WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.520 Well, in Acts chapter 12, we will turn there. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:06.799 You've already there, some of you. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:12.839 We've read that passage together so joyously and so glad that the children could join us. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:19.080 I became friends with some of those that were sitting in the corner over here. 00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:27.039 And children are a blessing from the Lord and we should cherish their very being. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:32.719 And so in Acts chapter 12, we see this story about what is taking place and I would ask, 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:37.519 is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:41.240 And we think about that. 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:46.259 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:00:46.259 --> 00:00:48.960 What are you experiencing right now? 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:53.960 Jeremiah 32, 27 says, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:58.640 Is anything too hard for me? 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:05.560 This is the Lord, the God of all flesh ruling over all of us. 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:10.359 The Creator of the world is anything too hard? 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:14.799 Think about what you're going through. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:19.840 Maybe it's health issues. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.359 My wife's going through health issues. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:26.280 She's going through serious health issues. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.799 Is that too hard for the Lord? 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:32.920 Finances. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:36.319 Job situations. 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:41.879 Businesses that have been upended a bit with the pandemic. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:44.680 Maybe it's your habitual sin. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:47.359 I just can't conquer this. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:50.760 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:56.080 Is that sin too hard for the Lord? 00:01:56.080 --> 00:02:00.520 What about depression and discouragement? 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:03.040 Is that too hard for the Lord? 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:09.560 Fears that you might have, broken relationships, 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:15.040 family members, children, grown children 00:02:15.040 --> 00:02:16.599 that you're separated from. 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:20.400 Is that too hard for the Lord? 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:25.000 Is there worthiness to be saved by Him? 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:26.840 Is your sin so bad? 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:29.920 Is what you've done in your life so bad 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:32.560 that the Lord cannot save? 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.759 And the answer to all of these, of course, is absolutely not. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:42.480 He said, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. 00:02:42.480 --> 00:02:47.640 Is anything too hard for me? 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:50.639 The answer is redundant. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:51.839 No. 00:02:51.839 --> 00:02:54.239 The Lord didn't wait for an answer. 00:02:54.239 --> 00:02:56.239 He didn't wait for a vote. 00:02:56.239 --> 00:02:58.119 There's nothing too hard. 00:02:58.119 --> 00:03:01.000 So that's where we come this morning. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:05.719 What is it in your life that you need the Lord to work in? 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:08.039 Where do you need Him to minister to you? 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:12.199 To accomplish, to set you free from perhaps a sin? 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:16.839 Or you're experiencing some kind of emotional, 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:21.439 mental, relational. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:22.680 What's happening in your life 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:25.680 that you want the Lord to meet with you today? 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:27.520 I mean, think about it right now. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:30.680 What is it you want the Lord to meet with you right now? 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:35.719 I need Him to minister to me in this area. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:39.520 Think of what that one thing might be. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:44.520 Is that too hard for the Lord? 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:50.800 This passage in here has a beautiful narrative. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:55.879 God is the main focus. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:59.600 He's the main purpose of this story. 00:03:59.600 --> 00:04:06.120 This isn't a story about Peter or the angel or the guards. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:09.600 This is a story about God. 00:04:09.600 --> 00:04:14.439 And He wants to be a part of your story as well. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:16.759 Whatever you're facing. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:20.000 15 out of these 25 verses, which we read, 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.839 we deal with prayer. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:29.759 And think of who Peter was, the apostle of the Lord. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:31.800 The leading apostle of the Lord. 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:36.839 When you see the lists of the apostles, it starts with Peter. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:38.360 Every one of them start with Peter. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.759 Peter was the leader of that. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:43.360 And yet the Lord chose Peter. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:46.280 The Lord chose him. 00:04:46.280 --> 00:04:49.319 Herod did not choose Peter. 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:52.840 The Lord chose Peter. 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:55.400 He chose Peter to go through a very serious situation 00:04:55.400 --> 00:04:57.600 for the glory of God. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.840 And so just because you're walking with the Lord, 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:02.480 you're spending time with Him. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:03.480 You're in prayer. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:04.480 You're in His Word. 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:05.639 You're in His church. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:08.160 You're in His community of faith. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.160 You're seeking to repent of your sins. 00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:14.439 And you're walking as much as you can with the Lord. 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:19.760 Yet still things happen to you in your life. 00:05:19.760 --> 00:05:24.080 For His glory. 00:05:24.080 --> 00:05:25.640 It was the disciples who were walking along 00:05:25.640 --> 00:05:28.240 and they saw a man born blind. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:30.080 And they asked the Lord, said, 00:05:30.080 --> 00:05:31.920 Who is sinned? 