PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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Sometimes in life, God takes unilateral action that you did not see coming and had almost nothing to do with the implementation of God’s plan. Sometimes the message God sends is so compelling that you feel that there is no other choice but to move where the Lord leads. Other times, the Lord brings someone or some event into your life that irrevocably alters the course of the rest of your life.
In today’s reading from Acts 10, we hear about just such an inbreaking of the Holy Spirit. Listen to how the Lord took action following Peter’s simple proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
(Acts 10:44-48 NIV11)
God took action
Peter and his friends did not set up some sort of psychological trap to trick Cornelius and his family into experiencing a connection with God. As the story unfolded, we saw a reluctant Peter meeting with people whom he was struggling to accept as being a part of God’s plan. But Peter set aside his old prejudices and allowed the Lord to work in his heart first.
Cornelius and his family were waiting expectantly, hoping that they would hear from Peter a message from God concerning the salvation of their souls. When Peter pointed them toward Jesus, the Holy Spirit broke in and led all present into a time of worship and proclamation.
Miracle
This expression of new life was not manufactured; it was a miracle.
The Lord chose to act in a way that showed all present that there were no limits concerning who could and should be included in the gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Christ.
The point of this manifestation of the Spirit was to show that the non-Jewish people are included and given equal shares in the grace of Jesus. The Gentiles experienced their own “Pentecost” moment as did the people of Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. With this move of the Spirit, the ends of the earth were now invited into a living relationship with the risen Christ.
Grace
This expression of grace resulted in an open door for any and all. There would no longer be anyone to stand in the way of God’s plan to draw all people unto himself through the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the eternal kingship of God the Son.
This expression of God’s will and grace was the open door that I needed. If Peter and his Jewish friends had their way, I would not have been allowed to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ because I was not of the right ancestry and race. But with this expression of mercy, I have been called to faith in Jesus. Thank the Lord for Cornelius’ obedience, Peter’s willingness to change his heart and mind, and for the outward expression of grace poured out by the Spirit.
Next Steps
After the people expressed their faith in Christ Jesus, they took a step of obedience and chose to follow the command of Christ and be baptized as a confessing disciple of Christ.
It is important that we see that the journey of faith is ongoing. These people took the next step offered to them and sought to obey the call of Christ to be baptized.
- Are you open to a next / new step?
- Where is the Lord leading you next in your journey of faith?
- Get ready. The Lord is at work and you are a part of his mission.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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