Jesus is the Chain Breaker
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We find Peter in Chains.
We find Peter in Chains.
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Scripture sometimes gives us definite clues concerning dates, sometime not so much. This is one of those times. We know from history that James died...The year is 44, about 10-12 years after Jesus, died, was buried and defeated death.
Herod is the current ruler. He is the grandson of Herod The Great. The same that attempted to kill Jesus at his birth.
The year is 44, about 10-12 years after Jesus, died, was buried and defeated death. Herod is the current ruler. He is the grandson of Herod The Great. The same that attempted to kill Jesus at his birth.
Since he was able to kill James, the brother of John, without any blow back, the Apostles became prime targets.
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Teaching Acts: Unlocking the Book of Acts for the Bible Teacher (1) Background and Setting
He soon discovers that the way to keep the Jews onside is to persecute Christians. And so he has James, one of the sons of Zebedee, put to death, and seizes Peter for the same purpose.
James and Peter were, with John, part of the ‘inner-circle’ of Jesus’ disciples. They were at the transfiguration (Luke 9:28–36) and the raising of the dead girl, Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:51). James is the first martyr of the twelve. Yet Luke devotes just a single verse to his martyrdom; literally ‘killed, James the brother of John’ (the only detail given in the instrumental dative case, ‘with the sword’, implying that he was probably decapitated). The contrast with Stephen’s martyrdom is marked, with Luke’s coverage running to seventy-five verses, even though Stephen is not an apostle, let alone part of an ‘inner-circle’ of apostles [see chapter 11—‘The Church’s First Martyr’ (Acts 6:8–8:1)]. Luke doesn’t comment directly, but by the extent of the coverage shows where his interest lies. The death of Stephen was a catalyst for the move of the gospel out of Jerusalem, Judea, and into Samaria. James’ death, by contrast, has no discernible effect on the gospel’s movement, so is covered in one brief verse.
When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
So this is another Feast of Unleavened Bread, just before the Passover Feast. Jews from around the Mediterranean world would once again be in Jerusalem for this annual feast..
Wait just a minute…why was Peter there? He was a Christian, follower of “The Way.” He didn’t practice the “Feasts” any longer. What was he doing there?
Peter finds himself in chains…probably for no other reason that he is who he is.
Our Own Chains
Sometimes we find ourselves “in chains” by our own doing or by circumstances or by an action by someone else… We might need some definition help her. What are the areas in your life that you have not yet turned over to God? Or left bound up in your old ways, sinful ways? What areas could you use some light to shine into the deepest darkest places? Where have you allowed satan a foothold? We shouldn’t be shocked when this happens…satan and his minions want nothing less than to lay a trap, prepare a noose for the people of Christ.
Often we RUN AND HIDE in despair, shamed, embarrassed, alone, stuck, and always regretful. This behavior drives us deeper into our own personal hell. Thus the cycle continues… if you can compartmentalize the issues you look great on the outside but you are suffering greatly on the inside. We as the church frequently look at those who are suffering as someone who is weak.
I want all of us here today and for the next hundred years to pledge before God and each other that we will look for opportunities to answer Jesus call to “feed my Sheep.” You see you cannot feed someone while at the same time beat them over the head with a baseball bat. It’s just not possible.
I pray that God is preparing First Baptist to make sheep for Jesus, to tend the sheep that He has given us, to be a haven of Grace and Mercy in people’s lives in this community.
We are ALL called to be shepherd's of God’s flocks. We need to protect, sacrifice our lives if necessary for the sheep.
It’ll take some reprogramming… Often times are first inclination is to jump to suspicion, to doubt, to judgement. Resist the urge to do this and think of people you know, you love, your friends, neighbors as lambs and sheep. Christ died for ALL of us. All of us have opportunity to become part of the flock, the family of God by faith in Christ.
Where do we start…at home, with those closet to us. Then our friends, then members of our church community, then the community we live in…then the world. We can do these all at the same time. Pray that we are used to advance His Kingdom from our homes to the far reaches on the earth. Amen!
I want to transition back to the scripture...
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.
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.
Teaching Acts: Unlocking the Book of Acts for the Bible Teacher (2) The Praying Church
Things look dark: James is dead, Peter is under arrest. However, Luke provides a ray of hope in verse 5: ‘… but the church was earnestly praying to God for him’. Here Luke is contrasting the political authority of Herod with God’s sovereign control. The chapter begins well for Herod, with the Jews onside and the Christian leadership contained, but the church was praying! Luke emphasises the extent of Herod’s security arrangements to guard Peter: squads of soldiers (v. 4); soldiers, chains and sentries (v. 6); two lines of guards and an iron gate (v. 10). But the church was praying.
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.
This “Angel” sometimes referred to as Jesus in the OT. Whoever this Angel is, is powerful. But the “Angel” was stronger
We know that Herod was serious about holding Peter
4 squads of soldiers… a centurion to guard them
Peter bound with chains between two guards
The promise of death if Peter got away.
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.
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.
The most important words in that verse… Follow me!
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.
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 has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
The most important words in that verse… Follow me!
The way was “made straight” by the Angel…undoubtedly under the director of Lord.
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
He was “rescued” from the clutches of Herod and his men.
But how did this happen..
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.
Rhoda, a young servant girl answered 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!”
Acts 14
Peter kept knocking and they told the girl that she was “out of her mind.”
But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
Shocked...
Acts
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 other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
When we are in our personal chains…whatever those are let use the example of Peter to help find our way out
satan and his minions are trying convince you that your prison is impenetrable barrier to prayer and God’s Grace.
satan and his minions will threaten you with public trial and humiliation; drag you down, imprison you; will leave you in chains.
Pray will break the chains…personal prayer yes, prayer from a trusted friend, prayer from your Pastor, prayer from your Elders. Anointing with oil for the sick if that is your prison.
Don’t be surprised when God comes and provides a chain breaking solution even in the middle of the night
When your way out of “prison” comes…get up put your clothes on, wrap yourself in your cloak and go
Follow the lead of the person that God has provided that will result in you leaving prison. Your going to have to do this on faith a bit…sometimes your not going to realize or understand what is going on.
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
Then you will know without a doubt that the Lord, Himself has RESCUED your from your prison.
Lastly…
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 other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
Tell someone of your release from prison… if its right shout it from the mountain tops, use it in someone else’s life to help them. Be available, Be present