Relax, God is in control

[0:00] Thank you for tuning into this message by David Entry. Every true revival is a product of the strong preaching of God's word. May you receive a word from this message that will spark a revival in you.

[0:12] Straight to Acts chapter 12. The text opens up by telling us the previous text, which I always want to do, closes by saying that there was famine in Jerusalem.

[0:27] Agabus prophesied and that the brethren in Antioch made some collections and sent it by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. Don't forget that. It's very important.

[0:38] So this whole thing in Acts chapter 11 mainly was started with Peter's story. And then it tells us about what was happening in Gentile Antioch.

[0:51] And then they sent help by Saul and Barnabas, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. So usually the order has always been Barnabas and Saul, Barnabas and Saul.

[1:06] So we get to chapter 18. But Barnabas and Saul. And then the chapter closes. Then the next statement. Tell us what happened when they sent their food, their help.

[1:19] They didn't tell us anything. It starts with the fact that now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hand to vex.

[1:31] Setting of the church. Now, the previous chapter ends in Antioch. Now, they bring us back to Jerusalem. And from what we've been dealing with, you remember that the church has already been going through some persecution.

[1:49] We started in Acts chapter 3 when the crippled man was healed. In Acts chapter 4, the temple police came and the authorities started harassing them and vexing them.

[2:01] And in Acts chapter 5, they actually threw Peter and the apostles into prison. And God sent an angel to bring them out. So persecution has started. They told them, we want you not to be preaching in this name.

[2:12] And all that. And in Acts chapter 6, the problem in the church, leadership in the church was instituted. That's where Saul of Tarsus started getting saved in Acts chapter 6.

[2:25] Because the choosing of Stephen was instrumental for the salvation of Saul. And so, then in Acts chapter 7, we saw how Stephen was being persecuted and became the first martyr of the church.

[2:40] In Acts chapter 7, towards the end, in the verse 59, there he was, Stephen was killed, 58. They killed him and he was calling on the name of the Lord.

[2:50] He died. And then the verse, chapter 8, talks about how devout men came to pick Stephen to go and bury him.

[3:02] So you can see persecution was already going on. But all these persecutions were from within the Jewish courtes. For the first time in Acts chapter 12, we see persecution coming from political circles.

[3:18] Coming from non-Jews. Herod. So Acts chapter 12 says that, and about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex the setting of the church.

[3:33] First of all, we have to find out who this Herod was. Is it not the same Herod who wanted to kill Jesus when he was a boy? Is it that same Herod? But in Matthew chapter 2, Bible talks about how, verse 19, of particular, let's go to verse 12.

[3:49] Matthew chapter 2, verse 12 talks about how being one of God in a dream that he should not return to. Let's go to verse 11.

[4:01] Sorry. And when they came to the house, they saw the young child and whatever, they worshipped the child. Now, they left Judea, Jerusalem, and they didn't go to the king.

[4:12] Verse 12. The wise men. And then the verse 13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said, arise, take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt.

[4:26] And be thou there until I bring you word. For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Herod. Now, so Joseph took Mary and Jesus and his mother Mary away to Egypt for a while.

[4:44] Now, verse 19 says that. Verse 19 says that. But when Herod was dead, so this Herod died. When Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, those who seek his child are dead.

[4:59] So you can take the mother and his son back to Egypt. But verse 21 says that. And he arose and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel.

[5:11] But when they heard that Achilles did reign in Judea in the room of his father, Herod.

[5:23] So now, when this Herod died, Achilles took place. So we had the Herod, one who wanted to kill Jesus earlier on, was the first Herod, who was called Herod the Great.

[5:36] He reigned and ruled throughout all the land of Israel and some other parts and actually Judea as well. And so he was a very powerful person.

[5:49] But when he died, the kingdom was divided into four. And so we had this Herod, his son, who reigned in his stead and others.

[6:01] So you hear about, okay, look at Luke chapter 3, verse 1. Let me show you something there. Luke chapter 3, verse 1 talks about.

[6:15] Now, in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. He was one of the Caesars. He was one of the kings of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrach of Judea.

[6:29] And his brother Philip, tetrach. See that word tetrach? Tetrach comes from the word a ruler over a jurisdiction. So it's like divided into four.

[6:40] Tet, I think, is the Greek. Tetris has to do with four. And then Ake has to do with rule. So ruling for a quarter of the reign of the jurisdiction.

[6:52] So when Herod the Great died, the kingdom, actually, his son Achilles, who took over, didn't reign for long. He just reigned for about 10 years. And the Romans got rid of him.

[7:04] He was stubborn. He misruled. And the Romans let him know that we are in charge, not you. So he didn't reign for long. And they got rid of him. And when they got rid of him, that's when the kingdom was divided into four.

[7:16] So you have Philip, Herod Philip, the tetrach. And we have Herod being the tetrach, the one who killed John the Baptist. This is the one who executed John the Baptist.

[7:28] He was a very wicked guy. A brutal. Look at Acts chapter 13, verse 1. Acts chapter 13, verse 1 says, Now, they were in the church that is at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers as Barnabas, Simeon, and Simeon, and Simeon that was called Nigger.

[7:53] He was a black guy. Black guys have always been part of revivals. And Lucius of Cyrene and Mernian, which was, we had been brought up with Herod the tetrach.

