Relationship Over Religion

INTRO

Acts 10:30–43 ESV

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

1) Religious and Lost (v. 1-8)

Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile.

Cornelius was a Roman citizen and a commander of 100 men who would have stood in reserve for time so trouble. He was upright and just, most likely due to his observance of Jewish laws and traditions as apposed to being a Greek who worship Artemis.

He was one who would have been a Gentile friend to the Jews, while not being fully accepted as a proselyte.

He was generous to the Jews who were in need. His sincere generosity was an outflow of his belief in God.

While Cornelius believed in God and was devout to God, he was religiously lost because he had not come to faith in Jesus.

He had undoubtedly heard of Jesus and the events of Jesus’ life (v.36-37)

While Cornelius believed in God, he did not yet truly know God, but God was going to change that!

To believe in God and to be in a relationship with Jesus are two different things.

To believe that God exists is a good thing, but it does not bring salvation.

To believe that Jesus exists is a good thing, but it does not bring salvation.

To believe that Jesus is who He says He is and to respond appropriately is what makes all the difference!

2) Religious and Wayward (v.9-23)

Peter was saved and one of Jesus’ closest followers.

Up to this point, his obedience to Jesus and spreading of Jesus’ Gospel had taken place primarily in Jerusalem and the Judea area.

Through the Apostles, the Gospel was first given to the Jews, God’s chosen people.

But it wasn’t meant only for the Jews or just those Gentiles who had fully converted to Judaism (proselytes).

God had to prepare Peter to go beyond his wayward point of view towards Gentiles.

He gave Peter a vision of “unclean things” to eat.

Peter may have thought this a test, similar to the likes of Daniel and the kings food.

He was determined not to be defiled by associating that which he considered defiled.

Yet God says to Peter “what God has cleansed do not you defile” (direct translation).

This communicated to Peter to not write off that which God has not written off.

Peter and the Church is now at a new turning point in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. That which was considered unacceptable and unapproachable (Gentiles) are now welcomed through the atoning blood of Jesus!

In our own lives, we tend to place our own boundaries on what is what isn’t acceptable before God.

If we are not careful, we too may consider someone outside of the reach of God when God is working in their lives and we just don’t see it.

Too often we limit our Gospel impact by thinking more highly of what others may think than what God is saying to us.

We should never think we are so certain of God’s desires that we do not learn to be sensitive to His Spirit at work around us.

Remember, God’s desire is not your comfort…it’s your relationship with Him lived out in obedience.

God will most often make us uncomfortable and call us to do hard things so that His will would be carried out in us and through us.

3) Relationships Began (v.24-48)

A relationship began with Peter and Cornelius. (v.24-33)

A relationship began with Cornelius and Jesus. (v.34-44)

A new chapter began with Jesus and His Church. (v.45-48)

The Gentile Jesus-followers spoke in tongues, just as the Jewish Jesus-followers did at Pentecost.

This is not some gibberish language, but rather a speaking of one’s native language and dialect, yet heard in complete clarity by others with the a different native language and dialect.

In this case it was Greek new believers (most likely stemming from regions of Italy) speaking and being heard clearly by Jewish believers (most likely stemming from Judea).

For the first time in Gospel Advancement history, Gentiles are recognized as receiving the same Holy Spirit as the Jews!

The same Holy Spirit that works in your life and brought you to saving faith in a relationship with Jesus, is at work desiring to bring others who are totally different from you into a saving relationship with Jesus.

Be a part of that work!

CLOSING

Don’t write off those whom God has not written off. Do not assume anyone is beyond the power of the Holy Spirit to draw them to Jesus.

If Jesus is leading to you action, don’t give too much weight to what others may be thinking…care only about what God is saying.

EXAMINE YOUR OWN HEART AND LIFE…ARE YOU RELIGIOUSLY LOST?

IF YOU ARE SAVED, IS THERE AN AREA OF YOUR LIFE IN WHICH YOU ARE RELIGIOUSLY WAYWARD?

WHAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE BEING OPENED TO YOU THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT SO YOU CAN TAKE THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS?

Don’t keep putting off what God is doing in your heart and your life. Let Him open up a new chapter in your relationship with Him!