Voiceofgod

Romans 9:2 NKJV
[2] that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
I wonder why I don’t feel this kind of emotion toward the unbelieving world. Why am I not sorrowful? Why am I not grieved? Why don’t I feel helpless, restless, and sleepless? Why?

I read in newspapers about dreadful wickedness being carried out all around me. Why am I not moved enough to pray? What is hindering me? Why am I so insensitive to all those agonies? Why am I so self-seeking and self-centered?

The serpent is dragging people more and more into self-indulgence and idolatry. There will come a moment when those people will lose their reasoning and conscience altogether. They will turn against the immortal, invisible, only true God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

The time is short. Let us work while it is daylight, for when night comes, the work will cease.

The Holy Spirit moves the Church Beyond Boundaries:

Acts 2:2-4 CEV
[2] Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. [3] Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. [4] The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

Then they saw… The Holy Spirit took control of everyone.

What happened then?

Acts 2:14, 41 (CEV) [14] Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice…

Peter stood up.

The same Peter—yes, the same Peter who once stood outside the gate denying Christ (John 18:16–17)—now stood up boldly, loudly, and clearly, witnessing Christ Jesus.

Why? Because the Holy Spirit took control.

In Acts 4, we again see Peter witnessing fearlessly, because…

Acts 4:8, 10 (CEV) [8] Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the nation’s leaders and the elders…

But the same Peter could not yet take the gospel to the Gentile world. Why?

The Lord Sets the Stage

Jesus Himself had already prepared the way to reach the Gentiles:

• The Samaritans received Him through the Samaritan woman at the well.
• The woman whose daughter was delivered from evil oppression.
• The Roman centurion whose servant was healed.

Yet Peter, though witnessing all these, remained within Jewish boundaries. Why?

At last, the Lord Himself had to give Peter a divine shake-up.

Acts 10:10–15 (NKJV) [10] Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance. [11] He 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! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” [15] And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

Peter’s Problem

Peter was full of the Holy Spirit, yet the Lord had to deal with him. He carried a biased disposition toward the Gentiles.

We too carry subconscious biases inherited from parents, society, and community—these are called residual biases.

The Lord had to deal with Peter’s residual bias in order to bring salvation to Cornelius’ household.

The moment Peter understood and corrected his bias, he willingly went with the men from Caesarea.

The Spirit Hastens Peter

Acts 10:19–20 (NKJV) [19] While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. [20] Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

Not only that—the Spirit of God Himself overtook Peter at Cornelius’ house.

Acts 10:44 (NKJV) [44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

It was as if Father God could not wait to embrace His lost-and-found children.

Acts 10:45–46 (NKJV) [45] And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

The Call to the Church

The Lord wants to move the Church into the marketplace.

Jesus loves everyone. He died for all our sins. No one is a “lesser sinner.”

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) [23] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Acts 5:14 (NKJV) [14] And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

Are we not eager to see such a grand addition to our churches and communities today?

The Church must play an important role in removing social stratifications and discriminations that still exist in our society.

We, as individuals and as the Church, must ask ourselves:

• Are we willing to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?
• Are we ready to receive direction from the Holy Spirit, as Peter did?

The Lord is waiting. He wants us to seek the lost in the marketplace. Are we willing to join Him in moving the Church into the marketplace?

Amen.

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