[8:11] So he was like an adopted brother. So they grew up together, Herod the tetrach. Now, this was the Herod the tetrach, the one who executed and who killed John the Baptist.

[8:26] Why did he kill John the Baptist? His brother Philip, who was also a tetrach, but not much was said about him. He was a cool guy who was also reigning in one of the jurisdictions, Herod Philip the tetrach.

[8:40] He came to visit this Herod we are talking about, who is called Herod Antipas. He was the one who killed John the Baptist. Herod Antipas, his brother Herod Philip came to visit him.

[8:54] And his brother had a wife. And his wife was very pretty. And Herod Antipas liked the wife. So he took his brother's wife.

[9:08] And decided to stay with her. And the wife, woman, liked it. Because he was more powerful. Hey, sisters. That was what led to the execution of John the Baptist.

[9:22] John the Baptist, the prophet, said, I can't keep quiet over this kind of nonsense. So John the Baptist warned him that what you have done is wrong. And they found it politically incorrect. So when he warned him, the woman eyed John the Baptist.

[9:37] You want to spoil this, my privilege, my opportunity, you will see. You will see. So what happened was that according to Luke chapter 23 from verse 7 to 12, one day he wanted to please his guests.

[9:59] So he says that, and as soon as he knew of, belonged to, no, no, sorry, this is about Jesus. Because Herod had a jurisdiction to be reigning in.

[10:11] But about the death of John the Baptist in particular. John the Baptist, he went at Matthew chapter 14. Yeah. Oh, Matthew chapter 11.

[10:23] Matthew chapter 14. I realized he writes it. And my chapter 14, Herod the Tetrarch had the report about Jesus. And he said, is it not John the Baptist who I have killed? Luke chapter 9, verse 7 to 9 is better.

[10:37] Let's look at Luke chapter 9, verse 7 to 9. Luke chapter 9, it says that. Now, Herod the Tetrarch had, you know, when you hear the Tetrarch, you understand what that means. Which is different from Herod the Great. Now, this one was the son of Herod the Great.

[10:49] And they are not as powerful as Herod the Great. So, Herod the Tetrarch heard of all the things done by him and was perplexed because he thought, sorry, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead.

[11:06] Verse 8. And by some that Elijah had appeared and by others that the old prophets had risen. Now, look at what he said in verse 9.

[11:17] Herod said, John, I have beheaded. So, he's the one, the Tetrarch, who beheaded John. Now, the story behind John's execution is John went and spoke about, you can't take your brother's wife.

[11:30] And, huh? Chapter 3. John, Luke chapter 3, he's there. Okay, thank you. So, Luke chapter 3. Herod, John went and spoke.

[11:41] He couldn't be quiet. So, the problem was Herodias was the brother's, the brother's, Philip's wife. So, he went for Herodias and, and for all the evils which Herod had done.

[11:54] He was a very bad person. Herod had been bad. Very wicked person. Very wicked person. I mean, to go for your brother's wife and marry, and Herodias was happy. So, what happened was, he added this to all his, and so, they arrested John for talking and knocked him up in prison.

[12:12] But, he didn't intend to kill him. And, one day, Herodias had a young daughter. And, Herod had a big party. And, this girl came and danced.

[12:23] I don't know what kind of dance. YouTube, you say YouTube dancing? Bible says that.

[12:37] And, when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. The man was so pleased, he called, he says that, therefore, he promised an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

[12:58] So, she, having been prompted by her mother, said, she went to her mother and said, the king said, anything I ask, he will give me. And, the mother said, tell him you want the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

[13:14] She's the woman. All right. So, this is the other Herod, Herod Antipas. God should have striked him with worms. But, he didn't die suddenly.

[13:30] He lived. He beheaded a prophet. And, it seems like he got away with it. God is still in control. Sometimes, he overlooks something because it's not part of his agenda.

[13:43] It doesn't cross. Anything that stands in the ways of his agenda, you know that he's in control. Tell somebody, God is in control. And, so, now, so that's the second Herod that have been prominent in the scriptures.

[14:00] Then, we have, so we have the first Herod the Great. His son, Herod Achilles, who didn't reign for long. And, then, Herod Antipas, who was a tetrarch.

[14:13] Who took his, Herod Philip, who was also a tetrarch. He took, Antipas took Philip's wife. And, then, we have this son or grandson of Herod the Great, who is called Herod, the son grandson is called Herod Agrippa.

[14:34] Now, the story behind Agrippa is, so far, Herod the Great, his son, we hear about his son Achilles, his son Antipas, his son Philip.

[14:46] He had another son called Aristobulus. And, this son was also, was executed or was murdered by the people.

[14:57] And, the mother, the wife, knew that they wanted to come after Aristobulus' son, who is Agrippa. So, the mother was quick.

[15:08] They had good relationship with Rome. So, sent him to Rome, Agrippa. And, went, he was a boy at the age of four years old. And, sent him to Rome, and lived in the royal household.

[15:21] And, grew up with the future Caesars. So, he grew up with a future Caesar, Claudius, and a future Caesar, Gaius.

[15:32] They are all boys who grew up. So, at that time, it was Caesar Tiberius, who was Caesar. So, when he died, are you enjoying the stories?

[15:43] These are our Australian Lucas story. You will sleep. When Caesar Tiberius died, Caesar Gaius ascends to the throne.

