to break through their desire to live for the flesh by sharing the truth about God’s Judgment, Repentance, and God’s Grace.

Verse 9 serves as a conclusion to what these examples illustrate.  The judgment of false teachers and those who live in wickedness is surely coming.  However, this conclusion focuses on God’s ability or knowledge in matters of bringing judgment.

We can look at a powerful government, powerful rich person, a powerful supernatural entity and think to ourselves, “That’s impossible.  No one can stop that.”  However, God knows how to deal with these things.  We might think it is impossible, but that isn’t important.  So what?  Are you now going to refuse to do what God has told you to do?  It may seem to be impotent in front of the wicked and powerful.  However, the same God who has told what He desires of you is also planning the judgment of those powerful, wicked forces.

Peter first speaks about rescuing the godly from “trial.”  Dealing with false teachers and those who belligerently live wicked lives is a temptation and a test.  We can be tempted to go along with them by our own flesh.  Or we can be tempted to give up on righteousness out of discouragement.  Yet, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from such things.  He supplies spiritual strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit in the present.  Ultimately, there is a great trial that is coming upon the whole earth.  It is sometimes referred to as the Great Tribulation of the Last Days.  Only God can deliver the righteous from the trial of the wicked and the trial of His judgments upon them.

Both the example of Sodom and The Flood have to do with ultimate judgments.  There seems to be a pattern here that Peter is describing.  God either removes the righteous (Enoch, Lot) or He protects them through the judgment (Noah).  So, it will be in these last days.  God has a plan that will remove the righteous before He pours out His wrath upon the nations.  Yet, those who repent during this time of wrath can be protected through the trial.  In fact, even if they physically die, their spirits are protected and held unto a time of resurrection.  This is the ability of God to rescue the righteous in various ways that only require us to trust Him.

The flip side of this is that God knows how to reserve the unrighteous for the day of judgment.  In verse 4, Peter spoke of the angels “reserved for judgment.”  Also, there were the spirits of all the wicked humans held in reserve in the grave awaiting the judgment day (they are still there).

The great Judgment Day that is scheduled for the Nations of this world, leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus, is only a taste of the greater Judgment Day that happens a 1,000 years later at the Great White Throne Judgment.

God knows how to judge the wicked while protecting the righteous.  It is not that we cannot be touched by difficulties.  It is a sure protection that brings us through all that we may have to face and brings us to the great future that He has prepared for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Verse 10 begins the transition out of the illustrations back to the false teachers that we face in this Church Age.  He describes them as “especially those who indulge the flesh and its corrupt desires and despise authority.” 

Indulging the flesh is similar to Paul’s phrase “walking in [according to] the flesh.” This is a person who let’s their flesh make the decisions of what they do instead of listening to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. 

Peter says that these desires are corrupt.  The word has the sense of being polluted or defiled.  Desires in and of themselves are not bad.  Desires become corrupted when we do not recognize God’s ordained boundaries withing them.  Thus, sexual desire is not the problem.  It is that our flesh desires that there be no boundaries in our sexual activity (at least only boundaries I give myself). There is no end to the boundaries that sin will pull us past in the name of satisfaction.  However, it never satisfies.

False teachers are not happy with the proper boundaries that God has given to truth and right living.  They develop interpretative schemes and stories that reinterpret the clear truth of God’s Word. 

They also despise authority.  This area is fraught with problems.  Many church leaders have abused their authority.  However, all true authority comes from God.  It is God who gives parents authority over their children.  However, He does not want them to abuse that authority.  Rather, they are supposed to image His loving purposes.

These false teachers despise the authority that God gave to the apostles like Peter, Paul, John and others.  They were to lay down a foundation of teaching and principles that Christians could live out and know that they are good with God.  False teachers don’t like what Peter has written.  They don’t like what Paul has written, so they write their own ideas down and promote them against the truth sent by God.

