Peter’s Escape from Prison

March 12th 2023

Series: The Book of Acts

Sermon Title: Peter’s Escape from Prison - Acts 12

Topic: Journey through the book of Acts.

Key Passages: Various

Sermon Blurb: In this message, we will see the power of following God’s plan in our life. Even when it seems like all is lost. When we are following God’s plan the impossible becomes not only possible but something we do not need to worry about!

Sermon:

Hello Family Church!!!!!

Family Moment

Welcome back to our study through the book of Acts!

The last two weeks we have been in review mode, catching everyone up from where we left off in the book of Acts last year.

And today we are out of that and into Acts chapter 12!

Grab you Bible and open it up to Acts 12.

As you are getting there….

Here is what we are going to do today.

We are going to read through 99.9% of this chapter and then we will circle back, walk through it again slower, break it down, and apply it to our lives.

PAUSE

Acts 12: 1-24 Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

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.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him.

After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

We will stop there for this week and leave that one verse for next week!

And trust while that might seem strange….

Trust me….

When you are back next week it will make sense.

PAUSE

Let me start with the explanation of this passage with a request….

I know there are a lot of us here at Family Church who have never been a part of a small group, life group, community group or whatever you want to call them.

But throughout the book of Acts we continue to see the importance of not only the large group setting, what we call church.

But ALSO the small group setting.

This passage has that on display yet again AND the power of it!

PAUSE

Let’s circle back….

Go back to verse 1 and walk through this passage slowly….

Acts 12: 1-24 Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

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.

Now let’s pause here and point out a few things.

First, Herod was REAL historical person, you can read about him in all kinds of books outside the Bible.

Just like Jesus was a REAL historical person that you can read about all kinds of books outside the Bible.

Herod was born in 37 BC, BC meaning before Christ if you’re not aware.

Herod died in 4 AD, AD meaning after the death of Jesus.

Herod is talked about quite a lot in the Bible since he ruled during much of Jesus’ life.

Herod, if you study him, you will find did NOT like competition in his Kingdom.

Like most Kings….they do NOT like opposition.

And the church was NOT bowing down to king Herod, just like Jesus did not.

And so Herod wanted to stop the growth of the church.

So Herod killed James.

And it says it was not Jesus’ brother James.

He killed John’s brother James.

James also known as one of the “sons of thunder” in the Bible.

James remember was one of the first people called to be one of Jesus’ disciples!

When Jesus called Peter, He also later called the Apostle John and James, and all three were fishermen.

Jesus’ you might remember called them to be “fishers of men.”

The Apostle John and his brother James were hotheads and SUPER competitive!

When Jesus went to a Samaritan city they were spurned by the local residents and this angered James and John. What was their reaction to the people rejecting Christ and essentially rejecting them? They asked Jesus “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven and consume them!” (Luke 9:54)

This was not likely the only time that they lost their tempers and went a little too far.

Which might be why James was beheaded here.

Let’s keep reading….

3 When he (Herod) 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.

Stop here for a second….

I want to point out one thing right here.

The devil has one goal in life.

To become greater than God.

So, the devil will partner with ANYONE that is leading people away from God.

The devil does not care if it is an evil king, IE Herod.

The devil does not care if it is a SUPER devoted religious person that it more devoted to religion than God, IE the Jewish leaders.

The devil wants to take God’s kingdom down.

And he will do that with anyone….

Church do NOT let that fall on deaf ears.

You are either building God’s Kingdom or Satan’s.

There is NO middle ground.

There is NO neutral territory!

PAUSE

Peter is clearly building God’s Kingdom, like James was, so Herod decides he needs to take them out.

So, Peter is taken and thrown into jail during the Fesitval of Unleavened Bread.

Why then?

Well because Peter was a Jew that loved Jesus….but he was still a Jew.

And all good Jew’s HAD to Jerusalem for 3 festivals, and this was one of those and it was seven-day long festival!

This festival was to remember God brining the Jewish people out Egypt. (Ex 23:15; Mr 14:1

So, Herod knew he would be there, and he could arrest him.

PAUSE

Now let me point out one more thing because it is pretty amazing to me.