[15:55] And, when Caesar Gaius became Caesar, he decided to favor his friend, who grew up with him. So, he made him ruler over all that, that's Herod.

[16:10] Agrippa became the king over the entirety of Israel, including all the divided kingdom. Therefore, he put them together and put Agrippa as king.

[16:24] This Agrippa. Now, his friend, being Gaius, did him this favor. But, Gaius died. And, the other closer friend, who was Claudius, became Caesar.

[16:37] And, when Claudius became Caesar, he said, Israel is not big enough. Because, at that time, Israel was divided into four.

[16:50] However, the Romans kept Judea and Jerusalem and put a governor down. And, that governor was called Pontius Pilate. So, that's why Pontius Pilate was there and there was Herod in the days of Jesus.

[17:03] Because, Pontius Pilate was ruling in that, he was in charge of Judea. And, then, Herod the Tetrarch was also in charge of the parts of Israel. But, so, when Gaius decided to favor Agrippa, he gave, instead of being a Tetrarch, he gave them king over that whole region.

[17:22] But, not Judea. Because, that place was Roman territory. There were, Pilates were in charge of that place. But, what happened? When Claudius became Caesar, he said, no, I'm giving you that whole territory.

[17:39] So, now, there's no, in the days of Peter, when before Peter died, in the days of King Agrippa I, is the King Agrippa I. His son is King Agrippa II, who, friend, was Festus.

[17:52] And, remember Acts chapter 25, Acts chapter 26, Paul, the God spoke before King Agrippa and his wife Bennis. Alright. So, that's King Agrippa II. But, King Agrippa I had good relationship with the Caesars.

[18:06] And, so, they made him in charge. No, no more Pontius Pilate. So, already Pilate. They made him in charge of that whole territory. And, then, for some reason, he was very smart and he was very favorable for the Jews.

[18:18] So, he kept their Passover's. He kept their ceremonies. And, the Jews liked him. Because, you seem to favor our system of operation. So, they liked him. And, so, because he wanted to be more popular, actually, he went for James.

[18:34] Now, look at verse 2. Are you getting the picture behind it? Acts chapter 12, verse 2. Then, this guy was vexing the church because he realized the Jews didn't like the church. So, he joined them in vexing the church.

[18:46] Now, there is a political change by a foreigner or Roman authorities now going after the church. And, so, verse 2 says that he killed James, the brother of John, with a sword.

[18:59] The verse 3 said, when and because he saw he pleased the Jews, he proceeded further and took Peter also. Because, he was looking for political.

[19:12] Now, remember, Saul of Tarsus was the main mastermind behind the first matter in the church. The first matter in the church was Stephen.

[19:25] But, among the apostles, the first apostolic matter, apostle as a matter, was James. Who was this James?

[19:36] Because, you can tell, when Peter came from prison, in the verse 13 and 14, Peter told them that go and tell James. So, but James had been beheaded.

[19:49] So, who is this other James, verse 17? And, but mentioning to them with his, sorry, motioning to them with his hand, asked them to come close.

[20:01] He called them, he came from prison, told them all that. And, and, and, and he tell, tell these things to James and their brethren. Who is this James? So, there was only one James.

[20:12] So, the first apostle to be martyred was James. And, who killed him? Herod Agrippa. He killed him because he was calling, scoring political points.

[20:26] But, the difference between the death of Stephen and the death of James was, Paul was the mastermind behind the death of Stephen. He thought in the genuineness of his heart, he was doing God a favor. So, it was an extension of his worship.

[20:39] But, when it came to this one, it was just political. It was just, tell somebody God is in control. It was just political. It was just political. And, can I tell you a little bit about, about this James who died?

[20:52] Yes. In, in the book of Mark chapter 3, verse 17. Mark 3, 17. And, James, the son, James, the son of Zebedee.

[21:07] Zebedee was his father. And, John, ah, the brother of James. And, he sent them born ages. Which means the sons of thunder.

[21:18] These guys, Jesus called them. This is when he was mentioning the disciples he says called. Jesus called James and his brother, John. And, he called, their father was Zebedee. And, he called them the sons of thunder.

[21:30] It was these guys whose mother came to Jesus. And, he said, can you grant that one of my sons will sit on your left when you come to the kingdom. And, the other one on your right. Yes. In Mark chapter 20.

[21:41] The mother came and lobbied for his sons. For his sons. And, Jesus said, no, that's not for me to give. It's for people who have been appointed. However, are you willing to drink the cup?

[21:51] The can of sopherum. And, James and his brother said, yes. Yes. We are ready to die the way you are. He was one of the, he was the first martyr. They chopped his head off.

[22:03] He died for Jesus. They were the sons of thunder in Luke chapter 9, verse 54. They said, look at Luke chapter 9. And, when the disciples of James, sorry.

[22:15] When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord. Do you want us to command fire? To come down from heaven and consume them like each other did.

[22:27] Look at these guys. You are very radical. He says, hey, sons of thunder. Hold on. Take, calm down. We didn't come to fight. Calm down. Relax.

[22:39] Relax. Relax. Relax. Relax. So, these sons of thunder were very tantros. If you joke with them, they will execute you right now.

[22:52] In the book of Mark chapter 9. No, okay. Let's read the next verse. Verse. The one we just read. Luke chapter 9, verse 54 and 55. We didn't read 55. 55 said, but he turned and rebuked them and said, you do not know.

