We have been continuing our journey through the book of Acts and on Sunday we were in Acts 11. In the opening scene of Acts 11, we encounter a group of devoutly religious people; some probably had their hands on their hips and others with their arms folded sternly across their chest. With a scowl on their face coupled with a look of disbelief they are looking at the Apostle Peter and saying... "You Did What?!?!"
They were not excited about Cornelius and his household coming to faith in Christ. They were worked up over the fact that Peter had crossed the line and had a meal with Cornelius and that he had hung out with the Gentiles. After facing their CONFRONTATION, Peter gave a complete EXPLANATION of the event which is rich with instruction for us today.
Here are some of the highlights that we need to think through and apply on our own lives.
1) Peter tells them the whole situation started off when he was on the roof PRAYING.
Well, that's a good place to start. James reminds us that the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" I hope we will see the results of availing prayer in our church, our community and our county in the days ahead.
2) Next he received a clear REVELATION from the Lord.
We are blessed in that we can receive a clear revelation from the Lord EVERY SINGLE day. All we have to do is open His Word, read it and listen to what the Spirit says through the Word. May we hear and heed the revelation God has for us in His Word.
3) The CIRCUMSTANCES served to confirm that God was up to something.
Three times he sees a vision and hears a clear Word from heaven. The very NEXT moment there are three guys at the front door looking for Peter. You think that didn't have his attention? As we are praying and in the Word we need to keep our eyes open to what God is doing all around us.
4) Can I get a WITNESS?
Peter did, he had SIX of them. Six companions traveled with Peter to Cornelius' house. The witnesses served as a significant and reliable confirmation of God's leading in Peter's life. It makes me think that it may not be too wise to rush off into something without others to affirm and confirm our decision and direction.
5) The ground was PREPARED, the harvest was ready and God BLESSED Peter's preaching.
Peter preached and before he could finish the Holy Spirit fell on everyone gathered in Cornelius' house. That had to be EXCITING? Acts 11:13-14 are very interesting verses to me. In these verses, Cornelius tells how the angel had told him that Peter would bring a message by which Cornelius and all in his household would be saved. No wonder Cornelius had invited a crowd over (Acts 10:24-27). He believed the message he and his family would hear would CHANGE their lives and so he made sure to get as many as possible crowded into his home to hear the message. So, the question before us is "Who are we bringing to hear the message of salvation? Who are we inviting over to hear the message that "Jesus Saves"? The message WILL change lives. Maybe we need to have some home gatherings for the purpose of telling others about Jesus.
6) Peter ends his "Testimony" with a word of SCRIPTURE.
Notice what he tells the brothers listening to him; "I remembered the Word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." It's ALWAYS good to remember the Word of the Lord!
The Jewish brothers who sought Peter out for a CONFRONTATION now came around to a clear RECOGNITION of the fact that God was doing a mighty work among the Gentiles. They concluded "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life." Thanks to that vitally important truth we are able to meet and worship the Lord each Sunday. Not because of our own good or our religious affiliation or even our religious heritage. We meet and worship a Risen Savior because He has GRANTED to us repentance that leads to life.
I want this message to infiltrate my thoughts and actions. I want it to transform me and our church. God has placed us in a community that NEEDS to hear the Gospel and we have to be willing to cross barriers to share the Good News with others. When we do we will see households come to Christ. After all the book of Acts is not the Acts of the Apostles, or the Acts of the Early Church; it is the Acts of The Resurrected Savior through the Holy Spirit. So I pray we will see the Spirit move in our midst in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Do you want that? Then let's pray, read the Word and look for God at work in the everyday details of life.
I'll have more to share with you tomorrow.
For His Glory,
Pastor Mike
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