November 2, 2014

Listen....Trust....Believe....Obey

Acts 10: 17b - 27  

 Luke

Just then the men sent by Cornelius found the house and stood outside at the gate.  They asked if this was the place where Simon Peter was staying.  Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men have come looking for you.  Go down and go with them without hesitation.  All is well, for I have sent them."

So Peter went down and said, "I'm the man you are looking for.  Why have you come?"

They said, "We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer.  He is a devout man who fears the God of Israel and is well respected by all the Jews.  A holy angel instructed him to send for you so you can go to his house and give him a message."  So Peter invited the men to be his guests for the night.  The next day he went with them, accompanied by some other believers from Joppa.

They arrived in Caesarea the following day.  Cornelius was waiting for him and had called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter.  As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship.  But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up!  I'm a human being like you!  So Cornelius got up, and they talked together and went inside where the others were assembled. 

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Thoughts....

If you have been following along the last couple weeks, you will remember that Cornelius had a vision in which he was visited by an angel of God who spoke to him telling him that God noticed his gifts to the poor, and giving him a directive to seek Simon Peter.  And that Peter (Simon Peter), while praying, also had a vision.  In Peter's vision Holy Spirit told him, "If God says something is acceptable, don't say it isn't."  Apparently is was an important vision, since it was repeated 3 times. 

Today we learn the men Cornelius sent to find Peter arrived at Peter's house after traveling, while Peter had been puzzling over the vision during which the Holy Spirit spoke to him.  When Holy Spirit spoke to Peter again, he told him "Three men have come looking for you.  Go down and go with them without hesitation.  All is well, for I have sent them." 

Do you trust Holy Spirit?  Do you hear his voice?  Would you do what he asked you to do without hesitation? 

'So Peter went down from his roof and said, "I'm the man you are looking for.  Why have you come?"'

I don't know about you, but I read this and said, "Really?"  He was told everything else, but not why they were looking for him?  Why didn't he know that?  I guess we are not to know all things, God likes us to be surprised, and no one wanted to blow the minds of the men who were traveling any more than they were probably already blown, having been told by Cornelius that an angel told Cornelius to find some guy in Joppa and they were being sent on this 'far-fetched' journey.  'Go figure'.

The travelers, a devout soldier and one of Cornelius' personal attendants, told Peter that they were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer and devout man who feared the God of Israel and was well respected by all the Jews, who instructed them to go and find Peter, seeking, under the directive of a holy angel, that he return with them to Cornelius' house to give Cornelius a message from God. 

Do you hear the voice of angels?  Are you willing to listen for their voice?  Would you be willing to do what they tell you to do?

'So Peter invited the men to be his guests for the night.  The next day he went with them, accompanied by some other believers from Joppa.' 

'They arrived in Caesarea the following day.  Cornelius was waiting for him and had called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter.'

Belief....this is all about to belief.  Cornelius was waiting, totally convinced there was a man an angel had told him to go get, and who he believed would come to him.  So much so that he called together his relatives and close friends to meet him.  

Folks, how strong is your belief?

Has an angel ever told you to seek someone to give you a message from God?  If so, were you totally convinced that person would come to you?  Have you ever heard from Holy Spirit?  Have you ever wanted to hear a message from God?

If you haven't heard from angels, can you believe enough to believe in angels and listen for them?   Can you believe enough to believe in and listen to Holy Spirit....God?  

What might an angel say to you?  What would Holy Spirit say to you?  What would God say to you?  What would you want to hear?  What should you hear now....today....in this minute?

Did you know that God sends others to us to speak to us, to help us along life's way?

Cornelius believed so much that he had called together his relatives and close friends.

Do you believe so much in who God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are, and what they can do for you, that you are willing to gather together your relatives and close friends to meet them?  

Cornelius probably believed that Peter must be very important to God to have an angel tell him to seek him.  Perhaps Cornelius thought the one to come would be his Savior.

'As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship.  But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I'm a human being like you!" 

Do you find yourself telling others about God?  Are you in a position of authority for and with God?  Do you expect others to bow down to you because of your position?  Do you feel you are more important than others because God has called you? 