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:33.480 This man? 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:36.560 Or his parents that he was born blind? 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:38.160 And Jesus said, 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:40.240 Neither. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.079 But that the Son of Man may be glorified. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:46.960 And of course he healed this man born blind 00:05:46.960 --> 00:05:49.759 so that he may be glorified. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:54.639 I mean, this man went through his entire life 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.600 at least up until that point. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:01.560 Perhaps a young child, perhaps a young teenager. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:07.319 He spent 10, 12, 15 years in blindness 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:09.840 for one purpose so that the glory of God 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:12.399 may be seen. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.599 Imagine what you're going through and say, 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:16.919 Lord, when will it end? 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:20.239 And yet we just submit ourselves to Him and say, 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:23.120 To the glory of God is my sickness, 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:26.439 my finances, my relationships. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:27.759 I give it all to you. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:29.799 May you do whatever you're going to do 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:32.919 through this for your glory. 00:06:32.919 --> 00:06:36.279 Does that change things? 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:40.159 Now, it's about prayer to God. 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:43.039 Remember I told you this is a story about God. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:44.879 It's prayer to God. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.239 And so if we look at this passage here, 00:06:48.239 --> 00:06:52.519 verses 1 through 5. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:54.559 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands 00:06:54.559 --> 00:06:57.079 on some who belonged to the church. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:59.239 He killed James, the brother of John of the sword. 00:06:59.239 --> 00:07:01.239 And when he saw that he pleased the Jews, 00:07:01.239 --> 00:07:04.799 he proceeded to arrest Peter also. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:07.000 And he took a few days of unleavened bread. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:12.000 So it was the holy week that they could not do anything. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.000 They had to protect that. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.160 They had to protect that holy week. 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:20.120 And so he saw that when he arrested James, 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:21.920 took care of him, then he said, 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:26.199 I'm going to go for the big fish, Peter. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:27.720 And he arrested and put him in prison, 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:30.319 but he had to wait seven days. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:32.319 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:34.600 delivering over to four squads of soldiers 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:36.920 and guarding him, and tending after the Passover 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:38.760 to bring him out to the people. 00:07:38.760 --> 00:07:40.760 He wasn't going to take any chances. 00:07:40.760 --> 00:07:48.760 There were four groups of four rotating out every six hours, 00:07:48.760 --> 00:07:50.439 chained to those guards. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.360 He wasn't going to let any of the disciples come 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:56.800 and steal him away because this was his prize catch. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:58.960 He wasn't going to let him go. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:06.680 Now, Herod the King is Herod the Gripper. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:11.319 Herod the Gripper was the grandson of Herod the Great. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:16.599 Herod the Great was the one who caused all of the boys 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:19.240 under age two to be killed during the time of Jesus. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:23.000 He was going after Jesus to kill him. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:25.599 And so this was Herod the Great. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:30.280 Herod the Great's son is Herod not so great 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:32.200 because we don't know a lot about him. 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:34.639 So we just call him Herod not so great. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.560 And then there was Herod the Gripper. 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:41.480 Herod the Great had a great, vast, huge covering. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.399 He was powerful. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:47.879 Herod the Gripper had an equally large following 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:49.879 and large oversight. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:52.680 He was powerful. 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:55.480 But he worked for the Caesar. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.120 He worked for Rome. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:03.320 And the Jews didn't like that. 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:09.519 But they connected on this point right here. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:14.840 And he saw, I am getting favor from the Jews 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:18.360 by doing this action, by putting in prison his disciples. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:20.360 So Peter was kept in prison in verse 5, 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:25.680 and earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 00:09:25.680 --> 00:09:30.840 Problems often drive us to prayer. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:32.720 Is that true? 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:36.519 Problems will drive us to prayer. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:39.240 And when the prayer, that is, when the problem is over, 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:41.720 a lot of times what do we do? 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:44.080 We're human beings. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:47.200 We stop praying, at least that earnestly. 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:52.840 I like that this church didn't form a committee. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:58.879 Committees. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:01.720 They began to pray. 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:05.000 Those problems in the church drove them 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:10.680 to earnest prayer was made to God by the church. 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:12.440 This wasn't a private prayer. 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:16.640 It wasn't like, you all pray for Peter. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.919 Because the church came together, 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:22.600 earnestly praying for his deliverance. 