Who am I to withstand God? Acts 11:1-18

 

Do you believe the Word of God, even if in your mind, it doesn’t make sense?

Acts 11:1
Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

Word spread about, The Word, spreading from the Jew to the gentile.

Without phone, internet, or television, word spread by the best form of communication still to this day—word of mouth.

Do the words of your mouth spread The Word of God?

Preparing this message, the Lord asked this question, and I had to stop and think.

In the past week, I talked with the Lake Placid Chief of Police, invited him to call anytime for prayer; he asked if I’d pray with the officers after one of their meetings.

We gathered by the car of the Walmart delivery lady, (Heather), listened to her story, she cried, we prayed. We gave her our card, invited her to call or join us for Church anytime. Same thing with the Verizon tech on the phone. Repeatedly with our mailman Johnny, with the help at Lowe’s and the grocery store.

I carry our Church cards everywhere I go, hand them out to everyone I meet. Tell them if they ever need to talk or pray it’s just a phone call away. Invite them to join us anytime. Not to fill seats in a building, but the fill souls in the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s about planting Seeds. God gives the increase. You never know, your Seed, may lead to saving a life, changing a soul, for eternity.

They spread, the Word, with their words. Are you?

What are you doing with your words?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:36-37; But I say to you that for every idle (lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,

Peter returned from a ministry tour through all parts of the country. Acts 9:32-11:2.

In Lydda, he met Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight yrs. The Lord healed him. Word spread, resulting in the Greatest Miracle; all in Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord.

Petter went to Joppa and met Tabitha (Dorcas), she was dead, but the Lord raised her to life. Word spread throughout Joppa, resulting in the Greatest Miracle, many believed on the Lord.

Peter stayed in Joppa with Simon the Tanner: This time Word spread by the voice of an angel to a man named Cornelius in Caesarea, a Centurion (not a 100-year-old man; a soldier in charge of 100 men), telling him to send for Peter.

Peter went and spoke and the Holy Spirit filled gentile Cornelius and all his friends and family there in the room.

Now, Peter’s back.

Of all the miraculous signs and salvations, what complaint, contention, criticism, could the circumcision, (Jewish believers) possibly have against Peter?

3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

The circumcised (Jewish believers) rebuked Peter for entering the home and eating with the uncircumcised (gentiles, non-Jews).

Their religious tradition was irritated.

The Jews thought they were better than everybody else. In their mind there were Jews, the chosen, the elite peeps of God; and then there was everybody else, gentile dogs.

Thus, in their mind, you were unclean, defiled, contaminated, if you went into the home of the uncircumcised.

That religious tradition, didn’t simply vanish because they believed in Jesus as their Messiah. Mark 7:13, By your tradition you make of non-effect the Word of God.

When we commit our lives to Jesus, no matter who we are, or where we come from, in His eyes we’re clean—even though we still might cling to, garbage/tradition/religion.

As we walk with Him, He helps us let go of garage.

Religious tradition gets irritated in the presence of Jesus.

So, if that happens, don’t run, stop and ask the Lord if He’s trying to get you to let go of some garbage, so you can walk with Him closer, cling to Him tighter.

They should’ve known better than to hang onto their arrogant prejudice against non-Jews. Jesus had been telling them all along of the Truth of His great Love for all.

For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever…John 3:16

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… Matthew 28:19

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Now, just to be clear, regarding Jews.

Jews aren’t better. They’re chosen. Chosen for a reason. Chosen for a season. But chosen. If you have a problem with that - talk to the Chooser!

To all the (quote) “Christian” Jew-haters:

You don’t know Jesus.

You may know of Jesus.

You can tell Him: Lord, Lord…” and He will answer you: ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

If you really knew Him and loved Him you would’ve also loved the least of His brethren.

Those words were from Amir Tsarfati, a Messianic Jew; a Christian.

A couple days ago, one of the hamas captives was rescued. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Jew, called and congratulated him, letting him know all Israel rejoices with him. Medical attention was provided by his doctor, a Jew. The abductee’s name is Qaid Farhan Alkadi; a 52 yr. old male, a muslim, rescued by Jews, cared for by Jews, celebrated by Jews. 

Do not listen to Jew hating, terrorist loving nonsense.

Okay, back to our text.

4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:

The Lord had been using Peter powerfully, healing, raising the dead, speaking to him, and through him.

Yet, he doesn’t say, “Who do you think you are, to question me? Don’t you know the catholics will call me the first Pope? You can just kiss my… ring.”

No, he said nothing like that. He simply, humbly, explained to them what happened.

5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

Notice he only says, I was in the city of Joppa praying. He doesn’t say I was in the city of Joppa staying, at the house of Simon the Tanner. That would’ve made their heads explode.

