Sermon Peter’s Struggle: Overcoming The Wall of Prejudice
Scripture Reading: Acts 10: 1-23 “1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. 4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! 5 Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”
7 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. 8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa. 9 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” 14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” 15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven. 17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, 18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.”
Introduction: After hearing a message about correcting injustice, a church member approached the pastor weeping, asking forgiveness and confessing that he hadn’t voted in favor of the black minister to be pastor of their church because of his own prejudice. “I really need you to forgive me. I don’t want the junk of prejudice and racism spilling over into my kid’s lives.. I didn’t vote for you and I was wrong.” His tears of confession were met with the tears of forgiveness of the minister. A week later, the entire church rejoiced upon hearing the man’s testimony of how God had worked in his heart. Even Peter, a disciples of Jesus, and a chief leader in the early church, had to be corrected because of his ill-conceived notions about non-Jewish people.
In his autobiography, the political and spiritual leader of India Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days, he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus, He could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church; and afterwards talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat & suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned.
He wrote: "If Christians have caste differences also, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher's prejudice not only betrayed Jesus; it robbed the Church of a great influential voice and even sadder than that, it turned away a person away from trusting Jesus Christ as Savior.
Sadly, prejudice is found all over the world. It has been said, "An unprejudiced mind is the rarest thing in the world"
Unless you happen to be like the man who said: "I am not prejudiced, I hate everyone!" All of us if we are honest are prejudiced. And your prejudice may not be mine, And my prejudice may not be yours. But if we are honest, even as Christians we can at times still be very prejudiced.
Peter may have been an apostle, but he had a lot to learn about his own prejudices and his own biases. It was essential for Peter to admit (And us), when prejudice is in operation. Our prejudices and biases always collide with God's grace. God has no favorites; we are all equal in his sight.
Webster's dictionary simply defines prejudice as: "Preconceived judgment." Do you see in yourself a tendency to be prejudice against others? Don't give me an answer, just think about it! To help you, I want to do a quick prejudice test: WHAT IMAGES COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF:
Africans, Asians, Europeans? What if a family of them, they moved in next door as your new neighbors?
How about the poor? Or those who are wealthy? Do you write off people by their age? Too old or too young!
Do you categorize people by the Length or the shortness of their hair? By the cosmetics they wear or don't wear?
Do you categorize people politically? What about Socialists? Or Conservatives or Liberals?
Do you categorize people by their traditions and prejudices that caused the Jews to see the Gentiles as inferior?
Alfred Edersheim was a Jewish convert to Christianity and a Biblical scholar known especially for his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, says during the life and times of Jesus the Messiah, “Every gentile child, as soon as born, was to be regarded as unclean…the Mishnah goes so far as to forbid aid to a (Gentile) mother in the hour of her need, or nourishment to her babe, in order not to bring up a child in idolatry! It was not safe to leave cattle in their charge, to allow their women to nurse infants, or their physicians to attend the sick, nor to walk in their company…
They and theirs were defiled; their house unclean, as containing idols or things dedicated to them; their feasts, their joyous occasions, their very contact was polluted by idolatry; and there was no security, if a heathen were left alone in a room, he might defile the wine or meat on the table, or the oil and wheat in the store…. Milk drawn by heathens, if a Jew were not present to watch it, bread and oil prepared by them was unlawful. Their wine was wholly polluted, the mere touch of a heathen polluted a whole container, even to put one’s nose to heathen wine was strictly prohibited!”
This was Peter's Jewish background. Peter had these same prejudicial sentiments lingering like a foul odor in his mind. Only a fresh breath of God's grace, could clear the air, and open the door to a world of Gentiles who were waiting to follow Christ. That refreshing breeze came unexpectedly when God brought Cornelius and Peter face to face, in a supernatural way. Prejudice is so strong that sometimes it’s barrier can only be broken by God's Intervention.
