日期： 08/12/07

經文：使徒行傳 12 ： 1-25

題目 ： 兩個國度的故事

主旨： 因為管治天上地下的權柄都歸耶穌，我們便可以有份與 衪 一同在世擴展天國

引言：

如果你成長在五十年代的美國，你或許還記得當時有許多學校在 圣 誕節期間播放歌頌耶穌誕生的音樂；但是現在已經沒有學校這么做了。曾經有一段時間，大概是 10 年或者 15 年以前吧，人們見面時會互道一聲“ 圣 誕快樂”；但是現在大家都只說“節日快樂”。如今，你也無法在政府機構或者公共場所看到任何紀念耶穌誕生的馬槽佈置。

在一些國家，基督徒無法自由地敬拜上帝。我想到一個聖經學校：每隔兩三個月就要轉移上課地點。對于一些教會來說，下一個星期的敬拜地點是得不到保證的，他們總得要準備一兩個備用的聚會場所。在某些國家里，公開的敬拜上帝是被禁止的。

無論我們身處東方還或是西方，都能經常感受到政府的強力。在政府面前，我們常常感到無助。有時候，在個人生命裡 , 我們感覺已經到了山窮水盡，窮途末路的地步。如果醫生的診斷報告我們得了癌癥 , 並且前景 不樂觀，或者你的配偶為了另一個人而離開下你，我們會有天都要塌下來的感覺。我們不僅心里感到無助，還時常質問神：“你在哪里？你的大能在哪里？”

在今天的經文里，我們看到：早期的教會處在一個好像神的能力不在的處境 , 那怎么樣呢？

I •  神的國度與撒但國度不斷的爭戰

在第一節，路加道出了這一章經文的場景：“那時，希律王下手苦害教會中的幾個人。”他逮捕并且殺害了約翰的哥哥雅各。由于這樣的行動得到猶太人的歡心，他又繼續逮捕彼得，似乎也在準備殺死他。

路加提到彼得是在逾越節的時候被逮捕的。這真是一個極大的諷刺啊 ! 逾越節的設立是為了紀念神當初帶領以色列人離開埃及，擺脫了埃及的奴役。但是，希律王卻選擇在這個時候逮捕彼得，把他關進了監獄，使他成為階下囚。看起來他的行為和神在以色列歷史上的作為是完全背道而馳的。

第一世紀的讀者知道這不僅僅是希律王個人對教會的迫害，事實上那是一場神和撒旦之間的對抗，是兩個國度之間的較量。早在《創世紀》里就已經預言了這場爭戰。我們都記得在人類歷史的初期，上帝吩咐人類要繁殖增多，征服和管理大地。繁殖增多的字面意思是生兒育女，增加人口；但是還有更深一層的意思是人始祖有責任將更多的人帶入神的國，一個 圣 潔和愛的國。但是，由于罪的緣故，人並沒作好。在《創世紀》 3 ： 15 “我要使你和女人彼此為仇，你的後裔和女人的後裔，也彼此為仇，女人的後裔要傷你的頭，你要傷他的腳跟。”上帝說撒旦要破壞和干擾他的救贖計劃。在神的兒女和撒旦之間將有一場持久的爭戰。但是有一位神的兒子，他將最終打敗撒旦。在舊約的聖經歷史我們看見這戰爭不斷的展開。

隨著耶穌的降世，他和撒旦之間的爭戰，神的國度和撒旦的國度之間的對抗達到最激烈的程度。隨著耶穌的復活，撒旦受到了致命的打擊。撒旦已經無法控制神的兒女，但他依然會攻擊和影響他們的生活。使徒保羅和彼得都提醒我們：我們還要打一場屬靈的爭戰，所以要時刻保持驚醒，免得被魔鬼吞吃去了。

