Might? – Acts 12:1-17

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)

1. God’s might…

“Here then were two communities, the world and the church, arrayed against one another, each wielding an appropriate weapon. On the one side was the authority of Herod, the power of the sword and the security of the prison. On the other side, the church turned to prayer, which is the only power which the powerless possess.” (John Stott)

“Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”…Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:38-39,42)

“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’” (Lamentations 3:55-57)

2. God’s might…

“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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

3. God’s might…

“We live in what Charles Taylor calls a “disenchanted world,” where the primeval idea of spirits is only tolerated if relegated to private spirituality…occult activity has become mainstream in everyday spirituality. Whether praying to crystals, cleansing an apartment with sage, or looking to the stars for guidance, people are searching for a transcendent power in life…The fastest growing religion in the United States is witchcraft, with over one million practicing Wiccans (which means there are more practicing witches in the United States than there are Jehovah’s Witnesses).” (Jeremy Treat)

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)

“…But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22b-24)

“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

4. God’s might…

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. By these he have given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this every reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3-8 CSB)