Acts Message 28

Power of Prayer.

Acts 12:1–25 NKJV

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” 16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place. 18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. 20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

Intro: Prayer.

Is there a difference between praying and saying a prayer?

ELab on seeing from different churches.

Pray meetings are important for churches.

But there needs to be a time to pray for a specific need. Adult VBS.

If we will Pray intentional as a church, I know that through the power of God, He will answer our prayers.

When we see the need for prayer. VS 1-4

Acts 12:1–4 (NKJV)

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Herods: The Great, He had all the babies killed when Jesus was a baby.

Herod Antipas: He had JTB beheaded.

Herod Agrippa is who we are dealing with now.

VS 1

“About that time” Go back to acts 11:27-30

Herod was a politician. He didn’t really have against the Christians, or have any interest in them.

He would do anything that helped his own power. Part of that strategy was to please the Jews. So this the main reason he goes after the Christians.

The church is growing, people , even Gentiles are being saved . The Jews didn’t like it.

Everything they tried didn’t work. Now Herod steps in.

“stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.”

Herod was very hostile towards the Christian.

VS 2

James the brother of John. son of Zebedee.

First of the Apostles to be killed. His brother John would be the last of the Apostles to dead. He would die an old man.

James dies, Peter lives.

Acts 12:3 (NKJV)

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Just after the Passover.

Herod sees that it made the Jews happy that He had beheaded James

Next, Peter.

If he could get rid of Peter, he could stop this movement (Followers of Jesus) this would make the Jews happy.

Acts 12:4 (NKJV)

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Acts 5:19 (NKJV)

19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

Some translations have “Easter” in place of passover.

Herod was going to make sure Peter stays in prison.

Peter was kept in the maximum security ward.

Peter was guarded by sixteen soldiers, two chains, keepers, an iron gate, and two wards

Pray until something Happens VS 5-11

Acts 12:5–11 (NKJV)

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

VS 5

But........

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Chapter 12)

Therefore, on the one hand, Peter was continually guarded in the prison, but on the other hand, prayer was continually and earnestly being directed by the Church to God concerning him

Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary John Phillips

“As the iron gates of Herod’s prison clanged shut, the gates of heaven swung open wide”

Bad news comes to the church at Jerusalem. James has been killed, Peter is in prison, he will be killed too.

They don’t quit, they don’t try to break Peter out, they protest and burn down the city. They pray.

They had a prayer meeting. They didn’t take prayer request, they prayed for Peter.

We need to pray and let God know what we need.

Not, “Lord you know our needs” Its “Lord we need to be seeing people saved, Lord get me opportunity to share salvation with someone today”

We need those kinds of prayer meetings.

That is the kind of personal prayer you need when something is heavy on your heart.

Acts 12:6–7 (NKJV)

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

Acts 12:8 (NKJV)

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

Everything was in place for Peter to be killed. It would happen the date.

So what was Peter doing. “Sleeping”

He wasn’t worried, He knew what had to James. He was at peace. If he was to die, he would die, he was at peace.

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

VS 7

The light of the angel filled Peter’s cell with light.

The angel has to poke Peter on the side to wake him up.

Have you ever had trouble sleeping at night because of something that was troubling you?

Peter had no problem sleeping. He had peace, and he had a church praying.

Angel tells Peter, get up, and lets go. The chains fell off. Elab

VS 8

Get dresses, put on your shoes and Follow me.

All because of the power of prayer.

Acts 12:9–11 (NKJV)

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

VS 9

Peter had a vision experience before.

He was not fully aware of the reality of what was happening.

VS 10

They pass by the guards.

The iron gates open.

These things that happened here were impossible. But, with God all things are possible.

“ and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”

Acts 12:11 (NKJV)

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Peter realizes that its not dream but reality.

READ VS again and Ealb

Expect God to answer your prayers . VS 12-19

Acts 12:12–19 (NKJV)

12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

VS 12

Peter goes to the house of Mary, Mother of John Mark. Mark who we will look at in the book of Acts. He would write the gospel of mark.

This was a house where the church met.

VS 13

There was an outer court yard. Gate with a door. Peter knocks on it.

Think about this, they are praying, we don’t know how long. They are praying: Elab on how their prayer may have went. .......

As they are praying someone knocks of the door and interrupts their prayer meeting.

Nobody spoke up and said, maybe that’s Peter lets go check.

VS 14

She his Peter’s voice, she knows its him, but maybe through the excitement she doesn't let him in.

She tells everyone, it’s Peter his is the one knocking at the door.

VS 15

“You are beside yourself!”

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation Chapter 12

You are raving mad

They told her she was crazy.

“How can it be Peter, he is in prison and we are praying for the Lord to let him out” Let us keep praying.

“Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” They thought that Peter that been killed and this was his spirit.

Acts 12:16 (NKJV)

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

They prayed, but really didn’t expect God to answer their prayers. But God still answered their prayers.

Do we pray that way some times?

Acts 12:17 (NKJV)

17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

Elab on what they must have been doing. And what Peter told them.

He tells them the details of what the Lord had done.

Go tell James, Jesus brother, and leader of the church at Jerusalem.

Then Peter left.

Pray for 50

Acts 12:18–19 (NKJV)

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Acts 12:20–25 NKJV

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

End: The enemy is against us. He will us people to try and stop us. (legal matter)

But, we have a way to fight back. Prayer.

We want to see our church grow. We want to see God do great things at PGBC.

Prayer.