A New Beginning

Narrator (Male): Jesus charged us with a responsibility to share the good news. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out it's the perfect time to do it.

Greg Laurie: We are the first generation that could literally get the gospel to pretty much everyone. So here's a challenge I have for you. Would you take the gospel to people who have offended you, or people you're not comfortable with, or people you don't even necessarily want to be with? Give them the gospel.

Narrator (Male): If you find a great restaurant or see a good movie, chances are you're not shy about mentioning it to someone else. We like to pass along helpful suggestions, but so many of us just don't feel comfortable in suggesting someone consider the hope of the gospel.

We'll talk about that reluctance today on A New Beginning as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his studies in the book of Acts. We'll learn to follow the example of our first-century forefathers and discover the thrill of spreading the good news.

Greg Laurie: Grab your Bible and turn to Acts chapter 10. We're back in our Book of Acts series that we're calling the Upside Down Life, and the title of the message is Never Say Never.

Think about this for a moment. We are the first generation that could literally fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime. Think about that. Because of all of the technology that we have today, we could literally get the gospel to pretty much everyone on the planet. But that's a big project. We can just stop and think about our own life and going into our own world.

So the book of Acts, it's the work of the Holy Spirit that happened through the lives of ordinary people. It was the Spirit of God working through the Word of God and the hearts of the people of God, and it was said of them that they turned their world upside down. Now in the book of Acts, we have sort of a shifting of the gear if you will, and there's a change in the strategy of the church. They now seem to get a better understanding of the simple fact that they were to take the gospel to everyone. Everyone needed to hear it, not just the people that they were personally comfortable with.

Also, before us here in Acts, is a story of a man who was searching for God. He was a true seeker of God. And if a person is really seeking God, God will make himself known to them. God promises in Jeremiah 29:13, "You'll seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart, and I will be found by you."

And the name of this man was Cornelius, and he was a centurion. This is a pivotal moment with his conversion because now the church is going to leave not just bringing the gospel to their fellow Jews, but to non-Jews or Gentiles as well, to go out there and impact everybody. This reminds us that the early church was not perfect. They were people like us. They fell short of what God called them to do. They made mistakes. They had false doctrine, they had division. They had issues that still, in fact, the church today. And in some quarters of the church, there was even prejudice, where they were unwilling to go to people different than them.

So God was changing the heart now of Simon Peter, who at this moment is, for all practical purposes, leading the church along with James. So Peter has been impacted by a couple of events that take place in his life. The first one is over in Acts chapter 9, verse 34, where he encounters a man named Aeneas. He's in a non-Jewish city called Lydda, which by the way is modern Tel Aviv, and he's a paralytic. So Peter goes to him and says, "Aeneas, Jesus heals you, make your bed." And Aeneas got up and walked. So that touched Peter's heart. He's thinking, "Wow, this guy's not a Jew and God just extended a miracle to him."

Then there's also a story of a non-Jewish woman who was named Tabitha. She had died and her friends were in mourning. Everybody brought the things that she had made for them. Peter was so moved by this and God led him to raise her up from her bed, and he said, "Tabitha, get up."

So you see, God's starting to change Peter. He's starting to soften Peter's heart and get him ready. Now we're introduced to Cornelius in Acts chapter 10, starting in verse 1. By the way, I'm reading from the New Living Translation. "In Caesarea, there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man. He feared the God of Israel, as did his entire household. He gave generously to charity and was a man who regularly prayed to God."

"One afternoon, around 3 o'clock, he had a vision. And he saw an angel of God coming toward him. 'Cornelius,' the angel said. Cornelius stared in terror. 'What is it, sir?'" Which by the way, when an angel appears, it's a good idea to call him "sir," right? And though Cornelius is a powerful leader of others, he knows greater power when he sees it. And the angel replies, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God. Now send some men down to Joppa to find a man named Simon Peter. He's staying with Simon a leather worker, who lives near the shore. Ask him to come to visit you."

So we'll stop there. Looping back now to Cornelius, he's a centurion. By the way, it was not easy to become a centurion. They commanded 300 to 600 troops. One of the historians of the day named Polybius described centurions as men who are not so much the venturesome daredevils as they were natural leaders known for their steadfastness and dependability in the heat of battle. So Cornelius, he's a leader. He's an intelligent man. He's a level-headed man. He's a respected man. And like most Romans of his day, he would worship Roman gods. They had many gods that they would bow before: Jupiter, Mars, Venus. Many of them would even worship Caesar as a deity.

