But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8
(NIV)
August 22, 2004: “Evangelism as an Invitation to Dance” by Shane Fuller, Pastor of Singles Ministries of College Park Church. Preaching from Acts 10:1 through 11:18, Pastor Shane challenged us to think and act outside our “bowls” and “boxes” as we consider our role in reaching others for Christ. During his message, Pastor Shane pointed out that God is at work in the lives of non-believers, as well as believers, in a divine dance in which we can participate, for ”He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecc 3:11 (NIV)
Pastor Shane described
how people often view evangelicals as being pushy and aggressive, stepping on
others’ toes and not being very effective witnessing for Christ. Perhaps we need to be more like Christ in
reaching out to others as participants in a divine dance with the Holy Spirit
as he works in the lives of all people, believers and non-believers alike.
Application Questions: As we expand our thinking and realize more
fully that God is at work in both the lives of non-believers and believers as
well, how might this effect the way we relate with non-believers? How might this effect the way we share our
faith?
In Matthew 28:19a we
learn that when Jesus gave his great commission to his disciples, before he
ascended into heaven, it was to ”make disciples of all nations.” Luke records in Acts that, before Jesus
ascended into heaven, he told his disciples that they, empowered by the Holy Spirit, were to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of
the earth. Acts 1:4-8.
Although Peter had followed Jesus for 3.5 years, sat under his teaching,
witnessed all the events that took place, and filled with the Spirit preached
mightily to the Jewish people and performed miraculous signs and wonders, he
had not yet caught the vision of reaching the gentile world for Christ. Even though he was powerfully used of God in
proclaiming the gospel to the Jewish people in Jerusalem and in Judea and
Samaria, in a sense, he had placed a bowl [or basket] over his light to the
world (as described in Matthew 5:14-16). So
God expanded Peter’s vision through an interaction with Cornelius in the town
of Ceasarea.
As we reflect on the passage of scripture in Acts 10 through 11:18, we
find that Cornelius was a Roman Centurion from Caesarea and that He and his
family were Gentiles (Acts 10:28) who were devout and God-fearing, gave
generously to those in need, prayed to God regularly, and were respected by the
Jewish people. But there was something
missing.
Application Questions: What was missing in the life of
Cornelius and his family? Do you know
people who are in a similar situation today?
Would you characterize them as believers or non-believers? Describe their life and faith?
We also know from what Luke records earlier in Acts, that Peter was a
highly effective and highly sought out leader of the early church, but there
was something missing at this point in his ministry.
Application Question: What was missing in Peter’s
vision as to whom God wanted he and the other apostles to reach? By way of application, what is your vision
as to whom God wants you to reach for Christ?”
Is there anything missing, given Christ’s expressed desire (command) that
we make disciples of all the people of the world?
As Pastor Shane pointed out, this story has some similarities and
differences to what took place many years ago in the city of Joppa when Jonah
was called by God to be his messenger.
(For a map of the region, visit http://www.ntimages.com/Israel-i-map.htm). Both Jonah and Peter were asked of God to be
his messenger, however, Jonah fled and Peter obeyed.
As the Lord led Cornelius and Peter to come together, Peter was given
the words to speak to bring Cornelius and his family and friends to believe in
Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Application Questions: What was Peter’s opening
question as he began to interact with Cornelius and the large crowd that had
gathered in his home? How could we
apply this to our approach in sharing Christ with others? How might we use this approach in providing
counsel to those seeking help and advice when confronted with difficult
situations of life?
At what point in Peter’s response did the Holy Spirit come upon the
people? At what point might the Holy
Spirit do likewise as you interact with non-believers who don’t know
Christ. How about believers who are
struggling in their relationships with others?
At what point might the Holy Spirit illuminate their hearts and minds as
to God’s will for their lives?
Are you, or do you know of someone who is, like Cornelius, but has not
yet “connected the dots” and come to know Christ as their personal Savior? How might we pray for God to work in their
lives? How might we pray for God to
work in your life as a messenger of God, like Peter, in being a light in the
world and bringing others to Christ?
How about believers who are in need of God’s direction in their
lives? How might we pray for their
needs, and yours as well as you seek God’s direction in being a light unto
them?
What might you, or we as a flock group, do in helping College Park reach
out locally and/or overseas to people groups around the world who do not yet
know Christ?
As you arise each morning ask “What are you doing today Lord, and how
can I help?” I make myself available to
you. Use me as you wish.
Spiritual Discipline: Today, Pastor Eric Anderson called to our attention the spiritual
discipline of fasting, and encouraged us to consider it more than fasting from
food for a time, but fasting from anything that we feel might be getting in our
way of a closer walk with the Lord. As
we deny self and get to know God better, perhaps we might take some time this
week to fast for a period of time and refrain from selfish desires of…
…and get to know God better by spending the time in reading, memorizing,
and meditating on God’s word and praying as the Holy Spirit directs your heart.