Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens! That you would come down!
The Bible declares without faith it is impossible to please God. (See Heb 11:6)
Our entire relationship with God is based upon faith. First we place our faith in Him to believe, and then we live by faith in Him to receive. There is no part of our relationship with the Lord which He accepts apart from our faith in His faithfulness.
And truly that is what we are expressing – our faith in His faithfulness - our faith that His promises will always be true as they have always been true.
And yet…and yet…Oh that only our eyes could see something…anything…tangible! Oh that He would rend (open) the heavens and come down! Then we would know!
Signs have never been a satisfactory basis for relationship with God because signs never satisfy. How often had Christ proven Himself to be Christ? How many signs and wonders had He performed? AND - had not the Word of God declared His Holy One would not see corruption? (Decomposition - See Psalm 16:10)
Why then were the disciples so slow to believe? Isn’t it an embarrassment to Christianity that the very ones who would go on to spread the gospel were themselves so slow to believe Christ was really risen from the dead?
On the contrary, this becomes an important fact of faith-building for us. If the disciples were so slow to believe – what then MADE them believe? And, if this story were contrived – why would the story make the disciples appear to be so foolish and so small in their faith? What then could possibly have made the disciples so staunch in their faith they would die rather than deny the risen Savior?
It all comes down to the moment faith became fact…when the risen Savior was seen by the women first, and then the men who followed Him, and then by over 500 at once. (See 1 Cor 15:6) These same disciples who had been so weak in their faith as to not comprehend the Word of God being played out before their very eyes were now stunned by what they saw!
The church would be founded on the ROCK that was Christ. On this occasion that Rock could be seen, felt, heard, and experienced. There would be no doubt left in the minds of those who would found the church of Jesus Christ. In fact, the heavens have been rent – and in fact, God has come down!
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Gospel for Intellectuals
Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
Imagine attempting to explain to those who have no idea of Jesus - who Jesus is.
We have the untold advantage of living in the United States, where seemingly everyone at least knows who Jesus is. After all we are a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and ideas. This makes the presentation of the gospel unquestionably easier. Or does it?
Often it is easier to deal with a clean slate rather than the burden of prejudices and misconceptions. The church has been so misrepresented over the years by hucksters, legalists, inquisitors, et al., that we often find ourselves up against perceptions created by the church itself in addition to any outside forces we may be dealing with as well.
Paul is dealing with a bit of everything in Athens. The knowledge of man, in the form of the brilliant minds of philosophers and poets, artists, pantheists, pagans, secularists – you name it. Athens, as is the case in many highly educated cities, was a place where exposure to new ways of thinking was, in a phrase, to die for. (And, it seems, they did.)
Could Paul convert the Athenians? Precious few, it appears. It was predictable. But they were interested to hear new things people had to say, and so Paul spoke up, even with little expectation of success in the presentation. Here we find the lesson in trusting God with the results – because, in truth - WE cannot and never do convert anyone. God does. ALL we can do is be faithful to present the gospel. God is responsible for the results, even among those who know nothing of His Word.
This is the POWER of the gospel. Paul does make an intelligent presentation of who God is, but he is brief and to the point, allowing God His presence in the presentation. There is no need to argue or cajole when you come in the power of the Spirit of God. A clear, concise presentation will carry the day with those who will be carried. The rest are in God’s hands. Paul was faithful to both the message and the messenger. In truth, the gospel for the intellectual is the same as the gospel to the child.
- Pastor Bill
Imagine attempting to explain to those who have no idea of Jesus - who Jesus is.
We have the untold advantage of living in the United States, where seemingly everyone at least knows who Jesus is. After all we are a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and ideas. This makes the presentation of the gospel unquestionably easier. Or does it?
Often it is easier to deal with a clean slate rather than the burden of prejudices and misconceptions. The church has been so misrepresented over the years by hucksters, legalists, inquisitors, et al., that we often find ourselves up against perceptions created by the church itself in addition to any outside forces we may be dealing with as well.