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:26.039 Because this was an important thing. 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:28.439 And the church is called together to pray 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:32.159 for the needs of its body, for the needs of its people. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.360 And when problems come in our life, 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:37.559 don't be afraid to ask others, would you pray? 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:40.080 Call for the church to pray. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.840 Lift it up. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.679 What is the need that you have? 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:46.000 Let's pray. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:51.799 These problems drive us to prayer. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:54.919 I worked for a Scottish man. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:57.360 He was from Glasgow. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:11:02.000 And he used to say, the only time we pray 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:10.000 is when we're peely wally. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:13.759 When we don't feel well, 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:16.480 these aren't going so well. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:22.000 We need to pray at all times. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:25.840 These problems drive us to prayer. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:27.720 Look at 2 Corinthians 1. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.240 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.240 of the affliction we experience in Asia. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.600 Now watch this. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:36.319 For we were so utterly burdened 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:39.080 beyond our strength 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:42.960 that we despaired of life itself. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:46.040 Have you ever been there? 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.680 We despaired of life itself. 00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:49.320 We were discouraged. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:50.840 We were burdened. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:54.320 We were despaired. 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:56.680 Indeed, this is Paul speaking, 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:58.240 indeed we felt that we had received 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.000 the sentence of death. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.200 This is done. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:03.639 We're over. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:06.360 But that was to make us rely 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:08.400 not on ourselves, 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:12.160 but on God who raises the dead. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:14.480 Like the last part, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:18.319 I experienced the first part. 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:20.879 It is not wrong to have these feelings. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.079 Paul is not saying, 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:24.079 these are wrong feelings. 00:12:24.079 --> 00:12:26.240 To go through life and say, 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.759 what am I facing? 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:30.799 I'm facing issues, problems, trials. 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:32.719 Oh, this is the end of me. 00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:36.480 Lord, I can't take any more. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.519 Those feelings are not wrong. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:41.360 But sometimes he takes us through those problems 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.200 so that it says, 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:45.440 but that was to make that 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:47.120 being the despairing of life, 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:48.720 the trouble that we're going through. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.639 That was to make us rely 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:54.720 not on ourselves. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:57.680 I know Scots aren't like this, 00:12:57.680 --> 00:13:05.440 but the Americans rely on themselves. 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:10.720 Horribly rely on themselves. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.639 And the Lord saying, 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:18.720 let me be your deliverer. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:20.560 He delivered us from such deadly peril 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:22.240 and He will deliver us. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.600 On Him we have set our hope 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.759 that He will deliver us again. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:28.960 You also must help us by prayer. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.320 It's called on the church 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:32.960 so that we may, with many thanks, 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:35.120 on our behalf for the blessing granted us 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:37.600 through the prayers of many. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.399 And so sometimes problems come in the church 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:44.000 because He wants the body to come together 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.759 to pray, to depend on Him. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:49.199 He said, yes, we're reminded once again 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:52.399 the Lord God Almighty. 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:56.240 This is His church. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:01.360 We know that, but we need reminded. 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.000 Jeremiah says, 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.039 call to me and I'll answer you 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:04.639 and show you great and mighty things 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:07.600 which you do not know. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:10.639 Ephesians 3.20, now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:14.080 abundantly above all that we ask or think, 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:16.879 all that we ask through prayer, 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.519 according to the power that works in us, 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:24.480 He is able. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.080 Well, peace comes through prayer. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.560 So problems drive us to prayer 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:31.360 and then peace will come through prayer. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.240 In verse 6, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:34.720 now when Herod was about to bring Him out, 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.840 that is, 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:39.200 the seven days the time of Passover had finished 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.519 or getting close to, 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:44.879 it was the very night before He was going to be 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.480 killed, executed. