05-Sep-2021: Ps Melvin
Our God is a God of change. Sometimes, we don’t like where He is taking us, but be assured, He’ll fulfil his promises.
When meeting drastic change, how do we handle?
Let’s see how 3 incidents in a location – Joppa played an important role in reluctant individuals.
- Acts 11
When the Jews in the early church was born, they had to change the way they related to God:
- They had to believe in the invisible God
- They had to have faith in Jesus the Son to approach God the Father
- They had to live in Grace – not the law.
When God added gentiles into the early church, it was hard to accept the change. Jews were not allowed to eat or live near the gentiles.
God is always moving and brings about change.
When are starting to enjoy our life, relish our salaries, get settled into the mundane – God bring change upon us, suddenly.
Acts 11:5-8
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
‘and it came down to where I was‘ – Don’t chase anything. Chase God & He will bring his plans to you, where you are. The purposes of God will be established and bring it to you where you are.
Heaven opened up and Jesus came to where we were. Peace, Grace, Love, Acceptance – came down from heaven to you through Jesus, where you are.
Exodus 14:13
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation[a] of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
- Acts 9
Acts 9:40-42
40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
Why did Peter send ‘them’ all out? – Old mindsets cannot receive new miracles.
Peter had to send them all out & pray. Peter imitated the miracles that he saw his master – Jesus do.
Peter sending them out says this – Make room for the resurrection!!
Allow room in our heart. When Jesus comes in, He promises to something new!
Joppa is a city of ports & fish. Another significant event happened in the bible – King Solomon used the wood from Lebanon to Joppa and then to Jerusalem.
God always provides the necessary ammunition or raw materials to sustain the change.
Like Peter was chosen to bring the first gentile convert. God prepared him on what was coming.
Acts 10:12-15
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [f]cleansed you must not call common.”
Being a devout Jew, this change was not easy. Yet Peter and the early church obeyed and miracles followed.
- Jonah 1
Another instance where Joppa is mentioned:
Jonah 1:3
3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Important aspects from the incidents in Joppa –
Never be limited by a label:
- When God has created you and called you for His purpose, He will fulfil it!
- God always has a way of changing your heart. Jonah has the whale, peter had a vision.
Never believe a lie – that you cannot change:
- God always takes you out of the comfort zone to use you.
- If Peter had believed a lie, things would have been different.
The new way is ready. Don’t be late:
- Don’t waver on deciding – Obey!
- God will make it very clear through circumstances & situations where He wants you to go.
- Make the decision and take the first step.