Paul is dealing with a bit of everything in Athens. The knowledge of man, in the form of the brilliant minds of philosophers and poets, artists, pantheists, pagans, secularists – you name it. Athens, as is the case in many highly educated cities, was a place where exposure to new ways of thinking was, in a phrase, to die for. (And, it seems, they did.)
Could Paul convert the Athenians? Precious few, it appears. It was predictable. But they were interested to hear new things people had to say, and so Paul spoke up, even with little expectation of success in the presentation. Here we find the lesson in trusting God with the results – because, in truth - WE cannot and never do convert anyone. God does. ALL we can do is be faithful to present the gospel. God is responsible for the results, even among those who know nothing of His Word.
This is the POWER of the gospel. Paul does make an intelligent presentation of who God is, but he is brief and to the point, allowing God His presence in the presentation. There is no need to argue or cajole when you come in the power of the Spirit of God. A clear, concise presentation will carry the day with those who will be carried. The rest are in God’s hands. Paul was faithful to both the message and the messenger. In truth, the gospel for the intellectual is the same as the gospel to the child.
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Willingness
Acts 16:1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
When you are looking for opportunities to preach the gospel, (which essentially means to explain Jesus’ plan of salvation as an advocate of the need for receiving the plan,) then you had better be led by the Lord.
Teaching and preaching are often interchangeable words, and in preaching teaching is often a necessary component. But when the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented, simply revealing the facts about the gospel is not enough. We must also encourage a positive response based on the facts presented, which defines ‘preaching.’ We become an advocate.
To be an advocate, it is most productive to be placed before an audience ready to hear the position being advocated. If you spent your life wandering around always presenting a necessary point of view to those completely unwilling and unready to hear that viewpoint, you would essentially be wasting your time. Now, additionally consider those who would have been willing and open to hear what you have to say, but you never spoke to them because you were completely involved speaking to those who would not receive your message.
Now we understand the importance of being not only willing to preach the gospel – but to be willing to follow God’s guidance about when and where to present the gospel. This is what we see being so well exemplified in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. There is no wasted time because he is completely willing to be led by the Lord about when and where he is to go – even when it is contrary to where he may have wanted to go. As difficult as it may be to consider Paul being “prevented” by the Holy Spirit from going into Asia to present the gospel, 20/20 hindsight reveals the importance of his being directed to Europe. (Macedonia.) How wonderful it is to have the additional confidence of following God’s leading as you advocate God’s message!
- Pastor Bill
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
When you are looking for opportunities to preach the gospel, (which essentially means to explain Jesus’ plan of salvation as an advocate of the need for receiving the plan,) then you had better be led by the Lord.
Teaching and preaching are often interchangeable words, and in preaching teaching is often a necessary component. But when the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented, simply revealing the facts about the gospel is not enough. We must also encourage a positive response based on the facts presented, which defines ‘preaching.’ We become an advocate.
To be an advocate, it is most productive to be placed before an audience ready to hear the position being advocated. If you spent your life wandering around always presenting a necessary point of view to those completely unwilling and unready to hear that viewpoint, you would essentially be wasting your time. Now, additionally consider those who would have been willing and open to hear what you have to say, but you never spoke to them because you were completely involved speaking to those who would not receive your message.
Now we understand the importance of being not only willing to preach the gospel – but to be willing to follow God’s guidance about when and where to present the gospel. This is what we see being so well exemplified in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. There is no wasted time because he is completely willing to be led by the Lord about when and where he is to go – even when it is contrary to where he may have wanted to go. As difficult as it may be to consider Paul being “prevented” by the Holy Spirit from going into Asia to present the gospel, 20/20 hindsight reveals the importance of his being directed to Europe. (Macedonia.) How wonderful it is to have the additional confidence of following God’s leading as you advocate God’s message!
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Christianity Plus
Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
When it comes to your own personal sense of righteousness, what choices do you make?
