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Tel: 08708 034670 Fax: 01920 468191
michael@walkerdine.net NEW for 2007 ~ Christian Games Website
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Christ of Every Crisisby Michael Walkerdine
The scripture I will be using today will be from Acts 12
I want to talk to you today about The Christ of every Crisis
Now, We all have troubles in our lives, We all have troubles in fact troubles can come every day.
But every so often we come to a crisis, a major issue, problem or dilemma What I mean is an industrial strength crisis, and more often than not we don’t know where to turn. Unless we turn to the Lord.
And a crisis may come unexpectedly, It may come ferociously It may come out of the blue Or It may creep up on you and you know that only a supernatural intervention is going to get you through it
Some one once said - if you can keep your head when all around you are losing there’s -- - it might just be a sign that you really don’t have an understanding of the situation
Or it may be that you do understand the things I am going to share with you from the word of God.
So lets take a read of Acts 12:1
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
AC 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
AC 12:6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
AC 12:8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the Iron Gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
Lets look at the background here, so we can really understand what’s happening.
Herod was a vile, wild, ruthless, wicked, man – he wanted to torture, hurt, destroy and vex the church, his sister was responsible for the death of John the Baptist He had taken James, the brother of John and put him to death, and he saw how it pleased the multitude – he said alright - I will now go for the big guy, – I will get Peter and put him in prison and after the Passover I will bring him out – and I will make him a foot shorter at the top, I will take off his head.
Herod was absolutely ferocious, wicked, vile and cruel.
Now that’s the situation and it was indeed a great great crisis that Peter and the Christians were faced with.
How do you handle a crisis? What do you do in times of crisis?
Well I want to give you 4 thoughts today
You will no doubt need these thoughts in the future. You may even need them right now, as you may be right in the centre of a great big genuine crisis.
The crisis might be financial as an expensive time of year falls upon us, it might be with a relationship, it might be with your work, your family, sickness or loneliness – just to name a few
The first thought is
In this chapter - God works in a mysterious way An inexplicable way, he is in the shadows, arranging things, making things happen, moving things that people cannot see – this may be happening in your life right now – God is working but you cant see what he is working on
You may be right in the middle of chaos right now Nothing seems to be making sense – everything that you thought you had nailed down to secure in your situation is coming loose – and the devil is pulling out the nails- faster than you can put them in.
Now listen - just because what God is doing doesn’t make sense to you = doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense
Reading this chapter makes you ask questions
Why did God let Herod be king anyway? Isn’t God - God?
How could God let a rascal like Herod be king – If I was God I would have turned him into a frog And why should James be killed – and Peter released?
Why is that ?
Does God have favourites? Has God lost control?
And why did all these things happen?
Let me tell you something We do not live by explanations – we do not live needing to understand everything Life is not a problem to be solved It is a mystery to be lived
and you have to backup off sometimes in situations - because we cannot know why certain things happen and we certainly cant explain why certain things happen–we have to accept and have faith to see the hidden hand of God and to respect the hidden hand of God.
Have you ever watched a painter paint take Rolf Harris – I am going back a few years now – he would start off with a huge blank canvas and put paint on here, another colour there bit of yellow ‘ just like that’ and then, slide it down there and the picture is really looking great - as he transfers his mind on to that canvas – its really great its coming together -and then he goes for the black - and splodges it over the picture it’s a tree in the foreground – and in your mind – he’s ruined it - but as he continues it gets better and better until you have before your eyes a masterpiece - remember that ?
Sometimes we look at what God does as he puts things together – we say Lord its looking good thank you for the works in my life - and then he does phlew!!!!!! – and messes it up - we go Lord! What have you done – you ve messed it up – I didn’t want it to happen this way
Ever done that and said Lord – how could you ever let this happen? Where is this going?
You see Rolf knew what he was doing , he knew what was in his mind - he new his ability– and it came out right in the end.
And Gods the same - but better! Gods not an Australian!!
You have to respect the hidden hand of God. Just because you cant see God working doesn’t mean to say he isn’t working.
Here we have Herods un Godly power, here’s James death and here’s Peter release – they are all working together –
Take –
Romans 8:28 – we know, we know, we know RO 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Most of us have the idea that we go through life and life is all good – life gets bad and then it gets good again.
But its not like that we don’t have 40 miles of good road and then 10 miles of bad road and then 60 miles of good road
Life is more like a railroad track - where you have one good rail and one bad rail and they are running side by side. They are running parallel - have you ever noticed that wonderful things are happening, blessings – at the same time there seem to be certain troubles in life – and we cant seem to make them work out.
Many of us don’t understand that - so we are waiting to get to the time in life where there wont be any bad things in life.
When you are at school - I’ll be glad when schools over, so I can do the things I want to do - I be glad when the new year starts, I’ll make a new start on that diet, or just need to get through this pregnancy – then everthing will be ok - I will be able to dedicate more time to the church. If I’m sick I will be glad when I am well – so I can do the things I want and do more work for God. If the kids are playing up – I will be glad when they have grown up.
