First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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“Attitude Adjustment” Acts 10-11 Mark Howdeshell (April 13, 2008) Acts 11:17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" Introduction What is the one thing that EVERYONE has, everyone sees, everyone compares, and everyone notices instantly about other people? You’ve probably guessed…an attitude. “You’ve got a bad attitude!” “You better change that attitude or I’ll change it for you!” “You know that _______, they always have a negative attitude about everything.”
“I really like _______. They always have a positive attitude and a smile on their face.” “Attitude determines altitude.” We’ve heard about attitudes since we were children. We can picture people in our minds just by comparing their types of attitude. If I say, “giving attitude”, or “stingy attitude”, or “negative attitude”, or “cheery, positive attitude.” Each one of these descriptions may have brought a specific face to your mind. If attitudes are such a big part of our lives here on earth, then you know that the Word has to address how our attitudes should be. This morning………we’ll see what it says. The Meat of the Message Acts 10:At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven AFTER GOING WITH THEM AND ARRIVING AT THE HOUSE---- 28 He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" PETER PRESENTEDT HE GOSPEL----------- 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 the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from 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.
i. Provided a vision to challenge Peter’s beliefs 1. “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 2. Delivered His message to Peter three times ii. Peter adjusted his attitude and acted on it immediately
Acts 11:1-3 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."
Acts 11:15-17 15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
i. Their beliefs taught that they were the only ones worthy to receive the message of God ii. God had shown Peter that everyone was worth
i. Told them that God had given them the Holy Spirit ii. Made bold declaration in verse 17
Eph 4:22-24 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The Bottom Line So the question is….who are you to think you can oppose God? Do you always demand that it’s done your way or no way at all? Do you love others more than yourself? Do you need an attitude adjustment on how you approach your relationship with Him? He loves you no matter what….just as parents love their children. What happens, though, when a child shows attitude? Does he get dessert and toys and everything nice? NO They’re lucky if they get dinner before they’re sent to bed. Do you think that God sees us that same way sometimes? We all have an attitude….make sure yours reflects the same attitude as Jesus. Phil 2:5 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus Invitation This morning’s invitation is simple: Do you need to give up the attitude? Do you need an adjustment? Come to the altar this morning and ask God to give you a vision like He did to Peter. A vision of what He wants you to do and how you are to do it. Seek His desire for your attitude. |
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