This may sound absurd, given the generally wicked state of modern society, but everyone does have a personal sense of righteousness. Everyone.
I remember being surprised to learn - in my college criminology class - that even those in jail, condemned for their crimes, have a personal sense of righteousness. We learned, for example, that everyone in the state pen looks down on child-abusers. They are the worst of the prison society and the most likely to be killed or shunned by other inmates. Even the murderers consider them the lowest of the low. Thieves may look down on burglars. Burglars may look down on drug dealers. So on and so forth. There is a hierarchy of “goodness” within man that will not be crossed. You may be capable of theft, but NEVER dealing drugs.
It’s a very personal thing.
It’s no different within the confines of the “good” portion society. We all have lines we cross and will not cross. We have an internal law. The danger comes when we judge others according to our own personal lines.
This is exactly what the Judaizers were doing at the church at Antioch. Coming down from Jerusalem these Jewish Christians seemed to be coming with the authority of the elders and apostles. Their message was shocking to Paul and Barnabas: In order to be a Christian – you must first, (and foremost,) – become a Jew.
To this day we struggle with this sort of ‘Christianity plus’ attitude. If the Bible defines a standard of righteousness, we can be even more righteous by adding to it. When the Bible says you are righteous in God’s eyes by believing on Christ by faith, and receiving His grace, there is still a part in us that wants to be even more righteous than that. What can I add to grace to accomplish more than grace?
Well…how much time did you spend in prayer this morning? (Gotcha!)
- Pastor Bill
When it comes to your own personal sense of righteousness, what choices do you make?
This may sound absurd, given the generally wicked state of modern society, but everyone does have a personal sense of righteousness. Everyone.
I remember being surprised to learn - in my college criminology class - that even those in jail, condemned for their crimes, have a personal sense of righteousness. We learned, for example, that everyone in the state pen looks down on child-abusers. They are the worst of the prison society and the most likely to be killed or shunned by other inmates. Even the murderers consider them the lowest of the low. Thieves may look down on burglars. Burglars may look down on drug dealers. So on and so forth. There is a hierarchy of “goodness” within man that will not be crossed. You may be capable of theft, but NEVER dealing drugs.
It’s a very personal thing.
It’s no different within the confines of the “good” portion society. We all have lines we cross and will not cross. We have an internal law. The danger comes when we judge others according to our own personal lines.
This is exactly what the Judaizers were doing at the church at Antioch. Coming down from Jerusalem these Jewish Christians seemed to be coming with the authority of the elders and apostles. Their message was shocking to Paul and Barnabas: In order to be a Christian – you must first, (and foremost,) – become a Jew.
To this day we struggle with this sort of ‘Christianity plus’ attitude. If the Bible defines a standard of righteousness, we can be even more righteous by adding to it. When the Bible says you are righteous in God’s eyes by believing on Christ by faith, and receiving His grace, there is still a part in us that wants to be even more righteous than that. What can I add to grace to accomplish more than grace?
Well…how much time did you spend in prayer this morning? (Gotcha!)
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What to Expect?
Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
One of the most important aspects of ministry is to be sent by the Holy Spirit. Given the Holy Spirit is all-powerful and all-knowing, (omnipotent and omniscient,) it might seem the rest of the story of following the leading of the Holy Spirit would be smooth sailing.
But more often it seems what we experience following the leading of the Holy Spirit is what may be called ‘overcoming.’
More than anything else, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is an overcoming ministry. To begin with, we find the Holy Spirit overcoming our own flesh as we learn to follow and become changed into the image of Christ. This was the first step we saw in the ministry life of Paul the apostle, as he was converted on the Damascus Road. He, in effect, died. The old ‘Saul’ ceased to exist. The raging Christ-hater became the zealous Christ-follower in an instant. His hard heart was replaced by a soft one. The seat of power in his life had a new occupant: The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Living God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ.
