Acts 10 - 4/2/17
Turn with me this morning to Acts 10. M, M, L, J, Acts - the 5th book in the NT. We have been looking at this book that is a transitional book in the bible - taking us from the earthly ministry of Jesus as presented in the gospels - then Acts tells us how the gospel, the good news of salvation in Jesus spread - and then as the gospel spreads and churches are formed, God leads men to write the epistles, letters to the churches to tell them what to believe and how to live.
So today we look in chapter 10 to remember how we can BE the church, and not just come TO church. Lest we ever forget - WE are the church. The church is the called out assembly, we are called out from the world, called to be different, called to believe differently, called to live differently. And our calling is to share what we have learned with others to help them also be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Paul tells Timothy, his young protegé, in 2 Timothy 2:2 - And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Today, are you sharing with anyone else what you know to be true? If not, why not?
We often think “God doesn’t need me” - it’s true, He doesn’t NEED you - but He WANTS you - God wants to use you to share the good news of salvation with others. And when you say NO - you are really saying that GOD is NOT the one in control - YOU are! What a scary thing to think of - that we would say NO to the God of all creation. But that’s what we’ll see taking place in our story today: Peter says “No” to God three times. Today, as we come to God’s word - let’s commit in advance to say YES to whatever God might say to us through His word, however He might lead us, let’s commit that we are going to obey, we are going to follow. Even if we don’t LIKE what He tells us, let’s decide that we WILL obey. Let’s pray! And as we pray, I would encourage you to silently make that commitment to God.
God, today we commit to you that whatever you show us, we will do. We admit your word is truth, and we want to be guided by your word, but we don’t want to be guided just to know what we should do, we want to be guided so we actually can DO what you call us to do. Speak to us each today, we ask in Christ’s name, Amen.
Today, why are you here today? The answer is Acts 10. We are each here today because of a man named Cornelius. This is a pivotal chapter of the bible, and we often overlook how very important it is. Because today we will see a change as the gospel goes from being good news for Jews and half Jew to being good news for all the rest of the world, all the non-Jews, who are called by the ethnic nickname Gentiles.
In the book of Acts, we see that Jesus gave a commission to His disciples to take the gospel into all the world. They were to start at Jerusalem, their hometown, then go to Judea and Samaria, their county and the next county away, and then to the rest of the world. In the gospels, as Jesus traveled around, the multitudes followed Him. Jesus has chosen 12 to be with him, His 12 disciples - and of those, three had special access - Peter, James, and John. And of those three John is the one specially loved, and he is the apostle who speaks in his letters much about love; James, his brother, is the steady, stable one - he is the one chosen to lead the church at Jerusalem; and Peter, bold, brash, Peter - man of action - he is the one Jesus chooses to be the leader in taking the gospel to the different people groups. In Matthew 16 Jesus says to Peter, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. What does that mean?
In Acts 2 Peter is the one who brings the gospel to the Jews. He stands up on the day of Pentecost when thousands of Jews are present from all the countries in the Middle East, and Peter preaches a powerful sermon. 3,000 people respond at the altar call, and the church is born in a day. In Acts 8, Peter uses a second key on his key ring: Philip goes to Samaria, the country of the half-breed Jews - the “rednecks” - and Philip preaches and they believe. So they send for Peter, who comes and prays for them and lays his hands on them and now THEY receive the Holy Spirit. Peter has opened a door for the redneck Jews to be saved. Now in Acts 10, God tells Peter to get out the third key on his key ring: this time he is going to open the door for the gospel to go to the non-Jews - we call them Gentiles. And they also will believe and receive the Holy Spirit.
This is an amazing work of God, and we find a full accounting of the event here in Acts 10.
