Know enough to trust and obey

How much knowledge is enough to obey

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Read Act 12:6-12

God takes Peter to a place where he is helpless - not in control. When God provides a means to get out, Peter does not even accept that it is reality - he thinks it’s a dream. When he finally accepts it as reality he heads for the body - the church

What is the underlying principle?

Even when God’s hand is operating right in front of our eyes, our human prejudice can blind us to the truth.

Know God well enough to trust and obey

God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe - He has every resource available to Him.

Even if I don’t understand how or what God is doing, I need to be obedient to what He directs me to do.

Know enough to trust and obey

How do I “know“?

His Spirit
His Word
His Body

Obedience does not require all knowledge

Obedience requires FAITH!

Know enough to trust and obey

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Act 12:6 (ESV) 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.

God‘s timing is always perfect and he is coordinating ALL things for his purpose.

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Act 12:7 (ESV) 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.

God provides the inputs we need.

He sent an angel to provide directions to a confused Peter

He provided light in the dark cell

God gives us enough to obey

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Act 12:8 (ESV) 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.”

Even though he didn’t comprehend what was going on, Peter obeyed the angels input

Know (be wise) enough to obey

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Act 12:9 (ESV) 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.

Even when you don’t understand what is happening, keep obeying!

Know enough to trust and obey

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Act 12:10 (ESV) 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.

God provides input at the level that we need

Know enough to trust and obey

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Act 12:11 (ESV) 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.”

When you realize the God has revealed His hand, has been working in your life, acknowledge Him!

We are called to glorify God

Know enough to glorify God

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Act 12:12 (ESV) When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

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Pro 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Know enough to trust and obey

Pro 28:26 (ESV)
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Pro 9:10 (ESV)
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Know enough to trust and obey

Jer 9:23-24 (ESV)
23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Know enough to trust and obey