At this point you might expect the fight to be over in the apostle Paul’s life, but it wasn’t. The war raged on. (See Romans 7.) Wherever the flesh exists, the ministry of the Holy Spirit will be opposed. It is a natural fact. And this is what we are to expect in a life in ministry: Opposition. We get to practice on our own selves, dealing with our own flesh, and then move outward in ever-widening circles of influence. But as much as we struggle with ourselves, should we expect less opposition in others? Elymas is a classic picture of how well-meaning ministry may be received, even by those sent by the Holy Spirit.
Am I saying the Holy Spirit will send us into forces of opposition? It seems very likely. But by faith we walk head-long into those opposing forces knowing we represent over-coming power. Unfortunately for our flesh, we don’t get to see the overcoming before the overcoming happens. This is an offense to our flesh, even as we minister to someone else’s flesh. And now we begin to understand why facing opposition is an important facet of ministry life.
- Pastor Bill
One of the most important aspects of ministry is to be sent by the Holy Spirit. Given the Holy Spirit is all-powerful and all-knowing, (omnipotent and omniscient,) it might seem the rest of the story of following the leading of the Holy Spirit would be smooth sailing.
But more often it seems what we experience following the leading of the Holy Spirit is what may be called ‘overcoming.’
More than anything else, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is an overcoming ministry. To begin with, we find the Holy Spirit overcoming our own flesh as we learn to follow and become changed into the image of Christ. This was the first step we saw in the ministry life of Paul the apostle, as he was converted on the Damascus Road. He, in effect, died. The old ‘Saul’ ceased to exist. The raging Christ-hater became the zealous Christ-follower in an instant. His hard heart was replaced by a soft one. The seat of power in his life had a new occupant: The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Living God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ.
At this point you might expect the fight to be over in the apostle Paul’s life, but it wasn’t. The war raged on. (See Romans 7.) Wherever the flesh exists, the ministry of the Holy Spirit will be opposed. It is a natural fact. And this is what we are to expect in a life in ministry: Opposition. We get to practice on our own selves, dealing with our own flesh, and then move outward in ever-widening circles of influence. But as much as we struggle with ourselves, should we expect less opposition in others? Elymas is a classic picture of how well-meaning ministry may be received, even by those sent by the Holy Spirit.
Am I saying the Holy Spirit will send us into forces of opposition? It seems very likely. But by faith we walk head-long into those opposing forces knowing we represent over-coming power. Unfortunately for our flesh, we don’t get to see the overcoming before the overcoming happens. This is an offense to our flesh, even as we minister to someone else’s flesh. And now we begin to understand why facing opposition is an important facet of ministry life.
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Encouraging News
Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
If we were to compare Spiritual gifts, how would we rate them?
One of the ways we might look at it is this: What if the Holy Spirit had never given this (particular) gift – what would have been missed?
Obviously the lack of any one of the Spiritual gifts would be huge. The nature of how we are to minister one to another in the Body of Christ is comprehensive, and short of any one of the Spiritual gifts there would an obvious lack.
Given that all the Spiritual gifts are equally important, and that none can be spared, and that each would be greatly missed if not present, what does that tell us about the Church?
I have always found it fascinating how God builds His church. From the time this work began, (CCN,) there have been a wide diversity of Spiritual gifts present in this particular Body. What if God had not done it this way? What if most people attending this church had the same Spiritual gift? On the contrary God always arranges His church in a comprehensive fashion, and He moves His people around so that all the Spiritual gifts are present in each of His works within the Body of Christ. This way all needs can be ministered to by the Body of Christ, through the manifold diversity of the Spiritual gifts present.
Using his Spiritual gift of exhortation, (which is a wonderfully important gift,) Barnabas encourages the new believers at Antioch of Syria. What does he encourage them to - and why? Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Barnabas knew there are no ‘lone ranger’ believers. He knew anyone who stood alone would likely fall. So he encouraged them to continue to be a part of the Body where there was no lack, where their needs may be met, and where they may meet the needs of others.
