BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX
Acts 11:1-18
INTRODUCTION:
A. How should we go about ministry and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ?
1. Most people who are Christians would have an answer to that question
2. The answers, for the most part would probably be predictable
a. If I had the opportunity to see how you were raised, what church you grew up in and what they taught about ministry & evangelism – I could probably get you ideas without even asking
b. You see, we have this tendency to like the familiar
c. And that is not all bad, until we try to box everything and everyone else into our pretty little package.
B. This is especially true when we try to box God up.
1. We have a tendency to think God can only do something one way, maybe two or three, but surely not…….
2. “I can’t believe they would do that” or “That’s not the way to do that” are words that might come from those who try to put God in a box.
3. We might try to put God in a box by not being open to how He might want to do something different in our own church.
4. But let me tell you something, being boxed up can be awfully tight, tiresome and even hurtful.
C. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I want to show you five of them – I’m a Baptist preacher I like to talk a lot
1. Show pictures (or use video of contortionist getting in and out of a box)
2. What do you think?
3. I wish I could have shown you video
- Tuesday I watch numerous videos of people getting into boxes and out again
- In fact I watched a Guinness World record where three people got in to a box that was 26” x 27” x 22” and they stayed there for 2 minutes & 53 sec.
4. It was not comfortable for me to watch and I’m sure they were much happier when they got out!
D. This morning we are going to see that some in the early church tried to put God in a box and they tried to put God’s servant in a box as well – they tried to put ministry into a box of their own making.
1. They could not fathom that God might just chose to do something different
2. They could not see that God might just have a different plan and a different way of getting something done
E. Folks, we are going to have a special day in October.
1. On Oct 26, we will meet as a church to seek out God’s plans for the future ministry of FBCM
2. It is going to be a day in which the building Steering Committee is asking for your inputs and ideas.
3. We are not looking for what type of buildings we want, nor are we looking for how those buildings would be set up or equipped.
4. We are looking for ideas in five different areas: Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, and Fellowship– try to think outside the box for a little while – it will be a breath of fresh air!
F. God, who’s timing is always impeccable, has brought us to Acts 11, and I hope this message will help prepare us for that day – lets break out of the box and see what God can do!
1. Our Outline for this morning is
a. Obstacles to Breaking Out
b. Means of Breaking Out
c. The Result of Breaking Out
2. May God bless us and this church as we seek to do His will in our community by breaking out of the box!
PRAY
To help us prepare ourselves for what God might want to do in and through us we need to open to His leadership. Breaking out of the box can be hard, so lets first look at
I. OBSTACLES TO BREAKING OUT, Acts 11:1-3 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. [2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
A. The Occasion
1. Peter had followed God’s directions and command to go to a home in Caesarea and present the gospel to all those in the house
a. God then did a marvelous work, the Holy Spirit came and indwelt those in the house
b. Cornelius and his family got saved and people were rejoicing
c. Peter then traveled from Caesarea back to Jerusalem, possibly with the intent to take the good news back to his brothers in Christ, so that they might rejoice
d. But, if that was the case, he would not find things as he had hoped.
2. Rather than rejoicing, Peter found obstacles
a. …the circumcision contended with him…
1) Those who should have been jumping for joy at the salvation of this family were not so happy
2) One definition that could be given to the Greek word translated “contended” could be, to separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend
3) To say the least, some folks were not happy – instead of rejoicing in the salvation of others, they were upset with Peter – what were the obstacles?
b. The race and social obstacles
1) Peter went to Gentiles, non-Jews
2) They were uncircumcised, had they been proselytes, it might have been a different story – but this was not the case, they were just GENTILES!
3) Socially speaking, it was not polite society to eat with that sort of folk – what would people think, especially other Jews?
c. Then there was the methods obstacle - It had never been done that way before – “W hat were you thinking, when you went out and did it that way?”
1) You went to their home – that’s not the way to do it
2) You ate with them – are you nuts, their sinners
d. And last but not least, the legalism obstacle
1) Our laws say no going to a Gentiles house, Our laws say not eating with Gentiles
2) You must follow OUR pattern and set of rules for it to be right!
