“Through the Iron Door” Pastor Allan Kircher SPBC
Date: Aug 14th, 2011
Scripture: Acts 12:1-30
Introduction:
"Have you ever experienced a 'dead end' in life?"
• Have you ever been faced with a problem that you just knew was impossible to solve?
• Have you ever felt overwhelmed-like this was it-there was no way out-you were going under.
For example has a doctor ever shared the results of medical tests that confirmed the presence of cancer or some other grave illness-and the prognosis he gave was guarded at best?
• As you walked out of his office you felt a wave of despair and thought,
• "I'm not going to make it. This is the end."
Or, perhaps you're like millions of people who have felt their marriage had reached a dead end.
• The intimacy is gone and the fights and tension are so bad you just know it will not last.
• In your mind the situation is impossible to resolve-you're sure the next thing you'll do with your spouse is see a lawyer.
Maybe your "dead end experience" concerns your finances.
• The bills keep growing and growing and you think there's no way out-you're headed for the shame of bankruptcy.
Or, maybe its child-rearing that has made you feel this way.
• You used/have/great relationship/son/daughter, but when they hit adolescence things changed.
• Now, all you do is fight and your relationship has gone down the tube. You feel like quitting.
Perhaps you feel this way about work-your boss and/or co-workers make your days miserable.
• It's so bad it even affects your life outside the office.
• And you just don't see how it could ever get better.
• It's a dead end that you can't avoid.
If any of the above situations describe your life now or in the past-
• If you have faced an impossible situation
• even now facing a hopeless, impossible situation
• Then be sure to listen God’s word/morning.
This next section of Acts records a time in the life of the church when Christians in Jerusalem faced a seemingly impossible situation
• A state of affairs that looked hopeless.
• the way they dealt with this seemingly unstoppable nightmare highlights truth we need to hear
Truths that will help us face the inevitable "dead ends" of life.
Sermon:
This chapter of the history of the early church begins with King Herod initiating a persecution of the church.
• Now HEROD/popular name in the New Testament days
• In fact, there are at least four Herods mentioned in the Bible.
Herod #1 "Herod the Great."
• The "Herod" who slaughtered the babies of Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the Christ child.
• He also murdered many of his own family.
Herod #2 known as "Herod Antipas."
• He was the "Herod" who commanded John the Baptist to be beheaded.
• He ruled when Jesus was crucified.
Herod #3 known as "Herod Philip the Second."
* He was murdered by his own father because he feared his son was after his throne but before Herod Philip died he had a son who became...
Herod #4, known as "Herod Agrippa" who was the King Herod that we read about here in Acts 12.
Now this "Herod #4" was a typical politician
• He worked very hard at cultivating the good graces of the Jewish people
• He ruled-by meticulously keeping the Mosaic Law and all Jewish observances and it worked.
• He became very popular with the Jewish people, especially the religious leaders.
But, don't get me wrong-he didn't do this because he loved the Jewish people.
• No-he was appointed to this "kingship" by Rome and he wanted to please his Roman masters.
• He knew that one thing they wanted/peaceful Palestine
• Rome wanted happy, non-rebellious subjects so their "lap-dog" Herod worked to keep the Jews happy.
He did a good job at this. He was popular with the Jewish people.
So to gain even greater popularity Herod Agrippa decided to take steps to attack the rivals of the Jewish rulers, the Christian Church and its leaders.
I. Herod’s plot (12:1-4)
So he arrested some Christians and he discovered that among them was JAMES the brother of John.
You will remember there were three apostles most intimately linked with our Lord’s ministry—Peter, James and John.
• Were together with Christ/Mount of Transfiguration
• And in the house of Jairus when Jesus raised from the dead the daughter of that synagogue leader.
• Were together in the Garden of Sorrow when He bowed down before the Father and cried, “If thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.”
Now one was taken away by death—James the greater.
• Brother/of John/ “Sons of Thunder” and Matt. 20
• James dead, his ministry was ended
• Herod saw that pleased the enemies of the gospel so he proceeded to take Peter also.
