It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" "You’re out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place. In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.
Questions:
- As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind? What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
- What is the main point of this story?
- Can you imagine the tension/fear that these Christians felt?
- What does this story reveal about persecution?
- What was Herod’s intent? Why?
- What does this story say, both positively and negatively, about the church and prayer?
- What does the story say about the work of angels?
- How do you think angels work today?
What else is on your mind this week?
47 comments:
OK, ok, I know! I let the blog go last week. I had a few extra things going on and needed last week to make some adjustments and transition into “school year mode.”
I started my OCU-B classes on Wednesday. I have two classes. I really enjoy teaching and look forward to trying to draw these students closer to God. My N.T. Lit. class is huge (by OCU-B standards); it has close to 30 in it. My other class, Introduction to Christian Education, has 8, which is a really good number. I always learn a lot from teaching these classes.
I think most of you know that we bought the little house across the road from us, at the top of the hill. It was in foreclosure, so we got a really good deal. It needs a lot of work. We’ll work on it as time allows and then decide what to do with it. If you have the hankering (interesting word) to do clean-up, repair, or remodeling work, then please let me know.
Well, this is my day to work, so I better go get a sermon ready...
a great saying from a movie called Hustle and Flow.
There are two types of people.
Those who talk the talk and those who walk the walk.
People who walk the walk they sometimes talk the talk.
But most of the time they don't talk because they are walking.
Now people who talk the talk.
When it comes time for them to walk you know what they do?
They talk other people to walk the walk for them.
a suggestion for those who wants to go out and help the lost. Five years ago a group of kids came down to the Los Angeles Mission to take a tour. When lunch time came, I had a teenager come over to where I was sitting and sat down next to me. I was eating, he was eating. He turned and asked me did I go through the program and I told him yes. He had asked me why I had come into the program and I told him my story. Come to find out, this kid and I had a lot in common. He was taking out of his parents home because he also went through the abuse stage in his life. This kid had asked me a lot of questions that day and I was happy to answer them for him. When I left the lunch hall, I left there with full of joy because I knew that God had placed this child in my path. This kid was new in the church and he didnt understand why God had allowed him to go through the things he went through in life. God brought that kid to me that day. No doubts at all. That day, I had made plans to go out with some of the staff members. I never got the chance to go because I had just missed them. I went up to the gym afterwards and started playing volleyball. The group of teenagers came up to the gym to finish their tour. This kid came over to where I was standing and wanted to know if it was alright if we continue talking. In truth, I wanted to play volleyball but I know if I would have told him no, God wouldnt have been to please about me putting volleyball over his child. I learned a lot that day about making sacrifices for others. I learned that life is not about me but about helping others. When I witness to people, I do not do it just because I have to, I do it because it brings joy to my spirit. I have never been frustrated to witness or to give my testimony to people. it is probably one of the joyish moment a person can ever have. To want to do the Lord's work fully means you have to make a lot of sacrifice in your life. It may not seem worth it to some, but I know that with sacrifice comes blessing and gifts. Like I said before, I'm greedy for both and if it means sacrificing something in order to get it, I'm wiling to do it. Are you willing to give up a sacrifice in order to get your blessings and gifts?
every week I (people) want to win the Lotto (do the Lord's work) but there is a major problem. I (people) keep wanting to hit the lotto (witness to people) but I (they) never go down to the store to buy a ticket (go out to where the people are to witness). Why? because I have better things to do with my money (always busy) or I just don't feel as though I'm going to win (have success at doing it). Now the only way to actually no if I'm going to win (get through to people), is to take that dollar (faith), pay for a ticket (witness to the people) and see what comes from it in the end.
Well, the day is almost over. I hope God was honored today. May he help us be like the ancient Cyprians.
I really enjoy Duane’s Sunday evening class. For the last couple of weeks there has been a sub theme that involves balancing enjoyment and guilt when it comes to service. It is wrong to not serve others in order to enjoy your life? What, when, where is the balance? Clearly God does not want us miserable all the time, but he also wants us to serve.
A question that came to my mind on the way home this evening: What about suffering? Are we supposed to suffer for Christ? I think the Bible is pretty clear that we will and should. Right? What, when, where, how do you suffer for the name of Christ? How does this factor in with the enjoyment of life? How does Christ’s life inform us?
