SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE, 8 February 2026
Sermon Series: “The Acts of the Apostles” (#18)
Sermon Text: Acts 12:1-5
Main Points:
Introduction
I. When we cannot see God’s purpose clearly
II. The death of an apostle and its impact
III. Believer’s position in God’s redemptive plan
Conclusion
Imagine hearing this news as a member of the early church in Jerusalem – your beloved leader is dead. The situation had been tense, but no one expected this. It was shocking, even horrifying. Hearts broke. People were speechless. And those hostile to the church? They rejoiced.
I’m talking about the Apostle James, the brother of John. Picture yourself in that frightened and grieving congregation. The past few years had been difficult ever since the uproars in the streets that ended in the death of Stephen. Many believers had fled, scattering across the region. For a while, it seemed peaceful – at least on the surface. But today, fear grips the church again: the news of James’ death has reached their ears. Some say King Herod had him beheaded; others speak of a sword strike. Whatever the exact details, the reality is the same: James is gone. The church now counts only eleven apostles.
What would go through your mind if you were there? What might the believers in Jerusalem have thought? Perhaps, this question – ‘What is going on?’
Now, let’s step into our own time. In Australia today, laws and policies are changing at a rapid pace, often in ways contrary to the teachings of Scripture. Societies push progressive ideologies that challenge foundational principles – such as freedom of speech – putting religious liberty at risk. Much like the church in Jerusalem, things may seem calm on the surface, but beneath that calm lies an undercurrent of uncertainty and danger. It wouldn’t surprise me if we too ask, ‘What is going on?’
So today, as we look at Acts ch. 12:1-5, especially focusing on James’ death, I want us to see two things: first, that God’s plan often unfolds in ways we cannot fully see or understand, and second, that each believer, each of us, has a distinct and meaningful place in God’s plan. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts to this truth: even when God’s ways are hard, His purposes are perfect, and our faithfulness matters more than we know.
1. When We Cannot See God’s Purpose Clearly
Let’s begin with a bird’s-eye view of the situation in 12:1-5. The events leading up to ch. 12 are, humanly speaking, extremely encouraging. In ch. 8, the gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem into Samaria through Philip, one of the first seven deacons. Not only that – Philip is led by the Spirit to an Ethiopian official, and he baptises him. The word of Christ is already crossing ethnic and geographic boundaries.
Then, in ch. 9, something astonishing happens: Saul, the church’s fiercest persecutor, is converted. The man who once tried to destroy the church now proclaims Jesus as Lord. At the same time, the Apostle Peter continues strengthening the believers.
That’s not all. In ch. 10, the gospel finally reaches the Gentiles, beginning with the household of Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea. They receive the Holy Spirit. When this news reaches Jerusalem, the church is amazed.
Then the end of ch. 11 tells us about the church in Antioch of Syria, one of the major cities of the Roman Empire. Barnabas and Saul teach the Word of God there, and the church grows. And it is there – at Antioch – that believers are first called ‘Christians,’ because their lives are now Christ-centred and Christ-glorifying.
From every angle, everything seems to be moving forward – outward and upward. The gospel is no longer confined to one region. It is spreading to the nations. Jews and Gentiles are now worshipping together. God’s ancient promise to Abraham is visibly unfolding before their eyes. Even though the political and social climate is unstable, it is marvellous to see how God is at work among His people.
Then comes Acts 12:1 – “About that time.” At the very moment when things seem promising, at the very moment when peace seems possible – ‘about that time’ – “Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.” In doing this, Herod kills James, the brother of John. And just like that, a sudden, crushing blow falls upon the church!
Let’s pause and look at this from another angle. The King Herod mentioned in v. 1 is King Herod Agrippa I. He became king over Judea in AD 41, and the events of Acts 12 likely take place around AD 43-44 – the very year of his death. His territory included Judea, Samaria and Galilee. His grandfather was Herod the Great, the ruler who famously expanded the Jerusalem temple into a national symbol. And his son, Herod Agrippa II, appears later in Acts 25-26, listening to Paul’s testimony about Jesus.
Now, here’s something surprising: the Herods were not ethnically Jewish. They were Idumeans or Edomites – descendants of Esau. In the 2nd century BC, their family line was forced to convert to Judaism. Not too long after that, the Herodian dynasty ruled over the Jews, but they were always outsiders. Because of this, Herod Agrippa I lived with a constant tension. He had to please Rome, and at the same time, he had to win the favour of the Jewish leaders. That’s exactly what v. 3 is describing – that seeing James’ death pleased Jews, he ceased Peter, intending to kill him also.
That means, Herod’s motive was not religious – it was political. He was not defending Judaism; he was not fighting Christian faith. He was securing his own political power. James was killed not because Herod hated Christ, but because Herod loved approval. That means, the terrible blow that fell upon the church did not come from a dramatic clash between good and evil – it came from one man’s ambition. Although it isn’t spelled out in our text, the 1st century Christians must’ve sensed it. And that would’ve been the heart of their question, ‘What is going on?’
If another Saul had been appointed by the Sanhedrin and a new wave of persecution had begun, that might’ve made sense. But this came from Herod Agrippa I – someone who wasn’t even concerned with promoting Judaism! So the question naturally arises: ‘Why would he murder James? What is God’s plan in this?’ Moreover, Peter is arrested and chained in prison. Why would God allow one apostle to die while another is imprisoned?
