Part 10 - Trinity Fellowship - Raton, New Mexico

THE COMMON MADE UNCOMMON (The Acts of the Apostles – Part 10)

The Teaching Ministry of Rick Trice

August 14, 2005

Acts 10:1-11:18

Leviticus 11:4ff

Mark 7:14-18

GOD’S PREPARATION (READ ACTS 10:1-16)

We have been studying the building of the church; how the church was birthed at Jerusalem, then scattered. And how God was beginning to raise up men and women to take the gospel of Jesus to the world outside Jerusalem.

Up to now, the good news of Jesus was meant first for the Jews. Last week we saw where the Apostle Peter himself undertook a missionary journey to the coast, and has ended up in Joppa.

But God still has some work to do with his anointed messengers: He has to break down some boundaries within themselves.

Psalm 127:1 says, “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

Peter is acting in obedience, and trying to build God’s “house.” But he still has some issues that need to be dealt with for God to be able to build a strong house.

(READ LEV. 11:4FF)

This was strongly ingrained into any good Jew at the time. You did not associate with anyone or anything that would contaminate you, in God’s eyes.

(READ MARK 7:14-19)

Notice that the Lord had to repeat this three times. (v. 16) This seems to be a pattern for Peter, when God wants to make sure he understands the importance (ie. he denied

Christ three times; Christ reaffirmed His intent for Peter to “feed My sheep” three times).

It’s also interesting that, prior to talking to Peter, God had already made the path for him, by preparing Cornelius.

God works this way with us. He asks us to do something, and we worry about the result, or the reception, and He usually has already been working in the hearts of those He’s sending us to.

THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL

(READ 34-43)

Mark this in your Bible, if you’re ever worried where to find scripture to use to witness to someone! This is probably the best, easiest, and “to the point” gospel in the bible.

And the powerful result? (v 44-48) Even Peter seems to be amazed that the power of the Holy Spirit has entered these non-Jews!

THE CHASTISING OF THE BRETHREN

(V11:1-18)

Have you ever obeyed God, only to be chastised and corrected by your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Sometimes, when you do something bold and unusual, you’re going to have to teach your brothers something too.

Notice how Peter does it without quarreling and bickering, and allows the Spirit to speak to these people.

(v17) Interesting, too, how Peter takes the same approach that Gamaliel did when he was in front of the Sanhedrin.

In other words, sometimes when God is about to do something amazing through someone, we (the church) are the ones who become a hindrance, through legalism or “tradition.”

Sometimes, the brethren need to take a step back, like Gamaliel, and urge caution in our criticism, lest we find ourselves fighting against God!