His approval rating with the Jews soared even higher by arresting Peter,
• Peter was well-known/leader/Jerusalem church
• Jesus' right-hand man-but Herod didn't have Peter killed immediately as he did James.
You see Scripture says that Peter was arrested during the Passover, the feast of unleavened bread.
• According/Jewish Law no trial/execution could be carried out during this week.
• So Herod could not kill Peter until the week had passed
• Or he would risk losing the popularity he had gained by arresting him in the first place.
II. Herod’s defeat (12:5-19)
v.5 “Peter was kept in prison.”
But now we find God’s people using that resource which He has given His own in every trial:
“Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church into God for him.” What a wonderful privilege!”
People say sometimes, “Why do we need to pray?
• Doesn’t our gracious God know all about us and what we need far better than we do?
• We learn from the Word that God has chosen to do in answer to prayer what He might not do apart from prayer.
• He gives in answer to prayer some things He will not give apart from it—“you have not, because you ask not.”
• So prayer is the resource of God’s needy people—prayer for ourselves, prayer on behalf of others.
Here you have the whole church in Jerusalem taking up this matter of Peter’s arrest and praying.
And while they were praying, God was working.
• Things had gone on until it looked as though there was no hope for Peter.
• God had permitted him to remain in prison many days.
• He gave no sign, yet all the time He was working.
• We often say that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
• Peter had come to the last night he was to live on earth—If Herod’s judgment was to be carried out.
This verse is the climax of this entire chapter so pay attention to its words.
Verse 5 says that Peter was in prison the night before his trial-at which time Peter was sure to have been sentenced to death-and then notice that next word, "BUT..."
• Draw a circle around that little three letter word!
• Highlight it in your Bible because these are three very important letters forming a powerful little conjunction!
• It introduces something that is highly significant.
• I mean, time and time again, history turns on this little word: "BUT"
On one side we have:
Bloody, wicked, powerful Herod Agrippa on the throne backed by limitless power/Roman Empire and he is out to persecute and destroy the young church there in Jerusalem.
On the other side:
The church-unarmed, meek, seemingly powerless.
• Herod already killed JAMES
• And now things have gotten even worse.
• Peter-their leader-is in prison.
• Plus, it's not just ANY prison!
• No, Peter is being held in the ANTONIA FORTRESS-the same fortress in which Jesus was held before his crucifixion.
Peter is on death row. In the morning Herod is sure to kill him as he did James.
Peter's about to be executed so in modern correctional parlance, he's had his last meal and his head is shaved!
• The situation looks grim indeed
• then that little three letter word pops up, "BUT"
• It pops up to remind us that there was something else on the other side of the ledger.
Now-fellow Christian, if you learn nothing else this morning then let this little word teach you that life is not always determined by the reality of what we see, feel, and hear.
The happenings of life are not always determined by those massive physical forces of evil that move about in this fallen world.
• There is more to be factored into any impossible situation!
• In fact whenever we view a problem as being impossible, we are actually falling into a subtle trap-the trap of focusing on externals.
• Paul told the Corinthian believers, "You are looking at things as they are outwardly." (2 Cor. 10:7a)
• we do the same thing when we see only the impossible situation and not our God,
• Who is absolute Lord of EVERY situation!
It looked like an impossible dead end-like there was no way out-BUT-BUT WHAT? The church was in prayer!
When Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the Temple do you remember what He said? He said, "My house shall be a house of PRAYER...and you have made it a den of thieves." In other words Jesus taught that one primary purpose for us to gather in this place-HIS HOUSE-is to pray together!
So-on the one side of this situation was mighty ROME and wicked HEROD.
"BUT" on the other side of the ledger was the CHURCH-the people of GOD PRAYING for Peter.
Some may say, "Well, there is a lack of realism to think that a little band of people praying could change the force of the ROMAN government...
• Changing the destiny/nations/breaking open prison doors? "
• It IS hard to believe that prayer can be that powerful.
