1. Suspicious of New Things 2. Stay Alert and Pay Attention (to what God is doing) 3. Submit and Participate Obediently (to what God is doing) The sermon centers on the transformative moment in Acts 11 when Peter defends his inclusion of Gentiles into the early church, revealing God's radical move to break down longstanding barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Through Peter's vision of the unclean animals and the divine command to 'what God has made clean, do not call common,' the narrative underscores God's sovereign initiative in expanding salvation beyond Jewish tradition, challenging the disciples' deeply ingrained assumptions. The preacher emphasizes three key responses: recognizing our natural resistance to change, staying alert to God's ongoing work in the world, and submitting obediently to divine purposes, even when they disrupt our expectations. Drawing on historical and personal illustrations, the sermon calls the church to turn off autopilot, embrace divine appointments, and participate in God's mission with courage and expectancy, trusting that the Holy Spirit is actively at work in ordinary moments. Ultimately, the passage affirms that God's grace is inclusive, and the church's role is to be faithful instruments in a story that is still unfolding. It calls believers to recognize their natural resistance to change, stay alert to God's ongoing movement, and obediently participate in His mission, trusting that the Holy Spirit is active in everyday moments.
