The Tragedy That Ends In Triumph Tape: E- 18 E. Rome- Filed Tape- D-15 Time: 3/ 12 /03 Wed. N Text: Acts 12: 1-25- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction: There is a trinity of events that is involved in this passage. A. We see a hostile world that was attacking the church. B. We see a bewildered church praying. C. We see a prayer answering God that brings deliverance & victory. Summarize: Etc. on Peter and at the close of this passage Herod dying, and God s word was being multiplied. The Tragedy in the beginning turns out to be Triumph in the end. I. The Mystery Of Providence > We are brought face to face in this passage with the mysterious ways of God dealing with all men. > God deals in all our lives individually! >Sometimes those that we feel like we need the most are taken away from us & we do not understand why. > Etc. In Bible college- young minister dying > It is not the length of our life that matters, but the caliber of our lives! A. The Providence Of God Is Personal > This passage gives a contrast of 2 men. >God s plan for James was death & God s plan for Peter was deliverance. > God s will for each life is custom made. God took James & left Peter. > However, God loved James as much as he did Peter! The Providence Of God Is Personal B. The Providence Of God Is Patience V.20-23. God s judgment of Herod Here was a man that was willing to murder another person in order to get personal advantage & to please people in order to do what he wanted to do. >God s judgment may be slow, but it is sure! There is a payday! 1 Peter 3:12- But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. V.21 23- After Herod gave a oration the people praised Him as being God and God allowed an angel to smote him & He died days later eaten up by worms. ( V.23d worms) 1
>Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord: that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another. > Herod crossed the line of mercy and experienced the wrath of God. The same angel who saves believers, ( 7 ) smites blasphemers.(23) Rebellion and retribution is never far apart. C. The Providence Of God Is Purposeful V.24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. The Lord allowed the pressure on their lives to stir them up and it worked. Romans 8:28- is our key verse for living though storms. This verses does not say that all things are good, but it does promise to work all things to our good & God s glory. All things working together- is the blending of God s providential principles. The word was spreading at a multiplying rate. God s worms devoured Herod, but God s word was spreading. People like Herod have tried to stamp out the word of God for centuries and centuries, but God s word keeps marching on, while the seem to be hinderers are now burning in Hell. The Mystery Of Providence II. The Ministry Of Prayer These are wonderful lessons for the Church. A. The Church Prayed Faithfully V. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made- These people were faithful to go to the Lord in prayer about every matter. They prayed about leadership. They prayed when they suffered persecution. They prayed in every situation. But prayer- alters the whole situation. Does you case seem hopeless, but prayer- Are the odds against you, but prayer- Saying; Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees. B. The Church Prayed Fervently V. 5 2 nd phrase- but prayer was made without ceasing. 2
They didn t let up, they kept on praying. This was not just repetitious praying, they bombarded Heaven with all their heart and might. They meant to get God s attention. James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 1 Peter 3: 12- And his ears are open unto their prayer- III. The Might Of Prayer The Church Prayed Fruitfully When God answer prayers, it is on His time schedule, He is never before His time, and he is never behind his time. God waited until the last night, just before Peter was to be executed the following morning. A. Peter In The Prison Guarded 1. We See Peter Resting- V. 6 2. We See Peter s Rescuer a) The Angels Descent- V. 7a b) The Angels Demand- V. 7b-9 c) The Angels Deeds- V. 10a d) The Angels Departure- V. 10b Summarized: Their prayers brought an angel down from Heaven. etc. Their prayers loosened the chains. ( 7) Their prayers protected Peter from the protecting guards, 14 of them Their prayers unlocked the gates that lead to the city.( 10) Their prayers had turned out to be mighty prayers. Christian friend, never under estimate the power of prayer! B. Peter At The Prayer Gathering a) Peter s Awareness, Which Was Sure- V. 11 Peter was aware that it was God who delivered him and he gave God the credit. We need to give God the credit for delivering us from our sins. We need to give God the credit for delivering us from our storms. 3
We ought always to say, I cried unto God & He heard me, and He delivered me. Praise his Holy Name.! Peter s Awareness, Which Was Sure b) Peter s Attempt, Which Was Shocking V.12-14 V. 12- Peter Seeks To Get In.. knocked at gate V. 13- Peter Speaks To Get In knew Peter s voice Peter is finding it harder to get into the prayer meeting, than it was for him to get out of prison. V. 14- Rhoda, so excited-doesn t open gate- V. 15- Rhoda is called mad, but she constantly affirms that Peter is at the gate. V.15- They said, it is his angel V.16- They finally go to the door & are astonished. Application: They were praying by faith for God to do the supernatural & release Peter & God does, but now they were shocked when God answers their prayers. God answered their prayers, even though they had weak faith. It does pay to pray, even though it seems like it might be a lost cause because of the impossible odds. God had rather work in the impossible looking situations, because when He answers our prayers, He gets all the praise & glory. We also need to remember, it had to be God s will for Peter being released. Jesus is example- Mark 14:36- And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take way this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but thou wilt. The Mystery Of Providence The Ministry Of Prayer The Might Of Prayer IV. The Majesty Of Peace Peter was sleeping on the scaffold! Death was immanent and he was asleep. Now Peter was known to be a pretty good escape artist. They had 16 soldiers guarding him and he was locked up and chained up. ( Acts 5- Peter escapes) This was no time for Peter to sleep, but Peter was asleep. Psalms 127: He giveth his beloved sleep- 4
A. Peter Was Able To Have Peace And Sleep Because He Was Saved By God s Power Peter was a saved person. There had been peace made between him and God. All the condemnation was removed. Peter was saved & had experienced the peace of God. Rom.5:1-Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter was saved & knew the one who saved him. Ps. 121:4-He that keepeth Israel shall not slumber or sleep. Point: He figured there was no need for both of them staying up, and since God was watching him, he went to sleep. B. Peter Was Able To Have Peace And Sleep Because He Was Surrendered To God s Plan The safest place to be in the world is to be in God s will. He was totally dedicated to God s will. Romans 12:2 - God s will is- good, and acceptable, and perfect. When we know that we are in God s will, we can rest & have peace about it. Because He Was Saved By God s Power Because He Was Surrendered To God s Will C. Peter Was Able To Have Peace And Sleep Because He Was Submitted To God s Promise Circumstances in your life, does not alter God s promise. He was sleeping on the promises of God. Peter had heard the Lord say in John 21:18 When thou shall stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This was a promise of old age and Peter knew that he was still young. Stretch forth thy hands speaks of dying of crucifixion, instead of dying by having his head cut off! Conclusion: The Tragedy That Ended In Triumph Aren t you glad that God can turn TRAGEDY into TRIUMPH? Remember to keep praying when it seems like all hope is gone. Remember that God had rather work in impossible situations, so He can get all the glory. 5
Remember that God answers prayer on his time schedule, but he is never late, just like the song says. Remember that it was God s will for James to die, but for Peter to be delivered. Remember that justice does prevail, God s wheel of justice may seem slow, but it is sure. Mercy for Herod ran out, and he faced the judgment of God. Triumph Came- The word of God grew & multiplied ( 24) 6