Flannelgraph Faith: The Importance of Action

2018-07-22

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verses: Acts 10:42-43 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Today, we continue in our Flannelgraph Faith series where we reach back into our memory banks and retell stories from the Bible we may have learned as a child and see what new truths God might have for us through these important moments in history. Today, we are in Acts 10 and we will be discussing the importance of action.

The Importance of Action

Vss 13-14 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.”

– He knew it was the Lord who was speaking and he said no

– Peter is often seen as a zealous follower of Christ but also one that is disobedient

– Notice Cornelius, who was not a Christian, immediately obeyed

– vs 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Vss 30-33 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

– God had prepared the way for the Gospel to be taken around the world

– Peter’s obedience fulfilled God’s plan of reaching outside of the Jewish people

– To this point, the Gospel was a message bound by exclusivity. Now, it became a universal hope given to all

– Today, we at times still treat the Gospel with exclusivity and many may never hear because of our lack of action

Vss 44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 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.

– Through the action and obedience of Peter, the Gospel spread far and wide, beyond what Peter thought possible

What do you think God wants to do through our action?