... that I am about to see another great work of God? That was my thought this morning on the way in to the office. The story of Cornelius in Acts 10 and 11 came to mind as well as testimonies from missionaries and Piper's book Let the Nations Be Glad - the story and testimonies go something like this...
God came to Peter in a dream and began to prepare Peter for a task. The task was great, new, and meant some changes for Peter. Peter had always considered the Gentiles as 2nd rate citizens and unclean. God said, no Peter, "what I have cleansed, no longer consider unholy." The Spirit then said to Peter, 3 men are looking for you, go with them with no misgivings.
Sure enough, Peter went downstairs and there they were - 3 men, looking for him.
The 3 men explain to Peter that Cornelius had been led by the Spirit to send for Peter so that he could hear Peter's message. Peter went with the men to Cornelius' home - there he told Cornelius all about Jesus. While Peter was speaking the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening and Cornelius and his whole household believed and were baptized.
It seems that God was at work in the life of Cornelius - a "God fearer" who had no idea of who Jesus was. Cornelius needed to hear the Gospel.
At the same time, God was preparing Peter's heart for something new, something a little crazy, something that involved some risk (the Jew / Gentile thing).
I have heard and read similar stories from all around the world - of men and women - "God fearers" searching and groping for truth, and of the missionaries God raised up to share the Gospel.
Could it be that my heart is stirred for this plant because God is also stirring in the hearts of those who do not know the Gospel?
Could there be "God fearers" in our midst who do not know the truth of Jesus Christ and now is His time - their time?
