Astonished by Answered Prayer!
Acts Series
Chuck Sligh
February 24, 2016
TEXT: Turn in your Bibles please to Acts 12
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been in a really BAD situation?
JOKE: Three guys are stranded on a desert island, which was bad enough. Then they find a magic lantern containing a genie, who grants them each one wish. The first guy wishes he was off the island and back home. He second one wishes the same, and he gets off the island and goes back home. The third guy says “I’m lonely. I wish my friends were back here.” Bad situation!
Well, the believers in Acts 12 were not in just a bad situation—they were in a DESPERATE situation, as we’ll see in just a moment. And you would think that with all the miracles that the church of Jerusalem had seen and experienced back in the days of Jesus and the Apostles, they would filled with great faith. But in our text today, we’ll see that they struggled with unbelief just as we sometimes do. But one person shines out as someone with great faith—and that’s Peter.
Today we’re going to look at Peter and his miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12.
But before we do, look at 1 Peter 3:12 on the screen: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Believe it or not, this verse makes a good outline for Acts 12. Let’s look at both passages to see what I mean…
I. NOTE FIRST OF ALL THAT GOD SEES OUR TRIALS – “Acts 12:1-5a – “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 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. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison…”
This was indeed a grim time for the church of Jerusalem—a very bad situation. Herod had been actively persecuting the church, having arrested several leaders, including James, the brother of John, who was beheaded. If killing James pleased the Jewish leaders, imagine how delighted they would be if Peter were slain.
So Herod had Peter put in prison with the intention of killing him also. Now remember back in chapter 4, the last time Peter was in jail, he was mysteriously and miraculously delivered. So Herod wasn’t taking any chances this time! Verse 4 says that Herod had Peter put under heavy guard with SIXTEEN soldiers assigned to him—four for each watch. What a mess the believers were in—a VERY bad situation!
But as you think about that, remember the words of Peter years later in 1 Peter 3:12 when he said “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,…”
God had not forgotten His people—nor had God forgotten Peter. In fact, God had this whole thing under control. God HAD allowed James to be killed, but in His divine purposes, Peter was about to be miraculously delivered. Herod thought HE was in control, but he was helpless before God’s sovereign will. He couldn’t do ONE THING against one of God’s servants without God’s express permission.
The Bible teaches the sovereignty of God. This is the teaching that God is in control of all events and circumstances. He is the Almighty Boss and He turns everything to His ultimate plan and purpose, even if we cannot always see or understand it. Isn’t it good to know that no matter how difficult the trials or how disappointing the news—God is still on the throne and has everything under control?
Illus. – We used to have a member in our church in Wiesbaden who, whenever you asked him how he was doing, would always say, “Pastor, God is still on the throne.”
But one day he came is all down in the dumps because of a deep trial in his life.
I said, “Steve, how are things going?”
“Terrible, Pastor. Terrible.”
I responded, “Steve, did God suddenly step off His throne.”
Shocked, he said, “Of course not.”
I said, “Well, leave your troubles with Him. He’s still on the throne, and He’ll work it out for your best and His glory. Just trust in the sovereign God.”
He said, “You’re right. God is still on the throne and I’m going to believe it!”
You see, “We may not always be able to trace the hand of God, but we can always trust the heart of God.”
Dear believer, are you facing a FIERY TRIAL in your life right now?…
• Are you experiencing some opposition or ridicule of your faith?…
• Are you going through some challenges and you don’t know just what to do?…
• Are you struggling with some heartache or disappointment?
Well, let me tell you GOD…IS…IN…CONTROL! Keep your eyes on the Lord and not on your circumstances, because HE’S STILL ON THE THRONE and He isn’t planning on abdicating anytime soon!
II. SECOND, NOTE THAT GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS IN VERSES 5-17.
This reminds me of the second part of 1 Peter 3:12 – “…and his ears are open unto their prayers:…”
Look at verse 5 in our text: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” That phrase, “but prayer,” is the turning point of this passage.
How many times have you been in a difficult trial—BUT PRAYER was lifted up, and it was the TURNING POINT in the trial, or at least it was the turning point in YOUR ATTITUDE toward the trial?
Illus. – Several years ago, while on one of our furloughs in the United States, Susan was diagnosed with lymphoma. It may be controversial, but we felt she should go to Mexico and start the Gerson Therapy, an alternative cancer therapy not accessible in the U.S. We could continue it at home, but we needed help to get started right. Unfortunately, it was not covered by our medical insurance. The cost for one week’s treatment was going to cost around $10,000.
Well, we weren’t positive that this was the Lord’s will, so we began to pray. We prayed that if God wanted Susan to go, for Him to miraculously supply the money without our telling anyone of our plans.
Two days later, one of the former members in our church in Wiesbaden called and said they had some money to help us with if we needed it. Guess how much they offered—without having any idea whatsoever how much we needed—$10,000! You see, WE could only see death and pain and suffering ahead of us!…
BUT PRAYER made the difference— BUT PRAYER was the turning point.
Illus. – Sometimes it’s just knowing that someone is praying for you that helps, even if God chooses not to change your circumstances. When we returned to Germany, we continued the Gerson Therapy on our own for about another year. I recall at ONE point being so discouraged because the Gerson Therapy causes you to get very sick before it makes you better.
One day we received a letter from a supporter in the U.S. who assured us that they were praying for us. The encouragement that we received in that letter was the only thing that kept us going.
WE could only see discouragement and defeatBUT PRAYER made the difference—BUT PRAYER was the turning point.
That lady’s prayers didn’t change Susan’s trial one bit, but just knowing someone cared and was praying gave us heart and kept us going.