- Pastor Bill
If we were to compare Spiritual gifts, how would we rate them?
One of the ways we might look at it is this: What if the Holy Spirit had never given this (particular) gift – what would have been missed?
Obviously the lack of any one of the Spiritual gifts would be huge. The nature of how we are to minister one to another in the Body of Christ is comprehensive, and short of any one of the Spiritual gifts there would an obvious lack.
Given that all the Spiritual gifts are equally important, and that none can be spared, and that each would be greatly missed if not present, what does that tell us about the Church?
I have always found it fascinating how God builds His church. From the time this work began, (CCN,) there have been a wide diversity of Spiritual gifts present in this particular Body. What if God had not done it this way? What if most people attending this church had the same Spiritual gift? On the contrary God always arranges His church in a comprehensive fashion, and He moves His people around so that all the Spiritual gifts are present in each of His works within the Body of Christ. This way all needs can be ministered to by the Body of Christ, through the manifold diversity of the Spiritual gifts present.
Using his Spiritual gift of exhortation, (which is a wonderfully important gift,) Barnabas encourages the new believers at Antioch of Syria. What does he encourage them to - and why? Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Barnabas knew there are no ‘lone ranger’ believers. He knew anyone who stood alone would likely fall. So he encouraged them to continue to be a part of the Body where there was no lack, where their needs may be met, and where they may meet the needs of others.
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What’s That, You Say?
Acts 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord!
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?"
We need to be careful how we respond to the Lord. This applies to unbelievers as well as believers, and strangely enough, as exemplified in Acts 10, sometimes a believer’s response to God is worse by measure than one who is yet to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
I find it fascinating to compare the Apostle Peter’s response to God to that of Cornelius, the non-believer. Cornelius’ response suggests both belief and faith, while Peter’s response suggests a lack of both – in that moment.
The Greek word employed for ‘Lord’ in both cases is the same – ‘kurios,’ which means “supreme in authority, or, controller.”
We have often heard it said Peter’s response is nonsensical for that very reason. If God truly is your ‘Lord,’ it makes no sense to say “not so” to Him.
A better answer when troubled by God’s direction might be, (as Cornelius responded,) "What is it, lord?" The intent here seems to be a request for further information, (with the understanding God is a great communicator,) and with further information we will joyfully respond to His guidance – NO MATTER WHAT.
What if Cornelius, like Peter, had responded, "Not so, Lord!”? There is something about familiarity with the presence of the Lord which can remove required reverence for Who God is. This is why many (maybe even most) Christians drift along in life, resisting the ‘engagements’ the Lord would lead them to. Sometimes we love God so much we feel the freedom to be disobedient to His commands. Not so!
- Pastor Bill
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?"
We need to be careful how we respond to the Lord. This applies to unbelievers as well as believers, and strangely enough, as exemplified in Acts 10, sometimes a believer’s response to God is worse by measure than one who is yet to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
I find it fascinating to compare the Apostle Peter’s response to God to that of Cornelius, the non-believer. Cornelius’ response suggests both belief and faith, while Peter’s response suggests a lack of both – in that moment.
The Greek word employed for ‘Lord’ in both cases is the same – ‘kurios,’ which means “supreme in authority, or, controller.”
We have often heard it said Peter’s response is nonsensical for that very reason. If God truly is your ‘Lord,’ it makes no sense to say “not so” to Him.
A better answer when troubled by God’s direction might be, (as Cornelius responded,) "What is it, lord?" The intent here seems to be a request for further information, (with the understanding God is a great communicator,) and with further information we will joyfully respond to His guidance – NO MATTER WHAT.
What if Cornelius, like Peter, had responded, "Not so, Lord!”? There is something about familiarity with the presence of the Lord which can remove required reverence for Who God is. This is why many (maybe even most) Christians drift along in life, resisting the ‘engagements’ the Lord would lead them to. Sometimes we love God so much we feel the freedom to be disobedient to His commands. Not so!
- Pastor Bill
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