Experiencing Release (Lesson 4)

A. PROBLEMS FACING THE CHURCH

1. Politics bring trouble. When Caligula was Caesar, he took Emperor worship seriously, putting a statue of himself in the Jewish Temple. This resulted in Jewish struggles and Roman persecutions. “The church had rest” (Acts 9:31). When Claudius became Caesar in 41A.D., he backed down on “Emperor Worship,” made peace with the Jews, and both Rome and the Jews turned against the church.

2. General persecution. “Herod the king laid violent hands” (Acts 12:1).

3. James martyred. “Killed James, the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2).

4. Eliminated leaders. “Proceedeth further to take Peter also” (Acts 12:3).

NO CIVIL RIGHTS

a. “Seized him” (Acts 12:4) beat and subdued.

b. “Put in prison” (Acts 12:4) locked him up.

c. “Delivering him” (Acts 12:4) beat and interrogated.

d. “Intending . . . to bring him,” kill him.

5. What had Jesus promised His followers?

a. They’ll reject your witness, (Matt. 10:14).

b. They’ll hate you, (John 15:19).

c. They’ll persecute you, (John 15:20).

d. They’ll kill you, (Matt. 10:28).

B. PRAY WHEN FACING PERSECUTION

1. The church prayed constantly. “Prayer was made without ceasing” (Acts 12:5).

2. The church prayed throughout the night. “The same night” (Acts 12:6).

3. The whole church prayed. “Prayer was made . . . of the church” (Acts 12:5).

“There is a value on the volume of prayer.” -J. Arnold

4. The church prayed earnestly, i.e., ektenos means, “stretched out.”

“Elijah prayed earnestly” (James 5:17).

“Jesus prayed earnestly” (Luke 22:44).

5. The church prayed to God.

6. The church prayed specifically “for him” (Acts 12:5).

7. The network of the church prayed (Acts 12:5,17).

While apart they prayed as one.

C. DO YOU NEED RELEASE?

1. From weakness (II Cor. 12:9; Heb 11:39).

2. From temptation (Matt 6:13).

3. From thoughts (II Cor. 10:4-5, 11:3).

4. From habits (I Cor. 10:13).

5. From bondage (Rom. 7:24-25).

D. THE POWER THAT COMES FROM PRAYER

1. First answer is usually light. “A light shined in the prison” (Acts 12:7).

2. Released from chains. “His chains fell off” (Acts 12:7).

3. We are enabled. “Arise up quickly . . . gird thyself” (Acts 12:7-8).

God doesn’t do for us, what we can do for ourselves.

4. We are directed. “Cast thy garment about thee and follow me . . . and he wist not where he was going” (Acts 12:8-9).

5. God conceals us in danger. “When they were past the first and second ward” (Acts 12:10).

6. God does what we can’t do. “The iron gate . . .

which open to them of his own accord” (Acts 12:10).

7. God expects us to be self-directed and self-reliant.

WHAT DID PETER DO?

He realized where he was (Acts 12:11).

He realized God brought him thus far (Acts 12:11).

He went to where Christians gathered (Acts 12:12).

He was persistent “knocked” (Acts 12:13) “continued knocking” (Acts 12:16).

He hid himself (Acts 12:17).

8. God will eventually destroy our enemy (Acts 12:20- 24).

E. PRAYING BUT NOT BELIEVING

1. Rejected first report. “She (Rhoda) constantly

affirmed” (Acts 12:15).

2. Surprised when the answer came. “They were astonished” (Acts 12:16).

3. Told to tell others. “Go shew these things to James and to the brethren” (Acts 12:17).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.