If you ever want to shake things up in a church, just try doing something new. You are guaranteed to get a reaction. Sometimes the reaction will be positive but almost always, the reaction will be generally negative. Even small changes, like how many hymns to sing during the service, can cause a stir. I know of one church that was in an uproar because the new pastor wanted to sing only four hymns on Sunday morning instead of the traditional, and “more appropriate”, five.

The resistance to change is due to the general view that tradition equals scripture. Most Christians don't overtly believe this but their strong reactions reveal their unconscious theology. Old ways are comfortable. They make us feel secure and nothing is more “holy” than security. A common line of reasoning is that the old ways were obedient to God's leading so the new ways must be disobedience or the old ways were inspired by God so the new ways must not be from Him.

This type of thinking is exactly how the Jewish establishment missed recognizing Jesus as the Messiah they had been long awaiting. They had gotten so locked into the old ways, that were from God, that they missed the new ways that were also from God. God never changes but He does reveal His plans in stages. What is correct today may no longer be God's plan tomorrow. That is why we need to have a living relationship with God so that we can be guided by the Holy Spirit and remain perfectly in His plan for us.

Virtually every new concept has faced opposition from the church. Sunday school was decried as a tool of the devil when it first was introduced because it had non-ordained people teaching the Bible. The founder of the Salvation Army faced such violent opposition from the church that several men agreed to stand guard to protect him. So they wouldn't look so conspicuous the men brought along some musical instruments to play. That is the history behind the traditional Salvation Army band. Racial integration of the church was resisted both in northern and southern churches on “scriptural” grounds. All of these things are now considered good or normal but when they were new the church strongly opposed them.

Peter found the concept of opposition to new things to be true, even though he himself was part of a new idea called Christianity. As soon as word got around that Peter had fellowshipped with gentiles some factions of the early church were quick to criticize. The Jews had long, and incorrectly, believed that they alone were God's people. It is true that God chose them to be special but they were supposed to be holy so they could be a light to the gentiles. Instead, the Jews had become a hindrance to gentiles following God. Now that God had opened the door for gentiles to join the church, some of the Jews resisted.  

We must be careful to not let the same thing happen to us. We must continually nurture our relationship with God so that we realize when He is doing something new. Thankfully the Jews that were opposing the gentiles entrance into the church were truly men who loved God. Once Peter explained the situation they recognized God's hand in the matter and had no further issue.

Hearing that the gentiles had received the Holy Spirit was the evidence that allayed their concerns. That is as it should be. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the correct evidence of one being accepted into God's Kingdom. In this case it was speaking in tongues (Acts 10:46) but I do not believe that tongues is the defining gift. The Holy Spirit works in many way to guide and empower God's children in advancing God's kingdom. Speaking and/or praying in tongues is just one example. I am confident however, that some gift must be evident.

True Christians have the Holy Spirit working in their lives. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is like a wind (John 3:5-8). We can't see Him working, we can only see the results. The result of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life is change in the status quo. Christians who are in fellowship with God are constantly growing and developing. They are gaining new insights and they study the Bible and meditate. They have an ever deepening understanding of God. Their relationship with their Father grows deeper and stronger. God gives them new or additional works to do.

We should take Dean's advice from last week and look back on our Christian lives. Compare yourself to where you were 5 or 15 years ago. If the Holy Spirit has been working in you there should be some evidence, some results. There should be some change. The change or growth is usually slow and incremental. Like a child's physical growth, it can be hard to see on a day to day basis but very obvious if you look back and see where you were some time ago.

Verse 27 tells us that some prophets came to Antioch. Prophecy is an important idea throughout the Bible, including the time of the Church. Prophecy is mentioned until the end of Acts, in the epistles, and of course the Book of Revelation is all prophecy. I believe prophecy is still happening today. The purpose of prophecy is to encourage and prepare believers. It is not to give inside knowledge about the future.

The prophecy mentioned in this passage prepared the early church for the famine that was coming. Prophecy in the Bible that remains unfulfilled prepares us for future events such as Jesus' 2^nd coming, the rapture, and judgment. Christians are encouraged when we see prophecy come true. It helps us to trust in God who revealed history ahead of time.

