The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife

Jesus Christ the Troubler

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Family Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2024-07-20

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver examines Matthew 2:3, where Herod and all Jerusalem are troubled at the news of Jesus' birth. He explores the dual nature of Christ as a Troubler: to tyrants and unbelievers who reject His rule, and as a divider within families. Weaver contrasts this with the peace believers have in Christ, who was troubled in their place, and exhorts Christians not to let their hearts be troubled but to trust in God's sovereignty.

[John Weaver] I Want you to open your Bibles if you would please to the book of Matthew chapter 2 I'm going to read one verse and then we'll come back and take the context Matthew chapter 2 the title of the message is Jesus Christ the Troubler. How about that? Jesus Christ, the Troubler. So notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 2, and look, if you would please, at verse 3.

[John Weaver] The Bible says, When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Have you ever considered the fact that Jesus Christ is a Troubler? Yes, he is a troubler, and no, he is not a troubler in the sense that he's a sinner and does that which is wrong and wicked. He's a troubler to those who reject him, to those who hate him, to those who despise him. Achan, who is sometimes referred to as Achar in the Bible, is known as the troubler of Israel. fact the Bible tells you in 1st Chronicles chapter 2 and verse 7 and the sons of car me and of the sons of car me a core the trouble of Israel who transgressed in the thing of curse So a kid is the one who stole from Jericho when God had cursed Jericho and everything that was in it It was a kid who sold the goodly Babylonish army a garment the wedge of gold the silver and hid them under his tent And of course, Achan then, or Achar as he sometimes is called, was responsible not only for his death, but also for the deaths of his

[John Weaver] family, plus 36 other Israelites. You may read about Achan in Joshua chapter 7. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for troubler is the word Achar, which means troubler. or one that disturbs, or one that stirs up and one that troubles. And so rightly so, then Achan, who is oftentimes called Achar, is indeed known as the troubler of Israel.

[John Weaver] Now, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ also troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. So if you look in Matthew, chapter two, and let's read beginning with verse one. Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, In the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east of Jerusalem saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews?

[John Weaver] Now, that's an interesting question. Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. Now note, if you would please, Herod was troubled. In one sense of the word, it's very easy to understand why Herod would be troubled, but it's not necessarily that easy to understand why all of Jerusalem with him would be trouble. We could understand, since Herod claimed himself to be the king of the Jews, now the Magi they come and that we've come to worship him who is the king of the Jews. Herod certainly was troubled and then the Bible says all Jerusalem with him.

[John Weaver] Now when you read the word all in the Bible the word all basically has about 15 different meanings and so many people misinterpret this word by trying to make it include each and every individual. It does not mean that. For instance, although the Bible says all Jerusalem with him, certainly there were exceptions, and so this means just all in a very general sense of the word, but it does not mean every single individual. For instance, if you'll hold Matthew 2, but turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 2, I'll show you very Quickly to individuals who certainly were not troubled at the birth of Jesus Christ So in Luke chapter 2 beginning there with verse 25 we read about Simeon Look at this and behold. There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout Waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Ghost was upon him And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

[John Weaver] And he came by spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, that be eight days, then took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord now let us sell thy servant to part in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people israel so simeon was certainly not upset he was not troubled he was thankful he was happy because he had seen the lord's christ So if you'd skip down to verse 36,

[John Weaver] here's another individual who was not trouble. And that was Anna. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of the jewel of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about four score and four years who departed not from the temple. but serve God with fastings and prayers night and day.

[John Weaver] And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to them all that look for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. So very obviously now there were some in the city of Jerusalem who were very happy and thankful that the king of the Jews, Jesus Christ, had been born. Now, I want to call your attention back to Matthew chapter two in verse three, because here the Bible says when Herod, the king, had heard these things, he was troubled in all Jerusalem with him. I'm going to give you several things. First of all, this is teaching us and demonstrating the exceedingly, exceeding wickedness and duplicity of King Herod.

[John Weaver] Now, let me slow down and tell you. that as you read through the scripture, especially from Matthew 1 all the way to Acts chapter 26, you're going to read about a number of Herods. They are not all the same individual. For instance, Herod Agrippa the first was also a Roman appointed ruler in Israel. he also was from the Herod dynasty. The Herod that we're talking about in Matthew chapter 2 is known as Herod the Great and he claimed to be the king of the Jews. So this Herod the Great then is the one who had all of the children killed who was two years of age and under when He was not given all the information by the wise men whom God had sent home another way.

[John Weaver] Now, there was Herod Antipas, or Antipas, however you would like to pronounce it, who was king during the ministry of John the Baptist and, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was Herod Antipas who had John executed later declined to pass judgment upon Jesus, and he sent him back to Pilate in Luke chapter 23. But it was also this same Herod, Herod Antipas, who sometimes is just called Herod, who is mentioned also as one who was guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 4 and verse 27. Now when you get to Acts chapter 12, And you read about the Herod who was the persecutor of the apostles. Now we're talking about Herod Agrippa I. Now Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod the Great is the one who slaughtered the infants at Bethlehem. He was a nephew of Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch who killed John the Baptist.

[John Weaver] These Herodian kings who were very vicious, very wicked, and very cruel. The Bible tells us that Herod also was troubled. The Greek word for trouble happens to be the word terrasso. It means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted. It also means to be struck with fear and dread. So when you say this word trouble, it is exactly the opposite of what you and I would call calm and peace.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just tell you and show you another use of this word. If you look in your Bibles very quickly, the Matthew chapter 14, you can see how the word is used in the lives even of the apostles. So in Matthew, chapter 14 and verse 26, Matthew, chapter 14 and verse 26. Look at this. The Bible says. Watch carefully, verse 26. Oh, let's see. I'm looking now for Matthew, chapter 14. I'm in 13. So Matthew, chapter 14, verse 26.

[John Weaver] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled. There's the same word. They were troubled. That is, they were afraid and cried out, saying, it is a spirit. and they cried out for fear. So here's the word troubled again and very clearly it means to be troubled with fear and troubled with dread.

[John Weaver] Now Herod was troubled because Judea at this time was a province of the Roman Empire. Herod had been made king by the Romans and he had reigned for 37 years. Herod happened to be a very ruthless, murdering, tyrant and the Romans of course had taken Jerusalem by force and they had made Herod the great king and he wanted to retain his kingship and his rule and therefore he was willing to murder and listen to me very carefully he was only willing to murder innocent children under two years of age he was also willing to murder his own family if there were rivalries and jealousies in his life.

[John Weaver] I'm going to give you a quote. Listen to this. Here it is. Herod, in his rage over his family, rivalries and jealousies, put to death the two sons of Marianne, who was his wife, by the way, Aristobalus and Alexander. Then, Marianne herself and Antiper, another son, who was once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mary Ann, and her grandfather, John Hercanus. He made will after will, but now was in the fatal illness and fury over the question of the Magi.

[John Weaver] He showed his excitement and the whole city was upset, undoubtedly because the people knew only too well what he could do in a rage over the disturbance of his plans. Here's the last part. The foreigner, we're talking about Herod the Great, the foreigner and the usurper feared a rival and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome. Why was he called a foreigner and why was he called a usurper? Because Herod the Great wasn't a Dumean or an Edomite.

[John Weaver] And this is from where all the Herods actually sprang. So Herod then claimed to be king of the Jews, and consequently, he's not going to broke any rivals. He's going to destroy anyone who stands in his way. So if you look in Matthew, chapter two, skip it down to verse 16 through 18. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of a wise man, was exceedingly rough and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and all the coasts thereof from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

[John Weaver] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Ramah there was a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. So Herod then was an exceedingly wicked man. He was exceedingly duplicitous. He told these wise men, you bring him back. You bring back word to me where he is so that I may come and worship him.

[John Weaver] He had no plans of worshiping Jesus Christ. He only had plans on murdering him.

[John Weaver] Now, secondly, let's ask this question. Why would not Jerusalem be excited at the news of the king of kings? and that the king of the Jews was born. Why were they really that terrified of Herod?

[John Weaver] Now, I'm sure that fear certainly had a place in their lives. They probably all knew all too well how wicked and how horrible and terrible that Herod the Great could be. But I also think this. I think they had also become accustomed to tyranny and to slavery. I believe there's another reason and that is because of what you and I would call ignorance. They did not know their Bible. They did not know their prophecies concerning the Messiah. They knew nothing of the promised deliverances. So they were totally ignorant, basically, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the Messiah. If you look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 2 and verses 4 through 6, here's why I'm saying that. Look in Matthew chapter 2, beginning there with verse 4.

[John Weaver] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written in the prophet, and thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not the least among the princes of Judah. For out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel. Note, if you would, what he had to do to find out he had to gather together the chief priests and the scribes. The people themselves did not know they were basically totally ignorant.

[John Weaver] And I believe that this is one of the problems that we have in our day and time. It's the same problem in a different light. When you consider that the Old Testament covenant people did not know about Jesus Christ, did not know about the messianic promises. And now you have to remember that the New Testament covenant people, the church of Jesus Christ, are still just as ignorant. you find an average church member and ask them where in the Bible are the prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask about the very first prophecy in the Bible. Ask where Jesus Christ was to be born. Ask where it's found in the Bible. Ask where it's found that he's to be born of a virgin. Ask where it's found that he is to have one who precedes him, preparing the way for him in the life of John the Baptist. I'm just simply saying most people are just absolutely totally ignorant.

[John Weaver] There are very few Christians who can explain what you and I would call the basic fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Just like those Old Testament covenant people were ignorant concerning Jesus Christ and his prophecies. So likewise today, most professing Christians are just as ignorant as well. We should be theologians. But in reality, we're mostly completely ignorant of the truths of Christianity. And let me put this out. Ignorance is only conducive to slavery. The ignorance of the populace in Matthew chapter 2 is comparable to the ignorance of the church concerning Jesus Christ. One would think that Jerusalem should be rejoicing over the birth of Jesus Christ instead of being troubled. It's interesting when you and I observe that men become accustomed to slavery. we become accustomed to tyrants. You don't believe that just look at America. I mean, we're not ruled by the Word of God today.

[John Weaver] I'm talking about as a nation. We're not even ruled by our Constitution. The truth of the matter is, we have just simply become adjusted to tyranny and adjusted to our Savior. and adjusted to slavery is what it amounts to. So I'm just simply pointing out men do not like change, especially if that change is going to be dramatic and demanding.

[John Weaver] Now, I will point out the fact that Jesus Christ is very troubling to tyrants. According to the scripture, he has to be. He's troubling to those who refuse to submit to him and bow to him and acknowledge him. And the reasons that are given in the Bible as to why tyrants hate him so much is simply because of their own selfishness and their own desire to rule over everyone according to their whim and according to their will, and yet at the same time, they do not want to be ruled over themselves. In other words, they want to be a law to themselves, they want to play God, and they think that somehow they have a divine right to rule. Look at Klaus Schwab. Look at George Soros. Scripture tells us that such tyrants are wicked and wrong. I want you to turn back in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 2. And if you don't mind, mark that Psalm because we'll come back there just momentarily. But look, if you would, it's Psalm 2. And look at verses 1 through 3.

[John Weaver] Here's the question. What's this? We're talking about tyrants. Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine the vain thing? Now, look at this. The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. In other words, tyrants do not like any limitations placed upon them at all.

[John Weaver] It was God who created this world. It's God who created government. It's God who laid down the laws and the rules for those who rule over men. But tyrants didn't look like that. If you will turn in your Bibles, and hold Psalm 2 if you would, but turn in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 5, Hosea chapter 5. Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Look in Hosea chapter 5 and look particularly verses 10 and 11. Hosea 5 verses 10 and 11. Look at this. The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound. That is, they didn't like the limitations that God placed upon them. Like Psalm 2, the Kings there, they did not like that. So the princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound or the boundaries. Therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. God said, I'll destroy them because they are removing the boundary. Now look in verse 11.

[John Weaver] Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment. Why? Because he willingly walked after the commandment. That is the commandment of those who violated the limitations that God placed upon them.