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.759 He knew this. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:49.920 Peter knew this. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:51.200 Okay. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:54.960 He knew what was going to take place the next morning. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:57.519 And yet here's what He was doing. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.639 On the very night, 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:01.519 Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:04.560 What? 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:07.439 Now I take some early flights from time to time 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:11.599 and I have to get up at 3.30 in the morning 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:16.000 and between the time I finally go to bed and get packed, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.719 it's usually 10 o'clock, 00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:20.319 maybe 10.30, 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:21.759 because I've delayed too much, 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.439 I've procrastinated. 00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:25.759 And then from 10.30 to 3.30, 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:28.399 it's just this relaxing sleep, right? 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.439 No. 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:30.079 Why? 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.119 Because I'm going like, 00:15:31.119 --> 00:15:32.559 if I miss my flight, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:34.319 that could be horrible. 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:39.600 And so it's 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.280 3 o'clock, 3.15. 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:42.960 I'm awake all night long, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.800 getting ready and prepared to go on this trip. 00:15:47.760 --> 00:15:49.120 I'm just anxious. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.480 We had, as a kid, 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.560 the little kid at least, 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.440 we would be ready for Christmas. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:57.200 And the night before, Christmas Eve, 00:15:57.760 --> 00:15:58.960 we couldn't go to sleep. 00:15:59.520 --> 00:16:01.920 All of us would pack into one bed 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:03.840 and there were five of us. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.920 And we would all pack into one bed 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:08.960 and we would all get under the covers of this bed waiting 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.920 and we couldn't go to sleep. 00:16:09.920 --> 00:16:11.920 We were just thinking about the very next morning 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:13.200 how exciting it was going to be. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.399 Now imagine, 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:18.160 if you're going to be executed the next day, 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:21.840 what is your status? 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:24.879 And Peter was... 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.040 Sleep, it says. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:32.000 In the Greek, it says he was snoring. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:34.799 He's sleeping between two soldiers. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:38.080 So it wasn't even like between two pillows. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:40.399 He's sleeping between two soldiers. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:42.080 Strap them with chains. 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:44.399 And centuries were outside the door guarding it. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:48.000 And then the angel of the Lord stood next to him 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.600 and a light shone in the cell. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.320 And still, it says, 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:56.480 he had to strike Peter on the side to wake him. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.879 This is crazy. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.360 I can't sleep with a nightlight on. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:03.360 My wife likes to have a nightlight. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.720 I can't sleep with a nightlight. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.279 Sometimes she'll get up 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:13.279 and I'll go unplug the nightlight and hide it. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.279 And she comes back and says, 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.400 what did you do again? 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.240 And I said, I need my sleep. 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:21.920 I can't sleep with this bright, shining floodlight 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.360 that's right in my eyes. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.440 It's a nightlight. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.680 But I think it's a big bright... 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.200 I can't sleep with light. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:32.240 I can't sleep with light, but here a light shone 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.279 and Peter's still. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.000 Then the angel stands next to him. 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:41.680 Now, you parents will only know this. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:45.279 You only experience this if you've been a parent 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:49.600 of small children who come in the middle of the night, 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:54.080 walk to your bed, and come within inches of your face. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:58.079 You're fast asleep and all of a sudden you have this eerie feeling. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.759 Quiet. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:01.199 They didn't say a word. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.519 They're hardly breathing. 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:06.000 But you know they're there. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:08.720 And you just like wake out of a deep sleep like, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.679 what? 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.679 What are you doing up? 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.519 I need some water. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.639 There's some by your bed. 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.639 Oh yeah, off they go. 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:21.519 Now here, an angel stood next to him. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:24.400 A light is shining, a bright light shines into it. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:26.240 He's going to be executed the next morning. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.519 And yet what was Peter doing? 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.639 Sleeping. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:34.960 Peace comes through prayer. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:38.160 He knew the church would be gathered together 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.519 to be praying for him. