Cleansing and Changing

Cleansing and Changing

Psalm 72          Acts 10.1-23
1. Surprising encounters with God
2. Surprising introductions designed by God
3. Surprising ideas about God's cleansing and changing
4. Surprising new confirmation from God
 

"Encouragement from the Book of Acts

The early church as depicted in the Book of Acts was not introspective. Further, it was a dynamic and united body of believers strongly lead by visionary leaders passionate about communicating the gospel of the resurrection. But it is worth remembering that it began as an exclusively Jewish church.

The narrative of Acts10 graphically describes Peter's feelings of revulsion when asked to eat the unclean food God served up for him on the tablecloth that descended from heaven in Peter's vision. In  context , this mirrored the revulsion he normally would have felt if asked to enter the home of a Gentile or eat with Gentiles. If things had been left to run along the normal railway tracks then the gospel train would never have left Jewish Christian territory. This would have been so despite the undoubted commitment of the apostles to proclaiming the gospel of the resurrection even in the face of persecution and suffering. The fact is that gospel ministry left to itself always travels a short cultural distance. Even in the early church, believers naturally communicated the gospel  to people like themselves. It takes a special work of God and deliberate decision and action if gospel ministry is to have a significant impact on people unlike ourselves. Churches that are to be effective in reaching the ethnic minorities of Australia must be open to God's special leading and be highly intentional."

Quoted page 76, "Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures" Equipping Christians and Churches for ministry in a culturally diverse society." Andrew Schachtel, Choon-Hwa Lim, Michael K. Wilson.

Further Questions from Acts 10 on page 68

What does this incident reveal about obstacles that stood in the way of Jewish Christian outreach to non Jewish people?

What obstacles to ministering across cultures stand in our way?

Helpful approaches to overcoming hindrances (page 76-81)

1 Pray for transformation (Psalm 139:23-4, Romans 12.2)

1. The need for focused ministries!
2. Don't give up!
3. Include your pastor(s) and leaders

Holy Spirit confirmation!