這是作為二十一世紀的基督徒所一定要記住：當教會受到迫害的時候，當聖經被禁止在學校使用 , 這 不僅僅是國家的宗教政策出現了問題，在這些宗教政策的背后，是一場神的國度和撒旦的國度之間的爭戰。一個正確的聖經世界觀是在所看見物質世界的背后還有一個屬靈的世界，它和我們肉眼所見的世界同樣真實地存在。是的，神的國度真實地存在，但是撒旦也時時刻刻都在和神爭戰。是的 , 有時 在強大的政府前 , 我們會感到 無能為力，我們會感到沮喪和失望，但是請你不要忘記：這也是神和撒旦之間的一場爭戰。

II •  在這兩個國度爭戰中神的主權

希律王使用暴力和血腥的手段對付教會，他殺死了雅各并且逮捕了彼得。這是早期教會的一個很黑暗的時刻。但是，彼得在被逮捕后不久就被神奇地救出了監獄。換句話說，神默許了雅各被殺死，卻拯救了彼得，這是為什么呢？

對此我們無法解釋。我們或許會找這樣的一個理由：上帝拯救彼得是因為他要在某些特殊的方面繼續使用彼得。這是我們大家都很熟悉的說法：上帝拯救你是為了在某些特殊方面使用你。路加沒有指出這點。你看 , 當彼得出獄以后，《使徒行傳》里就再也沒有提到過他了。

我們只有把這歸咎于神的主權。就如在一些國家里，有些基督徒能公開和定期地敬拜神，他們有固定的聚會場所，地方甚至比我們教會還大。但是有些教會，卻連個固定的聚會場所都沒有。在另一些國家里，有些基督徒被逮捕，然后得到釋放，有些卻被處死。我們想到 23 名韓國宣教隊的成員。有兩人被害。我們不知道為什么會發生這樣的悲劇，或許我們永遠都不會知道。同樣，對于生命中的某些遭遇，我們永遠無法了解為什么會發生。有些人奇跡般地得到醫治，有些患同樣疾病的人卻死去。 我們不知道這是為什么。

在這樣的情況下，我們只有承認神是那最終的決定者。我們要承認和順服他的主權。當熊沉默時 , 我們要學習接受祂的沉默 , 而不必替祂解釋或辯護 . 讓祂為神 。

III •  在這兩個國度爭戰中教會的力量

在 1 到 5 節經文里，我們看到教會處在無助的光景里。教會作了甚麼呢 ? 我們遇到這樣的狀況時，會怎樣呢？對于西方人來說，可能傾向于和政府的勢力做斗爭和對抗。我們要行使憲法賦予公民的權利，組織各種團體。我們要使用手中的投票權來改變政府 的現狀 。在東方世界，我們常常只有認命。有這么一個說法：在美國，如果你不喜歡政府，只要等上四年；在中國，如果你對政府不滿意，那么要等上四百年。

當然，在面對強勢政府時，我們還是有許多的選擇。但是，初期教會的信徒在面臨希律王的暴政時是怎么做的呢？他們禱告。“彼得就這樣被拘留在監裡；但教會卻為他迫切地祈求 神。”彼得被暴政的希律王關在監獄里，但是教會卻為他迫切地禱告。從第 6 到 19 節，經文記錄了神如何救彼得出獄。我想和大家分享幾個觀察。

首先，教會的力量來自禱告，希律王的力量來自暴力。但是教會力量不是我們有多少律師，有多少金錢能力，或者認識多少政府官員，而是向神的禱告。

其次，教會的力量來自 切切 , 誠懇的禱告 。在《使徒行傳》的多處經文里，我們了解到要切切，要合一地禱告。這里講的是禱告的質量。整個教會齊心合一地向神切切地禱告。他們祈求神救出彼得。在西方，人們往往注重數量。我們以為禱告的人越多，力量就越大。所以我們廣發禱告信，組織晝夜禱告小組。請聽我說：我的意思不是說這些不重要，但是關鍵的問題是我們的重點在哪里。我們是否認為只要禱告的人越多，那么禱告的效用就越好？ James Boice 指出這樣的想法是非常不屬靈的。這樣的做法和那些崇拜巴力偶像的人沒有區別。參與禱告的人越多，禱告的聲音越響 , 這就越好 , 那神就會聽 。但是在這里，路加的重點是禱告的質量。我們要齊心合力地切切向神求。

