Missions Paul

Under the same roof

Acts 10:23
“Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.”

A lot can happen during hospitality. Purposes for the visit can be laid out. Stories can be shared. Prejudices can be broken down forever. “People are better for knowing” as we say.
Peter invited the men into the house. A Jew and 3 Gentiles share a night together.
I am at the airport in Harare this morning, the last 2 days has been incredible. We hosted an Elim Global conference for East, Central and South Africa where 54 leaders gathered. During the registration we had a wife of a Pastor come that we were not expecting which resulted in making the room allocations very difficult indeed. The only thing we could do was to put a group of men together in one room. this may have been fine except 8 years ago these Pastors divided producing 2 denominations from the one. Much hurt was experienced by both sides at that time. Here we were putting these key leaders of the split together under one roof for 3 days. Anything could have happened!! Something amazing did happen.
They began to share their lives, they laughed a lot and instead of differences they found commonalities. It was difficult to see the split. The next day I had the privilege of bringing both sides together officially and their 2 senior leaders reconciled. Where did it begin? It began under one roof.
A lot can happen within hospitality.

What do you have to say?
Acts 10:22
“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 have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”

Not just a Gentile but an officer in the Roman army sweetened by the fact that apparently he is respected by ‘all the Jewish people’.
What would Peter have to say if he actually decided to go?
Does Peter have anything to say?
Do you?
What do you talk about?
What are you concerned about?
Are you ready to share your faith with anyone and everyone?
Do you know how to?
Do you know how to apply the faith to the person concerned whoever they are?
Your world needs to hear what you have to say today!

It’s me!

Acts 10:21
“Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

It’s me!
Peter on seeing the men knew they were not Jews. But he knew he was the one that they had come for. He just didn’t know why.
Peter knew he was the man. Even though he couldn’t understand why these Gentiles were wanting him, a Jew.
It’s me!
Stop being afraid of being arrogant and declare today you are Gods man or woman. That He has called you. That you are significant to this season. It’s me!
It’s me! I can do it.
It’s me I can come along this path of opportunity.
It’s me look no further.
It’s me I am called and chosen for the task ahead.
It’s me I have a vision I may not fully understand, but I have one.
Begin to make the right noise. Take this to the next chapter by putting yourself into this season.
It’s me!

This is it

Acts 10:20
“So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

God is not telling Peter that these men are not culturally acceptable people for the Jew.
God has already told Peter what He thinks about the clean and unclean. Peter will find out soon enough who these men are.
The important things for Peter to know are:
a. He should GO
b. He should not doubt.
c. He is in the plan of God.

Perhaps when Peter heard this he may have wondered why he would be tempted to hesitate to go with them. However, God prepared him before he met these Gentiles.
So these important things are actually:
a. He should GO to the Gentiles.
b. He should not look at them in the way that others may do, he should not hesitate based on the colour of their skin and their language etc.
c. He has been prepared for this very moment through the vision he previously had.

God is far more in control of our lives than we perhaps realise. He is pushing us, prompting us and preparing us all for the development of His story. Friend, you are in the will of God today.
Today, GO, take every opportunity, this is your moment.

No explanation

Acts 10: 19
“While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.”

God did not explain the vision, Peter had to think it through.
God did not explain that the 3 men were Gentiles, Peter would find that out soon enough.
God doesn’t explain everything to us and for us.
So if you are a little confused today of your journey in life, think it through and go with what takes place. Relax, just because you don’t know what is happening doesn’t mean there is no plan. God may not explain but He knows.

Are you in?

Acts 10:18
“They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.”

Are you in?
“Yes but I’m not staying.”
“I’m just lodging. I am not here permanently”
Are you in?
“Yes and I am available.”
“Don’t stand at the gate. Come on in.”
Are you in?
“Yes I hear your call.”
“Here I am wholly available.”

Some people have lived in the same house in the same street in the same town all their life. I am always amazed when I meet someone who can say I have lived in this house all my life and it was my parents and grandparents home too!
It is easier for lodgers or renters of properties to move on than dwellers of family homes and owners.
But I speak symbolically …

Peter was lodging in this house and like Peter we are here only temporarily. This is not our home. There is more.
Hold your life lightly, don’t grab and possess, be flexible.

When we hear the call then we must respond.
A call will come. It is already at the gate of your life, it is that close.
Some are listening for an audible voice from God, they are so focused on Heaven they will miss the voice from Earth that was orchestrated from Heaven.
The voice of man can be the voice of God and that voice will call you far more than any angelic stringed ensemble with a ‘Thus saieth the Lord’. Ignore it and you just could be ignoring the one who sent the voice.
The question is ‘Are you in?’
Are you ready and available? Don’t ignore the voice of man today who calls you. It could be the turning point of your life.

Hang on in your wonder

Acts 10: 17
“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.”

You may not have it all sorted out in your head. You may be slightly confused or completely not have a clue with what is happening with your life. You have experienced something, you know that for sure, but what does it mean? What should you now do with what you know?
Peter was wondering. How would he interpret what he had just seen? What would the application be, what lessons should he learn? So many questions.
It is okay to wonder. It is okay to not know.
For God is working behind your scenes. You do not know what He has got planned. Remain in your wonder for the Wonder is moving on your behalf! He is positioning people at your gates. The time is near. The next chapter will begin soon and things will begin to make sense.

Just a moment
Acts 10:16
“This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.”

Three times God said to Peter,’Get up, kill and eat.’
Then immediately it is gone.
And Peter would never know what would have happened if he had done exactly that.
Three times. Then the opportunity is gone.
How many times do you need?
‘The opportunity of a lifetime must be taken in the lifetime of that opportunity’ L. Ravenhill.
An open heaven is seasonal. We need to make sure we respond in that season of grace for it can immediately be over as quickly as it came.

Have they been through heaven?

Acts 10: 15
“The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Peter was having a wake up call. The foods that were originally called not fit for consumption are now clean.
The rules and regulations of the law of Moses that would separate a people to God from other cultures was undergoing change. Actually for Peter this was not the first time he had heard something like this. For he would remember Jesus saying to the Pharisees that it wasn’t what entered into a man that made him unclean but what came out of a man.
These animals had come from heaven and whatever goes through the divine place and presence is made clean. Of course Peter would soon realise that this vision was not about food.
This is a new day of not calling what is unclean because of what you see but to ask, where has that come from? If that person has come through the presence of our God then He makes all things clean, no matter background, colour, creed.

Flexibility

Acts 10:14
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

When God takes you on a new journey sometimes He has to extricate you from a firmly held pattern of behaviour or belief. Your willingness to let go and trust Him with the new is key.
Peter began with a NO. He was being a very good Jew.
How many non-negotiables do you have? The more you have (though clearly some are paramount) the harder it may be for you to move into new things.
Some of the conversations I enjoy the most are from older people who tell me how they have changed and had to change for God to continue to use them.
May our prayer be ‘God make me ever more pliable in your hands’