[23:07] You do not know what manner of spirits you be pulled out of. I didn't come to be fighting. What kind of spirit are you operating around me like that? Fighting everybody. In Mark chapter 9, verse 38, the scripture said, now John answered him and said, teacher, we saw someone.

[23:26] This is John. You know John. We saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name. And we forbid him because he does not follow us.

[23:38] This reminds me of Joshua. In Numbers chapter 11, verse 28. He had some people also didn't, were not in their camp. They were speaking, prophesying.

[23:50] He said, Moses, do you go and stop him because, hey. Calm down. Relax. Relax. Relax. God is in control. Just somebody relax.

[24:01] God is in control. So, so they, they, these sons of thunder, they are brothers.

[24:13] Now, remember, Jesus had 12 inner disciples. Out of the 12, three were very close to him. And the three who were very close to him is this Peter, James, and John.

[24:27] Two of them were family members. And, for instance, when he was going to raise the daughter, Jairos' daughter, he kept everybody out and he took Peter, James, and John.

[24:38] When he, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew chapter 17, he told everybody to wait. He took Peter, James, and John. Peter, James, were his inner core. And guess what? Herod went for one of them.

[24:50] And when he saw he pleased the Jews, he went for the next one. For your information, all the disciples, the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, none of them died a natural death apart from one.

[25:05] None of them. All of them were matthed. They were executed. Peter was, his head was chopped. Oh, sorry. He was crucified upside down in Rome because he told Jesus, I'll fall you unto death.

[25:15] He said, no, I don't want to die a normal day. Let me die the way my master died. But don't crucify me upright because I'm not qualified to die like him. So turn me upside down and crucify him.

[25:27] Kill me. So they were all executed. All of them, apart from one. Do you know, the last person amongst all the 12 who died was John. The first person amongst all the 12 who died, his brother.

[25:42] So they were like bookends. They're brothers. Very interesting. So he went for this. So look at the text again. Let's look at the text again. It says, I came.

[25:54] Let's not read the other. Let's go. Let's go. Now when you say the brother of John, obviously you can understand who he's talking about. I will tell you later about the other James.

[26:07] Who was that James? Just to tell you ahead of time. He was the natural brother of Jesus. He wasn't one of the apostles. But he was the natural. So Paul said after he also appeared, 1 Corinthians 15, he appeared to James.

[26:21] And he is the one who wrote the book of James. The brother, the actual brother. He said after this he was seen by James and by the apostles. So this James, he wasn't part of the apostles.

[26:34] That's why he said James, then by the apostles. But he was the natural. Who didn't believe in Jesus' ministry when Jesus was alive? Sometimes family members will not accept your ministry.

[26:45] Yeah. So the brother of John, James, was executed. When he pleased the Jews, he proceeded for Peter also. Okay. And then, but it was the days of unliving bread.

[26:57] And the Jews, when it is Passover, you don't execute people. So verse 3 says, and because he saw he pleased the Jews, proceeded for Peter.

[27:10] And now it was during the days of the unliving bread. Look at the next verse. Yes. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quads.

[27:22] Four, four. A quad is four. So 16 soldiers. Can you imagine? And one is chained to your leg, right leg, and one is chained to the other leg.

[27:34] And then the others are guarding the gate and the outer gate. You can't escape. That's how he tells somebody, relax, God is in control. I mean, Herod, Herod the king.

[27:50] Herod Agrippa the first was a very wicked guy. He just liked anything that was given political advantage, you grab it. And if he arrested you, you can't escape.

[28:01] But because God is in charge, relax. But why did Peter die? God is still in charge. James died. God is still in charge. And so he arrested Peter because it was intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

[28:18] But something happened between the time he was waiting in prison and the time the Passover day arrived. And so Bible says that verse 12, sorry, verse 5 says that.

[28:31] But Peter was therefore kept in prison. Let's not read the other. I really like this text. Let's go. Peter was therefore kept in prison. But constant prayer was offered by the church.

[28:43] King James says that prayer was made without season. Constant prayer. That's why we have to remain a church that prays. When we are a church that prays, we minimize the casualty levels within us.

[28:57] The more we pray, the more we reduce the casualty level, and the more we create the room for God's purpose and agenda to be executed freely amongst us. God's plan and program doesn't easily execute it in the absence of prayer.

[29:14] That's why every church is supposed to be a prayer in church. God's plan and program. So prayer was made by the church. Those days the church was growing so much, so much that there was no one building, almost like what's happening to Carice.

[29:28] One building that can accommodate them. And so they had meetings. They were having a lot of home meetings, home meetings. And sometimes the rich people amongst the church who had bigger homes, had bigger halls, or bigger places where the people could gather.

[29:48] So such one was this woman called Mary. And so verse 5 says they have gathered and they were praying, and they were praying in the house of one Mary. Okay, so let's go to the next verse.

[30:00] It says that, And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. I hope you understand what that means. They've chained him to them.

[30:10] It's not like they were sleeping next by him. No, they've chained him to them. So if he had to go and use the restroom, they have to wake up and go with him. That prisoner shouldn't escape.

[30:22] But God is in control. He was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains. And the keepers kept the door. All right?

[30:33] So the keepers before the door kept the prison. The keepers before the door, soldiers changed. Four quaternions of soldiers. There's no chance for this guy to escape. But that's where the story gets very beautiful and interesting.