So this was the world he lived in, but he knew this was not the answer. Something about the Jewish people and their worship of the one true God fascinated him. They were monotheistic, they worshipped one God. He was polytheistic, he worshipped many gods. He was drawn, but he didn't really know how to believe quite yet. He was a true seeker and God was about to make himself known to this man.

Now here's what I find interesting. An angel appears to him and says, "Go talk to Peter. You're going to get the answers to all of your questions." Why didn't the angel just give him the gospel? Because the job of angels is not to preach the gospel, that's our job. Our job is to preach the gospel. "How can they believe in him unless they've heard about him? How can they hear unless someone tells them?" asked Paul in Romans 10:14. So here we have Cornelius and the Lord's getting him ready.

Meanwhile, back in Joppa, we have Simon Peter. God's prepping him. He's getting these guys ready to meet each other. It's going to be an explosive moment in church history and in the strategy of the church. Peter is sitting on the rooftop of the home of a guy named Simon, the tanner. That doesn't mean that he laid out and got tans all the time, it means that he had hides of leather and such. So he was a leather worker, if you will. And Peter is hungry. By the way, I don't know about you, but I am not a good hungry person. I'm the person who gets hangry. You know, sometimes I'll start getting irritable, my wife will throw a sandwich at me to calm me down a little bit.

When I go to a restaurant, you know, and by the way, I eat lunch at 11 o'clock sharp. I am one of those people that eats early. Is there anybody else that eats an early lunch? Okay. Some people, "Oh, lunch, I didn't even know it was lunchtime." I'm counting down the minutes till lunchtime from 9:00 in the morning, pretty much after I have breakfast. So you know, when you go to a restaurant, you sit down and you're looking for a server and one finally shows up, they take your drink order, "Okay, I'll have water, iced tea, whatever you have." And then they disappear for like a month. Where do they go? Where do they go? And then they reappear again. And you finally get your order in and then a little bit of time passes, and here comes the big platter with your order. You're so excited, and they walk past your table, it's someone else's food.

Then you start thinking, "Wait, didn't they get seated after us?" Has anyone ever else thought these things? Is it just me? Yeah. So you're getting hungrier and hungrier, and in my case, hangrier and hangrier. Finally, your order arrives, and it's the wrong order, they got it wrong. Or it's cold, right? So you know, Peter's hungry. He's just sort of lying there, sitting there. And God is getting him ready for this big moment. Acts 10 now, go over to verse 9.

"The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing the city, Peter's up on the flat roof to pray. It's around noon. He's hungry. He was hungry, not hangry." "While lunch is being prepared, he fell into a trance. And he saw the sky open and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. And in the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles and birds. And then a voice said to him, 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat them!'" Verse 14, "'Never, Lord,' Peter declared. 'I have never in all of my life eaten anything forbidden by our Jewish laws.' The voice spoke again and said, 'If something God says is acceptable, don't say it isn't.'" Okay, we'll stop there.

Okay, this would be like a very health-conscious person having a sheet or a sail, or a picnic blanket if you like, lowered from heaven with all of the foods that you are not supposed to eat. You know, In-N-Out Burger, Chipotle burritos, nachos with extra cheese, pizza. By the way, I just named all of my favorite foods literally right there. You just heard them all. And you know, and say, "Ew, I can't eat that, I'm into healthy foods." It'd be like me, having a sheet lowered from heaven filled with wheat germ and kale and and uh, tofu and things of that nature, right?

So, but the idea here is this is not about food. This is about people. This sheet with all of these critters that were on it is a metaphor that God is giving to Peter, and he's saying, "Leave your comfort zone and go to a new group of people, specifically the Gentiles."

Narrator (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment.

Dave: Well, Pastor Greg, it's such a such an encouragement to us here at A New Beginning when listeners tell us how this broadcast has impacted their life. In fact, some people even call us and leave a recording of how the program has affected them. That's really the way that impacts us most because we get to hear that in their actual voice, isn't that true?

Greg Laurie: Oh, yes. I can't tell you, Dave, how many times I've met people just out and about and they'll tell me of how they came to Christ hearing our radio broadcast. That's such a blessing to me. And I want other people to hear those stories. So here's my question to you. Have you made a commitment to Jesus Christ listening to A New Beginning? And maybe you came to Christ at one of our Harvest Crusades or watching something we did online or whatever it is. But if you came to Christ through our media ministry, I'd love to hear your story. And I want to hear it in your voice. I want you to tell me what happened to you and we just might use it and put it on air, and a lot of people will be blessed to hear what God has done in your life.

So there's a number you can call. It's a designated number. So only call this number to share your story.

Dave: And Dave, what is that number?

Greg Laurie: Yes, 866-871-1144. You can call anytime. Again, 866-871-1144. Tell us how the Lord has used this ministry to bring you to the Lord.