Cornelius, the gentile was the first to experience the divine nudge that brought the two men together. The Gentile, Cornelius was a military leader at Caesarea, a centurion in the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing who generously gave to those in need and prayed to God regularly. As a centurion, Cornelius would have commanded a 80 men who were based at the port of Caesarea. Caesarea was the Roman capitol of Judea. It needed a Roman troop to protect the harbor area, the city’s administrative buildings, and to protect the vital water supply brought by aqueduct into the city.
Cornelius was neither a Jew nor a Jewish convert, neither was he a Christian. Yet he was a seeker of the true God who got God’s attention. Unlike most Romans who were polytheistic, worshipping many Gods. Cornelius was monotheistic, worshipped only one God. He worshipped not only in word, but in deeds. His search for God gave him a concern for men. He gave money to the Jewish people. God rewarded him with a divine vision. Many Christians today are visionless. Our search for God should give us a concern for mankind. As a Christian, how do you feel about people who have failed? People who are divorced? People who have suffered a mental breakdowns? People who have been in psychiatric hospitals? What about your religious prejudices? How do you view those who attend a different denominational church? Who worship differently than you do? Those Charismatics or other Reformers? Do these questions make you feel uncomfortable? When prejudice is in operation, it will always collide with God's grace.
In this chapter, Peter is forced to come to terms with his own pride, which is the bottom-line reason for his struggle. Through Peter's example, we can learn just how entrenched our prejudices really are and how difficult it is to pry ourselves lose from them. These events in Acts 10, probably took place about six years after the crucifixion. In Acts chapters 1-7 the church was born and established in Jerusalem amid growing opposition to the message of Jesus Christ. Stephen was killed (the first Christian martyr) in Acts chapter 8. Then a wave of persecution scattered the believers into all Judea and Samaria and as they went, they preached the gospel everywhere. As a result of their witness, the church grew even more. Up to now there has always been a Jewish connection with the Gospel: Jews with a Hebrew or Greek background, then half-Jews of Samaria believed, then an African Jewish convert on the road to Gaza (he had been worshipping in Jerusalem). But now the time has come for the gospel to go, even wider - to the Gentiles.
Geographically, two cities are mentioned Joppa and Caesarea. Joppa was a seaside town, Northwest of Jerusalem, Peter was staying there in the house of Simon the tanner. 30 miles up the coast from Joppa was Caesarea. Caesarea was where Cornelius lived. The two towns were about a day’s journey apart.
God chose the Jewish nation in Abraham because God wanted a people through whom he could work. The witness of the Jews was to demonstrate to the world that what God did with the Jewish nation, He could do with any nation that walked with him. The Jews were God’s chosen people, not because they were special. Yet God choice made them special and unique. But as time went passed, the Jews began to see themselves as superior to other nations, believing that they were chosen because they were special.
After a divine vision, Cornelius a deeply religious man is told, “your prayers and alms have been received by God.” He was told to dispatch some men to Joppa and send for Peter who will tell you what to do. Cornelius the well-trained soldier and two servants immediately obeys. There was no time wasted, the instructions were precisely followed. He sends these men on an errand to find Peter.
Meanwhile, knowing nothing of Cornelius or his vision, God gave Peter a vision of his own. Peter, a Jewish apostle, one of the 12 disciples had problems of his own. Even though he was a pillar in the church, he harbored deep-seated prejudice. Peter was on the house-top praying when he fell into a trance. Peter was famished, and God gives to him a vision of food! God uses his hunger to teach Peter a life-changing lesson. In his vision, he saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners, containing all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."”
Peter’s diet as a Jewish man was exceedingly strict, excluding several things eaten regularly by Gentiles. This sheet was filled with several forbidden foods. Peter’s food preferences were governed by the Law of Moses in the Old Testament. All his life Peter has never eaten any of those animals that appeared in the sheet. Yet now in this vision, God tells him to “Get up, kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
All his life, Peter has taught that this food was unclean, now he is being told to kill and eat all these things. Unlike Cornelius who obeyed right away, Peter blurts out an objection. On the one hand he calls him "Lord" but on the other hand he says, "No way." Peter probably remembered the words of Jesus who said, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things I say.”