[John Weaver] Now, in America, We've not only turned away from the law of God, we've turned away from our own constitution. We are now a nation basically without law, except for the fact that we are ruled over by idiots who believe that they can simply make up laws and rules and regulations as they go along and go deeper into tyranny and enslave us deeper into slavery. So I want you to witness what is happening in America. Tyrannies exist. Tyrants pass laws and rules and regulations.

[John Weaver] Listen, for the peasants and for the peons, and then they exempt themselves. It's just like George Orwell told in his book, The Animal Farm. If you've never read The Animal Farm, I would encourage you to read it. It is a delightful book, exposing tyrants. All the animals did not like the farmer. They did not like the farmer's wife. So finally, the farmer and his wife were taken care of and two huge pigs, Napoleon and snowball moved into the farmer's house, because it had a list of rules, all animals are equal. But now Napoleon and snowball are in the farmer's house living the life of luxury, ruling over all the other animals. And the animals say, Wait a minute, something's not right. And they go back and they look at the rules. Number one is this all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.

[John Weaver] Well, that's exactly the attitude in this day and time. If you and I did what our Congress critters do, we would be on trial, found guilty in prison and thrown under the prison and probably never ever get out. I'm just simply saying that is where we are. You remember, he's dead now. There was a state representative here from Florida. He was a black man. I forget his name right now. He was asked. He was asked, what are the rules in Congress? And his response was, there are no rules.

[John Weaver] We make them up as we go along. That was his response. And basically, that is true.

[John Weaver] Now, tyrants do have a right to be troubled. Tyrants do have a right to fear. Tyrants do have a right to expect judgment if you would turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 2 that I ask you to hold I want you to look now beginning there with verse 4 Because the tyrants the kings of the earth want to cast their chains From themselves and just rule and do as they please. So here we go. Look in verse 3 They say let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in heaven shall laugh.

[John Weaver] The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree. The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

[John Weaver] Now look what the scripture says. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Now, notice what the Bible says. Kiss the sun. Lest he be angry with thee. And in other words, you better make peace with the real, real true king of kings.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to find out that Herod Agrippa, the first learned this truth the hard way. If you would look in your Bibles, please, to the book of Acts chapter 12, Acts chapter 12. This is Herod Agrippa I. He would be the grandson of Herod the Great. So in Acts chapter 12, beginning there with verse 20, the Bible says, and Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon, but they came with one accord to him, and having made blastous the king's chamberlain, their friend, desired peace. because their country was nourished by the king's country. Now look at this. And upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne and made an oration unto them.

[John Weaver] And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a God and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory, and he was eaten of worms and gave up the ghost. So here was a man who was a tyrant who tried to rule as God and he stole God's honor and glory and he was eaten of worms and gave up the ghost. So worms got him while he was alive and worms got him after he was dead. That's a fact. That's a fact. Now, I want you to know it was God who slew the tyrant.

[John Weaver] That's what the scripture means when he says kiss the son lest he be angry with thee and you perish in the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. It was God who smote him with worms.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to know what happened after God slew the tyrant. Look in verse 24 of Acts chapter 12. But the word of God grew and multiplied. Wow. But the word of God grew and multiplied. Do you understand that God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of his will and his purpose? Those who reject, refuse, and repudiate him will be removed in judgment.

[John Weaver] And yes, tyrants do have a right to tremble and to fear. Now, The world may be troubled, tyrants may be troubled, and one thing that troubles tyrants is that God's people do not obey them. What am I talking about? Look back in your Bibles to Acts chapter 5. Acts chapter 5. Here we have it spelled out for us in verses 27 through 29. Acts chapter 5 verse 27 Now the apostles have been brought in and when they brought them in they set them before the council and the high priest asked them Saying did not we straightly command you? That you should not teach in this name and behold you fill Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us and Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. And so basically what they're saying is, we're not going to obey you, we're going to obey God.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you, there is another aspect taught in the Bible concerning Jesus Christ as a troubler. He's not only a troubler to tyrants and to those who hate and despise him, he is also a troubler in the sense that he comes to some homes and saves some and not others. What am I talking about? Go back in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 10.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading there with verse 34. Matthew chapter 10 and let's look at verse 34. Watch this. Matthew 10 verse 34. Look what our Lord said. Think not that I'm come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. Wow. Hang on, for I'm come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's foe shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me.

[John Weaver] He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water, only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

[John Weaver] Now I want to call your attention to the fact, verse 34 said, that our Lord came not to send peace on earth, but a sword. Then he said, I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's foe shall be they of his own household. The interesting thing is our Lord is giving this from a quote from the book of Micah chapter 7 and verse 6. Where the scripture says, for the son dishonored the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies shall be those of his own house.

[John Weaver] Now, what I've just read to you how Christ being a troubler in the home is made manifest in the lives of many people and in the lives of many families. Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword. Jesus Christ separates. He's a troubler in the sense that those who are not saved are not in league with those who are saved, even though they may be in the same family.

[John Weaver] I preached for 59 years. In that time, I have seen many families For father and mother were pitted against their children. The children pitted against father and mother. Husbands pitted against wives. Wives pitted against husbands. In-laws against in-laws. Why? Because some were saved and the others were not saved. And it created a division. It created trouble. There was no peace in that particular family. And here's an interesting thought and an interesting concept.

[John Weaver] And I believe everyone in this room can attest to it. As much as you love your physical family, your natural family. Those of us who've been saved usually have a closer bond with our spiritual family than we do with our physical family, especially that physical family is unconverted. It's it's astounding. It's amazing. When you stop and think, you'd much rather be around people who believe the truth and know the truth and understand the truth than those who want to fuss and fight all the time and think you're crazy and nut and a fanatic and all of this.

[John Weaver] I mean, simply because there's a division. And Christ said, Do not think that I've come to bring peace. I've come to bring a sword. The unsaved will count Jesus Christ as a troubler. But those of us who are saved will count him as a Savior and a Deliverer. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians, chapter 1. Colossians, chapter 1.

[John Weaver] Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians, chapter 1, at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians, chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says, giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who have delivered us from the power of darkness and have translated us into the kingdom of his dear son, and whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Now, note, if you would, please, verse 12 tells us a father has made us acceptable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of the light. And then in verse 13, he tells us He's delivered us not only from the power of darkness, but he's translated us into the kingdom of his near son So if you look now in first Peter chapter 2 beginning there with verse 1 Let me tie this together look in verse Peter 2 in

[John Weaver] verse 1 and we'll read through verse 3 watch this and Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby, if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. So what did we just sing in these verses? We have been born into a different family. We've been born into the family of God. We've been translated out of darkness into light. We've been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son. And so we're different. We do have a new family. We do have a new kingdom. We do have a new king. That is for sure.

[John Weaver] It's not that we hate our physical families. We do not dismiss them. We do not disdain them. We love our physical families and we pray for them that they would repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the truth is, salvation has placed us in a different family, in a different kingdom, in a different country. It's just that simple. It doesn't matter what they call us. We understand a simple fact.

[John Weaver] We see and they do not see. We hear and they do not hear. We understand, but they do not understand.

[John Weaver] Now, it's absolutely wonderful when you have a saved husband and a saved wife and saved children. And God usually places his elect in households. That's what the Bible says. And that's usually true, but not necessarily always true. So if you have a family that are saved, then you may Count yourself blessed in the Lord and be thankful to him.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to remind you, here's a second admonition of what the word troubled means. Okay. I told you it's the Greek word terrasso, and it means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be struck with fear and dread. It is the opposite of calm peace So here's what I want you to do. I want you to follow me in the scriptures and let me show you how this word now is applied to believers Okay, so I want you to turn in your Bibles first of all if you would please to the book of Luke chapter 24 Luke chapter 24 And let's begin reading there with verse 36. Every one of these passages, it has the same Greek word, terrasso. So Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36.

[John Weaver] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said unto them, peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted And suppose that they had seen a spirit. This is right after the resurrection. And he said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your heart? Why are you agitated? Why are you disturbed? Why are you disquieted? Why do thoughts arise in your heart? Behold, my hands and my feet, that is, I myself handle me and see for spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have. And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and feet.

[John Weaver] And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, He said to them, Have you here any meat? So Jesus Christ asked them, Why are you troubled? Now, hang on. Go in your Bibles to the book of John, chapter 14. John, chapter 14. Here's a passage everyone knows. Look if you would be getting there with verse 1. John 14 verse 1. Our Lord says, let not your heart be troubled. Same word to Rosso. Let not your heart be troubled.

[John Weaver] You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you may be also.

[John Weaver] Now look what he says. Let not your heart be troubled. Don't be anxious. Don't be disquieted. Don't be fearful. You believe in God, believe also in me. And then he gave us these wonderful promises. Wonderful. Now, Look if you would in John chapter 14 and verse 27. Look at what he says. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.

[John Weaver] Neither let it be afraid. Isn't that interesting? Over and over now, he's telling us that our hearts are not to be troubled. We're not to be disquieted We're not to be fearful look if you would now in first Peter chapter 3 and verses 14 through 17 first Peter chapter 3 Verses 14 through 17 look at this First Peter chapter 3 beginning with verse 14 Our Lord says, but if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you. And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

[John Weaver] Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak of you as evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well-doing than for evil doings. But note what he said, but if you suffer for righteousness sake, happier you, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. Do not to be fearful.

[John Weaver] You're not to be agitated. You're not to be disquieted. No, no.

[John Weaver] Now, I've got a question to ask you. Why is it that all through the New Testament, we are told that we're not to be troubled? I can assure you one thing. Every Christian has been troubled. And we are sometimes some of the most fearful, agitated, unhappy, disbelieving people on the face of the earth. And any time we get troubled, we usually get fearful. Why does God tell us that we are not to be troubled?

[John Weaver] I want you to look in your Bibles to John 12, verses 27 and 28. Here is the same Greek word, terrasso. Look at this. John 12, verse 27, our Lord said, Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. What did our Lord say? Now is my soul troubled. Why is it that we should not be troubled? Because Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead. Now, I want to make some applications and I want you to think with me. Most of you probably can quote the next verse.

[John Weaver] The first thing is this. Christians should not be troubled in the sense that the word terrazzo means to be agitated, disquieted, fearful, and full of dread. Why should we not be troubled? Why should we not be fearful? Do you remember what first Peter chapter five and verse seven states? Here it is, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Wow. I've talked to many Christians who said, well, the problem that I have that really upsets me is people hate me. Really? Well, Jesus Christ was hated. Well, people despise me. Well, Jesus Christ was despised. Well people mock me, Jesus Christ was mocked. People ridicule me, Jesus Christ was ridiculed. But I'm poor, Jesus Christ was poor.

[John Weaver] He didn't have a place to lay his head. He said foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. But you say, but people betray me. Jesus Christ was betrayed. The point I'm trying to make is, Jesus Christ, who suffered in our stead, went through every conceivable thing that you and I, as men, go through ourselves. He was weary. He was tired.

[John Weaver] That's what the Bible said. John chapter four, he being weary sat thus on the well. And now he says, let not your heart be troubled. That is for sure. You believe in God, believe also in me. Why should we be troubled if our Lord has been troubled for us? Hmm. Wow.

[John Weaver] Now, once again, I want to tell you. What the word troubled means. Terrasso, it means. To be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be full of fear and dread. It is the opposite of peace and calmness.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you, since you're almost there, to look back in John chapter 14 at verse 1. I did not know this until I checked this out, but I want you to look at verse 1. Our Lord says, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. The first word let. Is the same Greek word for trouble. Literally what he says in verse one is trouble, not your heart to be troubled. Trouble not your heart to be troubled if you're troubled you're anxious If you're anxious you're anxious needlessly why We know that all things work together for good love him to them were the called according to his purpose whatever issues we have We have to know that God is absolutely sovereign and God is in total control.

[John Weaver] And he never allows anything to come to pass in our lives, except that which is for our good and that which is ultimately for his glory. Therefore, he says, trouble not your heart to be troubled. Don't let your heart trouble you. Trouble not your heart to be troubled.