Prophecy is real but gets a bad reputation when it is misused, as it often is today. Interpreting prophecy for any reason other than to prepare believers is misuse. Common examples rife in the church today are to make a profit by selling books. Books on prophecy are not wrong in themselves but I believe that a majority on the market today are just being written to make money, not prepare the body of Christ. Some teachers interpret prophecy in a manner designed to gain a following. They promise some special insight or status that can only be had by people who join their group. Closely related to that is the 3^rd misuse –elevating self. Some people just want to appear special or “spiritual”. The reality is that prophecy does not need interpretation. It happens just as it says it will. At least it is clearly understood after if happens which is where the encouragement comes in.

The response of the Christians in Antioch to the prophesied famine is to raise funds for the relief of the church in Judea. What does Antioch have to do with Judea? Why should one group or church help another? The Bible teaches that we are all unified as the body of Christ. If one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. Just like a physical human body. If one accidentally smashes their finger with a hammer it indirectly affects the whole body. When one member or group in the body of Christ is not properly supplied or supported they are less effective in advancing the kingdom of heaven and therefore we are less effective as a whole unit.

Giving to others is not a handout but an investment in God's kingdom. This works only if we give in a manner that brings glory to God. Sometimes people come knocking on the door asking for money. If they have a legitimate need it will bring glory to God if we help them. If they just want it for drugs or alcohol, which is often the case, then we need to have discernment. It does not bring God any glory to waste His resources by supporting their sin. Telling the difference between the situation can be difficult. We need God's Spirit to provide the discernment we need.

Where does God call us to give. After all, everything we have belongs to God. It is good to ask Him where His money should go. We should give to those who ask, but with wisdom. Give to those in need as God directs. Give to the church as God requires so the church can bless others.

Money is not the only thing we can give. Sometimes money is the easiest thing to give but God has given us many resources that we can, and should, share with others. Time, effort, and hospitality are just three examples that come quickly to mind. If God hasn't blessed you with extra money to share you can be sure He has given you something else that is just as valuable –perhaps even more valuable. In some cases, money is the easy thing to give. Time or effort would bring more glory to God but it is simpler to just hand over some cash.

Let me give an example. People regularly come to the church asking for a couple dollars for bus fare. I could say 'no' but if they have a legitimate need then that wouldn't honor God. Usually I offer to give them a ride to where they need to go. Only twice has anyone ever taken me up on my offer. Most of the time they just try to convince me to give them the money. That tells me they want the money for something other than bus fare. Giving them a ride is time consuming and somewhat of a hassle. But on the two occasions that people have taken me up on the offer it has provided the opportunity for me to get to know them better and share God's love with them while meeting their real need.

Remember, everything you have belongs to God. Your time, money, ability ... all of it has been given to you by God. It is right that we use it for His kingdom in the way that He wants.

Did something sound familiar as we read the passage today? Did you catch yourself thinking, didn't we read about Peter's vision last week? We'll you are right, we did. Some minor details are different but it is generally the same story. Why does God do this? The Bible has limited space. It can only cover a very selective number of events in history. Whole decades, even centuries can be dismissed in one sentence but other events are covered in great detail. Anything that is reported in detail must be something God considers important. Therefore, since Peter's vision is covered in detail twice, we can assume that God considers its message to be extremely important.

So, what is the message of the vision? The Bible tells us very directly that the meaning of the vision is that no food (10:15) or people (10:28) are unclean, which is cut off from God. The food aspect is not so important to us but it was a major deal to the Israelites.  The people aspect is a much bigger deal to us. It tells us that every person is being called to salvation. It doesn't matter what their race, nationality, group, ethnicity, or anything else is. God wants a relationship with them. The relationship must be on God's terms. We don't get to negotiate but anyone willing to accept those terms are welcome into God's kingdom.

We, as Christians, are the most common method or tool that God uses to initiate a relationship with someone. Our lives should make God seem appealing. God Himself is very appealing but when we fail to live holy lives it can push people away from God. We must be careful to never do anything that hinders anyone from coming to God. We must do nothing that would keep anyone away. That does not mean compromise! We must live a holy life and stand for the truth. Some will be offended by holiness and truth because it is convicting or they love darkness. We can't help that but we must make sure that everything we do is done out of love. Love for God and love for others. We must judge our actions on what is best for people. We should be actively drawing people to Christ.

As Christians we are God's children. He loves us and calls us into a ever deepening relationship with Him.  God gives us his Holy Spirit to guide us and strengthen us as we live out the Christian life. In response to this we are called to live holy lives that bless others and draw people to God.