Understanding the Difficult Parts of God’s Will
(Acts 12)
Acts Volume 3 Series
AV First
Pastor Ed Carlson
7/14/24
Acts 11:19-21 (ESV)
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Understanding the Difficult Parts of God’s Will
Acts 12:1-5 (ESV)
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Why do good people suffer?
1. Hardship Is Many Times a
Acts 12:6-11 (ESV)
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Some trials are not meant to be permanent but to
God Never Wastes A
2. Hardship Can Be
God deals with us as gently as He can or as harshly as He must.
3. Hardship Allows Us To Become A
The example of our life can become a beacon of hope to others.
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Your Pain Will Always Have A Purpose For God’s People.
4. God At Times Uses Hardship To
1) God may be using our trials to get us going in a different direction, one we would not have chosen on our own.
2) God may be using our trials and suffering to get us out of an unhealthy and ungodly lifestyle that is damaging to you and your eternal destiny.
5. We May Never Know The
True Faith serves God in the midst of
Acts 12:24 (ESV)
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.