We have Christ in the Crisis.

Herod is mad, James is dead, and Peter is in prison.

As we travel through life, there will be times when a crisis will arise.

As i look around, you may not show it, but there are saints right here, right now that has some type of crisis going on in there lives.

King James Version Chapter 12

Now about that time Herod the king bstretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church

As we look here we will see that Herod was going to war with the church.

Now Herod was a tyrant.

He was not the type of person you would want to hang around with.

Herod was bipolar.

One day he was happy and wanted to do everything for you, and the next hour, he wants to kill everyone around.

And the Bible says, that Herod was Vex certain with the church.

The word vex, means to cause distress to.

So he wanted to put the church in distress.

cause problems in the the church’

HEROD WAS MAD, JAMES WAS DEAD, AND PETER WAS IN PRISON.

This will all make sense in a little bit.

Verse 2 says:King James Version (Chapter 12)

King James Version Chapter 12

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Then in verse 3 the Bible says:

King James Version (Chapter 12)

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Now Herod did not have his men take off James’s head with the sword. Herod did it himself.

HEROD IS MAD, JAMES IS NOW DEAD.

Now here in verse 3 we have another problem.

Herod now see’s that by killing James, it made the Jews happy.

Now he takes Peter also.

Can we just take a moment and be real today?

How many of you back in your BC days got pumped up by your friends when you did something wrong?

Yea, the Bible says, It made the Jews Happy.

The same Jews, that arrested Jesus.

The same Jews that put him on trial, with no way out.

The same Jews that beat our savior as he carried his own cross.

Yes, the Bible says, It pleased the Jews.

In verse 4 it says:

King James Version Chapter 12

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.

HEROD IS MAD, JAMES IS DEAD, AND PETER IS NOW IN PRISON.

At this point it looks like there is no hope for Peter.

But can i tell you one thing?

Whenever God is on your side, there is always hope.

The Christians really have a crisis going on right now.

But saints i’m here today, to let you know. When you find yourself in a crisis, It’s time to call on Jesus.

It’s time to put Christ in the Crisis.

You need to know that when things are going bad, God is preparing for a come back.

God is setting things up for Jesus to get some glory. Do you hear me??

Somebody say, It’s a set up.

It’s easy to praise when things are going good.

But how easy is it when things are going bad.

How easy is it when you are about to be homeless.

How easy is it when you lose your job.

How easy is it when your husband or wife is about to leave you.

How easy is it when you kids have lost their natural born mind.

How easy is it to praise God then?

Saints, we need to put Christ, in the crisis, today.

So if we take a look at verse #5 it tells us the situation.

In verse number 5, there is a shift.

In verse #5 the Bible says:

King James Version Chapter 12

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Deacon Rickey thought the other day about praying together, and how powerful it was, and i agree.

Now here is the shift.

The Bible says, they prayed without ceasing, unto God for him.

The Saints prayed for Peter, and expected the outcome they were looking for.

How many of us pray with expectation?

How many of us pray on one accord?

How many of us pray looking for the same outcome?

(enplane verses 6 thru Close)

King James Version Chapter 12

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. 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. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren.