A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote ‘Revelation 3:20’ on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this ambiguous message, ‘Genesis 3:10.’
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.’ Genesis 3:10 reads, ‘I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.’
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Acts 12:1–17 (NIV) – 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 met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival 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. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 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. 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. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
Today I want to talk about suddenly.
Let me clarify something. I’m not saying we never have t wait on the Lord. But He often times answers suddenly. Not right away, but rather suddenly when you least expect it.
In our text Peter is in prison. The church is praying when suddenly an angel comes on the scene.
I love how this story ends look once again at verses 13-16.
13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
The church was praying for his release and when Peter is released because of a suddenly visitation they don’t even think its him.
Church I think that often happens in the Body of Christ we ask God for something, and because of the wait we have had when God does show up suddenly in that unexpected moment we wonder if its Him.
So today I want to share with you the suddenly of God.
Tell story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (fiery furnace and suddenly).
Tell story of Daniel (Lion’s den and suddenly).
Tell tory of Abraham {Sacrificing his son, his promises child and suddenly).
Tell story of on the lake (Storm kicks up and suddenly there is Jesus).
Tell story of Elijah and servant looking for the rain cloud and suddenly. (The cloud the size of a man’s hand).
In out text we had Peter suddenly delivered out of prison, but he wasn’t the only one.
Acts 16:22–31 (NIV) – 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
On the day of Pentecost suddenly in came a rushing mighty wind, oh it they may have been in the upper room for 10 days praying, but at the unexpected moment. . .suddenly.
That prison time with Paul and Silas wasn’t Paul’s only suddenly.
How about the Mary’s going to the tomb after Jesus was risen.
Matthew 28:1–9 (NIV) – After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Listen church there may be times when the suddenlies of God may immobilize you with fear. But when you understand it’s Him you will worship.
Fear rather it be of men or of failure will keep you from stepping out. Fear kept everyone else in the boat, but Peter said Lord I’ll try if it’s you tell me come.
The disciples are in a room, doors locked and suddenly there is Jesus. Look at it in John chapter 20.
John 20:19 (NIV) – 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Tell story of Paul and way to Damascus. . . when suddenly.
We need to learn that God will sometimes wait until exactly the right moment, then suddenly He shows up and does what only He can do.
We need to prepare ourselves as best we can for the suddenlies of God. We say yes to whatever he says, and do whatever He requires so that we can see His glory.
Tell story of Goliath giving the army a hard time and suddenly here comes David.
Video Link for Simple Gospel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0m43XcwsY
Prayer
Like the joke . Keep up the good work.