• But it can and is!
• Prayer is the most powerful force in this world
• "Prayer is the force that moves the hand that moves the world."
III. “Peter was sleeping” v.6-7
This suggests absolute hopelessness.
• There was nothing Peter could do to free himself
• And in that sense this becomes a picture of the sinner’s condition.
I think we can see pictured here every one of us in our unconverted days—asleep, indifferent, bound in the chains of our sins, guarded by Satan’s emissaries, doomed to die.
• This is the state of man without Christ.
• Here is a man who can do nothing for himself
• Then a messenger comes from heaven to Peter
• And thank God, He sent/messenger /us, His own Son!
That is why we preach the gospel and proclaim the way of salvation to men who are sleeping in sin,
• So they may be brought to the Light
• Realizing their needy condition, and following the light.
• Oh, unsaved man or woman, sleeping in your sins, hear me!
A little more sleep, a little more slumber—and you will wake up in a lost eternity!
• Peter was awakened roughly by the angel, who said, “Arise up quickly.”
• Peter’s chains fell off from his hands.
• As he acted in obedience to the Word, though he thought it a vision or a dream, his chains fell off.
So it is today when men hear the Word and act upon it
IV. “Put on your clothes and sandals.” follow me. V. 8-9
• First a sinner must be awakened
• then he is brought to see his true condition
• and, trusting in his Deliverer, he is to follow Him.
In other words we are to follow Christ because we are saved. We are saved through what He did on Calvary’s cross.
Now if Peter had passed through that Iron Gate the following day in his chains, he would have gone out, under the Roman guard, to the place of execution—to die.
That is what Herod intended.
• But Peter, obeying the word of God
• having received the message of the angel
• Walked through the wards until he came to the Iron Gate.
• He might have said, “I have no power to open that portal.”
It opened of its own accord—and Peter went through, not to die, but to live and to spend many years in service for the Lord Jesus Christ.
And so it is today:
• if you and I had passed through the iron gate of death in our sins we would have gone out into everlasting judgment;
• but, thank God, Christ died for us and therefore His death becomes our death
• And the Iron Gate is open and we can say, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ live in me.
V. “then peter came to himself” v.5
He thought he was dreaming. He got excited. He says, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me.”
Didn’t you feel that and know that on your day of salvation?
You have two pictures here:
• God dealing in grace with sinners sleeping in chains
• And you see His marvelous power in delivering His servant in answer to prayer.
• For while the church was praying, God was working.
• That is the way it always is.
• Do you know why we do not see greater demonstration of divine power in our city in connection with gospel testimony?
• Because there is so little prayer.
• The church was praying and God sent His angel to deliver Peter.
V. 12-16
When Peter considered the situation, I think he reasoned something like this:
• “Let me see, where should I go?
• I am a marked man, and if I stay in the streets I shall be caught again.
• I think I shall go to a prayer meeting!”
Peter knew they were having a prayer meeting at the house of Mary (mother of John Mark).
• She was wealthy/large house/Jerusalem/apparently set aside a room for prayer.
• We have a remarkable story of people praying—without really expecting an immediate answer.
Peter came knocking/Rhoda answered the door hearing Peter’s voice.
• She became so excited she forgot to open the door.
• Rhoda ran in and told them that Peter stood before the door, they said she was out of her mind.
• They argued the matter, declaring he could not be there.
• What an indictment against even praying Christians!
• She said it is true….but they said, it must be his angel!
• And all the while Peter continued to knock.
• So they decided to go check it out themselves.
• When they opened the door they were astonished.
• They should have been expecting him!
• They should have said, “We were praying you might be freed and here you are!”
• God has answered prayer.
Have you ever had an experience something like that, where you prayed and prayed and asked God for something?
• When He came in grace and answered, you could hardly believe it to be true?
So Peter quickly told his friends of his miraculous release
• Drew comfort from their presence and prayers
• Left for another place, probably going into hiding for a while.