We see each of these components (walking in the flesh, despising authority) in the two examples.  The angels rebelled against God’s authority out of a fleshly desire to have offspring like humans.  The ancient world followed in this rebellion against God for their own fleshly reasons.  Sodom and Gomorrah cast off the restraints of morality even despising those who reminded them of the boundaries.

We must not be deceived.  God is not mocked.  If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption from the flesh.  However, if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life!  Let us follow Jesus and his commands by faith.  We will be tempted and tested.  However, God has a plan for rescuing us and dealing with the wicked around us.  In fact, this is so sure that we can offer salvation to those who are in the camp of the wicked.  Of course, they will not all repent.  However, it is always surprising when people break down and repent of the choices they have made.  Until Jesus comes, let us focus on being teachers of righteousness but also teachers of repentance and grace, teachers of God’s great love for whoever would put their faith in Him.

False Prophets 3 audio

The Acts of the Apostles 88

Subtitle:  Going in Circles

Acts 25:1-27.  This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on November 24, 2024.

This chapter sets up a longer defense by the Apostle Paul in front of King Herod Agrippa II in the next chapter.

However, chapter 25 also ties back to the earlier events of Paul’s arrest by Commander Lysias, and his removal to Caesarea under Governor Felix.  It has the feel of going back to square one and starting over.

When we feel like we have ended back where we started, it can be a discouraging event, especially when years are involved.  This feeling of going around in circles, facing the same things over again, and not making any progress will depress even the stoutest of hearts.

When this happens, it is good to recognize that there are various reason why we can be going in circles.  Israel traveled in the wilderness for 40 years as a discipline for following their flesh, instead of God’s Spirit.  That generation (besides Caleb and Joshua) physically perished in the wilderness and never entered the Promised Land.  Yet, they didn’t need to perish spiritually.   They could repent and trust even God’s discipline.  They could teach their kids about their failures to obey God’s command and the consequences that brought into their life.  Yet, God’s grace was still there, giving them time to make peace with Him.  Year forty-one was coming, and a wise parent would prepare their offspring.

Of course, Paul is not in this circular pattern because of his lack of faith, his sin.  You could say it was precisely his faith that had him in this situation.  Paul is following Christ, and sometimes, following Christ can feel like we aren’t getting anywhere.

Let’s look at our passage.

An attempt is made to trick Gov. Festus (v 1-5)

The change of governor (from Felix to Festus) gives opportunity to the religious leaders for a fresh chance to get rid of Paul.  People in power (high or low) generally look for ways to manipulate other people of power.  This can be a governor manipulating the elders of Israel in order to control the people in a way that satisfies Caesar.  Or, it can be the leaders of Israel manipulating the new governor in order to execute a man that they do not like, Paul.

History tells us that Felix had been recalled to Rome by Caesar.  It is unclear whether Drusilla accompanied him.  He eventually stood trial for accusations of maladministration during his time in Judea.  Yet, he was able to be absolved of the charges by Caesar.  Regardless, the situation puts a new governor in office, which stirs the leaders of Jerusalem to action.

Festus makes his first trip up to Jerusalem in order to meet the leaders and to give any instructions that he deems fitting.  However, he is met with a petition from the leaders.  Let’s take a minute to talk about this petition.

At face value, the leaders simply inform Festus about Paul’s imprisonment and request that he be brought to Jerusalem for a trial.  However, left unsaid is the fact that men would be sitting in ambush in order to kill Paul.  This is similar to the earlier plot that had been discovered by Paul’s nephew.  I am not sure if the same forty men were looking for redemption.  Regardless, there is no idea that this 2^nd plot was discovered.  Someone would spill the beans later, after it was moot.  Probably someone who later became a believer.

Let’s take a moment to talk about the reality that these “righteous men” employ a ruse in order to trick the governor.  How could they do this?  It starts with the fact that they are convinced in their own righteousness and of Paul’s wickedness.  They believe that the ends justify the means, as long as you can control how it is seen by the people (i.e., retain your moral cloak).

