Grace Dependent

Yes.  The entire day was devoted to learning how to answer questions on the NANC certification exam.  It was all blown away by the wonderfully encouraging sermon by James MacDonald, entitled, God is in Control.  I’ve tried to reproduce my notes below – but to be honest, I was just passionately listening to this sermon as God used His Word to penetrate His truth deep into my heart.

Text: Acts 12:1-23

• God is in control, even when I suffer (Acts 12:1-5)
  • God’s sovereignty is not diminished by my suffering.
  • Herod was wreaking violent, intentional, intense suffering on the church (persecuted the church, killed James and arrested Peter)
  • There was intense prayer being made on Peter’s behalf.  Suffering will bring us to lay our tears in the carpet.
  • Even in intense suffering, there is not a single detail that is outside the intense gaze of a sovereign God.
  • There should be no circumstance that shakes the core knowledge that God is in control
• God is in control, even when it’s midnight (Acts 12:6-11, 18 & 19)
  • “on that very night” (the very night Peter was about to die) “Peter was sleeping”.
    • Peter was so confident of God’s control that he was sleeping hours before his impending death
    • Perhaps he wanted to be sure to be rested for his first stroll down those golden streets?
  • The angel has to “strike” Peter to wake him up (same word used of Peter cutting off Malcus’ ear)
  • Point: the answer came at the last possible moment.
    • God is never late, but rarely is He ever early
    • When I say, “I can’t go on another day!”, God says “Yes, you can.  My grace is sufficient!”
    • Perhaps what we are really saying is that we really fear that it is too late for us to do anything about the suffering we’re in.  Now it must be all up to God.
  • What happens when Herod finds out that Peter is gone? (v.18-19)
    • “no little disturbance” among the soldiers
    • Herod personally searches for Peter in the prison
    • Herod takes a vacation
• God is in control, even when my faith is weak (Acts 12:12-17)
  • Do you see Peter nervously knocking at the door of Mary’s house?  He just “escaped from prison”
  • Do you see Rhonda just hear his voice and in her excitement leaving him outside and running to tell the others?
  • Do you see the prayer meeting going on – all of them praying fervently for his release?
    • they don’t believe Rhonda – “it is his ghost”
    • what they are saying is that “he is already dead”
    • they are praying that God do something, but believing in their heart it is too late
    • their faith is weak
    • I’ve been there – that is so me
  • Blessing: Sovereignty trumps weak faith!
  • Peter keeps knocking
  • They come out and see him and are amazed!
  • Peter gives the glory to God!
• God is in control, even when the wicked Prosper (Acts 12:20-23)
  • Have you ever prayed that God would pour out His vengeance on someone?
    • “C’mon God!  Do something!  Can’t you see this evil doing this?!?!”
  • That day is coming – God’s patience will not last forever.  Revelation 6:15-17
  • Herod was angry with Tyre & Sidon, people were starving and they needed food from him
  • Herod comes dressed all fancy and delivers an arrogant, pompous speech
  • The people call out (to appease him), “He is a god!”
  • Herod takes the acclaim, does not divert the glory
  • God sends (sovereignly) and angel of the Lord to strike Herod with worms, and he dies
  • NOTE: God’s plan doesn’t suffer in the midst of our suffering
    • end result: the Word of God increased and multiplied

May God remind me of His control in the middle of these things.

Additional Resources:

• Walk in the Word
• Churches helping Churches
• Mars Hill Church – Mark Driscoll
• Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows, IL