Prayer Released
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Hate to Hope
Hate to Hope
Text: Matthew 4:17-19
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Hatred runs deeper that we think
Hatred runs deeper that we think
In what ways does hatred show itself?
Hatred can exist
++Even in the life of the believer
How can hated be in the life of a believer?
Consider Peter
++Hand picked by Jesus
++Part of his inner circle
++One message converted 3000 people
Hatred can exist
Even in the life of the believer
++Even when we are used by God
How can a person be used by God and still have hatred in his heart?
How does hatred go unnoticed ins the life of the believer?
Peter had a cultural bias
Peter had a cultural bias
His relationship to Christ
++Did not effect this bias
++He valued his being Jewish4
Text: Acts 10:10-14
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
What did God use to prepare Peter for what was next?
God used Peter’s need
++Peter was very hungry
++He was ready to eat
++He refused what God had provided
++He called what God had provided unclean
++He called it common
What was Peter’s attitude and how did God respond to it?
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
What was the purpose of this experience?
This was not about food
This was not about food
Peter is shown God’s
++Hunger
++Desire is for all people
God challenge Peters opinion
++Using the Israels dietary norms
++To help him see that God can do
++God knows how to handle unclean things
Fisher of Men
Fisher of Men
The fisherman’s net
++Will catch a lot of things
++Will catch fish you like
++Will catch fish you don’t like
Though you are fishing
++God is the fisherman
++God determines what you keep
Casting Off
Casting Off
Fishing will require
++Leaving the familiar
++Changing our opinion
Text Acts 10:25-28
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Fishing will require
Leaving the familiar
Changing our opinion
++Clear understanding of the message
Text: Acts 10:34-36
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
God’s Catch
God’s Catch
If we be the net
++God will catch them
++God will clean them
Text: Act 10:44
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Our responsibility is to
++Love them
++Care for them
++Accept them
How did God help Peter recognise his personal biases?
It took a personal revelation
++To overcome cultural bias
++To show God’s love to all
++To start Peter’s Journey to love
We too face biases
We too face biases
Biases can be
++Cultural
++Racial
++Political
++Religious (Denominational)
How do we overcome personal biases?
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, And nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee Because of the Lord thy God, And for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Biases can limit our opportunities to tough the world for God.
Biases can limit our opportunities to tough the world for God.
Our Prayer
Our Prayer
Lord help us to love the way you loved us. Show us our personal biases. Teach us to overcome them within us. Deliver us Lord that we may be effective at sharing your love with all that will hear.