Greg Laurie: We're talking about the importance of sharing the gospel today as Pastor Greg presents his message from Acts 10 called Never Say Never. You know, we're in a time in the church now where I I I see I don't think division is ever necessary, but I see people dividing over really small things. Second-tier, even third-tier things. Your group gets narrower and narrower. It's down to pretty much us four and no more and I'm not sure about you all the three, right?

This is not the time to divide. This is the time to unify and get back to our primary mission that God has given to us. When a secular culture sees a divided church, they don't care about what we say. Here's what Paul reminds us of in Ephesians 4:3, "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." So make every effort to get along with people. Make every effort to not divide from people.

It's interesting that this happened in a place called Joppa. Does Joppa ring a bell with any of you Bible students? Of course, you remember the story of Jonah. God called Jonah to take God's message to the people of Nineveh, who were renowned for their wickedness and cruelty. Jonah flat out refused, and he got a boat going in the opposite direction from a little place called Joppa. I've been to Joppa. It's a seaport in Israel, and it's a beautiful little spot, actually. So there at Joppa, Jonah ran from God. You know the rest of the story. A great storm came, and he was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish. Ultimately, he repented and was given a second chance and went to Nineveh and preached to them and a great spiritual awakening broke out. But it's interesting, it's Joppa. Joppa is the place where God was directing Jonah and now Peter to go to people they were not necessarily comfortable with.

So here's a challenge I have for you. Would you take the gospel to people who have hurt you? Would you take the gospel to people who have offended you? Would you take the gospel to people who have mistreated you, or people you're not comfortable with, or people you don't even necessarily want to be with? Let me illustrate it from my own life. As you know, my mom was married and divorced seven times. She was an alcoholic and went from husband to husband. There were a lot of boyfriends in between, and I went along. Her name was Charlene. I was on Charlene's wild ride. You've heard of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, I was on Charlene's wild ride. So after I came to Christ, I pretty much had a full-time ministry sharing the gospel with my old "dads," I'll put them in quotes. Some were successful, I was able to share the gospel with Oscar Laurie, the man who adopted me, and whom my mom left, and I was able to lead him to the Lord toward the end of his life. That was fantastic.

My mom leaves Oscar, who was like a great dad. Though he was not my biological father, he treated me as a father should treat a son. He taught me things. I stole something once as a kid and he took me down to the jail and introduced me to people in jail. The problem was I thought it was kind of cool and that didn't work so well, but thankfully, I didn't go into a life of crime. He gave me an allowance. He was a good dad, a real functioning dad. One day my mom leaves him abruptly. I get out of my classroom and the Cadillac is loaded with a bunch of luggage and we're on our way to Hawaii to meet my "new dad," who I'd never heard of before.

So I land in Honolulu and here's this guy I've never seen before. They take me to his home. They took my room that I had in New Jersey and literally recreated it in Hawaii. It's like my same room, same stuff in my room. But it wasn't my room, and the whole thing was bizarre. He, too, was an alcoholic and a violent drunk. One night they got in a fight, and he took out a wooden statue and hit my mother, knocked her unconscious. She landed on the floor. I came out of my room as a little boy and saw my mom lying in a pool of blood, and he was holding the statue up in a menacing way. I remember it. It was such a weird statement. He said, "Go back to bed. She's fine. It's just ketchup."

Well, I knew what it was. I climbed out the window of our house and went to a neighbor and the police were called, but she left him, understandably. So now fast forward, I'm a Christian, I'm a pastor, and I'm preaching in Honolulu, and someone comes up to me and says, "Hey, your dad is very sick. I don't know how long he's going to live. Maybe you should go talk to him." And I said, "No, thank you." Why did I say no thank you? Because he hurt me. Because he hurt my mother. I had a hard heart against this man, even as a Christian, I wanted nothing to do with him.

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "Go talk to him." So I went, and I sat down with him, and I told him all about Jesus and what Jesus had done for me. He was like, "Yeah, well that's good. Well, I'm preaching across the street here, literally across the street from where you live at this place called Waikiki Shell. Would you like to come?" No, he wanted nothing to do with it. But here's my point. I've never converted anyone. My job was to obey God, and I went to him and did what God wanted me to do.

Is there a guy like that in your life right now? Maybe it is your father. Maybe it's a stepfather, your mom, a stepmother. Somebody else that you're so hard against right now. Go to them with the gospel. That's effectively what Peter was being commanded to do. So he obeyed the Lord. Unlike Jonah, who went the wrong way but got rerouted and eventually got it right, Peter did immediately what God called him to do. Go to Acts 10, verse 24.

