Title: Doubt is Unbelief
Contents
doubt is unbelief
Acts 12:11-25
When France was defeated by the German Nazis during World War II, the 290,000 troops who had crossed over to help from England were unable to do so on their own, so they fled to the Dover Strait to return to England. Hitler stood quietly, ordering the complete annihilation of British soldiers fleeing from Berlin.
At that time, King George VI of England declared a 'Day of Prayer' to all England, 'Let's pray to God to rescue the British army at any cost', and the whole nation prayed that day. After praying, a strange miracle happened.
There was a great storm on the German side that day, so not a single plane could take off, and it rained so much that not a single tank could move. However, the Strait of Dover, where the British were stationed, was so calm and calm that it was as clear as a mirror, and numerous ships were able to safely transport 290,000 British troops to England.
After that, all British people, including the British army, prayed to God in thanksgiving and gained great strength. “Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).
We learned last time that Peter was in prison and was released thanks to the intercession of the saints.
Learning through this is that God's power is easy but difficult, but He is capable of anything.
Look at verse 11.
Whether the problem is big or small, easy or difficult, everything is done by God.
Humans divide problems into big, small, possible, and impossible, and it is God who claims them all. Therefore, it is pride that we judge the matter.
Judging from the contents of verse 11, Peter still could not believe the process of his being brought out of prison.
So are we. There are times when miracles happen when we are in crisis, but it is not believed. After that, there are times when you realize that it was a miracle.
For example, if you fall while riding a bicycle on a rainy day and there are no accidents and no traces, you don't know if it's a miracle at that moment. However, if you meditate quietly, you will realize that it is a miracle.
It was the help of the Holy Spirit. It is said that God mobilized angels and helped them.
Dear saints,
Faith is not an idea, not a philosophy, faith is not an idea, but a reality. Many people believe in Jesus and know miracles, but they feel conflict because they do not have a deep experience of faith.
Jesus, who worked 2000 years ago and rose from the dead, still drives away demons and heals the sick.
However, it is wrong to think that we have power only when such miracles appear.
Faith does not theoretically wash away our sins, but in practice repentance makes our sins white as snow.
If you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, even the demons will go out.
This is the Christian faith. There is a divergence between the faith that is convinced of this and the faith that believes in theory.
Some people feel the Holy Spirit's work with a high temperature, and some don't.
And we should not think of faith as an ornament. Faith is concrete,
Peter may still have some Jewish ideas.
The work of the Holy Spirit is always with us. It's just that we don't feel sensitive.
Look at verse 12.
First of all, John, who is called Mark, is a Roman name, and John is a Jewish name. He is the son-in-law of Barnabas. (Colossians 4:10) , accompanied Barnabas and Paul on the first missionary journey, and returned on the way, and on the second missionary journey, Binabas and Paul became the cause of an impulse. (Acts 15:36-39)
In 12:1-10, the early church members who were in grave crisis due to the martyrdom of James and the imprisonment of Peter
Realizing that there was no other way than intercession, they were praying.
Dear saints,
Peter comes to his senses and realizes that he has experienced a miracle and is out of prison.
So, when I first thought about where I should go, I also thought of my co-workers who usually intercede for me. That's where I went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was called Mark.
Peter must be very excited now. It's a joy to be out of prison, but when I went to that house, how happy would it be to be interceding for Peter?
Wouldn't it be great if someone stopped by our church and heard someone praying?
Or how beautiful would it sound if someone was praising?
Of course, prayers and praises should not be meant to be heard by anyone.
Don't try to get people's approval. I'm not trying to show that I'm praying a lot.
The church must always hear the sound of prayer, and only when someone learns the Word at church and reads the Bible can be heard, that church is a living church. It should be a church that does not stop singing praises.
The church should always be a place where we can take a break, a place where someone comes and comforts us.
We hope that our church will become a church where anyone wants to go.