Breaking Missional Barriers
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At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Part 2 - Peter and His Vision
Hook
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
Part Three - Peter Meets Cornelius’ Men
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
Acts 10:
Part Four - Peter Meets Cornelius
The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
Acts 10:35-
Part Five - Peter’s Sermon
Acts 10:
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Acts 10:44-
Part Six - Spirit & Water Baptism
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder - we couldn’t let you guys get sick of us
Hook/Intro
Good to be back?
Carolina quote - Absence makes the heart grow fonder - we we just want make sure you guys don’t get sick of us.
Speaking of sick thanks for everyone who was praying for me this week; I was sick as a dog with a man-cold.
We are continuing on with our Acts series and have some serious ground to cover this morning so we are going to pray and dive right in.
You ready?
Here we go.
FATHER!!!
2 min recap of (Samaritans, Eunuch, and Saul- conversion stories)
Where will the Gospel go next? What spaces and places will Jesus show up next?
Reality is that we have non-physical walls everywhere.
The one’s I think about most often as I live here in Yarmouth;
Hook -
Divides between the churches
French/English
Catholic/Protestant
English/Protestant
Before we went to Disney we asked for advice from a lot of people and so we right, rip-roarin ready when we arrived early to Disney. We got to the very front of the line so when the rope dropped we could go to the first roller coaster which was new and had like an immediate 90 minute wait. If you know anything about me you know waiting is not my strong suit. So we basically get right on this Seven Dwarves coaster which I’m like this is super fun but also not crazy freaky or nothing.
Doing this ride first help break the mental barrier for the ride we were about to go on.
So I’m feeling pretty good about myself… I got this Disney thing. I’m owning these coasters. Then we book it to Space Mountain and to our amazement because we got on and off so quickly we basically walk right on. Both of these coasters an hour later had over an hour wait for each one. We actually ended up doing 14 rides and all the rides we want to do by like 1pm thanks to the advice and counsel from all the people who helped us.
Christians/Non-Christians
Now how many of you are wondering what in the world any of this has to the Bible or Jesus or anything to do with church? Hold on, I’m getting there.
Truth is, we actually like our walls- we like staying amongst our own people, people we like, people that make us feel safe, look like us, act like us, talk like us.
Now how many of you are wondering what in the world any of this has to the Bible or Jesus or anything to do with church? Hold on, I’m getting there.
So, let’s go back to Space Mountain. You know how I said I was feeling like the King of the Coaster after we conquered the Seven Dwarves. Well, well, well, let me tell you; any bit of confidence I had towards the coasters quickly vanished into mid-air. Now, for all of you who gave me advice about Disney none of y’all told me that the whole coaster was in the DARK!! And I’m mad! Lol
Introduce Subject - A Gospel that Tears Down Walls
So, how many of you have been to Disney? Imagine being on a roller coaster and you couldn’t see anything coming, didn’t know what direction you were heading in? The whole time I was on the coaster I was like, because I could feel how close we were to the walls and stuff. Man half way through I wasn’t feeling so hot and I was like ok Mercy, mercy, you win and I suck. It definitely took the wind out of my sails. You know when you are like ok, make it stop, make it stop.
What I want to point out from that story though is that doing the seven dwarves first help us break the mental barrier in our heads to say we can do this next one.
Introduce Subject -
Introduce Subject -
Today I want to talk about breaking through barriers for mission.
something material that blocks or is intended to block passage 〈highway barriers〉 〈a barrier contraceptive〉
something immaterial that impedes or separates
The first kind of barrier is more of a physical one that prevents things from moving in and out
The second meaning is something that hinders or sets us away from something else
Today I want to talk the barriers for mission.
Fallen Condition Focus
What are the barriers we have that hinder us from increasing the witness of Jesus in Woods Harbour, Barrington and Pubnico?
something material that blocks or is intended to block passage 〈highway barriers〉 〈a barrier contraceptive〉
While there can be many physical barriers that seem to hinder advancing the mission. If you don’t believe me just read a few more chapters in the book of Acts.
By the way, at the beginning of the month a number of people including myself committed to reading Acts this month as a New Years Resolution. And if you are like me you still have work to do. I am about halfway through and have to do some sprinting here these next few days to finish. Just want to encourage you to continue to read through it and follow through on that commitment.
something immaterial that impedes or separates
But we all have barriers and most of the time the barriers that hinder moving the mission of God forward is the barriers that exist in our own hearts and minds.
The first kind of barrier is more of a physical one that prevents things from moving in and out
The second meaning is something that hinders or sets us away from something else
Reason To Hear/Hope
Reason To Hear/Hope
My hope is today, that with the Holy Spirit’s help, we would identify the barriers in our own life and come to Jesus in prayer and ask him to change us and make us ready for the mission he has for us.
Transition to Text
can be broken up into 6 different sections. For the sake of time we are not going to read each individual verse again but instead give you the high points of the account.
