1. “Encounter With the Risen Christ” John 20:11-23 “The Power of a Praying Church” Acts 12:1-17

2. I. Perplexing Interference

3. 1.The time

4. I. Perplexing Interference 1.The time “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.” Acts 12:1

5. I. Perplexing Interference 2.The people

6. I. Perplexing Interference 2.The people a)Herod the king

7. I. Perplexing Interference 2.The people a)Herod the king “…killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Acts 12:2

8. I. Perplexing Interference 2.The people b)James

9. I. Perplexing Interference 2.The people c)Peter

10. I. Perplexing Interference “And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.” Acts 12:3

11. I. Perplexing Interference “So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison,” Acts 12:4a

12. I. Perplexing Interference “So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison,” Acts 12:4a “and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him,” Acts 12:4b

13. I. Perplexing Interference “So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison,” Acts 12:4a “and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him,” Acts 12:4b “…intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” Acts 12:4c

14. I. Perplexing Interference “And when Herod was about to bring him out…” Acts 12:6a

15. II. Powerful Intercession

16. “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5

17. II. Powerful Intercession 1.Unto God

18. II. Powerful Intercession 1.Unto God 2.Intense earnestness – “without ceasing”

19. II. Powerful Intercession “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:18-19

20. II. Powerful Intercession 3.Of the church

21. II. Powerful Intercession 3.Of the church 4.For him

22. III.Personal Intervention

23. 1.Sudden appearance

24. III.Personal Intervention 1.Sudden appearance “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.” Acts 12:7

25. III.Personal Intervention 2.Miraculous deliverance

26. III.Personal Intervention 2.Miraculous deliverance “Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.”

27. III.Personal Intervention “When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel,

28. III.Personal Intervention and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’” Acts 12:8-11

29. III.Personal Intervention “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. ” Acts 12:12

30. III.Personal Intervention 3.Humorous occurrence

31. III.Personal Intervention 3.Humorous occurrence “When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. ” Acts 12:13-14

32. III.Personal Intervention a)You’re out of your mind!

33. III.Personal Intervention a)You’re out of your mind! “But they said to her, ‘You are beside yourself!’” Acts 12:15a

34. III.Personal Intervention a)You’re out of your mind! “But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Acts 12:15a b)It’s his spirit … his angel!

35. III.Personal Intervention a)You’re out of your mind! “But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Acts 12:15a b)It’s his spirit … his angel! “Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, ‘It is his angel.’” Acts 12:15b

36. III.Personal Intervention 4.Amazement

37. III.Personal Intervention 4.Amazement “Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:16

38. III.Personal Intervention 4.Amazement “But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, ‘Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.’ And he departed and went to another place.” Acts 12:17

39. IV.Practical Instruction

40. 1.Rejoice in the truth that God’s ways are best

41. IV.Practical Instruction 1.Rejoice in the truth that God’s ways are best 1.Recognize that our extremity is God’s opportunity

42. IV.Practical Instruction 1.Rejoice in the truth that God’s ways are best 1.Recognize that our extremity is God’s opportunity 1.Realize the importance of prayer

43. IV.Practical Instruction 1.Rejoice in the truth that God’s ways are best 1.Recognize that our extremity is God’s opportunity 1.Realize the importance of prayer 1.Remember our tendency is to look outside of God