Awake Us Now

God charges His disciples to "be awake" in all times and all situations. We are especially charged to be awake to God's Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), the reality of spiritual warfare, and the signs of the times.

Almost two thousand years ago, John the Baptist called people to repent and prepare for the coming Lord. Today, we are still called to have repentant hearts that receive and extend the forgiveness of the Living God, and to prepare fruit for Him in our lives!

Herod Agrippa I

• Ruled 41-44 A.D.
• Grandson of King Herod the Great
• Imprisoned Peter during Passover in 42 or 43 A.D.
• He died before Passover of 44 A.D.

Herod went from Judea to Caesarea following Peter's angelic escape from prison. Herod was quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They joined together asking for an appointment with Herod requesting for peace as they depended on Herod for their food supply.

From writings from Flavius Josephus "Antiquities of the Jews, Book 19" (Translator: Paul L. Maier) Josephus tells us that Herod met with the representatives of Tyre and Sidon in the theater at Caesarea. (Pastor shares pictures of the restored theater today.)

Josephus goes on to share that as Herod entered the theater, "dressed in a garment of woven silver, … his flatterers at once started addressing him as a god." This is just what the Luke (author of Acts) tells us in verses 21-22. "… Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne …. They shouted, 'This is the voice of a god, not of a man.'" Josephus also adds the following: "The king did not censure them nor reject their flattery as impious." (Josephus, Antiquities 19:343)

Continuing with Luke's narrative in Acts 12:23-24 we read, "Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish."

Josephus tells us that Herod, "died after five days of unremitting pain. He was 54 years old."

What do we learn?

• The word of God endures forever
• His word is faithful and true
• Even when His people suffer greatly, in the end God wins and so will we.
• This account gives a vivid reminder of the power of the Gospel of Jesus, the power of the Living God to comfort and strengthen His own, and the power of God to bring a new and just creation, a new heaven and a new earth. And that is what we await as we continue to walk with Him.

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

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Holiness is a gift, offered to us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But once God has made us holy, we are then called to pursue holiness in our lives!

Growing gracefully in obedience is a response to the salvation God has worked in our lives through Christ Jesus. We are called to walk in obedience as a response to our faith in Jesus. Obedience is not necessary for salvation, but obedience is necessary!

Join us as we explore Growing Gracefully in our relationship with Jesus Christ through obedience to Him and His Word. Obedience does not save, but neither is it optional. God desires not simply outward actions, but inner obedience to His Word.

Pastor focuses on two important Biblical truths:

1. Obedience does not save - Jesus saves --Grace of God - eternal life - is a gift - it is neither earned nor deserved. --We cannot be good enough for a holy, perfect God. --He is a just God and our sin must be paid for. Therefore, He sent us His Son. --Jesus did what we cannot. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father's will. Then, He willingly went to the cross for each one of us, paying for our sins so we don't have to fear the judgement of God. --What Jesus did is available to all through faith. --Faith is not mere intellectual assent. It is not simply believing that God exists. The devil knows that God exists! --Faith means trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and the one who offers us forgiveness and new life. --Not just life with Him in the future, but life with Him now.

2. Obedience is not optional --Faith and obedience go hand in hand with one another. --In a culture where evil is accepted, lauded and touted, how do we behave like followers of Jesus? --How do we discern what is right?

--Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it help me? 2. Does it control me? 3. Does it hurt others? 4. Does it glorify God?

Scripture sources: 1 Samuel 15:22-23, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Peter 1:1-2, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, 1 Corinthians 8:13.

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God's word brings light into our lives, gives us direction and points us to Jesus showing us where our hope and strength are found. Today's story demonstrates this truth. Join us!

Chapter 12 is about some of the persecution Peter experienced and we will look at Peter's writings in 1 Peter in conjunction with this story in Acts chapter 12 for additional insights.

THEN + NOW

• Persecution - Acts 12:1-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13

Herod Agrippa the First, encouraged by approval after arresting believers and putting the Apostle James to death, decides to arrest and imprison Peter. He has Peter under guard by four squads of four soldiers each. He is planning a public trial of Peter after the Passover.

1 Peter 4:12-13 - Peter tells us not to be surprised at persecution and to instead rejoice that we can participate in the sufferings of Christ.

There is a cost to following Jesus. The enemy desires to stifle our witness and to destroy the plans and purposes of God.

• Prayer - Acts 12:5; 1 Peter 3:12 (Psalm 34:15)

While Peter is imprisoned the believers are praying for him.

1 Peter 3:12 Peter quotes Psalm 34:15 sharing that prayer is answered by God.

We are called to be faithful in prayer.

• Peace - Acts 12:6; 1 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 5:7

The night before his trial we see Peter peacefully sleeping while under heavy guard.

