Acts: The Gospel Knows No Boundaries

1/20/2019

When you look at where you are today and who you are today, what are some of the circumstances God used to prepare you? What did he do to build you up and get you ready for what you’re facing right now? Are there things you look back on and you can see that his hand was at work, yet at the time it seemed like he was absent or distant?
In looking at the circumstances God used to prepare Cornelius and Peter for their encounter, Pastor Jeremy pointed out that the activity was all God initiated. Read Acts 10:1-11. Which things jump out at you as evidence of God’s initiative?
Pastor Jeremy called God sovereign. What does this word mean to you? How do you understand God’s sovereignty in your relationship with Him? What about in your relationships with others? What about in your relationship with His church?
What is the relationship between your good works and your salvation? Read Acts 10:1-2, 22, 44 and consider the pre-salvation good works of Cornelius and what had to happen before he was saved.
1. Read James 2:14
2. How do these concepts fit together for you? If works do not lead to salvation, and faith without works doesn’t save, how can both of these be true?
3. In your life, which comes easier for you? Having faith, or doing works? (It’s ok if it’s not very clear cut).
4. Now, how does this passage fit? Phil. 2:12-13 Do you think this verse applies to this conversation? How or why not?
Pastor Jeremy said that salvation comes through the words of the gospel, the good news of Jesus. Acts 11:13-14 puts this in a clear and interesting way. Often we don’t realize the importance God has placed on us being verbal witness. Read what Paul says about this in Romans 10:14-17. So faith is created through the act of preaching, and receiving the preached gospel. We were told in this sermon that we are now God’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. Where can you be a witness this week? Think about work, neighbourhood, friends, family, teams, etc. Who are those who have seen your good works and have not yet heard your good news?
1. Take some time to name people together and pray for them. If you have a group chat going, add these names to it right now and check in with each other throughout the week. Pray for boldness, not for just for opportunities.
2. Preach the gospel to each other. This works against our sin bent tendency for self justification. Lean into God, because it is not your works which save you, it is Jesus!