Scripture: Acts 12:1 – 19 (cf. verses 6 – 16)
Title: The Madness of Prayer
This Sermon is about the madness of prayer that leads to miracles.
INTRO:
Grace and peace this morning from God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!
I want to talk to you today about prayer – praying – intercessory prayer – praying for yourself, your family and for others. I want to talk to you today about what I want to call the Madness of Prayer.
In our story this morning that is the title that a group of Christ followers that were meeting at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark gave to the young slave girl Rhoda. Her name meant Rose – a name that any young girl would be proud to have. But that night those who met in prayer said that she was not Rhoda – not Rose but Mad – they said that she was insane – that she had lost her mind.
Overall it is a rather funny story. In the midst of sharing all the hardships that the Early Church was suffering; Dr. Luke takes the time to share with us a funny story about faith and prayer. The Early Church is praying for the release of the Apostle Peter and in the midst of their praying he is released and shows up on their front door.
However, at first no one will let the Apostle Peter inside the door. No one believes that he is really there. They believe that young Rhoda has lost her mind because she believes that she has seen him and talked to him. They are convinced that it must be Simon Peter’s ghost – his spirit that is hovering between earth and Paradise.
Now, had she let him in the Apostle Peter could have simply just walked in the room and said hello and everyone would have seen him and realized that he was in fact standing right there in front of them. They would have realized that what they had been praying for had happened. That the Apostle Peter had somehow been released from prison and was now safe and sound.
No one should ever accuse the Bible of not being able to tell a funny story. The Bible is full of all kinds of humor and funny stories. That should not surprise us. Our Creator God – the Great I Am, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, our Savior and LORD loves to laugh, loves to have a great time and loves to share a great story or two. At least that is what we find when we read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels and the stories we find in the Old Testament.
I mean after all who makes a donkey talk to a misguided prophet.
Who swallows up another misguided prophet with a great fish?
Who tells a 90-year-old man whose wife is well beyond childbearing that they are going to have more children than there are stars in the night sky?
Who has a bunch of people walking around a city’s wall for six days and then has them shout down the walls on the 7th day after they walked around it another seven times?
Who has King Solomon write all the stuff that he writes in the book of Proverbs?
-Proverbs 11:22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion."
-Proverbs 21:9 – “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” (I wonder which of his 300 wives this was written about)
-Proverbs 22:13 – “The sluggard says, there is a lion outside!” (apparently someone didn’t want to go to work)
If we allow ourselves to relax, invite the Holy Spirit to read with us there is a great deal in the Bible that will make us laugh. After all, laughter is good for the soul. Laughter helps us ward off sickness and depression. Joy and laughter are a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, it should not surprise us that the LORD has placed some humor in His Word.
We should read this story and have a laugh. It doesn’t make much sense of Rhoda to not open the door. It doesn’t make much sense for a bunch of people to be praying earnestly about something and then when it happens do their best to say nothing has happened. And on top of that to tell the person who has good news to share that they are crazy.
But the story is more than just good humor. It also shares with us what I what to call the “Madness of Prayer”
– for there is a certain madness that it takes to do the type of praying that we see here – there is a certain madness to the type of prayer that moves mountains, that moves the heart of God and that makes a difference in our world. It is that madness that I would like to share with you this morning.
I. There is a certain madness associated with praying for Miracles to Happen
When you look at it from the natural, praying for miracles seems like a fool’s mission.
To the rational mind/to the carnal/fleshly mind praying for a miracle is illogical. It is unreasonable to the human mind. It is unscientific and to a great many people it is irrational. It is something only those who are caught up in superstitions or who have a very childish or primitive faith would participate. At least that is what the world wants us to believe and that is what the Devil hopes that we believe.
From a carnal or fleshly point of view miracles and the praying for a miracle doesn’t make sense. But from a supernatural – from the view point that I am a child of the Most High God – I am a citizen of heaven – I have been rescued, redeemed and restored to the image of God person, miracles and the praying for miracles makes all the sense in the world.