[John Weaver] Now, look in John 14 verse 27. I read it earlier. I'm going to read it again. Look at it. He says in verse 27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give unto you. Let your heart neither be troubled nor let it be afraid. Don't be troubled. If you're a child of God. You're to enjoy the peace of God and the calmness of spirit, knowing that you love and trust your Heavenly Father. And anytime that we have things that go wrong or things that we think go contrary to us, it's an opportunity to trust God and to let not our hearts be troubled, to trouble not ourselves.

[John Weaver] The last application is this. If you're unsaved, if you're outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have every right to be troubled. If you're a tyrant, you have every right to be troubled. If you're outside of Jesus Christ, your troubles will be mainly resolved upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But that does not mean that you will never, ever have problems. But it does mean that in those problems and during those problems and through those problems, you can have peace and calmness and assurance that God's going to work everything out for your good and for his glory. So Christ does trouble tyrants. He does trouble those that hate him. And he's going to be a troubler to those who die without him. But for the child of God, he tells you, trouble not your heart to be troubled. Isn't that amazing? Trouble not your heart. Don't get agitated. He will work everything out. for your good and his glory. Let's pray.

[John Weaver] Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you, Father, that you are a troubler in the sense, Lord, that you trouble tyrants and you trouble sinners. And Lord, you trouble us sometimes in order to enable us to increase our faith, increase our trust and rest in thee. and experience your divine peace and calmness. And Lord, we ask that you would help us to understand this simple truth, to trouble not our hearts to be troubled. Give us your grace and your mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

Jesus Christ the Troubler

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	ln7pQlQyCis
Subject	Family Government
Course	The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-07-20
Dictation Name
Book	Book 027: The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order — Chapter 30
Source Timed Segments	75

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: Jesus Christ the Troubler

Weaver introduces the concept of Jesus as a Troubler, not in a sinful sense, but to those who reject Him, drawing a parallel to Achan, the troubler of Israel.

I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Matthew, chapter 2. I'm going to read one verse, and then we'll come back and take the context. Matthew chapter 2. The title of the message is "Jesus Christ the Troubler." How about that? Jesus Christ, the Troubler. So notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 2, and look, if you would please, at verse 3. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:3

"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."

Have you ever considered the fact that Jesus Christ is a Troubler? Yes, He is a Troubler, and no, He is not a Troubler in the sense that He's a sinner and does that which is wrong and wicked. He's a Troubler to those who reject Him, to those who hate Him, to those who despise Him. Achan, who is sometimes referred to as Achar in the Bible, is known as the troubler of Israel. In fact, the Bible tells you in 1 Chronicles chapter 2 and verse 7, "And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed." So Achan is the one who stole from Jericho when God had cursed Jericho and everything that was in it. It was Achan who stole the goodly Babylonish garment, the wedge of gold, the silver, and hid them under his tent. And of course, Achan then, or Achar as he sometimes is called, was responsible not only for his death, but also for the deaths of his

family, plus 36 other Israelites. You may read about Achan in Joshua chapter 7. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for troubler is the word Achar, which means troubler, or one that disturbs, or one that stirs up and one that troubles. And so rightly so, then Achan, who is oftentimes called Achar, is indeed known as the troubler of Israel.

Herod and Jerusalem Troubled

Examination of Matthew 2:1-3, explaining why Herod was troubled by the birth of the King of the Jews, and noting that 'all Jerusalem' does not mean every individual, as Simeon and Anna rejoiced.

Now, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ also troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. So if you look in Matthew chapter 2, and let's read beginning with verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?"

Now, that's an interesting question.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Now note, if you would please, Herod was troubled. In one sense of the word, it's very easy to understand why Herod would be troubled, but it's not necessarily that easy to understand why all of Jerusalem with him would be troubled. We could understand, since Herod claimed himself to be the king of the Jews, now the Magi, they come and say,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"We've come to worship him who is the King of the Jews."

Herod certainly was troubled, and then the Bible says all Jerusalem with him.

Now when you read the word "all" in the Bible, the word "all" basically has about 15 different meanings, and so many people misinterpret this word by trying to make it include each and every individual. It does not mean that. For instance, although the Bible says all Jerusalem with him, certainly there were exceptions, and so this means just all in a very general sense of the word, but it does not mean every single individual. For instance, if you'll hold Matthew 2, but turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 2, I'll show you very quickly two individuals who certainly were not troubled at the birth of Jesus Christ. So in Luke chapter 2, beginning there with verse 25, we read about Simeon. Look at this: "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ."

"And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, that is, eight days, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." So Simeon was certainly not upset; he was not troubled. He was thankful; he was happy because he had seen the Lord's Christ. So if you'd skip down to verse 36, here's another individual who was not troubled. And that was Anna. "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:36-38

"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

So very obviously now, there were some in the city of Jerusalem who were very happy and thankful that the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ, had been born. Now, I want to call your attention back to Matthew chapter 2 and verse 3, because here the Bible says, "When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." I'm going to give you several things. First of all, this is teaching us and demonstrating the exceeding wickedness and duplicity of King Herod.

The Wickedness of Herod the Great

Details the Herodian dynasty, Herod's ruthless character, his murder of family members, and his slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.

Now, let me slow down and tell you that as you read through the Scripture, especially from Matthew 1 all the way to Acts chapter 26, you're going to read about a number of Herods. They are not all the same individual. For instance, Herod Agrippa I was also a Roman-appointed ruler in Israel. He also was from the Herod dynasty. The Herod that we're talking about in Matthew chapter 2 is known as Herod the Great, and he claimed to be the king of the Jews. So this Herod the Great then is the one who had all of the children killed who were two years of age and under when he was not given all the information by the wise men, whom God had sent home another way.

Now, there was Herod Antipas, or Antipas, however you would like to pronounce it, who was king during the ministry of John the Baptist and, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was Herod Antipas who had John executed, later declined to pass judgment upon Jesus, and he sent him back to Pilate in Luke chapter 23. But it was also this same Herod, Herod Antipas, who sometimes is just called Herod, who is mentioned also as one who was guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 4 and verse 27. Now when you get to Acts chapter 12, and you read about the Herod who was the persecutor of the apostles, now we're talking about Herod Agrippa I. Now Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod the Great is the one who slaughtered the infants at Bethlehem. He was a nephew of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who killed John the Baptist.

These Herodian kings were very vicious, very wicked, and very cruel. The Bible tells us that Herod also was troubled. The Greek word for trouble happens to be the word tarassō. It means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted. It also means to be struck with fear and dread. So when you say this word "trouble," it is exactly the opposite of what you and I would call calm and peace.

Now, let me just tell you and show you another use of this word. If you look in your Bibles very quickly, at Matthew chapter 14, you can see how the word is used in the lives even of the apostles. So in Matthew chapter 14 and verse 26, Matthew chapter 14 and verse 26. Look at this. The Bible says—watch carefully, verse 26. Oh, let's see. I'm looking now for Matthew chapter 14. I'm in 13. So Matthew chapter 14, verse 26.

"And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled." There's the same word. They were troubled. That is, they were afraid and cried out, saying, "It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear." So here's the word "troubled" again, and very clearly it means to be troubled with fear and troubled with dread. Now Herod was troubled because Judea at this time was a province of the Roman Empire. Herod had been made king by the Romans, and he had reigned for 37 years. Herod happened to be a very ruthless, murdering tyrant, and the Romans, of course, had taken Jerusalem by force, and they had made Herod the Great king, and he wanted to retain his kingship and his rule, and therefore he was willing to murder—and listen to me very carefully—he was not only willing to murder innocent children under two years of age, he was also willing to murder his own family if there were rivalries and jealousies in his life.

I'm going to give you a quote. Listen to this. Here it is: "Herod, in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies, put to death the two sons of Mariamne, who was his wife, by the way, Aristobulus and Alexander. Then Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son, who was once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne, and her grandfather, John Hyrcanus. He made will after will, but now was in the fatal illness and fury over the question of the Magi." "He showed his excitement, and the whole city was upset, undoubtedly because the people knew only too well what he could do in a rage over the disturbance of his plans." Here's the last part: "The foreigner"—we're talking about Herod the Great—"the foreigner and the usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome." Why was he called a foreigner, and why was he called a usurper? Because Herod the Great was an Idumean, or an Edomite.

And this is from where all the Herods actually sprang. So Herod then claimed to be king of the Jews, and consequently, he's not going to brook any rivals. He's going to destroy anyone who stands in his way. So if you look in Matthew chapter 2, skip it down to verse 16 through 18:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:16-18

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

So Herod then was an exceedingly wicked man. He was exceedingly duplicitous. He told these wise men, "You bring him back. You bring back word to me where he is, so that I may come and worship him."

He had no plans of worshiping Jesus Christ. He only had plans on murdering him. Now, secondly, let's ask this question: Why would not Jerusalem be excited at the news of the King of kings, and that the King of the Jews was born? Why were they really that terrified of Herod?

Ignorance and Slavery in Jerusalem

Argues that Jerusalem's trouble stemmed from fear of Herod, ignorance of messianic prophecies, and a populace accustomed to tyranny, drawing a parallel to modern ignorance in the church.

Now, I'm sure that fear certainly had a place in their lives. They probably all knew all too well how wicked and how horrible and terrible that Herod the Great could be. But I also think this: I think they had also become accustomed to tyranny and to slavery. I believe there's another reason, and that is because of what you and I would call ignorance. They did not know their Bible. They did not know their prophecies concerning the Messiah. They knew nothing of the promised deliverances. So they were totally ignorant, basically, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the Messiah. If you look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 2 and verses 4 through 6, here's why I'm saying that. Look in Matthew chapter 2, beginning there with verse 4.

"And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Note, if you would, what he had to do to find out: he had to gather together the chief priests and the scribes. The people themselves did not know; they were basically totally ignorant. And I believe that this is one of the problems that we have in our day and time. It's the same problem in a different light. When you consider that the Old Testament covenant people did not know about Jesus Christ, did not know about the messianic promises. And now you have to remember that the New Testament covenant people, the church of Jesus Christ, are still just as ignorant. You find an average church member and ask them, "Where in the Bible are the prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ?" Ask about the very first prophecy in the Bible. Ask where Jesus Christ was to be born. Ask where it's found in the Bible. Ask where it's found that He's to be born of a virgin. Ask where it's found that He is to have one who precedes Him, preparing the way for Him in the life of John the Baptist. I'm just simply saying most people are just absolutely totally ignorant.

There are very few Christians who can explain what you and I would call the basic fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Just like those Old Testament covenant people were ignorant concerning Jesus Christ and His prophecies, so likewise today, most professing Christians are just as ignorant as well. We should be theologians. But in reality, we're mostly completely ignorant of the truths of Christianity. And let me put this out: ignorance is only conducive to slavery. The ignorance of the populace in Matthew chapter 2 is comparable to the ignorance of the church concerning Jesus Christ. One would think that Jerusalem should be rejoicing over the birth of Jesus Christ instead of being troubled. It's interesting when you and I observe that men become accustomed to slavery. We become accustomed to tyrants. You don't believe that? Just look at America. I mean, we're not ruled by the Word of God today.

I'm talking about as a nation. We're not even ruled by our Constitution. The truth of the matter is, we have just simply become adjusted to tyranny and adjusted to our slavery—adjusted to slavery is what it amounts to. So I'm just simply pointing out men do not like change, especially if that change is going to be dramatic and demanding.

Christ Troubles Tyrants

Uses Psalm 2 and Hosea 5 to show that tyrants reject God's limits, and that God laughs at them and will judge them; applies this to modern tyranny and the need to 'kiss the Son.'

