The Language Of Peace Acts 12 Peace Movements

The Language Of Peace Acts 12

Peace Movements Good News! • Acts 10: 36 “This is the word which He sent to the sons of Israel: The Good News of peace through Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 5: 3 -4 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" (He is Lord of all)— then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 2

Peace Movements 3 Joyful! • Acts 2: 46 -47 a Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people Woodstock

Peace Movements Victorious! • Acts 2: 46 -47 b And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. • Acts 11: 20 -21 Some of the believers who went to Antioch began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. Ephesians 2: 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 4

“Christians have Meets often faced discrimination across the When Peace Violence…? country. They often find it difficult to get access to education better known forlaid having Acts 12: 1 -2 or Now aboutjobs that and time are Herod the king handsto on some who belonged the church to mistreat them. or contend with menialtolabor such in asorder garbage collecting And he had James the brother of John put to death with a street cleaning” (Fox News Web site, 9/26) sword. 75 Killed at a Church 14 -yr Old Girl Set Up • Giving away food to the poor & earthquake victims • Charges dropped; witnesses were paid to lie. 5

When Peace Meets Violence…? 1 Peter 4: 12 Beloved, do not Acts 12: 3 -5 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, athethe fiery be surprised proceeded to arrest Peter also. Nowordeal it wasamong during you, the which days of Unleavened Bread. When hecomes had seized he your upon him, you for put him in prison, delivering him to testing, four squads of as though some soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to happening strange thing were bring him out before the people. So Peter was kept in to you; but to the degree that the prison… you share the sufferings of 1 Peter 4: 1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of with the same purpose. . . His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 6

The Language of Peace 1 Peter 3: 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 4: 5 your 1 Peter 3: 11 Turn. Philippians away from evil and Let do good. Search Luke 23: 34 But Jesus for was saying, peace, and work to maintain gentle spiritit. "Father, be known tothem; all for they do forgive not is know what they are doing. ” Forgiveness men. The Lord near. • ‘Father, forgive them…’ Acts 7: 60 Then falling on his knees, Stephen cried out with a loud voice, “Those who live by the "Lord, do not hold this sin against Prayer sword die by the sword” them!" Having said this, he fell • Talking to the God of Peace asleep. 7

8 The Language of Peace Acts 12: 5 …but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Forgiveness • ‘Father, forgive them…’ Prayer Phil. 4: 6 -7 Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NOT Peace • Talking to the God of Peace

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? Sometimes, it seems like it doesn’t work… “he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…” Prayer God is not magic: Incantations to manipulate spirits. Is a PERSON With a WILL 1 John 5: 14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us 2 Timothy 3: 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Acts 14: 22 "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. " 9

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? Sometimes, 10 it seems like it doesn’t work… “he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…” Prayer God Yet is not magic: Incantations to manipulate spirits. Is a PERSON With a WILL God Does Answer Prayer "Quick, up!" he said, andtothe chains off Peter's wrists. Then the The nightget before Herod was bring him fell to trial, Peter was sleeping angel said tosoldiers, him, "Putbound on your clothes and sandals. " And Peter so. between two with two chains, and sentries stooddid guard your cloak. Suddenly around you and follow angel told at"Wrap the entrance. an angel of theme, " Lordthe appeared and him. a light Peterin followed of the prison, butside he and had woke no idea that shone the cell. him Heout struck Peter on the him up. what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? Sometimes, 11 it seems like it doesn’t work… “he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…” Prayer God Yet is not magic: Incantations to manipulate spirits. Is a PERSON With a WILL God Does Answer Prayer 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 sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating”

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to Sometimes, it seemsthe like it doesn’t house of Mary work… the mother of John, also “he had James the brother of John put to death with many a sword…” called Mark, where people had gatheredtoand were praying. Prayer is not magic: Incantations manipulate spirits. Peter knocked the outer entrance, and a servant girl God Is a PERSON With a at WILL named Rhoda came to answer the door. Yet God Does Answer Prayer When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" "You're out of your mind, " they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel. "

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? Sometimes, it seems like it doesn’t work… “he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…” Prayer God Yet is not magic: Incantations to manipulate spirits. Is a PERSON With a WILL God Does Answer Prayer But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 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 brothers about this, " he said, and then he left for another place. 13

The Language of Peace: Does it WORK? Sometimes, it seems like it doesn’t work… “he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…” Prayer God Yet is not magic: Incantations to manipulate spirits. Is a PERSON With a WILL God Does Answer Prayer The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5: 16 14

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From 1. “a Righteous Man…” Trusting in God “But. But theherighteous shall live any must ask man in faith without doubting, for 1: 17 the one who doubts is like by faith. " Rom. the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by James 5: 17 -18 Elijah a man nature like ours, the wind. Forwas that man with oughta not to expect and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, that he will receive anything from theand it did not rain on thebeing earth afor three years and six months. Then Lord, double-minded man, he prayed again, and thehis sky poured rain 1: 5 -8) and the earth unstable in all ways. James produced its fruit. 15

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From “a Righteous Man…” 1. Trusting in God 2. On God’s Wavelength James 3: 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 1 John 5: 14 …if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us 16

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From “a Righteous Man…” 1. Trusting in God 2. On God’s Wavelength Effective Is: 1. Acts 12: 5 …but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 17

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From “a Righteous Man…” 1. Trusting in God 2. On God’s Wavelength Effective 1. 2. Is: Persistence "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Matthew 6: 7 (NLT) Acts 12: 5 …but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 18

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From “a Righteous Man…” 1. Trusting in God 2. "I also tell you this: If two of you agree down On God’s Wavelength Effective Is: 1. Persistence 2. Personal here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because Confess your sins to each other and prayfor each they are mine, I am there among them. " other so that you may be healed…. James 5: 16 Matthew 18: 19 -20 3. Acts 12: 5 …but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 19

The Effective Language of Peace Is: From “a Righteous Man…” 1. Trusting in God 2. On God’s Wavelength Acts 12: 17 But motioning to them Effective Is: 1. Persistence 2. Personal 3. Corporate 4. with his hand to be silent, he Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for described to them how the Lord had nothing, everything led himbut out in of the prison. Andby he prayer supplication with said, and "Report these things to James and the brethren. " Then he left and thanksgiving let your requests be went to another place. made known to God. 20

The Effective Language of Peace Is: 1 Peter 5: 6 -7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 21