The church can be that kind of community to which we go first to share our joys and sorrow, victories, and defeats.
• A praying congregation is a haven of comfort and mutuality,
• Where we can freely and securely share the good and the bad things that happens to us.
• from the earliest days, the church has always been at its best when its people have knelt together to pray.
And if we want to see the power in Shell Point that was in the early church then we should pray as they prayed.
• We should look at prayer as they did
• an indispensable source of unbelievable power.
• Acts 2 says/early disciples "gave themselves CONTINUALLY to prayer."
We must give ourselves to it as well
• Wednesday nights/SS classes/small groups
• Or around the clock through our lives.
• The fact is, if we are to be a POWERFUL church we must be a PRAYERFUL church.
A. Prayer changes THINGS.
• In life when it looks like everything is against us
• When it looks like we can't possibly win
• When it looks like it is the end and we are about to be overwhelmed
• It is then that we need to remember that prayer changes things because prayer releases God's power.
That power may come in the form of wisdom-an idea you desperately need and can't come up with yourself.
• It may come in the form of courage greater than you could ever muster.
• It may come in the form of confidence or perseverance
• a changed attitude toward a spouse or a child or a parent
• A changed circumstance or maybe even outright miracles.
But, however it comes; God's prevailing power is released in the lives of people who pray. Prayer changes things.
Remember in Matthew 17 He said that even if you only have, "faith as small as a mustard seed nothing will be impossible."
• God acts in us and through us in response to our prayers.
• God wants us to cooperate with Him and often He will not act through us without our asking.
• Why-why would our almighty God act in this way?
• Why would He wait on our prayers?
• Well, because He created us for fellowship with Him.
• We were made to partner with Him.
This is what Jesus meant when He told Peter in Matthew 16:19, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Our prayers make a difference-God acts in response to them!
• Prayer changes things!
One of the best biblical pictures of this amazing truth is found in the 8th chapter of the book of Revelation where John describes a scene in heaven after the seals have been broken on the scrolls-
• Scrolls that tell the story of human sin and violence and God's judgment.
• John writes that "there was a silence in heaven for about half an hour."
• During this time an angel with a golden censer comes to the altar and offers a golden pan of incense
• This is a representation of prayers arising from earth.
Revelation 8:4 says:"The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand."
Next in John's book come great acts of judgment on the earth
• Pictured by rumbles of thunder, flashes of lightening, and great earthquakes.
• But what is most striking is that these powerful actions come in RESPONSE to the prayers of the saints.
• Usually we think of events on earth being interrupted because of actions taken in heaven but here in Revelation it is the other way around.
• All of heaven comes to a standstill.
• The endless songs of praises of heavenly hosts are suddenly silenced.
• Why? Because someone is praying.
• All of heaven stops to hear the prayers of the saints-your prayers and mine, everyone of them rise before God.
• They are heard. They matter.
• Prayers uttered by real people, like you and me
• Even prayers of desperation-interrupt heaven
• What happens next on earth happens because people pray because PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. "
History belongs to the intercessors-those who believe and pray the future into being."
Prayer changes things because God acts in response to our requests.
This is what our Wednesday nights are all about.
• We gather to pray for the list of concerns.
• The fact is we will never know how many people have been strengthened because we asked God to encourage them
• or how many people have received healing
• or how many spiritual runaways have come home.
• We will never know the difference our prayers make until we get to heaven but we do know this.
• History DOES belongs to the intercessors. That's a fact! And then the second fact I want us to take from this study is that...
B. ...prayer changes PEOPLE.
This is a comforting truth because if PEOPLE don't change what good would it do to change THINGS?
• Well prayer DOES change people.
• We see this in verse 24.
• Great example of changed live in early believers.
• Remember that before this answer to prayer they were huddled in a room fearing for their lives.
• But after this they were so bold in their witness that the Word of God spread
• They CHANGED because of the power of prayer.
