Title: The Power of Intercession
Contents
ability to intercede
Acts 12:1-10
Haydn was a devout believer who lived his life as an example to many. Once, at a gathering of prominent artists, the issue of 'worry' and 'pain' came up as a hot topic.
The focus of the topic was on how to overcome financial pain or troubles when good works did not come out. It was Haydn's turn as they each spoke a word.
Then Haydn said: "I set up a small closet as a prayer room. When I get tired of work or when I start worrying, I go into that room. And when I come out of that room, I find a small light and come out." What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you are tired and tired? ?
Do you go into your closet with the face of God looking at us in any environment? Closed prayer, which seems the most passive method, is the most active method.
Because God knows best about all our troubles and troubles. Because God created man, he knows better than anyone and can help him better.
Getting into the closet in difficult times should be supported by daily training. Because thinking is best connected to action.
Dear saints,
Suffering, persecution, and crises come upon us living in this world, and no matter how well we believe in Esu, these things still happen. Aren't you righteous? Everyone knows the story of Job in the Old Testament.
It is like the sun coming out again after the rain and the wind and the storm.
The early church was like this. There were hardships and trials, but there were also blessings.
This section introduces the sufferings, trials, and persecutions of the early church.
Look at verses 1-2.
King Herod appearing here is not the king at the time of Jesus, but Herod, the grandson of the royal family, and the nephew of Herod Antipas, who killed John the Baptist and interrogated Jesus.
At that time, the persecution and suffering of Catholicism were severe enough to the extent that all but the apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation to the disciples of Jesus, suffered martyrdom. Even those who truly believe in God and live a godly life experience suffering and persecution. Why did it come to me when I was suffering and persecuted? why do you come to me It's not the problem, but what do I do when it comes? that is the problem.
In general, the question is why the church of God must suffer persecution. Persecution should be suffered by those who do not believe in Jesus, so why do we suffer?
Of course, not all of these are good, but they are necessary for those of us who believe in Esu.
Look at verse 3.
Herod saw the joy of the Jews over the death of James. So he thought that if he killed Peter now, he would get a lot of approval.
Herod loved to be popular with people. Herod thought that if he had only Peter, he would be popular with the people.
Dear saints,
God must be more important than people's popularity. Be careful with people's reactions. But let's not be too sensitive. It makes us worry and becomes a factor that makes us worry.
Look at verse 4.
In the end, Herod captures Peter. Also, 4 people are arrested as a group with 4 losses.
The boundaries are very strict. The day of the arrest is the Passover, so they are put in prison first.
In the end, Peter went to prison and the early church was in a state of loss of leadership.
However, I want you to pay attention to the actions of the early church members. In the old days, everyone would have run away, but now it's different. Look at verse 5.
When they heard that Peter was arrested, they did not run away out of fear, but they are interceding for him. These words are written in a simple way, but they are a very big spiritual message.
Dear saints,
What do we do when we are in a crisis like this? Don't be embarrassed, despair, discouraged, and give up everything. Then get up and go to God and pray.
What if we go to jail while doing God's work around us? Are you looking for a politician?
Or are you looking for someone in power you know well? Do you have a board meeting or a session together?
There are times when we are in a hurry and try to solve the problem with worldly methods and means rather than God's methods.
In today's text, the early church members gathered and prayed. This is intercession.
Even today, each church creates an intercession prayer group to offer intercession for the nation, the people, the church, and the church leaders.
Even if we too face difficult trials, hardships, and hard training when we live our faith life, I hope that you will go to people for counseling and come to God. Please ask for intercession.
God is our refuge and help in the day of trouble.
Hymn 79 also says that there is a place of tribulation.