When those who are supposed to represent righteousness are doing wicked things behind a thin veil of due process, that nation is in trouble.   So, what is the solution?  What can righteous people do when such is the case?  Many people throw up their hands and say that it will never change.  However, the best thing to do is to repent and pray for the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.  Paul is an example of this.

Luke  tells us that Festus denies the petition and tells them to come to Caesarea to lodge their complaint.  It isn’t clear if he has guessed their ploy.  It is more likely that he is avoiding a prisoner transport that would take several days and run the risk of him escaping.  Instead, the petitioners can bear the expense of the travel, while the prisoner is held secure.

It isn’t always clear to us that God uses even unrighteous people.  Paul has run into some Romans who proved to be righteous, but God also used men who were not righteous in order to direct the events of Paul’s life. 

No matter what we do (righteous or wicked), it will always end up furthering the purposes of God.  We can serve His purposes willingly and be blessed, or we can unwillingly serve His purposes and eventually be destroyed.

Paul defends himself (v 6-12)

When the leaders show up in Caesarea, the “serious complaints” they make against Paul are, no doubt, the same as they were before Felix.  It would sound something like this.  Paul is the ringleader of a heretical, Jewish sect, and he causes dissension wherever he goes.  On top of this, he has been caught profaning our temple.

Yet, the only proof they have is about religious teachings that have nothing to do with stirring people up against Rome.  If Paul didn’t have Roman citizenship, he would likely be sacrificed for the sake of peace, and as a means of securing good will from the Jewish leaders.  This is what was done to Jesus.  Of course, Paul does have Roman citizenship, and Festus has to be careful to dot every “i” and cross every “t.” 

Paul responds by emphasizing that he hasn’t done anything against the law of the Jews, nor has he profaned their temple.  On top of this, he has not done anything wrong against Caesar.

Let us be clear that Jesus has not called his people to be lawless.  When you follow the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, you will be a test to lawless men (whether they are a peasant neighbor or a judge in a court).  Lawless authorities love to hide their lawlessness behind a pretense of law.  Christians would do well to be alert to this.

At this point, Festus tries to talk Paul into a trial in Jerusalem.  We are told that he wanted to do the Jews a favor.  His new governorship would be challenged by these men in this room.  The more he can get them on his side the more likely he is to have peace in Jerusalem, and the smile of Caesar.

It is not that the change of venue is up to Paul.  This might seem strange to us.  However, Festus has to be careful.  If something goes wrong, it could be pinned upon his decision to send Paul to Jerusalem.  However, if Paul is on record as wanting to go to Jerusalem, then Festus could make the charge that it was Paul’s fault.

Two things are happening at this point.  Paul knows exactly why the Jewish leaders want to change the venue to Jerusalem.  They intend to make good on their earlier assassination plot.  Yet, Paul is not just saving his skin  here.  He states clearly that he does not object to being put to death for true capital crimes.  However, he will not put up with being handed into the hands of brigands in robes under false charges.

The second thing is that Paul has been told by the Lord Jesus that he will testify in front of governors and kings, and that he must go to Rome.  This leads him to his next action.  Paul appeals his case to Caesar.  Every Roman had the right to have a capital case heard by Caesar.  It may take more years in prison, but it was his right.  Festus cannot ignore this appeal, unless he had solid evidence to back up his decision, which he doesn’t.

There are times when the course of our actions seem to have been a waste.  Yet, we need to be careful with hasty judgments.  If you are sincerely working for the Lord, then you need to trust the Lord’s ability to take the little that you have done and produce spiritual fruit from it.  In fact, Jesus is able to take the little deeds of hundreds of people and stitch them together in one great work of grace.  We must stay humble in our judgments, continue in faithfulness, and trust him.  Ultimately, all of our lives are poured out without knowing all that it will produce.  We simply need to trust him and stay faithful to the end of our course.