[30:47] Bible says that he was sleeping in between two soldiers. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him. And the light shined in the prison.

[30:58] And small Peter on the side. And small Peter on the side. Arise, sorry. And raised him up. Saying, arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

[31:12] That's fair. The chains fell by themselves. When God decides to act. When God decides to act.

[31:23] No force of hell. No power on earth can stand. If that job is yours. If that husband is yours.

[31:35] Mmm. Mmm. Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. If that house is yours. Allow God to fight the battle.

[31:47] God is Jehovah's above. He said to Zerubbabel. 2nd Chronicles. Chapter 20. Verse 15. You don't be afraid.

[31:59] Don't be worried. He says that. For this. The battle is not yours. For the battle is not yours. But God's. I don't know who I'm preaching to.

[32:11] But I came to prophesy to you. That the battle is not yours. But God's. All you have to do is make sure you are God's.

[32:21] You belong to God. Because if God be for us. Who can be against us?

[32:32] Get God on your side. By committing yourself to the things of God. Make yourself a ready vessel for God.

[32:43] Make yourself an available vessel for God. Take a stand for God. Open up for God. Walk with God. Trust God. Depend on God.

[32:55] Believe in God. Have you got anything to say? I believe in God. Fear not. He said God is my helper.

[33:07] That's why I will not be afraid. What can man do? What can man do? What can man do? I will fear no fall. You have to only fear.

[33:20] When you are losing touch with God. That should bother you. More than the problems you are trying to run away from. The Lord is on my side.

[33:32] Let's read it out loud. Let's go. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do? Read it out loud. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear.

[33:43] What can man do unto me? No. Read it for yourself like you are sook into yourself. Let's go. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me?

[33:56] Shout hallelujah. Hallelujah. He was locked up in prison. But God said finish what you have to do.

[34:06] Do it to your wildest extent. And wait for me to show up. See what I can do. Finish what you are doing. And see what God can do. See what God can do. See what God can do.

[34:18] See what God can do. Relax. God is in charge. God is in control. Relax. Relax. Relax.

[34:32] He said in Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10. When you, he says that fear not for I am with thee. Do not be dismayed for I am your God.

[34:42] I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with my right hand of my righteousness. Fear not. Fear not.

[34:53] The psalmist said in Psalm 46. The Lord is my, verse 1. The Lord is my presence. God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of.

[35:04] Look at that verse 2. Verse 2. Therefore, we will not be, we will not, we fear. Though the earth be removed. And though the mountains be carried. We will not be afraid.

[35:15] Verse 3. Verse 3 says that. Though the waters dare of roar and be troubled. Though the mountains shake with swelling thereof. Sela.

[35:26] There is a river. There is a river. There is a river. There is a river. There is a river. There is a river. Have you got anything to say?

[35:38] I believe God. I believe God. Fear not. Why are you so worried about your health? When you have God.

[35:50] Why are you so worried about the doctor's report? Like someone who has not got God. The doctor's report is true. But there is something truer.

[36:02] There is a higher truth. There is a higher reality. There is a higher reality. Whatever the case, God can overturn the situation. Whatever the condition, God can overturn it.

[36:17] I see God fighting somebody's battles for you. I see God fighting your battles for you. I see God fighting your battles for you.

[36:27] In the name of Jesus. Hallelujah. Please be seated. Let's run through this text.

[36:43] This was not the first time an angel shows up in a prison. Peter had already experienced an angelic encounter. In Acts chapter 5, verse 19. Bible says that an angel.

[36:54] And the angel of the Lord, by night, opened the prison doors. Prison always have doors. So that's why you shouldn't worry. When you find yourself in prison, don't worry.

[37:05] There's a door. There's a door. Are you in prison? If God is on your side, don't worry. Just look and check. Is there a door?

[37:15] If there's a door. If there's a door, don't worry about the soldiers. Don't worry about the guards. Don't worry about the chains. Don't worry about the verdicts.

[37:25] If there is a door, God can use the door. And the angel came. And we saw in Acts chapter 16 as well. How, verse 26.

[37:36] How the doors of the prison. Bible talk about there was an earthquake. Foundation of the prison was shaken. Immediately the doors were opened. Did you see how God brought those ones out?

[37:47] Interestingly, an angel, they didn't come. There was an earthquake. It could have done that in the case of Peter. But they didn't do that. An angel just goes in and taps Peter. He said, get up.

[37:58] And when he got up, the chains decided to fall. The chains said, we don't work when angels come. How about the soldiers who were asleep? They didn't know anything has happened.

[38:09] They didn't even dream. Everything remained the way it is. But things are. So you see, you're so worried. It looks like nothing is happening. Who told you? But I've been waiting to hear the letter from the lawyer that everything has been talking.

[38:22] I've not read. And I have only two days more to. Hey. A lot. Relax. Relax. Relax. A lot is going on for you. My biological clock is clicking.

[38:35] No, relax. Relax. Relax. If God can make the sun stand still. What is it that he cannot do for you? And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon him.

[38:48] And the light and a light shined in the prison. And he smote Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, arise up quickly.

[38:59] And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, get thyself and bind on thy sandals. And so he did.

[39:11] And he said unto him, cast thy garment on thee and follow him. Now, when he said get thyself, those days the men wear a long kind of a dress. And so when you're about to run or fight, then you have to get it up.