I have always loved these verses because it reveals the power in prayer. I just wonder if the church got serious about praying because of James death. Would it have happened to him if they had been praying for him earlier. Often times it takes something to happen significant in our lives to make us fervant in prayer. Allen-I think your question is so hard because I really believe it looks differant for everyone. For myself I want to better put myself aside so when God does want me to do something {I do think we usually know when this happens} I don't go thru my head all the reasons why I can't and don't want to. I know that at the end of Pauls life he felt all the suffering was worth his relationship with God. He seems not to be worried about his suffering. I think that it is interesting before that in Acts 18:9 the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision " Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." Does that mean that he started his walk with God somewhat afraid but as he grew in his relationship with God he was no longer afraid? Would that be the same way with us? Paul felt to live was doing it Gods way. I bet his greatest enjoyment would of been seeing others come to Christ. So did he have a lot of enjoyment along with the suffering that it took . I think that he must have. Jamie Young
Is everybody ready for it to rain this week? I think it will. Nobe prayed about it.
After the last time this happened, it reminded me a lot of the folks who were praying for Peter in this scripture. They prayed he would be released, but when he was, they didn't want to believe it.
When it rained the last time Nobe prayed, I think a lot of us were temped to say "that was neat" or "what a coincidence".
Why is it so hard for us sometimes to admit that it is God's will making things happen and that we have the power to influence God's will through prayer.
Don't forget your umbrellas this week!
Brent
You make some very good points Brent about believing in pray. That was the first thing both the boys said when we left church in the morning; when do you think it will rain. I asked why; they both said well Nobel prayed for rain the last time ; and we got rain. I have to admit I was one that thought it was neat; yet over the past few weeks I feel that if we pray with faith that it is going to happen it will. Hope we all have a good and wet week. Robin
we actually talked about this topic some in gary's ss class. we called it "hedging our bets". if it rains great, and of course god did it but if it doesnt rain then that is ok too. makes great conversation to discuss that nobe prayed for rain and it rained but when it gets all "touchy feely" about it most back off.
along this line, i dont know how many caught this but yesterday was the little league world series championship game. game went into extra innings. bottom of the 8th, two outs and scored tied. the us batter hits a homerun. when asked about it later he said he prayed. asked what his prayer was and he said he just prayed a simple prayer and asked god to help him get a hit to help his team. boom! homerun and they win. he was 0 for 2 prior to that bat.
rr
I watched the little league baseball game because I lived in Warner Robins GA. I watched 3 of the games that Warner Robins had played and the final game was pretty sad because the Japan team had me tearing up watching those kids cry. To hit a walk off homerun to win a world series must be exciting. Maybe the yankees should pick up a few of their pitchers to use on their team.
The boys and I watched the game also. Both the boys commented to me it was nice to see the GA kids go to the kids from Japan after it was all over. With both the boys playing football and both on the line they hit people the entire game; yet after the game they shake hands and all is fine between each of them. So much of the time this reminds me that we can learn so much from kids. Robin
Back to the topic of the lesson for this week. Has anyone ever read this a felt sorry for the guards. I must admit that I have always felt this way for them. They were following orders; and then were put to death. I have always wondered if Peter preached to them while they watched over them and that is why God did not see fit for the angel to show them self to them or no writing of any of them being converted that Peter did and they all refused to listen and thus God had them put to death. Just a random thought concerning this. Robin
Yeah, I kinda wonder about the guards, too. But, I think we have to trust God to do the right thing.
I've always thought this story was one of the most believable and "human" in the Bible. I can just picture Rhoda running around the house like a chicken w/her head cut off "Peter! He's alive! It's Peter!" And, poor Peter standing outside knocking, peering through a crack in the door,"Hello? Can I come in? I promise I'm not one of the Undead..."
Donna
Donna; I have always pictured Peter pacing at the doorway; looking around the corner for the guards coming down the street to get him. As for a very human aspect to this story I think you are very right; it is very realistic and I can see many of us if not all of us acting like those in the house. Robin
So what are we going to say if it doesn’t rain? What are we supposed to think when we ask for something and it is not granted? This happens, right?
Great start to a potentially great week of conversation!
James has been beheaded. The Jews were happy, and Herod wants to be popular (see what happens to him later in the chapter).
What do you think the church was praying for, in regard to Peter? Release? Safe, painless passage to God?
Noble's prayer truly came from his heart. I felt that this was a lesson to all us to truly try to have this kind of relationship with God and talk just as if he is in the same room with us. Allen always works so hard to teach us about God. I always come away feeling very uplifted and blessed after his lessons. Thank you Allen for sharing your talent. May God continue to bless you and your family. Our songs --Thank you Gary and Mathew for blessing you with a wonderful talent. Anonymous
You can’t fool us Anonymous! We know who you are. You are Barnabas, or one of those other guys from Cyprus, right?
