Maybe, Maybe Not

(NLT) — 1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

THESIS- Are you willing to trust God with Peter even when it didn’t work out with James? Are you willing to trust God in this season despite the feeling that it did not work out in the last season?

We can not allow our disappointments from the former season allow us to doubt God in the current season.

KEY- It would have been easy for the church to look at this situation with James and loose hope for Peter.

How can I pray for Peter even after James is dead??

1. Remember God’s track record is still perfect.

POINT- Your disappointment from the former season is your set up for this season.

2. Remember It is not over.

(NLT) — 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

3. Remember God’s ways are better.

If I experienced disappointment in the previous season I know that even still God’s ways are better than mine.

Conclusion…

(NLT) — 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.