He just says I was praying, went into a trance; ekstasis; (a displacement of the mind), and saw a vision.

Now we’ll hear for the third time, the story of the sheet coming down from heaven.

When God says something once, it’s important. Twice, it’s really important, scoot to the edge of your seat and pay attention. Three times, stand up draw close, it’s super important.

The importance of this is that God officially poured out His Spirit, on all flesh, not only the Jews, but spread to the rest of the world, the gentiles. Like on the day of Pentecost, but this time for the gentiles.

As Peter said on the day of Pentecost: This is that, which was spoken by the prophet Joel, in the last days, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh… Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17.

As Jesus said in Acts 1:8; But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Additionally, remember Pete and repeat. The repeating of the story, by Peter, is an example for us to follow.

Retell your story, retell your testimony. Your test, that revealed God’s glory.

You have a story. What is it? We’d love to hear your story. Comment and let us know (During our Church service we paused to hear your stories, you can listen online to the interaction. See link at bottom of blog).

You have a story about God’s glory, in your life. Speak it, and keep on speaking, repeating what the Lord has done, not what the world had done.

This is how we ought to think and speak:

Philippians 4:4-8;

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, (repeat) I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious (worrisome) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (petition), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

If you’re thinking about these things, you’ll speak about these things. Out of the abundance of the heat the mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45; A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Believing and speaking His Word brings forth His good treasure, and His peace that passes understanding.

6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

The vision was clear, no ambiguity. These were unclean animals.

7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’

The Voice was clear, no ambiguity.

Rise. Kill. Eat.

8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’

Religious tradition clouds the clear vision and voice of the Almighty.

But Jesus clearly said with no ambiguity in, Mark 7:18-19; Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.”

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

Go ahead, make some bacon, it’s not a sin.

Maybe not healthy, perhaps not wise, but not a sin.

But actually, He’s not even talking about food.

10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

Done three times, now repeated three times, and referred to again in Acts 15:7-8; when some religious folks try to make gentiles get circumcised.

Lord willing, we’ll go over that someday, when we get there.  

11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.

God’s message is given with Divine Timing. So, when you hear from Him, pay attention to the timing.

12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,

14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Then I remembered, the Word of the Lord.

He had to hear it, to remember it.

Psalm 119:11; Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.

John 14:26; But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

A vision from God will always complement, never contradict, the Word of God

Psalm 119:89 Thy Word is forever settled in heaven

Ps. 119:105; Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Hebrews 4:12; For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It cuts to the heart of the matter exposing the motives

The Word of the Lord endures forever. Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Mark 13:31.

17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

Peter, walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, was powerfully used by Jesus; yet, he said, who am I to withstand, (kóluó: to hinder, prevent, restrain, forbid), God?

If the Word of God says, I should think on things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; virtue, praise; who am I to withstand, hinder, prevent, restrain, God by thinking anything otherwise?

If the Word of God tells me, to bring every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ, who am I to withstand, hinder, prevent, restrain, forbid God by letting my thoughts derail and run free? 2 Corinthians 10:5.

If the Word of God says, I should not worry or be anxious, about anything, but pray about everything, then who am I to withstand, hinder, prevent, restrain, God?

If the Word of God says, the peace of God that passes understanding shall guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus, who am I to withstand, hinder, prevent, restrain, forbid, Almighty God?

If the Word of God says He shall provide all my needs, Phil. 4:19.

If the Word of God says He shall keep me in perfect peace, Isaiah 26:3

If the Word of God says that Jesus came to heal my heart, set me free, open my eyes, give me joy, who am I to resist Him, reject Him? Luke 4:18-19

If the Word of God says, I am a victor, not a victim, then who am I to walk through this life defeated? Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57.

If God offers His Holy Spirit, who am I to reject Him?

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

The religious crew started out contending with Peter.

Thankfully they listened to Peter.

Now, they offer silence. Sometimes, many times, the best, most respectful, answer is silence.

I read about an Indian custom called the Gift of Silence. If you came to them with a question. If they respected you, they would not disrespect you with an immediate answer. They would honor you by contemplating your question, and preparing a thoughtful answer.

They offered Peter the Gift of Silence.

Understanding came, and they glorified God.

I pray we respect our Lord by offering Him the Gift of Silence, and instead of contending with Him, we’ll, with heart and arms wide open, receive His, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. In other words, His Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Do you believe the Word of God, even if in your mind, it doesn’t make sense?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, may the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, our Rock and Redeemer. We trust You, even if it goes against our religious tradition. We choose to believe Your Word, even if it makes no sense to our natural mind.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.