Peter's pride was spoiling his devotion to his Master. In fact, Peter lectures the Lord saying, "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." "Lord, this gentile eats pork chops and spareribs." Your book says, "Don't eat pigs and never go near people who eat them."
Peter had justification for his actions. Peter was not easily convinced, the vision had to be repeated 3 times and even then, Peter was perplexed. His heart was right, he was a praying man, but tradition and prejudice were so deeply engrained that, he had a difficult time accepting anything new. God's message sometimes leaves us perplexed.
Our prejudices are so deep and engrained they hinder us from great benefits and prevent us from changing for the better. God must expose and even force them out into the open. God provided such an opportunity for Peter, When three Gentile men came knocking on the door. God begins a Gentile and Jewish encounter, expansion, and explosion. The Lord's vision to Peter was an introduction to deeper truth. God gives Peter an opportunity to exercise, to put into practice this new insight.
First, changes can be seen in Peter’s hospitality to these Gentile men. Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. While Peter was trying to understand the vision, these men sent by Cornelius came knocking at the door. Notice their words of introduction, "We have come from Cornelius the Roman centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say".
Peter was faced with a choice. How would he respond to the vision? Peter obeyed the vision and brought the message of salvation to Cornelius. Peter has been called the ‘patron saint of failures’ because he made lots of mistakes. But never forget Peter was also a very quick learner.
After a divine vision, personal encounter, and a Gentile visit, Peter finishes chapter 10 differently than he started it! Peter learns three valuable truths through this encounter, truths that still apply today. The 3 things he learned.
1. The Root of Prejudice is Pride.
Prejudice is thinking you are superior to someone else. Your color or country of origin makes you better. Your social status or your good morals lifts you above the others. Your……. You can fill in the blanks! The Bible is very clear in showing partiality is a sin and should be recognized as such! James 2:9, "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law-breakers". The first essential element in dealing with prejudice is the Acceptance of ALL. In Acts chapter 10 Peter had a choice to make to hold onto his traditions and pride, as a chosen one or to apply the new truths that Jesus had shown to him in his vision. D.L. Moody once said, "The biggest argument against Christianity is Christians" and "The biggest argument for Christianity is Christians." Only when we act like Jesus, do we become available for people (Like Jesus) We accept people (Like Jesus) Maybe then we will win people (Like Jesus) We preach our gospel is for "Whosoever". Do we believe it? Or Do we just preach it?
2. The Conviction of Prejudice is Rooted in Tradition not Scripture.
Our prejudices are very stubborn and are strengthened by our traditions and personal preference. In the Bible, All of us are created equal! To deal with prejudice we must be honest and humble. Honest enough to admit that we might have a problem and be humble enough to be willing to deal with it! Peter had to humble himself. He accepted these men and gave them shelter. Then he journeyed with them and entered the home of Gentiles. This would cause a scandal back home, his reputation was shot, and others would criticize him, but not God! All Peter is doing is following in the footsteps of his master! Jesus was a man who “welcomed sinners and ate with them!”
3. Breaking Down The Barriers of Prejudice is Always Difficult.
Leo Tolstoy once said, “Everybody thinks of changing Humanity, and nobody thinks of changing Himself.” Change is always difficult, but it can be so liberating. Just ask Peter! This new door was just the beginning. Peter would deal with this difficulty many times in his career. He was confronted by Paul later in his ministry and challenged to stand for the truth, he rose to the occasion. Breaking down the barriers of prejudice is difficult and sometimes painful. For Peter, it was friends from Jerusalem that caused him to have flashbacks, for us it may be different. We must remember these lessons during a time when flashpoint of prejudice and hatred are all around us. The root of prejudice is pride and preferences, the conviction of prejudice is our tradition not scripture, and finally, breaking the barrier of prejudice is always difficult and painful.
Overcoming prejudice is still our challenge today. We must overcome it and it is necessary if we want to see the world God desires. God loves the whole world and desires to see all men saved. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Scripture is filled words like, whosoever, all the world, every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. God knows who to invite, how to invite and who is invited. A faith that does not include whosoever, all the world, every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation is too narrow. The Christianity's narrow gate is wide enough that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Re 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
