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
• But know this: he did not become a Jewish worshiper; not a convert
• He was uncircumcised and would not give himself fully to Judaism
- But he was still given a purpose to draw closer to God!
• He was in prayer when the vision came
• The vision was given to him by an angel of God
• He was willing to hear what was said … to act on whatever was said
- APP: Based on his prayer, God was giving him clarity, a next steps of faith
-- This is not what saved him … but it shows Cornelius seeking God for more
-- Why? He is convinced: This (life) cannot all be by accident!
- He had a yearning to learn, to experience, to be taught, & even to see!
-- APP: Just because you know there is a God doesn’t redeem you from sin
- TR: So, he was obedient to receive and then follow the instructions
-- RE: Message: Go find Simon Peter in Joppa – he has what you need!
-- APP: What does Simon have? He has JESUS!
Point 3 – How does God overcome prejudices?
- So now, we have an issue that we have to contend with …
-- Simon Peter is a Jew … Cornelius is a Gentile … and their history is challenging
-- Remember point 1 – this is a matter of conflicting traditions & upbringing
-- However (IMP) – God can reconcile anyone who is willing to listen!
- God breaks down the prejudice simply by having willing participants
-- And now, in these two men, what did they have that God could use?
-- Both prayed daily, both were devout, both were seeking to know God more
- So, as a meal is getting ready, Peter goes to pray and spend time (v8)
-- It is in this time that God speaks to him through a vision (trance)
-- Now, get this: God is not calling Peter to change careers and go kill & eat
-- Rather, He is trying to show him a very critical breakthrough of traditions
-- Peter is bent on following Jewish Law, and yet God is educating him here
- Seeing heaven open before him (v11), God shows him a majestic vision
-- It is a vision of all the things created (v12) and how they are given to us
-- Now, want you to ponder for moment … because “Simon” is still Simon
-- Even with God showing him this, and he is still questioning the motives
-- APP: He is in denial, and God is trying to draw him closer into fellowship
- God tells him clearly: Stop saying “no” to the things I have created
-- Greek: katharizó; make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually
-- Even in the matter of food, it cannot be bad if God has created it
-- Now, this doesn’t mean we should all eat buffets 24/7 … (moderation)
-- But he is trying to educate Simon to let go of his “religious traditions”!
- Now, who shows up at Peter’s house?
-- Gentiles who work for Cornelius with request that he needs to come with them
-- Peter heard the Spirit confirm that he needs to go with them (v19)
- Thought: I wonder if Peter knew he was about to have his prejudices corrected
-- If so, would he have willingly gone with these men? Ponder Imagine what dinner will be like! They are Gentiles, will eat like Gentiles, and Peter is a JEW!
- Agreeing to go with these men, Peter travels to Caesarea to see Cornelius
-- And obviously, Cornelius was expecting him, but do you see how much (v24)
-- Cornelius has even brought others to his home to hear – to experience this
-- Why? Because he was seeking, and knew that God has presented this chance
- Peter knows the traditions (v28), but he is willing to enter Cornelius’s home
-- But God has called him to go, and so here he is to obey God’s calling
-- Before we see that (next week), want us to tie in the lesson each man learns:
1. Peter has learned:
• RE: Jesus has abolished any distinction between Gentile and Jew
• Peter has seen Jesus work with anyone that will come; teach anyone willing
• Jesus has undone all separation of man (racial, social, or anything else)
2. Cornelius has learned:
• When a man truly seeks God, he will see and hear from Him
• When you seek out God, you have to be receptive to the truth (Word)
• It’s the man who listens for God that must be willing to obey what he hears
- So, God has ordained this whole encounter, put these things in motion
-- Why does this story matter? How does this challenge us?
BIG IDEA
- Who are you not willing to reach because you disagree with them?
- Who are you not willing to tell about Jesus because they are different than you?
- Thankful this is only the beginning of this encounter … cover in next 2 weeks
- Pray
