Peters Miracles and Breakthrough for the Gospel Acts

Peter’s Miracles and Breakthrough for the Gospel Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [22] Acts 9: 32 -10: 23 August 5, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

HIDRANCES TO EXPERIENCING GOD’S WORK IN AND THROUGH US • Hindrance #1: Self-preoccupation rather than a Kingdom-first mentality. ü Dr. Luke’s main motif throughout the book of Acts is the advancement of the gospel. • Hindrance #2: Barriers/Prejudices rather than an openmindedness toward all people for the gospel. ü Peter had to first overcome his own Jewish barriers & prejudices against Gentiles (Acts 10). • Hindrance #3: Spiritual Inertia rather acting on the prompting of the Spirit. ü Peter’s prompt obedience into the unknown was a key to the breakthrough (Acts 9 & 10).

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ” Matthew 16: 18 -19 [the household of God] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone Ephesians 2: 20

WHAT DO THESE STORIES OF PETER TEACH US ABOUT GOD’S WORK? 1) Peter’s miraculous healings (9: 32 -43): It was a sign of Jesus’ continuing ministry through the Spirit. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed. ” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. . . 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise. ” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (9: 34 -35; 40 -42) Ø The healing of Aeneas (Mark 2: 11) and Dorcas (Mark 5: 41) was much like Jesus’ earthly ministry. Ø Dorcas’ charitable works were a mark of true godliness. Ø These were primarily a sign of Jesus’ power, salvation, and glory preceding to the advancement of the gospel.

WHAT DO THESE STORIES OF PETER TEACH US ABOUT GOD’S WORK? 2) Cornelius’ vision (10: 1 -8): It was God’s sovereign grace for opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles. 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius. ” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord? ” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. ” (10: 1 -6) Ø This centurion was a religious “God-fearer” yet not saved. Ø It was God’s sovereign grace that chose Cornelius’ family as the first Gentiles to be saved. Ø God goes ahead of us for a breakthrough and salvation.

WHAT DO THESE STORIES OF PETER TEACH US ABOUT GOD’S WORK? 3) Peter’s vision (10: 1 -8): It was God’s sovereign grace for breaking down the prejudices and barriers against the Gentile mission. he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. ” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God as made clean, do not call common. ” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (10: 10 b-16) Ø Peter’s barriers were all Jews’ hindrances to Gentiles. Ø In order for the Jerusalem church to embrace Gentile believers, Peter had to spearhead this breakthrough. Ø We must also face our own prejudices and barriers against advancing the gospel to all people for Christ’s glory.

Breaking down the Barriers and Prejudices This, then, was the entrenched prejudice which had to be overcome before Gentiles could be admitted into the Christian community on equal terms with Jews, and before the church could become a truly multi-racial, multi-cultural society. We saw in Acts 8 the special steps God took to prevent the perpetuation of the Jewish-Samaritan schism in the church; how would he prevent a Jewish-Gentile schism? Luke regards this episode as being so important that he narrates it twice, first in his own words (Acts 10), and then in Peter’s when the latter explained to the Jerusalem church what had happened (11: 1 -18). - John R. W. Stott

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1. How can I shift from a self-preoccupied life to a Kingdom-first life, participating in the advancement of the gospel (Acts 1: 8)? 2. How will I pray that the Spirit will lead me to a “Cornelius”? Who might be my “Cornelius”? 3. What prejudices or barriers do I need to overcome to see how God can use me? What must be changed?