“Delivered” – Acts 12:1-17
Paul was free on the inside even though he was in a prison cell because he understood that when you change the way you look at things, you find that things begin to change the way they look.
I. We Must Trust the of God
When we speak of the sovereignty of God, we are speaking of His lordship and control in creation. It means that He is in charge, and when we do not understand what is going on, we can find comfort in the fact that He does.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
Revelations 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Acts 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.
John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
II. Do What You Can…
Acts 12:7 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.
Acts 12:8-9a 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. And he went out, and followed him.
III. Lean in With Others to God in
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church into God for him.
Acts 12:13-16 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 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. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
He put his request before the Father and trusted Him to make the right decision.
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Do you know what prayer has been likened to? Knocking.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
The only prayer unanswered is the prayer unasked.