To a person who knows God’s heart, knows God’s character and has a deep relationship with God then praying for a miracle is not something strange but an everyday common event.
Let’s take a moment and reflect on this – I believe we would all agree that the greatest miracle a human being could ever experience is being forgiven of their sin(s) and infilled with God’s Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul and others referred to this experience, this miracle as the New Birth or Newness of Life (2 Corinthians 5:17).
One of Paul’s favorite images of this miracle was the amaziong butterfly. When you look at a caterpillar it almost seems impossible that one day it will go into a cocoon, undergo the process we call metamorphous and come out of the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. In the natural it doesn’t make logical sense. It doesn’t seem right that something that crawls on the ground will one day soar in the heavens and yet it does. It is how God designed caterpillars and butterflies.
In the same way, it doesn’t make sense that a sinner who is alienated from God can in an instant of time be forgiven, redeemed and filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
It doesn’t make sense that a child bound for Hell becomes a citizen of heaven.
It doesn’t make sense for a person who can be cursing God one moment can surrender their whole heart and life to him in an instant.
It doesn’t make sense that a person can become a whole new creation and begin the process of having their mind and their life completely transformed. And yet, it happens.
And if that greatest of miracles has been happening over the last 2,000 years then we need to understand that nothing is too great for our God. If a sinner’s life can be turned around, then any miracle is possible.
For a person who has been reborn, who has been infilled with God’s Holy Spirit then miracles are not the thoughts of a mad person but the simple reality of living in the New Age of the Holy Spirit. Miracles and being a child of God go hand in hand. Favor, blessing, miracles, anointing, knowledge, love and joy are just by products of being one of God’s Chosen/Redeemed Children.
We cannot allow the world to cause us not to believe in miracles.
We cannot allow the Devil to lie to us and tell us that miracles do not happen nor will they happen.
I can’t tell you how many people writing commentaries and books about the Bible don’t believe in miracles. Sadly, these misguided people believe in some of the biggest lies that Satan wants to propagate:
-It is not the Red Sea, but a small body of water called the Reed Sea.
-There never was a real Jonah – it is just a piece of ancient literature.
-Jesus never lived. He was not born of a virgin. He did not walk on water. He did not experience a resurrection. He is not the Son of God.
There is only one problem with all of those things. They are not true.
Moses and the Children of Israel did go through the Red Sea.
The Prophet Jonah did live, and he was swallowed by a fish.
Jesus was born of a virgin.
Jesus did walk on water.
Jesus died for our sins on the Cross of Calvary.
Jesus was raised on the 3rd day.
Jesus is right now at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us and is waiting for the timing of the Father to come back and get His Bride – the Church.
Miracles do happen.
Miracles happen because the Holy Spirit testifies of them if we are open to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. If we open our hearts, our minds and our spirit then we will “know” the reality of miracles.
I actually think that those who are “mad” are those who do not believe in miracles nor pray for miracles. I think it is madness to think that the LORD doesn’t want to intervene in our lives. It is madness to think that the God who loves us so much that He died for us and infilled us with His Holy Spirit doesn’t want to heal us, comfort us, provide for us, protect us and walk with us.
We need people who believe in miracles. We need people who will intercede for miracles which leads us to our second point –
II. There is a certain madness to the activity of prayer and miracles
Did you catch what was going on in Mary’s house and at what time it was going on?
Our story tells us that a number of disciples had gathered at her house not just to have a time of Bible study and fellowship. While I am sure that they had both of those things at Mary’s house what they were concentrated that night was having a prayer meeting. What they were concentrated on that night was being the catalyst for a miracle.
Late that night while Peter was sleeping in Herod’s prison the Church was on its knees calling out to the LORD for a miracle. They were praying for the Apostle’s safety and freedom. They didn’t know how it could happen but that did not stop them from seeking and asking.
You get the sense that people had put aside their regular tasks and had come out to Mary’s house to spend the night in prayer. In other words, they had an all-night prayer meeting.
Notice it was a corporate prayer meeting. Senior adults, young adults, boys, girls, men and women – every size, every shape, every color, every background was huddled together to pray for the Apostle Peter.
This prayer time was not a basically a ritual. It was not something they did because they were taught that is what you do. It was not something to do to pass the time away or to bring about a little comfort. It was an intense time of prayer – I was deliberate, it was on purpose and it was full of power. It was designed to engage the hand of God for the people of God.
These disciples were doing something similar to what God had wanted His People to do long ago in 2 Chronicles 7:14 –
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
God had wanted His People to come together for times of prayer – forgiveness and healing.
It was similar to what we see happening in Acts 4:31 –
“When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.”
It reminds us of the story of Esther we read about in Esther chapter four.
Esther knew that she needed to go in front of her husband - the king to plead for the life of her people. Haman had tricked the king into signing a document that on a particular day allowed the Jewish people to be killed and their property seized without any harm coming to those who would kill them and take their belongings. Haman was trying his best to annihilate the Jewish race.
The only hope the Jews had was Queen Esther. But she couldn’t just walk up to the king (her husband) and talk. However, at the time that was not allowed. No one could approach the king even the queen unless they were summoned. To do so could mean instant death. However, Esther knew if she didn’t do something her people would die. Haman’s degree would come to pass, and every Jew in the Persian Empire would be put to death.
So, she committed herself and all who wanted to join her to pray and fast. And after a three-day complete fast, she approached her king the husband. Instead of being upset, casting her to the side, he was overwhelmed with her beauty and grace. He accepted her and the plans to overturn Haman and rescue her people was put into motion.
It was not Esther’s courage nor was it her beauty that won the day. It was her and her people’s corporate prayer and fasting for three days. Prayer was the key. Prayer watered the ground so that a miracle could be birthed.
We read about the same thing happening in the life of the Prophet Jonah. The People of Nineveh were under God’s judgement. God was going to destroy the city in a matter of days, but the people humbled themselves, they put on sackcloth and ashes, they repented and begged for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY to be their God, to grant them grace and mercy. And God heard their prayers. God forgave them and a mighty revival occurred in the land of Nineveh.
Would that today there would be a revival of corporate prayer – all night prayer meetings, at all costs prayer meetings that would grab the heart of God and send forth the revival and anointing that so many of our churches and our world needs today.
The Early Church knew that it had no power outside of corporate prayer. They knew that God was listening and responding. They knew that a failure to pray – individually and corporately was just like trying to breath with no lungs. Prayer was the lifeblood of the Early Church.
It is the life blood of the Church today as well. Corporate prayer is not an add on – it is not something that we do for a few minutes before we eat or have a time of fellowship. It is something that we must be passionate about. It is something that will change the heart of a people and of a church. It is something that will cause heaven to move and pour out God’s blessings, anointings and miracles on the lives of His People.
If you talk to anyone who has experienced a revival or a time of real church transformational growth and listen to them they will all come back to this one common thread – corporate prayer – people getting together in cottage or small group prayer meetings, people who will gather together for nights of prayer, people who will put aside their calendars, who will push aside their agendas to spend time together praying for the lost, the sick, the addicted, the enslaved, the widows, the young people, the senior people – everyone. People who will be as passionate about prayer as they are eating fried chicken or a 12 oz. steak. People who will go to the mat of prayer and not get up until they have reached heaven.
III. Finally, we see that there is a madness in determination
Finally, we see that there is a certain madness in determination in prayer.
Anyone or any group of people who have gathered together to pray know how at times prayer is hard work. Prayer is more than just mouthing a few words and then beginning a study or eating a fellowship meal.
Prayer at times is hard work. It is Garden of Gethsemane hard work. It is John chapter 17 hard work. It is Acts chapter 2 hard work.
