From Ben Fronczek.... The High and Mighty

The High and Mighty

Acts 12:19-24  (Based on a sermon by Steve Shepherd)

How many of you like people who act like a ‘big shot’, a ‘know it all’, or one who come across as superior?  Not too many of us do.   Unfortunately, sometimes we may even become guilty of this without even realizing it. If we are not careful we can develop a high and mighty attitude.

Our text today deals with a man who had this problem. In Acts 12, we read about King Herod who had a high and mighty attitude. As we look at this text, consider these thoughts about the high and mighty:

#1) They like to throw their weight around.

#2) They like to portray themselves as being great.

#3) They seek the praise of men.

#4) We see, that they at some point will be brought down.

Illustration:  A farmer got pulled over by state trooper Jon for speeding, and the trooper started to lecture the farmer about his speed, and in general began to throw his weight around acting somehow superior trying to make the farmer uncomfortable. Finally, trooper got around to writing out the ticket, and as he was doing that he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing around his head. The farmer said, “Having some problems with those Circle Flies are ya?” The trooper stopped writing the ticket and said, “Well yeah, if that’s what they are—I never heard of Circle Flies.” So the farmer said, “Well, Circle Flies are common on farms. See, they’re called circle flies because they’re almost always found, circling around the back end of a horse.” The trooper said, “Oh,” and went back to writing the ticket. Then after a minute he stopped and said, “Hey, wait a minute, are you trying to call me a horse’s rear?” “Oh no, officer. I have too much respect for law enforcement and police officers to even think about calling you a horse’s rear.” The trooper said, “Well, that’s a good thing,” and went back to writing the ticket.  After a long pause, the farmer said, “But it’s hard to fool them flies though.”

That leads us to our 1^st point.

#1) The High and mighty like THROWING THEIR WEIGHT AROUND
It might be a lawyer or a police officer. It might be a politician, Hollywood actor, or someone with a lot of money, someone very attractive, even some preachers or elders can act like this.

But Jesus said, “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God” Matt. 5:3

ILL.- The Prime minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, is worth 10 billion dollars and is quoted as saying, “There is no one on the world stage who can compete with me.”

He sounds like the kind of guy who would definitely throw his weight around. Often people of wealth think they know everything and have all the answers, so everybody better listen to them.

I believe Jesus condemns such an attitude because people with a high and mighty attitude are more concerned about themselves, and what they have, than they are about others. It’s very hard for them to demonstrate love and mercy like Jesus.

King Herod not only had some wealth, he had power which he abused.  Read Acts 12:19 “After Herod had a thorough search made for him (Peter) and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.”

Herod cross-examined the guards and simply ordered that they be executed. WOW! If that isn’t throwing your weight around, I don’t know what is!

Any time someone is in a position of authority and power there is temptation to order people around and sometimes even abuse them. Of course this is just wrong.

What about us? Is it possible for us to get caught up in doing something like this? You bet!  Any time we misuse the authority we have, or abuse what power we have over another, that’s just wrong! Not like we don’t need bosses and supervisors or leaders, we do. But it is their attitude that makes all the difference.

Jesus had more power and authority than anyone could ever possess, yet He came not to be served, but to serve. It doesn’t sound like He abused anybody. The only one we see Him giving a hard time to was the Pharisees and leading Jews, because they were abusing others.

In Phil. 2:3-4 Paul writes “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

I Peter 5:5 it says,  “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

It’s important that we learn how to be a bit more humble around one another.

If we think that we are smarter or better than others or,… you know.., we just may find ourselves start to becoming more abusive in speech,  and abusive in the way we treat others.

#2) THE PROUD HAVE A TENDENCY TO  PORTRAY THEMSELVES AS GREAT

Read Acts 12:21 “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.

Some people put on a show and try to appear greater than they really are.

Josephus recorded this incident in more detail than Luke did. He added that Herod appeared in the outdoor theater at Caesarea. He stood before the officials from Tyre, Sidon, and his other provinces on a festival day dressed in a silver robe. When the sun shone brilliantly on his shiny robe some flatterers in the theater began to call out words of praise acclaiming him a god.