Kedra, Ben, and I went out and watch the lunar eclipse this morning. It was really neat. After we had been out there a while, Ben asked, “Why didn’t Luke and Rebecca want to get up and see this?” Kedra replied, “Because they are teenagers.” Ben is 12.
Allen; you can tell Ben that one teenager got up to see it this morning and then went back to bed. Andrew got up before I left for work. Hard to believe he is 13 now. Robin
OK.
Color me dumb.
Why was Peter saved and James wasn't?
Hey! Wuz that a blond joke AND a reference to being blond via bottle? Oh well...
You do raise a good question, similar to what I asked last night.
Why does it rain sometimes when we ask for it and at other times it does not?
Why does God heal sometimes and at other times not?
had a really nice run this morning (and yesterday). I've been running all summer, through the heat, but it is so much nicer when the temps are in the low to mid 60's.
Why do Smokey's windshield wipers come on when I turn on the turn signals? It embarrasses Rebecca deeply. She does not like riding in Smokey. Smokey's behavior in this area is making me into one of those old men who do not signal. I am careful however to make sure that I do not cause wrecks or frustration.
Wow! Have you seen the stunning display of beauty outside of my office? You need to come over sometime and see what God, along with the help of Sherron and a few others, has done.
how much coffee have you had this morning Allen? whew!
you are rambling man!
RR
Everybody sing:
Lord, I was born a ramblin man,
Tryin to make a livin and doin the best I can.
And when its time for leavin,
I hope youll understand,
That I was born a ramblin man.
Ramblin"
Don't start dancing...it isn't pretty.
Actually, due to the eclipse, I had an extra cup of heavy duty Starbuck's Ethiopian; ground the beans myself.
The cup was fairly large.
Youve got a cute way of talking
You got the better of me
Just snap your fingers and I'm walking
Like a dog hanging on your lead
Im in a spin you know
Shaking on a string you know
You make me feel like dancing
Im gonna dance the night away
You make me feel like dancing
Im gonna dance the night away
You make feel like dancing
I feel like dancing dancing dance the night away
I feel like dancing dancing ahhh
Aw, nuts! There was an eclipse, and I missed it?! Next time, somebody has to call me and tell me!
As for why God "answers" some prayers ( I think He answers all of them) and not others, I think that's the age-old question. The only answer I can think of is similar to what my mom told me when I was a kid "I'm the mommy, and I know better than you." Admittedly, it wasn't very satisfying then, either. But, I think it's the best we're gonna get. It may be better to pray for us to be "in God's will" than for him to make changes in his plans to suit us.
Donna
There was an eclipse and Bill and I were all over the yard trying to find the moon through all the trees and we missed it. Shucks. Sherron
Donna, I partially agree with you on praying to be in God's will. I think its harder to pray that God's will be done when a family member is dying rather than praying for a healthy recovery. But at the same time (even if its God's will that the person die) i think he wants us to trust him enough to pray for a healthy recovery and believe that if we pray for it, he might answer that prayer. I dont know if that makes since... But I'm struggling to put my thoughts in to words... ee
Well, I just had a surprise. When I checked the Church News the submission for MCOC wasn't included.
I'm trying to figure out why...the last time this happened their firewall was acting up.
Mike
How about a challenge for the big blogger group. We need lots of donations for the yard sale at the church on sept 22nd. if you look around and don't see any quality yard sale stuff you can always donate cash, or your labor, or cash. We want to collect lots of money for the food pantry, so pleeeeeease find it in your kind, generous, giving, selfless hearts to make this a big success. Our pantry gives out lots of food to lots and lots of people, it is not only a good work- it has become somewhat of a necessity for some families. We our starting to do some new and different things through the food pantry in trying to get more involved in these peoples lives and i think we are going to see some serious breakthroughs. So once again i plead with you to help out did i mention you can donate cash?? thanks for reading the whole blog and not just skipping over this when you realized this was a plea for help. tw
I hope you will take up the tw challenge. I sat in the lobby yesterday with food pantry “clients” for a couple of hours. We had 43 families represented yesterday; several had more than one person come. There were very few minutes of the 120 when no one was there. I listened as people quickly opened up about their lives, specifically their health issues and problems with their kids and cars. I felt a profound sense of sadness. These people live in a different world than me, and I don’t know what to do about it. I do know that several of us are open to allowing God to lead us into a better way to help and serve them. For now I feel very much like Jesus.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [Matthew 9:36]
We have a wooden playpen and crib to donate if someone with a pickup can "pick up" the items.I bought them used from another grandma and used the playpen only a few times and the crib never, since "we" were never able to find room for the crib. It was taken down to bring home and the screws were misplaced, so someone with more recent experience in that area needs to put it together.It's a Jenny Lind style. Allen, I think it's wonderful that you are meeting the people as they come for help.I think there would be some great opportunities for service. I have had a lot of single mothers work for me and they need a lot of help. One girl missed work for two days or more last year because her pipes froze and she only has wood heat, so she had to keep the fire going. She rents, so you would think that would be a landlord issue, but I guess he didn't think so. These young women usually work partime so they have no benefits and don't get paid when they miss work. Ive been thinking maybe we can find some men to help with repairs and such and keep a list of needs at the food pantry. Also, when I finally get to retire I've been thinking we could have a little "grandma's" babysitting service one day a week for a few hours so these Mom's can have some time to themselves. Maybe even throw in some Bible lessons for the kids or even the Mom's if there's an interest. It's a good way to become a part of their lives, and much less intimidating than coming to worship where you don't know anyone.Sorry this is sooo long.