Paul is brought before Herod Agrippa II (v. 13-27)

Agrippa II and his sister Bernice (sometimes spelled Berenice) are the offspring of Herod Agrippa I.  He is the man who died in Acts 12.  He had executed the apostle James (John’s brother) and later died of intestinal worms.  His son, Agrippa II, had started out with a small area of authority in an area between Damascus and Syrian Antioch.  But, over the years, he had been given more and more authority.  At this point, Agrippa II was the authority over Galilee and the area north of it.

This is probably a social visit to welcome Festus and to create goodwill between them.  It is in this environment of wining and dining that the curious case of Paul comes up.

Herod Agrippa II jumps at the chance to hear Paul.  This is not a trial, but simply a powerful person obtaining a favor from another powerful person.  To them, Paul is entertainment.

Festus likes this idea and sets up a hearing the next day in an auditorium.  He also invites the commanders and the prominent men of Caesarea.  We are then told that Agrippa II and his sister, Bernice, arrive with great pomp.  Such an atmosphere would not strike Paul with great hope, when he is brought before them.  Besides, the Herodian family was well acquainted with the Jewish religion.  They would be the perfect ones to help Festus determine what to say to Caesar.

We will deal with Paul’s defense in chapter 26 during the next sermon on this matter.  But, for now, I want us to think about this whole going in circles thing.  For two years, Paul has been kept in prison and trotted out to be heard again and again.  He is going in circles, but in a way he is not.  Instead of becoming frustrated, Paul will speak the Gospel to Agrippa II and all those who are in attendance.  Do these pompous people deserve the Gospel?  No, they don’t, but then, neither did Paul.  Many who have heard the Gospel didn’t deserve it, and they went on to squander the opportunity.  Of course, God is trying to wake people up to the reality of Jesus.

These religious leaders who have been charging Paul with heresy and treason are only righteous in appearance only.  This is not what we should be.  We need to be in a relationship with Jesus by prayerfully spending time in His Word, and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We need to do this with great humility, rather than self-righteousness.

None of the men who have heard Paul’s preaching and defense of the Gospel deserved it.  Yet, God sent him in chains to them.  Paul doesn’t do this because he is in chains.  Rather, he does it because Jesus is worthy of such things.  The purpose of Christ is to let a dying world know that they don’t have to perish.  They can take his hand and be saved.

Yes, it may feel like you are not just going in circles, but that your life is spiraling down.  God’s purpose is to take a life that is spiraling down due to its sins and deflect it through Jesus Christ.  When we put our faith in Jesus, our lives begin to spiral upwards to Him.  Now that is a going in circles that we can rejoice in!

Going in Circles audio

The Acts of the Apostles 50

Subtitle: The Fallout of God's Help

Acts 12:12-19.  This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on August 6, 2023.

I have used the term "Fallout" because it features the repercussions or consequences of powerful actions.  When God acts, it is more powerful than a nuclear bomb, and yet more controlled than them as well.  Thus, it is much better than a nuke.  Still, there are powerful consequences to all involved when He gives His help- helpful to some and as devastating as a nuke to others.

The Bible makes it clear that God will eventually do something that sweeps aside all of the great power of man regardless of the period of time in which we live, or the part of the globe in which we live.  People have always been born and raised in situations of powerful governments and people that appear unlikely to ever change.  You can live your life and die without them changing. 

To our limited minds it appears they are immovable.  However, take heart.  God is doing something that is bigger than you, than a family, than a nation, a republic, or a world.  He will step in and judge the wicked at some point in a powerful act of His Sovereignty.

This can be hard on our faith in between the time of suffering and God's help.  Yet, in countless many little ways, God helps us even in times when it appears that the wicked are untouchable.

When God sweeps away their power structures and authority, it is a source of rage and frustration for the wicked, but it is simultaneously a source of joyful amazement for the people of God!

Let's look at our passage.