I think too many people try to portray themselves as something they are not. They buy clothes, cars, and homes they cannot afford so that they’ll somehow look better or more impressive to others.

Romans 12:3  “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

You know, it should not be our mission to try to impress anybody with who we are by putting on a false air about ourselves. God made you the way are for a reason, and He loves you and has a plan for your life. Sure we should do our best to take care of ourselves and look nice. But it should be more about pleasing Him, and not others.  Most folks will eventually see through you anyway.

#3) THE HIGH AND MIGHTY WILL ALSO SEEK THE PRAISE OF MEN
Read Acts 12:21-22 “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

Why do you do what you do?
Is it for the applause of men? Or do you want to please God, do a good job, and help others?  I hope you chose the latter answer. Man’s applause is shallow and brief at best.   God’s approval has eternal benefits!

Paul wrote to the Colossians in 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Now I’m not saying that we should never compliment another for a job well done. A certain amount of this is needed to give encouragement to others. Whenever someone does something good or something worthy of praise, then applaud them. Offer a compliment or kind word of encouragement.

We should all give give some kind of applause when people do well in life. But the other side of the coin is SEEKING after hungering for that applause from others.  People who crave praise from others sometimes can become arrogant and proud as they lust for that applause. One eventually may begin to think they are better than others because of it?

Those who are humble servants of our Lord should turn give glory to God when they are complemented. Why? Because He is the one who blesses us with the talents and abilities that we have.

#4) The high and mighty will at some point be brought down.
Where there is a sowing, there is also a reaping.

ILL.-  Muhammed Ali was one of the greatest boxers that ever lived. I remember my dad and I watching him box when I was younger. On thing I remember about Muhammad Ali, was the fact that he was not a very humble man at his peak. He had a catch praise that he’d always say. Do you remember it?  “I am the greatest?” How arrogant!    But where is he today crippled with Parkinsons disease, and a humble humanitarian.

No man is a match for our all-powerful God! Not Muhammad Ali, or any of the great boxers, not any of the famous or infamous world leaders, not Hitler, not Saddam Hussein, not Osama Bin Laden, not  Gaddafi, and certainly not old King Herod!     Read Acts 12:21-24 “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.”

In Isaiah 42:8 it says “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.”

In Luke 18:14 Jesus said, “For anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In Josephus’ writings he said this: “ When the sun shone brilliantly on his shiny robe some flatterers in the theater began to call out words of praise acclaiming him a god. Immediately severe stomach pains attacked him. Attendants had to carry him out of the theater, and five days later he died. “

Doctor Luke (author of Acts) saw Herod’s attack as a judgment from God and gave a more medical explanation of his death than Josephus did.

Usually nothing good comes out of pride and arrogance, acting high and mighty, lording over others.   Do you remember the Pharaoh in Moses' time? Where did his pride get him?

Do you remember when King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel got thinking too highly of himself?  Before long he was humbled and could be found out in the fields grazing like a cow until he eventually raised his eyes up and praised and acknowledged our holy Lord.

Are these lessons for the high and mighty today?  You bet they are!   Can it be that no person attains any great position in life (political, financial or otherwise) without God’s help? And if so, doesn’t God deserves the glory, the praise, and our thanks?

And if a person doesn’t give God His rightful praise, could that person be destined for certain trouble? I’ll let you think on that one.

No matter how successful a person becomes in this life, I believe they still need to bow before our great God. And the more blessed a person is, whether it be financially, or with power and authority, good looks, many possessions, the more that person needs to spend time on his knees before God. Not only should we be thanking Him, we should also asking Him for wisdom and how to use what we have to Glorify Him.

I believe that’s why God loved Abraham and David so much. Because God always came first in their lives whether they were rich or poor, great or weak, they put God first.  What about you?

I now close this with something the wisest man who ever lived wrote in the book of Proverbs chapter 3:1-12

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years  and bring you peace and prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you;  bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the LORD and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

May God richly bless you!    

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