"They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for him, and called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter. Peter entered his home, and Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship. Peter pulled him up and said, 'Stand up! I'm a human being like you!'" "Cornelius got up and they talked together and went inside and where the others were assembled, and Peter said, 'You know it's against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this. But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure. So I came as soon as I was sent for. Tell me now, why you sent for me?'"

Such an amazing story. God's getting both of these guys ready. The Roman Centurion bows before him, which is pretty amazing. I mean, the Centurion, an officer in the Roman army, the occupier, is bowing before the occupied, the Jewish people. This was a great act of humility, but it was really an act of worship. Peter says, "Get up on your feet, man. I'm just an ordinary human being, just like you." Now Peter's getting it. "Okay, okay, Lord. I think I've got it figured out. I'm putting two and two together, the sheet, all the weird creatures, kill and eat. This is the Gentile. I'm supposed to go to Gentiles. I got it. All right, Lord." And Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius, and the result was he is converted. Think of what God can do through the life of one person.

Narrator (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie with great encouragement today on what God can do if we follow His leading. There's more to come in this message here on A New Beginning, a study called Never Say Never.

Dave: Pastor Greg, we've considered the importance of sharing the gospel today. No doubt there's someone listening who needs to come to the Lord today. What would you say to them?

Greg Laurie: I'd say that's the most important decision you're ever going to make in your life. So I want you to stay tuned because I'm going to tell you how to make that decision in just a few moments.

Dave: All right. Are you receiving Pastor Greg's daily devotions each day via email? If not, let's take care of that right now. You can sign up today free of charge at harvest.org and you'll receive a daily inspirational thought from God's Word each day in your inbox. Again, go to harvest.org.

Then let us say a word of thanks to those who support us financially. Those who make it possible for us to bring you these studies each day. We are definitely a listener-supported ministry. It's the generosity of listeners that help us be here with these programs. So if you've partnered with us, thank you. And if you have yet to partner with us, well, I hope you'll get in touch today and let us know that you're standing with us. Even a small investment would help. It's actually an investment in changing lives. Thank you for partnering with us. You can donate securely online at harvest.org or write A New Beginning, Box 4000, Riverside, California, 92514, or call us at 1-800-821-3300. Again, that's 1-800-821-3300.

Then if you'd like to make a change in your relationship with God today, Pastor Greg has some additional thoughts to share.

Greg Laurie: Maybe you've been listening to this message. You've thought, "I wish I could come into this relationship with God. I just don't know how." Let me tell you how you can come into a relationship with God right here, right now.

First of all, you need to recognize you need God. You need to admit you're a sinner. I know some people choke on that word, but the Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." But then you need to recognize that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for your sin. The Bible says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Then you need to believe in Jesus. Jesus put it this way, "For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

You might ask, "How does one believe in Jesus?" To believe means to put your faith and trust in Christ and Christ alone, and to receive him into your life as your own friend, Savior, and Lord. The Bible says, "For as many as received him, he gave them the power to become sons of God." Would you like to receive Christ? By that I mean, would you like to ask Jesus to enter into your life and be your Savior, your friend, your Lord? If so, you can just pray this prayer after me. It's a simple prayer. You can pray it out loud if you would like, or you could pray it in the quietness of your heart. But if you want Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin, if you want to go to heaven when you die, or maybe you want to make a recommitment to the Lord, just pray this prayer after me now. Pray these words if you would.

Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I know that you are the Savior who died on the cross for my sin. I turn now from my sin, and I ask you to come into my life and forgive me of all of my sin. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for hearing this prayer, and thank you for answering this prayer. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Hey, if you just prayed that prayer, I want to congratulate you and say, "Welcome to the family of God."

Dave: Yeah, that's right. Listen, we want to help you get started living for the Lord. Let us send you a copy of Pastor Greg's New Believers Bible. It's in an easy-to-understand translation with hundreds of helps that will guide you into building a strong foundation for your faith. We'll send it free of charge if you prayed with Pastor Greg today. Just ask for the New Believers Bible when you call 1-800-821-3300. Call anytime 24/7, 1-800-821-3300, or write A New Beginning, Box 4000, Riverside, California, 92514, or go online to harvest.org and click Know God.

Did you know that we put our services that we do on Sundays online? It's called Harvest At Home, and you can be a part of our extended congregation no matter where you are, and people watch from literally all around the world. So if you want to watch Harvest At Home or view it later if you like, just download the Harvest Plus app and then join us for Harvest At Home.

Next time, more insight on the importance of sharing the gospel, even with those outside of our comfort zones. Join us here on A New Beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.