PvBibleAlive.com Parkview Baptist Church 3430 South Meridian Wichita, Kansas 67217

Decision-Making Guidance

My mind was headed in three directions for what sermon to preach today.  1st, I wanted to preach this sermon, “How God gives directions.”  This is a great, and clear, passage that shows us how it is done.  2nd, I wanted to complete the thought from the last two sermons about Cornelius, “Why Did God divide Jews and Gentiles?” Paul wrote extensively about that question.  And 3rd, I shared with those who attended prayer meeting, I have been thinking a lot about a passage in 1 Timothy, “Do the work of an evangelist.”  I wanted to share that as a direction for our church. 

I prayed for direction, but the decision came down to what I was prepared for this week.  Not very spiritual, but it ties in well with the sermon for today, “How does God give directions.”  “Which sermon should I preach?”  “What should I do God?”  Sometimes---we get specific answers in the Word of God, other times we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, still other times we get Godly advise from fellow Christians, we make decisions based on circumstances, or we follow Godly reasoning.  All of these have their origins in God directing us.  And each, if used carefully, and in comparison to the Word of God, can lead us to good and Godly decisions.

Acts 11 Now the apostles and the brothers[a] who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me. When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’ 10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

Here’s the outline I used to preach this message.

I.           Background

Now the apostles and the brothers[a] who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision

(you probably ought to put quotation marks around “the circumcision,” That's the name of a party.  They were Jewish legalist in the church who insisted that Christians continue to follow Old Testament ritual laws. )

 They contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

(Jewish ritual law forbade going into the house of, or eating with Gentiles.  Their homes and food were considered unclean.)

A.  Cornelius retelling

(You can read the story of Peter’s visit to Cornelius’ home in Acts 10.  In short, Peter was directed by God to share the gospel with Cornelius, despite the fact that he was a Gentile.)

B.  This is an extremely important story

You say, "Well why is it so important? It repeats verbatim what happened in Chapter 10." You're right. It's verbatim. It's just a repetition of Chapter 10.  And because the story is repeated, we know that God intended for us to get this story.  It is important because it describes the opening of the minds of Jewish Christians to taking the gospel to Gentiles.  But today, for our purposes, I want to look at another point.

It is important as well because it guides us in seeking God’s will.  Peter is given guidance regarding taking the gospel to a Gentile household in several ways.  They are the same ways that God guides us.

 

Here are the ways that God guided Peter;

 

Through

Prayer, a vision, circumstances, the Holy Spirit, fellow Christians, Scripture, and Reason

 

II.         Prayer

Peter was praying

But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying,

           Cornelius was praying

10:3  At about the ninth hour of the day,[a] he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”

He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.

A.  Prayer is assumed from all those who desire God’s guidance.

1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing

Luke 21:36 36 Watch therefore, and pray always

Romans 12: 12 rejoicing in hope, patient[c] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

B.  We pray about decisions: jobs, church decisions, our children, and God guides by giving us answers to our prayers. 

He answers in a number of ways.

III.      Visions—direct word from God—angelic appearances

A.  Peter was given a vision

But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me. When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’ 10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 

B.  Cornelius was visited by an angel.

C.  This type of guidance is rare—even in scripture—and usually happens when God is moving in a radical direction.

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

 

This passage was directly applied by Peter to the beginning of the New Testament era.  God was ushering in the New Testament so He gave the apostles supernatural visions and angelic visitations to confirm His Word.

 

We should not expect, or seek after visions; and if we have a vision, or the visit of an “angel” we must always,

 

1 John 4 Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 

How do you test the spirits?  Compare what they are saying to the Scripture. 

 

D. Satan can work through visions, dreams, angelic appearances

Jeremiah 14:14 And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.

IV.       Circumstantial confirmation

11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 

13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’

Peter was praying; saw a vision telling him that he should accept as clean what God calls clean.  And immediately Gentiles are knocking at his door that he has to accept or not accept.  Circumstances were telling him that God wanted him to go with these guys.