In fact, the answer to their prayers-the miracle of Peter's release-became a watershed, forcing the UNBELIEVERS toward greater DESPAIR and the BELIEVERS toward greater FAITH.
• Prayer made shy Moses into a leader.
• It softened the cruel heart of Pharaoh.
• It kept discouraged Elijah from quitting.
• It turned the fanatical persecutor Saul into a globe-trotting apostle.
• And-it changed Peter. Remember?
• While imprisoned, Peter was so full of faith and peace that he could sleep deeply, even though he thought he would be killed the next day.
• Ten or fifteen years earlier, Peter had been a different man.
• He had lied to avoid imprisonment.
• He had fled because of his fear.
• But not anymore. In fact, after this experience he was even more fearless because he headed to Rome, the very seat of Roman power to boldly share the love of Jesus Christ.
• All this because prayer changes PEOPLE!
The Rest of the Story……
God’s punishment cannot be avoided.
Anyone who fights against God is a fool, not only because God's power can't be contested, but God's punishment can't be avoided.
You fight against God, one, you lose; two, you'll be destroyed.
• Several months passed since Peter’s escape.
• Herod became very angry w/people/Tyre and Sidon.
• Realizing the danger of having Herod irate w/them
• They bribed Blastus/the king’s chamberlain.
• Herod agreed to terms.
• Now food once again could be shipped to them.
• In celebration/of restoration/a festival was declared.
• Games were ordered/all the people turned out.
• In those days it took little to celebrate.
So on the appointed day, Herod puts on his royal apparel and puts his throne up on the amphitheater
this place/built by Herod the Great, and believe me, modesty did not run in the family. Tier upon tier of seats were provided for people to cheer on these pompous rulers.
• It was a glittering setting for King Herod.
• His robe made of genuine silver threads.
• He made a grandiloquent speech to the fickle crowd.
• The sun dancing off that gorgeous costume so dazzled the crowd.
• They declared, “He is no longer a man. He is a god!”
Now instead of refusing such profane worship/acclaim/ praise, instead of giving glory to God alone, he accepts it.
And by doing that, he is taking glory from God to himself and thus he is declaring war on God.
• He is trying to rob God of what God alone is due.
• What a fool. Trying to steal God's glory for himself.
• He's fighting God in another way.
First, he fought against God through persecuting the church and the people of God, now he fights against God through taking the glory that belongs only to God. Immediately upon hearing the blasphemous cry go up from the mob, Herod fell forward and died, “being eaten up with worms”
• A pompous fool.
This is something of God's cynicism in all of this
If you can say that God is cynical or that God does something that is sarcastic,
Certainly some things that he says in his word indicate that he can speak sarcastically.
Here is something of the sarcasm or the cynicism of God if we can use that word anthropomorphically, in that he brings down this pompous fool from his massive throne by little, tiny worms.
Any person who fights against God is a fool because God's power cannot be thwarted and God's punishment cannot be avoided.
Please note, he fights God. He fights the saints, he fights Christ, but the kingdom comes and the LORD comes against him in judgment.
His crime for which he was executed was that he did not give God the glory, the very crime for which all the unregenerate who reject God will be condemned. (Rom 1:18-23).
• How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by love and joy and peace...and patience and kindness and goodness and self control."
Invitation:
But you know the greatest example of this prayer truth is seen in CONVERSION-becoming a Christian which only happens in response to prayer. "Salvation never finds its way to a prayer less heart. The Holy Spirit never abides in a prayer-less spirit." This morning if you are here and you are not a Christian then I urge you to let the power of prayer change you...right here...right now.
Something that seems hopeless. If that is true then as we sing I encourage you to pray-to talk to God about it.
I promise you that He wants nothing more than to answer your prayer-to show you that things aren't always as they seem. And, remember you CAN pray about anything....
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God will be yours."
Wouldn't you like to know that peace this morning?
And when you think about all of this you can see that it would be foolish to say "no" to this kind of power-power that can change things-power that can change people. Remember the words of James 4:2, "You have not because you ask not."
