On the Very Night

What if God is really for you?

We tend to think that if there is a God, he must be distant or aloof — or maybe he’s just waiting for us to screw up. The staggering good news for our weary world is that God is FOR all people. He loves you with a relentless passion; He is your biggest advocate – no matter who you are or what you’ve done. The invitation of Jesus is not just for some people or the “right” people, it is for every single person.

Jesus, the God-man came for you, suffered at the hands of His creation for you, rose to life for you to have new life.  God is for you. And he longs for every single person to step into a new life in Jesus.

Scripture

  • Acts 12

Teaching Notes

The Gospel is GOOD NEWS for all people, not just some people. And so, we are to GO SHARE it with all people.

 

OVERVIEW:

Acts 7 – Stephen the 1st martyr of the Church / Saul gave his approval

Acts 8 – A Great Persecution broke out / Revival broke out in Samaria

Acts 9 – Saul’s Damascus Road Conversion / Persecutor 🡪 Apostle

Acts 10 – Peter’s Vision & Cornelius household believes / Gentile Christians

Acts 11 – The Church in Antioch / The 1st great multi-ethnic Church 

 

What do you do when you are absolutely desperate? Acts 12

 

“The chapter opens with James dead, Peter in prison, and Herod triumphing; it closes with Herod dead, Peter free, and the Word of God triumphing.” - John Stott

 

Key Verse:

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5

 

Principle: Prayer is POWERFUL.

 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

 

"We are working with God to determine the future. Certain things will happen in history if we pray rightly." Richard Foster

 

THREE ASPECTS OF EFFECTIVE PRAYER:  Matthew 6:5-8

 

1. Prayer is NECESSARY, not just a NICE idea.

 

"And when you pray…;  But when you pray…; And when you pray…"

 

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Corrie ten Boom

 

2. Pursue the Father with a SINCERE heart.

 

"do not be like the hypocrites…; do not keep babbling like pagans…"

 

"We must lay before him what is in us; not what ought to be in us." - C.S. Lewis

3. Recognize the ground where you stand is HOLY.

"go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen."

 

The Lord’s Prayer: 

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13