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| Evang. Gbenga Aluko |
TEXT: ACTS 12:1-19
True, total and permanent deliverance can be found in God alone. John 8:36 says if the son of man shall set you free you shall be free indeed. Another scripture in not too distant verse John 8:32 says And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. What’s the truth? John 17:17 sanctify them with the truth THY WORD IS TRUTH.
God is the only warrior and deliverer that has never lost, is not loosing and will never lose any battle Ex 15:3 The lord is a man of war the Lord is his name.
The lesson is broken into some headings:
(a) The Man Peter.
(b) Roled played in peter’s deliverance.
(c) Aftermath of the deliverance.
THE MAN PETER
• One of Jesus’s disciple: Matt 10:2,Mark 3:16,Luke 6:13 lists the disciples of Jesus and coincidentally Peter’s name is the first on all this list.
• One of the three closest disciple of Jesus: Matt 17:1-6 details the world famous transfiguration experience which has in attendance three close disciples of Jesus.
• The leader of the Apostle and head of the church at that time: John 21:15-17 the emphasis is on the seventh verse which says He saith to him again the second time, Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me? He saith unto him yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him feed my sheep, giving Peter an oversight function on the then apostles and the church by extension. Hence the devil attempt to scatter the church by attacking the shepherd. Zech 13:7b.
ROLES PLAYED IN PETER’S DELIVERANCE
RHODA
• She heard Peter’s voice v 13&14
• She told the others about it v 14
• She didn’t open the door v 14
Although played the God ordained role, but can we compare the role played by Dorcas to people to role played by Rhoda to Peter.
Acts 9:36 says Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha which by interpretation is called Dorcas this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. she did not only recognize voice, she helped with palliatives steps on people with needs, God made her to be full of good works up to the point of people rising when she had need .
PETER
1. Sleeping vs 6: unlike what Paul and Silas did in Acts 16:25-29 suffering for the same course with different disposition.
2. Waking up vs 6
3. Walking out of bondage vs 9-11
4. Knocking vs 12
5. Testifying vs 17.
May we receive the required nudge, grace and mercy to have people stand in the gap for us in our downs and also to wake up from all unnecessary slumber and work out of all forms of bondage barricading our lives in Jesus name.
THE CHURCH
• Rendered prayers to God on behalf of Peter vs 5b
They weren’t ready for the answer to their prayer vs 15: how could you pray for something and it comes and you labeled the person who tells you the response has come MAD
THE ANGEL
• Came into the prison : verse 7. God/His angels cannot be hindered by ANYTHING/ANYONE John 20:19 says then the same day at evening being the first day of the week when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for the fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them peace be unto you, Matthew 28:2 says And behold there was a great earthquake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. In the same vein and His children, Rom 8:31 says what shall we say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us? NO ONE/THING.
• Woke Peter up : verse 7. As humans we all need leadings, help and Nudge of the spirit in our actions and life journey. May we not lack it in Jesus name.
• All Peters chain gave way: The three Hebrews were bound and thrown into the fire Dan 3:20 says and he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace and according to the comment of an unbelieving king Dan 3:25 says he answered and said lo, I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came forth of the midst of the fire.
• Gave specific instructions verse 8: instructions are antidote to destructions may we receive hearts, ears and a heart that is obedient in Jesus name.
AFTERMATH OF THE DELIVERANCE
1. Excitement vs 14-16: deliverance from Sin, Satan, and Self caused encumbrance births excitement.
2. Stir, confusion and death verse 18-19
3. Peter departed.
PRAYER
Lord let me have a supernatural visitation that will translate into people rejoicing with me in Jesus name. Amen.