Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-05-22

LESSON TEXT-Acts 11:5-18
GOLDEN TEXT-The" Deter opened
his mouth. and said. Or ruth l per-
ceive that God is no respecter of per-
sons.-Acts 1924
''The best argument for Christians
ity is Christian" Henry Drum
mond). Peter presented just such
an argument when, early in the his
tory Of Christianity, there arose
difference of opinion regarding his
ministry to Gentle and his family.
The stumbling stone of offense be-
came stepping stone to higher
things, leading to the place Of broad
er horizons. Peter, instead Of APP
pealing to his apostolic authority or
asserting his position, simply relat-
ed what God had done. He present.
ed the best proof that God had actu-
ally been at work; namely, a re-
deemed soul.
We may learn from this lesson
that the way to broadened horizons
and greater usefulness for the
church is by
1. A Vision of Gods Plan wv.
5-1O.
All men are equally precious in
Gods sight. God taught Peter very
effectively that. whether Gentle or
Jew, the Lord is mot willing that
any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance" Gil Pet. 800.
When God speaks we do well to
give heed to His message, even
though it cuts across our ideas and
prejudices, as it often does. It is
not our plan that is important; it is
Gods plan and purpose. AS we
walk in that way we shall have
ii. An Experience of Gods Power
(vv. 11-15.
The Holy Spirit had fallen on the
Gentiles and they actually had been
saved. Is it not singular that in the
early church they could hardly be-
lieve that Gentle could be saved?
Now we are astonished If Jew Is
saved! Why will we in our unbelief
limit the Holy One Of Israel?
The all-powerful gospel of the
grace Of God is still saving men and
women, Jews and Gentiles, from
their sins. Have you seen 1t hap
pen? It Is, a great inspiration to
faith and service. God is ready so
to encourage us-He Is the same to-
day as He was when He sent Peter
to Cornelius. Are we willing to run
His errands, proclaim His message?
To do so we need
III. An Appreciation Of Gods
Word ". 16).
The best way to learn the mean
ing Of Gods Word is to use it, live 1t.
obey it. IF any man will do his
will, he shall know Of the doctrine.
whether it be of God" John It'd.
Peter had learned anew that Gods
Word meant just what it said. We
who are Gods servants should be-
lieve His Word and act on it in faith.
Observe that Cornelius had gath
cred a group in his household to hear
the Word Of God (Acts 1927, 33).
Could we not do the same? Can
not each calculate with exactness
some time and place where the gos-
pei is to be preached. and is it not
possible to bring thither ones rela-
tives and friends? Secondly, when
present in a place of worship, can
not each be prepared to say, We are
all here present'-all, family and
friends, mind as well as body; in
the sight Of God'-not to be seen by
others, not conscious so much Of
others as of the presence of God; to
hear all things'-not to be amused
or to sleep: that have been COM
manded thee of the Lord'-not to
listen to human conjecture or the ex-
plotting Of doubts, but to receive a
positive message which is delivered
in reverent spirit and with the
prophetic formula: Thus saith the
Lord What would happen were all
Christian churches filed with such
dOQACuCCS. II.
This brings us to what is most inn
portant of all in broadening our
spiritual horizons.
Nv. An Understanding of Gods
Love wv. II, 49,.
Gods love is for all people. Since
He has not raised any barriers of
race. creed. color. class, or social
position, it is not for His followers,
and assuredly not for His servants,
to set up hindering restrictions
which He does not countenance. If
God intended to save Gentiles, Peter
wanted to be an instrument in His
hand, not hindrance in His way.
One of the needs of our day is that
those doing Gods work should not
withstand Him and His love. He
who is the meNyesterday, toc2y,
and forever. is ready to work as
powerfully today as He did in the
days of Peter and Paul, or of Finney
and Moody Let us give Him liberty
to work in and through us, not as we
may wish, but as He desires. Who
are we that we should Withstand