Read 10:1-8 We’ll stop there with the reading - but this is like one of those movies or books where every chapter takes you to a different scene. We start out in scene 1 - Here’s a godly Gentile named Cornelius. He’s a Roman soldier, but he’s not the typical soldier. When you think of a Roman soldier, you think of someone ruff and gruff and tough. When I got hit by a train a year ago, the state police came to the scene. I was on the phone with AAA, and the officer came and said, Get off the phone! I said, I’m trying to get a tow. He gruffly responded, Hang up, I can get you a tow. Roman soldiers were not known for being polite. But Cornelius was different. He’s sort of like a friend of mine, John Sauffley, who was an instructor at West Point, but they let him go because he was “too nice.” Capable, sure - confident, no problem - but too nice. That’s Cornelius.
Why Cornelius? Because God is going to do something new. In the NT we find different “mysteries” - things that were not known in the OT, and are now known only because God has chosen to reveal them to us. One of these mysteries is the salvation of the Gentiles. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:4-6 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
So God is doing something new. He is going to have Peter open the door of salvation to the Gentiles. In the OT there were Gentiles saved, but they typically became “proselytes” - they adhered to the teachings of Judaism. But now, in the church, there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, but we are all one body in Christ Jesus. So to soften the hearts of the Jews and to make them more receptive, God chooses a “poster child.”
Think about the infomercials you see - whether it be about sponsoring a compassion child, or helping the smile train heal children with cleft palates - they always choose this cute, adorable child to feature that you can’t help but be drawn to. Your heart goes out to them. That was Cornelius. If there was ANY Gentile that a Jew would care about, it is Cornelius. He is a good man with a heart of gold. He is faithful and devout - he prays, he gives, he helps, he cares.
But the example of Cornelius also points out a key point that we can NEVER forget:
• Religious people need salvation! Salvation is not just for the down and out sinner. It is for the good, moral, religious church-goer too. Because no matter how often you worship, how loud you sing, how much you give, how long you pray - every good churchgoer is LOST without faith in Jesus Christ. In the end, no matter how good you are, Romans 3:23 still applies: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Cornelius was a good man, but a man in need of salvation. He has a vision about 3 in the afternoon - the normal Jewish time for prayer. An angel tells him to call for Peter - who will tell him what he needs to do. Here in chapter 10, Luke is telling the story, but in chapter 11, we have Luke recording Peter telling the story. Here’s what Peter says in verse 13 - He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ So here is this good, moral man Cornelius, but he is lost. He needed to be saved. Never think that because a person is a churchgoer that they’re okay - always ask them about their salvation. Why doesn’t God let the angel share the gospel with him? Because that is not angels’ job, that is our job!
Cornelius is told to ask for Peter - but where is Cornelius? Verse 1 - At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius. He is at Caesarea. So what? Acts 8:40 - Philip settles down and makes his home in Caesarea. So why not just let Philip share the good news about Jesus? Or why not let Paul come over - after all, Paul is the one who had the special ministry to the Gentiles - we saw that last week. And in the next chapter we’ll see Paul begin an amazing ministry to the Gentiles. Why not Paul?
Because Peter was the one chose to have the ministry of opening the doors of the gospel. Peter opens the doors, Paul goes through and starts churches all over the continent. But each has their own unique ministry. We never need to be jealous of another’s gifts or the way God uses a brother or sister. Instead we should rejoice whenever and however God chooses to work.
And one of the ways God works is by coordinating things by His perfect timing. God is never early, He’s never late, He’s always right on time. In the Exodus account, God brings them out of Egypt on the VERY DAY that the 430 years prophecied to Moses is up. In SS we saw that God brings them into the promised land at the VERY DAY that the 40 years of wandering is up. Here God works in Peter’s life at exactly the right time when Cornelius is sending his servants to request a house call.
Verse 9 picks up the story - About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. So just as they are getting into town to look for Peter’s house, Peter is praying. That sounds so spiritual. Until you get to verse 10 - He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. Peter’s praying - and hungry - and even though he should be thinking about those who need prayer, he is thinking about what his wife has in the pantry. Honey, what’s for lunch! I’m hungry! His wife hollers back, I’ll get it soon; can you come help set the table? He replies, I can’t, I’m busy praying! And so while his wife is busy getting lunch together - without Peter’s help - Peter ends up having a trance.
