God’s Work God’s Way

It would be very beneficial for you to read chapters 10 & 11 in the book of Acts. There you will find the story of the Apostle Peter taking the Gospel to the home of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. This story gives us several key elements necessary to fulfill God's work of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I want to highlight the fact that God wants His work accomplished His way. It isn't enough to just be working for The Lord. We must also be working in a way that fulfills His design.

It becomes apparent from Acts 10 & 11 that The Lord works on both ends of the story. On one end, The Holy Spirit gives Peter a vision followed by explicit instruction to go to Cornelius' house. On the other end, an angel commands Cornelius to call Peter to come to his house in Caesarea. How does a plan like this come together?

Let me also point out that Luke, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, records this story twice back to back. That's significant. Out of all the things The Lord could've included in the Bible, this was important enough to repeat. 

1) PETER WAS AVAILABLE 

Acts 10:9-11 (KJV) 

"9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:"

 What if Peter had been too busy to get alone to pray? What if, instead of spending time with the Lord, He went to town or played a game? Without this vision from The Lord, Peter might have never understood why he needed to go to a gentile's house like Cornelius. As a matter of fact, it would've been considered unlawful in Jewish tradition. But because he was available and attentive, The Lord could direct him. 

2) PETER WAS OBEDIENT

Acts 10:19-20 (KJV) 

"19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. (emphasis mine)

Acts 11:12 (KJV) 

"And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:" (emphasis mine)

It's one thing to know what to do but another to actually do it. We all know of many things we should be doing, but how many of them do we seriously accomplish?

The Holy Spirit tells Peter to go "doubting nothing." Don't question or debate about it - go. Are we willing to be immediately obedient when we hear The Lord's call?

3) PETER WAS VOCAL

Acts 10:34 (KJV) 

"Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" (emphasis mine)

It may seem unnecessary, but we must highlight that Peter was vocal about Jesus. Too often, we are too timid to speak up and settle in our minds that our lifestyle says enough. While how we live does testify to our devotion to The Lord, winning a soul requires more than that. At some point, we have to speak up about who Jesus is. 

We find it easy to talk about interests, hobbies, children, etc. Why, then, is it so difficult to talk about Jesus? We can converse for hours about the things we love but are too intimidated to mention our love for The Lord. What a tragedy!

4) PETER SHARED THE WORD 

Acts 10:44 (KJV) 

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."

Peter didn't simply share his story; he shared Jesus' story. Sharing our testimony is powerful and essential. But it should only be an introduction. What leads to the saving of the lost is the death, burial, resurrection, and throne of Jesus Christ - precisely what Peter shared with those in Cornelius' house. 

5) PETER LET GOD TAKE CARE OF THE RESULTS

Acts 10:44-48 (KJV) 

"44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

Peter and those with him had no way of knowing all that would happen that day. But, as far as they were concerned, the outpouring of The Holy Ghost wasn't even possible. God's Word commands us to "'preach the word" (2 Tim 4:1-5), but God gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (KJV) 

"5 Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (emphasis mine)

So, to do God's work God's way:

1) BE AVAILABLE

2) BE OBEDIENT

3) BE VOCAL

4) BE ALL ABOUT JESUS (& HIS STORY)

5) BELIEVE GOD FOR THE RESULTS