Anybody seen the weather forecast? Looks like there's some rain in there.
After the various discussions about prayer and what we should or shouldn't expect from prayer, I have thought a lot about it.
I think if we go into prayer with a cautiously optimistic attitude we short change God. That's what my personal belief is and will probably always be.
I think if we pray with the attitiude that God MIGHT answer it the way we want to, it is a window into our faith.
Having been on the giving and receiving end of many prayers, I have seen it work time and time again. Faith and Prayer does amazing things.
If you'll remember, the last time Nobe (and I'm sure others) prayed for rain. We didn't even have it in the forecast.
We are guaranteed one thing with prayer. If we don't ask, we won't get.
If we go at it with the attitude of "I'll pray for this, but I'll be OK if it doesn't happen", we've already told God "I'm not sure if you can do it". Why pray?
We are told to be bold in our prayers.
Are all of my prayers answered the way I want them? No. Are they answered? Yes. Do they always fit my timetable? No, but a lot of times they do if I am specific.
I prayed 15 years ago that I would be able to go back to work at Ford (Visteon) instead of where I'm at now. I started my carrer there, loved the people and really liked the facility. I prayed very earnestly. Never happened. God knew the future of the Visteon plant. "No" was the right answer.
I know that now.
I see no reason why he wouldn't want it to rain. Maybe he's waiting for somebody to ask.....
I'll get off of the soapbox now.
Kind of rambly and , like Donna, I hope it makes sense, it's hard to put into words.
Brent
I dunno, Brent. I understand what you're saying, and to a certain extent, I agree. But, I think there's more faith in praying "Thy will be done" than in any other kind of prayer. Sometimes, I feel like I treat God like a gumball machine; I put my quarter in, turn the handle, then if I don't get exactly the color I want, I'm mad. I think we need to pray with the humility and faith to know that we don't always know what to pray for, and that the Holy Spirit prays for us in those instances.
Donna
Those are some great ideas, Neva! My Capstone Ministries brothers and I have been trying to think about how we can create some low-cost childcare so that single moms or dads can work. I think the poor run into so many obstacles that they just give up some times. There has to be a way that we can help change the lives of those who want to change.
On the prayer issue: what do you think this text teaches us? I am really intrigued by it.
Surely the church prayed the same prayer for James? If so, then what does that say about God answering prayer?
Is there a randomness about God's answers?
I am not worried by any of this and it has not shaken my faith in the least, but there are some pretty serious questions...
This is my belief about prayers being answers. God answers all prayers even when we don't think he answers them. When my wife filed for divorce, the whole church prayed for me and the divorce still went through. God showed me just a few months ago, he had answered the church and my prayer because my wife was already married. even though she had divorced her first husband God could not save my marriage because in his eyes, she was still married to him. The bible is against adultery so how could God answer my prayer other than with a no? There is no way or no fashion that God would or could have answered my prayer because if he had, than he would have been made a lier. One thing I tell people all the time when it comes to praying, don't pray for something that you know God is against. that would be like a gay couple asking God to bless their marriage. It ain't gonna happen. He may allow it but he will never bless it.
What strikes me first about this passage is that after James was put to death Peter shows me that he was at peace and could go to sleep. He was not worried at all -he knew he was safe . God gives us this peace even when things around us is in a uproar.
He had fellow christians praying which shows us their faith was very strong. They knew nothing was imposible for God.
When Peter was knocking at the door and kept knocking this shows me how Jesus continues to knock at our heart. He wants to come in to our heart. He will never give up on us.
Peter was excited to spread the good news so he left for another place and he let the other christians tell the others what the Lord had did. Phyllis
I heard a quote from Henry Blackerby today. He said (paraphrase), "I lived my life trying to hurry God up to fit in my schedule, but one day God said to me "I'm not going to fit into your schedule anymore, you will have to fit into mine."
