Breaking Down Barriers Series

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

Correctives to Handle Criticism

1. Respond gently. I’m struck by how civil Peter was in his response. The old Peter would have lost his patience and spouted off in anger. He could have said, “Do you know who you’re criticizing? I was with Jesus at His transfiguration and I walked on water!” He didn’t say any of this.

Look at verse 4: “But Peter began and explained it to them in order.” Peter simply started at the beginning and “explained,” which means “to set forth.” He did this “in order,” point-by-point. He wants them to catch that God is doing a new thing. Or to use today’s terminology, God is initiating a huge paradigm shift.

Peter is practicing Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Humility keeps the conversation going in the right direction. This is a good word for us as political polarization is at an all-time high.

Speaking of politics, if you haven’t already voted (over 50 million already have), I hope you’ll take advantage of the privilege and responsibility of your citizenship and vote your values. I was greatly helped by Pastor David Platt’s new book called, “Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask.” We posted a link on sermon extras if you’d like to order a copy. Here’s a brief excerpt:

We have a responsibility before God and one another to steward our vote for the sake of good, God-glorifying governance…how we use our vote is a matter of faithfulness before God…God calls us to use every means of grace He grants us to love Him above all and love our neighbors as ourselves…make the stewardship of your vote your overflowing radical trust in Jesus, His Word to you, His Spirit in you, His rule over you, and His reign not only in our nation, but over all nations.

This weekend has been declared a time of prayer and repentance for our country. Allow me to lead us in prayer right now…

Related to prayer, our Mainspring ministry is hosting a time of prayer for repentance, revival and unity on Sunday, November 1st from 6-8pm in the worship center. This non-political prayer time is open to everyone. There will be individual and corporate prayer as we utilize the outline of the Lord’s prayer as our guide. I plan to participate. Will you join me as we pray for our country right before the elections? Props to Reagan LaBerge and Claire Swenson for organizing this.

2. Recount details. In verses 5-6, Peter lays out what happened without defaulting to his feelings or giving his opinions. He doesn’t say, “I feel” or “I think,” but rather, “this is what happened.”

“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.” Peter describes the details and also mentions that he “looked at it closely,” which means, he “fastened his eyes by gazing intently and then investigated and contemplated what it all meant.”