25.09.11 | Life Group Discussion Notes | Crown Church
The Uncontainable Gospel
Acts chapter 10 is the account of the Apostle Peter being used to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). God needed to transform him and get rid of his prejudice so that he could do this. Below are some points of application that we can take from these events.
1) Simple steps of obedience:
Cornelius the centurion heard from God and instantly obeyed the simple command to send for Peter. Peter heard from God and instantly obeyed the simple command to go with the three men who had come to find him. It says that he was ‘inwardly perplexed’ and ‘pondering’ the vision of the sheet that God had given him; it is good for us to seek to understand the big picture in our lives, but we must not miss the subtle promptings to take the simple, but maybe uncomfortable, immediate steps.
2) God speaks when we’re at prayer
It’s not the only time that God will speak to us, but this story gives us two models to follow, devout men of prayer who were always in the spirit of prayer and frequently in the act. Clearly God loves this kind of faith expressed in a willingness to spend time in conversation with Him. It is when we’re in this place of humble dependence that God finds our hearts most receptive to His promptings.
3) Be full of the Spirit
This story culminates in the powerful scene of undeserving people being filled with God’s power, His Holy Spirit. Don’t worry about what’s happened in your past, the question isn’t, ‘Have you been filled with the Spirit?’ the right questions is, ‘Are you full?!’ It’s so clear from the Bible and the experience of millions of Christians over the years that it is God’s intention for us to live with His Spirit dwelling in us.
4) Deal with prejudice
Peter was willing to mix with Cornelius even though he had previously looked down on non-Jews and was in danger of other Jews judging him. Looking down on another person before you get to know them, just because of their ethnicity or social status is utterly against God’s character. We are on level ground in front of the Cross, each of us as responsible as the other for the death that Jesus suffered and then conquered. The manner in which we treat or speak about others can be a way to demonstrate to the world what God is like! To deal with prejudice or other sins that have become entrenched in us, we need to repent, confess to others and then follow the Spirit’s prompting to take specific steps out of our comfort zone.
Questions:
- Cornelius’ devotedness was contagious at home and at work; what habits do people pick up from you?
- Are you growing in love for God and for others? How does your life reflect this?
- Are there any specific steps that you know God is prompting you to take? (e.g. attempting to heal a relationship, dealing with prejudice, inviting someone to the Alpha Course, asking others to pray with you about being filled with the Spirit…)