The man speaking said that we are all too busy running here and there and that no place in the Bible do we see Jesus running. The person in front of Jesus was his ministry.We often see the person in front of us as an impedement.
I am usually uncomfortable talking about prayer because I have rarely seen an immediate answer to my prayers.In fact only once and I'm a little embarrassed with that one.
It was the night my father broke his hip. I was staying with him and he had wet the bed about 5 times that night and I had gotten up each time to change the bed.It was a stressful time in my life,only months after Steve's(our son)death
and I was working full time and taking care of my dad.We had a good woman to stay during the day, but nights were difficult and I was having to stay at least 2 nights a week and get up early for work.That particular night I was at the end of my rope and I poured my heart out to God. The next time I had to change his bed that night he fell before I could get him back to bed.He ended up having surgery and going to Westview for rehab,and died soon after. I know God answered my prayer, but I never wanted my dad to go through that pain. I believe God has always been working in my life to put me where I need to be. I don't know if that is answer to prayer or God's love and providencial care for me,but I continue to pray because I need and believe God wants that relationship.I also believe God answers my prayers, but I may have to wait to see the big picture before I realize everything he has done.
Hey Allen,
I have been praying about how to help these parents/children too and I have two proposals that I would love to share with the church. I have been praying about putting these proposals in the right hands so they can reach their full potential. I have presented one proposal to HU and I know that if anything comes of it, it will still not reach the full potential it was meant for. I struggle with finding ways to help others and I feel so strongly about these proposals and I am going to continue to pray about it coming to a reality instead of just in my head or on paper. I feel it would benefit our community in so many ways. Maybe we can put our heads together and we can find ways to fund and support our ideas!!
Becky Goller
Bread of Life
YARD SALE
We need your help.
Donations!!!
Are you willing to help set up on Friday night...early Saturday morning?
Can you come and help during the sale Saturday?
Maybe you can come and shop?
Free Coffee...Donuts
Grilling Dogs
Matthew
Hey if someone wants to take apart a very very good dog kennel (7 ft x 13 ft) Heavy metal chain link fencing, it is in the back yard of my old house. It should bring a nice price, help yourself.
Annette
Terry, this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of alot of Bill's and my 'fat clothes'. This might prevent us from growing back into them. Will bring to the building on Sunday. We will check around for anything else taking up space that we don't use anymore. I think this is a great idea and the leftovers can be sent to the Regeneration Store that are usable. By the way, one of our customers told me last week that she shops in Regeneration all the time and really likes it. She is the daughter of a local minister who has decided to be a stay at home mom and needs to save money wherever she can. Neva, your kind and thoughtful words have given me a life today. Thank you for each of your blogs. You have helped me find my 'center' for today. Brent, you make your momma proud, you always have. I love ya, son. I saw a news story last night about the working poor in our country and in Indianapolis. Two of the people interviewed had been in trouble in the past and are trying to get their lives straight but the lay makes far less now than she did dealing drugs but cleans the Children's Museum at night and walks to work to do it. The man had no transportation and rode a bike wherever he went. Both were trying to turn their lives around. How discouraging it must be for them to know that 'sin' paid better than hard work. It is easy to see why so many lapse back into the former lifestyle. When someone is trying to do better, they need all the help we can to encourage them in any way we can.
Alas, I'm still using my "fat clothes". :0)
Donna
Sixteen soldiers to guard one man who was bound to two other prisoners with two chains one on each side and nothing could hold him with God on his side. I think it is interesting that the angel after freeing Peter told him to take the time to put on his clothes and sandals, wrap his coat around himself and follow the angel. Peter followed even though he didn't know what the angel was doing or what was going on. He just trusted and went. They went right past the guards and out the door to the city through a gate which opened by itself. He only walked one street away when the angel left him. Knowing Who had freed him gave him courage enough to stop by the home of fellow Christians before leaving town. The first thing I would want to do would run as far away from that city as I could knowing Herod's gang would be looking for him. He in danger by staying there for even a short period of time and Herod would come first to the Christians to find him. Peter was always the impetuous one, taking chances, taking action by cutting of the ear of the guard coming to arrest Jesus. And denying that he even knew Jesus when He was arrested. After his face to face meeting with Christ after the resurrection, he had new courage and boldness, (marching orders to feed His sheep) to carry the message in spite of hardships and his eventual death at the hands of the enemies of Christ. It tells us with God on our side, nothing will shake us to the point that we fall. He gives us a choice, hold on through the storms or give up. The choice makes all the difference. Sherron
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