tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044850704103353185.post-9851988092312903782008-05-06T07:45:00.001-04:002008-05-06T07:45:01.131-04:00<em><strong>Notes from this session (expositional sermon on Acts 12):</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>God is in control</strong><br /><br />1. Even when I suffer (Acts 12:1-5)<br />- Sincerity is not an exemption from suffering<br />- Service to God does not mean exemption from suffering<br />- 16 soldiers guarding 1 guy <br />- Stature is not an exemption from suffering<br />- God allows it - He will use it - He is in control<br /><br />2. Even when it's midnight (v. 6-11)<br />- At midnight means I can't think of a way this can get fixed<br />- After this it will be totally in your hands<br />- Peter is sleeping - not stressed - Peter knew that God was in control and he trusted Him <br />- Just because it's down to the wire and past the point of no return, doesn't mean that God is not going to act<br />- We try to put God on our program, and what we need to do is get on His program<br /><br />3. Even when my faith is weak (v. 12-19)<br />- They thought it was his angel (i.e. that he was dead) - they were praying but really were thinking that it was over. Their faith was very weak - yet God answered. <br />- Faith is important, but sovereignty supersedes faith. God is bigger.<br /><br />4. Even when the wicked seem to prosper (v. 20-25)<br />- The crowd could have shouted "this just isn't right - do something God! Why don't you act?"<br />- Don't think that God's silence about something means that He doesn't see or care or know.<br />- That's what I think about that!<br />- He struck him down because he did not give God the glory - God will not share His glory with another<br />- God is in control when the wicked "seem" to prosper<br /><br />But the Word of God continued to increase and spread.Williamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311806312162439873noreply@blogger.com