第三 , 禱告的力量。如果神有主權，那么我們為什么還要禱告呢？我想許多人都有這個問題。我不得不承認對此沒有一個完美的答案。我們需要知道 圣 經記載了神向人類顯明的旨意，但是我們不知道神那隱而未現的對我們個人或者某個教會的旨意。我們確信神具有主權，沒有人能改變他那隱而未現的旨意。但與此同時，我們也可以滿有把握地說， 圣 經清楚地記載了神要求我們凡事向他求的意志。一方面，我們無法改變神的計劃，另一方面，神要我們向他祈求，因為他要藉我們的禱告來完成他的計劃。因此，如果我們禱告了以后就宣稱所求的必定實現，那是錯誤的。沒有人知道神隱而未現的旨意 和計劃 。如果我們說“因為我已經為你的醫治禱告，所以我相信你會得到醫治，我宣告你的疾病已經得到醫治”這類的話，就好比說我們知道神的意志就是要醫治好你。這是錯誤的。沒有人知道神隱而未現的旨意。因此，如果有人說“我已經通過禱告知道了神 80-90% 的意志”，這樣的說法是非常荒謬的。

當我們面對政府的強權或者物質世界的 種種困擾，比如疾病等，我們要來到神的面前禱告。我們為能自由的敬拜禱告；為疾病得到醫治禱告。我們為在亞富汗的韓國人質的釋放禱告 . 在我們祈求的同時，我們要承認無法知道神對我們個人或者教會的安排和計劃。神對于我們的祈求或許會說是或許會說不。但是我們確切地知道：神要我們向他求，他要使用我們的禱告實現他的計劃。

最近幾年以來，許多基督徒得以前往中國工作，教導英文或者從事其他項目和活動。這在五六十年代是無法想像的。我記得五十年代到七十年代的時候 , 在 香港和海外華人教會或者查經小組里的禱告事項中總有一項 : 是求神打開中國的大門，讓福音能夠自由地傳遍中國。我們祈求中國的基督徒能夠人人都有 圣 經。現在的中國是怎樣的光景呢？我們知道：中國教會歷史上最黑暗的一段時期（ 1949-1980 ），當中國的大門對西方完全關閉的時候，基督徒的數量還是至少增加了兩到三成。我這次去中國傳道，看到不少基督徒手里的 圣 經印刷質量非常好，體積和重量也剛好符合我的要求。連我都想在中國買一本 圣 經。這些在五六十年代的時候都是無法想像的。神應允了我們的禱告，使用我們的禱告實現了他的計劃。

如果我們正確地理解神的主權，那么我們就是不斷地大膽地向他祈求。

在第 6 到 19 節，我們看到教會對于彼得被救出監獄的反應。彼得起先無法相信。然后，當他出現在信徒們正在禱告聚會的場所時，信徒們也不相信他們看到的和聽到的。他們曾經為了彼得能被救出監獄禱告，當神應允了他們的禱告時，他們又以為這是不可能的事。這樣的事也常常發生在我們身上。我們為了一些危急的狀況向神禱告和呼求，當危難過去以后，我們就把禱告拋諸腦后了。我們把事件的解決歸咎于自己的能力，而不是神的力量。

IV •  在這兩個國度爭戰中神的勝利

路加以一種特別的方式結束這段的敘述。希律王正在參加一個集會，在他演講的時候，群眾大聲說這是神的聲音。希律王不歸榮耀給神，神就擊打他，希律王斷了氣。猶太歷史學家 Josephus 認為：希律王所穿的盔甲能反射陽光，所以群眾以為這是來自神的聲音。不管怎樣，希律王的死是因為他沒有歸榮耀給神。他要神化自己，自稱為神，所以神擊打他，他斷了氣。那個用暴力手段對付教會的希律自己也死于暴力。