Did you ever fall asleep when you prayed? Don’t feel bad - Peter goes into a trance while he is praying. God gives him a vision. Here is a tablecloth with all kinds of food - the only problem is it isn’t Kosher - it wasn’t on the list of approved food. It’s sort of like someone with cholesterol seeing all kinds of friend fish, hushpuppies, and donuts. You know you shouldn’t eat it all - but it sure looks good!
Three times God tells Peter to get up and eat - Help yourself to all you can eat! And three times Peter says No, God, I don’t eat that kind of food. Three times God says, If I say it’s okay, it’s okay!
As soon as he’s out of the trance, he tries to figure it out. He says, That was crazy, I wonder what it meant? And while he’s trying to figure it out, the doorbell rings. Here are Cornelius’ servants. While Mrs. Peter is answering the door, God says - vs 19 - Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
So God’s timing in perfect. God had prepared Peter’s heart so that when the servants came to the door, Peter was willing to go with them. But WHY did God need to do this? After all, didn’t Peter want everyone to be saved? And the simple answer is NO. God was teaching a new lesson here - to Peter and to the church.
The Gospel is for Everyone - I have already shared the verses from Ephesians that the inclusion of the Gentiles was a new idea. And it was an idea that was slow to be accepted. At this time, if a Gentile was going to be saved, they thought he had to join the church! He had to become a Jew, and go through all the Jewish rituals and traditions. In fact, a little while later, in chapter 15, we see some missionaries from the “home church” come to Antioch, one of the Gentile cities. It says there, Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” So even after Peter opens the door to the Gentiles, there is still confusion about how to deal with Gentiles.
God is doing something new, and Peter is uncomfortable with it. But since God is in it, Peter does what He knows God wants done. And the reality is that for US, there are many times we will be uncomfortable doing the things God wants us to do, and reaching the people God wants us to reach. Because we all like the thought of sharing the gospel: but we want someone like us, who we are friends with, to come to church and ask us “how can I be saved?” Wouldn’t that be wonderful.
But God surely must have a sense of humor. He will put us right in the middle of a big pack of sinners - telling all kinds of foul jokes laced with profanity, telling about how wasted they were on the weekend and boasting about their sexual exploits, and God will whisper in our ear: Witness to them! And we say, God you’ve got to be kidding!
It may not be that bad - but sometimes it is - but then there are times we just feel so uneasy. We’re sitting watching our kids’ soccer game on the bleachers, and someone is down the row. God whispers in our ear again - go talk to them - and we say, God, I’m watching the game!
We are really good at coming up with all kinds of excuses. But lest we ever forget, God wants EVERYONE to be saved. Really? Yes, really. 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. People were saying Why hasn’t God returned yet? He promised He would! And Peter says, He is giving people more time to repent, because God wants everyone to be saved, He doesn’t want anyone to perish!
Look in verse 23 what Peter does next: Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Peter says, Guys, lunch is almost ready. And I’m really hungry. Come in, spend the night, and we’ll get an early start in the morning. And they do. Cornelius has been waiting for four days now by the time they get back to Caesarea, and he has formed a home bible study. He has called together some relatives and friends to all hear together the plan of salvation.
Here is a great way to be a witness to friends or neighbors. Start a bible study. You don’t even need to be able to teach. I can help you find a video to show. You simply invite people over - pick a night and time - have some chips and pop - and press play on the dvd. They can watch a video of someone teaching a bible passage and sharing the gospel. Or if you feel comfortable, you can lead a discussion on a passage or topic, and you can bring your friends and neighbors together to hear what God has to say in His word. I would encourage each of you to consider it!
So everyone is gathered - Peter shares the good news. He starts out in vs 34 and says I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. He says, I was prejudiced, but God is working on me. Never be afraid to admit your faults - others see them and know them already; and when we admit it, it helps us grow.
