Shine – Outside My Comfort Zone
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, we thank You for your gift of Jesus. We desire to learn and grow from Jesus’ teaching. Open the eyes of my heart that I might see You. Amen
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 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. Acts 10:9-17 NIV
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”10:34-35,44-46a NIV
REFLECT:
Often, we face what seem like barriers to sharing the good news of Jesus. In the first century, most Christian believers were Jewish. They followed many rules and traditions from that Jewish heritage to keep themselves “clean” or spiritually pure before God. These rules included what not to eat, who not to associate with, what not to touch and many other “you shall nots.” Though God was calling them, and us, to purity, He was not calling them to exclusivity or exclusion. In fact, God promised Abraham that the world (“all peoples on the earth”) would be blessed, not just the Jews. However, Peter was stuck in traditions. He saw only the “cleanness rules” and not lost people. Through a heavenly vision in our text today, God was instructing Peter, and the Christian community, that Jesus was the Savior of all. Jesus himself had already set this example by eating with “unclean” tax collectors and sinners, healing and touching “unclean” lepers, women, and outcasts, and even traveling to and through “unclean” non-Jewish territories to share His message of hope.
APPLY:
When God directs and provides opportunities to go and share the life-changing message of the gospel, we can, and must, reject all barriers to doing this. Whether these barriers be language, race, culture, economic, educational or “uncleanness,” we must set these aside and follow the Spirit’s leading. What barriers might be holding you back from engaging a neighbor, work colleague, family member or other person that God has placed on your heart or in your path? God does not show favoritism and He calls us to the same standard.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus help me to love all people the way that the Father loves us all. Make my heart like Yours. Remove my personal barriers and discomfort and use me to share grace and peace. In Jesus name, Amen.
WORSHIP: