PRAYING FOR DIVINE INTERVENTION

May 19

We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: PRAYING FOR DIVINE INTERVENTION

Scripture References: ACTS 12:1-25

Summary:

In our scripture, the church came under physical persecution once again and it wasn’t looking good for the Apostle Peter, but our God is greater than any intimidation, threat, or tactic of the enemy. The church of Jesus Christ fights against the unseen realm of spiritual powers and physical persecution with trust and prayer in God. There is power in prayer when even one righteous person prays, now imagine what can happen when a whole church storms heaven! Let’s turn to Acts 12…

Notes:

V. 1-5

James and Peter persecuted

James was killed by the sword which historically in these times meant, beheaded. When the King saw this made the Jews happy he quickly arrested Peter.
Peter was imprisoned during the week long festival of unleavened bread and also passover. By new testament times these two were celebrated together.
Peter was in the custody of 16 soldiers. Four squads meant four soldiers for four 3 hr segments of the night. Peter was bound and chained to two soldiers and two more were keeping watch at the door. In the natural this wasn't looking good for Peter.
King Herod didn’t dare execute Peter during the passover, desecrating the holiday and angering the Jews. The king waited until it was over which gave time for the church to earnestly pray
The church prayed earnestly, which means intently and fervently, knowing the danger Peter was in.

V. 6-19

Peter rescued from Prison

Peter was sleeping soundly, he must have entrusted this whole situation to the Lord. Just think, he just heard James was killed, you can imagine what could be going through his mind… but he’s asleep. Peter was ready for whatever was next.
The angel guides Peter out of prison. Peter thought it was a dream, but it was real.
Hebrews 1:13-14 And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” 14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Peter went to Mary’s home, the mother of John Mark. Rhoda, a servant girl answers the door and in her joy forgot to unlock the door for Peter. Rhoda runs to tell the others.
This rescue was so miraculous that the praying church in Mary’s home couldn’t believe Peter was at the door.
V 14-15 - Some of the Jews had a tradition that a guardian angel could take a person's form. There is absolutely no Biblical ground for such a teaching, but Luke records their opinion here to show they thought Peter was already dead. Though they were praying day and night for his deliverance, they could not believe it had really taken place.” Horton, ACTS, page 226
Peter tells them about the miracle rescue and informs them to tell James (Jesus’ half brother) and the other brothers what happened. Then Peter left to hide somewhere else.

V. 20-25

God’s Judgment on King Herod

Luke concludes that miracle rescue and fasts forward a little to show us what happened to King Herod Agrippa.
In response to Herod's speech, they shouted out, "The voice of a god, not of a man." Herod made no objection to this, nor did he "give praise to [the true] God." Immediately "an angel of the Lord struck him down." He was "eaten by worms," 25 dying at the age of fifty-four. Josephus adds that Herod lingered five days with agonizing stomach pains, 26 This agrees with the text, which says only that he was struck down immediately, not that he died on the spot. This took place in A.D. 44. After that the Roman emperors again appointed a series of rather weak procurators, not just over Judea and Samaria but over the whole of Palestine. Horton, ACTS, page 230
24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. In spite of the death of James, the arrest of Peter, the attitude and death of Herod, "the word of God continued to increase and spread." None of this hindered the continued growth of the Church or the spread of the gospel in Palestine. As Jesus said, ""Heaven and earth will pass away [Gk. pareleusetai, "will come to an end, disappear," cf. Rev. 21:1], but my words will never pass away" (Matt. 24:35).The new Roman governor maintained peace in the land, and the Church grew rapidly and was free from persecution for some time. As John R. W. Stott points out, chapter 12 "opens with James dead, Peter in prison, and Herod triumphing; it closes with Herod dead, Peter free, and the word of God triumphing.” Horton, ACTS, page 230

We Can Trust and Rest In God’s Divine Will

One of the mysteries of God is why He allows one disciple to be persecuted unto death but sends an angel to rescue another. We have to submit and trust God’s eternal view and plan that He allows some to be taken sooner than others. James' witness had come to an end but it wasn’t in vain. It propelled the church into prayer and God judged King Hero Agrippa, appropriately.
Let us remember that this life on earth isn’t heaven. Holding onto this world too tightly can make some upset and mad at God in situations like this , but the truth is, our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us are much happier where they are than being here and I mean that with all due respect to our feelings. We certainly can mourn and wonder why but they aren’t, they are in the presence of the Lord and would want us to press on for the Lord.

This is a baptism questionnaire from a church in South Asia:

Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?
Are you willing to lose your job?
Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?
Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?
Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?
Are you willing to go to prison?
Are you willing to die for Jesus?

We Can Trust God For Divine Intervention Through Divine Intercession

One of our core values here is We Live On Prayer. In light of what happened to James, the brother of John, the church came together to fervently pray for Peter’s rescue. Interestingly enough, when it happened they couldn’t believe it. I love that the Bible shows this part of their faith.
Storming heaven with prayers of faith is one of our greatest weapons in this world. We are seeing prayers answered from our services, prayer meetings and private prayer.

We Can Trust God To Render Divine Judgment

Persecution of all kinds is painful and heartbreaking but we as Christians need to remember we signed up for this when we chose to believe and follow Christ. We need to let God deal with those who oppose Him. We are hated because they first hate God.
Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scripture say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Corporate Intercession Prayer

Who needs a divine breakthrough or physical/spiritual rescue? Let’s pray for them

What needs a divine breakthrough or rescue? Let’s pray for it. Here’s what I’ve been praying:

For God’s miraculous and healing power to pour out here and be with us in our community
For God to pour out and fill us with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, courage, passion to witness and evangelize.
For us to grow in using our spiritual gifts in and outside this church.
For a greater burden to reach the lost
For us to answer the call to be disciple-makers - each one, teach one.
For a financial miracle and intervention to payoff our mortgage.

Discussion:

What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
What did you take from Peter’s faith in the Lord in the midst of a scary situation?
What do you think about the questionnaire from South Asia shared above and what are your answers?
What or who have you been praying for to see a divine breakthrough or rescue? Let’s pray together for what or whoever that is…
What takeaways or points did you find the most important to you during the sermon?

The most important decision you will ever make!

If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!

We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Ryan Coon