Part One - Cornelius Has A Vision
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
The Church is a sent Church
Summarize section
In in a god-fearing Italian Commander named Cornelius has this crazy vision. It’s important to mention all his family were also god-fearing.
He has this legit encounter with an angel and the angel tells him to send men to fetch Peter who is Joppa.
The Church is a sent Church
Very important the emphasis on “sending”
The greek word for send is the same word we get apostle from.
ἀπέστειλεν - sent
I want to point this out in this first section because it teaches something about the nature of the church that is woven throughout the book of Acts
The Church is a sent Church
Who is sent by? Pause?
The Holy Spirit sends the church to fulfill the mission of God and that is exactly what is happening in this passage of Scripture.
So for us here in Woods Harbour as we seek to fulfill increasing the witness of Jesus in Woods Harbour, Barrington and Pubnico we have to realize that we are a sent people; sent to fulfill God’s mission in these communities. Amen?
Illustration
I love team sports and I’m not good at doing things that require working all by yourself. Yesterday I went for a run with Tim Malone and did well for about the first 2.5 kms and then on the way back there was a whole lot of walking, a whole lot of weezing and a few times I legit almost lost my breakfast. It was a hard old go for me and you know I found it hard to find the drive and endurance to go.
I said to Tim, I wish there was a way you could do this kind of working and put something in the net or do it with a big group of people because I struggle trying to be motivated to do something just for finishing it or self development.
But when you have a team trying to put something in the net and you are contributing to help your team member man it makes a big difference.
Facebook Post from South Shore Youth Night
Yarmouth Wesleyan Church is in Barrington, Nova Scotia.2 hrs ·
We had a great time last night at our @southshore.youth Night! Thanks to all who joined us. We are believing for more!
.
.
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#revival #unity #nextgeneration #youth #together #barrington#yarmouthwc @ Barrington, Nova Scotia
TWO PICTURES
Friday Night a bunch of Youth Groups got together at the Barrington High School under the leadership of a network of youth leaders who
Friday Night a bunch of Youth Groups got together at the Barrington High School under the leadership of a network of youth leaders who come together to bring Jesus to the youth in every community of Sou-Wes Nova. Bringing Jesus into every community of Sou-Wes Nova; does that sound familiar?
Just happens to be Yarmouth Wesleyan’s mission statement.
Yarmouth Wesleyan believes in that so much that they staff, resources, sound gear, time and effort to pull off a youth event in Barrington where 140 youth and leaders showed up.
It’s crazy because they only sat up for 70-80 students; GOOD PROBLEMS.
Yarmouth Wes is getting this idea that they are a sent church.
Sending their staff, sound gear and resources up here to Barrington does nothing to advance their own personal church or congregation but it fulfills the mission and mandate God has given them.
What I find so crazy cool and awesome and what I get so excited about an event like this is that Yarmouth Wes mission of bringing Jesus into every community in Sou-Wes Nova and it dovetails with our mission to increase the witness of Jesus in Woods Harbour, Barrington and Pubnico.
I’m here to tell you that there were a ton of kids from Woods Harbour, Barrington and Pubnico at this event and this team of people were fulfilling the mission God has given to us which we celebrate and rejoice.
We need a youth representative from our church and more of our people to get involved with this
There are all kinds of questions that rise from this
1. How can we continue to partner together as Woods Harbour Wesleyan and Yarmouth Wesleyan to help fulfill our shared mission together? What does it look like to form a deeper partnership to see God’s mission fulfilled? It might mean doing some things that have never been done before here on the South Shore but if it fulfills God’s mission then let it be so.
2. How can we better support events like this with our time, effort and resources to be better partners? Like the next youth event should we have people from our church there as leaders. Could we provide food for the travelling team etc?
3. Another question is how do we as a church get into sent mode?
Today we celebrate the launch of two very exciting ministries with Alpha and Celebrate Recovery and a few moments we are going to ask these ministries to come forward and we are going to lay hands and pray over them. These two ministries excite me because they are ministries geared towards reaching those who don’t know Jesus or are new to faith. These ministries represent a Sent Church.
If we are not a SENT people we are not being the church!
Acts teaches us to be a sent people.
The Father sent Jesus
Jesus sent the Spirit
The Spirit sends the Church
That is exactly what is happening in this passage of Scripture. Let’s look back at Part Two.
Part 2 - Peter and His Vision
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Summarize Story Section
We need Jesus to uproot legalism, traditions and our cultural biases that clash with God’s mission.
Interesting that Peter got away to pray and seek the Lord and has this crazy encounter with Jesus that would change his mentality for the rest of this life.
There is so much to unpack here.
There is so much to unpack here.
1. Prayer brings us to the place where we can encounter Jesus and he can transform the way we think.
Jesus had to uproot and shift Peter's traditionalism and cultural bias because it was about to get in the way of God's mission.
Q. What are the traditional ways of thinking we have in our own head that could potentially resist God fulfilling the mission of increasing the witness of Jesus in Woods Habour, Barrington and Pubnico?
