Trust God and Get Going

Sunday, August 24, 2025
Pastor Jojo Ma

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Only one attribute of God is repeated three times in Scripture: holy, holy, holy.

I.         Prejudices die hard [vv1-3]
II.        Trust God and get going [vv4-17]
III.       The Word does the work [v18]

I.         Prejudices die hard [vv1-3]
1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Rom 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Peter was beginning to better understand his partiality in the light of God’s impartiality. Peter was starting to embrace God’s plan of salvation…for the whole world.

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

What are our secret prejudices? What are our hidden partialities? Do these things have a role in how we treat certain people in society or even who we choose to share Christ with?

Peoples’ metrics are so far from God’s metrics. It’s about faithful and healthy churches that bring people from various backgrounds under the gospel.

II.        Trust God and get going [vv4-17]
How do I know God’s will or how do I discern what path to take? How do I know if this is pleasing to God if I do A or B?

First, we have to be prayerful.

Second, our hearts must be willing to do God’s will before we even know what it is.

Third, go to the Bible.

Fourth, in the words of J.I. Packer, “Trust God and get going.”

Decision making will come down to what do you want and is it wise? Have prayer, God’s Word, and good counsel taken place? Then trust God and get going. Don’t live in fear, act in faith, then get going. 

III.      The Word does the work [v18]
18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”