We put milestones in our lives and think when we have reached that milestone all will be ok. And we will be able to make changes in our lives
You see good and bad are working together
Sometimes we would like to live life without the bad.
Life is mysterious – God mixes good and bad together for his glory – and we know all things work together for good.
Don’t live for explanations – You will never explain God – You live by his promise – You will never figure Gods workings out.
If your a kid you will never figure out why God puts the essentials for good health in spinach and not in ice cream.
Let God be God!
And just because it doesn’t make sense to you – it doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense.
AC 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
There seemed to be no hope for Peter – he was in a maximum security prison Prisoners, guarded on the outside with two guards on the door.
There were sixteen guards on the inside guarding Peter – he must have been deemed to be important – to have16 guards – and besides that he was chained to a guard on either side- hes not going anywhere.
He is a man in a pickle - he is in a deep pickle and on top of that he is sentenced to death by a wicked king who has told him that soon he is going to execute him.
That my dear brothers and sisters is a crisis – you might think you have a crisis – but whos shoes would you rather be in ?? yours or his?
There is no hope for Peter – every door is shut
Every door is shut – except one – the door that goes straight up. When all doors are closed there's always the door that goes straight to Jesus
Lets look at this prayer-
but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Earnestly, some translations say – without ceasingSo they prayed and they did not stop praying- they may have asked why hasn’t God answered our prayers yet
Peters in prison and God doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to get him out.
One of the great lessons to be learnt about prayer is persistence –
The bible says ask seek and knock – but literally it is saying keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking.
Luke18 says
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, `Grant me justice against my adversary.'
LK 18:4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, `Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "
LK 18:6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
So we must keep on praying and not be faint - we need to learn that Gods delays are not denials.
We need to also pray intensely
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
We need to steer away from casual prayer – when our hearts are not in it - when we pray for prayers sake, if you are not interested in praying - God wont be interested in listening.
Prayers has no value if it has cost nothing.
The bible talks about prayer as wrestling – or struggling
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Have you ever thought of prayer as wrestling, striving, or struggling.
How much genuine agonizing do we do in prayer, if you really get into intercession - you will find that the devil will oppose and fight you – I have seen it - the greatest intercessor warriors that I know – are Marcia’s mum and Sister King – and boy when they get going any self respecting devil knows that there is a fight on and usually leaves through a back door – but when the going gets tough they get going.
I have seen a maternity ward cleared over night - they will go and ask other patients in the ward if they can pray for them.
I go back the next day - and Marcia’s on her own.
Marcia’s painful pregnancy - worked for good – although she didn’t see an improvement in her health - we cant explain it. But we also don’t know how much worse it could have got without prayer
You see prayer is work – its hard work
I would rather preach for an hour than pray for ten minutes
Sometimes we say we don’t feel like praying - if there is ever a time when you need to pray its when you don’t feel like praying
And you should pray until you do feel like it
Then you have the fellowship of prayer – look at verse Acts 12:5 again
The church was praying! The church as a whole was praying. They came together to pray. Did not Jesus say ‘when two or more are gathered in my name - there I am in the midst of them And if any two of you shall agree on earth about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in heaven
God is pleased when his children pray – but he is more pleased when his children pray in fellowship
There is nothing that will bind us together as a church more than corporate prayer.
If you have ever had a prayer partner – you will know how powerful that can be – if you have never experienced prayer with a prayer partner – find one
Peters church were praying for Peter- the prayer was made unto God – they weren’t praying to each other – they weren’t trying to impress each other with fancy words and clever scriptures – they were earnestly, sincerely, offering expensive prayers to God.
Imagine this, a young newly qualified solicitor, sets up his own new office - he doesn’t have any clients – doesn’t even have a secretary - he hears footsteps in the corridor - thinking this will be his first client – he quickly picks up the phone and …………..
Cant do Wednesday or Thursday - I have a court appearance defending Fudge Fudge and Fudge the Fudge Makers in Fudgingham.
Yep Friday noon will be fine I will meet you at the Ritz for lunch - lets discuss my fees over lunch - bye.
As he looks up he sees the man at the door – and says good morning what can I do for you?
He says 'I have just come to connect you phone'!!!!
Some times we do things to impress others – we have little memorized prayers or scripts
Peters church wasn’t trying to impress - they were desperate – they were praying to God and only to God
Do you know I believe we sometimes think today we don’t need prayer – we have everything – we can do without prayer.
and the worst thing about all of this is we have pride.
We have our church, we have our friends who will share the word – we know how to have a good worship – we think we have the Christianity thing sussed – thank you God for giving us all of this – we've got it made. We know how to talk the talk and walk the walk
Do you know what the devil does?
He sits in the corner – smirking
He says you can have this room, you can have the singing, you can have the bible study, you can have the word you can have the fellowship you can have anything you want – but leave out the Power of God which comes with earnest, ceaseless, prayer that will not take no for an answer.
The devil mocks at our schemes, laughs at our organizations – ridicules our talents - but heeds to our prayer.