A.  Sometimes how we decide to move to a new job

I apply for the job.  I call my references.  I look into details about the new job in order to be well-informed

B.  But I also pray, “God, you work it out if it is to be.”

C.  I want God to direct me by working out the circumstances.

D. God did exactly that in an O.T. story.

Abraham’s servant seeking a wife for Isaac

Genesis 24:14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You (God) have shown kindness to my master.”

 

E.  But we would prefer a direct word

I went on an errand in Haysville one morning last week, on returning I thought I would get a cup of coffee from Kwikshop, I also thought that I would get Denise something for Breakfast.  I made my coffee.  I looked at what was available for breakfast, and though we don’t usually go to Kwikshop, I thought, Denise would like the Biscuits and Gravy.  But I didn’t just get it, I did what first?  I called, she said, “Biscuits and Gravy” and commended me for knowing her so well.  Why did I call?  Because I wanted to get it right.  I wanted a direct word.

V.          Guidance by God’s Spirit

Peter was also given direct guidance by God’s Spirit.

12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating.

15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

The Spirit primarily gives direction by reminding us of God’s Word.

A.  Scriptural

1 Corinthians 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1 John 2:26-28 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to[a]deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you [b]will abide in Him.

 

B.  How can you amplify the voice of the Spirit?

1.  Study and know the Word of God

2.  Obedience—quench not the Spirit

3.  Quiet—be still and know

Peter prayed and was led by a vision, circumstances, the Spirit and…

VI.       The Confirmation of fellow Christians

These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 

A.  These six saw it all—they could confirm what happened

B.  Now Peter is conferring with other believers in Jerusalem

Peter made sure that this event was seen by a number of witnesses.  God designed the Church to be a place where Christians could counsel each other, and help each other in their decisions.

 

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

 

There is wisdom in consulting with Godly counsel. 

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

 

So consult with fellow believers, but also consult the Word.

 

VII.    Scriptural confirmation

After Peter witnesses Cornelius’ household receiving the Spirit, he remembers Scripture.

16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ 

A.  Though this is listed last—it is primary for us

B.  That is why it is imperative that we know the Word

C.  Scriptures that show someone consulting scripture—The reason the Jews missed who Jesus was, the disciples were confounded by the crucifixion---they didn’t know scripture

Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

D. Many in the “Christian” world rely on visions, angelic appearance, emotional ecstatic experiences, feelings, even majority opinion—will not be swayed by Scripture

E.  How do I apply scripture?---I don’t know where to begin---make a list of factors involved in your decision

F.  Are there any moral issues?---look it up---what does the bible say about

G. Are there other people involved---wife, parents, children---look it up

H. Are there financial issues?---look it up—debt

I.   Are there spiritual/ ministry issues?---how will you serve God in both circumstances?---look it up

The final way Peter was instructed was by his reason.

VIII.  Reason

17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”

A.  Peter was putting two and two together---scripture, vision, the Spirit, circumstances

He concluded by reason, that if they had received the Holy Spirit in the same way that the apostles had, then God had received them as He had received the apostles.

The Gentiles had not converted to Judaism before God accepted them.

So, Peter concluded, that the Jewish Christians had no choice but to accept what God accepted.

B.  Most of my decisions are made by reason, because most of my decisions are not necessarily spiritual in nature. 

C.  Scripture

Isaiah 1: 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,

Isaiah 41:21 “Present your case,” says the Lord. “Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.

Acts 17:2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

D. Obviously our decisions should not work on reason alone.

E.  Peter had all of these—which demonstrates how important this event was

After Peter described what happened at Cornelius’ house…

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

Why did God give all these types of confirmations; visions, circumstances, God’s Spirit, fellow Christians, scripture, reason—because this event was of monumental importance.

God doesn’t give us all of this all the time—to be frank—we want an angel or a vision---but look at what we have--he gives us scripture, fellow believers, His Spirit, sometimes circumstances, and our reason working alongside of those.

No believer needs to feel lost, every lost person should be envious of such guidance—if we take it---and listen to it.

 

 

 

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