我們在第 24 節看到什么？“神的道日漸興旺，越發廣傳。”希律要除掉耶穌的門徒 , 他要除掉這道的跟隨者 , 最後他卻死了 , 但這道卻 日漸興旺 , 越發廣傳。

神的道日漸興旺，越發廣傳是神在創世記的命令的實現 . 這命令在舊約歷史裡不停的擴張 , 在耶穌的生命和事奉中被肯定 . 神的道日漸興旺，越發廣傳也是耶穌給門徒的大使命的實現 . 整本使徒行傳是在告訴我們這道如何在耶路撒冷 , 猶太全地 , 撒馬利亞 和安提阿 日漸興旺，越發廣傳 . 隨著第 12 章的結束 , 有關彼得的記載也告一段落 . 從 13 章開始 , 重點就放在保羅身上 , 記載他如何將這道 , 天國的福音帶到小亞西亞 , 直到羅馬 。這命令的實現仍不斷的展開在我們的眼前 : 1895-1945 台灣在日本的統治之下 . 在那時期 , 日本政府嚴禁在山地傳福音 . 但你知道嗎 , 在那段日子 , 也是最多山胞們信主的日子 . 同樣的在中國當教會受到最嚴厲的逼迫時 , 神的道卻 日漸興旺，越發廣傳 .

   不但如此 , 這道繼續的日漸興旺，越發廣傳 . 祂也到達了你我之處 . 也不會停在我們之處 , 因為我們要繼續將這道帶給我們身邊的人 , 也帶到中國 , 澳門 , 烏干達 , 歐洲各地的人 . 這道會 日漸興旺，越發廣傳直到有一天所有耶穌基督的子民都在祂的大寶座前聚集 .

神的真理 , 神的道 , 祂的恩典與慈愛 , 繼續去祂要去的地方 . 沒有任何的力量能阻止祂 . 因祂是那勝利者 . 當我們知道我們在跟隨那位擁有天上地下所有的權柄耶穌時 , 是何等的安慰與鼓勵 !

結論：

這段經文提醒我們有兩個國度的存在：神的國度和撒旦的國度。有時，撒旦可能兇相畢露并且窮兇極惡地試圖吞噬我們。他或許通過政府或者大自然的力量反映他的能力。他令我們感到無助和乏力。但是，路加告訴我們不要懼怕。因為神的力量勝過撒旦的勢力。是的，撒旦會影響我們，試圖令我們偏離神的真道，但是他無法戰勝和征服我們。

上周，我們提到中國的黃河。在她的下游河段，黃河攜帶了大量的黃沙，在許多地方形成淤積。她形成山川峽谷，使河床高出海平面。當她泛濫的時候，會淹沒 地上的 一切。她的力量令她隨心所欲地改變河道。有這么一個說法：黃河之水天上來，是一條沒有人能阻攔的河。

這就像是神的國度。那是一條恩典的河流，包含著神的愛，恩典和 圣 潔。他隨著自己的意志和計劃奔流。它帶來了從罪中的釋放 , 從神的忿怒中被拯救 . 無論流到哪里，都有生命被感動被改變。沒有人能阻擋這條恩典的河流。那些曾經企圖阻攔的人，都最終被其吞沒或者推開。更神奇的是：這條恩典的河流，神的國度，邀請我們一起加入他，跟隨他。

跟隨主耶穌是一個很個人的決定。但是，這不僅僅止于個人的得救。在認識了基督以后，他 , 這位勝利的主 , 還邀請我們去他要我們去的地方。這樣，通過我們 , 或在我們裡面 , 或在我們之上，這恩典的河流將繼續奔流前行 , 去影響別的生命。

Date: 08/12/07

Text:   Acts 12:1-25

Title:   The Story of Two Kingdoms

Theme: Since Jesus is given all authority over heaven and earth, we can take part in the advancement of his kingdom on earth.

Introduction:

  If you were in this country in the 50’s, you may remember that during the Christmas season, there were Christmas songs about the birth of Jesus in schools. But not anymore. There was a time, may be as recently as 10 or 15 years ago, we were greeted with Merry Christmas, but now it is happy holidays. Today, you cannot find any display of Jesus' birth in government or public properties.

