Conflict the main obstacle to Glorifying God

1. Conflict the main obstacle to Glorifying God

2. Acts 11:1-3 • 1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that people who were not Jewish had accepted God’s word. • 2 However, when Peter went to Jerusalem, the believers who insisted on circumcision began to argue with him. • 3 They said, “You went to visit men who were uncircumcised, and you even ate with them.” GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:1–3). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

3. Acts 11: 4 - 7 • 4 Then Peter began to explain to them point by point what had happened. He said, • 5 “I was praying in the city of Joppa when I fell into a trance. I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners from the sky. The sheet came near me. • 6 I looked into the sheet very closely and saw tame animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. • 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.’ GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:4–7). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

4. Text – Acts 11: 8-10 • 8 “But I answered, ‘I can’t do that, Lord! I’ve never put anything impure or unclean into my mouth.’ • 9 “A voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Don’t say that the things which God has made clean are impure.’ • 10 This happened three times. Then everything was pulled back into the sky again. GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:8–10). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

5. Text – Acts 11:11-14 • 11 “At that moment three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent from Caesarea to find me. • 12 The Spirit told me to go with them without any hesitation. Six believers ⌊from Joppa⌋ went with me, and we visited Cornelius’ home. • 13 “He told us that he had seen an angel standing in his home. The angel told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man whose name is Simon Peter. • 14 He will give you a message that will save you and everyone in your home.’ GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:11–14). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

6. Text – Acts 11:15-17 • 15 “When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came to these people. This was the same thing that happened to us in the beginning. • 16 I remembered that the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.’ • 17 When they believed, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to interfere with God?” GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:15–17). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

7. Text : Acts 11:18 • 18 When the others heard this, they had no further objections. They praised God by saying, “Then God has also led people who are not Jewish to turn to him so that they can change the way they think and act and have eternal life.” GOD'S WORD Translation. 1995 (Ac 11:15–18). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

8. Introduction • Christ came to save all • How to deal with Conflict & Separatism? We are no longer living in Jewish times Dealing with conflict & separatism is NB Conflict & Separatism denies God of His Glory

9. 3 Key steps to manage conflict • v 1 - 3 Understand the Perception • v 4 – 17 Focus on the facts • v 4 - 10 Peters vision • v 11 - 12 Spirit confirms • v 13 - 14 Cornelius encounter • v 15 - 17 Spirits outpouring • v 18 Respond God fearing • Application

10. Understand the Perception • Background to Joppa & Caesarea • Joppa was Jewish mainstay • Caesarea was Romans key harbour port • 3 key perceptions • People who were not Jewish had accepted God’s word, but • They are not circumcised therefore not acceptable • They ate food not acceptable to the Law • They were not made Jews first • They argued with Peter based on their perception of Law still being important • But Peter understood they only received a brief report

11. Focusing on the facts • Peter relayed to them How the salvation came about. • He made no accusations, no arguments, just relayed the pure facts. • He emphasised His personal preparation • Confirmation by the Spirit • Cornelius personal preparation • Similar outpouring of The Holy Spirit as their own

12. Focusing on the facts: Peters preparation • God use vision • The vision relates to food, with none of the food complying with Jewish Law’s • Peter responds traditionally legalistic, bordering on judgmental • But through a voice God not only refers to food but to everything. • God give this vision 3 times and also declares it clean 3 times. • Peter really had to hear things a number of times

13. Focusing on the facts: Spirit’s confirmation • 3 men arrived at the house • Spirit confirmed that he should go • Peter understood the deeper meaning of the vision • God gave Peter specific instruction to put all hesitation, pre-conceived ideas or laws aside as per the vision • Peter therefore confirmed that God instructed him to go and not judge against his own Jewish convictions • Peter made sure that they comply with legal witness requirements being 7 witnesses.

14. Focusing on the facts: Cornelius personal preparation • Act 10:1 confirm that Cornelius and his household was devout and respected God. • An angel appeared to him, signifying God’s confirmation to Peter that what is happening is from God. • No way that Peter could have influenced this, since it was circa 2 days gap and 50 kilometers apart, which is about 1 full days walk

15. Focusing on the facts: Similar Holy Spirit baptism • Peter then confirms that the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. • The event was similar to theirs since they were also a group. • Peter pointed out what Jesus promised to confirm the baptism to His disciples was now also given to Gentiles • Since God was doing this, how could he resist or deny them to be partakers of Christ’s salvation

16. Respond God fearing • We see 2 clear God fearing actions: • Accepting the testimony of Peter – no further objections since: • Complete legal requirement for witnesses • Peters trust worthiness & testimony of obedience • Full reference to Christ teaching • Glorifying God through public confessions • “God has also led people who are not Jewish to turn to Him, so that they can change the way they think and act and have eternal life” • Rom 3: 22 Everyone who believes has God’s approval through faith in Jesus Christ.

17. Questions for further study • What does Galatians 2:16 teach us about • Salvation? • Good works? • Keeping the Law? • How do you think the Jewish Christians in Acts 11 would have acted if they had a deeper understanding of Galatians 2:16? • How would this impact on handling conflict? • How would Romans 3:22 influence our actions? • What was the key elements of the message in Acts 10:34-43 • How does John 3:15 to 16 relate to Acts 10:18?

18. Application • Rom 3: 22 Everyone who believes has God’s approval through faith in Jesus Christ. • To believe means to trust, act on that trust by renewing the mind. • We resolve conflict & misunderstanding by: • Understanding the perceptions of others • Dealing with the facts • Acting in a God fearing way • We create conflict by acting in a separatist way. • We can only be reconciled by the work of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.