[39:26] You know, some women understand it. Where I grew up, the women have slits. It's a long kind of thing. If you want to run, you have to pull it up. Yeah, Max, you have to pull the thing up.

[39:39] So he said, get up your lois. The angel told him, get up thyself. Now that I will pull the thing up. Put your, come on, get ready, let's go. You are in prison.

[39:49] An angel is coming. Angels don't fear prison. In Daniel, it says that the angel of God has sent his angel to bring me out of prison.

[40:02] Daniel chapter 6, I think 23 or so. In Daniel chapter 6, verse 22. Daniel chapter 6, verse 22. The Bible says that my God has sent his, ah, Daniel.

[40:16] Daniel said my God has sent his angel and he has shut up the mouth, the lion's mouth. In Daniel, in Daniel chapter 3. When you look at Daniel chapter 3, verse 28.

[40:29] You will see it there. Daniel chapter 3, verse 20 says, Then Nebuchadnezzar speak and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants.

[40:40] God has a way of delivering his people, you know. God will deliver you. Tell somebody, God will deliver you. In Psalm 34, verse 7. I like that one.

[40:52] Psalm 34, verse 7. It says, let's all read aloud, if you don't mind, please. Did you see that?

[41:03] Yes. Okay. When mothers or fathers, it's not rare in UK. Go to the, go to town or they're walking by the roadside.

[41:16] And you know these little four-year-old boys or girls who like to be by themselves. So they have this harness.

[41:27] Yeah. So you see they are going, but there's harness. If a guy, a boy runs to the roadside. So the harness, sometimes you might not think, the child might not know that it's working.

[41:38] It's working. There's harness to keep you out of trouble. Or like the dogs. You know, some people have this, you can release the leash, they become long. When the dog is going too far, you pull it and then pull it.

[41:52] Bible says that the angel of the Lord encamps around those that fear him. And their job is to deliver you. So as you go close to where you're about to fall, you didn't know they are there, but they are always there.

[42:07] Because you fear the Lord. They encamp around those who fear him to deliver them. I'm telling you, you will enjoy deliverance. You will enjoy deliverance in the name of Jesus.

[42:21] Just when you're about to say something that will make you lose your job or lose your house. The angel of the Lord interfere and there's a phone call to the one who's talking to you. You didn't say it anymore.

[42:33] Deliverance takes different shapes. It's not when you are shaking, no. Different ways. I prefer that deliverance. Where you're about to get into trouble and for some reason, something steps in and delivers you.

[42:46] There are people who have had near-death experience. Where the angel of the Lord encamps around them and delivers them. Now, it's their believer's heritage. If you're a Christian, it's your heritage.

[42:57] The angel of the Lord encamps around you. Pastor, now you have a problem then. How about James? Where were the angels? Relax. Relax. God is in control.

[43:09] It was his time to go. Because eventually, Peter was also executed. And in this case, when he came out, he didn't stay in Jerusalem. He had to leave the town.

[43:21] He left town. So, where are the angels? Meanwhile, when they released them from prison in Acts chapter 5, they said, Go back and stand in the temple and preach. This time, they released him.

[43:32] They didn't tell him where to go. He knew he had to leave town. All right. All right. Let's get to this. And the angel of the Lord said, Get up. Verse 9 says that. And he went out and followed him.

[43:43] And waste not that it was true, which was done by the angel. But thought he was seeing a vision. He saw a vision. He thought he was a trance. That tells you Peter was good with trance.

[43:56] So, the thing was happening. He thought it was a chosen reel. I'm announcing to you, somebody here. God is about to do something beautiful in your life. It will look like a dream. It will be like a dream.

[44:07] You're wondering. Is this me? Somebody wake me up. Peter thought it was a dream. He thought it was a dream. And I like the fact that the Bible says that.

[44:21] And verse 10 says that. When they are past the first and the second guard. See, the guards were there. First and the second. They came onto the iron gate that led into the city, which opened to them of its owner.

[44:35] You know, when you enter a door. Shopping center. The door opens. Peter was enjoying it a long time ago. Before this automatic doors that opened by themselves.

[44:45] Bible says that the gate, iron gate, it opened by himself. Why? Because he was walking with an angel. There was a supernatural dimension to what was happening. And so, the gate opened to them of his owner called.

[45:02] And they went out and passed through one street. And forthwith the angel departed from him. He said, my job is to bring you out. Look at what Peter said, verse 11.

[45:15] And Peter, when he came to himself, he said, now I know of a surety that the Lord has sent his angel and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod.

[45:26] And from all the expectation. God has delivered me from. Look at. Psalm 33, verse 18.

[45:38] Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him. And on those who hope for his long suffering. Look at verse 19. To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.

[45:51] Don't forget the scripture. That's what Peter experienced. That's what Peter experienced. Psalm 97, verse 10. Psalm 97, verse 10.

[46:02] He said, ye that love the Lord hate evil. He preserves the soul of his saints. He delivered them out of the hand of the wicked.

[46:16] They are plotting against you. Don't worry. Don't worry. Don't worry. Relax. God is in control. Relax. God is in control.

[46:29] Say it to somebody, please. Relax. God is in control. Relax. God is in control. He delivers. In fact, 2 Corinthians 1, verse 10.