There are Christians in some countries not free to worship wherever and whenever they want. I think of a certain Bible school having to change its location very two or three months. For some churches, there is no guarantee that you will be worshipping in the same place next week. There is always one or two backup places they can go to. Or in some countries, open worship is out of the question.

Whether we live in the east or west, there are moments that we all feel the mighty power of the State. Before it, we feel very helpless. There are certainly moments in personal lives that we feel helpless and powerless. Hearing from the doctor that we have cancer and the prognosis is not good at all. Or out of the blue, your spouse decided to leave you for another person. We feel as if the sky has caved in. Not only do we feel helpless, but we also ask: where is God, where is His mighty power?

In today’s scripture lesson, we learn that the early church was in a situation where God's power appeared to be absent. So what happened?

I •  The constant conflict between God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom.

  In vs.1, Luke set the stage for the rest of this chapter, “ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.” He arrested and killed James, brother of John. Since this pleased the Jews, so he proceeded to arrest Peter. He had also planned to kill Peter.

  Luke made a note that Peter’s arrest occurred during the Passover season. There was this irony. You see, Passover is a celebration of how God delivered the Israelites from slavery, their bondage in Egypt. Yet Herod chose this time to arrest Peter, to put him in imprison, in bondage. He was undoing what God did in the Jewish history.

  The first century readers of this book heard that it was not just Herod against the church, but it was really a conflict, a battle between God and Satan. It was a battle of two kingdoms. This is what was prophesied and promised back in Genesis. We remember that at the beginning of human history, God commanded men to multiply, fill and rule the earth. Beside the literal meaning of physically populating the earth, it is also pointing to man’s responsibility to bring people on earth into God's kingdom, a kingdom of love and holiness. However because of sin, men failed. And in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” God was saying that Satan would continue to detour and sabotage God's redemptive plan. There would be constant battle between God's children and Satan. But one child of God, would eventually fatally defeat Satan. We see how this unfolded in the OT history.

  With the coming of Jesus, this conflict between Jesus and Satan, between God's kingdom and Satan’s kingdom became even more pronounced. At Jesus' resurrection, Satan was dealt with a fatal blow. Satan has no more power over God's people, but he can still exert influence over them. The apostles Paul and Peter both warned us that we are still in a spiritual battle, we are to watch out so that we will not be devoured by Satan.

  This is something we 21 st century believers need to keep in mind. When we see the church being persecuted, or when the Bible is banned in public, it is not just a matter of a country’s religious policy or building a more tolerant society. Behind such a policy and its implementation is a battle between God's kingdom and the devil’s kingdom. A proper biblical worldview is that behind what we see is a spiritual world. This spiritual world is just as real as the physical world. Yes, there is God's kingdom, yet the devil, Satan is constantly at war with Him. Yes, there are times we may feel discouraged and disillusioned when we face the mighty power of the State. But don’t forget, it is also a spiritual battle between God and the devil.

II.    God's sovereignty in the conflict between God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdoms.

  As Herod laid a violent hand against the church, he killed James and arrested Peter. It was one of the darkest hours before the young church. However, within a short time of his arrest, Peter was miraculously delivered from the prison. In other words, God allowed James to be killed but rescued Peter. Why?

  There was no explanation to this. We may try to explain this by saying that God rescued Peter because God wanted to use him in a special way. This is something we are very familiar with, right? God spared your life because he wants to use you in a very special way. Luke gave us no indication of this. You see, after Peter’s rescue from the prison, we don’t hear about him anymore in the book of Acts.

  We can only attribute this to God's sovereignty. It’s like in some countries, some believers can openly and regularly worship at the same place. Their facilities sometimes are even larger than what we have here. Then there are churches that have to meet in secret without a regular place. In different countries, some believers are arrested then released, others are executed. We think of the 23 Korean short term mission team members taken hostage. Two were killed. We don’t know why, and may never know its reason. The same is true in our personal lives. One is healed miraculously, and the other dies of the same sickness. We do not know why.

