Get Out of the Way
Scripture: Acts 11:1-3
"Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. 2 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him."
Observations:
As the message of Christ was spreading rapidly, multitudes were coming to faith and lives were being changed on a daily basis. People from all walks of life were discovering the power of God's forgiveness and experiencing new life for the first time. However, every move of God has opposition. This particular time it came from Jewish Christians who were appauled that Peter had associated himself with disgusting non-Jews in Cesarea. Now first off, those who were complaining were Christians who had themselves recently experienced God's grace when they believe in Christ. Yet, soon after they find Christ they were upset that people they didn't like were now believers! Peter didn't hesitate to share with them that the fact that God is ready and willing to accept everyone, regardless of their past or present, and that it faith, not human opinions, is the only thing that matters when it comes to being accepted by God.
Application:
Face it, if we truly believe that God's message of grace applies to all who put their faith in Christ, then we shouldn't be surprised or upset when He saves "those kinds of people" and they join our church. Any reaction other than joy and thanks to God over anyone coming to faith in Christ reveals a prideful and misguided heart. How can we expect anyone to accept our message when secretly hope that the people who receive it aren't "those kinds of people"? But honestly, even if we don't say it, we think it sometimes, and if that is ever true about us, it's no wonder God isn't using us to reach more people. If we ever intend to take Jesus' instructions about sharing His message with "everyone" on earth, then there's no room and no time to waste filtering our message to fit only those we would feel comfortable with sitting next to us in church. The work of the Kingdom requires us to leave our comfort zones and share as much as we can, with as many as we can, in as many ways we can, as often as we can, and let God build His church.
Prayer:
Father, we lay down our prejudices at Your cross today and move ourselves out of the way for the sake of Your message. We commit to doing whatever it takes to see Your Word spread to as many people as possible, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Build Your Kingdom in our church today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. 2 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him."
Observations:
As the message of Christ was spreading rapidly, multitudes were coming to faith and lives were being changed on a daily basis. People from all walks of life were discovering the power of God's forgiveness and experiencing new life for the first time. However, every move of God has opposition. This particular time it came from Jewish Christians who were appauled that Peter had associated himself with disgusting non-Jews in Cesarea. Now first off, those who were complaining were Christians who had themselves recently experienced God's grace when they believe in Christ. Yet, soon after they find Christ they were upset that people they didn't like were now believers! Peter didn't hesitate to share with them that the fact that God is ready and willing to accept everyone, regardless of their past or present, and that it faith, not human opinions, is the only thing that matters when it comes to being accepted by God.
Application:
Face it, if we truly believe that God's message of grace applies to all who put their faith in Christ, then we shouldn't be surprised or upset when He saves "those kinds of people" and they join our church. Any reaction other than joy and thanks to God over anyone coming to faith in Christ reveals a prideful and misguided heart. How can we expect anyone to accept our message when secretly hope that the people who receive it aren't "those kinds of people"? But honestly, even if we don't say it, we think it sometimes, and if that is ever true about us, it's no wonder God isn't using us to reach more people. If we ever intend to take Jesus' instructions about sharing His message with "everyone" on earth, then there's no room and no time to waste filtering our message to fit only those we would feel comfortable with sitting next to us in church. The work of the Kingdom requires us to leave our comfort zones and share as much as we can, with as many as we can, in as many ways we can, as often as we can, and let God build His church.
Prayer:
Father, we lay down our prejudices at Your cross today and move ourselves out of the way for the sake of Your message. We commit to doing whatever it takes to see Your Word spread to as many people as possible, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Build Your Kingdom in our church today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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