BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL
Around noon, the apostle Peter went up onto the roof of the house he was visiting to pray. Morning, midday, and evening prayers were his habit. On this day, the Lord gave Peter a thrice-repeated vision that prepared him to meet with the men that would take him to share the gospel with a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. The Spirit told Peter not to hesitate to go with them. And Peter obeyed.
At the same time, the Lord had already been at work in the life of Cornelius, preparing him to hear the gospel. The Lord had even sent an angel to have Cornelius summon Peter that he might hear the message God had for him. And Cornelius obeyed.
This story reveals important considerations for gospel sharing. First, it shows the importance of the Spirit’s work and leadership in spreading the gospel. For the Spirit was already at work preparing Cornelius to hear the good news. And the Spirit was active in leading Peter to carry the gospel to a Gentile and a Roman Centurion at that. Certainly there were still plenty of Jews who hadn’t heard, but yet the Spirit instructed Peter to go and he obeyed.
This leads to a second important consideration in this story, namely that Peter followed the Spirit’s leading in his gospel sharing. He may have thought, “I’ve got a good thing going here in Joppa, staying at Simon the Tanner’s house. The people of Joppa seem receptive. Simon even has his wife preparing my meals. I think the best strategy is to make Joppa my home base for gospel spreading.”
But that’s not what Peter thought, or if it was, it’s not what he did. No, he heard and obeyed the Spirit.
How are we being led by the Spirit to take the gospel where He is already at work preparing hearts?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are listening. Holy Spirit speak. Show us where the Father is already at work that we might join Him there. Help us to be ready to go where You send us. In Jesus’ name, amen.