The believers are astonished (v. 12-17)

Peter has been freed from prison by an angel of God. As is often the case with prayer, God can astonish us simply by doing the thing for which we are praying.  This surprise can be because of the quickness of the answer, or because it is answered at all.  There is a level of weak faith in this matter.  However, this is not the hardened unbelief of the lost.  Rather, it is a remnant of our close connection to a lost world.  We grow to expect certain things from God, just as we do from certain people.  This doesn't make a person a failure as a Christian, but rather a human in need of God's grace.

The believers of Israel in the first century were not used to angels helping people out of jail.  So, in one sense, we can give them grace.  God was on the move with powerful works and they were not used to it.  However, in another sense, we can see that they have had three and half years of the miraculous ministry of Jesus followed with about ten years of God doing powerful things through the Apostles of Jesus.  Perhaps, they should be softly rebuffed with the response, "Ye of little faith!"

The believers who had been praying for Peter would have presumably been praying for God to spare Peter from execution and enable him to be released.  We can pray things with our mouths that our heart does not expect to happen, i.e., "It would take a miracle...and God hardly ever does that."  Sigh. 

Let us always remember that the simple thing and the impossible thing are both easy for God to do.  God isn't sparing with miracles because they are hard to do, but because they don't always help our faith. Yet, I think that God enjoys astonishing believers from time to time.  He likes to give us surprises from time to time.

Our sanctified minds are not perfect at analyzing God's purpose and plan.  With the execution of the Apostle James, it may have appeared to them that God had finally moved them into martyr-mode.  Others had been killed, but the apostles had been spared up until now.  How quickly our faith meter can rise and fall based upon what we see on the ground.  As the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "We walk by faith, not by sight."

Finding himself in the street at night, Peter naturally goes to a place where believers would gather.  In those days, this would often be the home of a believer that was large enough to accommodate a bigger group.  One of those places in Jerusalem was the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark.

By the way, there are a lot of women in the New Testament named Mary.  It can be hard to keep them clear.  There are at least six or seven with three different Mary's at the cross when Jesus died.

The believers were in the habit of gathering together and praying together, especially when there was trouble like Peter being in jail.  It is important for us to develop the discipline of praying for one another, but also to pray with one another.  Such a disciplines will serve us well in times of difficulty.  If you wait until trouble hits to reach out to others and try to pray, you will be less likely to do so, and do it effectively, when it comes.

Thus, we should have intentionality in our prayer life.  I don't want to pray only when I feel like it, or I think I need it.  In truth, we always need to pray alone, and to pray with others.  God help us to develop a disciplined relationship with Him through prayer.

As Peter knocks on the door of the gate (verse 13), a young girl named Rhoda answers.  She is so excited about it being Peter that she neglects to open the door and let him in.  She runs into the house and tells everyone that Peter is at the gate.  However, they think she is crazy.

When we are not inclined to believe something, we will grasp at every alternate explanation that we think is more believable.  However, the only evidence they have is that someone claims that Peter is currently at the door of the gate.  Rhoda, who is probably a teenager, claims that Peter is at the door.  She has seen him.  Yet, they say that she is crazy.  The word literally means that she is beside herself.  Of course, their only evidence of her being crazy is that she claims to have seen Peter. 

Think about it.  It is one thing to be skeptical and want to see for yourself.  However, if you were not there when Rhoda claims to have seen Peter, you can't use that as evidence of her being crazy.  You are the one who doesn't know anything.  You have to investigate.

Of course, because she insists that Peter is at the gate, they then change their charge to the idea that she has only seen "his angel."  What do they mean by this?  It is most likely a reference to his spirit, i.e., he must have been killed at the jail and we are being visited by his spirit.  Angels were spiritual beings and the term was sometimes used for all spirit beings by extension.  It is also possible that they are thinking it is Peter's guardian angel.  But, why would the angel look like Peter, and be at their door?

They have put forward the statement that Rhoda is either crazy or has seen Peter's spirit, but in no way, has she seen Peter.  We may not believe everything that everyone says, but we should be careful of making pronouncements about things that we did not see.  You should go and check it out yourself, or hold your peace.  By the way, this has led many an atheist to Christ (checking it out for themselves).

