Intro:
-In
the the person of Peter, I see a bound soul.
-In
the people of the church, I see the value of praying
-In
the deliverance of Peter, I see the power of God
I.
A BOUND SOUL..........V 1-6
1.
The Plot.....V 1-6
Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
2.
The Prisonkeepers.....V 4 & 6
Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
3.
The Prospects.......V 6a
Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
II.
THE PRAYING CHURCH........V 5
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
1.
Faithful praying...... "Without ceasing"
2.
Fervent praying..... "with concern"
3.
Focused praying......."Unto God for HIM"
III.
THE DELIVERING GOD......V 7-19
A.
The Potential of the Worker....V 7
Acts 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
1.
The doors couldn't stop him.
2.
The doorkeepers couldn't stop him.
3.
The darkness couldn't stop him.
4.
The dreaming of Peter couldn't stop him.
(Thank
God for the Angel of the Lord...)
B.
The Power of the Word.......V 8
Acts 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
1.
Peter arose
2.
The Chains fell off
3.
Peter girded himself
4.
He bound on his sandals
5.
He cast on his garments and
6.
He followed the Angel....
(All
this was done in response to the Word)
C.
The Provision for the Walk......V 9-19
1.
The guidance......
-Past
the guards and thru the gates.
2.
The gate-opening......
-God
knows which gate will open.
3.
The Glory..... Startled Rhoda, V 13-14;
Acts 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Acts 12:14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
The
rulers, V 18-19
Acts 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Acts 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
The
rest of them 15-17
Acts 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
by
Bro. Stinnett Ballew