Peter does a quick fly-over of Jesus’ life and ministry, and says in vs 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. So here is the good news - no matter whether you are Jew or Gentile, you can find forgiveness in Christ.
Vs. 44 - While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Why does the Holy Spirit come one them? Because they DO believe! Their hearts were ready, and they are wonderfully saved. We should expect others to trust Christ when we share the good news. Sadly, sometimes we’re like the vacuum cleaner salesman who comes to the door and sadly says, You don’t want to buy any vacuums, do you?
Peter doesn’t even get to finish his sermon. He doesn’t even give the altar call. They didn’t even raise their hands or say the sinner’s prayer. But they have faith, and God responds and sends the Holy Spirit.
So WHY do they speak in tongues? Is this the pattern that everyone needs to speak in tongues to be saved? I once had a secretary who thought that. Once at a funeral I met a man who had written a gospel tract to share with friends. I asked my secretary to type it up. A day or two later she said she couldn’t do it, because it left out part of the salvation message. I asked what part. She said the part about speaking in tongues.
Sadly, there are some wonderful people here in town, some of the nicest people you will ever meet - but they believe you aren’t a Christian if you don’t speak in tongues. Is tongues required for salvation? NO! But rather we see it four times in the book of Acts - at the sharing of the gospel with four different groups - Acts 2, Jews - Acts 8, Samaritans - Here, Gentiles, and - Acts 19, the disciples of John the Baptist. Tongues are given as a sign that God was doing something special here. And it was to help the church accept the Gentiles as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The story continues in chapter 11 - when word get back to Peter’s home church. And they aren’t very happy. Here’s the way the Message translation words this passage: The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it--heard that the non-Jewish "outsiders" were now "in." When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: "What do you think you're doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?”
Sadly, in the church, when God is doing some amazing things, there will always be those who are critical, judgmental, and negative. They are always ready to pour a bucket of cold water instead of fanning into flame the work of God.
One church had a sign in front: JESUS ONLY. One night a storm blew out the first three letters and left US ONLY. Too many churches have come to that. We want to just have a church for us and our friends. If everyone who comes is just like us, we’ll be happy. Feed me. Meet my needs. Play the songs I like. Teach me something I don’t know, but make it enjoyable.
Sadly, here are Christians - believers - but they are criticizing Peter for doing what God had called him to do. But what ticked them off wasn’t the idea that God was doing a new thing, reaching out to the Gentiles - no they were upset because Peter ate with them. He broke one of their rules.
And Christians today get far too worked up over whether someone plays cards, goes dancing, has a beer, or watches an R rated movie than we do about the eternal soul of that person. We need to stop judging our brothers and sister in Christ and start loving and encouraging them. Are we called to help them? Sure! Are we called to judge them? NO! That is God’s role!
Paul writes in Romans 14 - You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.
In this story, there is a happy ending however. In verse 18, after Peter recounts the many ways God led and directed, we are told this: When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
And that should always be our response. When God is at work, we celebrate. We don’t need to be critical because something wasn’t done the way we would have done it. We just celebrate the souls that are being saved. Don’t expect that everyone is going to do things the way you like it. They won’t. Some churches are much more traditional than us, using liturgies and recited prayers - others are way more contemporary, with dark sanctuaries, loud rock music, and fog machines. But God can use all of these churches to accomplish His will. The kingdom of God is wide enough for diversity.
No, we never want to tolerate sin. But by all means, accept diversity. Accept differences. Accept the fact that we all won’t do everything the same. Even here, there are some weeks where someone will complain they didn’t get anything out of the message - and that some week someone else will tell how much they got out of the message.
God is at work. And we want to celebrate the good things God is doing. We want to embrace new ways to share the gospel. We want to celebrate new ways people find for discipleship and spiritual growth. The message stays the same, but the methods of sharing it change. And one of the ways we remember the message is by taking communion together. We take the bread and the cup to remember the body and blood of Jesus, given for us.
Go right into communion.
