Persecution, Resiliency and God’s Power
A Sermon on Acts 12:1-19 by Pastor Shafer Parker
Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
Our text tonight is easily divided into two parts. Part 1 is the story of how Herod Agrippa set out to wound, weaken, and if possible, eliminate Christ’s Church. To that end he first seized and killed James, the brother of John (James and John were the two sons of Zebedee in the gospels), and when that proved popular with the Jewish leadership, he arrested Peter and put him in prison, intending to have him executed immediately after Passover. In other words, although the Lord’s disciples could never be accused of dabbling in politics, the political world quickly realized that the Christians were part of a kingdom that they had to oppose!
Principle: When God’s people are actively obedient to Christ the Lord, they will inevitably stir up opposition from Satan’s kingdom. To put it another way, we, the church, may not be interested in politics, but the political world is definitely interested in us.
Part 2 of our text is the great story of Peter’s release from prison and the role the church played in securing that release.
Principle: When God’s people are actively serving Him, He will be active in preserving them.
How God Preserves His Church:
Peter in Jerusalem
No believer is beyond God’s power to save
Sundar Singh in Tibet
Bruce Olson in the Amazon jungle
Prayer: How Christians Triumph over Persecution
We must not ignore the simple fact that the church prayed for Peter. They didn’t send delegations to Herod, or protest in front of his residence. Closet prayer is as essential for the church as it is for the individual. It is important that God’s people pray, but that they pray in such a way that when the answer comes, God gets all the glory.
We must learn the lesson of earnest, effectual prayer (James 5:16)
God help us to understand the power of continuous prayer (12:12)
Also, the power of praying as the gathered body of Christ (12:12)
Learn to protect your mind from doubt by reminding yourself that doubt does not hinder God’s power to answer prayer.
Remember, we are never alone. We are surrounded by angels. (II Kings 6:16)
Speaking of opening and shutting, never forget who holds all the keys (Rev. 3:7)
