Title: The Miraculous Escape (2-February-2020) Ps T L Mukumba

Title: The Miraculous Escape

Text: Acts 12:7-19

Ø This deliverance took place in the Passover season. Peter experienced a new type of Exodus in answer to prayers of God’s people.

Ø Prayer is the turning point in a story. Never underestimate the power of prayer and a praying church

Ø Earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of these events. Prayer changes things, so pray often and with confidence

Ø This story strengthens my faith. In fact, if you were chained to two Roman soldiers and facing a possibility of execution the next day, would you sleep very soundly like Peter

Ø Peter was sleeping like a baby with a calm heart and no worries. I would not want to think that it was stress that could have made him to lose power and cause him to sleep. Because if you are stressed out and facing a death penalty tomorrow you can't sleep in such a situation. Normally stress causes people to lose sleep. Peter was sleeping.

Ø Whatever it might be the Lord got into the prison in the middle of the night.

Ø I also would want to think that calmness of the heart that made him to sleep because this was not his first imprisoned and jail break. He had many testimonies. So come what may he knew he was going to be out.

Ø This was a different experience at all from the previous experiences that he had gone through. This time he was alone.

Ø On the first incident in Acts 4, He was imprisoned with John after they had prayed for the crippled/lame man at the beautiful gate., They were held up to the next and released after some threatening and beatings.

Ø The second time in Acts 5:17-42, He was with the other apostle. An Angel of the Lord came by night and opened the doors and brought them out and they went ahead and preached the gospel.

Ø This time he was alone and what gave Peter confidence and peace was:

Ø Believer were praying for him day and night for a week at the house of Mary (John Marks mother.). Prayer is communication with God. It’s also a way of reminding us of the promise of God’s word and telling Him His promises.

Ø Psalms 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Ø Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ø Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Ø Peter was at peace because he knew that Herold could not kill him. The bible says in Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

Ø He did not know how the Lord was going to deliver him but he certainly knew that deliverance was coming, therefore he was not even worried.

Ø God sent an Angel to rescue Peter.

Ø Once again, we behold the ministry of Angels and are reminded that Angels care for God’s children

Ø Angels are God’s messengers. They are divinely created beings with supernatural power, and sometimes take human appearance in order to talk to people.

Ø The Angel brought light and liberty into the prison but surprisingly guards had not idea what was happening in the prison

Ø One big lesson that I learnt from this passage is that Even in miracles God does his part, but we also have got to do our part.

Ø When the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, God asked Moses to stretch out his hand and hit the water

Ø Moses stretched his hand and hit the water

Ø God separated the sea

Ø The children of Israel walked on dry ground across the sea. They did their part by walking.

Ø God had to close the sea passage and destroy the Enemy, i.e the Egyptian who were following them behind.

Ø When Jesus fed the five thousand, he multiplied the bread. He asked the disciples to distribute the bread and then gather the leftovers. The leftovers filled 12 baskets

Ø When God healed the crippled man at Bethesda, He asked the him to carry his bed under his command. The man stood under power of Jesus but he also had to carry his bed

Ø When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, God asked his parents to give her something to eat and Jairus’ daughter had to eat the food

Ø The Question is what is your part in your miracle.

Ø In every miracle there is an obedience part

Ø Peter had to put on his garments and shoes to walk out of the jail.

Ø The same Angel that removed chains from Peters hands could have put the shoes on Peter’s feet, but he told Peter to do it himself.

Ø God joins the miraculous and the ordinary just to encourage us and keep us in balance.

Ø God is always practical even in miracles

Ø I think everytime Peter had to put on his shoes it always reminded him of the prison miracle and encouraged him to trust the Lord more.

Ø God opened the way and Peter was free. May God open the way for you in Jesus name. Nothing is impossible with God if you believe

Ø When Peter was free and walking on the street, the Angel vanished. God will make sure you are free in Jesus name

Ø The Angel’s work was done, Now it was up to Peter to trust God and use his common sense for the next step. No weapon forged against shall prosper.

Ø Peter knew that it was the people’s prayers that had helped him to be free and he knew the best place to be at after his miracle, where the people were gathered. He knew that, his testimony would encourage them.

Ø Rhoda, the maid, recognized Peter’s voice. She was surprised and rushed back to the people without opening the door and told the people that Peter was at the door.

Ø Psalm 126:1-3 1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Ø Poor Peter had to keep knocking the door whilst believers in the prayer meeting decided what to do. The longer he stood at the door the more dangerous it was for his situation.

Ø All they had to say was. It’s Peter’s angel. The question, Why would he have to knock if it was an angel, he simply had to walk in. Angels don’t need doors they are spiritual beings.

Ø We must face the truth, Even in the most fervent prayer meeting there is an element of doubt and spirit of unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

Ø God graciously honours even little faith. How much would he do if we trusted him more?

Ø People opened the door and were amazed to see Peter. He had to quieten them for peace’s sake.

Ø He gave an account of his deliverance and no doubt thanked them for their earnest prayers.

Ø I don’t know what have been knocking at your door, and you have been ignoring it.

Ø I know its something that you have been praying for with little faith. Our God honours little faith, as little as a mustard seed.

Ø I want you to open that door and let that miracle in. Open the door and let Jesus in

Ø Trust the Lord and open the door.

Ø You have been feeling in your life that you want to give your life to the Lord and you don’t know why up to this time you haven’t given your life to the Lord. I want you to open that heart and allow him.

Ø God does not force himself into people he needs your permission.

Ø Romans 10v9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Ø Romans 10v13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ø It might be a miracle that you have be expecting from the Lord

Ø Mark 9:14-29 (23-24) 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Ø When you pray believe you will get an answer. When the answer comes do not be surprised be thankful

Ø May the Lord give you a miraculous escape this week.

Ø Join us and see you at church in Jesus name.