The Gospel Changes People Right Where They Are    -    Acts 11:1-18

Introduction:  Based on the Gentile Pentecost witnessed in Chapter. 10, Peter shows that God’s saving heart is toward all peoples, not exclusively to Jews. For the NT Church to become a viable missionary force, the two strands had to join & work together. Do we, today, display inclusive Christ? 

I.          Peter is confronted by his fellow believers in Jerusalem    vss. 1-3

II.         Peter’s Spirit-filled response      vss. 4-16

            Narrative recounting of what the Spirit did in Joppa & Caesarea

            - vss. 5-10  the vision by God in Joppa

            - vss. 11-14   how he was received by Cornelius

            - vss. 15-17  Holy Spirit comes upon them--climax

III.        Peter’s persuasive conclusion     vss. 17-18

            - If, God was the One who gave the same Spirit gift as at Jerusalem…

            - Then, God is credited w/ opening, His mighty loving act.  Acts 13:48

Application:  - Let us take a sober assessment: ask if we subtly want outsiders to conform to certain ways we do things at Friendship Baptist Church?  God presses us to see things His way, just as He pressed the church in Acts 11--do we have a “clubby” mentality?      Do I see others through Christ’s eyes, His agenda of redemption (2Corin. 5:14-17,20)?

- May we as a church, not dampen the joy of gospel work going on in each other.  Jewish believers CHANGED v.18 re-thought the matter & rejoiced.

- Sharing the gospel good news is personally costly. We are on display, vulnerable. Peter listened and went to Joppa. We must be personally in the Word and readying ourselves for being open to unbelievers.