Now, I will point out the fact that Jesus Christ is very troubling to tyrants. According to the Scripture, He has to be. He's troubling to those who refuse to submit to Him and bow to Him and acknowledge Him. And the reasons that are given in the Bible as to why tyrants hate Him so much is simply because of their own selfishness and their own desire to rule over everyone according to their whim and according to their will, and yet at the same time, they do not want to be ruled over themselves. In other words, they want to be a law to themselves, they want to play God, and they think that somehow they have a divine right to rule. Look at Klaus Schwab. Look at George Soros. Scripture tells us that such tyrants are wicked and wrong. I want you to turn back in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 2. And if you don't mind, mark that Psalm because we'll come back there just momentarily. But look, if you would, at Psalm 2. And look at verses 1 through 3.

Here's the question. What's this? We're talking about tyrants. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" Now, look at this. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." In other words, tyrants do not like any limitations placed upon them at all. It was God who created this world. It's God who created government. It's God who laid down the laws and the rules for those who rule over men. But tyrants don't look like that. If you will turn in your Bibles—and hold Psalm 2 if you would—but turn in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 5, Hosea chapter 5. Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Look in Hosea chapter 5 and look particularly at verses 10 and 11. Hosea 5, verses 10 and 11. Look at this. "The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound." That is, they didn't like the limitations that God placed upon them. Like Psalm 2, the kings there, they did not like that. "Therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water." God said, "I'll destroy them because they are removing the boundary." Now look in verse 11.

"Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment." Why? "Because he willingly walked after the commandment." That is the commandment of those who violated the limitations that God placed upon them. Now, in America, we've not only turned away from the law of God, we've turned away from our own Constitution. We are now a nation basically without law, except for the fact that we are ruled over by idiots who believe that they can simply make up laws and rules and regulations as they go along and go deeper into tyranny and enslave us deeper into slavery. So I want you to witness what is happening in America. Tyrannies exist. Tyrants pass laws and rules and regulations.

Listen, for the peasants and for the peons, and then they exempt themselves. It's just like George Orwell told in his book, Animal Farm. If you've never read Animal Farm, I would encourage you to read it. It is a delightful book, exposing tyrants. All the animals did not like the farmer. They did not like the farmer's wife. So finally, the farmer and his wife were taken care of, and two huge pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, moved into the farmer's house, because it had a list of rules: "All animals are equal." But now Napoleon and Snowball are in the farmer's house living the life of luxury, ruling over all the other animals. And the animals say, "Wait a minute, something's not right." And they go back and they look at the rules. Number one is this: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

Well, that's exactly the attitude in this day and time. If you and I did what our Congress critters do, we would be on trial, found guilty, in prison, and thrown under the prison and probably never ever get out. I'm just simply saying that is where we are. You remember—he's dead now—there was a state representative here from Florida. He was a black man. I forget his name right now. He was asked, "What are the rules in Congress?" And his response was, "There are no rules.

We make them up as we go along." That was his response. And basically, that is true. Now, tyrants do have a right to be troubled. Tyrants do have a right to fear. Tyrants do have a right to expect judgment. If you would turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 2 that I asked you to hold, I want you to look now beginning there with verse 4. Because the tyrants, the kings of the earth, want to cast their chains from themselves and just rule and do as they please. So here we go. Look in verse 3: They say, "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.

The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."

Now look what the Scripture says: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." Now, notice what the Bible says: "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with thee." And in other words, you better make peace with the real, true King of kings.

Judgment on Herod Agrippa I

Recounts the death of Herod Agrippa I in Acts 12 as an example of God slaying a tyrant who stole His glory, leading to the growth of God's word.

Now, I want you to find out that Herod Agrippa I learned this truth the hard way. If you would look in your Bibles, please, to the book of Acts chapter 12, Acts chapter 12. This is Herod Agrippa I. He would be the grandson of Herod the Great. So in Acts chapter 12, beginning there with verse 20, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:20-23

"And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country."

Now look at this:

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:20-23

"And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them." "And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."

So here was a man who was a tyrant who tried to rule as God, and he stole God's honor and glory, and he was eaten of worms and gave up the ghost. So worms got him while he was alive, and worms got him after he was dead. That's a fact. That's a fact. Now, I want you to know it was God who slew the tyrant.

That's what the Scripture means when he says, "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with thee, and ye perish in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little." It was God who smote him with worms. Now, I want you to know what happened after God slew the tyrant. Look in verse 24 of Acts chapter 12:

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:24

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:24

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

Do you understand that God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of His will and His purpose? Those who reject, refuse, and repudiate Him will be removed in judgment.

Christ Divides Families

Explains from Matthew 10:34-36 that Christ brings a sword, dividing families between saved and unsaved, creating trouble in homes but also a closer bond among spiritual family.

And let's begin reading there with verse 34. Matthew chapter 10, and let's look at verse 34. Watch this. Matthew 10, verse 34. Look what our Lord said:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:34-39

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

Wow. Hang on:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:34-39

"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."

Now I want to call your attention to the fact, verse 34 said, that our Lord came not to send peace on earth, but a sword. Then He said,

Scripture Reading — Micah 7:6

"I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."

The interesting thing is our Lord is giving this from a quote from the book of Micah chapter 7 and verse 6, where the Scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Micah 7:6

"For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house."

Now, what I've just read to you—how Christ being a Troubler in the home is made manifest in the lives of many people and in the lives of many families. Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword. Jesus Christ separates. He's a Troubler in the sense that those who are not saved are not in league with those who are saved, even though they may be in the same family.

I preached for 59 years. In that time, I have seen many families where father and mother were pitted against their children, the children pitted against father and mother, husbands pitted against wives, wives pitted against husbands, in-laws against in-laws. Why? Because some were saved and the others were not saved. And it created a division. It created trouble. There was no peace in that particular family. And here's an interesting thought and an interesting concept.

And I believe everyone in this room can attest to it. As much as you love your physical family, your natural family, those of us who've been saved usually have a closer bond with our spiritual family than we do with our physical family, especially if that physical family is unconverted. It's astounding. It's amazing. When you stop and think, you'd much rather be around people who believe the truth and know the truth and understand the truth than those who want to fuss and fight all the time and think you're crazy and a nut and a fanatic and all of this. I mean, simply because there's a division. And Christ said, "Do not think that I've come to bring peace. I've come to bring a sword." The unsaved will count Jesus Christ as a Troubler. But those of us who are saved will count Him as a Savior and a Deliverer. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1.

Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-14

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

Now, note, if you would, please, verse 12 tells us the Father has made us acceptable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. And then in verse 13, He tells us He's delivered us not only from the power of darkness, but He's translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. So if you look now in 1 Peter chapter 2, beginning there with verse 1—let me tie this together. Look in 1 Peter 2,

Believers Translated into a New Kingdom

From Colossians 1 and 1 Peter 2, shows that salvation transfers believers from darkness to light, into God's family and kingdom, making them different from the world.

I mean, simply because there's a division. And Christ said, "Do not think that I've come to bring peace. I've come to bring a sword." The unsaved will count Jesus Christ as a Troubler. But those of us who are saved will count Him as a Savior and a Deliverer. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1.

Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-14

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

verse 1, and we'll read through verse 3. Watch this: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." So what did we just see in these verses? We have been born into a different family. We've been born into the family of God. We've been translated out of darkness into light. We've been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. And so we're different. We do have a new family. We do have a new kingdom. We do have a new King. That is for sure.

It's not that we hate our physical families. We do not dismiss them. We do not disdain them. We love our physical families, and we pray for them that they would repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the truth is, salvation has placed us in a different family, in a different kingdom, in a different country. It's just that simple. It doesn't matter what they call us. We understand a simple fact.

We see, and they do not see. We hear, and they do not hear. We understand, but they do not understand. Now, it's absolutely wonderful when you have a saved husband and a saved wife and saved children. And God usually places His elect in households. That's what the Bible says. And that's usually true, but not necessarily always true. So if you have a family that are saved, then you may count yourself blessed in the Lord and be thankful to Him.

The Believer's Call to Not Be Troubled

Examines the Greek word tarassō in Luke 24, John 14, and 1 Peter 3, showing that believers are commanded not to be troubled because Christ was troubled in their place and they can cast their cares on Him.

Now, I want to remind you, here's a second admonition of what the word "troubled" means. Okay. I told you it's the Greek word tarassō, and it means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be struck with fear and dread. It is the opposite of calm peace. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to follow me in the Scriptures and let me show you how this word now is applied to believers. Okay, so I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, if you would please, to the book of Luke chapter 24. Luke chapter 24. And let's begin reading there with verse 36. Every one of these passages, it has the same Greek word, tarassō. So Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36.

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." This is right after the resurrection. "And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?" Why are you agitated? Why are you disturbed? Why are you disquieted? Why do thoughts arise in your hearts? "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet."

"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?" So Jesus Christ asked them, "Why are you troubled?" Now, hang on. Go in your Bibles to the book of John chapter 14. John chapter 14. Here's a passage everyone knows. Look, if you would, beginning there with verse 1. John 14, verse 1. Our Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled." Same word, tarassō. "Let not your heart be troubled.

Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Now look what He says:

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Let not your heart be troubled."

Don't be anxious. Don't be disquieted. Don't be fearful.

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Ye believe in God, believe also in me."

And then He gave us these wonderful promises. Wonderful. Now, look if you would in John chapter 14 and verse 27. Look at what He says:

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.

Neither let it be afraid." Isn't that interesting? Over and over now, He's telling us that our hearts are not to be troubled. We're not to be disquieted. We're not to be fearful. Look if you would now in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verses 14 through 17. 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 14 through 17. Look at this. 1 Peter chapter 3, beginning with verse 14. Our Lord says, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." But note what he said: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." Do not be fearful. You're not to be agitated. You're not to be disquieted. No, no.

Now, I've got a question to ask you. Why is it that all through the New Testament, we are told that we're not to be troubled? I can assure you one thing: every Christian has been troubled. And we are sometimes some of the most fearful, agitated, unhappy, disbelieving people on the face of the earth. And any time we get troubled, we usually get fearful. Why does God tell us that we are not to be troubled? I want you to look in your Bibles to John 12, verses 27 and 28. Here is the same Greek word, tarassō. Look at this. John 12, verse 27, our Lord said, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." What did our Lord say? "Now is my soul troubled." Why is it that we should not be troubled? Because Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead. Now, I want to make some applications, and I want you to think with me. Most of you probably can quote the next verse.

The first thing is this: Christians should not be troubled in the sense that the word tarassō means to be agitated, disquieted, fearful, and full of dread. Why should we not be troubled? Why should we not be fearful? Do you remember what 1 Peter chapter 5 and verse 7 states? Here it is: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Wow. I've talked to many Christians who said, "Well, the problem that I have that really upsets me is people hate me." Really? Well, Jesus Christ was hated. "Well, people despise me." Well, Jesus Christ was despised. "Well, people mock me." Jesus Christ was mocked. "People ridicule me." Jesus Christ was ridiculed. "But I'm poor." Jesus Christ was poor.

Application: Trouble Not Your Heart

Concludes that believers should not let their hearts be troubled, trusting God's sovereignty; the unsaved have reason to be troubled until they repent and find peace in Christ.

He didn't have a place to lay His head. He said, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." But you say, "But people betray me." Jesus Christ was betrayed. The point I'm trying to make is, Jesus Christ, who suffered in our stead, went through every conceivable thing that you and I, as men, go through ourselves. He was weary. He was tired. That's what the Bible said. John chapter 4, "He being weary, sat thus on the well." And now He says, "Let not your heart be troubled." That is for sure. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." Why should we be troubled if our Lord has been troubled for us? Hmm. Wow.

Now, once again, I want to tell you what the word "troubled" means. Tarassō, it means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be full of fear and dread. It is the opposite of peace and calmness. Now, I want you, since you're almost there, to look back in John chapter 14 at verse 1. I did not know this until I checked this out, but I want you to look at verse 1. Our Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." The first word "let" is the same Greek word for trouble. Literally what He says in verse 1 is, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Trouble not your heart to be troubled. If you're troubled, you're anxious. If you're anxious, you're anxious needlessly. Why? We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Whatever issues we have, we have to know that God is absolutely sovereign and God is in total control.

