Sermon Central
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Facing Partiality Series
Contributed by Tom Jamieson on Jan 16, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: “If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (James 2:9). God hates partiality.
Introduction
“Is God biased?” As a Jew, Peter might have thought so. After all, the priests who served Him were Jews, the prophets who proclaimed Him were Jews, and the scholars who described Him were Jews. They were God’s “chosen people” -- the guardians of His Temple and His Law, the recipients of His covenant. Obviously, Israel was God’s favorite. A superior nation, right?
I. The Situation: verses 23b-33
There are three things about this situation I would like to point out.
A. First is Peter’s hospitality.
B. Second is Peter’s humility.
C. Third is Peter’s honesty.
II. The Sermon: verses 34-43
There are two points I would like us to look at in this sermon.
A. First is the invitation itself.
B. Second is the invitation inside.
III. The Spirit: verses 44-48
Just as the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples at Pentecost, so he inhabits these spiritually newborn Gentiles. In this way, at this unique historical time, God proves that His grace extends to everyone. All are welcome in Christ.
Conclusion
The story of Cornelius and Peter, however, teaches us a hopeful truth: there is no one the grace of God cannot reach.
