The Fifth of Ten days

Acts 10:1-48

When we join God on mission, we enter into a work that God has already started (10:1-8; 30-33).

It is interesting in this chapter to note that God was already at work in the life of Cornelius and those with him before Peter showed up on the scene. In fact, God was at work there before Peter even heard and responded to God’s call. We should never take this principle for granted. God calls us to join His work, not begin His work. God’s “bottom line” purpose is to bring glory to Himself in all the earth, and He has always been about accomplishing this purpose. You may think that you are entering into a brand new work when you go to a place like China (where so few have even heard His name), but the truth is that in China you enter into the ancient work of God. He has been shaping history for hundreds of years in order to raise up worshippers in China, as well as other places where His name is not known.

This principle has to be encouraging for us, even exciting. We do not go alone. Not only does God go with us as we go, he actually goes ahead of us to prepare the way. God is already at work in the places that He is going to call you to join Him. He is at work on your school campus, in your community, and even in those places where very few if any even know who He is. It is our privilege as His witnesses to join God in the work that God Himself has begun, and the work that God Himself will finish. Therefore, as we go (whether it be to school everyday, or on a trip to Turkey), let us go expecting to find God already at work. Let us go expecting to be used by God in the areas that He has already prepared for us. Let us go knowing that we are just one small part of the process: the ancient work of God.

Joining God on mission requires us to cross cultural barriers (10:9-29; 34-48).

For Peter, cultural barriers were almost a hindrance to his ability to join God on mission. God gave Peter this vision three times, before Peter was willing to respond. Even in his response, there is a sense that Peter went to Cornelius’ house in a state of confusion, if not reluctance. Upon entering Cornelius’ house, Peter made it clear that it was against Jewish laws and customs for him to be there at all, but God was using all of this to change Peter’s heart. Jews thought of Gentiles as different, unclean, impure, unacceptable, maybe even weird. God’s message to Peter was that there would no longer be any distinction between nations, races, ethnicities, or cultures. Peter recognized the work of God as he saw that God was working in the lives of the Gentiles in the same way that He was working in the lives of the Jews. Peter responded by sharing the gospel, baptizing the new Gentile converts, and tearing down cultural barriers as he stayed with and ministered to Cornelius and the other believers for a few days.

As you join God on mission, He is going to call you to cross cultural barriers. He may ask you to go to a culture that you think is weird, different, backwards, etc. He may want you to eat something you have never even thought of eating, wear something you would never wear back at home, or befriend someone no one else will even talk to. God makes no distinctions between people; He loves them all. He desires to use you as His witness as you cross cultures. He wants you to love people into His kingdom by being willing to enter into their world and their culture. Like Paul, he desires for you to become all things to all men in order to win some (1 Cor. 9:22). As we join God on mission we must remember that other cultures are not wrong, they are just different.

God, I want to thank you for inviting me to join You in Your work in the world. You have been, and continue to be at work all over the world, turning hearts towards you, raising up worshippers from all nations, and covering the whole earth with your glory. Thank you for allowing me to enter into your ancient work in the world. As I join you, would you please open up my eyes and soften my heart so that I can see people the way you see them. God, give me the ability to cross cultural barriers in order to demonstrate your love to people of any background, race, religion, culture, mindset, or ethnicity. Help me to see opportunities to tear down cultural barriers that may exist even in my school or community, and give me the strength, power, and sensitivity needed to cross over those barriers. Thanks God, for being a God who loves all people from all nations, tribes, and tongues. Amen.