Q. What are the traditional ways of thinking we have in our own head that could potentially resist God fulfilling the mission of increasing the witness of Jesus in Woods Habour, Barrington and Pubnico?
Q. Do we need to come to Jesus and ask him to change our mentality?
It took a supernatural vision from Jesus for him to shift and change the way that he thought.
It is interesting because as you go on in the text the legalistic tradition that is in Peter's heart actually comes to the surface and Jesus addresses it multiple times
This is powerful stuff.
Listen - if you have legalism or tradition engrained in your heart and mind that resists God's mission Jesus isn't afraid to confront it and for it to be drawn out of your heart. As a matter of fact you should expect it.
As the Spirit of God shifts us into sent mode I can almost guarantee the Lord will have to break down some walls in your own heart and mind.
Illustration
Point One
Interesting that Peter got away to pray and seek the Lord and has this crazy encounter with Jesus that would change his mentality for the rest of this life.
There is so much to unpack here.
1. Prayer brings us to the place where we can encounter Jesus and he can transform the way we think.
In this particular instance Jesus had to uproot and shift Peter's traditionalism and cultural bias because it was about to get in the way of God's mission.
Q. What are the traditional ways of thinking we have in our own head that could potentially resist God fulfilling the mission of increasing the witness of Jesus in Woods Habour, Barrington and Pubnico?
Q. Do we need to come to Jesus and ask him to change our mentality?
It took a supernatural vision from Jesus for him to shift and change the way that he thought.
It is interesting because as you go on in the text the legalistic tradition that is in Peter's heart actually comes to the surface and Jesus addresses it multiple times
This is powerful stuff.
Listen - if you have legalism or tradition engrained in your heart and mind that resists God's mission Jesus isn't afraid to confront it and for it to be drawn out of your heart. As a matter of fact you should expect it.Point One
Point Two
On Tuesday night at prayer meeting I shared with the group there about our trip to Disney and in particular our journey on the roller coaster Space Mountain.
I won’t re-tell the whole story for the sake of time but long story short we got on this roller coaster and at one point in time as we were just taking it easy going through it said 20 seconds to launch. I thought to myself; oh what does that mean? I thought we were going along just find until we get to the launch part and all of a sudden we were on this ride and the whole ride was totally in the dark. Couldn’t see a thing.
As God puts us as a church into send mode and we start moving forward into God’s mission for us we are going to be doing things that have never been done before to reach people. So in one sense some of things we are going to step out into are going to be steps of faith in the dark because
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
We walk by faith and not by sight
We walk by faith and not by sight
PICTURE HERE -
Stepping into God’s mission will challenge everything inside of us kind of like that roller coaster did to Carolina and I. In hindsight if we knew the challenge that was ahead we might not of went on it and if there was a way to safely eject from the seat half way through we might have done that as well.
Fulfilling God’s mission is messy, complex, challenging, time consuming and yes even at times draining - all the things we try to avoid. Jesus needs to get our head and heart ready so once we put that bar down and step into this mission God has for us we won’t panic.
Illustration - We had an older gentlemen who tried to get on the ride the same time as us and he tried to get down in the ride and well he got stuck and wasn’t positioned right. He tried to get up again but because of his age and weight he wasn’t having a hard old go and this thing was getting ready to go. He was yelling in distress, help, help...
Finally we got the operator’s attention who didn’t look to enthused about the whole situation with his blank looking droll on his face. We helped the man, lifted him up so he could fit properly into the seat.
I want to speak to you older folks he today for a moment.
Some of the changes the Lord leads us into as seek to fulfill the mission of God is going to be most difficult for you compared to other people.
And some of you might have trouble getting settled into things as the Spirit of God shifts us into sent mode and launch mode.
And yes, you might even have those moments of panic and feeling like things are not fitting in right, and you haven’t got yourself braced and so on and so forth.
But I want you to be like this older gentlemen who still chose to sit down, put his bar down and hold on for the ride.
I’ll never forget what he said before he put the bar down
“I just don’t move like I used to.”
As God gets us ready to be sent you might feel that same thing - “I just don’t move like I used to” - and you might feel the panic and everything else involved with a church shifting into launch mode.
But at the end of the day this is what I am going to ask you like this old man
To put the bar down and hold on for the ride the Lord Jesus is about to take us on.
Part Three - Peter Meets Cornelius’ Men
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
Summarize Story Section
We need to know we are not alone - we have a Senior Partner - The Holy Spirit
God is already at work. Do you see it in this passage?
Part Four - Peter Meets Cornelius
The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Walls being broken opens the way for ministry to happen
Part Five - Peter’s Sermon
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Gospel in a nutshell
A solid sermon
Part Six - Spirit & Water Baptism
Part Six - Spirit & Water Baptism
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Point Three
You can’t put God in a box
Baptism plug
In most cases in Acts people get baptized and the are prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit typically through the laying on of hands but one thing we learn in Acts is you can’t put God in a box and pre-determine what he will and won’t do or put him into formulas. He is a Living God.
Sum Up
Suggestion
Spin Around
Stop