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Sermon Series:We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a passage where we learn from a very bad example. 

The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, ² and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ³ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{[a] 4} because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, ⁷ so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. ¹⁰ He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, ¹¹ and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Sometimes in God’s Word we learn from good examples… and sometimes we learn from bad examples. In this part of God’s Word, we learn from a bad example. By looking at Herod’s life, we can learn what to look out for in our own life. 

7 Warning Signs for Your Faith:

1. You’re illogical and paranoid

Matt. 14:1-2, 2 Tim. 1:7, Ps. 46:1-3, Phil. 4:6-7, Josh. 1:9, 1 Pet. 5:7, Prov. 19:11

2. You retaliate instead of repenting

Matt. 14:3-4, 2 Sam. 12:13, 1 John 1:9, 3:4, Heb. 10:26, 1 Cor. 15:34

3. You care too much about others’ opinion

Matt. 14:5, Gal. 1:10, Prov. 29:25, John 14:27, 1 Thess. 2:4, Acts 5:29

4. You allow and celebrate sin

Matt. 14:6, Rom. 1:32, 1 Cor. 13:6, 16:13, 1 Pet. 2:9, Eph. 5:11, Gal. 6:1, 2 Thess. 3:14-15

5. You’re flippant with your words

Matt. 14:6-7, Eph. 5:4-6, Prov. 4:23-27, 10:19, 12:18, 13:3, 21:23, Eph. 4:29, Col. 4:6, James 1:19, Matt. 12:36-37

6. You can’t admit your wrong

Matt. 14:8-10, Prov. 28:13, 1 John 1:9, Prov. 16:18, Eph. 4:29, James 1:20

7. You’re not on the same page with your spouse

Matt. 14:8-11, 19:5-6, Eph. 5:22-33, 1 Cor. 7:1-5, 11-12

 

Reflecting on God’s Word

Getting Started

• Take some time to read over Matthew 14:1-12 and pray. 
• Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
• What surprised you as we talked about it?
• How does looking at Herod’s bad example, help you to think through your own life, and deepen your relationship with the Lord? 

 

Diving In 

1. Read Matthew 14:1-2, and think through some of the illogical and paranoid thoughts that Herod must have been having. What are some illogical and/or paranoid thoughts that you deal with? What most often causes you to deal with those thoughts? When you have those thoughts, how can you go to God, and receive His peace that surpasses all understanding as it says in Philippians 4:6-7?
2. Read Matthew 14:3-4. Here, instead of repenting when John the Baptist calls him out for his sin, Herod decides to retaliate by throwing him in prison. Think through your own life. Do you tend to retaliate, or repent? Why? What situations most often cause you to retaliate instead of repent? Why is that? How could you more often choose to repent instead of retaliate? 
3. Read Matthew 14 verses 5 and 9. Here, Herod clearly put too much emphasis on what the people thought. How likely are you to care too much about what others think, over what God thinks? Why is that?
4. Read Matthew 14:6. Here, Herod not only allows for a sinful dance to take place, but also celebrates this sin. When it comes to things that are under your control, what sinful things do you most often sweep under the rug, or even allow to continue? Why is that? Have you felt led to bring an end to that sin before? Why or why not?
5. Read Matthew 14:6-7. Here, Herod was flippant with his offer. How often do you find yourself being flippant with your words? What do you think is the underlying cause of your flippancy? How can you honor the Lord more with your words?
6. Read Matthew 14:8-10. Here, Herod should have admitted that he was too flippant with his offer. Instead though, he goes through with another sin. How well can you admit when you’re wrong, either when you were deliberately wrong or when it was just a mistake? Why is it difficult for you to admit you were wrong? 
7. While thinking about Herod’s relationship, read Matthew 14:3-4 and 14:8-11. Clearly, Herod’s relationship with Herodias was not a God-honoring relationship, which caused him to fall into deep sin. If you’re married, how’s your relationship with your spouse? Are you on the same page about everything? If not, how can you honor the Lord better with your marriage? 

 

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

• What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
• How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
• Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

 

Small Group Guide: