Unstoppable Church 18 | When Kingdoms Collide | Acts 12

Описание: When Kingdoms Collide: Fighting Spiritual Warfare as a Church | Acts 12

The enemy is real. Spiritual warfare isn't just a concept—it's happening all around us. But when the church prays, kingdoms collide and evil is defeated.

In this powerful message from Acts 12, we explore how the first-century church faced intense spiritual opposition and what their response teaches us about fighting spiritual battles today. When King Herod attacked the church, executed James, and imprisoned Peter under maximum security with 16 guards, the believers didn't fight back with human weapons. They didn't organize protests. They didn't launch political campaigns. They prayed. Fervently. Together.

And heaven responded.

THE BATTLE IN ACTS 12:

When Herod Agrippa I launched his attack on the early church, it looked like the enemy was winning. James was dead. Peter was in prison. Execution was scheduled. But Acts 12:5 changes everything with one word: "So Peter was kept in prison, BUT the church was praying fervently to God for him."

That night, an angel invaded Peter's prison cell. Chains fell off. Gates opened by themselves. Peter walked past 16 sleeping guards and into the streets. Meanwhile, the church was still praying at Mary's house—so persistently that Peter had to keep knocking because they couldn't believe God had actually answered their prayers.

The result? James: dead. Peter: rescued. Herod: judged by God. Church: GREW. "But the word of God spread and multiplied" (Acts 12:24).

THE ENEMY'S PLAYBOOK:

Satan uses the same tactics today that he used 2,000 years ago:
Attacking church leaders
Creating division in the church
Distracting believers with secondary issues
Using politics and culture wars to shift focus from the gospel
Making the mission feel impossible

But we don't fight spiritual battles with physical weapons. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens."

HOW TO FIGHT SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

1. FIGHT TOGETHER - Pray Corporately
The early church prayed together. Matthew 18:19-20 promises power when believers agree in prayer. Don't just pray alone—join with other believers in unified, corporate intercession.

2. FIGHT WITH INTENSITY - Pray Fervently
The Greek word "ektenos" means stretched out, intense, unceasing. Not casual prayers. Not brief, polite prayers. War-room intercession that recognizes we're communicating with the most powerful Person in the universe.

3. STAY FOCUSED - Pray With Purpose
The church didn't fight Herod with politics. They stayed focused on the main thing: the gospel. When the enemy attacks, he wants to distract us with culture wars and division. Our calling is to help people find life in Jesus.

THE MAIN THING:

The gospel is the good news that although we've all been permeated by sin, God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Those who believe in Him and receive Him as Savior are adopted into God's family. Our sin is forgiven—past, present, and future. We have the right to be called children of God.

TAKE THE 10-DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE:

Join us in committing to 10 minutes of focused, fervent prayer each day for 10 days. Identify your biggest spiritual battles and bring them to God with intensity.

Remember: When the church prays, kingdoms collide and evil is defeated.

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ABOUT BEAR CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH:
We're a church plant in Lavon, Texas, preparing to launch in September 2026. Our mission is simple: help people find life in Jesus. We believe the gospel crosses every line, that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they follow God's call, and that when the church prays, kingdoms collide.

Visit us: https://bc3.church

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SERMON OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction: I Underestimated the Enemy
5:12 - The Enemy's Strategy: Distraction
9:45 - Series Recap: Acts 10-11
12:30 - Acts 12: The Battle Unfolds
18:20 - Round 1: The Enemy Attacks
23:15 - Round 2: The Church Responds with Prayer
28:40 - Round 3: Heaven Invades Earth
34:25 - Round 4: The Unbelieving Prayer Meeting
39:50 - Round 5: The Enemy Falls
42:10 - Application: How We Fight Today
47:35 - Fight Together - Pray Corporately
52:20 - Fight With Intensity - Pray Fervently
56:45 - Stay Focused - Pray With Purpose
1:01:30 - Closing Prayer

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