Acts 12 - suffering servant part 2

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Horatio Gates Spafford was born in New York, on October 20th 1828, but it was in Chicago that he became well-known for his clear Christian testimony. He and his wife Anna were active in their church, and their home was always open to visitors. They counted the world-famous evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, among their friends. They were also blessed with five children and wealth as Horatio was a lawyer and owned a great deal of property in his home city.

Not unlike Job in the Old Testament of the Bible, tragedy came in great measure to this happy home. When four years old, Horatio Jnr, died suddenly of scarlet fever. Then only a year later, in October 1871, a massive fire swept through downtown Chicago, devastating the city, including many properties owned by Horatio. That day, almost 300 people lost their lives, and around 100,000 were made homeless. Despite their own substantial financial loss, the Spaffords sought to demonstrate the love of Christ, by assisting those who were grief-stricken and in great need.

Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a holiday in England, knowing that his friend, the evangelist D. L. Moody, would be preaching there in the autumn. Horatio was delayed because of business, so he sent his family ahead: his wife and their four remaining children, all daughters, 11 year old Anna, 9 year old Margaret Lee, 5 year old Elizabeth, and 2 year old Tanetta.

Then On the 22nd of November 1873, disaster struck again. while crossing the Atlantic on the steamship, Ville du Havre, their vessel was struck by an iron sailing ship. Two hundred and twenty-six people lost their lives, as the ship sank within only twelve minutes.

All four of Horatio Spafford’s daughters perished, but remarkably his wife Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. Those rescued, including Anna, who was found unconscious, floating on a plank of wood, subsequently arrived in Cardiff, South Wales. Upon arrival there, Anna immediately sent a telegram to her husband, which included the words “Saved alone….”

Receiving Anna’s message, he set off at once to be reunited with his wife. One particular day, during the voyage, the captain summoned him to the bridge of the vessel. Pointing to his charts, he explained that they were then passing over the very spot where the Ville du Havre had sunk, and where his daughters had died. It is said that Spafford returned to his cabin and wrote the hymn “It is well with my soul” there and then, the first line of which is, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say… It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

You know, it’s interesting this husband and wife would go on to serve as Missionaries to Jerusalem. God would actually go on to give them another 4 children, including 3 girls and another boy. Who this son would also die at the age of 4. But I hear this story, and in some ways it puts me to shame. Like I don’t know if you can relate with me, but it’s easy to follow Christ and live out my faith when life Is smooth sailing, when things are going well. In these moments, It’s easy to say the Lord is good. It’s easy to say that he takes care of our needs. But what about when life isn’t so gentle. What about when we experience loss? When don’t things go our way or feel Good? How do we respond?

Some of us this morning, know loss all too well, we know what it means to have a financial loss, we know what it means, to lose a loved one, or anything in between… many of us have been in this placed of loss.

But here’s the key, this morning, wherever you are in your life… no matter the circumstances that you’ve faced In your past… you can be encouraged because you are not only found in Jesus… but more so, his desire is that you follow him every day of your life.

If you have your bibles with you this morning… Following Jesus also leads to 1. Freedom 2. Open doors. And 3. Rescue ( or confidence) (shorten?)

1. Follow Jesus leads to Freedom

Acts 12:1-4 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

As we stop and consider the scripture for a moment, we look back at verse 1 and see that: 1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.

To understand this verse, that it was about this time… The time being referred to is a time of sever famine for the entire roman world, as see in the chapter earlier. But it’s also a time of persecution and hardship. I mean, early in the book of acts, there is a host of miracles and wonderous signs taking place... the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully through this first century church… but it doesn’t take long before resistance is faced... I mean last week, we see that the disciples are all in Jail… Verse 2 we see James, the brother of John was put to death. And now Peter has also been arrested. And actually, he’s being highly guarded by 4 armed soldiers at all times. It’s like a maximum-security prison.

And the bible tells us that Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover had concluded.

You see, ultimately, in Herod’s eyes. Peter was as good as dead. This chapter was closed. There was nothing else to see. Peter was a dead man walking. And yet… God’s timing for his life hadn’t come yet.

Acts 12:5-7: So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Now if we look back at the scripture, we see several things. The first thing we see is that the church was earnestly praying to God for Peter. The New king James version puts it this way, Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayerwas offered to God. And here’s the point, this church was committed to praying. (We can learn from that today…) we also see, peter is between two soldiers. And bound with two chains as sentries stand guard at the entrance…

But what is peter doing??? Peter is sleeping… Peter isn’t kicking, and screaming… He’s not trying chiseling away at the jail walls with a toothbrush. Or making a decoy to put under his sheets so he can make his great escape… No, Peter is sound asleep.

In fact, Peter is so sound asleep, that the angel of the Lord not only appears in the cell, the cell is light, and evidently Peter is so out… that the angel has to Strike peter on his side… and tell him to get up….

And here’s the key… look with me at the end of verse 7. The angel said: ““Quick, get up!” he said, and (What happened???) the chains fell off Peter’s wrists…

You see, Peter was in chains. He was imprisoned. He was stuck like a rock in a hard place… there was no moving Him. But God wasn’t done with his story. There was more to come.

Now just so we’re clear… in time, Peter would in fact be killed for his faith. In the story we read this morning, Peter has been set free. But Jesus addressed him in John 21:18-19 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” So in time, Peter would in fact be martyred… but here’s the point. Peter found freedom in Jesus.

You see, his freedom wasn’t about his shackles and chains. He could have been outside of the jail walls witnessing or inside and doing the same thing… his freedom then, wasn’t about his circumstance… His freedom was in his relationship to Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I came across a story this week that states: Officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently posed for a photo of a large rubber tire that was previously stuck around the neck of a bull elk. The elk was four years old, weighed approximately 600 pounds, and required heavy sedation before his antlers were cut to remove the burdensome tire.

