The Certainty of Being Delivered The Power of First-hand Knowledge (Now I Know For Sure) Acts 12:1-11 (Read Acts 12:11) Responsive Reading: Galatians 3:17-29 Scriptures: Job 19:25-27--For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27Whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 1 Corinthians 1:10--Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4--And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men. 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? John 13:27—If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them Acts 1:6-8--When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Romans 7:5-6—For when we were in the flesh, the motions sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter Romans 7:18--For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 8:28-30--And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and who he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 1 Corinthian 8:1-2--Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:6-11--But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 10For if any man see the which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols: 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, to whom Christ died? 1 Corinthians 13:9-12--For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is prefect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Galatians 3:23-29--But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, ad heirs according to the promise. Galatians 4:1-9--Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 5To redeem that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ephesians 3:2-10--If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward; 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less that the least of all saint, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Ephesians 3:19--And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Philippians 3:10-11--That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Ephesians 3:19--And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Philippians 3:10-11--That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. James 1:5-6--If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 5 13-16--Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. 14Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent pray of a righteous man availeth much. 1 John 5:14-15--And this is the confidence we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him Acts 2:22-24—Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57—So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death Is Swallowed Up In Victory. 55O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? O Grave, Where Is Thy Victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:13-15—And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Romans 5:1-7—Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience experience; experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Daniel 3:16-18—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up. Mark 15:37-39—And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said Truly this man was the Son of God. 1. The Martyrdom of James and The Imprisonment of Peter (Three Things Herod Did) (Acts 12:1-4) A. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church (v. 1) (Hands were restrained, restricted, prevented from doing the evil planned) B. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword (v. 2) (Barbarously cut his head off with a sword instead of an ax) C. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) (v. 3) D. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (v. 4) 2. The Power Of A Praying Church And The Deliverance As An Answer To Prayer (Acts 12:5-10) A. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (v. 5) B. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. (v. 6) (Peter did not suffer from insomnia worrying about tomorrow) C. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. (v. 7) (Unshackled from what has you bound) D. And the angel said unto him Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. (v. 8) (Get ready to go) E. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. (v. 9) F. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. (v. 10) 3. How Peter Came To Himself And Came To His Friends (Acts 12:11-17) A. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (v. 11) B. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (v. 12) C. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. (v. 13) D. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. (v. 14) E. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. (v. 15) F. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. (v. 16) G. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. (v. 17) 4. The Penalty For Losing A Prisoner (Acts 12:18-19) A. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. (v. 18) B. And when Herod had sough for him and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. (v. 19)