Week 16: From Jews to Gentiles

Peter and Cornelius

MEMORY VERSE
"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. (Acts 10: 39-40)


INTRODUCTION
It's hard for me to believe that people once thought the earth was flat or that it was the center of the universe. Imagine you'd believed the earth was flat all of your life. How much would it have changed your reality if someone told you the world was actually a big ball circling a gigantic star and that all those tiny pinpricks in the night sky were stars hundreds of times bigger than the earth?

I imagine the Jews in Acts felt the same type of reality check when they found out that Go wasn't interested in them only, but wanted to save the whole world They saw themselves as "the chosen people," but now God was calling them to open the doors to allow non-Jews to receive salvation in Jesus Christ.

In Acts 10 we read that God gave Peter a specific vision to make him realize that salvation was for all people, not just the Jews. The result of this revelation was an explosion of evangelism that quickly moved beyond Israel's borders and began to echo around the world. That shockwave is still expanding as the gospel is shared with people who've never heard it.

Some people say the gospel is too exclusive since it requires belief in Jesus. On the contrary, the gospel is one of the most inclusive of all faiths because it's open to anyone who believes.

this week we'll look at the heart of God and his message of love and peace. We'll also see where we fit into God's plan as he sends his gospel to all the nations.

The apostle to the Gentiles, Day 5

Pressing on Toward the Goal

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 12-14)


It's tempting to put our leaders on pedestals. They can do more than we can, so we tend to idolize them. Because of that, we can also look down on ourselves. Paul knew the Philippians might begin thinking more of him than they should, so he reminds them that he's growing in Christ as well. Our mentors and leaders aren't better than we are, they've just had more time to work at it than we have. We'll be able to know God as well as they do if we're as diligent as they've been. They aren't superhuman; they're just committed. God uses them as role models to show us it can be done. If we follow in their footsteps, then we'll see the same power and joy in our own lives.

How are you pressing on to be like Christ?

Thank God for the spiritual leaders he's put in you life to show you the way.

The apostle to the Gentiles, Day 4

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (1 Corinthians 2: 1-5)

For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." (2 Corinthians 10:10)

We don't know what Paul looked like. From the amazing impact he ahd on so many people, it's tempting to imagine him as a dashing charismatic figure. But the clues in Scripture say otherwise. Paul was most likely not very attractive, and he wasn't even the best communicator. Many speakers of that day dressed well and gave incredibly entertaining speeches. Paul was criticized for not being more like them. Paul wasn't interested in entertainment; he was interested in the power of God. Who do you listen to? If you listen only to those who entertain you, then you might hear an interesting speech, but you'll miss out on people like Paul - and that's where the real spiritual power is.

Spend some time reflecting on where God is moving around you.

Could God be moving you in unexpected ways?

Keep your eyes open for God to speak to you through anyone and anything today, not just in the places you'd expect.

The apostle to the Gentiles, Day 3

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Phillippians 3:3-11)

If you looked at Paul from a religious perspective, then you'd see the perfect minister. Any Israelite of that day would've envied Paul and probably assumed he was a very holy man just by his pedigree. it would be the equivalent of growing up in church, having Billy Graham for your dad, getting straight As in seminary, never getting in trouble and always knowing the right answers in church. Paul basically had all of that going for him, but he saw it as useless. In other words, none of that stuff changed him. It was his relationship with Jesus that mattered, not his polished reputation. Anyone can think you're holy, but what matters is that you really know Jesus.

Read verses 7 through 10 again.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Try to understand Paul's heart as he wrote that.

Do you feel the way Paul felt?

Ask God to help you truly know him.

The apostle to the Gentiles, Day 2

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1: 1-3, 9)

I was always confused when people said they had a "calling from God." I didn't doubt them because Paul obviously had a calling. He even uses the phrase "called to be an apostle" in today's passage. But notice that we also have a general calling. In verse 2 Paul reminds us that all believers have a calling from God to be pure. And we should pursue the calling we've already received. But will god ever call you as Paul was called? Maybe. Callings are very unique, and God uses a variety of ways to help us understand God's specific will. Don't expect Paul's experience, though; look for God's work as it specifically relates to your own life.

Do you feel God may be calling you to some form of specific service?

Ask God to make that calling clear to you. Talk to your pastor or another respected Christian leader for guidance.

The apostle to the Gentiles, Day 1

Saul's Conversion

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength. (Acts 9:1-19)

This is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. In fact, it shows up three times just in the book of Acts (see chapters 22 and 26). Why so often? This was Paul's defining moment when his whole life changed. Before this point Paul thought he was working for God, but he discovered he was doing just the opposite. The great thing is that God came to him anyway. Paul knew God loved him, had forgiven him, and was sending him on a mission of great importance. He knew it would cause him pain and probably cost him his life, but it was worth it to serve a God who could love a sinner like him.

What was your conversion like?

How has it changed your life?

Who have you told your conversion story to lately?

Ask God to show you where you could share your story with someone this week.

Week 15: The apostle to the Gentiles

The conversion of Saul

MEMORY VERSE
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9: 4-6)

INTRODUCTION
You can't talk about the New Testament without talking about Paul. In fact, Christianity wouldn't be the same without the life, writings, and influence of the apostle of the Gentiles. Something happened in the life of this one man that served as a turning point in history. Acts 9:1-19 records the amazing conversion of this great man - the transformation of "Saul the zealous Pharisee" to "Paul the crusader for Christ."

Paul's influence cannot be measured. Fulfilling God's will from the beginning. Paul got to be God's vessel to take the message of salvation to all people - not just the Jews. Paul was the first missionary to the rest of us. Part average Joe, part fierce debater , and part loving pastor. Paul's unique character and background made him the perfect choice as the apostle to everyone. Furthermore, god inspired Paul in his writings. He ultimately left behind 13 letters in our Scriptures.

As you read the book of Acts, you see the depth of conviction of this persecutor-turned-true-believer. And he's everywhere: in the marketplace,talking to ordinary folks, in the synagogue debating religious leaders, and on the road spreading the gospel from Asia to Europe.

This week we're going to look at the conversion of the Church's first and greatest theologian, and find out why God is still using Paul in our lives today.