ACTS 12
"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church."
As we begin chapter 12, we see two major defining points in God and for His church.
We see that no matter if man is on a peak or in a valley, God will always accomplish His desired will. God will move mountains, split seas, heal the sick, and open prison gates to further His gospel to the ends of the world. Nothing can prevent or force God's sovereign hand.
We also see that in God's church, prayer for such a sovereign will was a foundational reason for the strength and peace they experienced. This week's text gives us both of these characteristics on display.
Hate, persecution, and jail was beginning to become a norm for the people of God. This is a hardship that will not change for the entire study of Acts. Remember the saying early in our study, "What God loves, the enemy hates." So, from this point on, the people of God who are dedicating their life to faith and service, the enemy will be raging war against.
In this week's text, Peter is back in jail and James has been killed! Not only is Peter in jail, but he is also just waiting for his time to be put to death. So, what are the people of God supposed to do in such situations? In this moment, we see a defining truth about what the church should be made of, faithful prayer!
In today's church culture, some people have become very me-centered and consumeristic when it comes to what means the most in a church body. It's easy to build a church on the foundation of entertaining music, engaging speakers that feed only self-help messages, and youth groups to keep our kids happy. In our "Year One" of the church study, we get to see what the church was built on! At the lowest moment for these people, the people were in constant prayer. The people knew that God was good and could provide and that the only thing they could do for their brother Peter was to pray.
Can you imagine if today's church lived this way? Could you imagine if the whole body prayed for struggling marriages or sick members. If the people of God found themselves in constant prayer over God's sovereign and good will?
Today, nothing at all has changed with God from the time we see in chapter 12, but much has changed for man. God is still good and sovereign in our lives. God has a plan and nothing will prevent it. However, I do feel that many inside God's church have drifted from being the prayer warriors we read about in this week's text. I am amazed by the prison doors being opened by God, but I am convicted by prayers of His people.
I hope that the text this week inspires a greater prayer life for God to provide for others much like we read in chapter 12. Cry out to God for bodies to be healed, addictions to die, and for the lost to be saved! Cry out to God for whatever is on your heart and what troubles you for others.
God hears you,
Stay faithful church.
We see that no matter if man is on a peak or in a valley, God will always accomplish His desired will. God will move mountains, split seas, heal the sick, and open prison gates to further His gospel to the ends of the world. Nothing can prevent or force God's sovereign hand.
We also see that in God's church, prayer for such a sovereign will was a foundational reason for the strength and peace they experienced. This week's text gives us both of these characteristics on display.
Hate, persecution, and jail was beginning to become a norm for the people of God. This is a hardship that will not change for the entire study of Acts. Remember the saying early in our study, "What God loves, the enemy hates." So, from this point on, the people of God who are dedicating their life to faith and service, the enemy will be raging war against.
In this week's text, Peter is back in jail and James has been killed! Not only is Peter in jail, but he is also just waiting for his time to be put to death. So, what are the people of God supposed to do in such situations? In this moment, we see a defining truth about what the church should be made of, faithful prayer!
In today's church culture, some people have become very me-centered and consumeristic when it comes to what means the most in a church body. It's easy to build a church on the foundation of entertaining music, engaging speakers that feed only self-help messages, and youth groups to keep our kids happy. In our "Year One" of the church study, we get to see what the church was built on! At the lowest moment for these people, the people were in constant prayer. The people knew that God was good and could provide and that the only thing they could do for their brother Peter was to pray.
Can you imagine if today's church lived this way? Could you imagine if the whole body prayed for struggling marriages or sick members. If the people of God found themselves in constant prayer over God's sovereign and good will?
Today, nothing at all has changed with God from the time we see in chapter 12, but much has changed for man. God is still good and sovereign in our lives. God has a plan and nothing will prevent it. However, I do feel that many inside God's church have drifted from being the prayer warriors we read about in this week's text. I am amazed by the prison doors being opened by God, but I am convicted by prayers of His people.
I hope that the text this week inspires a greater prayer life for God to provide for others much like we read in chapter 12. Cry out to God for bodies to be healed, addictions to die, and for the lost to be saved! Cry out to God for whatever is on your heart and what troubles you for others.
God hears you,
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Matthew 6:9-13 as God shows us how to pray for His will.
Posted in Year One
Categories
Recent
Archive
Tags
no tags