[46:40] In 2 Corinthians 1, verse 10, it says that, talking about God, who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver. In whom we trust that he will yet deliver.

[46:51] God delivered. He still delivers and is yet to deliver. Amen. We serve a God who delivers. Amen. We serve a God who delivers.

[47:02] Amen. That's why you shouldn't be afraid. In 2 Peter 2, verse 9, God knows how to deliver the righteous. Amen. The Lord knows how to deliver the goodly out of temptation.

[47:17] He knows how to do it. Don't advise him. He knows how to do it. You may not know how he's going to do it, but he... Peter's story is a testing case.

[47:29] It's a case study where God delivered his righteous. And so Peter, in the verse 12, said, now I know God has sent his angel to deliver me.

[47:44] And then verse 12 said, and when he had considered this thing, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John. All right. This John is not the brother of James. This John is called John Mark.

[47:57] When you look at verse 25, 25, Barnabas and Saul returned... This is going to be interesting. I thought you were going to catch it, but we won't get there. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem.

[48:09] When they had fulfilled their ministry, they took with them John, whose name was Mark. Now, this is a continuation from where we left chapter 11.

[48:22] So they introduced Peter to finish Peter's story. After this chapter 12, Peter vanishes into thin air. We don't hear about Peter again. Now it's all about Saul.

[48:33] So God said, for you to know that Peter was not a failure. Peter went to the house of Cornelius. He went to do something. Then we don't hear about Peter. We hear about Antioch. But God said, let me bring Peter for the last time.

[48:46] So Peter was introduced again to the scene about how Herod wanted to kill him. And then he was redrawn. And that's the last time he heard from Peter. Apart from Acts chapter 15, when there was a council.

[48:59] And Peter referred them to what happened in Cornelius' house. But that's it. Peter vanishes from the pages of the text. Now, so it says that Peter went to the house of John.

[49:13] This John Mark was a very important person. Today's Bible reading, actually, he makes an appearance in the verse 13. 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 13. Is it not 1 Peter? Yes, chapter 5.

[49:25] Chapter 4. Oh, okay. I read chapter 5 then. I'm going ahead. All right. So chapter 5. Then the church that is in Babylon elects together with you, salutes you.

[49:38] And so does Mark. Okay. He became a close ally of Peter. Now watch what's the story. When Peter was released from prison, he went to Mark's house. God, Mark's mom, Mary, I think was quite well off.

[49:53] So they used to meet in his house. And I believe they were having potential. Maybe they were having an all-night prayer praying for Peter. Because they were sleeping when it is in a half. So they were still awake when Peter got there.

[50:04] They were awake at night praying. And so that's the house. John Mark's house was where Peter. And I believe Peter took him on as one of his close allies.

[50:17] So the book of Mark. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospel according to Mark was written by this John. Even though he wasn't an apostle, he was so close to Peter.

[50:29] That's why Peter said, my son Mark greets you. My son Mark also, so does Mark my son. My son.

[50:40] Peter was writing a letter to the church. And he said, my son is with me. He sends you his greetings. And so it is believed by theologians that the book of the gospel according to Mark was Peter's version through Mark.

[50:53] Because Mark was not there to know all these things. So Peter was telling him. And Mark penned these things down. So Mark was the first gospel. According to theologians, Mark was the first gospel written.

[51:06] And then Luke and Matthew picked some facts, copied their facts, a lot of facts from Mark. And developed it further. John was a gospel on his own.

[51:17] A very different gospel. But Mark was written by this guy whose mother's house was a place of prayer. When you are accommodating church in your house, when you are getting busy about church, you never know how far it can enter your son's and your daughter's destiny.

[51:36] They might not be interested, but when the time comes, they will know that God is in control. That's one of the things that I've always believed. That anyone who gives his best to God and saves God with his life, your children will be one of the greatest beneficiaries.

[51:53] If you are walking through it. Mark! Mary's son, Mark. So Peter went there. And Bible says that, verse 13. And Peter knocked at the door. When he got there, knock at the gate.

[52:04] And the damsel, the damsel is a young girl called Rhoda. Rhoda came and checked. And then when he said, who is there? They thought maybe Herod had sent some feather soldiers to come and capture.

[52:16] So they were very worried. So he said, who is there? And then he says that. She recognized, he said, Peter says, me, leave me mention his name. She recognized Peter's voice. And instead of opening the door, went back.

[52:30] Peter, we are praying for Peter. Is it not the same thing? Rabonai. Mary. He heard Jesus' voice. He said, Rabonai! So this Rhoda, about 13, 15 years old girl, left Peter at the door.

[52:46] Out of zeal. Excitement. You are excited to know he's here. And you left him behind the door. And went to those who were praying.

[52:56] And told them, Peter is here! God has answered. They said, shut up. We are praying, but we don't expect the answer. There are people who have done this fasting, but are not expecting the things they prayed about to happen.

[53:14] They said to her, you are mad. Can you imagine? Look at their response to that young girl. You are mad. How can you tell her it's Peter? They said, you are beside yourself.

[53:25] Yes, she kept insisting that it also is Peter. And then they said, okay, he's his angel. God knows that they used to believe, which is true, that God gives everybody a guardian angel. And sometimes in times of trouble, your angel will show up or come and speak for you.