And He never allows anything to come to pass in our lives, except that which is for our good and that which is ultimately for His glory. Therefore, He says, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Don't let your heart trouble you. Trouble not your heart to be troubled. Now, look in John 14, verse 27. I read it earlier. I'm going to read it again. Look at it. He says in verse 27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Don't be troubled. If you're a child of God, you're to enjoy the peace of God and the calmness of spirit, knowing that you love and trust your Heavenly Father. And anytime that we have things that go wrong or things that we think go contrary to us, it's an opportunity to trust God and to let not our hearts be troubled, to trouble not ourselves.

The last application is this: If you're unsaved, if you're outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have every right to be troubled. If you're a tyrant, you have every right to be troubled. If you're outside of Jesus Christ, your troubles will be mainly resolved upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But that does not mean that you will never, ever have problems. But it does mean that in those problems and during those problems and through those problems, you can have peace and calmness and assurance that God's going to work everything out for your good and for His glory. So Christ does trouble tyrants. He does trouble those that hate Him. And He's going to be a Troubler to those who die without Him. But for the child of God, He tells you, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Isn't that amazing? Trouble not your heart. Don't get agitated. He will work everything out for your good and His glory. Let's pray.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Jesus Christ as Troubler to the Unbelieving

Summary: Christ troubles tyrants, sinners, and those who reject His rule, bringing agitation and fear, as seen in Herod and Jerusalem.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'He's a Troubler to those who reject Him, to those who hate Him, to those who despise Him.'

The Wickedness of Tyranny

Summary: Herod the Great exemplifies the ruthless, murderous nature of tyrants who fear rivals and reject God's authority.

Evidence: Weaver details Herod's murders of family and innocents, and quotes a source calling him a 'foreigner and usurper.'

Ignorance of Scripture Leads to Slavery

Summary: The people of Jerusalem were ignorant of messianic prophecies, making them susceptible to tyranny; modern Christians are similarly ignorant of basic doctrines.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'They did not know their Bible... They were totally ignorant... concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the Messiah.'

God's Sovereignty Over Tyrants

Summary: Psalm 2 shows God laughing at rebellious kings and establishing His Son as King; tyrants will be broken and judged.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 2:4-9 and says, 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall have them in derision.'

Christ Divides Families

Summary: The gospel brings a sword, setting family members against each other, as Christ creates division between saved and unsaved.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Matthew 10:34-36 and says, 'Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword.'

Believers' New Identity in Christ

Summary: Salvation translates believers from darkness to light, into God's family and kingdom, giving them a new spiritual family.

Evidence: Weaver references Colossians 1:12-14 and 1 Peter 2:1-3, saying, 'We've been born into a different family.'

The Command to Not Be Troubled

Summary: Believers are repeatedly told not to be troubled (tarassō) because Christ was troubled in their place and they can trust God's care.

Evidence: Weaver cites John 14:1, 27; 1 Peter 3:14; and John 12:27, saying, 'Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead.'

Trust in God's Sovereignty

Summary: Christians should not be anxious because God works all things for their good and His glory; they are to cast their cares on Him.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God... God is absolutely sovereign and God is in total control.'

Key Arguments

Herod's trouble was due to his fear of a rival king.

Summary: Herod, as a usurper and tyrant, was troubled by the birth of the true King of the Jews because he feared losing his power.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Herod claimed himself to be the king of the Jews... Herod certainly was troubled' and quotes a source: 'The foreigner and the usurper feared a rival.'

Jerusalem's trouble stemmed from ignorance and acclimation to tyranny.

Summary: The people did not know the prophecies of the Messiah and had grown accustomed to Herod's oppressive rule, so they feared change.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'They did not know their Bible... They were totally ignorant... I think they had also become accustomed to tyranny and to slavery.'

Modern Christians are similarly ignorant of Scripture.

Summary: Just as Old Testament covenant people were ignorant of messianic prophecies, many professing Christians today cannot explain basic doctrines.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'You find an average church member and ask them... most people are just absolutely totally ignorant.'

Tyrants reject God's limitations and will be judged.

Summary: Psalm 2 and Hosea 5 show that rulers who cast off God's restraints will face His wrath; God laughs at them and will break them.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 2:1-3 and Hosea 5:10-11, then says, 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh... Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron.'

God actively judges tyrants, as seen in Herod Agrippa I.

Summary: The death of Herod Agrippa I by worms in Acts 12 demonstrates that God will remove obstacles to His will and judge those who steal His glory.

Evidence: Weaver recounts Acts 12:20-23 and says, 'It was God who slew the tyrant... God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of His will.'

Christ's coming brings division, not peace, to families.

Summary: Jesus Himself declared that He came to bring a sword, setting family members against each other based on their response to Him.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Matthew 10:34-36 and says, 'Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword.'

Believers are not to be troubled because Christ was troubled for them.

Summary: The command 'let not your heart be troubled' is grounded in the fact that Jesus experienced trouble (tarassō) as our substitute, so we can have peace.

Evidence: Weaver points to John 12:27 where Jesus says 'Now is my soul troubled' and then says, 'Why is it that we should not be troubled? Because Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead.'

Christians should cast their cares on God and trust His sovereignty.

Summary: Instead of being troubled, believers are to cast all their anxieties on God, knowing He cares for them and works all things for good.

Evidence: Weaver cites 1 Peter 5:7 and Romans 8:28, saying, 'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you... all things work together for good.'

Scripture References

Matthew 2:3

Context: The key verse: Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled at the news of Jesus' birth.

1 Chronicles 2:7

Context: Achar (Achan) is called the troubler of Israel for his transgression.

Joshua 7

Context: The account of Achan's sin and its consequences.

Matthew 2:1-2

Context: The wise men come seeking the born King of the Jews.

Luke 2:25-32

Context: Simeon rejoiced at seeing the Christ child, showing not all Jerusalem was troubled.

Luke 2:36-38

Context: Anna the prophetess gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to those looking for redemption.

Matthew 2:16-18

Context: Herod's slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:4-6

Context: Herod gathered chief priests and scribes to learn where Christ was to be born, revealing the people's ignorance.

Psalm 2:1-3

Context: The kings of the earth rage and plot against the Lord and His Anointed, seeking to break free from His rule.

Hosea 5:10-11

Context: The princes of Judah are like those who remove boundaries, and Ephraim is oppressed for following such commandments.

Psalm 2:4-12

Context: God laughs at the rebellious kings, sets His King on Zion, and warns them to kiss the Son lest He be angry.

Acts 12:20-23

Context: Herod Agrippa I is struck by an angel and eaten of worms for not giving God glory.

Acts 12:24

Context: After Herod's death, the word of God grew and multiplied.

Acts 5:27-29

Context: The apostles declare they must obey God rather than men, troubling the authorities.

Matthew 10:34-39

Context: Jesus says He came not to bring peace but a sword, dividing families.

Micah 7:6

Context: The prophecy that a man's enemies will be those of his own household, quoted by Jesus.

Colossians 1:12-14

Context: Believers are delivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

1 Peter 2:1-3

Context: Newborn babes in Christ are to desire the sincere milk of the word.

Luke 24:36-43

Context: Jesus asks His disciples why they are troubled after His resurrection.

John 14:1-3, 27

Context: Jesus commands His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled, promising peace and a prepared place.

Historical References

Achan (Achar) the troubler of Israel

Context: Achan stole from Jericho, bringing trouble on Israel; his name means troubler.

Herod the Great

Context: The Idumean king who slaughtered the innocents and murdered his own family; reigned 37 years.

Herod Antipas

Context: Tetrarch during Jesus' ministry; executed John the Baptist and sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Herod Agrippa I

Context: Grandson of Herod the Great; persecuted the apostles and was eaten of worms in Acts 12.

Mariamne and her sons

Context: Herod the Great put to death his wife Mariamne, her two sons, and other family members out of jealousy.

John Hyrcanus

Context: Grandfather of Mariamne, also put to death by Herod the Great.

George Orwell's Animal Farm

Context: Used as an illustration of tyranny where 'all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.'

Klaus Schwab and George Soros

Context: Mentioned as modern examples of tyrants who want to rule without limits.

Florida state representative (unnamed)

Context: A black state representative who said there are no rules in Congress; they make them up as they go.

Important Quotes

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Significance: The central verse of the sermon, introducing the theme of Christ as Troubler.

Herod, in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies, put to death the two sons of Mariamne, who was his wife, by the way, Aristobulus and Alexander. Then Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son, who was once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne, and her grandfather, John Hyrcanus.

Significance: Illustrates the extreme wickedness and paranoia of Herod the Great.

The foreigner and the usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome.

Significance: Explains Herod's motivation as an Idumean usurper who feared a legitimate Jewish king.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Significance: Jesus' own words showing He brings division, even within families.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Significance: Shows that Christ experienced trouble as our substitute, so believers need not be troubled.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Significance: The command to believers to trust in God and Christ instead of being agitated.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Significance: The remedy for a troubled heart: entrusting anxieties to God.

Trouble not your heart to be troubled.

Significance: Weaver's literal rendering of John 14:1, emphasizing the active choice to reject anxiety.

Discussion Questions

In what ways is Jesus Christ a 'Troubler' to the world today, and how should believers respond to that reality?

Context: Weaver explains that Christ troubles tyrants and unbelievers by His very nature and claims.

How does ignorance of Scripture contribute to spiritual slavery, and what can we do to combat this in our own lives and churches?

Context: Weaver compares the ignorance of Jerusalem to modern Christians' lack of biblical knowledge.

What does Psalm 2 teach us about God's attitude toward rebellious rulers, and how should this shape our prayers for our nation?

Context: Weaver expounds Psalm 2 to show God's sovereignty over tyrants.

How have you experienced the 'sword' of division that Christ brings in your own family or relationships?

Context: Weaver discusses Matthew 10:34-36 and the reality of family division over the gospel.

What does it mean to be 'translated into the kingdom of his dear Son,' and how does this new identity affect our daily lives?

Context: Weaver references Colossians 1:12-14 to describe the believer's transfer from darkness to light.

Why is it significant that Jesus' soul was troubled (John 12:27), and how does that truth help us when we are troubled?

Context: Weaver argues that Christ was troubled as our substitute, freeing us from the need to be troubled.

What practical steps can we take to 'trouble not our hearts' when facing anxiety or fear?

Context: Weaver concludes with the command to not let our hearts be troubled, based on God's sovereignty and care.

How does the example of Herod Agrippa I's death (Acts 12) serve as a warning to those in power today?

Context: Weaver uses Herod Agrippa I as an example of God's judgment on prideful tyrants.

Applications

Examine your knowledge of Scripture

Summary: Weaver challenges believers to assess their ignorance of basic doctrines and prophecies, urging them to become theologians who know the Word.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'There are very few Christians who can explain what you and I would call the basic fundamental doctrines of Christianity.'

Trust God's sovereignty over rulers

Summary: Instead of fearing tyrants, believers should rest in God's control and laugh with Him at rebellious kings, knowing He will judge.

Evidence: Weaver reads Psalm 2:4 and says, 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall have them in derision.'

Obey God rather than men

Summary: When earthly authorities command what contradicts God, believers must follow the apostles' example and obey God.

Evidence: Weaver cites Acts 5:29: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'

Accept division for the sake of Christ

Summary: Believers should not be surprised when the gospel causes family conflict, but should love their physical families while prioritizing their spiritual family.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'As much as you love your physical family... those of us who've been saved usually have a closer bond with our spiritual family.'

Cast your cares on God

Summary: Instead of being troubled, believers are to actively cast all anxieties on God, knowing He cares for them.

Evidence: Weaver quotes 1 Peter 5:7: 'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.'

Trouble not your heart

Summary: Weaver exhorts believers to refuse to let their hearts be agitated, trusting that God works all things for their good.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Trouble not your heart to be troubled... He will work everything out for your good and His glory.'