Now verses 5-17 can be broken down into two sections:
• In verse 6 we see PETER IN TRUSTING REPOSE. – “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.”
This is one of the more remarkable things in this passage. If you were being guarded by four Roman soldiers and were facing the possibility of imminent execution, would you be sleeping? I think I’d be wide-awake and “as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
But Peter wasn’t nervous or frightened at all; He was sleeping like a baby. In fact, he was SO SOUND ASLEEP that the angel had to STRIKE him to wake him up – Look at verse 7 again: “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side,…”
What gave Peter such serenity and peace in the midst of such a terrible plight? First of all, he knew that many believers were praying for him. – That had to be a tremendous source of strength and encouragement that brought him peace, just as knowing someone was praying for Susan did.
I think the MAIN reason for Peter’s peace, though, was his faith in God and the knowledge that Herod could NOT kill him. You see, in John 21:18-19 Jesus had promised Peter that he would live to an old age and end his life crucified on a cross. Peter wasn’t old yet, so I think Peter just laid hold on Jesus’ words and gave the entire situation to God—and God gave him peace.
God has not foretold your future for you, but there’s NOT ONE THING that can happen to you EXCEPT by the will of God. And God’s will is always for our best and His glory.
You can have rest and peace with the knowledge that GOD is in control of your life as you walk with the Lord.
Oh, that we would learn to trust in the Lord in ALL the areas of our lives!
• In verses 7-17, we see THE JERUSALEM CHURCH IN FAITHLESS PRAYER.
Verses 7-11, which we won’t read today for the sake of time, describes how Peter’s chains miraculously dropped off of him and he was guided out of jail by an angel right in front of his guards’ eyes without their even seeing him or the angel, whereupon the angel vanished, leaving him on the street.
Let’s pick up the story in verses 12-17: 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. And he departed, and went into another place.”
After his deliverance from prison, Peter made his way to the home of Mary, where he knew the believers were praying for him.
The scene that follows is downright comical, and so much like us all! Here were all the believers praying—praying EARNESTLY. In fact, verse 5 tells us that they prayed specifically for Peter and that their prayer was unceasing. In other words, prayer went on around the clock!
So Peter knocked and a young girl named Rhoda came to the door.
She was probably a teenager tasked with doing the childcare while the prayer meeting was going on. “Who is it?” she asked before opening the door—fearful it might be their persecutors. Peter said, “Rhoda, it’s me, Peter.” “PETER? Praise GOD! He’s answered our prayers!”—And off she ran to tell everyone—so excited at the news, that she neglected to unlock the door and let Peter in!
So Rhoda runs in and breaks up the prayer meeting, and announces, “Hey, everybody, you won’t BELIEVE it—PETER’S at the front door. He’s been DELIVERED.”
Someone said doubtfully, “Rhoda, have you LOST your MIND? Peter’s in JAIL, for crying out loud, and we’re praying for him to get out right now! Now go back and watch the children.”
“No, I mean it. Peter’s just escaped. I heard his voice.”
Perhaps one old self-righteous woman whispered to her husband, “I wish James and Martha would get that young-un under control. How dare she claim that God has answered our prayers.”
One man went over to Rhoda and said, “Now Rhoda, you were just hearing things.”—and he winked patronizingly and said, “Maybe it was Peter’s ANGEL. You GO ALONG NOW and LEAVE US BE so we can pray for Peter’s release.”
Talk about unbelief! They just couldn’t believe God had actually answered their prayers! So Peter kept on knocking and Rhoda kept on insisting until finally someone went to answer the door—and sure enough, there was old Peter in the flesh, and man, were THEY astonished!
Now we laugh at that, but isn’t that the way we pray so often? We pray and pray—never expecting God to really answer our prayers!
James talks about praying for wisdom to know how to handle trials. But then he warns: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8)
When you pray, pray in FAITH—expecting God to answer. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, 1 Timothy 2:8 – “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, WITHOUT WRATH AND DOUBTING.”
III. FINALLY NOTE THAT GOD DEALS WITH OUR ENEMIES – Acts 12:18-25 – “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. [Let’s skip down to verse 21…] And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
Again, I’m reminded of Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 3:12 – “…but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
At the BEGINNING of Acts 12 we see James executed; the church persecuted by Herod; and the soldiers dispatched at his behest. Now in verses 18-25 we see the GUARDS executed and HEROD killed by GOD for his arrogance and pride—either in this life or in the Judgment.
Well, God doesn’t always bring retribution this quickly, does He? But this is an example for us that GOD is the judge and we can be sure that the Judge of the earth will do what is right!
Again, let me emphasize what I said earlier—GOD IS IN CONTROL! And never forget the sovereignty of God! God’s got this whole thing under wraps—so keep your faith in GOD!
And let me tell you—SOMEDAY God will judge every enemy of God and His people and you can be sure of it…every OFFENSE will be judged, every WRONG will be made right, and every RIGHT will be vindicated and rewarded.
CONCLUSION
So that’s what happened when the Jerusalem church prayed! They got our old friend Peter out of jail without even a presidential pardon—and when it occurred, they couldn’t believe it actually happened!
Let me close by asking you two questions to bring this message home to us here today:
• First, how are you handling your problems?
Do you have the look of faith, like Peter? Are you resting in the sovereignty of God, or are you troubled and fearful?
Paul said in Philippians 4:6 – “Be careful [or “anxious”] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Turn your problem over to God. He knows what’s going on and He’s arranging your life’s experiences for your benefit and His glory.
• Second, let me ask you—Are you a praying Christian?
If not, don’t you think you should be? And when you pray, do you pray in FAITH, believing God? Begin the adventure of believing prayer and it will revolutionize your life!
