Following Where God Leads (or "put up or...")

Characteristics of Peter - Acts 10

We’ve seen him raw, fear, doubt, deny, repent, forgiven, bold, brash

He has been used by God, Acts 2ff

Acts 1:8 - Peter heard, they would be witnesses (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and beyond)

He believes that - he proclaimed it - he was prepared

Now it’s time to follow where God leads - or put up or shut up - or walk the talk

God’s gonna stretch him a little, or maybe a lot

ACTS 10 - READ

Basics surrounding the Gospel - Peter learns - us

1) “Religion” saves no one!

(giving, talking about God, caring for others, even prayer)

Cornelius - a centurion, influential, Roman, respecting the Jewish people and their religion - he is religious, in need of Jesus

Cornelius knows God exists, but he does not know him

Many hold to “as long as I believe something, I’m good” - FALSE

Demons believe God - James 2:19 - and shutter

Many here believe God is real, brought up to believe that, but do not understand the relationship

2) Be prepared to “GO” - God will use ANYONE to reach ANYONE

God will give the opportunity - His plan is for everyone to hear the Gospel/truth

Peter might have thought he had done enough, he’s relaxing in Joppa - I mean, 5000 so far have gotten saved directly after hearing Peter preach - not a bad record

Peter’s not a big fan of the Gentiles (neither was Jonah…)

Be prepared - those who God puts in your path He puts in your path

To Peter: “what God has declared clean...” - food, people

Be prepared, God will save anyone receptive - yes, even Gentiles (anyone here Jewish? No?)

Jesus taught, Peter taught, Paul, and others - faith is what saves; faith is what relates us to Abraham

God puts Peter in a situation - you, too

The foundation is set: Fear God, do what He counsels, go where He leads

Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB95

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Let God do the saving - see v. 43

Speak the truth, let the Holy Spirit work

ASIDE - note, no baptism here, they believe, and they receive the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit comes when you believe - believer’s baptism follows

Can God Use YOU?

Peter - a lowly fisherman, a “nobody” with faith

What about your past, your present, your education, your Bible knowledge your family, your __________?

What about what Jesus has done for you???

What about the day you placed your trust in Jesus??

Can God use you?

REM: Peter - when he was called, his development

Unworthy - Luke 5:8

Denying Jesus, then restored - Luke 22:57f, John 21: 15f

Does it make sense to you, that God wants to use you? - Maybe not…OK

God shows Peter that His plan is big, beyond the Jews - beyond His comfort zone

The Gospel is the same (no Peter vs Paul, etc.)

God’s comfort zone is all who believe

ONE BODY - Christ as the head

Who does God want you to reach? How?

Write those names down, now - people you now who need the Gospel

Feel uncomfortable? People we don’t especially “like?”

Not good at this “sharing Jesus” thing? Want to be?

IF you want to, God will open the doors and provide the opportunities

“But if I talk about Jesus, people think I’m weird.”

Actually, you are set apart - you might seem different - because you are supposed to be!

The Holy Spirit will guide you in what to say

Luke 12:12 NASB95

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

OUR CHALLENGE - “GO”

It’s not our calling to “do church” and feel good

Our command is to GO - Matt. 28:19-20 - it’s not an option

And the health of this church is contingent on how seriously we take that command

Personal, individual, working as a group

Where do we start?

We must know Scripture - Peter did not share his own opinion, He proclaimed the truth, the Word, which is not written - God’s Word for eternity - The Word is what carries the power - use it

Let people argue with God, not you…but you need to be the vehicle of the message - THAT IS THE PLAN

The Romans Road

Memory verses today - REPEAT - I’m asking you to learn these two, this week

Romans 3:23 NASB95

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:8 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

CLOSING QUESTION

What could possibly be more important to tell someone, to share with someone, than the good news of Jesus

Try sharing these two verses with someone this week

Try sharing them with someone you know is a believer already - practice, and besides, what believer would be bothered by you talking about Jesus

If talking about, or hearing about, Jesus, makes you feel uncomfortable, talk with God

You are either not a believer or a believer not trusting in the Lord to lead you

Peter was a nobody, and God used him to help change the world

“Yeah, but God told him pretty directly...”

Yes, and God is doing the same with you, today, right now

His Word is clear, it is alive, it speaks - and He is telling you, right now, to go share Christ

PRAYER

Then...TRACTS and sheets - take one if you are serious about this - read it yourself, become familiar, and use God’s Word

God will make the opportunity - will you respond?

Song…God Will Make a Way