Repent and believe for peace

Summary: The unsaved are called to repent and trust in Christ to resolve their ultimate trouble and find peace.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'If you're outside of Jesus Christ, your troubles will be mainly resolved upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T13:19:01Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T00:10:06Z

Clean Transcript

Jesus Christ the Troubler

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Matthew, chapter 2. I'm going to read one verse, and then we'll come back and take the context. Matthew chapter 2. The title of the message is "Jesus Christ the Troubler." How about that? Jesus Christ, the Troubler. So notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 2, and look, if you would please, at verse 3.
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The Bible says, "When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." Have you ever considered the fact that Jesus Christ is a Troubler? Yes, He is a Troubler, and no, He is not a Troubler in the sense that He's a sinner and does that which is wrong and wicked. He's a Troubler to those who reject Him, to those who hate Him, to those who despise Him. Achan, who is sometimes referred to as Achar in the Bible, is known as the troubler of Israel. In fact, the Bible tells you in 1 Chronicles chapter 2 and verse 7, "And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed." So Achan is the one who stole from Jericho when God had cursed Jericho and everything that was in it. It was Achan who stole the goodly Babylonish garment, the wedge of gold, the silver, and hid them under his tent. And of course, Achan then, or Achar as he sometimes is called, was responsible not only for his death, but also for the deaths of his
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family, plus 36 other Israelites. You may read about Achan in Joshua chapter 7. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for troubler is the word Achar, which means troubler, or one that disturbs, or one that stirs up and one that troubles. And so rightly so, then Achan, who is oftentimes called Achar, is indeed known as the troubler of Israel.
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Now, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ also troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. So if you look in Matthew chapter 2, and let's read beginning with verse 1. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?"
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Now, that's an interesting question. "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Now note, if you would please, Herod was troubled. In one sense of the word, it's very easy to understand why Herod would be troubled, but it's not necessarily that easy to understand why all of Jerusalem with him would be troubled. We could understand, since Herod claimed himself to be the king of the Jews, now the Magi, they come and say, "We've come to worship him who is the King of the Jews." Herod certainly was troubled, and then the Bible says all Jerusalem with him.
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Now when you read the word "all" in the Bible, the word "all" basically has about 15 different meanings, and so many people misinterpret this word by trying to make it include each and every individual. It does not mean that. For instance, although the Bible says all Jerusalem with him, certainly there were exceptions, and so this means just all in a very general sense of the word, but it does not mean every single individual. For instance, if you'll hold Matthew 2, but turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Luke chapter 2, I'll show you very quickly two individuals who certainly were not troubled at the birth of Jesus Christ. So in Luke chapter 2, beginning there with verse 25, we read about Simeon. Look at this: "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ."
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"And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, that is, eight days, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." So Simeon was certainly not upset; he was not troubled. He was thankful; he was happy because he had seen the Lord's Christ. So if you'd skip down to verse 36,
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here's another individual who was not troubled. And that was Anna. "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
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"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." So very obviously now, there were some in the city of Jerusalem who were very happy and thankful that the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ, had been born. Now, I want to call your attention back to Matthew chapter 2 and verse 3, because here the Bible says, "When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." I'm going to give you several things. First of all, this is teaching us and demonstrating the exceeding wickedness and duplicity of King Herod.
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Now, let me slow down and tell you that as you read through the Scripture, especially from Matthew 1 all the way to Acts chapter 26, you're going to read about a number of Herods. They are not all the same individual. For instance, Herod Agrippa I was also a Roman-appointed ruler in Israel. He also was from the Herod dynasty. The Herod that we're talking about in Matthew chapter 2 is known as Herod the Great, and he claimed to be the king of the Jews. So this Herod the Great then is the one who had all of the children killed who were two years of age and under when he was not given all the information by the wise men, whom God had sent home another way.
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Now, there was Herod Antipas, or Antipas, however you would like to pronounce it, who was king during the ministry of John the Baptist and, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was Herod Antipas who had John executed, later declined to pass judgment upon Jesus, and he sent him back to Pilate in Luke chapter 23. But it was also this same Herod, Herod Antipas, who sometimes is just called Herod, who is mentioned also as one who was guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 4 and verse 27. Now when you get to Acts chapter 12, and you read about the Herod who was the persecutor of the apostles, now we're talking about Herod Agrippa I. Now Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod the Great is the one who slaughtered the infants at Bethlehem. He was a nephew of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who killed John the Baptist.
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These Herodian kings were very vicious, very wicked, and very cruel. The Bible tells us that Herod also was troubled. The Greek word for trouble happens to be the word tarassō. It means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted. It also means to be struck with fear and dread. So when you say this word "trouble," it is exactly the opposite of what you and I would call calm and peace.
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Now, let me just tell you and show you another use of this word. If you look in your Bibles very quickly, at Matthew chapter 14, you can see how the word is used in the lives even of the apostles. So in Matthew chapter 14 and verse 26, Matthew chapter 14 and verse 26. Look at this. The Bible says—watch carefully, verse 26. Oh, let's see. I'm looking now for Matthew chapter 14. I'm in 13. So Matthew chapter 14, verse 26.
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"And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled." There's the same word. They were troubled. That is, they were afraid and cried out, saying, "It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear." So here's the word "troubled" again, and very clearly it means to be troubled with fear and troubled with dread.
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Now Herod was troubled because Judea at this time was a province of the Roman Empire. Herod had been made king by the Romans, and he had reigned for 37 years. Herod happened to be a very ruthless, murdering tyrant, and the Romans, of course, had taken Jerusalem by force, and they had made Herod the Great king, and he wanted to retain his kingship and his rule, and therefore he was willing to murder—and listen to me very carefully—he was not only willing to murder innocent children under two years of age, he was also willing to murder his own family if there were rivalries and jealousies in his life.
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I'm going to give you a quote. Listen to this. Here it is: "Herod, in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies, put to death the two sons of Mariamne, who was his wife, by the way, Aristobulus and Alexander. Then Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son, who was once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne, and her grandfather, John Hyrcanus. He made will after will, but now was in the fatal illness and fury over the question of the Magi."
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"He showed his excitement, and the whole city was upset, undoubtedly because the people knew only too well what he could do in a rage over the disturbance of his plans." Here's the last part: "The foreigner"—we're talking about Herod the Great—"the foreigner and the usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome." Why was he called a foreigner, and why was he called a usurper? Because Herod the Great was an Idumean, or an Edomite.
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And this is from where all the Herods actually sprang. So Herod then claimed to be king of the Jews, and consequently, he's not going to brook any rivals. He's going to destroy anyone who stands in his way. So if you look in Matthew chapter 2, skip it down to verse 16 through 18: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men."
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"Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." So Herod then was an exceedingly wicked man. He was exceedingly duplicitous. He told these wise men, "You bring him back. You bring back word to me where he is, so that I may come and worship him."
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He had no plans of worshiping Jesus Christ. He only had plans on murdering him.
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Now, secondly, let's ask this question: Why would not Jerusalem be excited at the news of the King of kings, and that the King of the Jews was born? Why were they really that terrified of Herod?
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Now, I'm sure that fear certainly had a place in their lives. They probably all knew all too well how wicked and how horrible and terrible that Herod the Great could be. But I also think this: I think they had also become accustomed to tyranny and to slavery. I believe there's another reason, and that is because of what you and I would call ignorance. They did not know their Bible. They did not know their prophecies concerning the Messiah. They knew nothing of the promised deliverances. So they were totally ignorant, basically, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the Messiah. If you look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 2 and verses 4 through 6, here's why I'm saying that. Look in Matthew chapter 2, beginning there with verse 4.
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"And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Note, if you would, what he had to do to find out: he had to gather together the chief priests and the scribes. The people themselves did not know; they were basically totally ignorant.
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And I believe that this is one of the problems that we have in our day and time. It's the same problem in a different light. When you consider that the Old Testament covenant people did not know about Jesus Christ, did not know about the messianic promises. And now you have to remember that the New Testament covenant people, the church of Jesus Christ, are still just as ignorant. You find an average church member and ask them, "Where in the Bible are the prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ?" Ask about the very first prophecy in the Bible. Ask where Jesus Christ was to be born. Ask where it's found in the Bible. Ask where it's found that He's to be born of a virgin. Ask where it's found that He is to have one who precedes Him, preparing the way for Him in the life of John the Baptist. I'm just simply saying most people are just absolutely totally ignorant.
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There are very few Christians who can explain what you and I would call the basic fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Just like those Old Testament covenant people were ignorant concerning Jesus Christ and His prophecies, so likewise today, most professing Christians are just as ignorant as well. We should be theologians. But in reality, we're mostly completely ignorant of the truths of Christianity. And let me put this out: ignorance is only conducive to slavery. The ignorance of the populace in Matthew chapter 2 is comparable to the ignorance of the church concerning Jesus Christ. One would think that Jerusalem should be rejoicing over the birth of Jesus Christ instead of being troubled. It's interesting when you and I observe that men become accustomed to slavery. We become accustomed to tyrants. You don't believe that? Just look at America. I mean, we're not ruled by the Word of God today.
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I'm talking about as a nation. We're not even ruled by our Constitution. The truth of the matter is, we have just simply become adjusted to tyranny and adjusted to our slavery—adjusted to slavery is what it amounts to. So I'm just simply pointing out men do not like change, especially if that change is going to be dramatic and demanding.
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Now, I will point out the fact that Jesus Christ is very troubling to tyrants. According to the Scripture, He has to be. He's troubling to those who refuse to submit to Him and bow to Him and acknowledge Him. And the reasons that are given in the Bible as to why tyrants hate Him so much is simply because of their own selfishness and their own desire to rule over everyone according to their whim and according to their will, and yet at the same time, they do not want to be ruled over themselves. In other words, they want to be a law to themselves, they want to play God, and they think that somehow they have a divine right to rule. Look at Klaus Schwab. Look at George Soros. Scripture tells us that such tyrants are wicked and wrong. I want you to turn back in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 2. And if you don't mind, mark that Psalm because we'll come back there just momentarily. But look, if you would, at Psalm 2. And look at verses 1 through 3.
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Here's the question. What's this? We're talking about tyrants. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" Now, look at this. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." In other words, tyrants do not like any limitations placed upon them at all.
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It was God who created this world. It's God who created government. It's God who laid down the laws and the rules for those who rule over men. But tyrants don't look like that. If you will turn in your Bibles—and hold Psalm 2 if you would—but turn in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 5, Hosea chapter 5. Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos. Look in Hosea chapter 5 and look particularly at verses 10 and 11. Hosea 5, verses 10 and 11. Look at this. "The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound." That is, they didn't like the limitations that God placed upon them. Like Psalm 2, the kings there, they did not like that. "Therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water." God said, "I'll destroy them because they are removing the boundary." Now look in verse 11.
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"Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment." Why? "Because he willingly walked after the commandment." That is the commandment of those who violated the limitations that God placed upon them.
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Now, in America, we've not only turned away from the law of God, we've turned away from our own Constitution. We are now a nation basically without law, except for the fact that we are ruled over by idiots who believe that they can simply make up laws and rules and regulations as they go along and go deeper into tyranny and enslave us deeper into slavery. So I want you to witness what is happening in America. Tyrannies exist. Tyrants pass laws and rules and regulations.
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Listen, for the peasants and for the peons, and then they exempt themselves. It's just like George Orwell told in his book, Animal Farm. If you've never read Animal Farm, I would encourage you to read it. It is a delightful book, exposing tyrants. All the animals did not like the farmer. They did not like the farmer's wife. So finally, the farmer and his wife were taken care of, and two huge pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, moved into the farmer's house, because it had a list of rules: "All animals are equal." But now Napoleon and Snowball are in the farmer's house living the life of luxury, ruling over all the other animals. And the animals say, "Wait a minute, something's not right." And they go back and they look at the rules. Number one is this: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."
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Well, that's exactly the attitude in this day and time. If you and I did what our Congress critters do, we would be on trial, found guilty, in prison, and thrown under the prison and probably never ever get out. I'm just simply saying that is where we are. You remember—he's dead now—there was a state representative here from Florida. He was a black man. I forget his name right now. He was asked, "What are the rules in Congress?" And his response was, "There are no rules.
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We make them up as we go along." That was his response. And basically, that is true.
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Now, tyrants do have a right to be troubled. Tyrants do have a right to fear. Tyrants do have a right to expect judgment. If you would turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 2 that I asked you to hold, I want you to look now beginning there with verse 4. Because the tyrants, the kings of the earth, want to cast their chains from themselves and just rule and do as they please. So here we go. Look in verse 3: They say, "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.
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The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."
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Now look what the Scripture says: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." Now, notice what the Bible says: "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with thee." And in other words, you better make peace with the real, true King of kings.
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Now, I want you to find out that Herod Agrippa I learned this truth the hard way. If you would look in your Bibles, please, to the book of Acts chapter 12, Acts chapter 12. This is Herod Agrippa I. He would be the grandson of Herod the Great. So in Acts chapter 12, beginning there with verse 20, the Bible says, "And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country." Now look at this: "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them."
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"And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." So here was a man who was a tyrant who tried to rule as God, and he stole God's honor and glory, and he was eaten of worms and gave up the ghost. So worms got him while he was alive, and worms got him after he was dead. That's a fact. That's a fact. Now, I want you to know it was God who slew the tyrant.
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That's what the Scripture means when he says, "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with thee, and ye perish in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little." It was God who smote him with worms.
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Now, I want you to know what happened after God slew the tyrant. Look in verse 24 of Acts chapter 12: "But the word of God grew and multiplied." Wow. "But the word of God grew and multiplied." Do you understand that God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of His will and His purpose? Those who reject, refuse, and repudiate Him will be removed in judgment.
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And yes, tyrants do have a right to tremble and to fear. Now, the world may be troubled, tyrants may be troubled, and one thing that troubles tyrants is that God's people do not obey them. What am I talking about? Look back in your Bibles to Acts chapter 5. Acts chapter 5. Here we have it spelled out for us in verses 27 through 29. Acts chapter 5, verse 27: Now the apostles have been brought in, "And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." And so basically what they're saying is, "We're not going to obey you; we're going to obey God."
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Now, let me tell you, there is another aspect taught in the Bible concerning Jesus Christ as a Troubler. He's not only a Troubler to tyrants and to those who hate and despise Him, He is also a Troubler in the sense that He comes to some homes and saves some and not others. What am I talking about? Go back in your Bibles to the book of Matthew chapter 10.
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And let's begin reading there with verse 34. Matthew chapter 10, and let's look at verse 34. Watch this. Matthew 10, verse 34. Look what our Lord said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Wow. Hang on: "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
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"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."
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Now I want to call your attention to the fact, verse 34 said, that our Lord came not to send peace on earth, but a sword. Then He said, "I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." The interesting thing is our Lord is giving this from a quote from the book of Micah chapter 7 and verse 6, where the Scripture says, "For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house."
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Now, what I've just read to you—how Christ being a Troubler in the home is made manifest in the lives of many people and in the lives of many families. Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword. Jesus Christ separates. He's a Troubler in the sense that those who are not saved are not in league with those who are saved, even though they may be in the same family.
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I preached for 59 years. In that time, I have seen many families where father and mother were pitted against their children, the children pitted against father and mother, husbands pitted against wives, wives pitted against husbands, in-laws against in-laws. Why? Because some were saved and the others were not saved. And it created a division. It created trouble. There was no peace in that particular family. And here's an interesting thought and an interesting concept.
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And I believe everyone in this room can attest to it. As much as you love your physical family, your natural family, those of us who've been saved usually have a closer bond with our spiritual family than we do with our physical family, especially if that physical family is unconverted. It's astounding. It's amazing. When you stop and think, you'd much rather be around people who believe the truth and know the truth and understand the truth than those who want to fuss and fight all the time and think you're crazy and a nut and a fanatic and all of this.
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I mean, simply because there's a division. And Christ said, "Do not think that I've come to bring peace. I've come to bring a sword." The unsaved will count Jesus Christ as a Troubler. But those of us who are saved will count Him as a Savior and a Deliverer. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1.
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Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Now, note, if you would, please, verse 12 tells us the Father has made us acceptable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. And then in verse 13, He tells us He's delivered us not only from the power of darkness, but He's translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. So if you look now in 1 Peter chapter 2, beginning there with verse 1—let me tie this together. Look in 1 Peter 2,
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verse 1, and we'll read through verse 3. Watch this: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." So what did we just see in these verses? We have been born into a different family. We've been born into the family of God. We've been translated out of darkness into light. We've been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. And so we're different. We do have a new family. We do have a new kingdom. We do have a new King. That is for sure.
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It's not that we hate our physical families. We do not dismiss them. We do not disdain them. We love our physical families, and we pray for them that they would repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the truth is, salvation has placed us in a different family, in a different kingdom, in a different country. It's just that simple. It doesn't matter what they call us. We understand a simple fact.
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We see, and they do not see. We hear, and they do not hear. We understand, but they do not understand.
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Now, it's absolutely wonderful when you have a saved husband and a saved wife and saved children. And God usually places His elect in households. That's what the Bible says. And that's usually true, but not necessarily always true. So if you have a family that are saved, then you may count yourself blessed in the Lord and be thankful to Him.
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Now, I want to remind you, here's a second admonition of what the word "troubled" means. Okay. I told you it's the Greek word tarassō, and it means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be struck with fear and dread. It is the opposite of calm peace. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to follow me in the Scriptures and let me show you how this word now is applied to believers. Okay, so I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, if you would please, to the book of Luke chapter 24. Luke chapter 24. And let's begin reading there with verse 36. Every one of these passages, it has the same Greek word, tarassō. So Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36.
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"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." This is right after the resurrection. "And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?" Why are you agitated? Why are you disturbed? Why are you disquieted? Why do thoughts arise in your hearts? "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet."
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"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?" So Jesus Christ asked them, "Why are you troubled?" Now, hang on. Go in your Bibles to the book of John chapter 14. John chapter 14. Here's a passage everyone knows. Look, if you would, beginning there with verse 1. John 14, verse 1. Our Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled." Same word, tarassō. "Let not your heart be troubled.
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Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
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Now look what He says: "Let not your heart be troubled." Don't be anxious. Don't be disquieted. Don't be fearful. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." And then He gave us these wonderful promises. Wonderful. Now, look if you would in John chapter 14 and verse 27. Look at what He says: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.
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Neither let it be afraid." Isn't that interesting? Over and over now, He's telling us that our hearts are not to be troubled. We're not to be disquieted. We're not to be fearful. Look if you would now in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verses 14 through 17. 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 14 through 17. Look at this. 1 Peter chapter 3, beginning with verse 14. Our Lord says, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
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"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." But note what he said: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." Do not be fearful.
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You're not to be agitated. You're not to be disquieted. No, no.
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Now, I've got a question to ask you. Why is it that all through the New Testament, we are told that we're not to be troubled? I can assure you one thing: every Christian has been troubled. And we are sometimes some of the most fearful, agitated, unhappy, disbelieving people on the face of the earth. And any time we get troubled, we usually get fearful. Why does God tell us that we are not to be troubled?
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I want you to look in your Bibles to John 12, verses 27 and 28. Here is the same Greek word, tarassō. Look at this. John 12, verse 27, our Lord said, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." What did our Lord say? "Now is my soul troubled." Why is it that we should not be troubled? Because Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead. Now, I want to make some applications, and I want you to think with me. Most of you probably can quote the next verse.
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The first thing is this: Christians should not be troubled in the sense that the word tarassō means to be agitated, disquieted, fearful, and full of dread. Why should we not be troubled? Why should we not be fearful? Do you remember what 1 Peter chapter 5 and verse 7 states? Here it is: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Wow. I've talked to many Christians who said, "Well, the problem that I have that really upsets me is people hate me." Really? Well, Jesus Christ was hated. "Well, people despise me." Well, Jesus Christ was despised. "Well, people mock me." Jesus Christ was mocked. "People ridicule me." Jesus Christ was ridiculed. "But I'm poor." Jesus Christ was poor.
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He didn't have a place to lay His head. He said, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." But you say, "But people betray me." Jesus Christ was betrayed. The point I'm trying to make is, Jesus Christ, who suffered in our stead, went through every conceivable thing that you and I, as men, go through ourselves. He was weary. He was tired.
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That's what the Bible said. John chapter 4, "He being weary, sat thus on the well." And now He says, "Let not your heart be troubled." That is for sure. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." Why should we be troubled if our Lord has been troubled for us? Hmm. Wow.
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Now, once again, I want to tell you what the word "troubled" means. Tarassō, it means to be agitated, to be disturbed, to be upset, to be disquieted, to be full of fear and dread. It is the opposite of peace and calmness.
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Now, I want you, since you're almost there, to look back in John chapter 14 at verse 1. I did not know this until I checked this out, but I want you to look at verse 1. Our Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." The first word "let" is the same Greek word for trouble. Literally what He says in verse 1 is, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Trouble not your heart to be troubled. If you're troubled, you're anxious. If you're anxious, you're anxious needlessly. Why? We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Whatever issues we have, we have to know that God is absolutely sovereign and God is in total control.
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And He never allows anything to come to pass in our lives, except that which is for our good and that which is ultimately for His glory. Therefore, He says, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Don't let your heart trouble you. Trouble not your heart to be troubled.
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Now, look in John 14, verse 27. I read it earlier. I'm going to read it again. Look at it. He says in verse 27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Don't be troubled. If you're a child of God, you're to enjoy the peace of God and the calmness of spirit, knowing that you love and trust your Heavenly Father. And anytime that we have things that go wrong or things that we think go contrary to us, it's an opportunity to trust God and to let not our hearts be troubled, to trouble not ourselves.
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The last application is this: If you're unsaved, if you're outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have every right to be troubled. If you're a tyrant, you have every right to be troubled. If you're outside of Jesus Christ, your troubles will be mainly resolved upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But that does not mean that you will never, ever have problems. But it does mean that in those problems and during those problems and through those problems, you can have peace and calmness and assurance that God's going to work everything out for your good and for His glory. So Christ does trouble tyrants. He does trouble those that hate Him. And He's going to be a Troubler to those who die without Him. But for the child of God, He tells you, "Trouble not your heart to be troubled." Isn't that amazing? Trouble not your heart. Don't get agitated. He will work everything out for your good and His glory. Let's pray.
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Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you, Father, that you are a Troubler in the sense, Lord, that you trouble tyrants and you trouble sinners. And Lord, you trouble us sometimes in order to enable us to increase our faith, increase our trust and rest in Thee, and experience Your divine peace and calmness. And Lord, we ask that You would help us to understand this simple truth, to trouble not our hearts to be troubled. Give us Your grace and Your mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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so so
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T13:19:01Z