Go back to the end of that verse again….it says:

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.

Let me explain this because it makes what comes next SO POWERFUL!

After putting Peter in prison…..

King Herod ordered him to be guarded with the MAXIMUM security arrangement at the time for a prisoner…

Four squads.

Each squad comprised of four soldiers who guarded Peter around the clock in shifts of three hours during the night and six hours during the day.

During each shift…..

Two soldiers were ALWAYS inside the prison cell and literally chained to Peter!!!!

Two more soldiers stood outside the prison cell looking out and one looking in.

A second layer making sure no funny business would happen.

PAUSE

A logical question here would be….why?

Why have Peter so well guarded?

Well….the answer would be…. Peter had a habit of disappearing from prison!

Remember Acts chapter 5!

The Jewish leaders, who are here working with Herod, put Peter in prison and God busted him out!

So…..and EVERYONE knew about that!

So they wanted to make sure that would not happen again….

Because the opposition team cannot be seen making those in power look stupid again…

This time they are going to shut Peter up for good.

They are literally going to chop his head off tomorrow like they did right before this part with James….

DO NOT miss that reality.

James’ head was just chopped off….

Everyone in town knows it…..

Peter’s head is up next…..

Everyone….INCLUDING Peter knows it…..

And look at what comes next……

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

People are praying because they do NOT want another one of their leaders taken out.

I would hope if I was in jail to be executed for sharing the Good News of Jesus you would all pray for me as well…..

But look at Peter….verse 6

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.

Stop there….

Did you hear what is said?

Read it again….

The NIGHT BEFORE Peter was going to die!

The NIGHT BEFORE Peter’s head was going to get chopped off.

Peter was what church?

Sleeping….

Sleeping….

Let me ask you a question……

How can you be calm with the storm around you is CLEARLY taking you down?

How is it possible to be calm when you get the worst news of your life.

How can you be calm when you hear the words…it’s cancer.

How can you be calm when you hear the words…your fired.

How can you be calm when you are told the only path is bankruptcy?

How can you be calm when you are told there is nothing further the doctors can d?.

How can you be calm when LITERALLY you are going to die?

We remember what Peter remembered…..

Let me show you…..

Let me show you this is not the first time Peter was about to die.

Mark 4: 35-40 Jesus Calms the Storm

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern,sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Do you think maybe Peter learned something here?

THE BOAT IS GOING DOWN!!!!

PAUSE

Jesus is sleeping.

Jesus knows everything is under control.

Jesus knows everything will go according to God’s will.

Here is the point…

When we are following God’s plan for our life, we have NOTHING to fear!

Repeat

Key words in there…

GOD’S PLAN

Not Adam’s plan.

Not your plan.

Not your parent’s plan.

Not your financial planner’s plan.

Not your business or strategic plan.

When we follow God’s plan…..for our lives….

We have nothing to fear church…..

PAUSE

I honestly think that if everyone listening to this would receive that today…..

We could live such different lives….

PAUSE

I mean Peter is about to die….

Peter is chained up to two other dudes!

Peter is in a tiny cell!

Peter has two other dudes who hate him watching him.

And Peter…lays down….

Peter gives up control.

And Peter rests knowing God has this.

God’s will will be done.

Yes, I know James is dead.

Yes, I know I might be tomorrow.

But I trust God’s plan….whatever that is….

PAUSE

Let’s keep reading….

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.

Hold up one second…

Peter must be sleep like my father in-law and not me.

Man if there is any light at all I cannot sleep.

Any noise at all I cannot sleep.

My father-in-law though….

I cannot think of the last time he didn’t call asleep watching TV when we are over there.

The angel has to kick Peter in the side to wake him up!

How many of you is that you?

How many deep sleepers out there?

Does anyone want to call the person out that is sleeping by you so we can all look at them and you can kick them in the side real quick????

PAUSE

So Peter wakes up and the angel says…

“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.

Stop there for a second…

Can’t we all be that way….

God is working a miracle in our life.

Just like he has before.

And we assume it is not real.

We assume God is NOT going to show up again.

This is NOT the first time God has done this for Peter….

And Peter assumes it was not real!

Peter thinks he is dreaming….