Peters in prison - and these people are going to pray
They cant take a petition to Herod, they don’t have money to bribe Herod - they are going to pray
The world may laugh - but the devil didn’t laugh
The devil trembles when he sees the weakest Saint on his knees
They prayed for Peter – they weren’t vague prayers – they were focused.
You know sometimes our prayers are so vague we wouldn’t know when God has answered them - and they are so vague we wouldn’t know if he didn’t answer them
What did you pray for this morning?
To save the lost?
If someone got saved this morning - you would say answered my prayer? I ask you how would you know it was your prayer that was answered? It might have been mine
At least when they prayed for Peter and it was answered they knew without a doubt the prayer had been answered.
Have you ever had someone say - you must come by sometime – we must have you over for a bite– well they don’t mean it. That’s just an off the cuff, giveaway invite
But if you said we have a freezer full of the finest steaks and meats– come over next Saturday at 5 pm and we will have a bbq –
They mean it - they specified their offer. There is nothing vague about it
So specify your desires to God – don’t be wishy washy and vague – tell him what you want – tell him exactly what you want
When you are in a crisis – Expect to see the hidden hand of God – and Request the ministry of Gods people through prayer
You’ve all heard of voicemail – where you are asked to leave a message as the person you are trying to contact is away?
Arent you glad God hasn’t installed voicemail in heaven.
Can you imagine when you come to pray and you hear
‘thank you for calling - and your prayer is important to us – please select one of the following options 1 for request 2 for thanksgiving 3 for complaints 4 for all other enquiries
I am sorry but all our angels are helping other sinners at the moment – but your prayer is important to us – and we will answer it in the order it was received
Please stay on the line – if you would like to hear King David sing a song while you are waiting - press 4 If you are checking on a loved one that has been assigned to heaven - press five And then enter his/her national insurance number followed by the pound signs If you get a negative response please hang up and try area code 666
For reservations in heaven please enter J-O-H-N 316 – (think about it)
For information on nagging questions like dinosaurs, age of the earth, life on other planets and the whereabouts of Noahs ark - please wait until you arrive
Our computer shows you have already prayed once today – please hang up and try again tomorrow
The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday – please try again after 930 Monday morning
If you are calling out of hours and in need of an emergency please contact your local pastor.
Thank you for calling heaven. And have a nice day already
Aren't you glad its not like that - we have a God that’s there 24/7
look at verse 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
The night before Herod was going to try him – Peter was sleeping, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers bound with chains You ask my wife how much sleep she got before her driving test!!
So there Peter is - the next morning he is to be executed and he is asleep. In fact he is so asleep the angel has to punch him in the ribs to wake him up. Look at verse 7
7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
Can you imagine – hey Pete wake up, wake up -if you don’t wake up I will stick the boot in
Hurhhh!
How could Peter sleep in such a crisis? Well - He wasn’t afraid of death – he knew Jesus –he knew what death meant He had his church praying for him and he knew it He was aware of Gods presence in his life
Turn you problem over to God
Phillipians 4:6 says Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Gods peace was protecting Peter.
Do you think God was out of control when James was killed? Do you think God was out of control when Peter was captured
God is on his throne –
7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 12:8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the Iron Gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
You may be in your problem thinking where is God in my problem – where is he – doesn’t he care?
You know Peter was at his Red Sea, he was at the eleventh hour, it was the last moment - and then God came –and what was he doing - he was sleeping!
This crisis was very leisurely – the Angel comes in - hey Pete get up come on wakey wakey , time to go - get your kit on were outa here! Its time for a jail break.
They just walk out - no keys – no grief. And God had organised automatic doors - even in those days
The angel disappears.
So where does Peter go - he goes straight to the prayer meeting - he knocks on the door of the prayer meeting
A maid looks to see who it is – whooah! its Peter and runs away– she doesn’t even say ‘Peter come in’
She goes back to the meeting and says ‘hey folks – God has heard our prayer - Peters at the door’
They say Rhoda – you must be having a vision would you go - leave us alone – we are praying for Peter to get out of prison
Meanwhile – Peter is still knocking on the door – let me in
You know It was easier for him to get out of prison than it was for him to get into that prayer meeting
You see there’s no way Peter could open that prison gate - but he could open the door to the house
In the last part of this chapter - old King Herod is stricken dead because of his arrogance – and his pride and is eaten by worms a gruesome situation.
You can see the hidden hand of God through all of this.
Now listen if you are in any sort of crisis – and God doesn’t deliver you - remember he didn't deliver James Its not because he cant
And if God is not working according to what you can see it doesn’t mean that God is not working
And if evil seems to succeed just remember that the success of evil is only temporary.
Woodrow Wilson once said
I would rather have temporarily failed with a cause that will ultimately succeed - rather than temporarily succeed with a cause that will ultimately fail
If you’re in a crisis right now
Remember these 4 things
Brothers and sisters – May God bless each and every one of you richly? And lets get into a serious prayer war for each other and make a difference into each other’s lives.
Lets be honest with ourselves and be honest with others – so that we can be honest with God
Thank you
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