  In situations like this, we have to acknowledge that God has the final say. We are to recognize and submit ourselves to His sovereignty. When God is silent, we are to learn to accept his silence and try not to explain on his behalf or defend Him. Let Him be God.

III.    Church’s power in the conflict between God's kingdom and Satan’s kingdom .

  In vs.1-5a we see the helplessness of the church before the mighty power of the State. What did the early church do? What would we do in such situations? Those of us in the west would tend to fight the State. We want to exercise our constitutional rights and organize the various groups together. We want to use the power of votes to change the State. In the east, we most likely will resign to fate. There is the saying that in America, if you don't like the government, you just wait 4 years. If you don’t like the government in China, the Chinese will wait for 400 years.

  Certainly, there are many things we can do when faced with the mighty State. But what did the early church do when facing the violent hands of Herod? They prayed. Vs.5, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Yes, Peter was kept in prison by the mighty State, but the church prayed. And then in the next section of this chapter, from vs6 to 19, is about how God rescued Peter. I would like to share with you several observations:

  First, the church’s power is prayer. Herod’s power was brute force. The church’s power is not how many lawyers we have, how much money we have, or whom we know in the government, but prayer to God Himself.

  Second, the church’s power is earnest prayer to God. In this and other passages in Acts we read about earnest and united prayers. It is about the quality of prayer. The church came together in earnest and united in mind, prayed to God. They prayed for Peter’s rescue. In the west we are often influenced by quantity. We think the more people pray, the more power is to the prayer. So we send out prayer letters, we organize round the clock prayer groups. Please hear me out. I am not saying that they are not important, but the question is where do we put the emphasis. Do we mean that the more people pray that the prayer will be more effective? James Boice points out that such thinking is very pagan. This was what the Baal worshippers did. More people prayed and more louder the prayer. But here, Luke’s focus is on the quality of prayer. We are to pray with a united mind and in earnest.

  Third, the power of prayer. if God is sovereign, why pray? I think this must bother many of us. I have to admit that I don’t have a perfect answer to this question. We need to recognize that in the Bible, we know God's revealed will. But none of us will know God's hidden, unrevealed will for us individually or for this and that church. However, we can know with certainty that God is sovereign and no one can change his unrevealed plan for us. Yet at the same time, we can say with certainty that the scriptures, God's word, clearly command us to pray for all things and at all times. On the one hand, we can’t change God's plan. On the other, God wants us to pray to him, for he wants to use our prayers to accomplish his will. Because of this, it is wrong for us to pray and then proclaim that this will happen. None of us knows God's hidden will for us. For us to say that since I have prayed for your healing, I now believe that you will be healed and therefore proclaim that you are healed, is really saying that I know it is God's will that you will be healed. This is wrong. No one can know God's hidden and unrevealed will. Therefore for someone to say that through prayer I am able to know 80 or 90% of God's hidden or unrevealed will is really preposterous.

  When we face the mighty power of state or the physical realm, such as sickness, we come to God to pray. We pray for the freedom of worship. We pray that God will heal us. We pray for the safety of our short-term mission teams. We prayed for the release of the hostages in Afghanistan. Yet even as we pray, we have to admit that we do not know what God's hidden and unrevealed will is for this. God may say Yes or No to our prayers. But one thing we believe is that God invites us to pray and he wants to use our prayers to accomplish his will.

  In recent years, we see many Christian men and women of all ages going to China to work, to teach English and doing other projects. This is something unheard of in the 50’s and 60’s. I remember during the period of 50’s to late 70’s, one thing that was regularly on overseas Chinese churches’ and fellowship groups’ prayer agenda was that God would open the door of china that the gospel message may go in more freely. We prayed that the believers would have easy access to the Bible and other books. What do we see now? We learned that during the darkest hour of Chinese church history (from 1949 to 1980), when the door to the west was shut tight, there was at least a two to three fold increase of Christians. When I was in China this time, I noticed some of the Bible the believers had. It was of good quality and had the size that I wanted. I would have liked to buy one in China. This was unthinkable in the 50’s and 60’s. God certainly answered our prayers and used these prayers to accomplish his will.