God is not stuck in your boxes.  I am the servant, and He is the master.  We should walk more humbly among one another than that.

Peter, of course, is still at the gate and continues knocking.  He has escaped from prison, and is now standing in the street in the middle of the night.  If the guards come looking, they will find him easily.  The believers finally open the door and now they are astonished.  There is some irony here.  They thought that Rhoda was mad, but now they are "astonished."  This word means to stand outside of one's self, but it didn't have the connotation of actually being crazy.  It meant something more like being amazed at something that seems incredulous.

No matter how much faith you have, you are still a human being who is mortal and framed in by limitations.  However, God isn't.  When He moves, it is often mind-blowing even to His people.  If you think about it, even just the normal activity of God's creation is amazing.  On top of this, He does astonishing things when we are not expecting it.  God has made astonishing promises to believers that are easy to talk about, but do we really believe?  The general resurrection of believers into immortal bodies seems incredulous to 21st century humans, but it is God's promise to the saints of every age.  Prepare to be surprised, and astonished!

Yet, if God could spring Peter with an angel, why not James?  That is the question isn't it.  Why does God do what He does, and not do what He doesn't do?  You will never be satisfied with an answer in that area.  Besides, from another perspective, we could say that James has been promoted to the side of Jesus, but Peter has been left on the earth to continue working.  James' testimony is that Jesus is worth dying for, and Peter gives the same testimony.  Yet, he is spared this time.

It is the privilege of the people of God to be amazed at the grace and mercy of God.  It is our privilege to be amazed from time to time as we pray for God's help.  We can shout together, "That's our God!  That's the One that we've been talking about!"  Let us praise our amazing God, and our amazing Savior!

After explaining all that has happened, Peter tells them to let the other apostles know that he has been freed, and then leaves.  This is one of those "underground church" lessons.  They would be looking for Peter at any time.  The first place that the gestapo will look is at the homes of your known associates.  We must be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.

The wicked are frustrated (v. 18-19)

We will now look at how God's activity affects the wicked.  Of course, the wicked are always upset when God helps the righteous.

We are told that there is no small stir among the soldiers.  When they awakened and saw that their prisoner was gone, they knew this was a matter of life and death, theirs.  This was the day that Herod intended to try Peter, and execute him, no doubt.  Guards were always under threat of death for losing a prisoner, but especially a prisoner like Peter who "disturbs the Roman Peace."  They would have only so much time to look for Peter and then they would have to come clean to Herod.  They would not be able to sweep this under the rug.

Herod is finally told.  Verse 19 says that Herod searched for Peter and couldn't find him.  Of course, this means that he sent people out to search for Peter.  When they came up empty handed, Herod interrogates the guards and then has them executed.  He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.

Man's military operates much like a machine.  It is very methodical and all about function.  It is not a place of grace and mercy, but of harsh realities.

Though military language is used of believers in the New Testament (i.e., the armor of God, spiritual battle, etc.), God is not a man trying to act the part of God.  Of course, this is what generals, kings, and presidents do.  God is not desperate for you to never fail.  He can afford to have mercy and grace upon those who are more than His spiritual warriors, but are also His children.

This brings us to a principle.  When you are on the wrong side of God, you had better get used to frustration and rage.  Herod ends up with egg on his face and doesn't like it.  He sends a message to the other soldiers through the execution of the guards, and he sends a message to the people of Jerusalem as well.  This is no laughing matter.  Herod will not be made into a spectacle!  He may suspect that the guards had to have helped Peter escape.  Regardless, he is finding out the hard way that it is no fun to be fighting against God.

We are told that Herod then goes down to Caesarea.  It was no longer fun and rewarding to go after these Christians in Jerusalem.  It was fun for a time, but then God stepped in.  Yet, not all of the enemies of God's people are so easily dissuaded.  It is not always fun for believers either.  Yet, we always have the confidence that our God loves us and is working all things for our good.  He fights our battles!

