You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly Psalm 65:9

Pastor Saeed and family

Hope for… Acts 12:1-19

Acts 1:8 Acts 1 – 7 Jerusalem Acts 8 – 12 Judea and Samaria Acts 13 – 28 Ends of the earth Acts 1 – 12 Peter the leader Acts 13 – 28 Paul the leader

Hope for… Acts 12:1-19

Escape from Alcatraz

State persecution Previously: Only religious leaders – Acts 4 – Peter and John scolded Acts 5 – Angel opened door Acts 7 – Stephen stoned Acts 8 – Believers scattered

King Herod Agrippa I Herod the Great’s grandson Raised in Rome King over Judea 41 – 44 A.D.

Matthew 20: "You don't know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup..."

Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

“Earnestly” – to stretch out, stretch forth Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply (earnestly), from the heart. I Peter 1:22 And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44

Scene 1 – In the prison How God intervenes: The angel He sends Chains fall off Slipping by silently Door opens by itself Peter’s simple faith Asleep! Obeys the angel Ascribes rescue to God

Scene 2 – At the house of Mary Introduction of John Mark She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. I Peter 5:13 Rhoda recognizes Peter’s voice Church not ready to believe God’s answer

A human touch… Peter’s cluelessness… Rhoda’s absentmindedness… Unbelieving prayer warriors…

Hope for the Persecuted Church Prayer – our greatest weapon “No weapon that's fashioned against us will stand; the battle belongs to the Lord.” And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Hope for the Persecuted Church Prayer – our greatest weapon To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13

Hope for the Persecuted Church Prayer – our greatest weapon To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Anticipate His faithfulness; accept His replies.

Hope for the Persecuted Church Prayer – our greatest weapon To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Anticipate His faithfulness; accept His replies. Prevents: Deadly fatalism Resentment

Acts 4: Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats...

God’s Smuggler Brother Andrew

Pastor Saeed and family

You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly Psalm 65:9