Text: Acts 10
Title: Building Bridges... Breaking Barriers...
Subject: How did God overcome barriers to reach the gentiles?
Complement: by extraordinary means – including the “conversion” of Peter!
Big idea: “God calls us to partner with him in breaking barriers and building bridges.”
I want to ask you a question ...What kind of people make you uncomfortable? What kind of people do you avoid?
Every one of us knows someone like that… we may tend to avoid or ignore people who…
? People who swear a lot
? People who smoke
? People who smell
? People who complain
? People who do weird things with their hair
? People who place strange objects in their noses…ears…tongues…
? Bikers
? Authority figures
? Poor people…or rich people
? Educated people
? Computer geeks
Some of us even have memorized bible verses that justify us in avoiding such people: like don’t cast your pearls before swine…come out from among them and be separate …touch not the unclean thing.
When we avoid people …we say to them, “you’re not important to me”
One of the ways we justify our attitude toward these people is by sticking a label on them. Once the label is on, our mind is made up. Case closed.
In the NT era Jews had a big label on all non-Jews – “unclean”!
Read passage... Acts 10:1-8
1. Situation – Cornelius Knows About God – But Doesn’t Know The Gospel.
God reaches out to Cornelius in a vision...
Acts 10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Caesarea – capital of the Roman province of Judea
It's on the coast of the Mediterranean sea.
Much like St. John’s!
But unlike St. Johns - Caesarea didn’t have a harbour ... so Herod the Great built one!
Herod built two huge breakwaters that could shelter ships from Mediterranean storms.
And with a harbor...Caesarea served as the major seaport during the Roman Empire.
A centurion in the Roman Regiment.
Though Cornelius is a high-ranking Army man - he is also a devout man of faith.
– not normal!!!
The stereo-type soldier he is not!
• Cornelius accepted monotheism – and was able to see through the empty paganism of his day.
• He seems to have accepted the ethics of Judaism – generosity/ kindness to the poor
We also know he is a man of prayer...
He has a strong spiritual interest – he’s a Seeker of God...
*** perhaps there Is A Cornelius In Your Neighborhood/workplace...
Complication – Now the narrative shifts to Joppa... (50 kms south along the coast)
There in the house of Simon the Tanner - Peter also has a vision.
We pick up the story in verse 9.
9 About noon the following day as they (Cornelius’ messengers) were on their journey and approaching the city (of Joppa), Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time,
***(Deeper voice...) “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times (!), and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
( I think that means it's very important...)
** Have you ever said to the Lord – “Surely not Lord!”
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, ...asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
(“Peter – are you here?)
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit (!) said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
Notice quickly...V. 17 - Peter Is Wondering About The Meaning Of The Vision...
V. 19 – Peter “Was Still Thinking About The Vision...”
Now... the HS speaks to him... “3 men are looking for you... go with them – I have sent them.”
(this is not a vision – this is more like a command!)
What’s happening here?
What’s the point of this vision?
You see... Peter, (a key leader of the church !) ... still Doesn’t Grasp The Global Reach Of The Gospel... ...they have a prejudice - a religious & cultural barrier.
John Stott:
“It is difficult for us to grasp the impassable gulf which yawned in those days between the Jews and the Gentiles...The Tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favoritism. They Became filled with racial pride and hatred, they despised gentiles as dogs and developed traditions which kept them apart. No Orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile - even a god fearer or invite such a person into his home. Stott p. 185
*** ”This was the entrenched prejudice which had to be overcome before gentiles could be admitted into the Christian community on equal terms with Jews and before the church could become a truly multiracial, multicultural society.” (Stott) ... Jesus has given Peter the keys of the kingdom and we have already watched him use these keys effectively opening the kingdom to Jews on the day of Pentecost and then to Samaritans soon afterwards (ch 8) .... Now he is to use the keys again to open the kingdom to Gentiles; by evangelizing and baptizing Cornelius - the first Gentile convert. P. 184 (“The Spirit the church and the world.”)
But Peter... you should understand all this by now!
• Remember the great commission?
• Remember Acts 1:8 ?
o “ you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the very ends of the earth...” Jesus had told them this... furthermore the great commission states “go and makes disciples of all nations...”
Story continues – 22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.
2 day journey...
{**Joppa is 50 kms south of Caesarea along the coast.}
Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, (that’s huge) Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He (Peter) said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. *** “But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean!!!
