1. Peter is Imprisoned (vv. 3b-19) Herod Dies (vv. 20-24)
James is killed (vv. 1-3a)
Peter is Imprisoned (vv. 3b-19)
Herod Dies (vv )
Acts 12
Persecution
Prayer
Peace
Purpose
Praise
Punishment

2. Principles of Service
Acts 12

3. Principles of Service
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)

4. God never promised it would be easy to serve the Lord
Impression is false that says:
Life gets easier if you are a Christian
Problems – Conflicts are over – if you serve God
Will be treated right – if you are a good person
Relationships will be smooth – if follow God
Evidence is missing that any of that is true
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)

5. God never promised it would be easy to serve the Lord
God warned that may have to pay a price
If live godly – just may suffer (2 Tim. 3:12)
May lose relationships (Luke 14:25-33)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)

6. God never promised it would be easy to serve the Lord
God warned that may have to pay a price
Early Christians paid dearly
Apostles arrested & beaten (Acts 4-5)
Stephen was stoned (Acts 6-7)
Disciples were scattered (Acts 8; 11:20-21)
James was killed (vv. 1-2)
Peter was imprisoned (vv. 3-ff)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)

7. God never promised it would be easy to serve the Lord
God warned that may have to pay a price
Early Christians paid dearly
How does this compare with what you are willing to pay?
May involve some inconvenience
May involve losing relationships
May involve some expense, lose of money – even job
May involve hard work
May involve mistreatment
May have to put some real time and effort into…
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)

8. Principles of Service The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)

9. The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
Situation at hand:
Peter is in prison (v. 4)
Danger (likely or probable) will be killed (vv. 1-3)
Disciples felt powerless (in one sense)
Acts 12
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)

10. The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
Situation at hand:
But – had real power through prayer
Prayed earnestly (v. 5)
Gathered for prayer (v. 12)
Amazed at results (vv )
Must not have been praying for his release – else why were surprised?
Must have prayed:
Peter’s faith and courage as faces death
Might not die
For selves - what they should do
Acts 12
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)

11. The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
Situation at hand:
But – had real power through prayer
We have access to unbelievable power
God hears our prayer (1 Jno. 3:22; 1 Pet. 3:12)
Power in prayer (Jas. 5:16-18)
If believe in prayer – believe in providence (Rev. 4:11)
May get more than ask for…
Acts 12
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)

12. The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
Situation at hand:
But – had real power through prayer
We have access to unbelievable power
Are you utilizing the power that is in your hand?
Acts 12
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)

13. Principles of Service The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)

14. The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
Terrible situation Peter faced:
Could be beaten severely – been done before (Acts 4-5)
Could be kept in prison
Likely could be killed – as James (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)

15. The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
Terrible situation Peter faced:
What was Peter doing? Sleeping!
Calmness – confidence that few have
Peace – that only comes from real faith
Acts 12
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)

16. The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
Terrible situation Peter faced:
What was Peter doing? Sleeping!
How could that be?
Cast his cares upon God (1 Pet. 5:7)
Learned what was really important (Matt. 10:28)
Knew this life was temporary (Heb. 13:14)
Acts 12
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)

17. The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
Terrible situation Peter faced:
What was Peter doing? Sleeping!
How could that be?
Are you portraying peace?
To the point that world ask – How could this be?
Live a life – full of turmoil?
Are you constantly worried?
Acts 12
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)

18. Principles of Service The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)

19. The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)
“Prayer meeting”
Not that came together – then while there pray
Purpose for coming together – so pray together
Just like a “singing” or “Bible study”
Seems that met in different places in Jerusalem (vv. 5, 12, 17)
“The implication may be that this was but one of several ‘cottage prayer meetings’ in and around Jerusalem. There may have been other groups all over Jerusalem meeting for prayer, for James and others were not present.”
- Gareth L. Reese, Acts, 435
Acts 12
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)

20. The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)
“Prayer meeting”
Says about prayer:
Believe in prayer & its power (Luke 18:1)
Lot to pray about (Luke 6:12)
Value of praying together
Acts 12
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)

21. The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)
“Prayer meeting”
Says about prayer:
Could we use more prayer meetings?
As a congregation?
In individual homes?
Acts 12
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)

22. Principles of Service The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)
The Praise We Proclaim (vv )

23. The Praise We Proclaim (vv. 20-24)
Herod received praise - undue
People of Tyre and Sidon were seeking peace (v. 20)
Herod spoke to them (v. 21)
They praised him as a god and not man (v. 22)
Problem: didn’t give glory to God (v. 23)
Acts 12
The Praise We Proclaim (vv )

24. The Praise We Proclaim (vv. 20-24)
Herod received praise - undue
Learn about praise:
Praise – homage – honor given to God (Rev. 22:9)
Ways may praise man over God
Man wearing titles (Psa. 111:9; Matt. 23:9)
Importance of messenger over the message (Acts 10:25-26)
Man become the standard (Gal. 2:11-13)
Acts 12
The Praise We Proclaim (vv )

25. Principles of Service The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
Acts 12
The Price We Pay (vv. 1-2)
The Power We Possess (vv. 5, 12)
The Peace We Portray (v. 6)
The Purpose We Pursue (v. 12)
The Praise We Proclaim (vv )