  A proper understanding of God's sovereignty will only encourage us to pray consistently and boldly.

  In vs.6-19 we read of the church’s response to Peter’s deliverance from prison. Peter did not believe it at first. Then when he showed up at the disciples’ place of gathering, where they were praying. You know what, they would not believe what they saw and heard. They prayed for Peter and his release. When God answered their prayer, they thought it was impossible. We do that a lot, right? We pray during certain crisis situations, and when it is over, we forgot all about our prayers. We gave credit to our resources instead of to God.

IV.    God's victory in the conflict between God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom .

  Luke ends this chapter in a very special way. Herod was at a gathering. When he spoke, the audience shouted that his voice sounded like God's. Herod would not give credit to God, he would not give God the glory, and the Lord struck him down and he died. The Jewish historian, Josephus, wrote that the armor Herod wore was reflecting the sunlight and consequently the crowd claimed it was from God. No matter what, Herod died because he would not give God the glory. He wanted to claim the divine status for himself, he wanted to be God, but God struck him and he died. The Herod that laid a violent hand against the church, died rather violently.

What did we read in vs.24? “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” Herod wanted to get rid of the disciples, he wanted to get rid of the Word. However, in the end, he died, but the Word increased and multiplied.

That the word of God increased and multiplied, is really a fulfillment of the command that began in Genesis, continued on through the OT history, further affirmed by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. That the word of God increased and multiplied, is a continual fulfillment of the command Jesus gave to his disciples just before his ascension. This book of Acts shows us how the word had increased and multiplied first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, Samaria, and then to Antioch. Yes, with the end of chapter 12, Peter disappeared from Luke’s record. From now on, the focus is on Paul. Showing how Paul and others brought the word, the gospel message to Asia minor and eventually to Rome.

The fulfillment of this mandate continued to this day. Between 1895 to 1949, Taiwan was under the Japanese rule. The government strictly prohibited the preaching of the gospel to the Aborigines living in the mountain. And you know what, that was the period when there was a great revival among the Aborigines. The same is true in China. During the period when the church was severely persecuted, it also grew many fold. The word increased and multiplied.

Not only this, this Word continued to increase and multiply. It has reached you and me. It will not stop at us, for we will continue to bring the word to those around us. It will keep on going until the day when our Lord returns and when all his chosen people will gather before Him.

God's truth, his words, his grace and love continues to move to wherever he wants. Nothing can stop him. He is the Victor. What an encouragement to us in knowing that we are following the Christ who was given all the authority in heaven and earth.

Conclusion:

  This passage reminds us the reality of God's kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. There are times, Satan can be ferocious and intimidating. He could manifest his power through government and the natural realm. He could make us feel powerless and helpless. But Luke also vividly reminds us not to be intimidated by this. For God's power is so much greater than Satan’s. Yes, Satan can influence us, trying to pull us away from God, but he has lost that power to win us over.

  Last Sunday we discussed the mighty Yellow River in China. As it travels downstream, it collects sediments and deposits at different places. It cuts through land creating canyons, it rises about the sea level. When it overflows, it spreads out like a fan. Its force can cause it to change course. It flows where it wants to. There is the saying that the water in Yellow River is from 上天 ; it is from God. It is a river no one can stop.

  This is like God's kingdom. It is a river of grace. It carries with it God's love, grace and holiness. It delivers us from God's wrath and the bondage of sin. Wherever it goes it touches individuals’ hearts and lives are changed. It is a river no one can stop. Anyone trying to stop this river, will only find himself being swallowed or pushed aside by it. Even more amazing is that this river of grace, the kingdom of God, invites us to join and to flow with him.

  Following Christ is a very personal decision. However, it never stops at personal salvation. Having come to know Christ, we’re also invited by him, the victorious God, to go where he wants us to go. So that, through us, in us and even above us, His river of grace will continue to flow from us to touch other lives.