Pray when pressed
Notes
Transcript
Have you ever found yourself in a crisis? A situation in which you just don’t see a good way out. In which it seems you’ll just lose. A situation that just seems hopeless. A situation you might define as a crisis.
How do you deal with a crisis? It is in this passage we find that peace comes when we can learn to patiently pray to God.
Before we jump into our passage I want us to look at Phil 4:6-7 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
If there is one group of people that exemplifies this it is the group of believers that made up the early church. As we dive into this story I want to encourage you from their example!
Acts 12:1-5 “1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
They faced evil persecution
They faced evil persecution
The attack they were facing was bad!
Herod was an incredibly evil man
commited to “vexing” the church
has killed a major leader for no good reason
planning to kill another church leader
arrests an innocent man
The Church didn’t do anything evil to warrant this
They just obeyed Jesus and this was the reaction of the world
Look what the Bible has to say about this kind of thing
John 15:18–20
2 Timothy 3:12
Persecution should draw the disciple closer to the master
2 Corinthians 1:5
How are we to approach God during persecution of problems?
They earnestly prayed
They earnestly prayed
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Notice their response to persecution
what did they do? fight? run? cry? They went to God!
Acts 12:5 “To God”
Phil 4:6
God’s presence and care ought comfort us!
John14:1
How did they pray?
“With out ceasing” they prayed fervently, seriously, earnestly
God gives us the same liberty!
Luke 11:9–10
They asked repeatedly!
God’s delays don’t always mean God’s denials
Jas 5:16
Peter rested
How? Could you imagine the stress?
Lets looks back at Phil 4:7
God gave peace!
Psalm 4:8
It is in the midst of this earnest seeking of God we see how God responds!
The answer passed their expectations
The answer passed their expectations
Acts 12:7-11 “7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”
God answered but it took obedience to actualize it!
Peter had to obey God’s instruction
There was gladness when God answered!
When God moves we ought to worship!
God received the credit!
Peter rehearsed the matter !
God worked despite their doubt!
only a little faith!
Conclusion: I do not know what your crisis is or what your next one may be. I do know that God is faithful to help you in the crisis! Follow the example set for us here and seek him earnestly!