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:45.119 Lord, I need that kind of peace. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:49.839 Maybe I need that kind of prayer. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.839 That's what we're given with prayer. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.839 Because here was Peter. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:59.199 If I die tomorrow, I'm with the Lord. 00:19:00.479 --> 00:19:04.559 If I don't die tomorrow, it's because the Lord delivered me. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:07.679 And so therefore I sleep. 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:11.199 Isn't that a great way to live? 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.599 He's either going to deliver me, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.199 He's either going to deliver me, 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.279 or He's not going to deliver me. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.359 And I'll be with Him. 00:19:22.719 --> 00:19:24.319 Peace comes through prayer. 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.879 With men, this is impossible. 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:32.159 With God, all things are possible. 00:19:32.159 --> 00:19:34.480 Now, there's power that comes through prayer as well. 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.119 The angel said to him, 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.719 dress yourself, put on the sandals. 00:19:38.719 --> 00:19:39.359 And he did so. 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:42.240 And he said to him, wrap your cloak around you, 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.439 and follow me. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.640 And he went out and he followed him. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:47.519 And he didn't know what was being done by the angel was real, actually. 00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.360 But he thought he was seeing a vision. 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:52.000 And when he passed the first and second guard, 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.559 they came to the iron gate leading into the city. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:59.759 And what happened was, when they came to that iron gate, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:03.519 it opened of its own accord. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.200 Matthew 7 says, 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.320 Ask and it will be given to you. 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:11.200 Seek and you'll find. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.480 Knock and it will be opened to you. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.480 For everyone who asks receives, 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:17.839 and he who seeks finds into him who knocks it will be opened. 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:23.440 What man among you is whose son asks for a loaf, 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.559 he'll give him a stone. 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:27.920 If he asks for a fish, he'll give him a snake, will he? 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:31.599 If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:36.240 he's talking about us as humans, not fully holy. 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:39.440 If we know how to give good gifts to our children, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:41.920 how much more will your Father in heaven 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:46.560 give what is good to those who ask Him? 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.759 We don't get everything we ask for. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.519 That might be bad. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:57.680 Little child, if you gave them everything they asked for, 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:08.080 they'd have candy for breakfast, candy for lunch, candy for dinner, 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:12.079 and then before meal at night, it's more candy. 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:18.879 But our Father knows what we need, and we submit to Him. 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:25.759 So it opened this door, this great giant door. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.359 It opened of its own accord, 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:31.039 and they went out and went along the street, 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.480 and immediately the angel left him. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.799 And when Peter came to himself, he said, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:38.879 now I'm sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod, 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:41.200 and from all the Jewish people were expecting. 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.519 Power came through prayer. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.240 The Puritan Thomas Watson said, 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:54.799 it was the angel who fetched Peter from the jail, 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:58.879 but it was prayer that fetched the angel. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:04.800 I like that. The church gathered together, 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:09.600 and it called on the angel and said, come, release Peter. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:15.840 And he came to this iron gate that could not be moved by human beings, 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:18.320 and it opened of its own accord. 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:22.800 Like the automatic doors going out of stores, 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:26.240 and they just opened up when you stand by them. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:31.359 They just opened up. There's power in prayer. 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:36.319 Let's depend on it. More so than our own ingenuity. 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.799 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:43.440 the mother of John whose other name was John Mark, 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:46.480 where many were gathered together and were praying. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.799 And so there they were, he knew where they were going to be, 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:57.599 because this large house of Mary, and they had regular house church gatherings there at that home, 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:59.039 and they were there together praying. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:02.720 This is a large number. Many were gathered together and were praying. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:04.799 And when he knocked on the door of the gateway, 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:07.440 a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:11.440 And recognizing Peter's voice in her joy, she did not open the gate, 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:14.079 but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:22.639 Now, here's what would happen to a person who had just escaped from prison. 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:33.039 The guards who let this prisoner escape would be killed whatever the judgment was, 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:35.359 or the consequence for that prisoner. 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:38.480 In this case, it was killing them, executing them. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:45.599 And so, whatever the judgment was for that prisoner would be passed along to the guards who were to secure him. