Background: Agabus prophecies that a severe famine is coming to the Roman world. The Antioch believers react each deciding to give according to their ability to help the Jerusalem church. They send their gifts with Barnabas and Saul who deliver their gifts of love and life.
Desperation impetus: King Herod, who aspires to please the Jews, kills James (John’s brother) and arrests Peter.
John 16:2-3 “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”
Q. If tried for your faith, is there convincing proof?
Righteous reaction: The Church prays earnestly, and Peter rests in God’s plans for his life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Q. If we are concerned for _______, how do we pray? When searching for life direction, where do we look?
Life provision: An angel of the Lord awakens Peter, frees him from his chains, and leads him to life.
Luke 9:23-25 “If any of you wants to be my follower; you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” – Jesus
Q. When in desperate times, where do you find life?