It takes time, effort and determination.
In 1 Kings 18 we read the story about Elijah right after the miracle at Mount Carmel. He is talking to King Ahab and tells him that there is a sound of the rushing of rain coming. Yet, when King Ahab and others looked at the sky it was clear. It hadn’t rained in months. The land was dry, the animals were dying, and there were no visible signs of rain.
In verses 42 – 44 we read where Elijah prays not just once but seven times. Each time he prays he sends his servant to see if there is any sign of rain. Six times the servant comes back and says, “there is nothing”.
“There is nothing.” No clouds, no sound of wind, nothing but the sun sitting high in the sky and heat pouring out everywhere.
I am sure the Devil was whispering in Elijah’s ear – Give Up. You already won one battle on Mt. Carmel. God is not going to send rain. Do you see that sun? Do you feel that heat? Can’t you smell the dryness? God is not going to answer this prayer. Give up and go home. Wait for another day.
But Elijah was determined. He knew God would send the rain. He knew that God would answer his prayers. What he may not have known is that the LORD was going to have him ask 7 times for this prayer to be answered.
Then we read verse 44:
“And at the seventh time he said, ‘Behold a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
That is all it took. By the time King Ahab got into his chariot there was a mighty thunderstorm – rain was coming down in sheets.
Seven times of intercession. Seven times of going back and looking at the sky. Seven times of determination.
In the book of Daniel chapter 10 Daniel is praying for a miracle – a vision from the LORD. For three weeks Daniel has been fasting and praying. On the 24th day the LORD came – the angel of the LORD came to Daniel and shared with Daniel that on the first day of his prayers he had been sent but for 21 days he had to battle the prince of kingdom of Persia (in other words an unholy angel/demon) and was unable to get to Daniel. Finally, Michael the arch angel came and helped this angel get to Daniel.
Now, I don’t know a great deal about all the heavenly battles and spiritual battles that go on in the heavenlies but I know that had Daniel not fasted and prayed for those 24 days that we would not have these wonderful visions and revelations that he shares in chapters 10 – 12.
It took determination. It took being committed. It took being steadfast. It took Daniel continuing to pray, to intercede for his miracle to come to pass.
You can find the same type of determination in the life of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10 – 20), in the life of Cornelius (Acts 10:1) and in the lives of the Early Church as they awaited the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). You can find the same type of determination in the life of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20) and you can see the determination in the lives of the people in Ezra’s day (Ezra 8).
This morning, as we close there are series of questions that I believe we need to take the time to ask ourselves – all centered on the areas of prayer and miracles.
Do we believe that people can and will be healed?
Do we believe that dreams are able to come back to life?
Do we believe that what others think is gone can in fact be resurrected?
Do we believe that we are able and will receive God’s anointing, blessings and favor?
Do we believe that people are able to be freed from the enslavement of sin?
If we do believe those things and in our hearts, minds and souls give a big YES - then we have to be willing to take the next step -
+Will we do everything within our power to be fertile soil for a miracle?
+Will we commit ourselves to prayer – individual and corporate prayer? Will we open our homes for cottage prayer meetings?
+Will we take the time out to gather with others to pray for miracles, for blessings, for favor, for redemption and salvation?
Finally, will be we be determined?
+Will we be like the woman that the Prophet Elisha told to go and borrow every empty vessel she could find so her and her family could receive God’s abundant blessings?
+Will we be that determined in prayer, in the belief of God’s supernatural blessings and will we do everything we can to be a place where God’s pours out miracles?
The LORD blessed the Early Church with the Apostle Peter. The LORD sent a mighty miracle to help them. Even when the doubted the LORD answered their prayers – you see a little faith goes a long way.
Today, are you/we open to receive a miracle from our LORD? Are we ready to do our part and be determined to reach the heart of God?
Closing Prayer Time –
Song - I Need You More - Kim Walker, Jesus Culture
SONG – I WILL NOT BE DENIED