Well……maybe Peter was still partly asleep because he is a deep sleeper….

Let’s keep reading…

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.”

Peter realizes it is NOT a dream!

It really was happening!

What he was praying God would do…

God did!

PAUSE

And note that last line….

Herod and the Jewish people wanted him dead.

But GOD has another plan.

And church….whose plan won?

Go back to what I said before….

When we are following God’s plan for our life, we have NOTHING to fear!

Why????

Because…write this down…

God’s plan is the ONLY plan that NEVER fails!

Repeat

Even when we doubt it!

Even when we are unsure!

Even when we assume the worst!

God will show us….

Just like God did for them….

Let’s keep reading…

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.

Stop here….remember when I talked about how I wish everyone in our church would be in a small group….

He went to Mary’s house where he KNEW a small group would be praying….

Now you might ask….how do we know it was a small group?

We know from Acts 4:4 that by this time there were well over 5,000 men (not to mention women and children) who were part of the church in Jerusalem.

They may have called an all-church prayer meeting in the city.

But that would be doubtful since one leader was just killed and a second was about to be.

But what we know for sure is that the house-group network in Jerusalem was on fire for Peter.

Now, it says "many."

Many is not 5,000, because they are all in one house.

Archeology shows us that at best 40-60 could fit in a LARGE home in Jerusalem in the first century.

So, when verse 5 says that "the church" was praying, it meant that the church in Jerusalem was praying….all five thousand ++++

The loss of James AND Peter would have been devastating and all the church was praying….

But it was praying in small groups all over the city!

And the power of those groups praying all over Jerusalem was an angel delivering Peter from jail to walk into one of those praying groups!

Verse 13….

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!”

I LOVE THIS!

She gets SO EXCITED she doesn’t let Peter in!

Anyone in the room want to admit your like RowDa?

That when you get excited you might miss a few details….

Come one church its ok to be honest….

Maybe when someone in your life gets a little toooo excited you’ll start calling it a RowDa moment!

Vers 15….

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.”

The small group thinks she is crazy.

They doubt….

Just like Peter did.

Just like a lot of us do….

Just like we doubt God will ever help us out of a bind.

Just like we doubt God will ever help us get out of debt.

Just like we doubt God will ever help us get our grades up.

Just like we doubt God will ever help our marriage.

Just like we doubt God will ever turn our wayward kids back.

Just like we doubt God will ever do a lot of things….

But Peter…..

Kept knocking…..

And probably knocking….

Just like God keeps knocking at the door in our lives.

Asking us to let him in.

Asking us to allow us to let God show us how GOOD life is with him!

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.

Peter is like it is ME!!!!

And he then bounces to maybe go visit another group and another group.

Who knows…..

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

Stop there….

Can you imagine being Herod and the Jewish leaders?!! They go to get Peter from jail….

And now for the SECOND time……

HE IS GONE!

Everyone else is here……

No one has any clue what happened!

No one has any explanation….

Well, maybe no explanation that God clearly did something!

So, heads roll……

And not Peter’s head…..

PAUSE

Remember church….

God’s plan is the ONLY plan that NEVER fails!

AND

When we are following God’s plan for our life, we have NOTHING to fear!

God’s plan is the ONLY plan that NEVER fails!

AND

When we are following God’s plan for our life, we have NOTHING to fear!

Herod’s plan fails….and then Herod dies by who’s hand church?

Let’s wrap this up today…..

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him.

After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Again….

Man’s plan fails.

God’s plan succeeds….

Do you see a pattern yet church?

And I LOVE the ending of this story…..

24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Repeat

Because church if you have not figured this out yet….

God’s plan for his church is the GROW!

Reach more people for Jesus!

To grow more!

And reach more people for Jesus!

To grow MORE!

And reach MORE people for Jesus!

God wants us to flourish!!!!

And we WILL flourish when we are following God’s plan for our lives….

And that leads us to our live application today…..

Let me give you your life application today…..

Life Application: God has a plan for your life. Spend some time this week praying and seeking God’s direction for your life (no matter your age!). Write down what you feel God is calling you to do and share it with someone else.

Let’s Pray…..

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