In the Acts 12 story of Peter's imprisonment, James, the brother of John had been silenced, and Herod planned to also do away with Peter. Herod wanted to do this in order to please the enemies of the Gospel, but did not want to get the Jewish leaders upset by interfering with the Passover. So he put Peter in prison, and set a guard. There were four groups of four guards taking turns, two were chained to Peter, and two stood by the door of the cell. So there were 16 guards involved in keeping Peter from his preaching.

Let's give these guards names according to four groups (quaternions) of enemies which limit us from preaching the Gospel.

Quaternion Number 1 - Fleshly Enemies

Pride - wanting to cause others to think well of us.

Self-centeredness - caring only about one's own affairs and needs.

Greed - allowing the American emphasis on consumerism to drive us .

Lust - impure thoughts will always hinder the Gospel.

Quaternion Number 2 - Mental Enemies

Doubt - uncertain about our eternal destiny.

Ignorance - not sure how to explain the plan of salvation.

Depression - hopelessness.

Confusion - being frustrated with our inability to understand.

Quaternion Number 3 - Emotional Enemies

Sorrow - grief may be appropriate, but self pity is not.

Jealousy - being upset when others are blessed or used of God.

Anger - unresolved personal offenses.

Revenge - a desire for others to suffer for their wrong doing.

Quaternion Number 4 - Spiritual Enemies

Guilt - need to fully accept the forgiveness He has granted.

Fear - inappropriate fear of God whom we may feel is punishing of our failed attempts.

Unworthiness - forgetting that God wants to use us regardless of our past.

Rebellion - out right disobedience to God's commands.

Usually we think of people who are outside of Christ to be the ones who need deliverance. But Christians need it too, otherwise the Gospel will not be preached.

How does this deliverance come about?

1. The Church prays together for Peter's (insert your name) release.

2. A message is sent to Peter, and he must get up and walk away from prison.

3. The Church joins in the celebration of victory - they are amazed, they did not really expect this to happen!

4. The guards are executed.