This is the destiny of all the wicked, to be frustrated, and at the mercy of the cruelty of one another.  We could even say that Herod is "beside himself" in anger.  Yet, there is coming a day of great shame and loss for the powerful people of the earth and their armies.

Believers must once again take hold of the truth that God has not given this world to the wicked.  It may appear so, but it is only temporary.  They are taking advantage of God's grace and mercy.  Yet, they will be judged in the end.

God has particular judgments throughout history in which things changed overnight that people though would never change.  On top of this, God has a final day of wrath that will bring this Age of Grace to a close.  What will we choose, desperate frustration and shame, or the joy of amazement as our Savior steps in?  Those who choose the Lord Jesus will not be put to shame in the end!

Let me end by reminding us of the War of Independence.  When the united colonies won their independence from Great Britain, it was a big deal, a judgment of God.  But, it is a drop in the bucket to what Christ will do when He comes back to liberate humanity from the usurpers and their sycophants.  We must choose which side we will be on.  Some will always choose the side of the wicked against God.  Yet, in His mercy, He has given us this Age of Grace so that men can choose.  Choose this day who you will serve!

God's Help audio

Father, Turn Our Hearts

Luke 1:11-17.  This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on June 20, 2021, Father’s Day.

We are celebrating Father’s Day.  It is easy in life to let your heart turn towards the things that it wants to turn towards.  It doesn’t help when you have a society that elevates following the heart over doing what is right and pleasing God.

Don’t get me wrong.  Sometimes, God puts things in our hearts, but the follower of Jesus will wrestle with those things, seeking to be intellectually honest before God.  They desire more to follow him than to follow their own heart.

Today, we will look at a man who was grieved by the fact that he and his wife couldn’t have any children, and through his interaction with an angel, we are reminded of God the Father’s heart for us.

Let’s look at our passage.

The Father’s impact

In this passage, we are not told whether Zacharias was praying for a child that day in the temple.  He was a priest who had been picked by lot to offer the incense in the Holy Place before the veil, and the Presence of God.  We are told that he and his wife were “well advanced in years.”  This probably means that his years of praying for a child had long since ceased, and his hopes for such had long since died.

God the Father chose a particular day, when it looked like there was no hope, and in fact he wasn’t even looking to see if there was hope anymore.  It was at that moment that He sent an angel to give Zacharias the good news.  God had a present for him, a large measure of grace; he was going to have a son!  As exciting as this news was to Zacharias, notice that this grace is not all about him and his wife.  It is also about the nation of Israel and its need to turn back to God.  We must always remember that the grace of God in our life is a present from a loving Father, but it is also intended to bless more than just me.  It is our natural tendency to be short-sided in regard to the grace of God in our life.

This is probably the first time that Zacharias has seen an angel.  Though we are not given a description in Luke, the angel explains that he is Gabriel who stands in the presence of God.  This angel called Gabriel also interacted with Daniel in Daniel chapters 8 and 9.  There he is described as looking like a man (no wings).   So, it is most likely not what Gabriel looks like that startles Zacharias, but the fact that no one is supposed to be in the Holy Place at that time, but him.

There are things that can make men afraid.  Zacharias is a righteous man who has been serving God “blamelessly.”  It would be easy to say that a righteous man shouldn’t fear anything, even that we shouldn’t fear God; He is on our side!  However, God still does things, or allows things, in our life that we can’t control, and that we weren’t expecting.  Fear is a natural response in these times.

Many fathers try to look like they aren’t afraid, but if we don’t keep our heart and eyes turned towards God, we can become entangled in a web of fears.  You can spend your life trying to become greater than your fears, or you can turn to the One who is greater than all that you fear.  In fact, when we are not living right before God, we often fear things that we shouldn’t.  Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”  We can become trapped by a mixture of real things and figments of our warped imagination.

