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.”

God Is Not Done with You Yet

Text: Acts 12:1–11 Speaker: Rev. Yaqub

Beloved church family, today we gather under the authority of the Word of God to proclaim a profound truth: God Is Not Done with You Yet. Life sometimes chains us, circumstances sometimes lock us behind iron gates, and the enemy would have us believe that it is over. But Peter’s story in Acts 12 reminds us: it is not over until God says it is over. Easter has passed, but resurrection life continues to flow even today. Just as Jesus’ victory was not for one day but for every day, Peter’s deliverance reminds us that God’s purposes cannot be imprisoned. The God who raised Jesus from the grave is the same God who breaks chains, sends help, opens gates, and leads His people forward because He is not done with you yet.

Today, if you came feeling stuck, tired, bound, or forgotten, may you hear the voice of your Savior calling you forward: “I am not done with you yet.”

Let us walk through four timeless truths together:

1. God Sees You in Your Situation

“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.” (Acts 12:6, NIV)

Before any miracle, God already knew exactly where Peter was. Before any chain broke, God was watching. Even when Peter was bound and helpless, heaven was fully aware.

Maybe you feel like Peter today chained by fear, anxiety, sin, disappointment. Maybe it feels like no one knows, no one cares. But the Word assures you: God knows exactly where you are. You are never lost in the crowd to Him.

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15, NIV)

Illustration: Think of a GPS even when you lose signal, the satellite never loses sight of you. How much more the Creator of the heavens!

Application:

• You are not forgotten.
• God knows your address, your prison, and your pain.

Prayer after Point 1: “In the name of Jesus, let every heart under captivity be strengthened now. Let the peace of God overshadow every hidden fear. Chains of discouragement, break! Hope arise in every heart, for God sees and remembers you!”

2. God Sends Help Before You Understand

“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.” (Acts 12:9, NIV)

God moves even before we recognize it. Peter didn’t even know the miracle was real, but God was already rescuing him.

Sometimes we don’t recognize the hand of God until later. Sometimes it looks like chaos, but it’s the hand of deliverance at work.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NIV)

Application:

• Trust God’s movement, even when you can’t fully see it.
• God often answers prayers silently, subtly, and suddenly.

Question to audience:

• Are you waiting for a sign, while God is already moving?
• Can you trust Him even when you don’t feel Him?

Prayer after Point 2: “By the authority of Jesus’ name, let divine help locate every life now! Let confusion be replaced by clarity. Let every unseen miracle be made manifest. Let the way of the Lord be made straight before your steps!”

3. God Opens Gates to Lead You Forward

“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.” (Acts 12:10, NIV)

God doesn’t just deliver you He prepares the next door, the next assignment.

Peter didn’t have to push the gate open. He didn’t have to fight the guards. God made a way where there was no way.

Cross-Reference:

“What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.” (Revelation 3:7b, NIV)

Illustration: Like a sensor door at a supermarket it opens not because you touch it, but because you approach it. Your obedience activates divine movement.

Application:

• Some gates open not by our strength, but by our obedience to walk forward.
• Do not fear the next step; it is already prepared for you.

Prayer after Point 3: “In the name of Jesus, every iron gate standing before you, open now! Every door to your assignment, swing wide by the hand of God! Let no man, no force, no fear stop you from stepping into your divine future!”

4. God Is Not Done with You Yet

Peter was not rescued for comfort but for calling. He was delivered to continue the mission of glorifying Christ.

Maybe you feel like your story has ended. Maybe it feels like you’ve missed too many chances. But hear the Word today: If you are breathing, you are still needed in the Kingdom.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

Cross-Reference:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Application:

• God is still writing your story.
• What He starts, He finishes for His glory.
• It is not too late.

Prayer after Point 4: “By the eternal power of God, let every weary spirit rise! Let every dormant calling awaken now! Let the breath of God revive dreams and renew purpose. You will fulfill the work God ordained for you!”

Prayer

“Gracious Father, thank You for speaking to us today. Thank You for reminding us that You are not done with us yet. Let every broken dream rise. Let every crushed heart beat again. Cause us to walk boldly into the future You have prepared. We receive the strength to rise again, to walk through every opened gate, and to fulfill every divine assignment You have placed on our lives. Renew our hearts. Reignite our spirits. Let not one destiny be aborted. We declare victory in Christ Jesus, who makes all things possible. Amen.”

Offertory Prayer

“Father, as we bring our tithes and offerings before You, we do so with gratitude and faith. We acknowledge that every open door, every provision, and every opportunity comes from You. Multiply these offerings for the advancement of Your gospel and for the glory of Your name. Bless every cheerful giver, and let this be a seed toward open doors, fulfilled assignments, and testimonies of Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Benediction

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace. Go in strength, go in hope, and go with the assurance that God is not done with you yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Final Declaration

God is not done with you yet. Chains will break. Gates will open. His glory will be revealed!