1 Peter 3:14 Peter tells us not to fear threats because God is in control.

1 Peter 5::7 Peter tells us to cast all our anxiety on Jesus because He cares for us.

• Provision - Acts 12:7; 1 Peter 3:21b-22

An angel appears in the jail and the chains fall off of Peter.

1 Peter 3:21b-22 Peter tells us that Christ who is at God's right hand, has everything in submission to Him.

God is in charge and even when an evil ruler seeks to destroy God's people, God knows and it is His plans that will succeed.

• Praise - Acts 12:8-11; 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 5:10-11

Peter gets dressed and follows the angel out of the prison. Peter thinks he is seeing a vision. He and the angel walk past the guards, out the gate and the angel leaves him. Then he realizes that it was all real and that the Lord rescued him from Herod's clutches! We learn that our response to God's deliverance is to be one of praise.

1 Peter 1:3 Peter tells us to praise the Lord for our new birth in the resurrected Christ. This gift is our motivation to praise Him.

1 Peter 5:10-11 tells us we are to praise God for His provision.

We are to praise Him in all circumstances.

• Prepared - Acts 12:12—19; 1 Peter 3:15

Peter goes to the house where the believers are praying for him. He tells them how the Lord brought him out of the prison and then he leaves for another place.

The next morning there is chaos at the prison as they try to figure out what happened to Peter. Herod holds a thorough search, cross-examines the guards and orders them executed.

But what can we trust Peter shared with these guards as he was imprisoned? What do we know about Peter's heart for sharing the Gospel message of Christ's love for all including the soldiers holding him prisoner. Peter was prepared to answer all their questions and to give them the Good News of Christ.

1 Peter 3:15 Peter tells us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.

These guards died not through their own fault but simply because they were connected to Peter.

How did what Peter would have taught them about Jesus affect their last moments here on this earth?

How did what Peter would have shared about Jesus affect where they spend eternity?

Am I prepared with answers about who Jesus is?

Am I prepared to be used by God to affect where those I meet spend eternity?

In this life we will have persecution. How will we respond?

-With prayer, knowing God hears and answers.

-With peace, because God cares for us.

-With the assurance of His provision because He is in control of all.

-With praise, because He is our Deliverer.

-And we will be prepared to be used by God to share the Gospel message even to our persecutors.

This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:

Acts chapter 12-13.

Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.

Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now

Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos

Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website

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"Prayer in the Spirit" is about taking time in the presence of the living God and allowing Him to nurture, nourish, transform, and renew our souls. It is not about "give me, give me, give me," but about "mold me, shape me, use me."

Despite the most rigorous physical exercise and training regimen, our bodies will age and, eventually, die. But there is a training - training in godliness - that lasts into eternity.

The spiritual diet we eat, the spiritual exercise we do and the spiritual training we choose affects our ability to grow graceful as Jesus' disciples.

Training ourselves for godliness has benefits for today, tomorrow and for eternity. Spiritual training is timeless.

Train to be godly - Christianity is not a spectator sport. We can't be a couch potato. We must be in training to be godly. This is training with eternal rewards - a crown of life.

Train yourself to be godly - What does godly training look like and how do we accomplish it?

1. DIET - We are what we eat - this truth is both physical and spiritual. Concentrate on what is true, good, honorable and noble and be in God's word. Fill up on the food that truly nourishes, the food of His Word. We are to seek Him with our whole heart and that begins with our diet, as we take in God's Word and allow that word to fill us up for the work He has given us to do. How's your diet? Fill up on the good things of God.

2. EXERCISE - we need to exercise our faith, to practice what we preach, to live out what we believe, to put into practice what God has said. As we practice our faith we grow stronger. It's like strength training with weights; the more we exercise and practice, the stronger we get. As we practice our faith we become stronger in our commitment to Christ: that is training in godliness.

3. A TRAINER - A personal trainer can really help with preparing to participate in a race and God provides a personal spiritual trainer for each and every believer, that personal trainer is the Holy Spirit, our Advocate. The Holy Spirit, our Personal Spiritual Trainer, helps to strengthen, encourage and equip us for godliness.

Why live a couch potato life as a follower of Jesus? Why be just a weekend warrior? Why not live as dedicated disciples, committed to Jesus and who are training ourselves in His strength for godliness? Let us finish the race well!

Training in godliness is the natural follow-through for a follower of Jesus.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-8, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Ezekiel 33: 31-32

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Even in the most difficult of times, believers such as the apostle Paul have known contentment, an inner peace, a certainty that God is in control. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we know that, through faith in Him, we will live forever. That certainty brings true contentment!

The humility modeled for us by Jesus is not only refreshing, it is life-changing and God-pleasing! Pride, on the other hand, makes us nauseating not only to others, but to God as well.