Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 27, 2022
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 11-12. This chapter shows how individual, gospel transformation impacts local churches. When God changed Peter’s heart toward the gentiles, his testimony changed the heart of the entire circumcision party in Jerusalem. When God moved on Barnabas’ heart in generosity, the church in Antioch followed his lead. These chapters make it clear that healthy, vibrant disciples create healthy, vibrant churches.
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Reflect
Healthy growing churches are filled with healthy and growing Christians. Does that describe you and your current walk with Jesus?
When Peter went up to Jerusalem, we see the circumcision party criticize him for entering the home of the uncircumcised. Reflecting on Peter’s response, does this represent your usual response when confronted by other people? Do you share what God has done in you or argue?
Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes if there are any ways you are more committed to church tradition, what people think, or anything more than you are committed to Jesus.
Earlier in Acts, Barnabas sold his property and gave his proceeds to the apostles. We see his generosity triggered the disciples in Antioch to be generous for the need in Judea. It wasn’t something they were asked to do. They watched Barnabas walk in obedience and generosity, that then was their natural response when a need arose. Is there anything the Holy Spirit is asking you to do or change? Your obedience affects the people around you.
Fire cannot be contained. What kind of fire are you creating? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to stir you up, draw you into Him, sanctify you and the way you walk and talk? Or are you stirring up strife, conflict, bitterness, human anger, gossip, greed? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas you might need to repent and ask Him to cleanse you and give you strength to walk in His power and love.
Acts 12:5 says, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” We then see God send an Angel to free Peter. May we sit and behold the beauty of how God works, how He uses His people through earnest prayer. Do you spend time in earnest prayer for specific requests? What specific requests has God answered for you? Will you take time this week to tell a friend? Share with a friend the ways God has answered your specific requests. It allows them to share in praise to our Jesus and grows their faith also.
Do you go to the world for answers, or do you go to Jesus? Do you rely on hearing the word of God one time per week, or do you abide in His word daily? Do your daily decisions reflect a devotion to Jesus or to something or someone else?
Healthy disciples make up healthy churches. Are you a healthy and growing disciple? Spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in growing in a relationship with Him.