Breaking Down Prejudices Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 14

Breaking Down Prejudices

Acts 10:1-33

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)

- Last time we saw that the Gospel is able to penetrate in all seasons

-- However, the key is that we have to be willing to share it during all events!

-- This is what Acts teaches us, especially in the truth that it is now our time

-- It is our time to react in a way that shows people Jesus, not ourselves/preferences

- Today opens up a new focus for us … and for the Church in the 1st century

-- I want to encourage you … consider undoing your dislikes found in people

-- Lesson: Might there be something that Peter and Cornelius could teach us?

- Read Acts 10:1-33 / Pray

- TR: Lots of teaching today … need to set some background for us going forward

Point 1 – Understanding the 1st century’s cultural background

- Not breaking news: Prejudice and partiality do, in fact, exist

-- Regardless of it’s the 1st century or the 21st, we are caught in this common loop

-- Every nation, people, city, and neighborhood has this challenge today

-- There are even prejudices between family, friends, with a common denominator

- Talked about this on Wed: Humanity repeats the sins we have committed

-- It is a terrible cycle, and if anything, shows us the need for Grace!

- Right now, we ought to be able to identify the 2 reasons for prejudice:

1. (obvious one) People are different!

2. The mistreatment of people causes a response of separation

- The Jews, like all other people, had developed their own laws and customs

-- Every Jewish child who was born would be brought up with these rules

-- Which, all by itself, creates a division between them and others unlike them

- This gets even more complex when you know the history of the Jewish people:

A. They were mistreated, enslaved, & persecuted repeatedly

-- So, their religion became the binding force that held them together

-- It is in this they found commonality, and it actually strengthened them!

-- As a nation, they drew closer and closer based on their common experiences

B. But the Jews misread & misunderstood God’s purpose for them

-- God called Abraham and gave birth to the Jewish nation with one purpose

-- For them to become a people that were His, to be His witness in the world!

-- They were to bear witness to who God is – and to serve and worship Him alone

- But it’s here where they failed – See this: Instead of proclaiming God’s ways

-- They determined that it was just for them, it was their Law, given only for them

-- In essence, they became separatists – apart from all other civilizations

-- So much so, they called other people groups: “dogs”; wanted no contact

- Amazing: And in this world, the church was birthed into existence

-- No WONDER there is such a struggle for the Disciples to witness

-- But, even more for the Messiah to be seen and accepted by these people!

- Truly, how would God overcome this and break through these barriers?

-- This is exactly what this passage shows us: the doors of salvation being opened!

-- Matter of fact, this is actually a three-part message; this event is that significant

Part 1: Breaking Down Prejudice

Part 2: Proclaiming Peace to the World

Part 3: Receiving the Holy Spirit

- TR: Why is this so important? Because it is the blueprint for the church!

-- Might ask: How do we reach people who are different than us? Hang on!

Point 2 – Drawing close to God means listening for Him

- Let’s first examine what it looks like when someone is seeking God

- Cornelius was a soldier, a military officer, a Centurion in the Roman army

-- He had an unusual reverence for God; he was a devout man with faith

-- He was also benevolent and charitable; dealt morally with his fellow man

-- He was also a praying man – GREEK: deomai, wanting/begging of God

-- Bottom line: He was most UNLIKE any Gentile of this time period

- Why? He looked at nature and the world and understood there had to be a God

-- He even looked at the Jewish religion and saw it had relevance

• Meaning: He saw there was a positive in it – as well as challenges