(it seems Peter might have figured out the meaning of the vision...)
29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” !!!
WOW!!!
Look at what God has done!
*** This passage is not only about the conversion of Cornelius – but the conversion of Peter (...to the idea that the gospel is also for gentiles!)
Resolution: Indeed...God Goes To Extraordinary Measures To Reach Cornelius – and Peter – to tear down cultural and religious barriers.
Now let’s look at the actual meeting itself! – v. 24-27.
9 people travel with Peter ... 50 kms = 9-10 hours?
There is now “a large gathering of people” – brought together by Cornelius!
***I love v 33:
“now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us. What an opportunity! It's time to preach, Peter!
Peter’s sermon:
His introduction – “...I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism – but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
Peter’s Sermon: v 34-43
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Outline of the sermon:
1. You know about God’s working with Israel...
2. You know how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the HS
a. Doing good and healing
b. Setting people free from the evil one.
3. We are witnesses...
a. They killed him on the Cross
b. But God raised him - Resurrection
c. And caused him to be seen by us! ... (not everyone)
4. He commanded us to Preach that he is the judge of the living and the dead!
a. All the OT prophets affirm this message.
5. *** Now hear this verse (43)
a. - “ that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (!)
It's just about time for the altar call!
But then... the **HS is poured out! (Tongue speaking)/proof positive of salvation!!! It seems the tongue speaking is intended to remove any doubt that God welcomes the gentiles!
***Notice v 45 “the circumcised believers were astonished that the gift of the HS had been poured out - even on the gentiles!
Next...They are baptized in water! (Endorsement/Approval )
***Notice, Cornelius is a “good person”! (exemplary)
• So, why all these extraordinary means to reach him with the gospel?
• He was a God-fearer.
• He cared for the poor.
***But he needed to hear the gospel! *** ...like you and me!
Cornelius is the first gentile convert!
... Peter played a key role in liberating the gospel from it's Jewish clothing and opening the kingdom of God to the Gentiles. J. Stott p. 181.
Further Resolution...
Now they get called in to “Head office” – Jerusalem hears a rumor of some radical ministry in Caesarea!
chapter 11:1The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him (!) 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:
... 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
**What a comment - who was I to think I could stand in God’s way!!!
What a question – “Am I standing in God’s way?
It took 4 miracles before Peter’s racial and religious prejudice was overcome!
1. First, came the vision of the sheet/animals – v. 4-10.
2. Second, the divine command to accompany 3 men who had come from Caesarea; v 11-12
a. “the spirit told him”
3. The third miracle was the angel visiting Cornelius
4. Fourth, “the Holy Spirit was poured out (tongues)! v.15-17
God was working at both ends of this equation - in Cornelius and in Peter - deliberately arranging for them to meet and preparing for it by granting to each on successive days a special vision.
Upon hearing all of this - their criticism ceased, and their worship began!!!
***Here, Tongue-speaking authenticates that the gospel is for gentiles too! (10: 44-46)
***Notice the role of the HS in evangelism! *This is what it means to be on mission with God!
Application – We too can be bridge builders and barrier breakers...
1. This Passage Speaks To The *Missional Calling* Of The Church.
Lost people need to be reached!
**Good people – like Cornelius – need to be reached!
Remember at the beginning we talked about “comfort zones”
• Think immigrants!
• Think we Canadians
• 3000 international students at MUN!
What “comfort zone” do we need to break out of?
• Evangelism and gospel witness – “that’s just not me”!
• Do we – like Peter – need to be converted to reaching people beyond our comfort zone?
• ... do we need to be converted to the concept of evangelism?
• Do we need to be converted to praying for lost people?
• Building bridges – it's in our vision statement!!!
• Let’s get serious about this calling!
2. This Narrative Also Speaks To The Gift Of The HS – Power For Witness!
o Let’s face it... if God was so assertive with us as he was with Peter—
o Wow!
o What might happen?
o Now the good news is we believe in the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit!
3. This passage Speaks To Non-Christian Religions
- Contra Pluralism.
Also “Good People” Are Not Good Enough!
Cornelius was a remarkable man – a morally upright man –
Exemplary!
But he wasn't saved – until he heard and received the good news!
4. This passage Speaks To The saving Power Of The Gospel!
• And that God Is Our Judge!
Big idea: “God calls us to partner with him in breaking barriers and building bridges.”
