The Release Of Peter From Prison

The Release of Peter from the Prison
This story ought to lead us to think highly of our God, realise the importance of prayer; to make us expect and hope for God's miracle and to bring us to our knees.
On the other hand, we ought not to presume in our prayers i.e. God will do everything that we ask.
Main outline of the sermon:
***Peace of Peter
- Peter was peacefully asleep on the night of his execution that God had to strike his rib to wake him up.
This is a very incredible detail given Peter's track record of panic.
Reasons:
a. Great experience of God's power & faithfulness
b. Great examples to follow (e.g. Jesus, Stephen, James)
c. Great theology
***Power of God
- Luke has presented us with incredible detail in his narrative and some of them were to make the task of rescuing Peter seem impossible.
What happens to your faith when things become more difficult to endure?
In the eyes of God, a small miracle is no more or less difficult to perform than a big one. By the chains and prison doors splitting open, God demonstrated His great power.
God is still performing miracles today but we do not presume that there is one formula to getting God grant our prayers nor do we presume that He will even grant our every prayer.
***Place of Prayer
- Something was going on behind all of these - a church was praying for Peter. God uses prayer as means to achieving His purposes.
Theie prayer was corporate, prolonged, focused and earnest.
Prayer is far more mighty than any weapon the world can offer.
***The weakness of their prayer
- Peter showing at the gate but the disciples doubting his being alive
- yet what we learn is that even a weak prayer can achieve things
- probably the believers then wasn't so much as praying for Peter's safety as that God may keep him in His peace
Phil. 4:5-7 "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."