Peter surely did not feel he was better than God, nor did he expect others to bow down to him, neither did he believe that he was more important because he was a saved Christian expected by God to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Ladies and Gentlemen, God calls every single one of us to 'Go forth' to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He doesn't just call us so that we can be saved.  He calls us to tell others about him, Holy Spirit, Jesus so they can be saved.

By obeying GOD, we insure our salvation.  Now I know that many of you have been taught salvation is secure, all you have to do is say "I believe!" and go on your merry way.  And others have been taught you will only get to heaven by 'good works'.  But folks, the Scriptures are VERY clear, without doubt or confusion, that we MUST OBEY God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and show them we are believers by how we live, act, and have our being.  'By their works you shall know them.'  'Work to show thyself approved.'  Surely you've heard these verses.  'The truth shall set you free and you shall be free indeed.'

Part of the way we insure our salvation is to obey God and show, by our works of faith, that we believe in THE Trinity:  Heavenly Father God; Son, Savior, and Lord, Jesus; Holy Spirit, Comforter, Teacher, and Guide.  

Do you think obeying God is about putting yourself on a pedestal so that others can bow down to you?  You shouldn't think this way.  'Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' saith the Lord.  That includes yourself.  If you find yourself being flattered, not humbled, by others listening to the messages given THROUGH you from THE Trinity, YOU need to bow down and ask God to forgive you and humble you.  Well, that is if you want to get to heaven.  And not lead others astray.  YOU should not be followed.  GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT are to be followed....bowed down to.  YOU are to gather a body of believers....and unbelievers....together so they, too, might be saved....by becoming hearers and doers of the Word of God, that ALL might have life and have it abundantly in Christ Jesus, God, Holy Spirit.

'So, Cornelius got up and they talked together and went inside where the others were assembled.'

Talk with others about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Gather an assembly and enter into the midst to share God's message:  "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."  Acts 5:42  Do so humbly, with reverence, bowing down only to THE Trinity.  BELIEVE! 

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit many lessons today.  I hadn't thought much about angels, didn't know if they were really real, but now I know they are real and come not only through visions, but you send angels and people who are like them into my life to help me grow....rightly....through the power of your Holy Spirit.  Thank you.  You have reminded me today to listen to you and those you send to me.  You have reminded me to trust you and those you send in your Holy name.  You have reminded me to firmly believe more in you and obey you.  It's the obey part that is the hardest, especially when I am so tired after a days work.  So tired that I cannot start my day reading the Word because I cannot seem to get up when the alarm goes off.  Because I've stayed up the night before trying to figure out what to do, and how to do, and do it all right.  But if I just spent even a fraction of that time with you, you would give me the answers I need, and, I would have time to do things like sleep, eat, and read more of the Gospel....and spend more time with you....praising you, and listening to all you have to say, so I can know what steps to take to journey into the vision you've given me for my life.  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me.  I do not have the problem of people bowing down, thankfully.  I have never believed I am better or more important than you, or anyone else.  I fully believe we are all on a level playing field in the game of life.  But I've certainly seen in others how this entitlement has played out.  It's a sad shame.  I do listen to you, but I do not always heed your voice.  Forgive me of my selfishness, please heal me and make me whole.  Help me to know YOUR joy in my life, so that I will not need to find it in other things that take me away from you and others, and which also keeps me from obeying you.  I cannot 'Go forth' if I am allowing my adrenalin to to rush from playing computer games.  I cannot tell others about who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, if I am absorbed by all things unreal, violent, projected on a flat screen.  I cannot grow maturely if my relationships are with bio-men and women produced on a screen, rather than real people with breath....and not you.  Oh, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, help me in my restlessness.  Keep me from going astray.  Direct my steps and help me to not become restless in the wait for the steps to take and the itinerary for the journey for a full life with you.  I am so grateful for your love, for the family you gave me, for shelter, food, water, job, car,  and so much more....I hope you know that.  I want to obey you better....and praise you more often....and thank you always.  Help me please to be a better person, a better child of yours.  And a better teacher....preacher....of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let me not keep you to myself, but share who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, so others can see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, love you more dearly day by day.  I praise you.  I thank you.  I love you.  Amen.

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More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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 I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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