GOD’S WORD FOR JANUARY 10

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THE TRACE OF HIS SHADOW

(Read Acts 3:1-10;  5:1-11;  8:14-24;   ad 10:44-48)

THE SHADOW OF THE GOSPEL’S OUTREACH (cont’d)

Now Peter understood the full meaning of his own vision:  god was trying to tell him that the distinctions between Jews and Gentiles detailed in the Old Testament were gone.  He could actually enter the home of a Gentile and share the good news of the Gospel.  This was a radical departure from what he had been taught.

The next day Peter started on the journey, and the following day arrived at the home of Cornelius.  After becoming acquainted he  made this announcement: 

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.”

Then followed a presentation of the gospel.  While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit fell on those who were listening to his message, and as further proof that the Gentiles were now included in God’s program, the new believers spoke in tongues and were baptized in water.  Once again Peter was exercising his right to open the doors of the Gospel.  The “keys” had opened another door.

It is worth noting that God used an angel to communicate with Cornelius.  This angel did not reveal the Gospel, but rather told Cornelius how to get in contact with a man who could bring him the Good News.  The angels of heaven could have delivered sermons more effectively than Peter.  But God’s plan is to use men and women, no matter how imperfect they may be.  His chisel was applied to Peter, not to the angels that surrounded Him.

One result of Peter’s visit to Cornelius was that he was criticized for eating in the home of a Gentile.  This, according to Old Testament law, was not just a breach of etiquette but also a doctrinal compromise.  But Peter defended his actions by telling the other apostles the whole story.  When his explanation was finished, we read, “and when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

So as Peter moved through life, his shadow affected everyone he met.  Whether it was a healing touch, a stinging rebuke, or a joyful opportunity, no one was the same after they had been in the presence of this remarkable man.

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Matthew 28:19

 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree….”

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Luke 24:46-47

He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

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Romans 1:15-16

So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

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Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

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Romans 10:11-12

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

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1 Corinthians 12:11-12

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.  For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

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2 Corinthians 5:15-17

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.  Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, all things have become new.

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Ephesians 2:5–9

 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

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Revelation 7:9

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

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