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Published byEugenia Evans Modified over 9 years ago
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Faithfulness Acts 12:1-19 (pew Bible p846-847) True or False I suffer because I need a lesson ____ ____ Prayers are answered according to my faith ____ ____ If I pray earnestly, God will answer my prayers ____ ____ My prayers are answered only if I expect it ____ ____ When 2 or 3 agree God will answer ____ ____ God’s grace is sufficient for anything I face ____ ____ My inner peace is dependent on my faith ____ ____ Faith is more powerful than faithfulness ____ ____ What I believe Will determine how I live!
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Faithfulness Acts 12 AAAA story in faithfulness to what they believed JJJJames, brother to John, martyred for his faith PPPPeter is imprisoned—in line for martyrdom WWWWhat now?
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Faithfulness Herod Agrippa believed: I can do what I wish I can gain favour by killing church leaders I can securely hold Peter I can control my destiny I can control your destiny I can choose life or death I can, I can, I can, I can,…it’s all about me
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Faithfulness The church believed: GGGGod is sovereign—over all GGGGod is the author and giver of life GGGGod answers prayer GGGGod’s will is more important than my will IIIIn God IIIIn angels IIIIn prayer And so they prayed earnestly around the clock
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Faithfulness Peter believed: What the church believed In God’s protection—1 Peter 3:12 “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” That Herod couldn’t kill him—John 21:18-19 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
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Faithfulness Peter believed: Rest is important—v 6 Visions are real—Acts 10 & 12:9 Obedience is necessary—v 8 & 9 That his story was important enough to share—v 17
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Faithfulness So… Herod planned The Church prayed And Peter paused
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Faithfulness Herod planned Placed 4 sets of 4 guards Held him until after the Passover Going for public support Killed the guards in Peter’s place Set himself up to be worshiped He died the horrible death of being eaten alive!
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Faithfulness TTTThe Church prayed EEEEarnestly, constantly, fervently FFFFor Peter AAAAs we would like to be prayed for if the situation were reversed—Hebrews 13:3 ““““Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” FFFFor God’s grace to bear the suffering and to be a triumphant witness
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Faithfulness TTTThe Church prayed FFFFor Peter TTTThat the Spirit will minister His word to him PPPProtection and wisdom AAAAnd for deliverance if it is within His will FFFFor boldness to preach—Acts 4:29 ““““And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.”
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Faithfulness TTTThe Church prayed UUUUntil they got an answer TTTThe knock on the door—who could it be? TTTThe boldness—it could have been Herod’s men TTTThe disbelief—at best it was his angel—v 15 WWWWhich means that they believed in guardian angels TTTTheir prayers were still answered TTTThe excitement DDDDidn’t let him in, then DDDDidn’t let him talk
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Faithfulness Peter Paused Reflected on what he believed That God was in charge God knew what was best for His plans That he had been promised old age & crucifixion Trusted God to work out His will—Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
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Faithfulness Peter Paused Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Remained faithful to his call Rested in the upholding power of the churches prayers
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Faithfulness Peter Paused Responded in obedience to God’s commands Needed to be struck to be awakened Got up Got dressed and tied his sandals Would you have taken the time to be that obedient? Followed the angel Walked and didn’t run Went to the family Knocked and waited Probably awakened the neighbours
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Faithfulness Peter Paused Told his story Told them to repeat it to the others Took his wife and went to wherever the Lord led him—1 Corinthians 9:5 Bowed out and gave way to Paul
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Faithfulness True or False I suffer because I need a lesson ____ ____ Prayers are answered according to my faith ____ ____ If I pray earnestly, God will answer my prayers ____ ____ My prayers are answered only if I expect it ____ ____ When 2 or 3 agree God will answer ____ ____ God’s grace is sufficient for anything I face ____ ____ My inner peace is dependent on my faith ____ ____ Faith is more powerful than faithfulness ____ ____ What I believe Will determine how I live!
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Faithfulness What do I believe? What do I believe when suffering comes? What is faithfulness? Does my life show that I am, “Living Jesus, Living Hope”, when suffering comes? What do I believe?
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