What about James?
INTRODUCTION – I preached this sermon in 2000. It remains the only message of my lengthy career that prompted a note from a parishioner (well, a good note, anyway). Please read Acts 12:1-16. This is a familiar and fascinating account filled with surprises, humor, and lessons about prayer. I have heard numerous sermons from this passage – all beginning at verse 3. What about verses 1-2? What about James?
- COMMITMENT TO CHRIST INCLUDES COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIANS…
and both can be painful. Why did James die? The primary reason for his death was his commitment to Christ and to Christians. Think of his fellow Christians and his brother John. Imagine the pain and the uncertainty; consider the great temptation to withdraw. However, withdrawing is not an option for Christians. Belonging to Jesus involves belonging to each other. The Scripture reminds us that there is sadness and sorrow in being part of a community of Christians. For example, Romans 12:15 commands, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” There is no guarantee that the rejoicing will be greater than the weeping – no guarantee that the two will even balance out. A commitment to Christ includes a commitment to fellow Christians.
- GOD IS AT WORK
God was at work before Peter’s miraculous rescue. Again, why did James die? He was so effective as a preacher and as an evangelist that he got Herod’s antagonistic attention, even before Peter did. God was powerfully at work in James’s life, and Satan could not stand it! However, the work did not stop. Peter kept at it; when he was taken captive, the Church kept at it. God is at work even at the worst of times. Let us remember the darkness of the Cross and marvel that in the murk and gloom God was accomplishing His greatest and most surprising work.
- FAITH IS STRONGER THAN SIGHT
James was nicknamed Son of Thunder because of the power of his personality and preaching. Yet, he was silenced. That echoing silence was what these Christians experienced; all that they could see was the death of James. Later, they would see Peter’s release; later still, in verse 24, they saw that “the Word of God grew and multiplied.” But, at this moment, these Christians saw only the grisly execution of James. Despite what they saw, they continued living for Jesus. The Christian life is one of tension. We see Satan’s hatred and man’s sin; only by faith do we comprehend God’s sovereignty. Which side wins in the end? Faith is stronger than sight because the object of our faith is Jesus, and He is the Almighty God. The faith side wins ultimately.
CONCLUSION – I do not know if tomorrow will be a James day or a Simon Peter day. Because I do not know, I grasp, I grip what I do know. I am certain that commitment to Christ includes commitment to Christians, especially when it hurts. I am sure that God is at work and that the work will go on. I am confident that faith is stronger than sight, for I have come to the Cross, seen the worst that man (including me) can do, and received the greatest good possible – salvation through faith in the finished work of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I do not know about tomorrow, but I do know that this moment, this moment right now, is given to each one of us by a loving Lord to call upon Jesus Christ as Savior.