The truth is: God’s plan does not always arrive wrapped in clarity. Often, it comes shrouded in mystery, in sorrow, fear and unanswered questions. And yet, even in the confusion, God is at work – His purposes are perfect, even when we cannot see them.
II. The Death Of An Apostle And Its Impact
That’s what we must turn our eyes to – to see God’s perfect purpose even amid confusion, sorrow, and fear. We see that purpose beginning with the death of James, the brother of John, the son of Zebedee.
And let’s begin with this question, ‘Why James?’ Why was James the first among the apostles to be martyred? After Jesus’ resurrection, James seems almost quiet. His name appears in Acts 1, but only as part of the list of apostles. We don’t hear much from him after that. But, in the gospels, James was anything but quiet. Because of his fiery nature, Jesus gave him and his brother John the nickname ‘Boanerges,’ meaning, ‘Sons of Thunder.’
In Mk. 10 (and Mt. 20), we see James and John asking Jesus for the seats at His right and left in His kingdom. The request angered the other disciples. But, Jesus answered them with words that now echo with prophetic weight. In Mk. 10:38-39, Jesus said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised? … The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptised, you will be baptised.” Jesus was speaking of participation in His sufferings, speaking of sharing in His cross before sharing in His crown.
So now, in Acts 12, we see those words seem to be fulfilled. James is the first apostle to drink that cup; he is the first to die for his Lord. His brother, John, by contrast, would live the longest of all the apostles – exiled, suffering, yet allowed to see the visions of Christ’s final victory in the book of Revelation. One brother dies first; the other endures longest. Both sound like fulfilling Christ’s words in different ways.
Was this direct reason James was executed? We’re not told. But one thing is absolutely clear: that is, his death did strengthen the church. How do we know? Look at what immediately follows. The end of v. 5 says, “but earnest prayer for him [Peter] was made to God by the church.”
Before, the believers were confused. Before, they were shaken. Before, they were asking ‘What is going on?’ But, now, they are praying. No one runs; no one scatters; no one retreats. They all gather – and they pray earnestly.
Yes, their immediate concern is Peter, who is now in chains. But beneath that is something deeper: the church has moved from fear to faith, from confusion to conviction, from panic to prayer!
What a striking change! James’ silent death speaks louder than many sermons. We’re not told what he said at his arrest or at his execution. But his faithfulness unto death is clearly connected to the courage and unity of the believers who remained behind. In their prayers, we see no fear of Herod’s power, no fear of Rome, no retreat from their calling!
Instead, we see a church that now understands this truth: God’s purposes may be mysterious, but His mission is unstoppable – and faithfulness always matters.
Their confusion is quickly dismissed and, as sure was the apostle’s martyrdom, so is their appreciation of the truth of their faith. So, we can say that James’ death did not end God’s work – it advanced it. His silence strengthened the church; his faithfulness ignited their prayers.
And that brings us to the next question: ‘If God can use the death of an apostle to build His church, what does that mean for us?’ So, now, we turn from the death of an apostle to the place of every believer in God’s great redemptive plan.
III. Believer’s Position In God’s Redemptive Plan
James’ death forces us to ask a deeply personal question – that is, ‘Where do we fit in God’s great plan?’
Not everyone is called to be an apostle; not everyone is called to die a martyr’s death. But everyone who belongs to Christ is called to be faithful. In Acts 12, James dies; Peter is imprisoned; and the church prays. Each plays a different role – yet all are equally part of God’s grand design for us, His beloved ones. James glorifies God by dying well; Peter will glorify God by living on; the church glorifies God by praying together. Different roles, same Lord, and same mission.
This reminds us that in God’s plan, faithfulness matters more than visibility. James’ ministry did not end in failure; it ended in fulfillment. From a human point of view, his death looks like loss. But from heaven’s point of view, it looks like obedience completed. And here is the encouragement for us – you and I do not need to understand God’s whole plan to be faithful in our part of it! You may never see the full impact of your obedience. You may never know how God uses your prayers, your service, your endurance. But in God’s economy, nothing done in Christ is ever wasted. Paul puts it this way in 1 Cor. 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” James’ life was not in vain, and your life in Christ is never in vain.
So, whether God calls you to speak boldly, or to suffer quietly, or to pray faithfully in the background, your place in His plan is not small. That’s because the church is not built only on apostles and martyrs – it is built on ordinary believers who trust God when His purposes are unclear.
Conclusion
So, here’s what we take to our hearts today. First, God’s plan often unfolds in ways we cannot clearly see. Second, the death of an apostle strengthened the church. And third, every believer has a meaningful place in God’s redemptive plan.
James’ death felt like a disaster and Peter’s chains looked like defeat. The church’s fear felt overwhelming. But God was doing something far greater than any of them could see. He was teaching them – and us – that His purposes are perfect, even when His ways are painful; His mission is unstoppable, even when His servants fall; and our faithfulness matters, even when our understanding is limited.
So, when life asks you, ‘What is going on?’ God’s gentle answer is, ‘Trust Me.’ When His ways feel dark, His promises remain sure. When you cannot trace His hand, you can still trust His heart.
And just like James, Peter, and the praying church, may we be found faithful – not because we see everything clearly, but because we know who we belong to. Amen! ***
St Columba's Presbyterian Church 