Word soon got back to the Jewish Christians and their leaders that Peter had been preaching to Gentile people, and that these ‘outsiders’ had accepted God’s message. So when he got back to Jerusalem he had a lot of questions to answer. The criticism was strongest from those who were adamant that no one could follow Christ without becoming a properly initiated, law-abiding Jew. They confronted Peter, saying, “What on earth were you doing mixing with these God-forsaken people, and even eating their food?”

So Peter explained himself by going back over the details of what had actually happened. He said:

It all started while I was staying in the town of Joppa. One day, while I was in a prayerful trance, I had a vision. I saw a large picnic blanket being lowered down from heaven by its four corners. It landed right in front of me and I could see that it was laden with food for a picnic. However, it was all food that is forbidden by our Jewish laws: ham on the bone; platters of prawns; crocodile steaks; pork sausages. But as I looked at it all in disgust, I heard a voice saying to me, “Peter, come over and eat at my picnic.”

As you would expect, I replied, “There is no way I could eat these things, Lord, for I have never in all my life touched any food that was not kosher.”

But the voice came from heaven again, saying, “If God has made it acceptable, then you’ve got no business calling it unacceptable.”

This happened three times, so I was left in no doubt about it. At the exact moment that the vision disappeared back into heaven, there was a knock at the door of the house where I was praying. There were three men there who had been sent from Caesarea specifically to find me. The Spirit told me that I should go with them – no questions asked – just as I would if they had been of our own people. So I went with them, accompanied by these six men of our own group who can back up what I’m telling you.

Anyway, we were welcomed into the home of a man named Cornelius, and he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his own house. The angel had said to him, “Send someone to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon, who is also known as Peter. He has a message for you; a message that will save your life and the lives of everyone in your household.”

So, as invited, I began to speak; but even as I warmed to the topic, the Holy Spirit fell on them like fire. It was no different from what happened to us back at the beginning. It reminded me again of the Lord’s own words, “John baptised you with water, but soon you will all be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”

So I ask you: if God is treating them and us in exactly the same way, giving us both the same gift when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who am I to stand up to God and argue the toss?

Peter’s explanation floored them. There was nothing more they could do but sing the praises of God, saying, “It’s true then. God is now giving even the outsiders the opportunity to turn around and set their feet on the path of life.”

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We sing your praises, LORD!
From every corner of the universe,
from high and low, near and far,
we join the chorus of praise!

With the angels and all who serve you in heaven,
we sing your praises!
With the sun and moon, stars and planets,
we sing your praises!
With far flung galaxies and the milky way,
we sing your praises!

All of them speak of you in glowing terms, LORD,
for they owe their very existence to you.
You ordered their creation
and fixed them in place for all time.

We sing your praises, LORD!
Every creature on earth joins the choir,
singing your praises for all they’re worth:
dolphins and whales
and the ocean itself;
bushfire and hail storm,
snow and ice,
cyclones dancing to your tune;
mountain ranges and rolling hills,
orchards and rainforests,
animals from both bush and farm,
reptiles and birds;
people of every race and class,
people of power and influence;
men and women, old and young,
every voice on earth joins as one!

One and all, we sing your praises, LORD,
yours is the only name on our lips!
You alone outshine the glory of the universe!

You have given strength to your people,
and honour to your faithful ones,
to those you have chosen
and hold close to your heart.

You, LORD, are the greatest!

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

I, John, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem, the city dedicated to God, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself, from God, and she looked sensational, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said:

“See, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.
God will live with them and be their God,
and the people will gladly belong
to the God who lives right in their midst.

God will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be abolished forever;
pain and grief and tears will be things of the past.
All these things have been made obsolete.”

Then the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”

“Write all this down,” he said, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.”

This is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end. To all who are thirsty I offer deep draughts of crystal-clear water. I will give it freely, the ultimate thirst-quencher, bubbling up from the springs of life-giving water.”

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

After Judas left the supper, Jesus spoke to the remaining disciples, saying:

“Now the moment of glory has arrived for the New Human, and it is God’s glory too. If God’s glory is made known in him, then God will pour out his own glory on him. It’s all happening right now. 

“You are my children, but you’re about to be on your own because our time together is almost up. You’ll keep looking for me, but as I said to the people before, where I am going, there is no way you can come.

“I’ve got one new instruction for you – in fact take it as an order – love one another. I want you to love one another in the same way that I have loved you. If you do that – if you really have love for one another – then it will be apparent to everyone that you are following in my footsteps.”

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for you have made your home in our midst
and called us to be your people.

By your word you called all things into being
and fixed them in place by eternal decree.
You revealed yourself through your law and prophets
and taught your people to live in your love.

In your child, Jesus,
we have been loved as you would have us love.
When he was crucified,
you raised him to new life and,
through your Holy Spirit,
you have brought us the message
by which we are saved.
Though we cannot yet go where Christ has gone,
you are preparing a new heaven and earth,
where there will be no more death,
no more mourning or crying or pain.
There, all who thirst will be generously satisfied
from your spring of the water of life.

Therefore with .....

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We thank you for your Son, Jesus,
for in him you have made your home among us
and loved us as you would have us love.
In him, you are preparing a new heaven and earth,
where all will drink from your spring of the water of life.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for you have made your home in our midst
and called us to be your people.

By your word you called all things into being
and fixed them in place by eternal decree.
You revealed yourself through your law and prophets
and taught your people to live in your love.

In your child, Jesus,
we have been loved as you would have us love.
When he was crucified,
you raised him to new life and,
through your Holy Spirit,
you have brought us the message
by which we are saved.
Though we cannot yet go where Christ has gone,
you are preparing a new heaven and earth,
where there will be no more death,
no more mourning or crying or pain.
There, all who thirst will be generously satisfied
from your spring of the water of life.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

God has given to all people without distinction
the message of repentance that leads to life.
God is making all things new
and the things that were have passed away.

Sisters and Brothers,
  your sins are forgiven;
    be at peace.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now, wherever the Spirit of God leads you.
Do not reject anything that God has accepted.
Show all people that you are Christ’s disciples
by loving one another
just as he has loved you.

And may God be your beginning and your end;
May Christ Jesus make his home among you;
And may the Holy Spirit give you a vision
of the all-embracing love and goodness of God.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
   In the name of Christ. Amen.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net