Impromptu… but ready
Joppa
Peter was given a vision from the living God while in Joppa. The Lord gave a “picture” to Peter of Gentiles and Jewish people accepted by God. Acts 10:9-16
Caesarea
The day before, a devout believer in the God of Israel, was given instruction by God to send for Peter in Joppa. This man was a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. He immediately dispatched two servants and a believing soldier to bring Peter to his home. Acts 10:1-8
The three men arrived at the house where Peter was, told him their mission, and God had prepared Peter to go with them. They left the next morning. Acts 10:17-23
When Peter entered the house of the centurion, he saw a large gathering of people… and was told they were waiting to hear what God had told him to say. Acts 10:25-27
Peter used words which were facts about the Lord Jesus and from his own experiences with Jesus. He did not rely on anyone else’s words or experiences.
Peter gave an impromptu speech, but he was ready because of his faith, his belief and his personal experience with Jesus as his Savior.
When you share Jesus with others, whose words and experiences do you use?
Use your own! Your faith in Jesus is valid and important. Your own experience of the reality of Jesus in your life makes the greatest impact on others.
~ Take it to heart ~
Paul wrote from his own faith experience:
(NASB) 1 Timothy 1:12-14 “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
You need to be ready to give an impromptu witness to what the Lord Jesus does for you.
Your witness will make a difference for those whom God sends your way.