The Cut-off Man

(Scripture) Acts 10: 1-48
Acts 10: 17 (NLT) Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found the house and stood outside the gate.

(Observations)

• Cornelius feared (obeyed) God, gave generously, prayed regularly, and told by an Angle to bring Peter to Caesarea.
• The people at Caesarea Philippi were influenced by Greek and Roman culture and pagan temples and idols were everywhere.
• When Cornelius’s men reached Peter, Peter was trying to figure out God’s message.
• God told Peter it was okay to go against Jewish law; like a Jew to go into a Gentile’s home.
• God choreographed the two men to relay His message to those who needed it.
• God prepared His messenger(s) and those who received His message.
• Peter provided the people in Caesarea a brief and powerful sermon about the Good News of Christ. They accepted God publicly and decided to be baptized.

(Application)
Like Peter here, there have been times when God’s message has been unclear to me. I worried about making the wrong move. Then in a sermon or from “somewhere out in left field”, God’s message would come to me, making it clear what I needed to do next.

Many years ago I coached high school baseball. I quickly learned that being able to play the game and knowing its fundamentals, was quite different from coaching it. All players needed to know where to throw the ball before it was hit. When everyone worked in harmony, it was like a beautifully choreographed dance.

Our principal problem, was our outfielders using the cut-off man to get the ball home. When the ball was hit deep into the outfield, the cut-off man, the infielder, was to position himself to receive and quickly relay the ball to the appropriate base. All players needed to be in the right position and willing to relay the ball quickly.

God prepares all His messengers to pass along His message. Like the outfielder who works in harmony with his cut-off man to get the ball home, God prepared Cornelius and Peter to work together to send His message home to those who needed it most.

(Prayer)
Loving Father.  You set the universe in motion, so I trust You to do the same to me. LORD get me into the right position to relay Your message. Here I am LORD, Your servant is listening. Command me to come to You even on the water. Do with me what You want. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Ignorance, Kiddy Pool Lifeguards, Angler, and Farmers

(Scripture)
Mark 4: 14(NLT) The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God’s message to others.

(Observations)
1. God’s message is to be cast out everyone without discrimination.
2. God knows His message will be:
– Taken away by Satan without any chance of growth. (Seeds on the path)
– Lost on those who will quit when things get tough. (Seed on rocky/shallow soil)
– Concealed by things that, “look so fresh and delicious, and would make her wise.” (Gn. 3:6) (Seeds on thorny soil)
– Cherished, studied, grown, and spread to others by believers. (Seed on good soil)
3. Jesus used this parable of the sower to help believers, “farmers”, understand:
– That their responsibility is to just spread His message.
– That it is not their fault when, not if, His message is not received or grown.

(Application)
On TV, I saw a child who swore, out of ignorance, an alliance to kill all Christians and Jews. Raised by followers of a god whose love is based on how much they pray each day. They behead those who carry God’s message. The message God has provided, was burned to fuel their contempt toward Christ.

Imagine a lifeguard who wants to help others, provided he never has to jump into water that is over his head. When things get tough, he packs up, turns his back on God’s message, and tries the next “thing” that requires his depth of commitment. These “kiddy pool lifeguards” have placed God into cubbyhole which they could understand. They follow God on their terms, take no chances, won’t trust God, and won’t experience the joy God offers. I know, I have the tank top too.

Fish will eat anything that looks good or is shiny, only to discover it has a hook. I can’t be too critical of fish, I too have been distracted by things that were more alluring to my selfish nature. Satan is like angler. An angler uses specialized equipment and practiced techniques that are designed to bring him a large trophy, a child of the Living God.

Then there is when God’s message grows in us beyond our wildest imaginations. The more I study His message, the more I want to learn, and the more I want to farm out His message. God has provided me joy in the storm and on the shore. He is the Truth, the way, and the life.

(Prayer)
Loving Father. I want to be Your fisherman and Your farmer. Help me to grown on Your vine, study and understand Your message, and then pass it on to Your world. In your name I pray. Amen.