Officer Scott Murdoch said, “It was tight removing it. We had to move it just right to get it off because we weren’t able to cut the steel in the bead of the tire. Fortunately, the bull’s neck still had a little room to move. We would have preferred to cut the tire and leave the antlers for his rutting activity, but the situation was dynamic and we had to just get the tire off in any way possible.”

People on neighboring properties had reported seeing the elk wearing the tire for about two years prior, which suggested a potentially burdensome existence. Murdoch said, “The tire was full of wet pine needles and dirt. There was probably 10 pounds of debris in the tire.” According to Murdoch and other officials, the bull was back on its feet within minutes of being administered the sedative reversal.

Here’s the point this morning church. When we look at Peter we see that his free. Not because one moment he’s in shackles and chains, and the next he’s not… instead, he’s found peace…divine peace, that in all circumstances… in all seasons of life, he can have peace because of Christ… He can have freedom because of Christ.

Just like with this massive 600 lb. elk. It wasn’t born with a tire around it’s neck, somehow it had acquired that in time… maybe it was off snooping one day and saw this strange, large, black object that reminded him of a chocolate glazed donut… I don’t know. But for whatever reason, he had… previously came close enough to the tire that, he ended up getting caught up in it. And listen… it took his rescuers, to sedate him… to put him down, to ground him… for his freedom to come.

Church in the same way… for you this morning… Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

You don’t go back to the tire… you don’t run back to the same heavy weight… Friends, in Christ… you’re free this morning… Are we living that out? Are we walking in freedom?

2. Follow Jesus leaders to Open Doors

Acts 12:8-11

8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

So, we continue with the scripture and not only does the angel of Lord turn on the lights, and struck peter on the side, tell him to wake up and the free him from his chains. The angel reminds peter, who seems to still be coming to his senses… (point down) you may… wanna throw your clothes on before we head out of here. And so, peter Dresses himself.

And it’s funny the bible tells us in vs 9: Peter had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. But notice with me that as peter has been told to, and then listened to the angel… and followed the angel out of the Prison. What do we see that’s waiting for him. Look with me again at verse 10. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it… You see, not only did the angel free Peter from his chains… He’s removed obstacles, he’s led him past the guards, past adversity, and challenges. And even as they face this iron gate… did Peter have to pry the door open? Did he even touch the door? No… The bible says the door open for them all by itself. In other words. Following Jesus… lead to open doors.

For some of us here this morning… maybe it seems like everything you do you can’t get ahead… It’s like at every corner, there is resistance… this push back. And you’re trying to figure out why you can’t continue. You’re trying to figure out why you feel stuck… and a question I would ask you… is are you following Jesus?

I’m reminded of Luke 4:14-18 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Church, because of Jesus this morning. We find freedom, we find good news, we find freedom from oppression and the Lord’s favor. By the way… As a Christian this morning, we have been Commissioned to share this message of reconciliation. We have been given the commission to go tell others about Jesus…

But for you, this morning, as a child of the king… Friend, you’ve been given freedom, you’ve been given the lords favor, you’ve been given open doors.

I came across a story this week, dating to February of this year. It explains: A St. Louis judge ruled Tuesday that Lamar Johnson should be released from prison after he spent 28 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit.

Circuit Judge David Mason found that two people, Greg Elking and James Howard, provided credible testimony that absolved Johnson in the slaying of Marcus Boyd.

The Judge stated: "This combined testimony amounts to clear and convincing evidence that Lamar Johnson is innocent and did not commit the murder of Marcus Boyd either individually or acting with another.”

After Mason announced his decision, Johnson’s supporters in the courtroom burst into joyous cheers and applause. He later walked out of the Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis a free man.

Now we don’t know Lamar Johnson. We don’t know his full background or the hardship he faced while in prison. But we do know this… He was living most of his life locked up, until the judge came in and determined he was innocent of the crime. And in this verdict, he was given a new life… He was free, he found favor, he found a new outlook, and opportunities and open doors.

Friends, for you this morning. Despite your sin, God has sent his son to pay the penalty of your crime, of your sin. And this morning. He extends not only reconciliation and forgiveness… but also open doors and new opportunities.

Church, are we looking to him for these doors this morning? Are we looking to him for directions? Are we allowing each decision in our lives to be guided by His Spirit?

3. Follow Jesus leaders to Rescue

Acts 12:11-19 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

When we stop, I love this scene that we unpack. Not only has peter been set free from Prison. But he shows up the house of Mary, the mother of John… And he’s outside, knowing on at the outer door. Here, the servant girl finds him… but she doesn’t let him in… and I can just imagine Peter, thinking “hey, um… before you run of, you think you could open the door?”

We’re told: 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

You know it’s funny we go back to this scripture. And we see that the people are astonished. The word here is: existēmi and it means to be amazed, to astonished, throw into wonderment. In other words, the people are surprised he’s there. There thrown into wonderment, as if they wondered how he had came there.

And the answer is simple. In verse 11 we see: Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and… rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

The people had prayed, God heard their prayers, God wasn’t done with Peter, and he rescued him.

Here’s the point, Herod had Peter clutched in his hand. He was right where he wanted him. And it seemed like the story was over… but God wasn’t done. God came to his rescue.

You see in life Satan hates your guts… He’s not interested in seeing you succeed. He’s quite content with you failing… but we serve a God who rescues us.

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

I’m reminded of last week. From Acts 5:

34 a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Church this morning. God is your defense. He comes to your rescue. God is for you this morning.

Prodigal son.

Psalm 34:17-22 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Call Tom Back as we prepare to close.

1. Maybe you’re in a place you need rescued / Situation / Circumstance

2. Sin. Freedom

3. Open doors.

Pray