The Counsel Of The Lord That Shall Stand

As an audio recording is not available for this sermon we submit a summary as follows:-

1. The foolish thing that Herod did, v1
   Herod whose grandfather was the Herod mentioned in Matt chp 2, and father of king Agrippa. This king persecuted certain of the church and attacked the most prominent leaders. Office bearers are often in the frontline of fire and so it was here.

2. God's sovereignty in dealing with his children, v2
   James put to death by the sword. This James was the son of Zebedee and brother of John, Matt 4v23. The Lord Jesus spoke of their coming sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, Matt 20v22,23. John later suffered as an old man being banished to the island of Patmos where he wrote The Revelation. God's sovereignty is to be seen in the Lord's several dealings with his children. Peter was delivered whilst James was put to death.

3. The fallibility of the plans of the wicked, v3,4
   Herod planned to wait until after the Passover to put Peter to death.

4. The Christians knew who was in control, v5
   Prayer doesn't properly change things but God sometimes changes things in response to prayer. We cannot dictate to God or determine the outcome of things.
   There was a sense of fellowship in the church in their prayer to God at this time. If those in the front of the battle are in straits it is treason if we fail to pray for them.

Lessons:-

1. How easily God may overturn the plans of men. God will always fulfil his promises but we must not make certain what God has not made so.
2. The security of God's people. God's promise is sure, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee'.