Acts 12:1-24OVERCOMING TRIALS Intro: The early church was blessed by dramatic growth, dynamic miracles, and determined leadership. These things allowed the church to touch its world and make a difference. There was another factor in their great growth. They were the target to devilish attacks and persecution. They faced their trials they overcame them they rose above them and they brought glory to God. When we consider the early church, and their success, we may forget that what they gained, they gained out of the furnace of trial and affliction. Watching them as they faced a difficult and dark day can help us when we too have to face trying times. It is no secret that we will all have to go through times of trial and trouble, Ill. Job 14:1; 5:7. However, when these times come, we must handle them, correctly, or they will handle us! Tonight, I want to look into the events of this chapter and talk to you about Overcoming Trials. I. v.1-6A TIME OF GREAT PERSECTUION A. v.1 The Source Of It (Ill. Herod Agrippa I) A friend of the Jew and enemy of the church. (Ill. Trials can come from many sources, but all must be filtered through the grace and knowledge of our Heavenly Father 1 Cor.
10:13; 2 Cor. 12:9.) B. v.2 The Strength Of It (Ill. The death of James, the brother of John! The early church was witnessing the deaths of her great leaders.) Ill. When trials come, they have the potential to kill or spirit! We can become depressed, discouraged, disillusioned. When this happens, we are easy targets for the devil! Yes trials are bad, but God means them for good Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:17! (Ill. He knows best Job 23:10) C. v. 3-6 The Scope Of It (Ill. The leadership being attacked. If the people could be made to feel helpless, hopeless and adrift, then it was possible that they would disband and go back to Judaism!) This is the danger of trials! Satan uses them to tell us that God doesnt care, that He doesnt love us and that there is no hope. Many begin to despair and turn back from the Lord! Here is the danger and here is where we must have faith! At times like these, the only answer is to keep our eyes squarely fixed on the lovely face of jesus and run for His glory Heb. 12:1-2. II. v.5A TIME OF GREAT PRAYER A. v. 5 Pointed Prayer Not just general praying. They got down to business. Trials have a way of focusing our praying! (Ill. Thank God He already knows all about it Matt. 6:8.) B. v.5 Persistent Prayer A prayer thats worth praying is worth repeating! (Ill. 1 Thes. 5:17; Rom. 12:12; Luke 18:1) (Ill. The persistence Jesus taught Matt. 7:7-8) Ring heavens bells and call until God answers! (Ill. Same type of praying that Jesus did in the garden! In an agony of prayer!) C. v.5, 12 A Partnership In Prayer Ill. They all prayed for Peters release! Ill. The need of holding one another up in times of trials! Gal. 6:2!! (Ill. Aaron and Hur.) Ill. When you are enduring trials, Jesus is always praying for you! Heb. 7:25! D. v. 12 Patience In Prayer Dont give up if God doesnt immediately answer your prayers! Just keep praying! (Ill. Daniel Dan. 10 Daniel prayed for 21 days until the answer came!) (Ill. Saints under the altar Rev. 6:10) III. v. 6-23A TIME OF GREAT PERFORMANCE A. v. 6-13 Peter Was Delivered 1. His Restfulness Ill. Peter was enduring a greater trial that the rest of the people, yet he was able to sleep soundly. What a difference it makes when you know and believe that God is in control! 2. His Rescuer Ill. The angel Peter was sleeping so soundly, he missed the light and had to be hit to wake up! (Ill. The word prison inverse 7 = home! When total faith is placed in Almighty God, even a prison of trouble can become a home associated with peace and safety!) B. v. 14-17 The People Delighted– Ill. The Humor of this story! Praying for Peter’ release and refused to believe it when it happened! (Ill. Thats just like us!) But, isnt it a delight when God comes through and delivers us from the trials of life? That is His business! He always delivers Ill. 3 Hebrews, Daniel, Apostles, Etc!) C. v.18-22 The Potentate Was Defeated Ill. Herod left town and abode = to rub away in another place. He tried to put it out of his mind. Notice, he was slain when he crossed Gods deadline! He was the source of trouble for this congregation, and God took care of Him. He will do the same for you 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14!) D. v. 24 Power Was Demonstrated God delivered His people and He got the glory! That is how it should be! We do nothing, He does it all and men are drawn to Him! When God is allowed to work in your life and mine, He will deliver us and He will get the glory! His power will be demonstrated! (Ill. Moses and the twice smitten rock; Ill. Elijah on Mt. Carmel!) Allow God His right of way in your life and you will be blessed and He will be glorified! Conc: Trials are going to come, and when they do, or if you are in one right now, the best course of action is to bring the need to Jesus, lay it on Him then get out of His way and allow Him room to work. He will take care of the situation in His time and in His way. Are there situations you need to bring before the throne tonight? If so, now is the time and this is the place.