B. So What About Our Situation?
1. Folks, I know it is hard to change but life is change
2. We do not want to be the ones who put God in a box by allowing these types of obstacles to keep us from doing His will
a. Race and social obstacles need to be put aside – these should not keep us from going out and ministering to people
b. Maybe a bigger problem is the methods obstacle
1) We have never done it that way before, combined with we have done it that way before and it did not work can put us in a real dilemma
2) If you can’t do what you have never done and can’t do what you have done and did not work, we are left with what we are doing, even if it is not working! We must be willing to change!
c. Then there is the legalism problem – a set of rules and preconditions, what if God decides to work out side our rules and preconditions?
3. These things keep us from Breaking Out Of The Box and the longer we stay in the box the more uncomfortable it will get.
So how do we go about getting out of the box? Well, here we get an idea of
II. THE MEANS FOR BREAKING OUT, Acts 11:4-16 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, [5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: [6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. [8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. [9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. [10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. [11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. [12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: [13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; [14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. [15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. [16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
A. As this whole thing was going down Peter was not really worried about what people thought – He was more interested in doing what God told him to do: three things are seen here
1. We find him following God’s leadership
a. God had spoken to him and it was confirmed by three people showing up at his door.
b. He moved out on faith simply because God spoke to him.
2. He had companions.
a. Though we should be willing to move on our own if necessary, it is always easier if we have others to move forward with – i.e., a church family.
b. Change is never easy, but unity in a church makes it easier.
3. He ministered to the needs – in context of the society.
a. In other words, he met people where they were!
b. He did not try to put them into a box of his own making – he stepped out side his box and ministered in a different arena.
B. As we look at what God might have for us to do we will have to consider these same three things
1. First and foremost, Follow God’s Leading
a. God has told us salvation is for everyone – for whosoever will –
b. Jesus is our guide: he lived among, ate with and ministered to sinners of all kinds – He was not afraid to get His hands dirty.
c. We need to look around and see how we can best minister to those in our communities and then take steps to do just that.
d. God might lead us in the same ways, and then again, He might not
2. Secondly, we need to do it together – it is always easier that way
a. Unity is necessary
b. As decisions are made we all need to climb on board and serve our Lord
3. Thirdly, We need to minster to the needs of individuals in the community
a. This means not creating ministries and programs that we try to press people into, but rather find areas and needs within our community and minster in those areas.
b. I have a news flash – the church is not here primarily for us, the saved, but to reach out and take the gospel to the LOST!
c. We should not spend more money on ourselves than we do ministering to others!
C. So start praying, ask God what He would have us do, think outside the box
1. When we meet on Oct 26, you will have the opportunity to meet with others and talk about possibilities
2. God just might surprise all of us in what He wants us to do!
This brings us to the last point I think we need to SEE
III. THE RESULTS OF BREAKING OUT, Acts 11:17-18 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? [18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
A. As we read the scripture it is very apparent what happens
1. Cornelius and his house gets saved!
2. And everyone should be rejoicing – and finally they did!
B. When we finally get to the point where we have broken out of the box and are ready to follow Jesus anywhere and use any method HE determines we will see results
1. Unity will prevail in the body of Christ – they held their piece
2. We will glorify God – knowing it was He who brought about the salvation of those who were saved and we will be able to rejoice in God’s work
3. We will see tremendous growth of and in the church – God will be at work
4. And we will have the privilege of being used of Him – to His glory!
CONCLUSION:
A. Breaking Out Of The Box means letting God be in control – following Him as He reaches out through us to minister to our communities.
1. It means walking by faith
2. It means being willing to go to any length, HE deems necessary to reach the lost
3. It means we might just have to change – more likely than not!
B. Hear Paul’s words to the Corinthians found in 1 Cor. 9:18-22 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. [19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1. Do you get it?
2. Breaking Out Of The Box gives us the freedom to minister!
3. Praise God!
