Acts 12 - The Power Of A Praying Church (notes)

Acts 12 - The Power Of A Praying Church

There Are 3 Keys To Unlock The Power Acts

1. The name of Jesus.
2. The Holy Spirit.
3. The Word of God.

• We could add a fourth key (prayer).

King Herod

• Began to mistreat some of the believers by killing James, the brother of John.
• This was popular with some of the people so he arrested Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• Put Peter in jail and had 16 soldiers guard him and planned to bring Peter to trial after Passover.

The Key Verse 12:5

• So Peter was kept in Jail, but the church prayed earnestly to God for him.
• Prayer is the most powerful weapon the church has to overcome evil and defeat the enemies of the cross.
• Our government is passing more laws against Christianity and many Christians are asleep. This is not the time to sleep spiritually but to pray against the evil spirits that are trying to get out leaders to pass laws that threaten our liberty as Christians.

The Night Before

Peter was going to be put on trial Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. The other guards were guarding the door to the jail. Then an angel of the Lord stood there, a light shined in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Hurry! Get up!, get dressed and follow me. The chains fell off of Peter and he followed the angel.  (Acts 12:6-8)

Peter

• Realized that it was not a dream, that the angle of the Lord had rescued him from Herod.
• Showed up at Mary’s house, John Mark’s mom. The believers were gathered there interceding for Peter.
• Knocks on the door and a young girl answered. She recognized Peter’s voice but didn’t open the door and ran and told the group that Peter was at the door. They didn’t believe her and even said she was crazy.
• Continued to knock and finally they opened the door and were amazed.
• Tells them to be quiet and tells them how the Lord had led him out of Jail.
• Leaves. The soldiers were upset and wondered what happened to Peter. Herod looked everywhere for him but could not find him. Herod questioned the guards and ordered that they be killed.

There is A Prayer Movement in The Church Today

• What happens when the church prays?
• The power of prayer is known in Nations which are experiencing revival such as South Korea, Nigeria, Australia, Brazil, Columbia and China. Great manifestations of the Glory of God are being seen in parts of the planet where believers pray.

There is A Shaking Taking place of every institution in the world

• Hebrews 12:25 
• See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also Heaven.

Things Will Be Shaken

Hebrews 12:27 Now this, yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Peter’s Life Was Spared

Because the church prayed when Herod was about to kill him. Prayer is the most powerful gift we can give our families. Our children need our prayers more than money, land or things. When we pray God will put a shield of protection over those we pray for. Our nation needs the church to pray for God’s mercy and favor. Prayer is even more powerful than voting. Prayer releases the angels of God to fight satan & his army.

What Can We Do

• When we stand in the midst of the shaking that will occur?
• Stand firm in the Lord. Eph. 6:10-18
• Pray always. Eph. 6:18
• Recognize we are in a spiritual war. Eph. 6:12-13

God Will Judge Those who mess with the church

• Acts 12:20-25 Herod was out of control, intoxicated with his power and threatened by the explosive growth of the church. He murdered James the brother of John (one of the key figures of the infant church). Peter is next but God intervenes and deals with the King. (Acts 12:23-24)
• The Word of God grew & multiplied.(v. 24)