The real problem in life is not that we fear, but that we are truly bad at fearing the right things.  There are many fathers today who are not afraid to abandon their children, or they are not afraid to help a girl abort their baby.  They aren’t afraid to abuse the woman that they are with.  Really, they don’t fear God who has warned those who do such things of the consequences of the things they are doing.  We are not afraid to play God in our labs, businesses, and government buildings.  We are not afraid of throwing off the time-proven wisdom of the past for the seduction of a future that we think we can control.  Yes, the real problem is that we aren’t afraid of running off the cliff with all the other lemmings.

In the end, God is not a danger to those who serve Him in love.  I should add a caveat to this.  It all comes down to the definition of “danger.”  Jesus served the Father faithfully in love, but he died on a cross.  Yet, God is showing us through the resurrection of Jesus that any danger He purposefully brings before us, or even allows to come before us, has a way through it that brings us to the good things that He intends for us on the other side.

In truth, He is a danger to our flesh, but He is Eternal Life, Peace, and Joy to our soul, and to our future.  He really does love you, and will bless you if you will turn to Him in faithful love.  Like Zacharias, we must be those ones who are rare in a land of men who have turned away from God.  We must pass that reality on to the next generation, both with our natural children and with the spiritual children that God brings into our lives.

The Father’s desire

As the angel describes God’s purpose for the child that Zacharias will have, we see the desire of our heavenly Father’s heart, and the things that were keeping Israel in bondage.

The term “children of Israel” is used in this context as a reference to generation, and not as a reference to age.  It is not talking about everyone under the age of 12, but of the current generation who had been birthed by the generation before.  It pictures each generation as Israel giving birth to the next generation of Israel.  The nation of Israel, both young and old, were the children of Israel, just as we today are the children of the United States of America. 

The problem with any nation is that our hearts get turned away from God the Father.  No matter how good our beginning may have been, all nations run into peril as more and more of their people turn their hearts away from God.  The Father’s desire was that the hearts of that generation be turned back towards Him.

We must not see God as a Father who is hurt and mad that His children don’t love Him.  Instead, we must see the reality of what happens to children who turn away from loving parents, and cast off their godly instruction.  Such children turn towards foolish things, and the path of folly always brings ruin to a person and to a nation.  God’s heart breaks over the folly that is taking over, not just our land, but all of the nations on this earth.  With a Father’s heart, He cries out, “Why will you die?  Choose Life, and turn back to Me!”

He also desires to turn the hearts of the fathers towards their children.  When our hearts are turned towards God, He teaches us to have our hearts turned towards each other in the right way.  There is a plague of fatherless children across our land.  Too many fathers have rejected the heavenly Father and His desire to turn their heart towards their wives and children.  This is not just a problem for fathers.  Mothers and children have the same problems too.

However, men, we must be bold as lions and care for the people that God has put in our lives.  Regardless of how they respond, we must love them and seek God’s best for them, by showing them what a righteous man looks like, and how he lives.  This world successfully seduces our hearts away from what really matters because it first seduced our heart away from God.  This is how Satan plunders us from the goodness and inheritance of God.

Ultimately, the Father desires to turn the disobedient towards the wisdom of the righteous.  Israel had become disobedient children.  They were fathers who were disobedient to the heaven Father, and children who were disobedient to earthly fathers.  They refused to hear the words of wisdom spoken through the righteous men of the past, and written down in the Bible.  In short, to turn is to repent.  There is a lot of turning going on in this world.  People turn from one thing to the next seeking their own happiness.  However, it is not good enough to repent of one fleshly pursuit to go after another.  The only repentance that will actually do you any good, and even do good for the people around you, is the repentance that turns all the way around back towards God.  Finally, when we are truly oriented towards Him, He is able to turn us back around to the people and things in our life in wisdom and righteousness, in a way that gives life, and not death.  May God help us to cast aside disobedience, hear the heart of a loving Father, and turn into the path of life!