Jesus Christ the Troubler

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver examines Matthew 2:3, where Herod and all Jerusalem are troubled at the news of Jesus' birth. He explores the dual nature of Christ as a Troubler: to tyrants and unbelievers who reject His rule, and as a divider within families. Weaver contrasts this with the peace believers have in Christ, who was troubled in their place, and exhorts Christians not to let their hearts be troubled but to trust in God's sovereignty.

Introduction: Jesus Christ the Troubler

Weaver introduces the concept of Jesus as a Troubler, not in a sinful sense, but to those who reject Him, drawing a parallel to Achan, the troubler of Israel.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:3

"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."

Herod and Jerusalem Troubled

Examination of Matthew 2:1-3, explaining why Herod was troubled by the birth of the King of the Jews, and noting that 'all Jerusalem' does not mean every individual, as Simeon and Anna rejoiced.

Now, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ also troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. So if you look in Matthew chapter 2, and let's read beginning with verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?"

Now, that's an interesting question.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

"We've come to worship him who is the King of the Jews."

Herod certainly was troubled, and then the Bible says all Jerusalem with him.

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:36-38

"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

The Wickedness of Herod the Great

Details the Herodian dynasty, Herod's ruthless character, his murder of family members, and his slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:16-18

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

So Herod then was an exceedingly wicked man. He was exceedingly duplicitous. He told these wise men, "You bring him back. You bring back word to me where he is, so that I may come and worship him."

