There are three movements in Acts 10 (at least as I see it...)
God prepares people to hear the gospel (Cornelius, a roman, religious and good, but not good enough without Christ. He needs Jesus who died for him.)
God prepares someone to share the gospel (Peter, apostle, fisherman, outside the box but religiously traditional. He knows Jesus, but he needs to get to know Cornelius...)
God brings the two of them together (its a little awkward at first, but the Spirit works through the gospel.)
The interesting part of the story, for me, is that God has to do a lot more preparing of the Christian than he does the one who needs to hear. Is that true in my story? Could unsaved people seem so far away because I am withdrawn and isolated from them?
Grace acts 9
Wow, has it been so long since I posted? Oh my, was there nothing in the last several chapters, or was there too much?
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
- Grace reaches the least likely people, 9:1-9
- Grace gives us courage in our fear, 9:10-19
- Grace transforms us, 9:20-25
- Grace to one person changes the church, 9:26-31
Somewhere between those last two points, I'm reminded how the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his transformation into Paul the Apostle is considered by historians to be one of the greatest historical proofs of the reality of Christianity, second only to the resurrection of Christ. When one compares the depth of commitment, both before and after, and the distance between the two points of view held by Saul and by Paul (although he likely always had both names), there is no other rational explanation except that Paul genuinely knew to be true all that he so faithfully proclaimed to others.
Think on it, the best testimony of the risen Christ who forgives sin and gives new life is that new life lived out in the one who believes in Him. That is not just for Paul, you and I have that same opportunity. I so want God to do a great work through me, maybe I don't pay enough attention to the greatness of the work God would do in me.
Acts 5 God on Mission
What a whirlwind in Acts 5!. Two people in the church get called out by the Holy Spirit and an early call home. God is working, people stop pretending, the disciples keep telling, they get arrested, angels release them, the council is perplexed, wonder what to do, could this really be God at work? Maybe it is, but we'll beat these guys anyway. The disciples in the end are a real contrast to the two at the beginning of the chapter. They had wanted others to think admire them spiritually, whereas the disciples don't mind being despised for Jesus' name.
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
Acts 4 courage on mission
One thing about Peter, he's always willing to speak up. But there seems to be one difference after Christ's resurection--Peter is right on.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.
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