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:55.839 So that means those four soldiers who were guarding Peter were going to try to find Peter, 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:59.759 because if they don't find Peter, they're going to be all killed. 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:04.400 And so they're running after, trying to find him. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.480 Peter's going up to the house of Mary. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:10.000 He's knocking on the door. Rhoda recognizes his voice. 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:16.480 Doesn't let him in. He's saying, Rhoda, I'm standing out here. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.559 There are four dudes trying to find me. 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:28.000 And they said to her when she walked in, you're out of your mind. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.599 You're out of your mind. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:36.879 And now quiz. 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:41.919 What was the church praying for? 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.159 You remember what they were praying for? 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.159 Peter's release. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.079 What happened? 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.839 Peter was released. 00:24:59.199 --> 00:25:00.159 Rhoda reports that. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:02.960 That comes in to the group. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:09.519 And I'm sure the elder statesman said, Rhoda, you're out of your mind. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.040 Just sit down. 00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:14.640 We're praying for Peter's release. 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:20.000 No, I'm telling you, Peter's outside. 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:23.360 And she says she continued. 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:28.320 Peter kept continuing knocking probably softly, because he didn't want to bang it. 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:31.359 He didn't want to draw attention, let the soldiers know where he was. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:36.559 And Peter, and they saw him and were amazed. 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:39.839 But he's going like motion him to remain silent. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.679 Like, don't yell. 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:47.519 He described to them how the Lord brought him out of prison. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:50.480 And he said, tell these things to James and to the brothers. 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.000 Then he departed and went to another place. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.279 Power came through prayer. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:26:03.759 Now, some people will tell you, unless you have enough faith, your prayer will not be answered. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:13.039 This whole church was gathered together, praying for the release of Peter. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:16.879 Peter was released and they still didn't even believe it. 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:25.440 They didn't have enough faith to believe that Rhoda, you're not well. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.160 You're not well. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:28.240 And then they said, well, it's his ghost. 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:30.880 There was a tradition that thought when a person passed away, 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.600 that a ghost would be in their appearance. 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.760 A spirit. 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.920 They didn't believe it. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.080 Power comes through prayer. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:47.119 But listen, we don't have enough faith to believe in order for him to act. 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:50.879 He can act in spite of our faith. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.240 But we submit to him anyway. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.759 And which is what the church was doing. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.799 They were submitting to him. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:05.039 Now, let's see the Gospel exposed in this story. 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:11.839 As unbelievers, we are chained to our human condition. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:16.480 We've received the sentence of death for violating God's laws. 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:20.159 We're like Peter in prison. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:36.080 But God sent His only Son into our dungeon to release us and set us free by taking our punishment for us. 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:41.120 He sent the angel to Peter, but God sent His Son into that dungeon. 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:42.080 He's released us. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.560 He took our punishment for us. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:49.119 And we put our faith in Christ. We're no longer slaves. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.200 We're no longer prisoners. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:28:00.240 Romans 8.1 says therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.799 Not some condemnation, not a little, not all. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:07.200 There's therefore not all condemnation. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:12.000 There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.039 There is children. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:18.400 We're set free. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:24.240 My wife struggles with kidney disease. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:32.720 And she battles with this on a daily basis. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:41.519 We were living in Toronto, Canada, and her doctor told her she's in remission to die. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.039 In remission, she can go over to her medicine. 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:46.400 So we go to Denver to visit her father. 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:53.599 And on our way to Denver, she gets up to go to the restroom and she passes out. 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:59.200 Is there a physician on board kind of pass out? 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:06.720 And we went to the doctor in Denver and this doctor said, don't do anything. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:09.680 Don't go anywhere. You've got to get help. 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:18.560 You are so sick. And we ended up 18 months in her dad's basement because she couldn't be moved. 00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:21.279 There were times I watched her. 00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:27.200 Her kidney had debilitated her to such a degree. 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:30.480 She couldn't even walk up the stairs to let her dog outside. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:33.519 She had to crawl up the stairs. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:39.680 She went from the bedroom to the little couch, little kitchenette. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:44.400 That was her world for 18 months. 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:50.000 I was traveling back and forth to Canada from Denver. