05.02.2021 | LET GOD STRETCH YOU
LET GOD STRETCH YOU
1. Position yourself to encounter Jesus.
Acts 10:9-10 (NIV) – “About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.”
Acts 10:11-13 (NIV) – “He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’”
2. Step out with Jesus.
Acts 10:27-28 (NIV) – “While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.’”
Ephesians 2:14 (NIV) – “For He Himself is our peace, Who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”
Acts 10:34-35 (NIV) – “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.”
Acts 10:44-46 (NIV) – “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”
3. Humbly defend Jesus’ work.
Acts 11:2-4 – “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.’ Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story.”
Acts 11:17-18 – “’So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’”
Discussion Questions:
1. Share about a time you were in a very uncomfortable situation. What made it uncomfortable for you?
2. Why do you think it’s uncomfortable to obey God’s ways sometimes?
3. What made this situation so uncomfortable for Peter?
4. What is the most uncomfortable situation you can imagine for sharing the Gospel?
5. Share of a time you experienced God’s leading in your life (it may not have been a vision or trance).
6. Share of a time you stepped out into something uncomfortable for God.
7. Have you ever had to defend decisions that you have made to other believers or leaders in church?
8. When you defend yourself, are you humble or do you tend to want to lash out in anger?