Ignorance and Slavery in Jerusalem

Argues that Jerusalem's trouble stemmed from fear of Herod, ignorance of messianic prophecies, and a populace accustomed to tyranny, drawing a parallel to modern ignorance in the church.

Christ Troubles Tyrants

Uses Psalm 2 and Hosea 5 to show that tyrants reject God's limits, and that God laughs at them and will judge them; applies this to modern tyranny and the need to 'kiss the Son.'

Judgment on Herod Agrippa I

Recounts the death of Herod Agrippa I in Acts 12 as an example of God slaying a tyrant who stole His glory, leading to the growth of God's word.

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:20-23

"And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country."

Now look at this:

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:20-23

"And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them." "And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:24

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — Acts 12:24

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

Do you understand that God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of His will and His purpose? Those who reject, refuse, and repudiate Him will be removed in judgment.

Christ Divides Families

Explains from Matthew 10:34-36 that Christ brings a sword, dividing families between saved and unsaved, creating trouble in homes but also a closer bond among spiritual family.

And let's begin reading there with verse 34. Matthew chapter 10, and let's look at verse 34. Watch this. Matthew 10, verse 34. Look what our Lord said:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:34-39

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

Wow. Hang on:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:34-39

"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

Now I want to call your attention to the fact, verse 34 said, that our Lord came not to send peace on earth, but a sword. Then He said,

Scripture Reading — Micah 7:6

"I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."

The interesting thing is our Lord is giving this from a quote from the book of Micah chapter 7 and verse 6, where the Scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Micah 7:6

"For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house."

Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-14

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

Believers Translated into a New Kingdom

From Colossians 1 and 1 Peter 2, shows that salvation transfers believers from darkness to light, into God's family and kingdom, making them different from the world.

Then we'll go to 1 Peter. But look in Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 through 14. Look in Colossians chapter 1, verse 12. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-14

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

The Believer's Call to Not Be Troubled

Now look what He says:

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Let not your heart be troubled."

Don't be anxious. Don't be disquieted. Don't be fearful.

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Ye believe in God, believe also in me."

And then He gave us these wonderful promises. Wonderful. Now, look if you would in John chapter 14 and verse 27. Look at what He says:

Scripture Reading — John 14:1-3, 27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled.

Application: Trouble Not Your Heart

Concludes that believers should not let their hearts be troubled, trusting God's sovereignty; the unsaved have reason to be troubled until they repent and find peace in Christ.

Jesus Christ the Troubler

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	ln7pQlQyCis
Subject	Family Government
Course	The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-07-20
Dictation Name
Book	Book 027: The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order — Chapter 30
Source Timed Segments	75

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: Jesus Christ the Troubler: Weaver introduces the concept of Jesus as a Troubler, not in a sinful sense, but to those who reject Him, drawing a parallel to Achan, the troubler of Israel.
Herod and Jerusalem Troubled: Examination of Matthew 2:1-3, explaining why Herod was troubled by the birth of the King of the Jews, and noting that 'all Jerusalem' does not mean every individual, as Simeon and Anna rejoiced.
The Wickedness of Herod the Great: Details the Herodian dynasty, Herod's ruthless character, his murder of family members, and his slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
Ignorance and Slavery in Jerusalem: Argues that Jerusalem's trouble stemmed from fear of Herod, ignorance of messianic prophecies, and a populace accustomed to tyranny, drawing a parallel to modern ignorance in the church.
Christ Troubles Tyrants: Uses Psalm 2 and Hosea 5 to show that tyrants reject God's limits, and that God laughs at them and will judge them; applies this to modern tyranny and the need to 'kiss the Son.'
Judgment on Herod Agrippa I: Recounts the death of Herod Agrippa I in Acts 12 as an example of God slaying a tyrant who stole His glory, leading to the growth of God's word.
Christ Divides Families: Explains from Matthew 10:34-36 that Christ brings a sword, dividing families between saved and unsaved, creating trouble in homes but also a closer bond among spiritual family.
Believers Translated into a New Kingdom: From Colossians 1 and 1 Peter 2, shows that salvation transfers believers from darkness to light, into God's family and kingdom, making them different from the world.
The Believer's Call to Not Be Troubled: Examines the Greek word tarassō in Luke 24, John 14, and 1 Peter 3, showing that believers are commanded not to be troubled because Christ was troubled in their place and they can cast their cares on Him.
Application: Trouble Not Your Heart: Concludes that believers should not let their hearts be troubled, trusting God's sovereignty; the unsaved have reason to be troubled until they repent and find peace in Christ.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Herod's trouble was due to his fear of a rival king.

Herod, as a usurper and tyrant, was troubled by the birth of the true King of the Jews because he feared losing his power.

Weaver says, 'Herod claimed himself to be the king of the Jews... Herod certainly was troubled' and quotes a source: 'The foreigner and the usurper feared a rival.'

Jerusalem's trouble stemmed from ignorance and acclimation to tyranny.

The people did not know the prophecies of the Messiah and had grown accustomed to Herod's oppressive rule, so they feared change.

Weaver states, 'They did not know their Bible... They were totally ignorant... I think they had also become accustomed to tyranny and to slavery.'

Modern Christians are similarly ignorant of Scripture.

Just as Old Testament covenant people were ignorant of messianic prophecies, many professing Christians today cannot explain basic doctrines.

Weaver says, 'You find an average church member and ask them... most people are just absolutely totally ignorant.'

Tyrants reject God's limitations and will be judged.

Psalm 2 and Hosea 5 show that rulers who cast off God's restraints will face His wrath; God laughs at them and will break them.

Weaver reads Psalm 2:1-3 and Hosea 5:10-11, then says, 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh... Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron.'

God actively judges tyrants, as seen in Herod Agrippa I.

The death of Herod Agrippa I by worms in Acts 12 demonstrates that God will remove obstacles to His will and judge those who steal His glory.

Weaver recounts Acts 12:20-23 and says, 'It was God who slew the tyrant... God will remove each and every obstacle that stands in the way of His will.'

Christ's coming brings division, not peace, to families.

Jesus Himself declared that He came to bring a sword, setting family members against each other based on their response to Him.

Weaver quotes Matthew 10:34-36 and says, 'Jesus Christ is a divider. Jesus Christ brings a sword.'

Believers are not to be troubled because Christ was troubled for them.

The command 'let not your heart be troubled' is grounded in the fact that Jesus experienced trouble (tarassō) as our substitute, so we can have peace.

Weaver points to John 12:27 where Jesus says 'Now is my soul troubled' and then says, 'Why is it that we should not be troubled? Because Jesus Christ, who is our substitute, was troubled in our stead.'

Christians should cast their cares on God and trust His sovereignty.

Instead of being troubled, believers are to cast all their anxieties on God, knowing He cares for them and works all things for good.

Weaver cites 1 Peter 5:7 and Romans 8:28, saying, 'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you... all things work together for good.'

Scripture References

Matthew 2:3: The key verse: Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled at the news of Jesus' birth.
1 Chronicles 2:7: Achar (Achan) is called the troubler of Israel for his transgression.
Joshua 7: The account of Achan's sin and its consequences.
Matthew 2:1-2: The wise men come seeking the born King of the Jews.
Luke 2:25-32: Simeon rejoiced at seeing the Christ child, showing not all Jerusalem was troubled.
Luke 2:36-38: Anna the prophetess gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to those looking for redemption.
Matthew 2:16-18: Herod's slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:4-6: Herod gathered chief priests and scribes to learn where Christ was to be born, revealing the people's ignorance.
Psalm 2:1-3: The kings of the earth rage and plot against the Lord and His Anointed, seeking to break free from His rule.
Hosea 5:10-11: The princes of Judah are like those who remove boundaries, and Ephraim is oppressed for following such commandments.
Psalm 2:4-12: God laughs at the rebellious kings, sets His King on Zion, and warns them to kiss the Son lest He be angry.
Acts 12:20-23: Herod Agrippa I is struck by an angel and eaten of worms for not giving God glory.
Acts 12:24: After Herod's death, the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 5:27-29: The apostles declare they must obey God rather than men, troubling the authorities.
Matthew 10:34-39: Jesus says He came not to bring peace but a sword, dividing families.
Micah 7:6: The prophecy that a man's enemies will be those of his own household, quoted by Jesus.
Colossians 1:12-14: Believers are delivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.
1 Peter 2:1-3: Newborn babes in Christ are to desire the sincere milk of the word.
Luke 24:36-43: Jesus asks His disciples why they are troubled after His resurrection.
John 14:1-3, 27: Jesus commands His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled, promising peace and a prepared place.

Historical References

Achan (Achar) the troubler of Israel: Achan stole from Jericho, bringing trouble on Israel; his name means troubler.
Herod the Great: The Idumean king who slaughtered the innocents and murdered his own family; reigned 37 years.
Herod Antipas: Tetrarch during Jesus' ministry; executed John the Baptist and sent Jesus back to Pilate.
Herod Agrippa I: Grandson of Herod the Great; persecuted the apostles and was eaten of worms in Acts 12.
Mariamne and her sons: Herod the Great put to death his wife Mariamne, her two sons, and other family members out of jealousy.
John Hyrcanus: Grandfather of Mariamne, also put to death by Herod the Great.
George Orwell's Animal Farm: Used as an illustration of tyranny where 'all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.'
Klaus Schwab and George Soros: Mentioned as modern examples of tyrants who want to rule without limits.
Florida state representative (unnamed): A black state representative who said there are no rules in Congress; they make them up as they go.

Important Quotes

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

The central verse of the sermon, introducing the theme of Christ as Troubler.

Herod, in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies, put to death the two sons of Mariamne, who was his wife, by the way, Aristobulus and Alexander. Then Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son, who was once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne, and her grandfather, John Hyrcanus.

Illustrates the extreme wickedness and paranoia of Herod the Great.

The foreigner and the usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome.

Explains Herod's motivation as an Idumean usurper who feared a legitimate Jewish king.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Jesus' own words showing He brings division, even within families.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Shows that Christ experienced trouble as our substitute, so believers need not be troubled.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

The command to believers to trust in God and Christ instead of being agitated.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The remedy for a troubled heart: entrusting anxieties to God.

Trouble not your heart to be troubled.

Weaver's literal rendering of John 14:1, emphasizing the active choice to reject anxiety.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways is Jesus Christ a 'Troubler' to the world today, and how should believers respond to that reality?

[Context]

Weaver explains that Christ troubles tyrants and unbelievers by His very nature and claims.

[Question]

How does ignorance of Scripture contribute to spiritual slavery, and what can we do to combat this in our own lives and churches?

[Context]

Weaver compares the ignorance of Jerusalem to modern Christians' lack of biblical knowledge.

[Question]

What does Psalm 2 teach us about God's attitude toward rebellious rulers, and how should this shape our prayers for our nation?

[Context]

Weaver expounds Psalm 2 to show God's sovereignty over tyrants.

[Question]

How have you experienced the 'sword' of division that Christ brings in your own family or relationships?

[Context]

Weaver discusses Matthew 10:34-36 and the reality of family division over the gospel.

[Question]

What does it mean to be 'translated into the kingdom of his dear Son,' and how does this new identity affect our daily lives?

[Context]

Weaver references Colossians 1:12-14 to describe the believer's transfer from darkness to light.

[Question]

Why is it significant that Jesus' soul was troubled (John 12:27), and how does that truth help us when we are troubled?

[Context]

Weaver argues that Christ was troubled as our substitute, freeing us from the need to be troubled.

[Question]

What practical steps can we take to 'trouble not our hearts' when facing anxiety or fear?

[Context]

Weaver concludes with the command to not let our hearts be troubled, based on God's sovereignty and care.

[Question]

How does the example of Herod Agrippa I's death (Acts 12) serve as a warning to those in power today?

[Context]

Weaver uses Herod Agrippa I as an example of God's judgment on prideful tyrants.

Applications

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