Follow Jesus

Preached: 9 May 2021 at Christ Church, Billericay (recorded version for video service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97AR7n8TQMA&list=PLAiDlfqEeOxU0tFmOCQCTiNQ0518mL2bQ at 11:55 into the video)

Readings: Acts 10v44-48; John 15v9-17

Purpose: to see how the Holy Spirit led Peter away from his traditional view to change the world.

Peter’s Character

Peter has been being prepared for this very carefully. In him, God has chosen someone who is not afraid to speak out and to say what he is thinking. This quality, that has got him into difficulties before – remember he told Jesus that going voluntarily to his death was not the way to go, and Jesus responded “Get behind me, Satan.” When Jesus was arrested, Peter was the one who was most scared of what was happening and denied ever knowing Jesus.

Both those sins have been forgiven now, and Peter is doing the job he was chosen to do. He is leading the church, and learning on the job.

Flashback to Pentecost

We are not following the story as it happened, we will celebrate Pentecost in a few weeks time, but for Peter, in our reading today, it has already happened. There they all were in the upper room, scared to make any sort of move at all, but knowing that something very special had happened. Then the Holy Spirit arrived. “A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house” and “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

It caused a commotion, as all the foreigners present heard their own language and wondered what was happening. So Peter got up and told them. As a result, the church was born.

That day about 3000 were added to the church, and each of them was baptised. All of them were Jews, so at this point, a new Jewish sect is formed.

Church takes shape

Peter is, of course, a Jew (and always will be) so his focus is on the Jewish nation. He is doing the right thing and the church begins to take shape. They begin to understand how people should live together under God, not holding on to possessions, and praying and healing people.

They soon come to the notice of the Jewish authorities, who thought they had cured the ‘Jesus problem’ by crucifying Him, so they suffer some persecution, but undeterred continue with their mission.

Peter like Jesus

Peter has asked himself the question “What would Jesus do?”, and is now, travelling around the country, preaching and healing people, he’s also in the habit of taking time out of his busy schedule, away from the people he’s ministering to, and spending it in prayer - just as Jesus did.

Vision on the Roof

He goes up on the roof, because roofs in their houses are flat, there are usually steps up the side of the wall, and it’s a good place to get some privacy. While he’s up there, he falls into a trance and sees a vision.

It’s disturbing, he’s being told to violate the Jewish food laws and eat unclean animals. He doesn’t like the idea, but the vision occurs three times. The Holy Spirit is preparing Peter for the next step that he is to take in building the church.

Visiting Cornelius - with a team

Then he’s told by the Holy Spirit to go with the three men who’ve just arrived. They’ve come to take him to see a Roman Centurion - Cornelius. He hasn’t even worked out the meaning of the vision yet, but ever obedient, he gets a few of the believers together and off he goes the next day. That he takes a team with him is important for what happens next, the team will be his witnesses and will back up his story to a sceptical church in Jerusalem.

Jewish restrictions

The journey to Joppa is a day’s walk. It, no doubt, gives Peter time to reflect on the vision on the roof and to make some sense of what the Holy Spirit is saying.

When they arrive, there is quite a gathering at Cornelius’s house, he has invited friends and family to hear what the young prophet has to say.

Peter enters the house. That may not sound strange to us, although in these times perhaps it does. Just by stepping across the threshold, Peter has changed things forever. He says, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” Now we can see what Peter has made of the vision, and how he has applied it to his ministry.

Important Act

For us, as gentile believers - because that’s what we are, this is the most important thing that Peter has done so far. Without being inside the house, Peter would have had no opportunity to speak the message God had taught him in the three years he had spent with Jesus.

Peter makes sure his host is aware of this and ends with “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

Message

He then goes on to tell them about Jesus and all that He did, and especially His death and resurrection. That all who believe in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

Holy Spirit Arrives - Baptised

While he is saying all this, the Holy Spirit arrives and the hearers begin speaking in tongues and praising God. Because of this, Peter orders that they be baptised, as they have received the Holy Spirit, just as he and his team have.

Second important act

This is the second important act that Peter does, and by this he has opened the church up to all gentile believers everywhere. The followers of the way are no longer exclusively Jewish - but they are all exclusively already sympathisers and have some belief in God.

Effect of the Message

Peter’s acts have paved the way for others, who spread the belief in Jesus across the world. Many taking His name to difficult to reach people in various situations. Here are a few examples:

Hudson Taylor, who went to China and founded the China Inland mission. To help the Chinese know Jesus, prompted by the Holy Spirit, he abandoned western dress and dressed like a local. This was a radical thing to do at the time.

Jackie Pullinger, who, again prompted by the Holy Spirit, went to Kowloon Walled City to minister to those who were in the grip of Heroin. She saw many miraculously healed without any withdrawal symptoms.

Peter and Alison Roots, who, prompted by the Holy Spirit, spent many years in Tanzania, bringing the word of God to the people there and supporting the church to make their world a more Godly place.

There are countless other missionaries who, prompted by the Holy Spirit, visited remote areas in Africa and South America, many giving their lives in the process, so that the Gospel was spread and Christianity became the largest religion in the world.

Everyone

Each one of us, who has been involved in church life in any way, will have received the prompting of the Holy Spirit, many in small ways that are never recorded, but all in ways that will have brought someone closer to God, or closer to a commitment to follow Jesus.

The Holy Spirit’s promptings never end, while we remain in His love. We just have to make time to listen and be receptive to what He is saying and, loving the people around us, act on those promptings.

We may not change almost the whole world as Peter did, but we may change almost the whole world for someone else.