[53:39] So they said, it's his angel. If you heard his voice and you are sure, then it might be his angel. But Peter himself, for him, we know he's not coming out. So why are you praying for him? You see, even the apostles lack some dimensions of faith.

[53:57] So you are not on your own. You are no stranger. The fact that you are praying and you are thinking maybe two will be done. Apostles say in the Bible, they prayed and they didn't think it's going to be done. So encourage yourself and believe that it will be done.

[54:10] Now that you know that others are like you, change your game and move from their camp. And so verse 16 says that now Peter continued knocking.

[54:22] And when they opened the door, they saw him. They were so shocked. What are you doing here? Why are you out? But you were praying. No, no, no, no.

[54:33] We didn't expect you out. We didn't think God would answer this one. And we're just praying. Amen. But he beckoning unto them with his hands, come, come, come, come, come, to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.

[54:55] And he said, go, shoot these things unto James and to the brethren. And he departed and went to another place. He didn't stay there because they would go for him.

[55:06] Now, as soon as it was there, there was no small stay among the soldiers. What had become of Peter? They didn't even know. The Bible said no small stay. No papy leaf shaken.

[55:18] No among the soldiers. What had become of them? What had become of Peter? And when Herod had sought for him, he found not. He examined the keepers and commanded that they should be put to death.

[55:30] And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and their abode. Why did they kill them? Anytime you have the duty, you are given the responsibility of keeping a prisoner.

[55:43] If the prisoner escapes, his punishment will be given to you. So you will have to bear his. So if you're supposed to be executed, if he's supposed to be in prison for 20 years and he escaped under your watch, you will stay in 20 years.

[55:57] If he's supposed to be executed and he escapes, you will be executed. That's why it was their law at that time. That's why they executed all these four quarters of soldiers for letting a criminal escape.

[56:12] And so I want to, let me just finish this thing. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon. But they came with one accord to him.

[56:23] And having made Blastus, the king's chamberlain, their friend, desired peace. Because their country was nourished by the king's country. Like, their economy was dependent on their...

[56:35] And so now their economy was crashing. So now he wasn't happy with them. But now they came and, like China and America, try to... Let's trade deal. Let's do some trade deals so that none of us will suffer.

[56:48] And so on that... The king felt very good. I told you you would need me. You would need me. You are all proud. And so when they came back, upon a set day, Herod, Arad in royal apparel, sat on his throne and made oration unto them.

[57:03] He was speaking. And the people said, this is God. This is the voice of God. The people gave a shout. Yay! See? It's the voice of a God, not a man. And he didn't give glory to God.

[57:15] Herod. Immediately the angel of the Lord. I believe it's the same angel that came to bring Peter out. He hadn't left town. He was still in town. He was...

[57:26] Yeah. The angel of the Lord. Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him. Because he gave not God the glory. And he was eating of worms.

[57:36] And he gave up the goods instantly. Something happened to him. And he died. And it's for next time. He was there. But worms were eating him. Just to show you how man is nothing.

[57:50] God is everything. God is in control. Relax. He killed James. He got away with it. So he thought he can't proceed.

[58:01] He made a mistake. And afterwards, instead of staying in his lane, he thought he was invincible. God showed him where power lie. Pride sends people to their grave faster.

[58:16] Pride. Pride has fought a lot of marriages. Pride has fought a lot of relationships. Pride has fought a lot of opportunities. When you are raised and you are proud for...

[58:29] No one can tell me anything. You will never do well in life. Because you only do well with association. You always need somebody. You always need... One of the things that I've been praying...

[58:39] God, help me to remain humble. When I'm dealing with... Not to be proud. When I'm dealing with my wife. When I'm dealing with the senior pastors in this church. Lord, help me to treat them and handle them with a lot of respect.

[58:52] Even when I think they are wrong. Give me grace to deal with people around me with a lot of respect. Respect. So sometimes personalities will come in.

[59:04] Your personality will make you do some things. But you always have to think. Be careful you don't enter into pride. Especially when you are in charge. When you are in charge, you will think you will always be in charge.

[59:18] Lord have mercy. Relax. God is in control. Relax. God is in control. And it says that... What verse? Then the verse 24.

[59:30] But... I told you God is in control. I told you. Let's read the verse 24 together. Let's go. The church was expanding.

[59:42] The word was growing in the people. In the people of the church. And the church multiplied. The word was growing. Herod thought he could stop the church. The verse starts by him vexing sentencing of the church.

[59:55] Especially the apostles who were supervising the growth of the word. But he couldn't stop it. He died and the word grew. The word of the Lord. The word of God grew and multiplied.

[60:06] And then finally, the last verse says that... And Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem. What has this got to do with Barnabas and Saul? Did they keep it?

[60:18] Did they have it? So it's just like... All from verse 1 to verse 24. It's like a parenthetical message. It's...

[60:29] So verse 25 is a continuation from the last verse in chapter 11. Yeah. 11. But God had to introduce Peter again.

[60:41] To fold him up properly. As someone who was triumphant in his work with God. God will make sure your story ends well. Amen. You will not end in shame.

[60:51] Amen. You will not end in sorrow. Your story will end well. Your story will end gloriously. Amen. In the name of Jesus. Tell somebody, relax.

[61:04] Thanks. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been revived to all's God. You can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms, including Instagram and LinkedIn.

[61:21] You can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms and the Harris Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. Thank you.

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