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archives (listed by topic)
here.
* Series on
Prayer: Touching Heaven*
Part
6:
"If the Church Would Just Pray"
Acts 12: 1-9
In
the text, we find something taking place that I believe
will cause a Church to be used of God: Church folks
praying for Church folks.
(vs 5)
We see the saints praying -
not for themselves, but for one of their own; the Apostle
Peter.
There is great power and great deliverance thru prayer:
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(1) Moses prayed
and God spared Israel from Judgment |
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(2) Joshua prayed
and God caused the sun to stand still |
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(3) Hanna prayed
and God gave her a child - Samuel |
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(4) Solomon prayed
and God gave him wisdom |
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(5) Elijah prayed
and God sent down fire |
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(6) The Thief on
the cross prayed and God gave him eternal life |
If you want a Church to
grow, pray more. But understand; the devil will do all he
can to hinder and discourage you. But it
will be worth the Battle.
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[The Church began with two
struggles] |
* The Church was started in the most
unlikely place; Jerusalem. They had a history of refusing
to heed the words of their prophets.
(Matthew 23: 37- 39)
Notice the history of the
early Church:
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(1) One called a
friend betrayed Jesus and committed suicide |
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(2) A prominent
leader denied his faith and denied knowing Jesus |
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(3) His disciples
were commanded not to teach or preach in the name of
their founder; Jesus Christ |
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(4) Their very
first deacon had been stoned to death |
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(5) Jewish leaders
had one who was willing to arrest Christians by
tracking them down |
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(6) There was
conflict over who the Gospel was to be preached to;
Jews or Gentiles |
Now Peter was in prison facing certain death.
As long as the devil is living on this earth, the Church
will have problems. We must learn to pray in the midst of
the problems and the troubles. We must remember
I John 4: 4
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Three Things Herod Did |
| 1. |
vs 1
Notice the phrase "certain of the
church" The devil is after the workers, not the
lazy or indifferent. |
| 2. |
vs
2
He killed James, the brother of John, who Jesus called the
Sons of Thunder. He witnessed the Transfiguration. Is
someone, is the devil trying to vex you? |
| 3. |
vs 3,4
Herod locks up Peter. Our enemy, the devil, is always
after the leaders in the church. We need to be praying
constantly for them.
Exodus 17
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| When the
saints pray, something happens: God Shows
Up |
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