“Peter: God’s Good News Vision” – a message from Acts 10-11

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series entitled “Ordinary People in God’s Extraordinary Work.” This series is the second of a three-part exploration of the Book of Acts this Fall, including “Essential Church” and “Jesus, King of the Nations.”

This week in the series I looked at an episode in the life of Peter from Acts 10 and 11. I talked not only about the inclusion of the Gentiles but about thresholds for growth in our life with God.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34)

God’s Good News Vision (Acts 10:1-17)

Cornelius’s vision (10:1-8)

Peter’s vision (10:9-17)

God’s New (Old) Good News Vision (Genesis 12:1-3)

Remembering Jesus’ words (1:1-8)

Thresholds of Growth, part 1

Peter’s journey with Jesus and thresholds of growth:

• Shock leads Peter to follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)
• In uncertainty, Peter declares Jesus is Messiah (9:18-20)
• Peter is overwhelmed by Jesus’ glory (9:28-36)
• In pressure, Peter disowns Jesus (22:54-62)
• Jesus gently restores Peter (John 21:15-19)
• Peter proclaims the good news on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41)

God’s Good News Vision Proclaimed (Acts 10:17-26)

The geographical journey to Caesarea with the messengers from Cornelius (10:17-26)

Peter’s spiritual journey into the vision of God (10:27-48)

• Peter realizes he has misunderstood God’s vision (10:34-35)
• Peter proclaims to a new audience (10:36-43)
• The Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles and Peter invites them to be baptized (10:44-48)

Thresholds of Growth, part 2 (Acts 11:1-23)

The Jerusalem church in tension and new realization (11:1-18)

The good news proclaimed in Antioch (11:19-23)

The Good News is for Everyone

Experiencing the good news in Jesus for ourselves

Going on a journey of transformation with God in our livesSharing the good news in Jesus with others

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Dig Deeper

Exploring Faith

• Some people say that Christianity is too narrow-minded or doesn’t care about all people. How does this story challenge that perception

Growing in Faith

• What might be a blind spot in your understanding of God that, like Peter, you may need to let God change in your life journey? 
• Take some time to review the entire life story of Peter here. If you divided your life story with God into chapters, what would those chapters and their titles be? 

Centered in Faith

• It is easy as we grow in our faith to become insular and no longer think of those beyond the church. How have you seen this happen in your journey with God? How might you intentionally engage with those outside the church in coming weeks?
• Who might you share your faith with this month?