Pray in Tongues!
Ephesians 6:18 New King James Version
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseveranceand supplication for all the saints—
I. Praying in the Spirit
a. Prayer is any thoughts or words directed to God in faith and Jesus’ name
b. Praying in tongues/the spirit is when we pray under the power and influence the Holy Spirit
i. Perfect Prayer
1. United in purpose and language – Romans 8:26-27
ii. Edifying Prayer
1. Builds up the individual – Jude 1:20
iii. Constant Prayer
1. Ability to pray constantly – Ephesians 6:18
c. Paul is telling the church of Ephesus that part of being ready, prepared, and watchful in the kingdom is being armored up, and constantly praying in the Spirit for the saints.
II. A Crucial Moment in the Life of the Church || East Gate
Acts 12:1-16 New King James Version
12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [a]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [c]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
a. Herod stretched out his hand to harass some from the church
i. Killed James the brother of John and when he saw it pleased the Jews…
1. This is a political spirit in operation within a political leader of this time, the king
ii. Political spirit – decision making by popular vote/opinion
1. Jesus warns his disciples to guard against the political spirit
Mark 8:15 New King James Version
15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the [a]leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
2. It was the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod (religious and political spirits) that worked together to crucify Jesus
a. Religious Pharisees turning the crowd against Jesus and Pilot allowing the desire of the masses to sway his decision.
3. The political spirit wants to kill the life of Jesus in people, places, and nations
iii. The political spirit seeks to divide the church over purity
1. Herod only wanted to harass some of the church
a. The political spirit only targets the sold out, on fire, passionate, and bold
b. Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter hoping he would compromise
2. We are called to follow Jesus without compromise
a. We are to do what God wants, His way, in His timing
b. Well… we don’t think that’s wise and we all took a vote, everyone feels differently, a bunch of people are complaining, etc…
c. Israel in the wilderness – lets go back to Egypt, lets vote on a leader who will give us what we want – Numbers 14:1-10
iv. East Gate, we live in a cultural moment where the political spirit has become a principality in our nation
b. Arrested and Imprisoned Peter
i. Peter, one of Jesus’ chosen disciples, filled with Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, saw thousands added to the church after one of his sermons, operated in miraculous, powerful, and unusual signs and wonders, finds himself in bondage.
c. Holy Spirit said, that like He freed Peter on behalf of the church of Acts, there are three things He wants to set free on behalf of East Gate today.
i. The boldness He promised us at the beginning of the year when He gave us a lampstand
1. Boldness was the early church’s response to the political spirit of their day.
Acts 4:23-37 New King James Version
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [a]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
2. This outpouring of boldness, like in the early church will shake our assembly and result in:
a. A fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit
b. A greater unity
c. A supernatural generosity resulting in supernatural power, grace, and provision
ii. The Men and women who are here or watching online who, like Peter, were used mightily by God in their past, but fell into bondage and have grown comfortable and have even come to accept their shackles
1. Some men and women fell into bondage, were released, but never let go of their shackles because of shame, wrongly believing God could not, or would not use them the same way again.
2. Some men and women fell into bondage and could not receive the help they needed to get out, not having a safe community to be vulnerable in.
3. Some men and women fell into bondage and have kept it a secret for years allowing shame to cripple their ministry unto the Lord.
4. Some men and women fell into bondage and accepted it choosing instead to reject their destiny in Christ.
5. Where ever you might find yourself, freedom is available today
iii. Our prodigals, who until today, were still imprisoned in bondage
1. He’s sending for them today
d. How is Holy Spirit doing all of this?
III. The Power of Praying in the Spirit
a. How do I know the early church was praying in the Spirit?
i. They offered up constant prayer for him (Peter)
Ephesians 6:18 New King James Version
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
b. The Result:
i. An angel or messenger of the Lord appeared
1. I expecting angelic visitation this morning as we respond to Holy Spirit’s invitation
2. I am an angel/messenger of the Lord this morning, delivering Holy Spirit’s message to His church
3. The Lord is sending His Heavely angels to our prodigals today
Matthew 18:10-11 New King James Version
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For[a] the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Hebrews 1:13-14 New King James Version
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
ii. Peter was struck on his side
1. The things of God will always offend the flesh
Matthew 11:6 New King James Version
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
2. Let your flesh be offended and press into what Holy Spirit is doing in the spirit
3. Don’t be surprised if our prodigals seem offended or turned off by this
iii. Light shone in the darkness of prison and Peter was told to Arise
1. To East Gate
Isaiah 60:1-2 New King James Version
60 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
2. To the men and women of God who have grown comfortable in bondage
Ephesians 5:8-14 New King James Version
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [a]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [b]expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are [c]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
3. To our prodigals
Luke 15:17-18 New King James Version
17 “But when he [the prodigal son] came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you
c. Peter’s Response:
i. Rose Up
1. When Peter rose his chains fell off, not a moment before
ii. Girded himself
1. Peter had to prepare himself to run on mission again
2. There is an intentionality that is required to continue forward
iii. Tied on his sandals
1. Sandals have to do with kingdom rights, Peter had to accept His right to sonship even after being bound in chains
2. You don’t determine when you’ve messed up too much or have gone too far
iv. Put on his garment and allowed the angel to lead him out of bondage and finally went home
1. Don’t get in the way of what God is doing. Allow yourself and/or your prodigals to be led.
IV. It’s Our Turn
a. East Gate, it’s time to begin to pray in tongues
i. The Lord wants to give our lampstand more fuel this morning
Acts 4:29-30 New King James Version
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
ii. The Lord wants to break you out of bondage and return you to your place Man and woman of God
1. Arise and shine in faith and watch your shackles fall today
iii. Prodigals it’s time to wake up and come to your senses
1. The Lord is sending His angles to minister freedom, deliverance, and healing to our prodigals today