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:55.920 She was there. Her dad would take care of her while I was gone. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:59.440 And I'd come home on the weekends, every weekend. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:03.440 And we started a church, really on the weekend. 00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:05.360 We started a church. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:10.880 And the night before we were going to launch this church, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:17.680 I come home. We worked hard that day to get it ready. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:25.519 The Lord gave us, get this, the Lord gave us a bar to meet in. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:29.599 No, it wasn't a bar Monday through Saturday or even Sunday. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:33.519 It was abandoned. But it was a bar. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:38.000 Downtown, right in the city center, this bar. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:40.799 And we were able to set chairs in there and work it out. 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.279 We took the taps out. 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:47.119 Okay, we cleaned it up. We got it all ready. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:49.839 And we started church that next day. 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:53.920 And that night before, she had to go to the church. 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:59.840 And I said, what? She's looking at her phone. 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:02.880 Which was your only connection to the outside world. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.480 I was looking at Facebook. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.480 And she's looking at Facebook and she's crying. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:10.640 She's going, this. This is why I'm crying. 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:14.240 What? I think I've done something wrong. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.680 I probably have. 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:19.200 But in this case, I didn't know what it was. 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:21.200 She said, I'm not crying. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:24.000 In this case, I didn't know what it was. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:29.360 She said, there's a church starting tomorrow. 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:34.240 It wouldn't be starting tomorrow unless you were here. 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:38.000 You're here because I got sick. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:46.559 If my sickness caused a church to be born, it was worth it. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:51.359 She said, I don't always feel that way. 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:53.919 So she is a saint. 00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:59.519 She's holy, beautiful. 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:02.879 But she still struggles. 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:09.039 And she prayed, Lord, use this sickness to your glory. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:13.359 And he did. And this church, she calls it her church. 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:15.599 She's hardly been to it. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:19.839 Because she was in the basement. 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:23.279 But she calls it her church. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:25.279 And it continues to this day. 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:27.039 And the Lord is working. 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:29.839 And we're able to buy that building. 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:33.519 That bar, we transformed it. 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:36.639 It's got a children's center. 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:39.519 It's got a fellowship center. 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:41.679 And it's got a worship center. 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:44.000 Three levels. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:46.319 I don't know how we were able to buy it. 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.920 We didn't have any money. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:50.559 We had nobody had any money. 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:52.720 But the Lord allowed us to do that. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:55.920 And we bought this building. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:33:00.079 And I was traveling back and forth to Canada. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.440 I came home on weekend. 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.920 And we had baptisms. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:08.079 And we had baptisms, immersion, baptism. 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:11.440 And we had it in the corner. 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:14.320 It was basically a horse trough. 00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:16.320 Because I don't know if you know this, 00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:20.720 but bars don't normally have baptistries in them. 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:23.519 OK. Maybe you didn't know that. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:27.200 But so we put this horse trough in the corner. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:30.240 And anyway, a baptize, I meet with her afterwards. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:33.200 And I said, tell me your story. 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:38.960 And she said, in this bar, she got baptized in this corner. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:44.799 She said, in that corner, I used to sell drugs when it was a bar. 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:49.360 And the Lord used this church to introduce me to Jesus Christ. 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:54.480 And today, I was baptized in that corner. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:58.480 All because somebody got sick and prayed. 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:04.960 And said, Lord, use my sickness to your glory. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:12.000 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:15.760 No. Don't quit. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.840 Believe it. 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:20.400 Pray to Him. 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:24.880 He's powerful enough to move through your problem. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:28.000 He'll give you peace in the midst of it. 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:31.280 And He gets all the glory. 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:35.200 So Lord, we thank You for Your Word. 00:34:35.200 --> 00:34:41.680 It provides to us insight into who You are, 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:45.200 what You're calling us to do and to be. 00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:49.120 We don't have enough faith to really believe. 00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:52.240 But we're asking You right now, Lord, whatever it is, 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:58.080 a sin, a sickness, a sorrow, 00:34:58.079 --> 00:35:03.440 we give it to You and we pour it into You knowing You can answer this prayer. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:06.719 To Your glory and honor, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:30.719 Amen.